We knew from the beginning that Wicked Appetite (St. Martin’s, 2010) would be a series.  Now the publication of Wicked Business (Bantam, 6/2012) makes it official and we can expect more “Lizzy and Diesel” books–one on each of the deadly sins. The main character, Lizzy Tucker runs Dazzle’s Bakery in Salem Massachusetts.  Her sidekick is Diesel from Visions of Sugar Plums published by St. Martin’s in 2002, one of Evanovich’s Christmas books.  Diesel is handsome and charming, but alas, part angel.  When he resorts to using his magic powers, problems go away.  But he is not omniscient;  his evil cousin Gerwulf Grimoire is his nemesis.  In order to give these books YA appeal, Evanovich has replaced profanity with fart jokes, sex with romance and added a touch of the supernatural.  Adults seem to find this series inane.  Will it fly with YAs?  Sales of this second book will give us the answer.

–posted    5/28/2012