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Sophie Katz Murder Mystery #5
Vows, Vendettas And A Little Black Dress
Overjoyed at Maryanne's engagement, amateur sleuth Sophie Katz can't wait for the wedding vows and party toasts to begin. But then Dena–best friend, bridesmaid and all-around vixen–is mysteriously shot just after the announcement.
Leave this to the authorities? No way. Dena may never walk again, and Sophie vows to marry her fists with the shooter's face.
Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts–from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena's made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop–and, yes, she's no saint–but really, who deserves to be shot?
With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie's barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.
Big if.
Leave this to the authorities? No way. Dena may never walk again, and Sophie vows to marry her fists with the shooter's face.
Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts–from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena's made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop–and, yes, she's no saint–but really, who deserves to be shot?
With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie's barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.
Big if.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2010
43 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
About the author
Kyra Davis
29 books1,521 followersNew York Times bestselling author of JUST ONE NIGHT, DECEPTIVE INNOCENCE, the Sophie Katz mysteries, SO MUCH FOR MY HAPPY ENDING and the upcoming DANGEROUS ALLIANCE, JUST ONCE MORE and JUST ONE LIE (July 28th, 2015).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 18, 2011
I'm at a bit of a loss. After all, I *like* Kyra Davis. I *like* Sophie Katz. I *like* everyone in this book, pretty much; I mean, there are the good guys and the bad guys, and I'm not foolish enough to say that the bad guys were overly likable, but all of Sophie's friends held true to their (rather caricatured) personalities. The thing is, I think that I might be growing out of this series.
It's nothing really that Kyra is doing wrong, it's just turning a bit away from the mystery aspect and turning more into an exploration of relationships and maturity, and that can be pretty hard to maintain from inside the confines of this genre. Further, you know how I mentioned that the characters are caricatures? You can't get too complex feelings- and emotion-wise when you're dealing with Ditzy Blonde, Gorgeous Gay Guy, and Hunky Russian Guy.
I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard to play with Barbies after a certain age. I don't know that I will pick up the next one, and that's tragic, because for the most part, I really do like Kyra's style.
(Lastly: how many times can you use the word "hedge" as a verb? *sigh*)
It's nothing really that Kyra is doing wrong, it's just turning a bit away from the mystery aspect and turning more into an exploration of relationships and maturity, and that can be pretty hard to maintain from inside the confines of this genre. Further, you know how I mentioned that the characters are caricatures? You can't get too complex feelings- and emotion-wise when you're dealing with Ditzy Blonde, Gorgeous Gay Guy, and Hunky Russian Guy.
I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard to play with Barbies after a certain age. I don't know that I will pick up the next one, and that's tragic, because for the most part, I really do like Kyra's style.
(Lastly: how many times can you use the word "hedge" as a verb? *sigh*)
February 17, 2012
This is the first Sophie Katz novel that seemed to drag for me. It started out with a bang, as Sophie's friend Maryann tells Sophie and Dena, her cousin, about her engagement to Monty. When Sophie and Maryann step out of the room, Dena is shot!
From there, is when it started to drag. Since Sophie is an ameteur sleuth, and a mystery writer, she feels she can do a better job than the police, and her private investigator boyfriend Anatoly, in solving the crime. She keeps secrets from Anatoly, since he keeps his past a secret from her, and she blows things out of proportion when she discovers he can speak Spanish! Especially when more important matters should have been discussed at the time. She got on my nerves in this book, and it makes me wonder why Anatoly stays with her!
I was bummed that Marcus (her gay hairstylist friend) wasn't as much a part of the story, but Sophie's sister Leah was great as she wanted to try and get Maryann and Monty to hire her as their wedding consultant, and the lengths she will go to to get the job!
There were a couple fun lines that brought a smile to my face, and an outright chuckle (wait til you get to the comment about the Hokey Pokey!), here and there, but since danger hit closer to home... it was a more serious story than the previous ones. Only Maryann's and Monty's wedding ideas helped lighten the mood a bit.
The ending brought up another mystery that will probably lead into the next book. That big tidbit dropped will really effect what may happen in Sophie's and Anatoly's relationship! Unfortuantely, I'm not sure if I really want to find out.
From there, is when it started to drag. Since Sophie is an ameteur sleuth, and a mystery writer, she feels she can do a better job than the police, and her private investigator boyfriend Anatoly, in solving the crime. She keeps secrets from Anatoly, since he keeps his past a secret from her, and she blows things out of proportion when she discovers he can speak Spanish! Especially when more important matters should have been discussed at the time. She got on my nerves in this book, and it makes me wonder why Anatoly stays with her!
I was bummed that Marcus (her gay hairstylist friend) wasn't as much a part of the story, but Sophie's sister Leah was great as she wanted to try and get Maryann and Monty to hire her as their wedding consultant, and the lengths she will go to to get the job!
There were a couple fun lines that brought a smile to my face, and an outright chuckle (wait til you get to the comment about the Hokey Pokey!), here and there, but since danger hit closer to home... it was a more serious story than the previous ones. Only Maryann's and Monty's wedding ideas helped lighten the mood a bit.
The ending brought up another mystery that will probably lead into the next book. That big tidbit dropped will really effect what may happen in Sophie's and Anatoly's relationship! Unfortuantely, I'm not sure if I really want to find out.
October 24, 2020
Another great book by kyra davis! Its amazing how she can make you feel like you personally know all the characters. Plus that ending!!.... wow I got to go buy the next one!!
June 14, 2010
Sophie drove me crazy in this latest installment. She's arrogant, she's wrong, she insists that Anatoly and everybody else listen to her extremely flawed evidence, but won't give anybody else's theories the time of day because, you know, she's ALWAYS right. It's incredibly frustrating. After five books, in which she is often wrong and does extremely stupid things, she still hasn't learned her lesson. She's also a total bi-atch to Anatoly, jumping down his throat without provocation, ignoring him, etc. Their relationship wasn't fun in this book...it was painful.
On top of my issues with Sophie, I was also bugged by the general lack of any story. Most of the book revolves around Sophie talking to this person or that, about random nonsense before jumping to the wrong conclusions about everything, and completely missing the most obvious suspect. Then, the last page of the book finally introduces something interesting, but I'm so bugged by the previous 319 pages that I'm not sure I'll take the bait and read book six. This novel should have been about the storyline introduced at the end, but instead it was about NOTHING!! Seriously irritating.
On top of my issues with Sophie, I was also bugged by the general lack of any story. Most of the book revolves around Sophie talking to this person or that, about random nonsense before jumping to the wrong conclusions about everything, and completely missing the most obvious suspect. Then, the last page of the book finally introduces something interesting, but I'm so bugged by the previous 319 pages that I'm not sure I'll take the bait and read book six. This novel should have been about the storyline introduced at the end, but instead it was about NOTHING!! Seriously irritating.
March 7, 2020
Sophie Katz is elated at the news of her friend, Mary Ann, being engaged. But the pre-wedding excitement is put on the back burner when her other friend, Dena, is shot in the back- and may never walk again. Sophie Katz is an impulsive, half Jewish half black mystery writer who surrounds herself with an inner circle of wild and crazy humanity. There’s her independent, sexy and secretive quasi-boyfriend, a P.I. named Anatoly; her best friend Dena, the owner of a local sex shop catering to toys for naughty girls and boys, her sister Leah , a wannabe wedding planner, and Mary Ann the bride-to-be whose upcoming wedding is the catalyst for murder, mayhem and some crazy antics.
The relationship between Sophie and Anatoly fell flat in this book. Sophie also seemed to think her theories had to be right no matter how flawed they where. I thought this one was ok not as good as other books in the series. It still did have some of the humor I do like.
The relationship between Sophie and Anatoly fell flat in this book. Sophie also seemed to think her theories had to be right no matter how flawed they where. I thought this one was ok not as good as other books in the series. It still did have some of the humor I do like.
February 18, 2020
I've so enjoyed the audio for this series and am bummed it's the last one include in the Audibe Escape package. Womp. It's got the fun side of early days Stephanie Plum without some of the tired over using of plot devices. I really like the characters, even when parts of their character can be trying at times. I like it enough that I'll finish the last two as ebooks. It'll just take me longer to get there.
June 1, 2018
Round up to 3.5 stars.
August 31, 2020
The usual mayhem with Sophie Katz and friends. Lotsa fun. Enjoy.
June 12, 2023
It’s okay for a quick read. The main character is kinda b**chy but that’s good every once and awhile.
March 13, 2013
*This review focuses more on the audiobook than the written book*
I've done this entire series on audio, until I was half way through this installment. It took me that long to realize that the narrator was ruining the books for me. This is a funny series, I know it's supposed to be anyway, but I always found it more annoying than humorous. Sophie's idiocy and refusal to listen to common sense just dove me crazy. But every once in a while I would see the light. I would giggle and chuckle and I knew that there was something there I just wasn't getting. Knowing there was something about the narrator that was bugging me, but not quite understanding what that was, I kept coming back, book after book.
Then finally, half way through Vows, Vendettas and a Litle Black Dress, it hit me... *DUH*. The narrator Gabra Zackman simply doesn't have the gift of sarcasm. She reads every line, every scene, with far too much drama. Everything was so serious that the listener (at least this one) completely missed out on the humor. Funny books don't work without the "funny". So I finally put aside the audio version, spent the extra ducats for the ebook and actually read the rest of the book. *sigh* I'm a huge fan of audiobooks, but reading this series is so much better than listening to it. At least I now know better for book #6.
I've done this entire series on audio, until I was half way through this installment. It took me that long to realize that the narrator was ruining the books for me. This is a funny series, I know it's supposed to be anyway, but I always found it more annoying than humorous. Sophie's idiocy and refusal to listen to common sense just dove me crazy. But every once in a while I would see the light. I would giggle and chuckle and I knew that there was something there I just wasn't getting. Knowing there was something about the narrator that was bugging me, but not quite understanding what that was, I kept coming back, book after book.
Then finally, half way through Vows, Vendettas and a Litle Black Dress, it hit me... *DUH*. The narrator Gabra Zackman simply doesn't have the gift of sarcasm. She reads every line, every scene, with far too much drama. Everything was so serious that the listener (at least this one) completely missed out on the humor. Funny books don't work without the "funny". So I finally put aside the audio version, spent the extra ducats for the ebook and actually read the rest of the book. *sigh* I'm a huge fan of audiobooks, but reading this series is so much better than listening to it. At least I now know better for book #6.
July 15, 2019
on retrouve avec plaisir tous les personnages de Kyra Davis, Sophie et Anatoly en tête. Cette fois, c'est un peu plus sombre car la victime est Dena, la meilleure amie de Sophie. Blessée par balle à la colonne vertébrale, elle n'est pas sûre de pouvoir marcher à nouveau. Sophie, folle de rage, se lance à la recherche du tireur, contre l'avis d'Anatoly, bien entendu...
On retrouve l'humour décalé qui fait la gloire de cette série. Le suspens est un peu moins au rendez-vous que dans d'autres tomes, mais celui-ci est à lire malgré tout.
Par contre, il vaut mieux avoir lu les autres tomes avant de lire celui-ci, pour mieux comprendre les relations des différents personnages.
On retrouve l'humour décalé qui fait la gloire de cette série. Le suspens est un peu moins au rendez-vous que dans d'autres tomes, mais celui-ci est à lire malgré tout.
Par contre, il vaut mieux avoir lu les autres tomes avant de lire celui-ci, pour mieux comprendre les relations des différents personnages.
November 3, 2021
This series has just plateaued for me. Don't get me wrong, it's still really fun and I always enjoy going along for the ride, but it's just not as compelling as it used to be. The mysteries are a bit more of a stretch and I've had it with how often there's such forced conflict between Sophie and Anatoly over simple miscommunication.
In this entry Sophie's best friend, Deena is shot while visiting her cousin, Maryann to hear about her engagement. Sophie, still unable to keep her nose out of drama and now determined to avenge her friend, cannot rest until she finds who did this and bring them to justice. It's only when she realizes that Deena may not have been the real target that she realizes they may be in a lot more danger than expected.
Naturally, Sophie still refuses to just let the cops do their job and trusts her boyfriend just as little. She makes valid points that he hasn't opened up to her and told her everything about his past, but he obviously has major PTSD about it and instead of just talking to him about it like a normal human she has to do everything through arguing. Don't get me wrong, it leads to steamy fun, but it's starting to get really grating that we're rehashing this again and again. And then for it to end on the cliffhanger that Anatoly is hiding even more than we though, ugh. I'm frustrated, I just want them to be happy. Understandably they've had issues since book one when y'know, they both thought the other one was a murderer, but at this point that's clearly been put behind them and they obviously love the other for some reason, just stfu and be happy. I also can't imagine what more can be done to this ridiculous friend group.
I didn't guess the killer in this one, which was fun at least, but I also don't think it made a whole lot of sense to begin with. Also the lead up to the climactic moment felt a bit rushed and forced, like I realized how little we had left and we still had so many suspects for bam, it was revealed out of nowhere. Not my favorite, but still fine enough for what it is. I'll probably read on just because I've made it this far and there's only 2 more left (I think). But as per usual I'm just not expecting much from them.
In this entry Sophie's best friend, Deena is shot while visiting her cousin, Maryann to hear about her engagement. Sophie, still unable to keep her nose out of drama and now determined to avenge her friend, cannot rest until she finds who did this and bring them to justice. It's only when she realizes that Deena may not have been the real target that she realizes they may be in a lot more danger than expected.
Naturally, Sophie still refuses to just let the cops do their job and trusts her boyfriend just as little. She makes valid points that he hasn't opened up to her and told her everything about his past, but he obviously has major PTSD about it and instead of just talking to him about it like a normal human she has to do everything through arguing. Don't get me wrong, it leads to steamy fun, but it's starting to get really grating that we're rehashing this again and again. And then for it to end on the cliffhanger that Anatoly is hiding even more than we though, ugh. I'm frustrated, I just want them to be happy. Understandably they've had issues since book one when y'know, they both thought the other one was a murderer, but at this point that's clearly been put behind them and they obviously love the other for some reason, just stfu and be happy. I also can't imagine what more can be done to this ridiculous friend group.
I didn't guess the killer in this one, which was fun at least, but I also don't think it made a whole lot of sense to begin with. Also the lead up to the climactic moment felt a bit rushed and forced, like I realized how little we had left and we still had so many suspects for bam, it was revealed out of nowhere. Not my favorite, but still fine enough for what it is. I'll probably read on just because I've made it this far and there's only 2 more left (I think). But as per usual I'm just not expecting much from them.
May 18, 2020
Oh, how I missed Sophie Katz and her ridiculous antics.
Sophie is over the top, melodramatic, and absolutely ridiculous. But that's what I like about these books. They're so over-the-top that I can lose myself in the antics, and forget about how much real life sucks (especially right now).
While the whole mystery this time around was incredibly predictable, getting to the bottom of it was a wild ride.
There were some antics I could have gone without, but then I wouldn't have a genuine Sophie Katz mystery on my hands.
And it also wouldn't be a genuine Sophie Katz mystery without some tension between Sophie and Anatoly. Sophie is sick of him hiding huge chunks of his life from her, and, well, I really can't blame her for that.
But boy howdy, I was not expecting a secret quite as huge as the cliffhanger the epilogue left us with. I really should have seen something like it coming, but I really didn't. And now I have a whole new Sophie Katz mystery to look forward to, and the fallout of the cliffhanger revelation.
Sophie is over the top, melodramatic, and absolutely ridiculous. But that's what I like about these books. They're so over-the-top that I can lose myself in the antics, and forget about how much real life sucks (especially right now).
While the whole mystery this time around was incredibly predictable, getting to the bottom of it was a wild ride.
There were some antics I could have gone without, but then I wouldn't have a genuine Sophie Katz mystery on my hands.
And it also wouldn't be a genuine Sophie Katz mystery without some tension between Sophie and Anatoly. Sophie is sick of him hiding huge chunks of his life from her, and, well, I really can't blame her for that.
But boy howdy, I was not expecting a secret quite as huge as the cliffhanger the epilogue left us with. I really should have seen something like it coming, but I really didn't. And now I have a whole new Sophie Katz mystery to look forward to, and the fallout of the cliffhanger revelation.
August 11, 2023
I hadn't read this one before and I liked it more than going back and rereading the older ones. The plot was done well. There are so many red herrings that it's really hard to keep track of everything and normally I'm stellar at sussing out the bad guy in mysteries. The plot with Dena was also really well done, but Jesus Christ Maryanne is fucking annoying and the rest of it with Sophie and Anatoly not telling each other anything and the ensuing chaos is the basic protein of this series and I can't see that changing, whether or not it's your cup of tea. I liked that the murdery stuff sort of took a back seat in this book because unless Sophie becomes a PI a la Stephanie Plum, her getting wrapped up in a murder every book will become really super duper contrived and boring.
October 30, 2018
Sophie Katz is elated at the news of her friend, Mary Ann, being engaged. But the pre-wedding excitement is put on the back burner when her other friend, Dena, is shot in the back- and may never walk again.
Now Sophie is on the warpath, utilizing her amateur sleuthing skills to find the culprit and doing the exact opposite of whatever common sense tells her to. But hey, when has common sense ever gotten her anywhere?
This was a nice installment in the Sophie Katz series (fast-paced, amusing, nice mystery). Though I must say, in some parts, the protagonist was really getting on my nerves. I suppose authors like to make their characters flawed in order to form an engaging story.
Now Sophie is on the warpath, utilizing her amateur sleuthing skills to find the culprit and doing the exact opposite of whatever common sense tells her to. But hey, when has common sense ever gotten her anywhere?
This was a nice installment in the Sophie Katz series (fast-paced, amusing, nice mystery). Though I must say, in some parts, the protagonist was really getting on my nerves. I suppose authors like to make their characters flawed in order to form an engaging story.
February 14, 2019
I love this series. It is perfectly lighthearted and sassy, and the writing is so witty and funny. Marcus is truly the gem of these books in my opinion. His lines are pure gold. This one had a nice surprise twist at the end that made me excited to move on the the next one!
I did notice a few glaring editing errors! At once point, Monty is referred to as “Manny” by Mary Ann. Anyone else catch it?
I did notice a few glaring editing errors! At once point, Monty is referred to as “Manny” by Mary Ann. Anyone else catch it?
September 6, 2020
Nice addition to the series.
Plus, this book includes (in my opinion) one of the best comedy situations ever written:
"Why are we chasing them?" Mary Ann asked between breaths.
"No time to explain," I panted. "Just come'n get them!"
"Oh, my God, they're coming to get us!" the man shouted and their running became even faster. These weren't just joggers, they were frickin' Olympic sprinters.
Just for those words one star more from me :D
Plus, this book includes (in my opinion) one of the best comedy situations ever written:
"Why are we chasing them?" Mary Ann asked between breaths.
"No time to explain," I panted. "Just come'n get them!"
"Oh, my God, they're coming to get us!" the man shouted and their running became even faster. These weren't just joggers, they were frickin' Olympic sprinters.
Just for those words one star more from me :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2021
Aside from some timeline continuity errors in the first couple chapters, the typos were at a minimum. The story itself was a bit drawn out and lacking. Sophie kind of treats Anatoly like dirt. She’s rash and refuses to listen to anyone. She basically calls her friend stupid even though it turns out MA was right. And she herself is a little bit of an idiot at times. This was not my favorite in the series by far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
It was just an okay read to me. I liked most of the characters and thought they were (mostly) well developed. Some made me roll my eyes at their stupidity but no spoilers here. I didn't know it was a series and this is the first book I've read of it but I won't be continuing. I didn't like the way Sophie repeatedly treated her boyfriend and her stupidity/stubbornness. I also don't like when authors put their political biases repeatedly into fiction.
May 14, 2023
Ce roman offre un mélange d’humour noir, de romance et de folie qui ne laissera aucun lecteur insensible. Je connaissais pas la plume de Kyra Davis ni les enquêtes de Sophie Katz et je suis sous le charme.
Ma chronique : https://mellecupofteabouquine.wordpre...
Ma chronique : https://mellecupofteabouquine.wordpre...
July 3, 2021
3.5-4
Better than the stuff I've been reading! A nice break to fall back into this world for a bit.
Would I read again? Sure. I wouldn't mind reading these back to back. I read a bunch of books in between.
Better than the stuff I've been reading! A nice break to fall back into this world for a bit.
Would I read again? Sure. I wouldn't mind reading these back to back. I read a bunch of books in between.
July 23, 2021
Honestly this being the 5th book in the series Sophie just got annoying. The mystery itself was good. But Sophie hasn't changed at all- its the same arguments and same issues and problems with Anatoly again. A little growth would have been nice
November 29, 2024
I really enjoy this series. Sophie always makes some questionable choices but I like that she has friends who are there for her. I really don't understand the relationship between Sophie and Anatoly because it is so hot and cold but I will continue reading until the end.
March 21, 2017
audible / audiobook
I forgot how much I enjoy this series, especially as a palette cleanser. Mary Ann is still annoying AF, though.
I forgot how much I enjoy this series, especially as a palette cleanser. Mary Ann is still annoying AF, though.
January 5, 2018
This one wasn’t as light as the others in the series. The characters were a lot more angry and not as sassy. I hope the sassy funny themes come back in the next installment.
July 9, 2018
Loved it!! Easy fun read for entertainment!
December 24, 2018
Very good story and characters. Part romance part mystery great combination. Starting the second one can't wait.
June 29, 2019
This book was downright painful to read.
June 9, 2020
This one was more predictable than the others but I'll still continue with series!
November 12, 2020
DNF. It started out good but them dragged too much and I gave up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews