When a mystery writer cries bloody murder, everyone blames her overactive imagination...
Thriller scribe Sophie Katz is as hard-boiled as a woman who drinks Grande Caramel Brownie Fappuccinos can be. So Sophie knows it's not paranoia or post-divorce, living-alone-agian gitters, when she becomes convinced that a crazed reader is sneaking into her apartment to reenact scenes from her books. The police however, can't tell a good plot from an unmarked grave.
When a filmmaker friend is brutally murdered in the manner of a death scene in one of his movies, Sophie becomes convinced that a copycat killer is on the loose--and that she's the next target. If she doesn't solve the mystery, her own bestseller will spell out her doom. Cursing her grisly imagination (why, oh, why did she have to pick the ax?), Sophie engages in some real-life gumshoe tactics. The man who swoops in to save her in dark alleys is mysterious new love interest Anatoly Darinsky. Of course, if this were fiction, Anatoly would be her prime suspect...
"Packs a bigger jolt than a Venti latte at Starbucks"
--Cosmopolitan
"A terrific mystery. Kyra Davis comes up with the right mix of snappy and spine-tingling."
--The Detroit Free Press
Sophie Katz has just offered a man $12,000 for his services… Is she desperate or just meshugeneh?
Considering the kind of disasters that usually befall the half-black, half-Jewish mystery writer, probably both. Because the last time Sophie saw sexy P.I. Anatoly Darinsky, he practically danced a jig when she waved goodbye &151; a normal reaction for a man who'd nearly bought the farm trying to protect her from her own foolishness. What are the chances he'd agree to take incriminating pictures of her sister's philandering husband? Or that he'd let her tag along &151; you know…for research?
But when her brother-in-law turns up dead and her sister becomes the prime suspect, Sophie's priority is finding the real killer. With or without Anatoly's help. Her brother-in-law's secret life yields plenty of suspects, but the San Francisco police aren't taking any of them seriously. So Sophie does what comes naturally to her: she stirs up trouble (to lure the killer out, of course).
But if her crazy plan works, will Anatoly be there to protect her this time?
"(A) high-octaine hookup."
--Cosmopolitan (A Red Hot Read pick)
"Davis spins a tale full of unexpected turns and fun humor"
--Romantic Times
Sophie Katz's relationship with the irresistible and occasionally insufferable P.I. Anatoly Darinsky is on the fritz when a friend recruits Sophie's investigation skills to decode her possibly two-timing husband's strange behavior. When Sophie shows up in a short, red cocktail dress and her friend's hubby winds up dead, the loveable would-be sleuth can't help but take on the job.
Suddenly plunged into a crazy world of campaign mudslinging, dirt-digging and cover-ups, Sophie begins to uncover some pretty dirty secrets indeed—involving a conservative congressional hopeful's involvement in the Furry community, a group of people who dress up in mascot-size stuffed animal costumes. Sex and politics, wouldn't you know?
Way in over her head as usual, Sophie reluctantly—or not-so-reluctantly—enlists the help of her two-time sidekick and ex—Anatoly. Together they set out to determine who killed Eugene and why, and in the process can't resist falling for each other—again?
"Wry sociopolitical commentary, the playful romantic negotiations between Anatoly and Sophie and plenty of Starbucks coffee keep this steamy series chugging along."
--Publisher's Weekly
"The tension between Sophie and Anatoly is thick right from the beginning and paired with the mystery it kept me turning pages to see if and when it would explode."
--Romance Junkies
Mystery writer and dabbling recreational sleuth Sophie Katz is head over heels in love—with a three-bedroom Victorian. She's just got to have it, despite a few drawbacks. Her slimy ex is the Realtor. The rich, creepy seller wants her to join San Francisco's spirited Specter Society. And her first tour of the house reveals, well, a lifeless body clutching a cameo with a disturbing history of its own.
There's no way Sophie is going to give up the ghost on her dreams of stained glass and original woodwork, though—even when things become officially weird. A Society member is found with a slashed throat, and Sophie's house might as well be yelling, "GET…OUT!" She's hearing footsteps, lights are turning themselves off and her stuff keeps moving inexplicably. To top it off, boyfriend Anatoly thinks it's all in her head.
Sophie is 99 percent sure her problems are caused by someone six feet tall instead of six feet under, but the only way to be sure is to track down the killer—before he pushes her kicking and screaming to the other side….
"A cast of quirky, wonderful characters, a well-crafted plot and a generous helping of snarky humor make this one a winner. Sophie's sassy first-person narration is a bonus--she's one of a kind.
--Romantic Times
"Humor, romance and an appealing, spirited protagonist."
--Publisher's weekly
Overjoyed at Maryanne's engagement, amateur sleuth Sophie Katz can't wait for the wedding vows and party toasts to begin. But then Dena—best friend, bridesmaid and all-around vixen—is mysteriously shot just after the announcement. Leave this to the authorities? No way. Dena may never walk again, and Sophie vows to marry her fists with the shooter's face.
Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts—from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena's made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop—and, yes, she's no saint—but really, who deserves to be shot?
With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie's barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.
Big if.
Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts—from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena's made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop—and, yes, she's no saint—but really, who deserves to be shot?
With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie's barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.
Big if.
"There's not a "normal" (read boring) character in the bunch, which is what makes this series so much fun."
--Booklist
"If you enjoy an amusing and colorful story, this is the book for you. The read is fast with gripping but funny suspense. I loved Sophie's devious little mind."
--Fresh Fiction
Sophie Katz, bestselling mystery writer and amateur sleuth, has just discovered that Anatoly, her sexy Russian P.I boyfriend of six years is actually married to the daughter of a Russian mafia boss. Devastated by his betrayal, Sophie banishes him from their beautiful San Francisco Victorian home. Desperate to distract their friend and pull her out of her depression, Dena and Marcus spirit Sophie away to Vegas for a “fun filled weekend” at a Sex Toy Trade Show. But bigger trouble awaits in Vegas. Anatoly is there; his beautiful Russian wife is there; and so is a dead body stuffed into a closet. And to make matters worse someone has gone out of their way to implicate Sophie in the murder. Sophie’s completely over her head and when a mysterious man offers her help she’s tempted to take it. But who is he and whose side is he on? It's also clear that whoever the bad guy is he would have no problem killing Anatoly, and although she may want to kill him herself, no one else is going to hurt Sophie's man.
"very entertaining"
--Alli's World
"The story was tight, fast-paced and entertaining."
--Mommy Snarks A Lot
13 comments:
Ms. Davis: I love your Sophie Katz books. They are really enjoyable and the places you mention in San Francisco I remember very well as I used to live in the Bay Area. I have not read your other series, but as soon as I find the books, I will start. I hope they will be as good as Sophie.
Keep writing and hope you and your son have a good New Year.
Thank you! It is always good to hear from friends of Sophie! :-)
Sophie has so much wit and spunk! I love her character!
Yay! Any friend of Sophie's is a friend of mine!
I absolutely love the Sophie Katz novels. I can't wait until another comes. You don't know when that might be, do you?
I got the Just One Night series last night and love it. So different but so good. Such a sexy, sexy man. Any man with a good sense of humor can be sexy, especially if he looks like Robert. I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment (already pre-ordered). Thank you for such wonderful books.
Thank YOU Cathy for your suport!! If it wasn't for the loyalty of my Sophie readers I wouldn't even have a writing career!
hello, i finished the first 5 books the in sophie katz series and i was wondering if the last one is available as an ebook because i cant seem to find it? thank you
OK, it's been a year since I read the last Sophie book and I am itching for another one! Hope you will write future installments!
Here's the link to the Amazon-kindle version of Vanity, Vengeance & A Weekend in Vegas http://www.amazon.com/Vanity-Vengeance-Weekend-Sophie-ebook/dp/B007GGKARY/ref=la_B001ILKC3A_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1365098822&sr=1-1
You can also find i on Nook. I published that one myself and so I want to say up front there are formatting issues...I hope to have them fixed soon but if you don't mind the fact that it doesn't have an active table of contents and the like...well, enjoy :-)
@Erica--I do plan on writing another Sophie! My plan is to always keep her alive (and in trouble) :-)
Hello Kyra,
I just have to tell you how much I adore this series. I listen to the audio books at work and they make me look forward to work everyday! I see that you recently posted you plan on writing another Sophie so my question is when?! :) I just cannot wait!
Ms Davis, thanks for Sophie and companions. You have developed the characters beautifully over the several books. You could have taken the series to mindless "chick fluff" after the first book, as other female ameteur sleuth series have done, but you chose to give us the psych behind the characters. Your protagonist is not a bumbling klutz. Rather, you have shown that it is the sum of her past experiences (and her friends') that cause her to act the way she does. Sophie is not always rational, but you don't excuse her behavior with PMS or hissy fits. Her fights with her lover are not because she cannot commit, or make up her mind. She has baggage that drives her. She is real. Thank you.
I miss Sophie, where is she? Can she be my neighbor here in Minnesota or can she invite me to her SF neighborhood. I can teach her how to meditate but that would get her out of trouble; however, I don't know how but even in that I can see her getting in trouble. Anyway, I miss her and love Gabra Zachman reading her. If she's not available, I will read the next one for free! Non-homicidal mood hug for Sophie!
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