Dodge and Burn

Sophie Medina #4

by Ellen Crosby

Washington, DC-based photojournalist Sophie Medina is not a murderer - but someone is determined to make sure she goes down for a crime she did not commit . . .When billionaire philanthropist and art collector Robson Blake hires Sophie Medina to take photographs for him, she doesn't expect to show up and find her client dead. It seems he was the victim of a burglary gone wrong. But why was his state-of-the-art security system turned off . . . and why, in a house of full priceless Old Masters, is the only thing missing a beautiful but insignificant Ukrainian religious icon?Before long, Sophie finds herself in the crosshairs of a D.C. homicide detective who suspects she knows more than she is saying about Blake's murder - and he's not wrong. To Sophie's mixed delight and horror, she's recently learned she has a half-brother . . . who might also be an international art thief, with eyes on Blake's collection.As the police get closer to finding Blake's killer, Sophie is certain someone is trying to frame her for his murder. Can she find the real killer in time - even if it means turning in her own brother to prove her innocence?The latest instalment in this gripping series featuring fearless photojournalist Sophie Medina is a great choice for readers who enjoy high-flying female sleuths, deft red-herrings and page-turning plot twists, and glamorous settings.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Ellen Crosby is the author of the Virginia wine country mysteries, the Sophie Medina mysteries, and MOSCOW NIGHTS, a standalone. DEEDS LEFT UNDONE, her 13th wine country mystery, will be out on August 5, 2025 in hardcover, as an ebook, and as an audio book from Tantor Media. Previously she was a freelance reporter for The Washington Post, Moscow correspondent for ABC Radio News, and an economist at the US Senate. She lives in the Washington, DC suburbs of northern Virginia after living overseas for many years and is currently busy writing the 14th wine country mystery which will be out in 2026. More at www.ellencrosby.com.

Reviews

[James]

Ellen Crosby has been one of my must-read authors for the last five years. Between her amateur investigation series and this revived Sophia Medina series, I am always entertained and learn a significant amount of knowledge about history, politics, and art. In Dodge and Burn, Sophie learns about a half-brother who shows up in the middle of a murder that's happened a little close to work. As Crosby unveils connections between Ukrainian art, theft, and disastrous relationships among the wealthy DC political world, readers watch Sophia heal from her husband's murder and a decision on how she should move forward. Not a suspense series, nor a cozy mystery, it's square in the middle but filled with intrigue and edge. Sophie's relationship with her mother is complicated, but you know they want to be there for each other which makes it feel all the more real. Sophie's path to falling in love again will be difficult but I am enjoying the rocky steps she's taking to try to live in the open again too. Looking forward to another in this series.

[Jenny]

This books was fine.

I wouldn’t recommend it to someone looking for a fast paced and intriguing murder mystery. I thought the premise of stolen art was quite interesting but I just wasn’t a fan of the execution.

First of all the characters were kind of boring. Sophie was meh and why was Landon so rude all the time? The woman found a dead body and was accused of murder? Like bro chill, it’s not all about you.

The book somehow managed to be 230 pages and still be overwritten. So much of the content was repetitive. I swear if I have to read again about how much the crime rate has increased in DC since the pandemic…

I felt like I was being lectured at, told useless and not important info about the characters that slowed the momentum of the plot. Very tell not show style of book which just isn’t for me.

[Adriana]

Enjoyed this book very much. This was my first Sophie Medina novel, but I had no problems jumping right into the story. Sophie is very relatable and I loved learning about local history, art, and politics. All those details are fascinating and woven very well into the story. There's lots of tension -- internal and external -- and I loved guessing what might come next in terms of the mystery, her relationship with her mom and friends, and potential love interests. I don't want to give away too much in terms of plot, but the stolen art angle/story is very well done. Writing style is crisp and clean, which I appreciate, the action moves along at a nice pace, and Sophie is a very sympathetic character. Well done! Now I need to go back and read the rest of the series...

[Homerun2]

This is a superior series, featuring semi-retired photojournalist Sophie Medina in an interesting Washington D.C. setting. Sophie is widowed, and financially independent. She is asked to take some photos for a wealthy art collector/philanthropist and arrives at the appointment to find him murdered.

The door opens on the world of "stolen" (unethically acquired) artworks and the details are fascinating. Then a personal family discover makes Sophie's involvement even more perilous.

This is a well-written series and the narrative moves quickly. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pat Dupuy]

This is a fast moving story that escalates from two simple photography requests: one pro bono for a good cause, and one for a multimillionaire. The plot twists and turns until Sophie doesn't know if she's coming or going but she's afraid of the possibilities. I love the familiarity with Washington, D.C. the author displays. I feel like I could follow along with the book and wind up wherever Sophie does. This is my first Sophie Medina book and I really enjoyed it. Now I have to catch up and read the earlier ones!

[Donna]

Sophia Medina is a photographer. She does to a client's / friend's home to take photographs of him . Sadly she discovers him dead in his study. The only item missing is a Ukrainian religious icon.

A DC detective suspects she is hiding more about her friend's death. She also learned that she has a Half-brother who happens to be an art thief. ( the kind that steals and returns the artifact to the rightful owner.)

Lots of action; lots of possible murderers; lots of guessing.

Stay up late to read this one.

[Annarella]

A well plotted and gripping mystery, an interesting main character. It kept me guessing and turning pages.
I appreciated the style of writing and the storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[George Stenger]

This was a Goodreads Giveaway Kindle book. Sophie Medina is a retired professional photographer who is soon caught up in a murder investigation as well as an investigation in international art thefts. It is a compelling and quick read.

[Susan Coleman]

Ellen Crosby always lays out a good story with attention to details and characters like Sophie Medina that are easy to root for. A side note: the occasional fabulous meal and sips of wine in the book make me yearn to become friends with Sophie (without the murders part)

[Gail]

I'm really loving the Sophie Medina series - I'm very glad she started it up again. Sophie's personal life, volunteer life and professional life all intersect in this fascinating tale of stolen artwork.

[Stephanie Wilkins]

This book started off so slow that I almost didn't finish it. I understand needing to build context, but the event the summary is about didn't happen until halfway through. Then they sort of quickly tied up lose ends. Debating trying another book by this author.

[Mysteryfan]

This one didn't keep my attention as well as some of her other books. It meandered a bit and the half-brother plot seemed a little superfluous. Still, a good entry in the series

[Catherine Woodman]

I like these Sophie Medina books, and while I thought for a while that this one was going to veer into the sone of "too much" it didn't. Sophie has a lot of complications in her life, and she has quit her job as a war zone photo journalist after her spy agent spouse is killed and leaves her with a lot of financial resources. In the course of pursuing her non-profit photography she falls into a murder case and has some role in solving it.

[Janice Hom]

Nice page turner with believable characters and organized, detailed plotline.

[Nefty123]

A very interesting case of art theft and murder. Ellen Crosby has a magnificent way of allowing the reader to get well into the action. And her research is truly in-depth.

[Lynn Macdonald]

One of my favorite books in the series!

[Cathy Cole]

I always enjoy Ellen Crosby's books for their strong female lead characters, their mysteries, and their intelligent writing. In Dodge and Burn, the characters shine once again. From Sophie herself to her newfound half-brother to her basketcase of a mother to the friends in her circle, I enjoy the time I spend with each and every one. (Well, maybe not so much Sophie's mother...)

I don't know why, but I've always enjoyed plots that revolve around jewelry and art thefts, so I was wired to like this book from the start. The information Crosby shares on stolen art is fascinating. I rely on this author to teach me many new things without making me feel as though I'm sitting in a classroom, and she does it once again in Dodge and Burn.

As strong as the characters are and as fascinating as the world of stolen art is, I did feel as though the plotting in this latest book in the Sophie Medina series was a bit of a letdown, and I found the ending to be predictable. Is this going to stop me from reading future books in the series? Absolutely not, and it shouldn't stop you from becoming acquainted with Sophie. I suggest you begin with the first book in the series, Multiple Exposure.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)

[Judy]

Ellen Crosby's DODGE AND BURN, the fourththird instalment in the Sophie Medina series, finds the Washington, D.C.-based international photographer still in mourning following the death of her husband. But when her neighbor introduces her to billionaire philanthropist Robson Blake, and she is hired by him to take photographs, her life takes a dramatic turn. She arrives for an appointment and finds her client murdered in his study, and a priceless piece of art is missing. When she meets a half-brother she'd previously had no knowledge of, she learns that he is in the business of taking back stolen treasures. He cautions her that the item may have been stolen from a small church in Ukraine, and that perhaps Robson may have been heavily involved in the underworld of stolen masterpieces. Is the brother legit? If so, did he murder Robson to recover a stolen art treasure? Is anyone who they say they are? In this smart, punchy, and glamourous page-turner Crosby again delivers a sophisticated and satisfying mystery. Thanks to #DodgeandBurn and #NetGalley for a review copy of the book.