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Lexy Cooper Mystery #1
Schooled
Videogames, Sex, and Murder
Lexy Cooper is a Community Manager at Xenon Corporation, maker of the Xenon24/7 videogame console and Xenonline gaming service. When a young woman's nude body is discovered on the Xenon corporate campus, Lexy's uncle, homicide detective Mike Malick, catches the case. As Malick investigates the crime, Lexy works the case from inside Xenon and discovers more about the seedy underbelly of the games industry than she ever wanted to know.
Lexy Cooper is a Community Manager at Xenon Corporation, maker of the Xenon24/7 videogame console and Xenonline gaming service. When a young woman's nude body is discovered on the Xenon corporate campus, Lexy's uncle, homicide detective Mike Malick, catches the case. As Malick investigates the crime, Lexy works the case from inside Xenon and discovers more about the seedy underbelly of the games industry than she ever wanted to know.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2012
22 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Christa Charter
12 books106 followersChrista Charter worked in the video game industry for two decades including eight years as community manager/website editor/video hostess "trixie360" for Microsoft's Xbox Live before writing books full time. She is the author of "Schooled," "Pwned," "I Saw Lexy Kissing Santa," "Griefed," "The Sleepless Nanny," "B.Y.O.P.: Be Your Own Publisher," and a Detective Malick spin-off, "Summer Wind." The fourth full-length Lexy novel, "Glitched," released March 31, 2015 is available on Amazon. Christa is currently writing Mike Malick #2. Follow her NSFW tweets @trixie360.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 10, 2013
Loved it!
I worked fairly closely with the author at Xbox, when I was part of the slightly maligned Marketing and PR Teams over in Building A, where Callie's body was found. I had the chance to partner with Christa on several projects, and was at many of the events he covered with the Xbox community. I know her as a talented writer, and a smart, quirky, and maybe-only-slightly-less-outrageous than her protagonist Lexy.
I looked forward to checking out Christa's first book, especially because it takes place in a familiar place. I hoped to revisit my old stomping grounds, and catch glimpses of co-workers in her characters. In that sense, I was completely satisfied.
I was surprised to find the book intriguing, engaging, and well-written. Throughout, the story progressed at a rapid pace, and I finished it in a couple of sittings. I always count on a book to introduce me to interesting characters, to challenge my thinking, and to capture my imagination in the times between reading. This book did all that. I find myself still intrigued about a few of the characters. It's either the work of a good writer (I think it is), or that I could identify so closely with the characters (and in that case, she did such a good job synching with my experience that it felt quite real--another testament to Christa's writing).
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any of my friends that are gamers, or that work in the videogame industry. More than that, I would recommend it to those that like a well-told mystery, or a captivating thriller that introduces you to the inside of a big company that sells widely-loved entertainment products. The only people I wouldn't recommend it to are my uber-religious friends that don't want a little colorful language or a few paragraphs of adult situations.
Read this book! Enjoy being present at the birth of what is sure to be an extremely successful writing career.
I worked fairly closely with the author at Xbox, when I was part of the slightly maligned Marketing and PR Teams over in Building A, where Callie's body was found. I had the chance to partner with Christa on several projects, and was at many of the events he covered with the Xbox community. I know her as a talented writer, and a smart, quirky, and maybe-only-slightly-less-outrageous than her protagonist Lexy.
I looked forward to checking out Christa's first book, especially because it takes place in a familiar place. I hoped to revisit my old stomping grounds, and catch glimpses of co-workers in her characters. In that sense, I was completely satisfied.
I was surprised to find the book intriguing, engaging, and well-written. Throughout, the story progressed at a rapid pace, and I finished it in a couple of sittings. I always count on a book to introduce me to interesting characters, to challenge my thinking, and to capture my imagination in the times between reading. This book did all that. I find myself still intrigued about a few of the characters. It's either the work of a good writer (I think it is), or that I could identify so closely with the characters (and in that case, she did such a good job synching with my experience that it felt quite real--another testament to Christa's writing).
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any of my friends that are gamers, or that work in the videogame industry. More than that, I would recommend it to those that like a well-told mystery, or a captivating thriller that introduces you to the inside of a big company that sells widely-loved entertainment products. The only people I wouldn't recommend it to are my uber-religious friends that don't want a little colorful language or a few paragraphs of adult situations.
Read this book! Enjoy being present at the birth of what is sure to be an extremely successful writing career.
May 25, 2013
I had a lot of fun reading this book, was one of those ones you pick up and don't want to put back down, but then again you don't want to finish too quick either. Christa has a wonderful writing style and makes the book fun to read. Being that she has seen the inner workings of the video game industry, it was fun just to read about some of the goings on in the background of said industry. There were a couple of OMG parts in the book, and might make parents think about letting younger readers read it because of them, but overall the book was really good. I am looking forward to the next in the series for sure.
October 3, 2012
After reading Schooled I felt like I was taken on a wild ride where I got to hang out with the coolest chick in town, peak behind the videogame industry curtain to see some of its dirty secrets, and watch a mystery being solved along the way. It was a fast-paced, slightly naughty ride... and I finished the book wanting more! I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves videogames, mysteries, and/or saucy and flirty female lead characters. Definitely an engrossing read that readers of all ages and interests will love. I look forward to book two. :)
October 28, 2012
Video games, sex, and murder. What more can a gamer ask for? Being the obsessed gamer that I am, this was right up my alley. Get a glimpse behind the scenes of the dirty, dark side of the gaming industry, as you ride along with sexy Left Cooper as she attempts to help solve a murder. Once I started, I couldn't tear myself away. Great story with a nice twist and plenty of naughty moments. Can't wait to see what kind of trouble Lexy gets herself into next!
November 25, 2022
CW: murder, male rape, use of rohypnol, vomiting
I really enjoyed this. The geeky elements were fun and I enjoyed reading about the company and the games. The back of the book talks about a seedy underbelly of the industry and this is true.
I thought the murders were well handled and I enjoyed the Lexy and Mike interactions a lot.
I thought I'd worked out who the killer was but it turned out I was way off. Having thought about what that particular character went through, I can see both sides of the story and I can understand why Lexy felt conflicted at times.
I thought this was a great, thought-provoking read and I can't believe it was all packed into 172 pages! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I really enjoyed this. The geeky elements were fun and I enjoyed reading about the company and the games. The back of the book talks about a seedy underbelly of the industry and this is true.
I thought the murders were well handled and I enjoyed the Lexy and Mike interactions a lot.
I thought I'd worked out who the killer was but it turned out I was way off. Having thought about what that particular character went through, I can see both sides of the story and I can understand why Lexy felt conflicted at times.
I thought this was a great, thought-provoking read and I can't believe it was all packed into 172 pages! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
December 29, 2012
There have been few books that have had my undivided attention from the first word – mostly fantasy novels I’d been anxiously waiting for. I’ve followed Christa’s chronicling of her writing process with Schooled on Facebook as well as posts on her blog, and knew that I would devour her gaming industry inspired murder mystery as soon as I could get my hands on it.
But because I still prefer holding actual books in my hands, my date with Schooled was a bit delayed. Unable to hold out any longer, I pestered my husband into picking up the digital version for Christmas to tide me over until Christa makes her first print run.
Our heroine – a Diet Coke-addicted, foul-mouthed, somewhat sex-crazed 20-something Lexy Cooper – is dragged into a murder investigation when her uncle Mike Malick, a local police detective, calls her in to identify a body found in the wetlands outside the Xenon campus where she works as a community manager for Xenonline. When she recognizes the young woman as a co-worker from the marketing department and spots a text on her phone from the dead girl moments before she died, Lexy does what she can in-between her job and complicated sex life to aid her uncle in tracking down the killer.
Not only are Lexy and Mike wonderfully created characters, the supporting cast rings true of so many types of people I have met in the industry: the PR/marketing “Barbies” with their degrees who just want to make money (not all PR/marketing people are Barbies, but so many are), the well-meaning but not too hygienic IT cave dwellers who clam up around women, the suits, etc. Having been to various gaming campuses I can say without a doubt that the Xenon campus is as real as it gets.
Partly ripped from her time in the video game industry, Christa touches on some of the dirty, juicy bits like office liaisons as well as hints here and there of how women are objectified in our little world. Some may argue that Lexy is too sexualized and paints a poor picture of females in the industry, but in reality she is doing what most of us did at her age: trying to find ourselves through sex, alcohol, and juggling a social life with a demanding job.
Schooled is a fun, light read that reminds me a lot of the early Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books with a touch more sex and a lot more F-bombs.
(And yes, this might be slightly biased because Christa is a friend, but hell, it’s a good book and you should read it!)
But because I still prefer holding actual books in my hands, my date with Schooled was a bit delayed. Unable to hold out any longer, I pestered my husband into picking up the digital version for Christmas to tide me over until Christa makes her first print run.
Our heroine – a Diet Coke-addicted, foul-mouthed, somewhat sex-crazed 20-something Lexy Cooper – is dragged into a murder investigation when her uncle Mike Malick, a local police detective, calls her in to identify a body found in the wetlands outside the Xenon campus where she works as a community manager for Xenonline. When she recognizes the young woman as a co-worker from the marketing department and spots a text on her phone from the dead girl moments before she died, Lexy does what she can in-between her job and complicated sex life to aid her uncle in tracking down the killer.
Not only are Lexy and Mike wonderfully created characters, the supporting cast rings true of so many types of people I have met in the industry: the PR/marketing “Barbies” with their degrees who just want to make money (not all PR/marketing people are Barbies, but so many are), the well-meaning but not too hygienic IT cave dwellers who clam up around women, the suits, etc. Having been to various gaming campuses I can say without a doubt that the Xenon campus is as real as it gets.
Partly ripped from her time in the video game industry, Christa touches on some of the dirty, juicy bits like office liaisons as well as hints here and there of how women are objectified in our little world. Some may argue that Lexy is too sexualized and paints a poor picture of females in the industry, but in reality she is doing what most of us did at her age: trying to find ourselves through sex, alcohol, and juggling a social life with a demanding job.
Schooled is a fun, light read that reminds me a lot of the early Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books with a touch more sex and a lot more F-bombs.
(And yes, this might be slightly biased because Christa is a friend, but hell, it’s a good book and you should read it!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2012
I have things to say about this book, because feelings. But not yet, because also feelings.
I'm processing. Might need to read a second or third time to express the feelings. GOOD feelings! Read this book, I'll get around to talking about feelings soon.
UPDATE: Here's the review.
If you're a woman and you've ever worked in the gaming or technology industry, you'll recognize at least some part of yourself in this book. The author hits that nail square on the head, which makes for a beautifully constructed universe for the main character. The job, life, town, and interactions in Lexy's day-to-day life - outside of the A-plot - provide a believable and interesting backdrop. I love that.
The supporting cast of characters is impressive, too. Each one is thought through with enough backstory to reflect on them with the right amount of humanity as flawed and individual people.
The mystery was engaging, and the case kept my attention as it kept Lexy's. I was surprised and creeped out (in a good way!) by some of the twists and turns, and enjoyed it all the way to the end. I will read any book issued in this series, and can't wait for the next one.
I'm processing. Might need to read a second or third time to express the feelings. GOOD feelings! Read this book, I'll get around to talking about feelings soon.
UPDATE: Here's the review.
If you're a woman and you've ever worked in the gaming or technology industry, you'll recognize at least some part of yourself in this book. The author hits that nail square on the head, which makes for a beautifully constructed universe for the main character. The job, life, town, and interactions in Lexy's day-to-day life - outside of the A-plot - provide a believable and interesting backdrop. I love that.
The supporting cast of characters is impressive, too. Each one is thought through with enough backstory to reflect on them with the right amount of humanity as flawed and individual people.
The mystery was engaging, and the case kept my attention as it kept Lexy's. I was surprised and creeped out (in a good way!) by some of the twists and turns, and enjoyed it all the way to the end. I will read any book issued in this series, and can't wait for the next one.
February 24, 2013
From the cover, you might expect Schooled! to be funny (it is) and sexy (it is) and lighthearted, the kind of book that reviewers might call a "spirited romp." Lexy Cooper is spirited, but this is not a romp. Schooled! is a sordid tale of murder, intrigue, and infidelity. A lot of infidelity.
It seems like no-one on gaming giant Xenon's Redmond campus can keep it in their pants, and those who aren't cheating on a fiancee or a spouse are cheating with someone who is in a "committed" relationship, in a tangle of secrets and lusts worthy of Updike.
That culture of cheating is part of a broader expose of the internal culture of the gaming industry. By turns corporate intrigue a la John Grisham and something that feels more like a tell-all in the vein of The Devil Wears Prada (though Schooled! is not a memoir), this is a book set in the culture of the games industry, not gamer culture.
Lexi is a bit like a latter-day femme fatale turned gumshoe, something the old hard-boiled detective stories never imagined. She's modern and feminist enough to have a clear, unambiguous sense of consent (trigger warning: not everyone in this story does) and to take ownership of her body and sexuality. At the same time, she's perfectly willing to use her sexuality to get what she wants, and she participates in the cliche of falling for "bad boys."
Lexi's pattern of self-destructive behavior gets lampshaded in this book, and given that Schooled! is the first volume in a trilogy, I'm looking forward to seeing what Christa Charter has in store for her.
The mystery in Schooled! is well-paced and plotted, with compelling twists and crystal clarity at the end: all the pieces fit nicely, but it was the books convoluted and occasionally unpleasant relationship dynamics that kept me turning pages.
It seems like no-one on gaming giant Xenon's Redmond campus can keep it in their pants, and those who aren't cheating on a fiancee or a spouse are cheating with someone who is in a "committed" relationship, in a tangle of secrets and lusts worthy of Updike.
That culture of cheating is part of a broader expose of the internal culture of the gaming industry. By turns corporate intrigue a la John Grisham and something that feels more like a tell-all in the vein of The Devil Wears Prada (though Schooled! is not a memoir), this is a book set in the culture of the games industry, not gamer culture.
Lexi is a bit like a latter-day femme fatale turned gumshoe, something the old hard-boiled detective stories never imagined. She's modern and feminist enough to have a clear, unambiguous sense of consent (trigger warning: not everyone in this story does) and to take ownership of her body and sexuality. At the same time, she's perfectly willing to use her sexuality to get what she wants, and she participates in the cliche of falling for "bad boys."
Lexi's pattern of self-destructive behavior gets lampshaded in this book, and given that Schooled! is the first volume in a trilogy, I'm looking forward to seeing what Christa Charter has in store for her.
The mystery in Schooled! is well-paced and plotted, with compelling twists and crystal clarity at the end: all the pieces fit nicely, but it was the books convoluted and occasionally unpleasant relationship dynamics that kept me turning pages.
November 26, 2014
Not all audiobooks are created equally.
As a huge fan of Christa Charter's novels, and in particular the Lexy Cooper series, I couldn't wait to listen to the series' audio debut.
Sadly, this rendition of Schooled fell a little flat.
While the source material is still as witty as ever, Schooled's biggest flaw lies with its narrator. Tassoula Kokkoris' performance leaves a lot to be desired. While her voice is clear and concise, there's a lack of range when it comes to the character voices. As such many characters sound exactly the same, which leads to many confusing dialogue exchanges.
Coupled with Tassoula's apparent inability to pause and take a breath, this version of Schooled feels like it's in the race of its life to get to the end. What was well paced in print form ends up being somewhat rushed when converted to audio.
I was also disappointed with the audio quality in this title, with background hissing & whining popping up frequently. It made it clear where the various edits had been stitched together during production.
It's such a shame, as I wanted desperately to love the audiobook version of Schooled as much as both the Kindle & print copies. However, this isn't the Lexy Cooper that I know, love, and have naughty thoughts about; it's her Bizzaro twin from another dimension.
As a huge fan of Christa Charter's novels, and in particular the Lexy Cooper series, I couldn't wait to listen to the series' audio debut.
Sadly, this rendition of Schooled fell a little flat.
While the source material is still as witty as ever, Schooled's biggest flaw lies with its narrator. Tassoula Kokkoris' performance leaves a lot to be desired. While her voice is clear and concise, there's a lack of range when it comes to the character voices. As such many characters sound exactly the same, which leads to many confusing dialogue exchanges.
Coupled with Tassoula's apparent inability to pause and take a breath, this version of Schooled feels like it's in the race of its life to get to the end. What was well paced in print form ends up being somewhat rushed when converted to audio.
I was also disappointed with the audio quality in this title, with background hissing & whining popping up frequently. It made it clear where the various edits had been stitched together during production.
It's such a shame, as I wanted desperately to love the audiobook version of Schooled as much as both the Kindle & print copies. However, this isn't the Lexy Cooper that I know, love, and have naughty thoughts about; it's her Bizzaro twin from another dimension.
November 28, 2012
Christa Charter has nailed it with her latest novel. Lexy Cooper is a smart, sexy, but very human heroine, and her inadvertent entry into detective work is a nail-biting, but fully believable, romp that will have you glued to your Kindle. You'll cheer Lexy on and you'll say "WTF are you doing, Lexy?," because Lexy doesn't read like a character, she really feels like a three-dimensional person. The story that unfolds is full of deceit, twists, interesting personalities--and a bit more sexytime than you typically find in books that feature gamers.
Charter's a veteran of the game industry, and working in it myself, I can tell you that she absolutely nails the personalities involved. If you want a taste of the day-to-day behind-the-scenes in the game industry, you'll get it here. The characters are fictional, but they're authentic. I do have to laugh that the murder victim's from the marketing department--there's proof Christa did her time here.
Best of all, Schooled is a mystery that you won't figure out yourself halfway through. In fact, once you finish the book, you may just want to re-read it to look for the hints and clues that unfold throughout--the hallmark of a great mystery.
I can't wait for the next entry in the series!
Charter's a veteran of the game industry, and working in it myself, I can tell you that she absolutely nails the personalities involved. If you want a taste of the day-to-day behind-the-scenes in the game industry, you'll get it here. The characters are fictional, but they're authentic. I do have to laugh that the murder victim's from the marketing department--there's proof Christa did her time here.
Best of all, Schooled is a mystery that you won't figure out yourself halfway through. In fact, once you finish the book, you may just want to re-read it to look for the hints and clues that unfold throughout--the hallmark of a great mystery.
I can't wait for the next entry in the series!
May 12, 2014
Schooled: A Lexy Cooper Video Game Mystery.
First off it gets an extra star for the video game parts.It's obvious this is supposed to be Xbox and even more obvious if you know the writer is Trixie360 from XBOX fame. The mystery part though is barely there as are the characters. The secondary characters are very thin and wholly unlikable or just unremarkable. As far as our main character, our protagonist, heroine Lexy Cooper, it's really hard to root for someone like her because in real life she'd be considered a home wrecking, user and slut.
The Mystery is really nothing more than a platform for Lexy to hop from bed to bed and sexual situations with mostly attached or married men or use her assets like a whore to get what she wants from weak co-workers. She uses and abuses people without a thought and yet were supposed to like her.
There are video games, there are several sex scenes and NC-17 dirty bits, there is a mystery of sorts but it quickly becomes boring background to Lexy and her burning loins.
Not sure why this is so highly rated on Good Reads maybe its the fun cover art or simplistic writing style, maybe it's a bunch of gamers (which I actually am BTW), in any case save your money unless you want some shallow soft core porn then by all means spend away.
First off it gets an extra star for the video game parts.It's obvious this is supposed to be Xbox and even more obvious if you know the writer is Trixie360 from XBOX fame. The mystery part though is barely there as are the characters. The secondary characters are very thin and wholly unlikable or just unremarkable. As far as our main character, our protagonist, heroine Lexy Cooper, it's really hard to root for someone like her because in real life she'd be considered a home wrecking, user and slut.
The Mystery is really nothing more than a platform for Lexy to hop from bed to bed and sexual situations with mostly attached or married men or use her assets like a whore to get what she wants from weak co-workers. She uses and abuses people without a thought and yet were supposed to like her.
There are video games, there are several sex scenes and NC-17 dirty bits, there is a mystery of sorts but it quickly becomes boring background to Lexy and her burning loins.
Not sure why this is so highly rated on Good Reads maybe its the fun cover art or simplistic writing style, maybe it's a bunch of gamers (which I actually am BTW), in any case save your money unless you want some shallow soft core porn then by all means spend away.
May 6, 2013
Ah, Lexy Cooper. She is the epitome of what gamer guys look for in a woman. She is beautiful, sexy and above all else, is knowledgable about games. The fact that she seems to be very intelligent, if not a bit naive, is a bonus.
Knowing a small portion of Christa Charter’s (the author) background, I loved the relevance of the story arc. I was enthralled (yes, enthralled) by the book, so much so that I didn’t put it down until I was done (of course excluding meals and bathroom breaks, but even some of those were accompanied by my iPad). I was glad that the supporting characters were down to earth and they had they own flaws, making them very relatable in their own ways.
Would I recommend this to a friend? No. I would demand that a friend read this (as I have several times so far). Even someone without an interest in games or the industry will find this incredibly entertaining. There is one negative. The next book is not out yet and my mind is craving more Lexy. Christa is a wonderful writer, and I wish I could set Amazon just to buy anything she writes as soon as it is released. Well done, Mrs. Charter, well done.
Knowing a small portion of Christa Charter’s (the author) background, I loved the relevance of the story arc. I was enthralled (yes, enthralled) by the book, so much so that I didn’t put it down until I was done (of course excluding meals and bathroom breaks, but even some of those were accompanied by my iPad). I was glad that the supporting characters were down to earth and they had they own flaws, making them very relatable in their own ways.
Would I recommend this to a friend? No. I would demand that a friend read this (as I have several times so far). Even someone without an interest in games or the industry will find this incredibly entertaining. There is one negative. The next book is not out yet and my mind is craving more Lexy. Christa is a wonderful writer, and I wish I could set Amazon just to buy anything she writes as soon as it is released. Well done, Mrs. Charter, well done.
June 26, 2013
Despite my original thoughts after reading the description for this book and getting it on Kindle, after reading a good chunk I determined I was not the target audience. Not one to so easily give up on a book, I still pressed on and finished, but was disappointed. I expected more of an intriguing mystery and video game related aspects that never really materialized. Just as Lexy flitted from guy to guy having sex on a whim, she also was not a very consistent character to be able to relate to. Even after discovering who the murderer is, she suddenly sympathizes with them and keeps a phone call secret from "Uncle" Mike because the murderer "needed a friend", despite having just been on a crusade to bring them to justice. Together with the loads of gratuitous sex, profanity and just plain drama between Lexy and all the people she was cheating on, this is more of a story for anyone looking for something somewhat silly but also full of ridiculous relationship drama, and not caring much for the murder mystery. And if this is anything like the real video game industry, I have to wonder how they get ANYTHING done amongst all the sex.
November 7, 2013
This was one incredible book, and I had trouble putting it down. Christa perfectly captures the zany atmosphere of working for a large software development company, and does so in a brilliantly fun way. Riddled with pop culture and video game references, this is a book that any gamer will enjoy. Lexy is the most entertaining (and sexy) protagonist I have encountered in a long time. I had so much fun reading about the different characters in the book that I almost overlooked the fact that there is a very crafty murder mystery going on as well. Highly recommended.
As a side note, I used to to work for a certain large software corporation in Redmond during the launch of a first generation gaming console...the nostalgia I felt while reading this book was tremendous (except for the murder part...that never happened while I was there).
As a side note, I used to to work for a certain large software corporation in Redmond during the launch of a first generation gaming console...the nostalgia I felt while reading this book was tremendous (except for the murder part...that never happened while I was there).
January 15, 2020
I got to preview this book and plan to read it again after its release. I laughed out loud in the first paragraph so I knew the book was going to be a fantastic read. I was NOT disappointed. I enjoyed the flow of the book and how Christa didn't drag the story out unnecessarily. She didn't get crazy with detail but expertly explained gaming world topics so everyone could understand. Some of my favorite parts of the book were the dialogue between Lexy and Uncle Mike. I love Lexy and can't wait for her continuing adventures!
July 30, 2014
This was so much fun to read that I couldn't wait to get to the end and I'm looking forward to the next one! I love the humor and, while it's definitely an easy read it's still very smart and speaks to those of us who have worked in the video game industry for sure! I recommend a cup of hot tea (or Diet Coke if that suits you,) a bubble bath, and no interruptions while reading this one.
Note: If you're prone to dropping things when you have bursts of giggling, be sure to put your e-reader in a gallon ziplock and seal it up well before taking it into the tub with you.
Note: If you're prone to dropping things when you have bursts of giggling, be sure to put your e-reader in a gallon ziplock and seal it up well before taking it into the tub with you.
May 4, 2014
I got interested in this book mainly because I am a gamer. I typically do not read mystery novels. I will say that I am very glad I read it. I know some of the characters from their life counter parts in the industry. Or I should say I know of them. It was a awesome story that kept me interested from one word to the next. I will be starting the next one in the series tonight and I am looking forward to finishing it as well!
July 17, 2013
Schooled is a fun, funny, sexy, suspenseful read that you won't want to put down. (and I'm not just saying this cause I'm friends with the author in the virtual world) I did not want the book to end! Can't wait to pick up the second Lexy Cooper mystery! I will definitely pass this on to any of my friends looking for a great read.
December 9, 2012
An interesting mix of sex, murder, and gaming. Definitely not for the younger audience or the pure of mind. Also not for those that are worried about what the people reading over your shoulder might think. I indeed look forward to future installments in tales of Lexy Cooper.
February 8, 2013
GAH!
I WANT BOOK TOO NAO!
Just saying!
I still have a girl-crush on Lexy.
I will still spend the night with Nate.
I WANT BOOK TOO NAO!
Just saying!
I still have a girl-crush on Lexy.
I will still spend the night with Nate.
December 10, 2012
A super fun read, finished it way faster than I expected, and now not sure what to read next - @trixie360 hurry up and finish writing the rest of the series :)
September 12, 2014
"Schooled" was published in 2012 and it was written by Christa Charter. Ms. Charter has written six novels, "Schooled" being the second. “Schooled” is also the first in her "Lexy Cooper Mystery" series.
I was alerted to "Schooled" being available for free download through http://www.moreforlessonline.com. This is a mystery set in contemporary Redmond, Washington. I would rate this novel as 'R' as there is Mature Language and Mature Situations. The novel is written in the third person with the primary characters being Lexy Cooper and Mike Malick.
Mike Malick is a Detective with the Redmond Police Department. A security guard at the Xenon company campus finds the nude body of a young woman in an adjacent wilderness area. Mike is called to the scene. He soon discovers that the woman's name is Callie Caldwell and that she was a friend of his "niece”, Lexy. As Mike investigates the case, the evidence points to someone working at Xenon as the murderer. Mike takes advantage of Lexy's employment at Xenon to get more information on some of the suspects, though he wants her to keep a low profile and play it safe.
Lexy is called by her "uncle" to identify the body of the young woman found on the Xenon campus. Lexy was friends with Callie, though she soon discovers that she did not know Callie as well as she had thought. Lexy begins to investigate those that were close to Calllie at Xenon. She learns a great deal about some of her fellow employees, not all flattering to them.
Lexy’s attention is split between her expanded role at Xenon making videos, poking around in Callie’s past, and trying to sneak as much time as she can with Nate. Finding time to be intimate with Nate is not easy as he is married and has a family.
This was a good mystery, with an engaging plot. I liked the characters that Ms. Charter created for the novel. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I was alerted to "Schooled" being available for free download through http://www.moreforlessonline.com. This is a mystery set in contemporary Redmond, Washington. I would rate this novel as 'R' as there is Mature Language and Mature Situations. The novel is written in the third person with the primary characters being Lexy Cooper and Mike Malick.
Mike Malick is a Detective with the Redmond Police Department. A security guard at the Xenon company campus finds the nude body of a young woman in an adjacent wilderness area. Mike is called to the scene. He soon discovers that the woman's name is Callie Caldwell and that she was a friend of his "niece”, Lexy. As Mike investigates the case, the evidence points to someone working at Xenon as the murderer. Mike takes advantage of Lexy's employment at Xenon to get more information on some of the suspects, though he wants her to keep a low profile and play it safe.
Lexy is called by her "uncle" to identify the body of the young woman found on the Xenon campus. Lexy was friends with Callie, though she soon discovers that she did not know Callie as well as she had thought. Lexy begins to investigate those that were close to Calllie at Xenon. She learns a great deal about some of her fellow employees, not all flattering to them.
Lexy’s attention is split between her expanded role at Xenon making videos, poking around in Callie’s past, and trying to sneak as much time as she can with Nate. Finding time to be intimate with Nate is not easy as he is married and has a family.
This was a good mystery, with an engaging plot. I liked the characters that Ms. Charter created for the novel. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
November 18, 2012
I loved this book! When's the next one coming out? :)
From a completely neutral perspective:
This book is an awesome mix of humor, action, sex and more. The storyline was so intriguing, I wanted to keep turning those virtual pages to find out what was going to happen next. The actual crime was mysterious enough to be compelling, and investigated and played-out well enough to be believable. I also loved the characters, they were interesting and I felt like I really cared about them. They seemed real, like the type of people you probably actually know. The author really has an amazing way of writing in a tone of voice that is completely realistic, none of the dialogue felt contrived. I loved that this story was set in the gaming/tech world, which is one that I'm somewhat familiar with and find to be interesting. However, you don't need to be a gaming nerd to enjoy this book - the story is fab in its own right.
From a more personal perspective:
I know the author, and I'd be lying if I said that didn't influence my enjoyment of this book. But honestly, it's just so well written, I'd give it a stellar review even if I didn't know Christa :) I know she's an avid reader like myself, and she's also a damn good writer. I got a huge kick out of reading a story that is set in a city and on a corporate campus that is modeled after one that I'm familiar with -- I could picture the places in mind, which added to the realism in the story. I also got a huge kick out of Lexy herself - there are certainly personality traits that are similar between our heroine and the author :) Oh, and add me to the Malick Fan Club. I picture him as a mix of Mark Wahlberg and Eric Bana. Gggrrowwwll! I do hope he plays a prominent part in the next two books in the series ;)
Overall, this book is a fast and fun ride and I'd totally recommend it to anyone who likes their crime/thriller stories a bit on the risque side. Sexy Lexy doesn't disappoint!
From a completely neutral perspective:
This book is an awesome mix of humor, action, sex and more. The storyline was so intriguing, I wanted to keep turning those virtual pages to find out what was going to happen next. The actual crime was mysterious enough to be compelling, and investigated and played-out well enough to be believable. I also loved the characters, they were interesting and I felt like I really cared about them. They seemed real, like the type of people you probably actually know. The author really has an amazing way of writing in a tone of voice that is completely realistic, none of the dialogue felt contrived. I loved that this story was set in the gaming/tech world, which is one that I'm somewhat familiar with and find to be interesting. However, you don't need to be a gaming nerd to enjoy this book - the story is fab in its own right.
From a more personal perspective:
I know the author, and I'd be lying if I said that didn't influence my enjoyment of this book. But honestly, it's just so well written, I'd give it a stellar review even if I didn't know Christa :) I know she's an avid reader like myself, and she's also a damn good writer. I got a huge kick out of reading a story that is set in a city and on a corporate campus that is modeled after one that I'm familiar with -- I could picture the places in mind, which added to the realism in the story. I also got a huge kick out of Lexy herself - there are certainly personality traits that are similar between our heroine and the author :) Oh, and add me to the Malick Fan Club. I picture him as a mix of Mark Wahlberg and Eric Bana. Gggrrowwwll! I do hope he plays a prominent part in the next two books in the series ;)
Overall, this book is a fast and fun ride and I'd totally recommend it to anyone who likes their crime/thriller stories a bit on the risque side. Sexy Lexy doesn't disappoint!
April 17, 2014
Generally, I enjoyed Christa Charter's new series starter (you can tell it's a new series because the last line completely sets up the sequel) and her double team of detectives - Lexy and her "uncle" Mike - work well together. The mystery itself is fun and while there are no great twists and turns, it's also not completely obvious from the outset, which is nice.
The setting, an online game company based in the Seattle metropolitan area seems to be unique and it's obvious (even without reading the author bio) that this is a world Ms. Charter is quite familiar with. On the downside, though, there are enough contemporary pop culture references to choke a horse and while I, personally, love those, a little goes a long away... especially when reading the book now, in 2013, 2012 references are already feeling dated. The problem with writing up to the minute touchstones to current culture is that unless they become timeless, the need for an annotated edition will become necessary in very short order.
The other objection I had is the clumsy way social issues were introduced and dealt with, especially in terms of male/female social interactions. Lexy is a woman who defines herself through her sexual connection with people (think a crop-top wearing version of Lady Brett Ashley) so it's no surprise that the venom spewed at women in the tech and gaming world would come into play. I think this is good thing, it needs to be dealt with and it needs to be discussed if we ever hope to eliminate it, I just felt that in this particular book, it was shoe-horned in, in an effort to give the story some "gravitas." Even with that, the book is a fun, quick, and easy read - but with enough sex I wouldn't recommend it for more delicate readers.
I am, however, looking forward to reading the next in line, Pwned, to see where Lexy takes us.
The setting, an online game company based in the Seattle metropolitan area seems to be unique and it's obvious (even without reading the author bio) that this is a world Ms. Charter is quite familiar with. On the downside, though, there are enough contemporary pop culture references to choke a horse and while I, personally, love those, a little goes a long away... especially when reading the book now, in 2013, 2012 references are already feeling dated. The problem with writing up to the minute touchstones to current culture is that unless they become timeless, the need for an annotated edition will become necessary in very short order.
The other objection I had is the clumsy way social issues were introduced and dealt with, especially in terms of male/female social interactions. Lexy is a woman who defines herself through her sexual connection with people (think a crop-top wearing version of Lady Brett Ashley) so it's no surprise that the venom spewed at women in the tech and gaming world would come into play. I think this is good thing, it needs to be dealt with and it needs to be discussed if we ever hope to eliminate it, I just felt that in this particular book, it was shoe-horned in, in an effort to give the story some "gravitas." Even with that, the book is a fun, quick, and easy read - but with enough sex I wouldn't recommend it for more delicate readers.
I am, however, looking forward to reading the next in line, Pwned, to see where Lexy takes us.
November 27, 2013
As Popeye — or possibly Tom Waits — might say, “Shiver me timbers!” Schooled is a cracker-jack yarn, as much fun to read as a swashbuckling pirate adventure — kinda. Hey, there’s even a skull and crossed bones pictured on the cover, along with…well, buxom Lexy Cooper, the book’s feisty heroine.
Of course, Schooled isn’t a pirate story; it’s cops and killers in the world of the videogame business in and around Seattle, Washington.
It’s a murder mystery so guess what? A body is discovered on page 2. Detective Mike Malick, Lexy’s adopted uncle, is assigned the case. Lexy helps Uncle Mike with his investigation, meeting suspects under often raunchy, but not always professional, circumstances.
Lexy is a spirited character who flaunts her mini-skirts and braids sorta like Pippi Longstocking grown to womanhood and gone rogue.
As part of her job Lexy administers online forums for Xenon, the company she works for, and frequently finds it necessary to flush out the malignant users — the prevs and phychos — which she does with gusto.
Schooled is a novel for energetic young people but that’s not to say that sexagenarians can’t enjoy Lexy’s ribald romping throughout the dangerous world of video gaming.
Sadly, I’m older than Long John Silver and at times while reading felt a wee bit like I should be spiraling down the digital drain as part of a forum flush.
What can I say? Bowl me over and call me grandpa — Lexy Cooper is way, way hotter than Stephanie Plum.
Truly.
October 26, 2013
I'm normally not a fan of mystery novels, so I was really surprised to find that I couldn't put this one down. Seriously, I started it at 1am and didn't stop reading until I finished it at 4am, at which point I bought the next two books (on Kindle). If I didn't have plans for the day I'd read both of them straight through ASAP.
"Schooled" didn't hook me right off the bat. It starts off with a sex scene, and the author made it very very obvious that the gaming company was Microsoft. I mean, the console is called "Xenon24/7" and the company is in Redmond, WA. Charter spent eight years as a writer and community manager for Xbox Live, and guess what Lexy's job title is?
But I kept going, and I'm glad I did. The story had some plot elements I wasn't expecting at all, and the writing was pretty solid. I liked that the author was up front about the sexism in the gaming industry, too; I have female acquaintances who work at game companies, and I've heard stories, and Charter has obviously dealt with the same sort of crap.
To sum up, it's a fun and engrossing book with a couple of flaws. Definitely worth reading!
"Schooled" didn't hook me right off the bat. It starts off with a sex scene, and the author made it very very obvious that the gaming company was Microsoft. I mean, the console is called "Xenon24/7" and the company is in Redmond, WA. Charter spent eight years as a writer and community manager for Xbox Live, and guess what Lexy's job title is?
But I kept going, and I'm glad I did. The story had some plot elements I wasn't expecting at all, and the writing was pretty solid. I liked that the author was up front about the sexism in the gaming industry, too; I have female acquaintances who work at game companies, and I've heard stories, and Charter has obviously dealt with the same sort of crap.
To sum up, it's a fun and engrossing book with a couple of flaws. Definitely worth reading!
May 30, 2013
Reviewing this here since Amazon hates me and won't let me write a review there.
Christa Charter has taken the old triumvirate of "sex, drugs and rock n roll" and brought it more in line with today's sensibilities....now it's "sex, violence and video games!" Lexy Cooper, a mild mannered (ok...not so mild mannered) Community Manager at leading video game manufacturer Xenon finds herself drawn into the center of a murder mystery when a body of another Xenon employee is found on campus. Lexy's uncle is brought in to head up the investigation, but Lexy soon finds that her, ummm..."ample" assets help her move the investigation along far faster than her stoic, professional uncle could ever hope.
At the end of the day, this book has something for mystery lovers, video game pros, and guys who have longingly stared at the hot girl next door and wondered "what would it be like to get with her?" I read this cover to cover over just 2 sittings, and was ready for the sequel as I turned the last electronic page. Give this a go, gentle reader, you won't be disappointed!
Christa Charter has taken the old triumvirate of "sex, drugs and rock n roll" and brought it more in line with today's sensibilities....now it's "sex, violence and video games!" Lexy Cooper, a mild mannered (ok...not so mild mannered) Community Manager at leading video game manufacturer Xenon finds herself drawn into the center of a murder mystery when a body of another Xenon employee is found on campus. Lexy's uncle is brought in to head up the investigation, but Lexy soon finds that her, ummm..."ample" assets help her move the investigation along far faster than her stoic, professional uncle could ever hope.
At the end of the day, this book has something for mystery lovers, video game pros, and guys who have longingly stared at the hot girl next door and wondered "what would it be like to get with her?" I read this cover to cover over just 2 sittings, and was ready for the sequel as I turned the last electronic page. Give this a go, gentle reader, you won't be disappointed!
August 5, 2013
The world of Lexy is brought to life in a believable manner by an author that drew upon her many years in the gaming industry. What starts off as a murder/mystery evolves into an exciting look at the gaming world through the eyes of Lexy in her Xenon personality and co-workers as she assists her police officer uncle who is investigating the murder. Being a gamer, I think that the glimpses into that world were more interesting, to me, and helped to flesh out the world of Lexy. It certainly helped to make the world in the story seem more real.
While I don't know Christa Charter in real life, I have followed her Twitter feed for a number of years and saw her post bits and pieces of her time as part of the XBox 360 social media team. I think that made reading the book that much more fun as it felt like I was reading a novel that a friend wrote. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this trilogy and to see where she takes Lexy from here.
@CanisFirebrand
While I don't know Christa Charter in real life, I have followed her Twitter feed for a number of years and saw her post bits and pieces of her time as part of the XBox 360 social media team. I think that made reading the book that much more fun as it felt like I was reading a novel that a friend wrote. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this trilogy and to see where she takes Lexy from here.
@CanisFirebrand
May 4, 2013
I was extremely hyped for the book from the moment I knew about it. I've known Christa online for a few years and if you know the kind of things she says on Twitter, you can't help it, you HAVE to be excited for her book. And thankfully, I wasn't diappointed, this is one hell of a story and Lexy is just kickassing-ly amazing.
All this coming from a person who usually doesn't read a lot anymore. Academic reading for university and no ability to concentrate on a book have turned me into a "I only read when I really have no choice"-reader. I was excited for "Schooled" and started it shortly after release, just to put it away after about 30%. Today I decided to continue and finished the missing 70% in one afternoon. What does this tell you about the book? It must be exciting, adventurous and really well-written.
Thank you, Christa, reading is fun again! Now where's the sequel???
All this coming from a person who usually doesn't read a lot anymore. Academic reading for university and no ability to concentrate on a book have turned me into a "I only read when I really have no choice"-reader. I was excited for "Schooled" and started it shortly after release, just to put it away after about 30%. Today I decided to continue and finished the missing 70% in one afternoon. What does this tell you about the book? It must be exciting, adventurous and really well-written.
Thank you, Christa, reading is fun again! Now where's the sequel???
September 22, 2014
OVERALL IMPRESSION: This story was pretty good. I wouldn't say that I was blown away or that it was super memorable, but I was entertained while reading it. I had fun trying to figure things out alongside Lexy. The ending was suspenseful, but not suspenseful enough. I felt like there could have been a lot more done with it to make me stand on edge.
CHARACTERS: Lexy annoyed me with the way she used her body to get what she wanted. I just cringed a little bit every time she did it. I liked Mike a lot. He was the right combination of protective and fun, and he was really understanding of what Lexy was going through.
COVER: When I first picked this up, I thought it was a graphic novel because of the cover, but it's not.
CHARACTERS: Lexy annoyed me with the way she used her body to get what she wanted. I just cringed a little bit every time she did it. I liked Mike a lot. He was the right combination of protective and fun, and he was really understanding of what Lexy was going through.
COVER: When I first picked this up, I thought it was a graphic novel because of the cover, but it's not.
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