Family

Family plays a very strong part in One for the Money. Stephanie Plum is one of two daughters to Helen and Frank Plum, natives of Trenton, New Jersey. Living with the Plums is Helen Plum's mother, known as Grandma Mazur. Although Stephanie lives out on her own, returning to the home of her childhood is a common theme. Helen Plum is convinced that all the problems of the world can be solved by a nice pot roast and some cake. Frank Plum prefers to make snide comments, particularly about Grandma Mazur who drives him crazy, otherwise Frank involves himself with sports and the evening newspaper.

Stephanie always feels like she is being compared to her "perfect" sister, Valerie. Happily married with two children, Valerie is everything Stephanie is not. Valerie was the perfect student who never got into trouble, then married and is leading a perfect traditional life...