Stephanie Plum, a former lingerie saleswoman, is down on her luck and desperate for a job in Trenton, New Jersey. She turns to her cousin Vinnie's bail bond business, where she is offered a gig as a bounty hunter despite having no experience. Her first assignment is to capture Joe Morelli, a former cop accused of murder who has a complicated history with Stephanie. Determined to prove her worth, Stephanie sets out to hunt down Joe, learning the ropes of bounty hunting through gritty encounters and dangerous situations. Along the way, she receives help and advice from seasoned bounty hunter Ranger and forms an unlikely partnership with him.

As Stephanie digs deeper into the case, she discovers that the situation is more complex than it initially appeared. Her pursuit of Joe leads her into a labyrinth of secrets and corruption that puts her in the crosshairs of various criminals and questionable characters. Balancing her growing attraction to Joe with her professional responsibilities, Stephanie navigates a series of twists and turns, drawing on her wit and newfound skills to unravel the truth. Each step forward places her in increasing peril, testing her resolve and determination as she gets closer to uncovering a conspiracy that threatens her and those around her.