Author Profile: Janet Evanovich

From Romance Books to Mystery Novels

Oct 4, 2006 Sandy Mitchell

Janet Evanovich is a contemporary American mystery writer, best known for her "Stephanie Plum" series of detective novels. She is the author of 21 mystery books.

Early Days

Janet Evanovich was born and raised in South River, New Jersey, with periodic stints in LA with her aunt. She graduated from Rutgers' Douglass College of Art with thoughts of being a visual artist. The constrains of communicating her art to others and, she says, an allergy to pigment, caused her to turn to writing.

From Romance Novels to Mysteries

Her first efforts were, rather blue, short stories and after she piled up a box of rejection slips, Janet Evanovich went to work as a secretary. Two months into that gig, she got a call from an editor who wanted to publish one of her romance novels. Janet quit on the spot, bowled over by the $2000 advance. (This was the 1970s.) She wrote ten more romances before deciding to focus on mysteries.

Evanovich has written three mystery series, the most popular of which features lingerie buyer turned detective, Stephanie Plum. Her most recent book, Motor Mouth, released in October of 2006, is the second in a series of mysteries featuring Alexandra Barnaby and NASCAR driver Sam Hooker.

Life as a Writer

Janet Evanovich lives in New Hampshire with her husband Pete, daughter Alex, and son Peter. All three work in the family business: handling the writer, Janet Evanovich. Pete is her manager; Peter does the books; and Alex is responsible for her fun and stylish website and newsletter.

Asked how she gets motivated to write, Ms. Evanovich says that she simply spends the money before she earns it.

Bibliography

Stephanie Plum Series:

Metro Series:

Full Series:(written with Charlotte Hughes)

  • Full House
  • Full Tilt
  • Full Speed
  • Full Blast
  • Full Bloom
  • Full Scoop

Romance Novels (originally published under the name of Stephie Hall)

  • Hero at Large
  • Foul Play
  • The Grand Finale
  • Thanksgiving
  • Manhunt
  • Love Overboard
  • Back to the Bedroom
  • Smitten
  • Wife for Hire
  • Rocky Road to Romance
  • Naughty Neighbor

NonFiction

Related Articles and Links:

The copyright of the article Author Profile: Janet Evanovich in Mystery/Crime Fiction is owned by Sandy Mitchell. Permission to republish Author Profile: Janet Evanovich in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Janet Evanovich, Courtesy of Harper-Collins
Janet Evanovich
    
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Comments

Nov 10, 2006 10:38 PM
Leslie Poston :
Does anyone else find that they have strong opinions about who should play what role in the upcoming movie based on these books? I have a clear vision in my head of a Jersey girl a la Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny as Stephanie - perhaps Brittany Murphy? And its too bad Estelle Getty has alzheimers - I've always envisioned her as Grandma Mazur in my head. Ewan McGregor for Morelli in his rough and tumble mode would fit, but who for Ranger? Antonio Banderas is too old, the Rock is to big, Bejamin Bratt is too small, etc. What do you think?
Jan 15, 2007 5:31 AM
Sandy Mitchell :
What about Jennifer Lopez?
Feb 1, 2007 1:11 PM
cassidy butler :
OMG i was watching My Cousin Vinny the other day and thought the same thing!!! I realy wish they would make these books into a movie they are so awsome!!!
Feb 8, 2007 5:42 PM
Rebecca Anderson :
I recently read all of the novels in the series and believe it or not I actually started with Twelve Sharp not knowing there were 11 prior.(whoops!!) I've always been sort of a movie person and never really took time to read, then one day I got the urge to start and haven't stopped since. Sorry, I know this is a lot of information in response to a simple question, but I hope it will help you to understand my answer. I can see why you chose the people you did for the roles, but I can't help but to feel sort of sad. I say this because I have come to realize that almost every book I read is ten times better than the movie that follows. When I read the Stephanie Plum novels the great part is I don't necessarily see the actress that would play the part especially one that we have seen in so many movies. The great thing about her character is she isn't portrayed as a Wonder Woman sort of character, she sort of is what she is. The way she is less than perfect keeps her true to her character and more real in a sense. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I would like to see a fresh face, someone that we haven't seen before especially for Stephanie's character.
Apr 15, 2007 3:42 PM
Cindy Finnegan :
I think Jennifer Lopez is to pretty for the character I envision. What about Patricia Arquette from Medium?
Jun 21, 2007 6:13 PM
Suzanne France :
Hey, let's go with Mark Ruffalo for either Morelli or Ranger. I'm still pondering over Stephanie myself -- I agree about someone who's fresh and natural, though and as much as I adore Marisa, she might be just a little too old for the Steph role -- maybe Julia Louis-Dreyfus? She just stands on her own. I find myself sitting on planes, restaurants etc and just bursting out laughing as I visual her quick repartees with her other characters. Kudos to Evanovich for her amazing plots and hilarious characters. I think we need Queen Latifah for Lula!!!
Does someone have the rights to make a movie out of one of these novels?
Sep 23, 2008 1:16 PM
Guest :
STephanie - Sandra Bullock
Lula - Queen Latifah
Joe - Antonio Banderas
Ranger - The Rock or Vin Diesel
Vinnie - Danny Deviito

I've read them all. Some twice because I had to go back and startwithe One For the Road and read them in order. I feel very strong about the actors above
Dec 22, 2008 12:27 PM
Guest :
Stephanie-Katie Holmes
Ranger-Vin Diesel
Lula-Queen Latifah
Joe-Brad Pitt
Mazur-Nina Foch

dang i'm good. love this series recommend it to EVERYONE aaaaand yah. Can't wait for number 15!
8 Comments