If you’re a fan of witty heroines, laugh-out-loud humor, and gripping mysteries, Janet Evanovich’s books are likely already on your radar. Known for her wildly popular Stephanie Plum series, Evanovich has crafted a universe of quirky characters, romantic tension, and action-packed adventures that keep readers coming back for more. Whether you’re new to her work or a longtime fan looking to revisit her novels, this guide provides a complete, SEO-friendly rundown of Janet Evanovich’s books in order, focusing on her major series and standalone works.
Why Read Janet Evanovich’s Books?
Janet Evanovich’s novels blend humor, romance, and suspense in a way that’s uniquely addictive. Her Stephanie Plum series, centered around a bounty hunter from Trenton, New Jersey, is a fan favorite for its fast-paced plots and unforgettable characters like the sexy Joe Morelli and the enigmatic Ranger. Beyond Stephanie Plum, Evanovich has penned other series and standalone novels that showcase her knack for storytelling. This guide organizes her books by series and publication order, making it easy to dive into her world or catch up on missed titles.
Complete List of Janet Evanovich Books In Order by Series
Below is a comprehensive table listing all of Janet Evanovich’s books, organized by series and in publication order. This includes her Stephanie Plum series, other major series, and standalone novels, perfect for fans and new readers alike.
| Series | Book Title | Publication Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Plum Series | One for the Money | 1994 | Main novel #1 |
| Two for the Dough | 1996 | Main novel #2 | |
| Three to Get Deadly | 1997 | Main novel #3 | |
| Four to Score | 1998 | Main novel #4 | |
| High Five | 1999 | Main novel #5 | |
| Hot Six | 2000 | Main novel #6 | |
| Seven Up | 2001 | Main novel #7 | |
| Hard Eight | 2002 | Main novel #8 | |
| Visions of Sugar Plums | 2002 | Novella (Between-the-Numbers) | |
| To the Nines | 2003 | Main novel #9 | |
| Ten Big Ones | 2004 | Main novel #10 | |
| Eleven on Top | 2005 | Main novel #11 | |
| Twelve Sharp | 2006 | Main novel #12 | |
| Plum Lovin’ | 2007 | Novella (Between-the-Numbers) | |
| Lean Mean Thirteen | 2007 | Main novel #13 | |
| Plum Lucky | 2008 | Novella (Between-the-Numbers) | |
| Fearless Fourteen | 2008 | Main novel #14 | |
| Plum Spooky | 2008 | Novella (Between-the-Numbers) | |
| Finger Lickin’ Fifteen | 2009 | Main novel #15 | |
| Sizzling Sixteen | 2010 | Main novel #16 | |
| Smokin’ Seventeen | 2011 | Main novel #17 | |
| Explosive Eighteen | 2011 | Main novel #18 | |
| Notorious Nineteen | 2012 | Main novel #19 | |
| Takedown Twenty | 2013 | Main novel #20 | |
| Top Secret Twenty-One | 2014 | Main novel #21 | |
| Tricky Twenty-Two | 2015 | Main novel #22 | |
| Turbo Twenty-Three | 2016 | Main novel #23 | |
| Hardcore Twenty-Four | 2017 | Main novel #24 | |
| Look Alive Twenty-Five | 2018 | Main novel #25 | |
| Twisted Twenty-Six | 2019 | Main novel #26 | |
| Fortune and Glory: Tantalizing Twenty-Seven | 2020 | Main novel #27 | |
| Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight | 2021 | Main novel #28 | |
| Going Rogue: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine | 2022 | Main novel #29 | |
| Lizzy and Diesel Series | Wicked Appetite | 2010 | With Phoef Sutton |
| Wicked Business | 2012 | With Phoef Sutton | |
| Wicked Charms | 2015 | With Phoef Sutton | |
| Knight and Moon Series | Curious Minds | 2016 | With Phoef Sutton |
| Dangerous Minds | 2017 | With Phoef Sutton | |
| Fox and O’Hare Series | The Heist | 2013 | With Lee Goldberg |
| The Chase | 2014 | With Lee Goldberg | |
| The Job | 2014 | With Lee Goldberg | |
| The Scam | 2015 | With Lee Goldberg | |
| The Pursuit | 2016 | With Lee Goldberg | |
| The Big Kahuna | 2019 | With Peter Evanovich | |
| The Bounty | 2021 | With Steve Hamilton | |
| Alexandra Barnaby Series | Metro Girl | 2004 | |
| Motor Mouth | 2006 | ||
| Trouble Maker | 2010 | Graphic novel | |
| Trouble Maker 2 | 2010 | Graphic novel | |
| Full Series | Full House | 1989 (rewritten 2002) | With Charlotte Hughes |
| Full Tilt | 2003 | With Charlotte Hughes | |
| Full Speed | 2003 | With Charlotte Hughes | |
| Full Blast | 2004 | With Charlotte Hughes | |
| Full Bloom | 2005 | With Charlotte Hughes | |
| Full Scoop | 2006 | With Charlotte Hughes | |
| Elsie Hawkins Series | Back to the Bedroom | 1989 | |
| Smitten | 1990 | ||
| Wife for Hire | 1990 | ||
| The Rocky Road to Romance | 1991 | ||
| Standalone Novels | Hero at Large | 1987 | |
| Thanksgiving | 1988 | ||
| The Grand Finale | 1988 | ||
| Foul Play | 1989 | ||
| Manhunt | 1989 | ||
| Ivan Takes a Wife (aka Love Overboard) | 1989 | ||
| Naughty Neighbor | 1992 |
Notes:
- The Stephanie Plum series is best read in order for character development and recurring humor.
- Novellas in the Stephanie Plum series are optional but add seasonal fun.
- Co-authored books are noted where applicable.
- Early standalone novels are primarily romances, reflecting Evanovich’s early career.
This table provides a clear, organized way to explore Janet Evanovich’s extensive bibliography. Start with the Stephanie Plum series for her signature humor and action, or dive into her other series for variety!
Janet Evanovich Books In Order Of Release
The Stephanie Plum Series: A Bounty Hunter’s Wild Ride
The Stephanie Plum series is Evanovich’s crown jewel, following the misadventures of Stephanie Plum, a lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter. With 29 main novels and several novellas, this series is perfect for readers who love humor, romance, and a touch of chaos. Below is the complete list of Stephanie Plum books in order of publication, including the “between-the-numbers” novellas.
Main Stephanie Plum Novels (1–29)
- One for the Money (1994)
Stephanie Plum’s first case introduces her as a rookie bounty hunter chasing Joe Morelli, a cop with a complicated past. - Two for the Dough (1996)
Stephanie tracks a murderer while juggling her love life and family pressures. - Three to Get Deadly (1997)
A candy store owner’s disappearance leads to trouble in Trenton. - Four to Score (1998)
Stephanie’s hunt for a missing waitress heats up with revenge and romance. - High Five (1999)
A missing uncle and a garbage-related case keep Stephanie on her toes. - Hot Six (2000)
Ranger’s in trouble, and Stephanie’s caught in the crossfire. - Seven Up (2001)
A cigarette smuggler and a wedding disaster test Stephanie’s skills. - Hard Eight (2002)
A child custody case turns dangerous for Stephanie. - To the Nines (2003)
A trip to Las Vegas brings new challenges and old flames. - Ten Big Ones (2004)
Stephanie witnesses a robbery and becomes a gang’s target. - Eleven on Top (2005)
Stephanie tries to quit bounty hunting but can’t escape danger. - Twelve Sharp (2006)
Ranger’s past threatens his future, and Stephanie’s in the middle. - Lean Mean Thirteen (2007)
A favor for Ranger leads to explosive consequences. - Fearless Fourteen (2008)
A bank heist and a creepy stalker keep Stephanie busy. - Finger Lickin’ Fifteen (2009)
A barbecue contest and a murder case spice things up. - Sizzling Sixteen (2010)
Stephanie helps save Vinnie’s bail bonds business. - Smokin’ Seventeen (2011)
A killer targets the bonds office, and Stephanie’s love life sizzles. - Explosive Eighteen (2011)
A Hawaiian vacation turns deadly for Stephanie. - Notorious Nineteen (2012)
A hospital conspiracy puts Stephanie in the crosshairs. - Takedown Twenty (2013)
A mobster’s murder and a rogue giraffe keep things wild. - Top Secret Twenty-One (2014)
A car dealer’s disappearance sparks chaos. - Tricky Twenty-Two (2015)
A college scandal and romantic tension heat up. - Turbo Twenty-Three (2016)
An ice cream factory investigation gets sticky. - Hardcore Twenty-Four (2017)
Zombies and a serial killer haunt Trenton. - Look Alive Twenty-Five (2018)
A deli’s disappearing managers spell trouble. - Twisted Twenty-Six (2019)
Grandma Mazur’s new marriage stirs up danger. - Fortune and Glory: Tantalizing Twenty-Seven (2020)
A treasure hunt puts Stephanie in the line of fire. - Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (2021)
A hacker’s disappearance leads to a high-stakes chase. - Going Rogue: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine (2022)
A kidnapping case tests Stephanie’s wits.
Stephanie Plum Novellas (Between-the-Numbers)
- Visions of Sugar Plums (2002)
A Christmas-themed adventure with a mysterious stranger. - Plum Lovin’ (2007)
Stephanie plays matchmaker while chasing a skip. - Plum Spooky (2008)
A spooky case involves a scientist and a monkey. - Plum Lucky (2008)
St. Patrick’s Day brings luck and chaos to Stephanie’s life.
Pro Tip: Start with One for the Money for the full Stephanie Plum experience. The novellas are optional but add fun, seasonal flair to the series.
Other Janet Evanovich Series
Beyond Stephanie Plum, Evanovich has written several other series, often with co-authors, that showcase her versatility. Here’s a breakdown of her other major series in publication order.
Lizzy and Diesel Series
This urban fantasy series follows Lizzy Tucker, a pastry chef, and Diesel, a mysterious man with supernatural abilities. It’s a lighter, magical take on Evanovich’s signature humor.
- Wicked Appetite (2010)
- Wicked Business (2012)
- Wicked Charms (2015, with Phoef Sutton)
Knight and Moon Series
Featuring Emerson Knight, an eccentric billionaire, and Riley Moon, his sharp-witted partner, this series blends adventure and comedy.
- Curious Minds (2016, with Phoef Sutton)
- Dangerous Minds (2017, with Phoef Sutton)
Fox and O’Hare Series
This series, co-authored with Lee Goldberg and others, follows con artist Nicolas Fox and FBI agent Kate O’Hare in a cat-and-mouse game turned partnership.
- The Heist (2013, with Lee Goldberg)
- The Chase (2014, with Lee Goldberg)
- The Job (2014, with Lee Goldberg)
- The Scam (2015, with Lee Goldberg)
- The Pursuit (2016, with Lee Goldberg)
- The Big Kahuna (2019, with Peter Evanovich)
- The Bounty (2021, with Steve Hamilton)
Alexandra Barnaby Series
This series follows Alexandra “Barney” Barnaby, a mechanic with a knack for solving crimes, and NASCAR driver Sam Hooker.
- Metro Girl (2004)
- Motor Mouth (2006)
- Trouble Maker (2010, graphic novel)
- Trouble Maker 2 (2010, graphic novel)
Other Series and Collaborations
- Full Series (with Charlotte Hughes): A romantic comedy series about the Full family.
- Full House (1989, rewritten 2002)
- Full Tilt (2003)
- Full Speed (2003)
- Full Blast (2004)
- Full Bloom (2005)
- Full Scoop (2006)
- Elsie Hawkins Series: A humorous series about a retiree turned sleuth.
- Back to the Bedroom (1989)
- Smitten (1990)
- Wife for Hire (1990)
- The Rocky Road to Romance (1991)
Standalone Novels by Janet Evanovich
Evanovich’s standalone novels, mostly early romances, showcase her roots in the romance genre before she became a mystery superstar.
- Hero at Large (1987)
- Thanksgiving (1988)
- The Grand Finale (1988)
- Foul Play (1989)
- Manhunt (1989)
- Ivan Takes a Wife (1989, aka Love Overboard)
- Naughty Neighbor (1992)
How to Read Janet Evanovich’s Books
For new readers, the Stephanie Plum series is the best starting point due to its popularity and ongoing narrative. Read the main novels in order (1–29) for character development and plot continuity, and sprinkle in the novellas for extra fun. If you enjoy fantasy, try the Lizzy and Diesel series next. For a more action-oriented read, the Fox and O’Hare series is a great choice. Early romance fans might enjoy her standalone novels or the Full series.
Reading Tip: Evanovich’s books are fast-paced and standalone-friendly, but reading in order enhances the experience, especially for recurring characters and running gags.
Where to Find Janet Evanovich’s Books
You can find Evanovich’s books at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. Many are available in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats. Libraries often carry her series, and used bookstores are a treasure trove for older titles like her early romances.
Why Fans Love Janet Evanovich
Evanovich’s books are beloved for their humor, relatable characters, and page-turning plots. Whether it’s Stephanie Plum’s sarcastic quips, Diesel’s supernatural charm, or Kate O’Hare’s sharp intellect, there’s a series for every reader. Her ability to balance action, romance, and comedy has earned her a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim, including multiple New York Times bestsellers.
Fun Fact: The Stephanie Plum series inspired a 2012 film, One for the Money, starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie.
Final Thoughts
Janet Evanovich’s books offer a delightful escape into worlds filled with laughter, danger, and heart. Whether you’re chasing skips with Stephanie Plum or solving heists with Fox and O’Hare, her stories are sure to entertain. Use this guide to navigate her extensive bibliography and start your reading journey today!
Have a favorite Evanovich book or series? Let us know in the comments, and happy reading!
