A murdered professor, a relic that stirs up lust and a monkey who steals every scene. Janet Evanovich’s Wicked Business is the second Lizzy and Diesel novel. It came out in hardcover on June 19, 2012, two years after book 1.
On Goodreads it holds 3.83 out of 5 from more than 40,000 ratings. Below: the plot, the cast, what readers say and where the book fits in the series.
What Is Wicked Business About?
Lizzy Tucker wants a normal life as a pastry chef in Salem. She bakes cupcakes at a small bakery and would like to keep it that way. But she has a rare talent: she can sense enchanted objects. That makes her the perfect partner for Diesel, a man with unusual abilities who tracks down dangerous relics.
This time, Lizzy and Diesel take on the quest for the Luxuria Stone. It is an ancient relic believed to carry the power of lust. It is also one of seven such objects, each linked to one of the seven deadly sins.
Plot Summary, Without Spoilers
Harvard University English professor Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered, thrown off his fourth-floor balcony. Reedy had spent twenty years searching for the relic. His clues are hidden in a cryptic nineteenth-century book of sonnets.
Following the sonnets, the pair crosses the city. They search the Boston catacombs, break into government buildings and slip through multimillion-dollar residences. Public disturbances, general mayhem and a little spontaneous seduction follow them everywhere. Two rivals are in the race too. One is Gerwulf Grimoire, the other a new, dark opponent called Anarchy, a devotee of lawlessness and chaos.
Main Characters: Lizzy, Diesel, Carl the Monkey and Wulf
- Lizzy: a talented baker who would rather make cupcakes than chase magic.
- Diesel: big, mysterious and very sure of himself. The romantic tension between him and Lizzy runs through the book.
- Carl: a primate with bad manners and a rude gesture for every occasion. Readers love him most.
- Wulf: Diesel’s black sheep cousin, dark and dangerous, with his medieval minion Hatchet in tow.
- Glo: Lizzy’s coworker and an amateur witch whose spells rarely go to plan.
Our Review: A Light Paranormal Mystery That Leans Into Comedy
The book reads fast. The chapters are short, the dialogue is quick, and the treasure chase keeps the pace up. Plum fans will feel at home. The humor, the sidekicks and the intensity between the leads follow the same recipe.
The paranormal side stays light. The magic is there to cause trouble, not to build a complex world. That suits cozy readers who like a touch of the supernatural in a funny mystery.
The weak spots are the ones readers mention most. The plot is thin, the scenes can feel loosely joined, and the ending is abrupt. The romance also builds tension without much payoff. If you want a light, funny weekend read, it delivers. If you want a tight puzzle, look elsewhere.
Are There Reviews for Wicked Business?
Yes. On Goodreads, readers praise the humor, the quirky supporting cast and the troublemaking sidekick above all. The most common criticism is that the book feels formulaic. Critics have long been fond of the author. GQ called her books among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction, and the publisher prints that quote with this title.
Is It a Sequel to Wicked Appetite? The Lizzy and Diesel Series in Order
Yes, this is the second of three books. Each one follows the search for a different relic:
- Wicked Appetite (2010): gluttony
- this book (2012): lust
- Wicked Charms (2015): avarice, co-written with Phoef Sutton
You can follow the plot without book 1, but the characters and their rivalry are set up there. Our series guide has all three books in order.
Who Is the Author of the Book?
Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, about a Trenton bounty hunter. She is prolific, with more than 30 novels in that series alone. She began with twelve romance titles before turning to comic crime. Her other series include Fox and O’Hare, written with Lee Goldberg. Diesel first appeared in her holiday novellas and later got his own series. More about her books: our Janet Evanovich author page.
Where to Buy or Listen to the Book
It is available in paperback, ebook and audiobook, and the hardcover can still be found. You can buy Wicked Business from the major online bookstores, and most public libraries carry it in print and audio.
Quick Facts
| Author | Janet Evanovich |
|---|---|
| Series | Lizzy and Diesel, book 2 |
| First published | June 19, 2012 |
| Setting | Boston area, Massachusetts |
| The relic | The Luxuria Stone |
| Goodreads | 3.83 / 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read book 1 first?
It helps but is not required. Book 1 introduces Lizzy’s gift, Diesel and the rival’s motive.
Is it a cozy mystery?
It is a funny paranormal mystery with a cozy feel: a small-town bakery, a witchy friend and a pet primate. There is little graphic violence, but plenty of flirting and innuendo.
Will there be a book 4?
No fourth book has been announced. Wicked Charms came out in 2015, and the series has been quiet since.