Meh. at this point in the series, we know the formula. Stephanie still doesn’t have her life together, Lula doesn’t wear clothes that fit, neither of them are prepared for their job and are terrible at it, and Stephanie is still in her little apartment with her hamster that’s somehow still alive. She is officially Morelli’s girlfriend though, so there’s that, but clearly he has no interest in marrying her. Cars are still being blown up, funerals are still a spectator sport, Grandma is still alive and sassy, Lula still loves fried food. Ranger is still around and calling her Babe and Diesel shows up and moves in to her apartment for this book. the plot could have been more interesting given that the last chapter is where we get info-dumped on, but I digress. Lula does get shot this time, which probably would not have happened if she and Stephanie were carrying and prepared for their jobs like, ever, but then I guess it wouldn’t be a SP novel.
It’s not quite as funny as some of the earlier SP novels but if you like the SP stories, this is okay.

I had to sit with my feelings for a bit before writing this because WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL MAUREEN?!
listen. That ending? straight to jail for you.
we get absolutely no resolution. does Stevie solve the case? yeah, obviously. she always does. DO WE HAVE A HUGE QUESTION MARK CONCERNING HER RELATIONSHIP AND STATUS AT SCHOOL DURING HER SENIOR YEAR? WE DO.
David is so stupid. their relationship is now in limbo. Stevie was stupid and now her place at school is in limbo. I’m so angry. I need resolution like, yesterday.

I couldn’t figure out why this book was so popular until I saw that it was written by the editor of a publishing company.
it’s not great. it’s basically a bunch of overly wealthy people whining. Georgiana has to be one of the worst characters ever written. the characters are self centered and only focused on their very white privileged lives. if you enjoy reading about WASPs who have a realization that wealth isn’t everything way too late in life, this is for you.