Characters Now or Never Janet Evanovich

Lula: The Heart and Humor of Now or Never

Overview

Lula is Stephanie Plum’s loud, loyal, and unforgettable sidekick in the 31st Stephanie Plum novel, Now or Never. A former streetwise woman turned bail bonds office assistant, Lula provides most of the book’s comic relief while proving herself an indispensable partner in fugitive recovery. She is fearless in her own way, dresses flamboyantly (think sequins, spandex, and platinum wigs), and faces every absurd situation—from a possible vampire to a mobster’s dog—with a mixture of bravado and snack-driven pragmatism. Lula’s unwavering support for Stephanie and her creative, if sometimes ill-advised, tactics make her a fan-favorite character whose influence on the story goes far beyond jokes.

Plot Role

Throughout Now or Never, Lula acts as Stephanie’s backup on nearly every case. She helps capture the porch pirate Eugene Fleck (chapter 1), apprehends the indecent exposure repeat offender Jerry Bottles (chapter 2), and assists in the failed attempts to bring in Bruno Jug (chapters 4, 10, 13, 14, 19). When Stephanie pursues the fugitive Zoran Djordjevic—a man who believes he is a vampire—Lula becomes the primary instigator of the vampire-hunting subplot. She dons garlic and a cross, faints at the sight of a dead body with a neck wound, and insists that Zoran’s entire family has fangs (chapter 7, 8). Later, she helps Stephanie break into Zoran’s house, where they find frozen fingers (chapter 21). Lula also plays a key role in the Bruno Jug negotiations: she distracts the bail bond broker Harry the Hammer by flashing her chest (chapter 19). By the end, she supports Stephanie’s decision to marry Joe Morelli and celebrates the resolution of the Robin Hoodie mystery (Herbert Slovinski, not Eugene).

Motivations and Traits

Loyalty is Lula’s defining trait. She consistently puts herself at risk for Stephanie, from knocking Jug unconscious with her tote bag (chapter 4) to facing Zoran in his basement. She values her friendship with Stephanie above all else.

Fearlessness tempered by superstition – Lula is not afraid to confront dangerous fugitives, but she harbors a deep, comedic fear of vampires. She stockpiles garlic and stakes, and her imagination runs wild after glimpsing Zoran’s fangs (chapter 7). Yet she never backs down from the hunt.

Pragmatic materialism – Lula is driven by immediate physical comforts: doughnuts, coffee, pork roll sandwiches, and the need for a bathroom (chapter 1, 7). She uses her appearance as a tool, as when she stuffs her bra to distract Harry (chapter 19). She also values style and status, admiring Jug’s office and dreaming of joining a country club.

Humor and bluntness – She delivers dry, irreverent commentary on every situation, from the size of Jerry Bottles’s anatomy to the misalignment of stars like in Ghostbusters (chapter 14). Her running assessment of Stephanie’s engagement crisis (“you’re a nut”) provides both comic relief and a dose of reality.

Chronological Arc

Lula’s arc mirrors the novel’s episodic structure. She begins by assisting with routine captures and gradually immerses herself in the vampire delusion. Her role becomes more central as the danger escalates: she participates in the helicopter chase of Jug, the vampire stakeouts, and the final rescue where Stephanie is captured by Zoran (chapter 22). Lula’s own character remains largely static—she is consistently loyal, funny, and resourceful—but her relationship with Stephanie deepens as they navigate Stephanie’s pregnancy scare and double engagement. By the closing chapters, Lula supports Stephanie’s choice to marry Morelli, symbolizing her role as a steady presence in Stephanie’s chaotic life.

Relationships

Stephanie Plum – The core relationship. Lula is Stephanie’s confidante, enforcer, and morale booster. She is the first person Stephanie tells about her double engagement (chapter 2), and she gives blunt, loving advice. Their banter drives many scenes.

Connie – Lula’s coworker at the bail bonds office. They share gossip, strategize about fugitives, and provide mutual comic relief. Connie often mediates between Lula’s wild ideas and Stephanie’s caution.

Herbert Slovinski – Initially, Lula is amused by Herbert’s obsessive interest in Stephanie. Later, she tolerates his helpfulness (drone surveillance, TV installation) and even respects his transformation from stalker to Robin Hoodie folk hero.

Bruno Jug and Mr. Big – Lula develops an unlikely camaraderie with the mobster Jug, especially over ice cream and his dog Mr. Big. She flatters Jug’s taste and even suggests adding chocolate chips to his peach ice cream (chapter 10). The dog becomes a recurring prop in her scenes.

Zoran Djordjevic – Lula’s antagonist. She is both terrified of him (vampire delusion) and determined to help capture him. She never confronts him alone, but she supports Stephanie’s final takedown.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  1. Using garlic and a cross during the vampire investigation (chapter 7, 8) – This choice underscores her belief in the vampire theory and fuels the comedic tone. Consequence: she faints at the first real sight of blood, but her preparedness becomes a running joke.

  2. Distracting Harry the Hammer with her cleavage (chapter 19) – Lula volunteers to “use her natural charms” to secure Jug’s bail bond. This decision directly leads to Harry writing the bond, but it also reveals Lula’s willingness to exploit her body for the mission.

  3. Breaking into Zoran’s parents’ house with Stephanie (chapter 8) – Lula fakes dizziness to gain entry, gathering intelligence about Zoran’s friend Goofy and his family’s prominent teeth. Consequence: they identify Lucky Linda’s bar as a potential location.

  4. Refusing to hold Mr. Big during the car chase (chapter 19) – Lula’s reluctance to manage the howling dog creates a brief comedic conflict, but she ultimately drives while Stephanie holds the dog, showing her flexibility.

  5. Supporting Stephanie’s marriage to Morelli (chapter 24) – Lula does not oppose the decision, accepting it as a natural conclusion. Her support reaffirms her loyalty.

Theme and Symbol Connections

  • Moral Ambiguity of Bounty Hunting – Lula embodies the casual ethics of the trade. She has no qualms about using deception or threats to capture fugitives, yet she shows empathy toward characters like Eugene Fleck and Jug. Her line “One of us has to carry the garlic” (chapter 8) shows she treats every case with a mix of seriousness and humor.

  • Identity and Deception – Lula constantly reinvents her appearance: from a bedazzled sweatshirt to a spandex dress, she uses costume as a tool. Her fake fainting to enter Zoran’s house (chapter 8) is a deliberate act of deception. This mirrors the larger theme of hidden identities (Herbert as Robin Hoodie, Zoran as a serial killer).

  • Vampire Delusion vs. Reality – Lula is the character most invested in the vampire myth. She researches lore, buys garlic, and genuinely fears fangs. Yet she is also pragmatic enough to recognize that Zoran is likely a drug-fueled serial killer. Her oscillation between belief and disbelief highlights the blurred line between superstition and real danger.

  • Family and Domesticity vs. Danger – Lula is part of Stephanie’s chosen family. She provides warmth and normalcy amid chaos (shopping at Walmart, sharing meals). Her presence counterbalances the dangerous world of bounty hunting, offering a taste of everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Lula believe Zoran is a vampire?
Lula’s belief stems from Zoran’s physical appearance (prominent canine teeth), his attack on a woman with a neck wound, and his mother’s admission that fangs are a family trait. Her vivid imagination and love of dramatic narratives lead her to embrace the vampire theory, even when Stephanie points to more rational explanations.

2. How does Lula help capture Bruno Jug?
Lula assists in multiple attempts. She knocks Jug’s wife’s gun aside during an early capture (chapter 4), helps Stephanie locate Jug at his lawyer’s office (chapter 10), and later secures his bail bond by distracting Harry the Hammer with her cleavage (chapter 19). She also takes part in the Long Island road trip and the final arrest at Jug’s home.

3. What is Lula’s role in the Robin Hoodie subplot?
Initially, Lula warns Stephanie that arresting Eugene Fleck will make her unpopular with the homeless (chapter 5). She later watches Robin Hoodie videos with Stephanie. However, she is not directly involved in the reveal that Herbert Slovinski is the actual pirate. Instead, she helps bond Herbert out of jail once the truth emerges (chapter 23).

4. Does Lula ever get genuinely scared?
Yes. She faints when she sees the vampire-like corpse at the laundromat (chapter 7), and she expresses genuine terror at the thought of Zoran’s family being vampires. However, she never abandons Stephanie, demonstrating that her fear is outweighed by loyalty.

5. How does Lula react to Stephanie’s double engagement?
Lula is both amused and supportive. She calls Stephanie a “nut” but offers practical advice and helps maintain the deception. She is present when Stephanie confesses to Connie and never judges her. Ultimately, she supports Stephanie’s choice to marry Morelli as the “safe, known life” (chapter 24).

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