Janet Evanovich, the “most popular mystery writer alive” (The New York Times), sends Stephanie Plum, Trenton’s hardest working most unappreciated bounty hunter, on the trail of a stolen stash of dirty diamonds. Local jeweller Martin Rabner wants her to locate his former security guard, Andy Manley (a.k.a Nusty), who he is convinced stole a fortune in diamonds from his safe. Stephanie is also looking for another troubled man Duncan Dugan, a fugitive from justice arrested for robbing the same jewellery on the same day.

With her boyfriend Morelli away in Miami on police business, Stephanie is taking care of Bob, Morelli’s giant orange dog who will devour anything from Stephanie’s stray donuts to the upholstery in her car. Morelli’s absence also means the inscrutable irresistible security expert Ranger is front and centre in Stephanie’s life when things inevitably go sideways. He seems determined to stay there.

To complicate matters, her best friend is convinced she is being stalked by a mythological demon hell-bent on relieving her of her wardrobe. An overnight stakeout with Stephanie’s mother and grandma Mazur reveals three generations of women with nerves of steel and driving skills worthy of NASCAR champions.

As the body count rises and witnesses start to disappear, it won’t be easy for Stephanie to keep herself clean when everyone else is playing dirty. It’s a good thing Stephanie is not afraid of getting a little dirty too in this crazy caper.

Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich, Simon & Schuster$13.99