The following Plum tales are true, and by true, I mean they are all lies. But they're entertaining lies.
The Pony Tale
On the lam and hiding from the law, Ranger cuts off his ponytail. For many a disaster of biblical proportions. However in the next book, only a few months later, he has a ponytail again. Explanation --he eats a lot of protein? He got a hair weave? A true mystery worthy of the FBI.
The Road Trip
Exactly when did Valerie move to California? At one point Stephanie considers spending the night at her sister's house, but chooses Joe's. A smart move for our heroine. It seems the so called "perfect" sister is confused about where she lives. Or did she move without telling anyone? Hardly the behavior of someone who is perfect. Does Valerie simply need some Ginkgo biloba, or is this rooted in something far more sinister?
A "Lot" of Moving
With some top notch sleuthing we discover that the address on Ranger's driver's license is a vacant lot, yet later it's a men's shelter, then it's back to a vacant lot. Was the men's shelter built on the vacant lot, then torn down? Did Ranger move to the men's shelter, decided he liked living alone better, and moved back to the vacant lot? A man of mystery indeed.
Alias
Some call her Mom, others Mrs. Plum, but what is her real name? First she claims it's Helen, then later she goes by Ellen. Clearly she liked the name Helen best, because that what she's back to using. Is it her real name? Why does she feel the need to hide her true identity? Is there more to this seemingly simple housewife? Is there a reason why her brownies always go first at the church bake sale?
A Tall Tale
It's stated that Ranger's age is somewhere between 25 and 35, but is that really accurate? After all, he grew at least 2 inches over the time he's known Stephanie. Does Ranger just look old for his age? Did he hit puberty late? Did he put lifts in his shoes? Did everyone else shrink?
Home, Sweet Home
While the Plums have always lived in the same house, it has not always been in the same location. It seems the house has moved from High Street to Roosevelt Street. Or did Trenton simply rename their streets? If the Plums did move their house poor Mabel was forced to move with them, since her house is attached to theirs. Could this bizarre event be related to Helen's name change? Wouldn't it have been easier to buy a new house instead of moving the old one? What does Trenton have against the name "High St."?
(Fun fact-- in the 70s Janet lived on High St. in Pennsylvania. She lived on Roosevelt St. when she was a child in South River, NJ.)
Full Stop
While Big Blue is a mystery in it's own right, it's parking brake teeters on the supernatural. It's stated that Stephanie pulls up on the parking brake in the '53 Buick. But how can this be?! In 1953 American cars had a left foot parking brake and pull lever release. Was Big Blue a car built before it's time? Was Uncle Sandor a genius at car improvements? After all he did later add the seat belts for safety. Did he also add a super, heavy duty parking brake ...or was it placed there by aliens?
A Wandering Eye
When Stephanie first meets Joe Morelli he has a scar through his right eyebrow, but later it appears over in his left eyebrow, then back in the right. Is Joe really a vice cop or just an amateur of disguise? Is the scar telling us something? Right eyebrow sun, left eyebrow rain?
