Stephanie Plum Books in Order: Janet Evanovich’s Cozy Crime Queen
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series has captivated readers of cozy crime for decades.
The series, which began in 1994, features an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary situations, and it’s a mix of humour, suspense, and eccentric characters that keep fans coming back for more.
The first book in the series, One for the Money, was published in 1994 and introduced the world to Stephanie Plum, a laid-off lingerie buyer who turns to bounty hunting in Trenton, New Jersey, to make ends meet.
The series is notable for blending crime-solving with a lighthearted tone, making it a popular choice for fans of cozy crime fiction.
Unlike traditional detectives, Stephanie often relies on luck, wit, and a bit of help from her eclectic cast of friends and family to get by.
The book was so well-received that it was adapted into a film in 2012, starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum.
While the film didn’t garner the same level of praise as the novels, it brought more attention to the series, leading even more readers to dive into the books.
Books in Order
The Stephanie Plum series currently consists of 30 main novels, several novellas, and holiday-themed books.
If you’re a new reader or a long-time fan wanting to catch up, here’s the chronological order of the main books:
- One for the Money (1994)
- Two for the Dough (1996)
- Three to Get Deadly (1997)
- Four to Score (1998)
- High Five (1999)
- Hot Six (2000)
- Seven Up (2001)
- Hard Eight (2002)
- To the Nines (2003)
- Ten Big Ones (2004)
- Eleven on Top (2005)
- Twelve Sharp (2006)
- Lean Mean Thirteen (2007)
- Fearless Fourteen (2008)
- Finger Lickin’ Fifteen (2009)
- Sizzling Sixteen (2010)
- Smokin’ Seventeen (2011)
- Explosive Eighteen (2011)
- Notorious Nineteen (2012)
- Takedown Twenty (2013)
- Top Secret Twenty-One (2014)
- Tricky Twenty-Two (2015)
- Turbo Twenty-Three (2016)
- Hardcore Twenty-Four (2017)
- Look Alive Twenty-Five (2018)
- Twisted Twenty-Six (2019)
- Fortune and Glory: Tantalizing Twenty-Seven (2020)
- Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (2021)
- Going Rogue: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine (2022)
- Dirty Thirty (2023)
- Now or Never – Thirty One on the Run (2024)
As you can see, the number of each book in the series is in the title, so don’t worry if you can’t remember the exact name!
This list is key to understanding the evolution of the series. Each title not only signals the next in the sequence but also hints at the chaotic and humorous situations Stephanie finds herself in.
Great Characters
The Stephanie Plum series isn’t just about catching criminals; it’s about the relationships Stephanie has with her friends and family.
One of the most endearing aspects of the books is her interactions with characters like Grandma Mazur, a fiery, fun-loving woman who’s often the source of comic relief.
Then, there’s the love triangle between Stephanie, Joe Morelli (a local cop), and the mysterious Ranger (a security expert).
According to a 2015 survey by the website Goodreads, 55% of fans cited the dynamic between these three characters as one of the reasons they keep reading.
The humour is another factor, with 48% of readers saying they appreciate the lighthearted nature of the books compared to other crime fiction.
Another important theme is Stephanie’s constant state of “figuring it out”. She’s not a polished, professional bounty hunter, but that’s part of her charm.
Popularity
The Stephanie Plum books have been a commercial success, with more than 75 million copies of the books sold worldwide as of 2021.
Evanovich’s books have consistently hit the New York Times Bestseller list, with eleven hitting number one on the USA Today bestseller list.
The longevity of the series, now spanning 30 years, is a testament to its appeal across multiple generations of readers.
Evanovich’s novels have been translated into more than 40 languages and there are currently more than 200 million of her works in print worldwide.
The series has consistently produced bestsellers, with the 26th instalment, Twisted Twenty-Six, hitting the top of the New York Times hardcover fiction list, USA Today list, and Apple Books list.
Why the Series Works
The success of the Stephanie Plum novels lies in their balance of suspense, humour, and relatable characters.
Unlike more intense crime novels, the Plum series allows readers to enjoy the mystery without diving into dark or disturbing territory.
This has positioned it firmly within the cozy crime genre, where lighthearted, often humorous crime-solving is a key feature.
Evanovich’s writing style is also a big draw. Her pacing is quick, with snappy dialogue and short chapters that make the books easy to devour.
This has helped her build a loyal fan base that eagerly awaits each new release.
The Future of Stephanie Plum
With Dirty Thirty just released in paperback as of July 2024, the Stephanie Plum books show no signs of slowing down.
Given the success of the past books and the dedicated fan base, it’s likely that Evanovich will continue writing Plum’s adventures for years to come.
The cozy crime genre itself has gained popularity in recent years, with shows like Only Murders in the Building sparking renewed interest in lighthearted mysteries.
This trend might ensure that Plum remains a fixture in crime fiction for the foreseeable future.
The Stephanie Plum series is not just a collection of crime novels but a cultural phenomenon.
For fans of cozy crime, Janet Evanovich’s books provide a perfect balance of suspense, wit, and relatable characters.
Whether you’re reading them for the first time or revisiting your favourites, the Stephanie Plum series offers a delightful escape into a world where crime can be funny, and even the most unconventional heroine can get the job done.
