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Sofie Metropolis #4
Working Stiff
Sofie Metropolis’s PI business is so successful at finding missing spouses and lost pets and at proving insurance fraud that she’s hired new staff, including her (formerly) layabout cousin.
There are two men in Sofie’s life: sexy Greek baker Dino, who found a place in her heart—and bed—in Foul Play, and man-of-mystery Jake Porter, whose Australian accent is guaranteed to turn Sofie’s knees to water.
The week before Halloween, a body disappears from Sofie’s Aunt’s funeral home. It might be a holiday prank, but Sofie’s barely begun to investigate when she’s handed a truly hot case: prove the innocence of someone already on trial for murder!
There are two men in Sofie’s life: sexy Greek baker Dino, who found a place in her heart—and bed—in Foul Play, and man-of-mystery Jake Porter, whose Australian accent is guaranteed to turn Sofie’s knees to water.
The week before Halloween, a body disappears from Sofie’s Aunt’s funeral home. It might be a holiday prank, but Sofie’s barely begun to investigate when she’s handed a truly hot case: prove the innocence of someone already on trial for murder!
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Tori Carrington
185 books186 followersAuthor Tori Carrington is the penname of husband and wife writing team Lori and Tony Karayianni.
Hands down, penning a bio is always the most difficult writing challenge we take on. What do we say? What do we keep a secret? Considering we've been writing together for over twenty-two years...well, that reveals more about us than anything you'll likely read here. We're fiction writers simply because we enjoy escaping into an exciting, colorful, fictional world of our own making. Take great, shameless pleasure in delving into the lives of others. Revel in living vicariously through our characters, trying on career hats we'd never otherwise put on, stretching muscles we'd probably be better off excercising in reality. We won't even discuss how our writing allows us to voice opinions on society, romance and human sexuality that aren't subject to public ridicule but rather presented as entertainment. To go there, well, we'd be revealing a little too much, now, wouldn't we?
So we'll stick to just the facts, ma'am -- or sir, depending on your preference, which may or may not have anything to do with your sex. Should you desire more information, feel free to e-mail us and we'll provide you with our phone number, or -- our preference -- arrange to meet with you one-on-one where we can learn as much, or perhaps more, about you as you will about us. Depending on our mood, we may spill everything we'd prefer to keep a secret, like which traits we would change about the other if given half a chance. Likewise, we may wisecrack our way through the interview, sprinkle our responses with what we find exciting about our latest book, and blissfully skate over personal details that might bare a little too much.
Trust us, this is not an attempt to create an aura of mystery. We're not quite that saavy. No, we're just very protective of our evolving selves and consider ourselves open-minded, known to change an opinion the moment we voice it or are presented with further information, so we're hesitant to commit any to writing. Guess we're very Socrates-like (as opposed to Socratic) in that way, which isn't altogether a bad thing..
So rather than dictate to you here, we'll lay out the basic facts, then provide a number of links to others who have interviewed us.
I'm (Lori Schlachter Karayianni) a Holy Toledo, Ohio, native, having attended Central Catholic but ultimately graduating from Macomber-Whitney with certification in computer science. After working in the computer industry for a number of years -- and after Tony and I endeavored to write our first novel -- I switched to temp work which ultimately led to a four-year stint as a secretary/sales clerk in the engineering and international sales departments of Owens-Illinois, the international container company that put the "glass" into The Glass City. I put the brakes on before I reached the five-year mark, however, the point of no return for most dreamers who get caught in the corporate trap (more vacation time? Better benefits? Probably I should stay until retirement).
Tony's background couldn't be more different from mine, but thankfully it led him to me. Born in Smila, a small hillside village in the area of Ancient Olympia outside Pyrgos, Greece, (where his family has deep roots and an older brother still maintains the family olive groves) he was raised in Athens during a time of political and cultural upheaval, although neither stopped him from becoming a drummer in a successful pop band that often played with Greek singer Teris Chrysos. He immigrated to the U.S. in late 1976 and with the help of the Greek community achieved the American Dream. Only the hunger for something more, the restless searching that originally compelled him to turn his back on his successful music career and brought him here, remained. It wasn't until after we'd become a couple, and he turned to me and suggested that we try our hand at writing, that both of us discovered the true meaning of th
Hands down, penning a bio is always the most difficult writing challenge we take on. What do we say? What do we keep a secret? Considering we've been writing together for over twenty-two years...well, that reveals more about us than anything you'll likely read here. We're fiction writers simply because we enjoy escaping into an exciting, colorful, fictional world of our own making. Take great, shameless pleasure in delving into the lives of others. Revel in living vicariously through our characters, trying on career hats we'd never otherwise put on, stretching muscles we'd probably be better off excercising in reality. We won't even discuss how our writing allows us to voice opinions on society, romance and human sexuality that aren't subject to public ridicule but rather presented as entertainment. To go there, well, we'd be revealing a little too much, now, wouldn't we?
So we'll stick to just the facts, ma'am -- or sir, depending on your preference, which may or may not have anything to do with your sex. Should you desire more information, feel free to e-mail us and we'll provide you with our phone number, or -- our preference -- arrange to meet with you one-on-one where we can learn as much, or perhaps more, about you as you will about us. Depending on our mood, we may spill everything we'd prefer to keep a secret, like which traits we would change about the other if given half a chance. Likewise, we may wisecrack our way through the interview, sprinkle our responses with what we find exciting about our latest book, and blissfully skate over personal details that might bare a little too much.
Trust us, this is not an attempt to create an aura of mystery. We're not quite that saavy. No, we're just very protective of our evolving selves and consider ourselves open-minded, known to change an opinion the moment we voice it or are presented with further information, so we're hesitant to commit any to writing. Guess we're very Socrates-like (as opposed to Socratic) in that way, which isn't altogether a bad thing..
So rather than dictate to you here, we'll lay out the basic facts, then provide a number of links to others who have interviewed us.
I'm (Lori Schlachter Karayianni) a Holy Toledo, Ohio, native, having attended Central Catholic but ultimately graduating from Macomber-Whitney with certification in computer science. After working in the computer industry for a number of years -- and after Tony and I endeavored to write our first novel -- I switched to temp work which ultimately led to a four-year stint as a secretary/sales clerk in the engineering and international sales departments of Owens-Illinois, the international container company that put the "glass" into The Glass City. I put the brakes on before I reached the five-year mark, however, the point of no return for most dreamers who get caught in the corporate trap (more vacation time? Better benefits? Probably I should stay until retirement).
Tony's background couldn't be more different from mine, but thankfully it led him to me. Born in Smila, a small hillside village in the area of Ancient Olympia outside Pyrgos, Greece, (where his family has deep roots and an older brother still maintains the family olive groves) he was raised in Athens during a time of political and cultural upheaval, although neither stopped him from becoming a drummer in a successful pop band that often played with Greek singer Teris Chrysos. He immigrated to the U.S. in late 1976 and with the help of the Greek community achieved the American Dream. Only the hunger for something more, the restless searching that originally compelled him to turn his back on his successful music career and brought him here, remained. It wasn't until after we'd become a couple, and he turned to me and suggested that we try our hand at writing, that both of us discovered the true meaning of th
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 18, 2008
This series to me is kind of like the poor man's version of the Stephanie Plum books. Instead of Stephanie Plum, we have Sophie Metropolis, private investigator who happens into this job after her wedding gets called off. Anyway, this is the fourth book in the series and Sophie has a few cases to solve, a missing dead body case and trying to prove another guy innocent of killing his girlfriend. Of course, there is the Greek guy that she is secretly seeing as well as the mysterious Australian PI (Ranger type) whom she is extremely attracted to that causes her confusion. This book did have its humorous moments but I didn't find it as entertaining as the previous ones in the series.
A series that I like better are The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz if one is looking for something similar to Janet Evanovich.
A series that I like better are The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz if one is looking for something similar to Janet Evanovich.
August 31, 2009
Sofie is back for book four. This time she has sex. As Sofie is becoming more of a real PI, she has been taking on bigger cases and actually hiring a staff. Kidnappings, murders, body stealing, and more are all in this one. Not only is the book more serious, but so are the consequences. Sofie and Dino? Sofie and Jake? Where will she finally end up? She has a serious problem with her choices in my opinion which makes it hard for me to really like her. Still better than the last. (6.5/10)
November 25, 2008
Another winner from this husband and wife writing team. Lots of laughs, but fun to see Sofie developing a bit more as a character in the series. This time she's hot on the trail of a missing corpse and the real murderer of a society girl who's boyfriend is on trial for the crime. Of course, she solves the mysteries, but also gets to deal with the touchy personal issues.
December 21, 2014
Sofie Metropolis is still on the private investigation beat in Astoria, Queens when her aunt asks her to find out why a body is missing from the family funeral home. Then she's hired to clear a man on trial for killing his girlfriend. Both of these are considerably more complicated than Sofie's usual lost pet cases, but she finds a way to crack them all the same.
January 7, 2010
I gave up after a few chapters. Tori Carrington is one of those authors who can't make it through a situation or conversation without 10 or twelve side line introverted monologues of the main character. Like, "I saw the cat. I remembered when I was 12 and a cat lived next door. . ." Who cares!! It drives me crazy. And then there was the language. I was so hopeful for a fun new series.
May 29, 2010
Great main mystery with lots of little subplots to keep you entertained along the way. Definitely my favorite Sophie Metropolis book so far.
January 12, 2021
I enjoyed the mysteries in this Sofie Metropolis book more than previous installments in the series. They were better plotted so that the book read more like a mystery rather than a book that just happens to have mystery-esque elements.
Sophie's life was a bit of a disaster, though, and her rationale for her problems with Dino were not very realistic. She claims that she may be falling in love with him and that he's a great guy for her, but the moment she sees him talking intimately with her sister (and she is adamant that she knows nothing was amiss with this situation), she runs. How can you know that your boyfriend/lover and sister are honest and not up to anything and yet still not forgive them for just talking?
Jake Porter continues to be a bit of a letdown. He's not adding much to the series for me. He's the hot guy who is always at arm's reach for Sophie (even after a steamy night) and she can never really have. Move on. Next.
I think the book was leading up to the next in the series about vampires, which I liked. I like a nice lead in. There were some supernatural aspects to this book but without being over the top, so I'm interested to see how that progresses and if it turns out becoming too hokey.
Sophie's life was a bit of a disaster, though, and her rationale for her problems with Dino were not very realistic. She claims that she may be falling in love with him and that he's a great guy for her, but the moment she sees him talking intimately with her sister (and she is adamant that she knows nothing was amiss with this situation), she runs. How can you know that your boyfriend/lover and sister are honest and not up to anything and yet still not forgive them for just talking?
Jake Porter continues to be a bit of a letdown. He's not adding much to the series for me. He's the hot guy who is always at arm's reach for Sophie (even after a steamy night) and she can never really have. Move on. Next.
I think the book was leading up to the next in the series about vampires, which I liked. I like a nice lead in. There were some supernatural aspects to this book but without being over the top, so I'm interested to see how that progresses and if it turns out becoming too hokey.
November 23, 2018
Halloween is coming up, and it’s giving Sofie Metropolis the creeps. But there’s no such thing as ghosts and zombies, right?
... At least, that’s what she thought before the dead body of Nick Papadakis went missing.
Now her Aunt Sotoria has hired her to find it, and she doesn’t exactly have time to spare. Her real (paying) case has her trying to find evidence in favor of a man who has been accused of killing his girlfriend.
And everyone, including her, is already pretty much convinced of his guilt.
The main story in this book wasn’t too predictable, like last time (but one of the side-story mysteries was painfully obvious). Otherwise, it was pretty much the same.
Anyone who follows my profile probably notices that I’m always reading at least two books. In case you’re curious as to why, I like to read on the treadmill, so I set aside “humorous” books like these to read while exercising, and I keep a “serious” book to read in my downtime.
... At least, that’s what she thought before the dead body of Nick Papadakis went missing.
Now her Aunt Sotoria has hired her to find it, and she doesn’t exactly have time to spare. Her real (paying) case has her trying to find evidence in favor of a man who has been accused of killing his girlfriend.
And everyone, including her, is already pretty much convinced of his guilt.
The main story in this book wasn’t too predictable, like last time (but one of the side-story mysteries was painfully obvious). Otherwise, it was pretty much the same.
Anyone who follows my profile probably notices that I’m always reading at least two books. In case you’re curious as to why, I like to read on the treadmill, so I set aside “humorous” books like these to read while exercising, and I keep a “serious” book to read in my downtime.
December 7, 2023
The books in this series are getting better, really like Sofie’s character and all of her supporting characters. While I have come to accept that there will be a lot of similarities between her and the Stephanie Plum series, the differences are now enough for me to hang up any further references. Sofie is a good PI with a true human spirit, bound to make mistakes but able to learn and move on. The team Jake vs team Dino saga is starting to fizzle but it is merely a background plot to all of the other things Sofie has going on. Overall this one is my fave.
September 1, 2023
Working my way through this series. I like Tori Carrington’s writing style. (Carrington is husband/wife duo Ony and Lori Karayianni.) I like the PI, Sofie Metropolis, the secondary characters, and the references to Greek-American life. This book’s mysteries were more interesting than in the previous books and the solutions less obvious.
July 6, 2017
I really liked listening to this series until they changed narrators. This narrator really annoyed me.
May 18, 2020
I had forgotten how fun this series was; another bad guy bites the dust!
March 2, 2024
Fun story line. Unbelievable love interest and a little odd way of dealing with “life and family “
January 5, 2009
As soon as I opened the covers of my advanced review copy of Working Stiff, fourth in the Sofie Metropolis detective series by husband and wife writing team, Lori and Tony Karayianni as the combo name Tori Carrington, I was reminded of those long ago days of reading Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyne Keene. I was, fair to say, obsessed with sharp and sassy girl-detective Nancy Drew as a young girl. Gee, that was long ago. I'm not sure why, but I have steered clear of mysteries ever since. Go figure. Why avoid a genre that I liked so much as an avid adolescent reader?
Because I am no longer an adolescent? I'd be hard pressed to explain why there are two genres of writing that I avoid in the bookstore: mysteries and science fiction. If I have read a spotty few in either genre over my adult years, it is usually because there is some overriding personal reason to do so. Perhaps I know the author. Perhaps a fellow reader whose literary opinions I respect has given a particular title a high recommendation. Those few times that I have crossed the line and dipped a reluctant toe into the detective and/or science fiction waters, well, it wasn't too bad a dip. Sometimes even enjoyable. And yet. Next time I am in a bookstore? You got it. I avoid those sections.
I could be very wrong, but I would guess that women, who dominate today's book buying clientele, tend away from the hard-boiled detective tome, and may not be the keenest sci fi fans, either. (That said, I have met some women who would argue that they love these types of books, so consider this my personal observation only, completely unscientific.)
Okay, so what all that means is that when I sat down to read my first Sofie Metropolis book, the decks were stacked against the authors. And it stayed that way through several of the first few chapters. Sofie's voice, in my mind, was too distinctly male. She spoke, moved, behaved, thought, too much like those by now cliche Bogey types, the Mike Hammer PIs, the fedora-wearing, minus the hat, cool dudes who were tough and cool and impossibly (annoyingly) sauve. Yeah, now I remember why I bypass the mysteries. The main characters make me cringe. Sofie even has a version of her own girl Friday, the sidekick who is ever faithful and efficient, voluptuously shaped, with seemingly little to no life outside of the PI office. And, Sofie even expressed what smacked of a male perspective of sleeping habits. The nice guy in one bed, the bad cowboy in the other, meenie minie mo. Huh. Not working for me.
But then, page by page, a metamorphosis started to happen. I realized a few hours had gone by and I had yet to put the book down. Each chapter tended to end on a teaser, and it worked to keep me reading. And, I had to admit, Sofie was kind of growing on me. She could be fun. She could have a bit of that wacky Bridget Jones quality that made chic lit big. A little goofy. More than somewhat confused about her bed partners. Vulnerable and a little bruised. Even her cranky pup, Muffy, was winning me over.
Two days later, I had finished the book. I read through it like I used to read through those Nancy Drew mysteries. Couple of big bites and done. Not exactly the literary tomes I love, the type of writing that moves me to tears or shakes up the ground I stand on, but a bit of good, lighthanded fun. I liked her ethnic background (and the Greek recipes at book's end are a nice touch). The dialogue between characters was strong and convincing.
Yeah, so the murder mystery was a bit weak in its construction, and the revelation of what happened to the stolen corpse made me wince aloud. (The adolescent reader me would say, eeuuww! gross!) And I had to wonder, with this duo of authors writing, which author set up the scene where Sofie lingers too long to watch her girl Friday getting ready to shower, admiring her perfect nude breasts ... and which author remarked with disdain, "Dogs, I was coming to understand, were a lot like men. In the heat of the moment, they didn't have two brain cells to rub together." Who knows. I might be surprised.
But here's the thing. I had a lot of fun spending a couple days with Sofie Metro. Not a bad break between my more serious reading. I realized I'd kind of missed ol' Nancy Drew and the fun of watching her solve another light mystery. I could even be convinced to read the previous three Sofie books ...
Four stars for fun.
~ Zinta Aistars for The Smoking Poet, summer 2008 issue
Because I am no longer an adolescent? I'd be hard pressed to explain why there are two genres of writing that I avoid in the bookstore: mysteries and science fiction. If I have read a spotty few in either genre over my adult years, it is usually because there is some overriding personal reason to do so. Perhaps I know the author. Perhaps a fellow reader whose literary opinions I respect has given a particular title a high recommendation. Those few times that I have crossed the line and dipped a reluctant toe into the detective and/or science fiction waters, well, it wasn't too bad a dip. Sometimes even enjoyable. And yet. Next time I am in a bookstore? You got it. I avoid those sections.
I could be very wrong, but I would guess that women, who dominate today's book buying clientele, tend away from the hard-boiled detective tome, and may not be the keenest sci fi fans, either. (That said, I have met some women who would argue that they love these types of books, so consider this my personal observation only, completely unscientific.)
Okay, so what all that means is that when I sat down to read my first Sofie Metropolis book, the decks were stacked against the authors. And it stayed that way through several of the first few chapters. Sofie's voice, in my mind, was too distinctly male. She spoke, moved, behaved, thought, too much like those by now cliche Bogey types, the Mike Hammer PIs, the fedora-wearing, minus the hat, cool dudes who were tough and cool and impossibly (annoyingly) sauve. Yeah, now I remember why I bypass the mysteries. The main characters make me cringe. Sofie even has a version of her own girl Friday, the sidekick who is ever faithful and efficient, voluptuously shaped, with seemingly little to no life outside of the PI office. And, Sofie even expressed what smacked of a male perspective of sleeping habits. The nice guy in one bed, the bad cowboy in the other, meenie minie mo. Huh. Not working for me.
But then, page by page, a metamorphosis started to happen. I realized a few hours had gone by and I had yet to put the book down. Each chapter tended to end on a teaser, and it worked to keep me reading. And, I had to admit, Sofie was kind of growing on me. She could be fun. She could have a bit of that wacky Bridget Jones quality that made chic lit big. A little goofy. More than somewhat confused about her bed partners. Vulnerable and a little bruised. Even her cranky pup, Muffy, was winning me over.
Two days later, I had finished the book. I read through it like I used to read through those Nancy Drew mysteries. Couple of big bites and done. Not exactly the literary tomes I love, the type of writing that moves me to tears or shakes up the ground I stand on, but a bit of good, lighthanded fun. I liked her ethnic background (and the Greek recipes at book's end are a nice touch). The dialogue between characters was strong and convincing.
Yeah, so the murder mystery was a bit weak in its construction, and the revelation of what happened to the stolen corpse made me wince aloud. (The adolescent reader me would say, eeuuww! gross!) And I had to wonder, with this duo of authors writing, which author set up the scene where Sofie lingers too long to watch her girl Friday getting ready to shower, admiring her perfect nude breasts ... and which author remarked with disdain, "Dogs, I was coming to understand, were a lot like men. In the heat of the moment, they didn't have two brain cells to rub together." Who knows. I might be surprised.
But here's the thing. I had a lot of fun spending a couple days with Sofie Metro. Not a bad break between my more serious reading. I realized I'd kind of missed ol' Nancy Drew and the fun of watching her solve another light mystery. I could even be convinced to read the previous three Sofie books ...
Four stars for fun.
~ Zinta Aistars for The Smoking Poet, summer 2008 issue
April 30, 2011
I came across Working Stiff when I was browsing at the library the other day. I saw the author’s name, recognized it, skimmed the blurb, and said ‘what the hell.’ Go figure that I find out after I start reading that this is actually the fourth book in the Sofie Metropolis series. Even so, I still read and enjoyed this one.
Sofie Metropolis is a P.I. out of Queens who takes on a case of a missing body - a missing dead body – for her aunt, and a case to try and find the real killer of a teenage girl so that a young man does not end up on trial for a murder he didn’t commit. This is something of a change from the cheating spouse and missing pet cases that Sofie is used to, but she is determined to succeed nonetheless.
In addition to following along with the cases there is the sheer insanity of working with a superstitious office manager who is sure that there is a neighborhood vampire around, dealing with a large Greek family and the meddling that comes along with the family, and of course a big Austrailian bounty hunter.
Working Stiff has a little bit of everything in it, mystery, romance (though not in the traditional, happily ever after sense), family… you get the jist. All in all it was a great read.
Many of the reviews compare the Metro books to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but personally I find it’s not as outrageous as the movie was. However! The authors (Tori Carrington is actually Tony and Lori Karayianni) do a great job of winding a modern P.I. tale around the true Greek stereotypes that have been passed on over the years. I look forward to going back and reading the first three books in the series and then the fifth book which is scheduled for release this week.
Sofie Metropolis is a P.I. out of Queens who takes on a case of a missing body - a missing dead body – for her aunt, and a case to try and find the real killer of a teenage girl so that a young man does not end up on trial for a murder he didn’t commit. This is something of a change from the cheating spouse and missing pet cases that Sofie is used to, but she is determined to succeed nonetheless.
In addition to following along with the cases there is the sheer insanity of working with a superstitious office manager who is sure that there is a neighborhood vampire around, dealing with a large Greek family and the meddling that comes along with the family, and of course a big Austrailian bounty hunter.
Working Stiff has a little bit of everything in it, mystery, romance (though not in the traditional, happily ever after sense), family… you get the jist. All in all it was a great read.
Many of the reviews compare the Metro books to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but personally I find it’s not as outrageous as the movie was. However! The authors (Tori Carrington is actually Tony and Lori Karayianni) do a great job of winding a modern P.I. tale around the true Greek stereotypes that have been passed on over the years. I look forward to going back and reading the first three books in the series and then the fifth book which is scheduled for release this week.
April 22, 2012
this is one of the greek 'stephanine plum' type books. she is a greek dective, she got the dog from teh neighbor when she died, but the dog doesnt like her. she caught her 'groom' in bed with her bridesmaid right before the wedding on the wedding day. her parents got her a apt bldg for the wedding present, she lives there. teh old lady across teh hall collects teh rent for her. she is having a affair with the cute greek baker but for some reason is also going to bed with the australian dective. lots of greek references and dead people, she is trying to figure out if some man killed his girlfriend and get him out of jail if he didnt. her cousin that owns the dective agency is gone in this book. i cant exactly remember if i read this one, but im enjoying it anyway.
i dont think i read this one after all. it was good, but she didnt get back with dino or the austrian one either. i think there is another book after this, it said something about vampires which i dont like and hope its not about. i hope she gets back with dino tho i dont know what she is going to tell him about the other guy. i dont think hes going to like that
the dog saved her in the end attacking the guy trying to kill her. the black cat left.
i enjoyed it!
i dont think i read this one after all. it was good, but she didnt get back with dino or the austrian one either. i think there is another book after this, it said something about vampires which i dont like and hope its not about. i hope she gets back with dino tho i dont know what she is going to tell him about the other guy. i dont think hes going to like that
the dog saved her in the end attacking the guy trying to kill her. the black cat left.
i enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2012
Sophie Metropolis is turning into quite the successful private investigator. She has a few big cases under her belt, but is far from esteemed in her Astoria, Queens community. Now she is asked to find a dead body that has disappeared from her Aunt Sotiria’s funeral home and hired to prove an alleged murderer innocent. Her assistant is as sassy as ever and her pseudo reformed cousin is proving helpful.
While business is booming, her personal life is getting complicated. Her dog, Muffy, is acting weird and when a stray black cat takes up residence in her apartment the high-jinks ensue. Sexy Greek, Dino, is warming Sophie’s bed until a chance encounter leaves her questioning their relationship. And when hot Aussie, Jake Porter, rolls back into town he knows just how to make Sophie forget about Dino.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
While business is booming, her personal life is getting complicated. Her dog, Muffy, is acting weird and when a stray black cat takes up residence in her apartment the high-jinks ensue. Sexy Greek, Dino, is warming Sophie’s bed until a chance encounter leaves her questioning their relationship. And when hot Aussie, Jake Porter, rolls back into town he knows just how to make Sophie forget about Dino.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
September 23, 2015
I have mixed feeling about this book. I think some editing might have made it much better. I would have given it 2 stars but liked it a bit more than that. 2.5.
I agree with others that this is a bit too close to the Stephanie Plum books with the Greek vs Italian family, the two hot boyfriends, and the wacky relatives. I can get past that. My problem is with some of the excruciating internal monologues about every feeling. And the endless flashbacks. I haven't read the prior 3 books but she referred to them enough that I feel I've read them.
I didn't read this one, I listened to it. That prevents me from skimming. So I may try reading the 1st in the series and see if it helps to be able to skim my the parts I think should be edited out.
I agree with others that this is a bit too close to the Stephanie Plum books with the Greek vs Italian family, the two hot boyfriends, and the wacky relatives. I can get past that. My problem is with some of the excruciating internal monologues about every feeling. And the endless flashbacks. I haven't read the prior 3 books but she referred to them enough that I feel I've read them.
I didn't read this one, I listened to it. That prevents me from skimming. So I may try reading the 1st in the series and see if it helps to be able to skim my the parts I think should be edited out.
June 13, 2010
As more characters become fleshed out in the Sophie Metro universe, the books have gotten more interesting.
Various plot lines may not weave together seamlessly, but the authors are getting better at changing from one story to another.
There was a lacking of "Greekness" as compared to previous books in the series. As I am of Greek descent, I always look forward to this part of the book. It is what keeps me reading the series. Hopefully the next installment will satisfy my love of being "Greek" without alienating readers unfamiliar with Greek traditions.
Despite my lukewarm review, I will be eager to read the next adventures of Sofie.
Various plot lines may not weave together seamlessly, but the authors are getting better at changing from one story to another.
There was a lacking of "Greekness" as compared to previous books in the series. As I am of Greek descent, I always look forward to this part of the book. It is what keeps me reading the series. Hopefully the next installment will satisfy my love of being "Greek" without alienating readers unfamiliar with Greek traditions.
Despite my lukewarm review, I will be eager to read the next adventures of Sofie.
July 21, 2014
I keep waiting for her character to get smarter, even when she says she's getting smarter .. but it just doesn't happen ..
It's entertaining enough to get me through a work day .. and a few parts had me laughing but mainly I'm just wondering why Sofie is so dumb
And, no offense, but Allison Ryan, the narrator, was hit and miss. I really didn't like her voice as Sofie but thought some of her other voices were okay .. but the ones for Jake and Rosie were off too. I loved the original narrator so let down by this change
It's entertaining enough to get me through a work day .. and a few parts had me laughing but mainly I'm just wondering why Sofie is so dumb
And, no offense, but Allison Ryan, the narrator, was hit and miss. I really didn't like her voice as Sofie but thought some of her other voices were okay .. but the ones for Jake and Rosie were off too. I loved the original narrator so let down by this change
March 6, 2012
I liked this one. It's been so long since I read anything in this series that I couldn't remember if I had read it before. It didn't seem like it until the very end. That seemed kind of familiar. I think that too many people are comparing this series to Stephanie Plum, and finding it inferior. Which is unfair. It's a good series that stands on its own. I like Stephanie Plum too, but I don't think it's that similar.
July 26, 2013
These books have always been a Stephanie Plum knock off (other reviews deny that, but it's almost character for character, plot point, etc). When faced with a minimal ebook shelf from the library, you take what you can get. Jake (or, Ranger-light) comes off as just a pitiful loser with a crappy apartment and a waterbed, not, you know, Ranger.
I've read an awful lot of fluffy beach reads lately because I'm too lazy to go to the library. I think my patience with them is wearing thin.
I've read an awful lot of fluffy beach reads lately because I'm too lazy to go to the library. I think my patience with them is wearing thin.
May 31, 2011
Sofie Metro gets her guy both in solving her cases and in her love life,but then she loses the sexy, Australian bounty hunter,Jake, after giving up the cute, Greek baker, Dino. A fun read with an exciting ending. Muffy the dog saves the day. Well Sofie does her part too, but I liked that it wasn't a sexy man to save the day. Sofie used her own resources and smarts to get things done.
December 8, 2012
This is my first time to read this author and although I love a good detective book I won't choose another by them. I did make it through to the end but the characters reminded me of Janet Evanovichs books without the fun. Most of all the story wrenched my stomach at times with the gross descriptions. Maybe that means that they are good at writing, I don't know, but I will pass in the future.
April 22, 2014
Bigtime Stephanie Plum/Janet Evanovich knockoff. Sophie Metropolis was cheated on by her fiance (check), and is now involved with a mysterious bounty hunter (check) and a sexy stable guy who loves her (check). She gets involved in misadventures that involve funeral homes (check), animals (check), wacky old people (check) and ethnic humor (check).
It's pleasant enough, but not amazing.
It's pleasant enough, but not amazing.
May 21, 2009
A good light mystery read. I will be checking for more titles in this series. Not as fluffy as Janet Evonovich. Tori Carrington is actually the pen name of two people working together to write the Sofie Metropolis books.
February 26, 2016
June 08/10 -- Chapter 2 --
June 14/10 -- Chapter 19 --
June 15/10 -- Finished --
I have loads of fun with these books because the mystery is enjoyable, the quirky Greek characters and other friends remind me of many people in my own life and everything makes me smile.
June 14/10 -- Chapter 19 --
June 15/10 -- Finished --
I have loads of fun with these books because the mystery is enjoyable, the quirky Greek characters and other friends remind me of many people in my own life and everything makes me smile.
September 21, 2010
Make a note that the Sofie Metropolis series has potential read-alike value for Janet Evanovich or Charlaine Harris readers. Spunky heroine, bounty hunter, a touch of vampire--leans toward more romance than mystery. Easy reading and just fun.
October 9, 2012
Sofie takes on a big one this time as she helps to figure out if a guy is innocent of murder. She is also trying to find a corpse that disappeared before the viewing. She and her dog work things out and a cat enters her life too. Fun to read.
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