Plum Lucky, By Janet Evanovich

Janet Evan-ovich, inventor of the sassy-girl crime caper, has written over 18 novels and novellas featuring New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum.

In this latest installment, set over a St Patrick's Day holiday, we find the ever youthful Stephanie torn between the attentions of Joe Morelli, the cute Trenton cop who's been pursuing her since high school, and Diesel, a muscle bound undercover agent who "smells like everything a woman wants ... sex and fresh-baked cookies and a hint of Christmas."

The plot - involving Plum's slot-playing grandma, a midget and a bag full of mafia money – may not be the novel's strongest suit, but Evanovich's motor-mouth dialogue remains an eye-watering delight.