CRANBERRY TWP — Fans of author Janet Evanovich came out Wednesday night to the Cranberry Public Library to have a little fun and show just how much knowledge they have about the book series that features the antics of New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Stephanie Plum Night at the library was an evening of Evanovich book trivia, contests and prizes held in anticipation of next week's release of a movie based on the first novel in the series.

Pat DiFiore, adult services librarian, explained she conceived the idea a year ago when the author visited a local bookstore for a book-signing event.

Stephanie Plum Night kicked off with the viewing of the movie trailer of “One for the Money,” based on the first of 18 books by Evanovich. The first novel was published in 1995.

The fictional Stephanie Plum is the protagonist, described by the author as “incredibly average and yet heroic if necessary.”

As the series has progressed, Plum has become more stable and responsible and a better bounty hunter.

“But truthfully,” Evanovich has said, “Stephanie has stayed the same more than she's changed.”

“One for the Money” will premiere in local movie theaters Jan 27.

The story follows the unemployed and newly divorced Stephanie Plum who lands a job at her cousin's bail-bond business, where her first assignment puts her on the trail of a wanted local cop from her romantic past.

The movie, which was filmed nearby in Ambridge, Beaver County, stars Katherine Heigl as Plum, Jason O'Mara as Joe Morelli, John Leguizamo as Jimmy Alpha, Daniel Sunjata as Ranger, Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur and Sherri Shepherd as Lula.

Following the trailer, those attending the library's Stephanie Plum Night watched a video on how to speak “New Jersey” and about the different dialects originating in different parts of the state. Plum's character is from Trenton, N.J.

That video, along with advice from Cranberry resident Dawn Babacci, a New Jersey native, helped the attendees with their Jersey accents for a contest.

Contestants had to read the phrase, “Come on over and I'll put on some water for coffee while we talk.”

Babacci judged who had the best accent to win a bundle of Evanovich's books.

At the four corners of the library's meeting room, there were four stations based on locations in the book: Stephanie's apartment, Vincent Plum Bail Bonds office (Stephanie's place of employment), the house of Ellen and Frank Plum (Stephanie's parents) and Stiva's Funeral Home.

The evening's trivia questions ranged from “Where does Stephanie keep her gun?” (In the cookie jar.) What month was Stephanie Plum born? (October.)

The attendees were divided into small groups and were required to answer trivia questions about the book. There were a total of 48 questions.

Each of the stations was staffed by the library's personnel including library director Leslie Pallotta.

At each station, there was also a food that had a role in the book. For instance, at the Stephanie's apartment station, there was a plate of Tastykakes, one of her favorite snacks in the book.

Though all in attendance were big fans of the books, nobody got all of the answers right. The best total was 33 of 48 questions.

Township resident Tom Cargill said he's read all of Evanovich's books in the series and thinks “they are a hoot.”

He's been anticipating the film coming to the big screen, saying it's interesting to see which actors were picked for the parts, since he has been thinking in his own mind who should play them.

Township resident May Zivkovich said she's always at the library, and Stephanie Plum Night looked like a fun thing to do.

“I'm not knowing a lot of the (trivia) answers, though I have read all 18 books,” Zivkovich laughed.

Township resident Rhonda Maloney said she also has read all the books and wanted to see the trailer for the movie.

She said she answered about 60 percent of the questions right. “A lot of the questions were from book one, which I read about 16 years ago,” said Maloney, which prompted her to check out the first novel that night to revisit the story.

Maloney also plans to see the movie when it comes out next week.