Story Deep Dive Podcast

Story Deep Dive Podcast
Podcast Description
Join editor and USA Today bestselling author Dana Pittman and developmental editor Rachel Arsenault for a weekly deep dive into great novels. storydeepdive.substack.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show emphasizes a range of topics within literature, focusing primarily on plot structure, character development, and writing techniques. Examples include their episode deep dives into the character journey in Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and the dynamics of humor in Things We Never Got Over. Additionally, they explore how themes like power, community, and emotional healing are presented across genres.

Join editor and USA Today bestselling author Dana Pittman and developmental editor Rachel Arsenault for a weekly deep dive into great novels.
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the genre-bending plot of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.
Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on genre blending, defining your story’s core structure, and why understanding reader expectations is essential for long-term series success.
Learn how to decode story architecture beneath the sass and hijinks of Stephanie Plum—and what this means for your own books if you’re building a cozy-adjacent mystery or serial romance with edge.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!
Estimate Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Why We Study Books Like Writers
Dana and Rachel open the episode with updates from their coaching businesses and a reminder that the podcast is about reading like a writer. Rachel shares a story about helping a client break through a plot block by identifying a story structure based on “breaking and entering.” They discuss how comps can guide writers beyond marketing, helping them structurally anchor original stories.
08:30 – Book Club Reactions & Teaching Through Discussion
Dana shares insights from DTW’s five-month community book club, where participants explore a novel from multiple genre perspectives. Reader reactions to One for the Money were polarized, revealing rich opportunities to dissect relatability, character design, and what writers can learn from reader preferences—whether positive or negative.
17:15 – Framing the Discussion: Plot & Genre
Rachel recaps the plot of One for the Money and introduces the genre conversation: Is this book a mystery, a cozy, or something else entirely? They offer context about its original reception and why it still matters to modern writers trying to build serial fiction that blends comedy, romance, and suspense.
24:00 – Genre Mashup: Action Comedy with Mystery Attached
Rachel argues that the core structure of One for the Money is an action comedy centered on a chase—not a true mystery. Stephanie Plum’s goal is to catch Morelli, not solve a murder. Dana challenges the idea by noting how much information the reader still gleans about the murder subplot. They agree the book integrates mystery elements well but isn’t driven by traditional whodunit mechanics.
32:45 – Cozy Mystery… or Cozy Adjacent?
Dana and Rachel examine whether One for the Money qualifies as a cozy mystery. While it shares traits—female amateur sleuth, quirky tone, small-town roots—it departs with violence, sexual undertones, and edgier content. They discuss how reader expectations have evolved since the book’s 1994 release and why it’s risky to use a mashup like this as a direct comp today.
47:50 – Historical Context & Why It Landed
Rachel draws parallels to the John Grisham era, showing how One for the Money satirized the male-dominated crime genre by flipping roles: Stephanie is chaotic and clumsy, while Morelli becomes a reluctant love interest. They trace how this book laid groundwork for the cozy mystery boom, even before the genre was clearly codified.
55:20 – Writing a Cozy with Edge: Know What You’re Promising
The hosts offer guidance for writers building cozy-adjacent stories. Know which elements you’re borrowing—and which ones will disqualify you from genre expectations. Dana emphasizes the importance of defining “hell yes” and “hell no” reader reactions through your tone, tropes, and content boundaries.
62:15 – External Conflict & Episodic Momentum
Rachel highlights how Evanovich uses constant external complications—money problems, car repossession, death threats—to fuel momentum and keep Stephanie inventively solving problems. These complications are perfect for serial-style storytelling. Dana adds that many of these stakes become deeply personal, which builds character connection and supports long-term engagement.
About One for the Money
Meet Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie’s opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.
She’s a product of the “burg,” a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.
Out of work and out of money, Stephanie blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin Vinnie into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, el-primo bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first assignment: nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli’s the inamorato who charmed Stephanie out of her virginity at age sixteen. There’s still powerful chemistry between them, so the chase should be interesting…and could also be extremely dangerous.
Where to Find the Book
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on the author’s website.
Next Episode:
In the next episode, Dana and Rachel will explore the character dynamics in One for the Money, digging into how Stephanie Plum’s voice, relationships, and emotional stakes power the story. You don’t want to miss this deep dive into what makes a compelling (if chaotic) protagonist!
Join the Conversation:
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storydeepdive.substack.com

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