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Sofie Metropolis #3
Foul Play
Like Janet Evanovich or Jennifer Crusie, Tori Carrington mixes humor with danger and stealth with sex. The intrepid Sofie, a good Greek girl from working-class Astoria, Queens, is finding her feet as a budding private investigator and as a single gal in the big city.
In Foul Play, Sofie's searching for a couple of hot prospects, one in her personal life and one professionally. The New York Mets might just be on their way to the World Series, but their newly signed pitching phenom has disappeared with the playoffs fast approaching.
As for her personal life, Sofie's hooking up with a gorgeous Greek who is every bit as hunky as her long-time crush, Australian mystery man Jake Porter--and a lot more available.
In Foul Play, Sofie's searching for a couple of hot prospects, one in her personal life and one professionally. The New York Mets might just be on their way to the World Series, but their newly signed pitching phenom has disappeared with the playoffs fast approaching.
As for her personal life, Sofie's hooking up with a gorgeous Greek who is every bit as hunky as her long-time crush, Australian mystery man Jake Porter--and a lot more available.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
382 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 51 reviews
July 16, 2008
wow - where to begin....This book had two good things going for it - it was written by a Tori (who is actually a husband/wife team who combined their names...) and is about baseball. could it go wrong? Yep.
This is definitely a Janet Evanovich knock-off.....what a coincidence - the PI is single, has/wants a relationship with two different guys, has a grandmother who lives with the family, goes home to eat, etc, etc.
The story itself was even kind of lame - I solved the mystery way before Sofie, the PI, did. The writing wasn't bad - but at times it felt as if it were thrown together and poorly edited. How about this sentence: "After drinking extra-virgin olive oil from a family orchard that a cousin had brought back from his last trip to Greece over the salad, and sprinkling the top with Greek oregano, I swept my hands near the bowl." Does that make any sense at all???????
There were times in the book that "Tori" went on and on with details that I didn't even care about. Cooking descriptions were unnecessary - i didn't want to read a cookbook. And the romantic longings? Check this out: these are Sofie's thoughts "...centered on the man who was within touching distance, but whom I didn't dare touch. Did he think of me? Was he aware of how conflicted I felt in that moment? If I suggested we go for coffee, would he come? Or would he not answer me and leave me with another of his suggestively loaded grins? Enough to fuel a lifetime's worth of fantasies and secret longings, but never assuage the want I'd felt for him the moment I first laid eyes on him." This book probably would be better if the private investigator angle was removed, and "Tori" just stuck with writing romance novels.
This is definitely a Janet Evanovich knock-off.....what a coincidence - the PI is single, has/wants a relationship with two different guys, has a grandmother who lives with the family, goes home to eat, etc, etc.
The story itself was even kind of lame - I solved the mystery way before Sofie, the PI, did. The writing wasn't bad - but at times it felt as if it were thrown together and poorly edited. How about this sentence: "After drinking extra-virgin olive oil from a family orchard that a cousin had brought back from his last trip to Greece over the salad, and sprinkling the top with Greek oregano, I swept my hands near the bowl." Does that make any sense at all???????
There were times in the book that "Tori" went on and on with details that I didn't even care about. Cooking descriptions were unnecessary - i didn't want to read a cookbook. And the romantic longings? Check this out: these are Sofie's thoughts "...centered on the man who was within touching distance, but whom I didn't dare touch. Did he think of me? Was he aware of how conflicted I felt in that moment? If I suggested we go for coffee, would he come? Or would he not answer me and leave me with another of his suggestively loaded grins? Enough to fuel a lifetime's worth of fantasies and secret longings, but never assuage the want I'd felt for him the moment I first laid eyes on him." This book probably would be better if the private investigator angle was removed, and "Tori" just stuck with writing romance novels.
March 26, 2014
I have a like/hate relationship with this series. There were parts I liked and parts that drove me absolutely nuts - like throw-book-against-wall, fire-breathing, obscenity-screaming nuts (not that I did any of this - two of them would have been rude to other library patrons and one is unfortunately not possible for me). I caught myself wondering why I keep reading these books. It's not always the books themselves but sometimes just the similarities to another popular series (which I read first, and mostly enjoyed).
Excuse me while I rant.
Characters - Some I liked, the main character was a like/hate situation. Put it this way - my favorite characters were the dogs, and Efi and Dino and they got maybe a dozen pages between them. Sofie has improved some on the P.I. front, everything else - nada.
Plot/Mystery - I figured out the main 'mystery' on page 60. I kid you not. And the dogs solved the mystery involving the pet disappearances. Sofie delegated other assignments to various other employees. Rosie figured out the ear-in-the-soup case. But Sofie did manage to get the charges dismissed against Grandpa Kosmos - I suppose that's something.
Overall - Meh. 2.5 stars - because there were some parts I liked and found amusing, but there was more that irritated me.
Excuse me while I rant.
Characters - Some I liked, the main character was a like/hate situation. Put it this way - my favorite characters were the dogs, and Efi and Dino and they got maybe a dozen pages between them. Sofie has improved some on the P.I. front, everything else - nada.
Plot/Mystery - I figured out the main 'mystery' on page 60. I kid you not. And the dogs solved the mystery involving the pet disappearances. Sofie delegated other assignments to various other employees. Rosie figured out the ear-in-the-soup case. But Sofie did manage to get the charges dismissed against Grandpa Kosmos - I suppose that's something.
Overall - Meh. 2.5 stars - because there were some parts I liked and found amusing, but there was more that irritated me.
November 16, 2008
Foul Play is the third Sofie Metropolis mystery (after Dirty Laundry and Sofie Metropolis). Tori Carrington ― the husband and wife team of Lori and Tony Karayianni ― made their mark on the publishing world writing Harlequin romance. For the Metropolis books they’ve combined the romance formula with that of the mystery genre and come up with something, if not quite original, then at least sure to appeal to readers of mysteries and romances alike. References to what has gone before are made in Foul Play, but in such a way that it is not necessary to have read the first two novels.
The romance comes in the form of Dino, a young Greek owner of a chocolate shop, whom Sofie’s parents endeavor to match to her younger sister, Efi. But it’s Sofie on whom Dino has his eye. Although Sofie describes Dino as delicious as one of his shop’s confections with his suggestive grin, single dimple, great body and dark eyes (is it merely the romance genre in which women are allowed the freedom to be as visual as men, or are women in general dishonest when they purport that looks aren’t important?), her heart is taken by Jake Porter. Porter, who, the text alludes, played a much larger role in one of the previous books in the series, makes an all too brief appearance in Foul Play, but his showing does little to further the story or his (past or future) relationship with Sofie.
The mystery comes in the form of Reni Venezuela, the Mets’ newest pitching sensation whose strange behavior inspires his wife to hire Sofie, herself a Mets fan, to uncover the truth behind her husband’s uncharacteristic behavior as of late. As the Mets’ post season hopes rest on Venezuela’s arm, what Sofie at first thinks a simple case of marital infidelity is anything but as she notes the normally ambidextrous Reni has pitched the last four games left-handed. (As an aside, several major leaguers have delivered the baseball with both arms; however, the only major league pitcher in the modern era to pitch from both sides of the slab was Greg Harris. A natural right-hander, by 1986 Harris threw well enough with his left hand that he felt capable of pitching with either hand in a game, although he wasn’t allowed to throw left-handed in a regular-season game until September 28, 1995, the next-to-last game of his career, when he was pitching for the Montreal Expos.)
In addition to the Venezuela case are a couple of other minor cases, one involving a series of missing pets from the Astoria neighborhood in which Sofie lives as well as a couple suing the owner of a neighborhood diner for serving soup that purportedly contained a portion of a human ear.
Where James Garner as Jim Rockford typically got his ass kicked for snooping around where he didn’t belong, he used well-honed PI skills (as well as his connections with nefarious ne’er-do-wells such as Angel) to solve his cases, Sofie, a self-proclaimed novice in her grandfather’s business, often trusts her gut and, in her own words, “luck” in putting together pieces of the proverbial puzzle.
The narrative is deftly written in Sofie’s own first person, a tip of the creative cap perhaps to those who blazed the trail ― Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane and Rex Stout ― and while the uninitiated may find appealing her snappy repartee and self-depracating humor, it pales somewhat beside the brilliance of the aforementioned masters (consider Chandler’s prose from The Big Sleep: “The gentle-eyed, horse-faced maid let me into the long gray and white upstairs sitting room with the ivory drapes tumbled extravagantly on the floor and the white carpet from wall to wall. A screen star’s boudoir, a place of charm and seduction, artificial as a wooden leg.”). Still, readers of this genre will find Sofie a likeable protagonist and the narrative fast-paced, a fun summer read.
Although the dénouement is a trifle over the top, it sets the stage nicely for Working Stiff, scheduled for release in September 2008.
J. Conrad Guest for The Smoking Poet
The romance comes in the form of Dino, a young Greek owner of a chocolate shop, whom Sofie’s parents endeavor to match to her younger sister, Efi. But it’s Sofie on whom Dino has his eye. Although Sofie describes Dino as delicious as one of his shop’s confections with his suggestive grin, single dimple, great body and dark eyes (is it merely the romance genre in which women are allowed the freedom to be as visual as men, or are women in general dishonest when they purport that looks aren’t important?), her heart is taken by Jake Porter. Porter, who, the text alludes, played a much larger role in one of the previous books in the series, makes an all too brief appearance in Foul Play, but his showing does little to further the story or his (past or future) relationship with Sofie.
The mystery comes in the form of Reni Venezuela, the Mets’ newest pitching sensation whose strange behavior inspires his wife to hire Sofie, herself a Mets fan, to uncover the truth behind her husband’s uncharacteristic behavior as of late. As the Mets’ post season hopes rest on Venezuela’s arm, what Sofie at first thinks a simple case of marital infidelity is anything but as she notes the normally ambidextrous Reni has pitched the last four games left-handed. (As an aside, several major leaguers have delivered the baseball with both arms; however, the only major league pitcher in the modern era to pitch from both sides of the slab was Greg Harris. A natural right-hander, by 1986 Harris threw well enough with his left hand that he felt capable of pitching with either hand in a game, although he wasn’t allowed to throw left-handed in a regular-season game until September 28, 1995, the next-to-last game of his career, when he was pitching for the Montreal Expos.)
In addition to the Venezuela case are a couple of other minor cases, one involving a series of missing pets from the Astoria neighborhood in which Sofie lives as well as a couple suing the owner of a neighborhood diner for serving soup that purportedly contained a portion of a human ear.
Where James Garner as Jim Rockford typically got his ass kicked for snooping around where he didn’t belong, he used well-honed PI skills (as well as his connections with nefarious ne’er-do-wells such as Angel) to solve his cases, Sofie, a self-proclaimed novice in her grandfather’s business, often trusts her gut and, in her own words, “luck” in putting together pieces of the proverbial puzzle.
The narrative is deftly written in Sofie’s own first person, a tip of the creative cap perhaps to those who blazed the trail ― Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane and Rex Stout ― and while the uninitiated may find appealing her snappy repartee and self-depracating humor, it pales somewhat beside the brilliance of the aforementioned masters (consider Chandler’s prose from The Big Sleep: “The gentle-eyed, horse-faced maid let me into the long gray and white upstairs sitting room with the ivory drapes tumbled extravagantly on the floor and the white carpet from wall to wall. A screen star’s boudoir, a place of charm and seduction, artificial as a wooden leg.”). Still, readers of this genre will find Sofie a likeable protagonist and the narrative fast-paced, a fun summer read.
Although the dénouement is a trifle over the top, it sets the stage nicely for Working Stiff, scheduled for release in September 2008.
J. Conrad Guest for The Smoking Poet
August 6, 2012
It is easy to compare Sofie with Stephanie, however as I continue to read this series, which so far has 5 books with a sixth due out this fall. This series becomes more likable with each new installment, maybe because with all the comparisons to Plum, Metro is really her own girl, and believe it or not, bumbling though she is at times, she's actually grown as a character with each passing book.
What set this book apart from the other 2 is the absence of Jake the Australian bounty hunter. He only made a small cameo in this story, other than his appearance in Sofie's thoughts. That absence gave Sofie the chance to hook up with Dino, who originally was meant for her sister. And speaking of characters that weren't in this book as much as the others, Pimply Pino wasn't around much either!
Again, I can't stress enough how much I like Sofie. I also like that though the story has one major plot, involving the baseball player, there are other things going on that make the book feel like a snapshot of Sofie's life.
One of the funny parts of the book is Sofie's decision to get a tattoo. Or rather not to get a tattoo but to say that to annoy her mother. She goes as far as getting a temporary lizard on her leg!
The main plot of the story, about Reni Venezuela is a bit haphazard. It is hard to believe that the mystery of what was going on with him ever got solved. That part of the book was tied up a little to neatly for me, considering all the other things going on. They worked together to point to the end result, but still it felt like it wrapped up a little to easily.
I can't wait to pick up the next two books in this series.
What set this book apart from the other 2 is the absence of Jake the Australian bounty hunter. He only made a small cameo in this story, other than his appearance in Sofie's thoughts. That absence gave Sofie the chance to hook up with Dino, who originally was meant for her sister. And speaking of characters that weren't in this book as much as the others, Pimply Pino wasn't around much either!
Again, I can't stress enough how much I like Sofie. I also like that though the story has one major plot, involving the baseball player, there are other things going on that make the book feel like a snapshot of Sofie's life.
One of the funny parts of the book is Sofie's decision to get a tattoo. Or rather not to get a tattoo but to say that to annoy her mother. She goes as far as getting a temporary lizard on her leg!
The main plot of the story, about Reni Venezuela is a bit haphazard. It is hard to believe that the mystery of what was going on with him ever got solved. That part of the book was tied up a little to neatly for me, considering all the other things going on. They worked together to point to the end result, but still it felt like it wrapped up a little to easily.
I can't wait to pick up the next two books in this series.
July 2, 2012
Sophie’s wonderful Greek family is as warm and welcoming and pushy as ever. Sophie hasn’t seen sexy Jake Porter in a month, so when a handsome Greek banker her mother has chosen for her younger sister shows up on Sophie’s doorstep, she cannot resist temptation. And there is also her ex-fiance making a nuisance of himself by suing her grandfather.
Sophie Metropolis has been compared to Stephanie Plum (series by Janet Evanovich), and while I love both this is my favorite. It has the same quirks and colorful characters, but tells the story with more heart. I care about Sophie and though she is a zany mess now I have hope that one day she’ll pull herself together and get everything she wants.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
Sophie Metropolis has been compared to Stephanie Plum (series by Janet Evanovich), and while I love both this is my favorite. It has the same quirks and colorful characters, but tells the story with more heart. I care about Sophie and though she is a zany mess now I have hope that one day she’ll pull herself together and get everything she wants.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
May 20, 2009
Excellent book! I enjoyed this one a lot more than the last Sofie Metropolis novel I read...I think the pace was faster and just more exciting in general. This time around, Sofie has been hired by a pro-ball player's wife to find out why he is acting so unusual. On top of that,a hot Greek guy is very interested in dating Sofie, which she refuses to let her family in on, and the number of people coming into the P.I. office looking for missing pets is baffling. Her ex-fiance is taking her Grandpa to court, but after that stunt he pulled switching her Grandmother's diamond engagement ring with a cubic zirconia, he deserved to be punched in the nose by the old man! Sofie definitely has her hands full with all the crazy people around her.
November 11, 2007
Another in the Sophie Metropolis P.I. series. Light reading. What disappoints me the most is that it is so close to the Evanovich novels in characters and style. Evanovich's main character is a Jersey girl from and Italian/Hungarian family with enough quirks to fill a room, Sophie is from a Greek family with enough quirks to fill a room. Bounty hunter - private investigator, Ranger - Jake, Morelli - Dino, Grandma Mazur - Grandpa Kosmos, Bob the Dog - Muffy the Dog and it goes on. The most original thing are that they give you some of the Greek recipes that appear in the book. That was a nice touch.
August 28, 2008
This series is feeling more and more like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. With Foul Play, we find the main character starting to ponder the "Two men in her life." Isn't that straight from Plum??? This book also has some elements of from "food-based" mysteries from Joanne Fluke and Susan Wittig Albert. I'm still liking the Metropolis series, but find myself wondering if they are playing around with it to see what kind of running themes fit the character.
June 23, 2015
I realized after listening to this book, read by Rebecca Rogers, I especially liked the first two books because they were ready by the late Anna Fields. There are few voice actors nearly as gifted as she was at the craft.
Rebecca just didn't have it for me.
I listened to the whole book completely unimpressed. :(
So I don't know if the story was that great or not as I was so disappointed by the reader.
Rebecca just didn't have it for me.
I listened to the whole book completely unimpressed. :(
So I don't know if the story was that great or not as I was so disappointed by the reader.
October 1, 2013
Really enjoyed this light hearted cozy - and recipes at the end to boot! Sofie Metropolis is a character - somewhat reminiscent of Stephanie Plum. Easy read with clever way of introducing the solution of the mystery.
If you enjoy cozies, interesting characters, relaxing reads, I think you'll enjoy this one. I started it and finished it yesterday.
If you enjoy cozies, interesting characters, relaxing reads, I think you'll enjoy this one. I started it and finished it yesterday.
March 11, 2014
Move over girls, and make room on your shelf for another female P.I. Meet Sophie Metropolis, a 'good' greek girl from the Bronx who is trying to move past cheating spouses and missing pets at her Uncle's P.I. business. This gal is pretty much a hot mess but makes for a fun read. Jumped in with book 3 but looking forward to catching up with books one and two...
July 3, 2011
great fun and an easy read along with a great twist. Just wish she could sort out her love life but she's not alone on that one! :)-
December 6, 2013
I'm hooked on Sophie and her life as a detective and her Greek family. Easy, stress free reading much like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
June 24, 2020
I think the best way to describe this book is "My Big Fat Greek Week" meets Stephanie Plum.
Tori Carrington packs a lot into this story -- one main plot (Sophie investigating Reni Venezuela) with a lot of subplots: missing pets, wannabe PIs, family drama, Dino the hot Greek baker. There's a lot going on, but it's actually pretty easy to keep the info organized. She does repeat some information a couple of times, but better to over-explain than let people be confused.
Two things I really liked about this book:
1. It's not overly graphic. There's a little swearing and some chocolate icing comes into play, but it's PG-13 instead of R-rated.
2. We get to watch Sophie grow and change. I think one of the ruts series writers get into is that the characters never change, but that's not the case -- we get to see Sophie work through some issues and make some progress in her personal life.
One downside -- so much food! Seriously, you're going to want to eat while you read this. :)
Overall, this was a fun book. If you're a fan of Janet Evanovich or Jennifer Cruise, you'll probably enjoy this book.
Tori Carrington packs a lot into this story -- one main plot (Sophie investigating Reni Venezuela) with a lot of subplots: missing pets, wannabe PIs, family drama, Dino the hot Greek baker. There's a lot going on, but it's actually pretty easy to keep the info organized. She does repeat some information a couple of times, but better to over-explain than let people be confused.
Two things I really liked about this book:
1. It's not overly graphic. There's a little swearing and some chocolate icing comes into play, but it's PG-13 instead of R-rated.
2. We get to watch Sophie grow and change. I think one of the ruts series writers get into is that the characters never change, but that's not the case -- we get to see Sophie work through some issues and make some progress in her personal life.
One downside -- so much food! Seriously, you're going to want to eat while you read this. :)
Overall, this was a fun book. If you're a fan of Janet Evanovich or Jennifer Cruise, you'll probably enjoy this book.
November 18, 2018
Any Mets fan would love to get to know Reni Venezuela, the team’s current MVP pitcher. Except for Sofie Metropolis, when she’s hired on by his girlfriend to investigate him.
As usual, she’s expecting to find the usual marital infidelity. But when Ricki seems to be a perfect saint, Sofie can’t help thinking that there’s more to the case than what meets the eye.
And her love life gets more complicated, once she realizes that one of her sister’s former suitors is interesting in dating her. And she’s not all that opposed to it.
Nice read, though the ending was very predictable. One thing I like more about this series (as opposed to the Stephanie Plum books) is that the main character tends to get her way more often. There are references to previous events in the series, so it’s good to read them in order.
As usual, she’s expecting to find the usual marital infidelity. But when Ricki seems to be a perfect saint, Sofie can’t help thinking that there’s more to the case than what meets the eye.
And her love life gets more complicated, once she realizes that one of her sister’s former suitors is interesting in dating her. And she’s not all that opposed to it.
Nice read, though the ending was very predictable. One thing I like more about this series (as opposed to the Stephanie Plum books) is that the main character tends to get her way more often. There are references to previous events in the series, so it’s good to read them in order.
December 5, 2023
This series is a fresh start to a style of writing that I love from The Stephanie Plum series. Sofie is proving to be a great PI and the author is building the characters slowly and carefully. While I don’t love the one woman with two men to choose dynamic I get it and know it is just a part of a writing style. But I believe Jake has more story to be told, so I am not sure if I am team Dino or team Jake yet. On to the next, “Working Stiff”. Overall growing to be a fave.
August 30, 2023
I’m reading through the Sophie Metropolis mystery series: fun, fast reads with a faint Big Fat Greek Wedding vibe and recipes at the end. The main mystery in this book is the best so far, and a viable love interest has appeared to make things interesting.
June 14, 2017
Just finished my 3rd Sofie Metropolis novel. Just ordered number 4 in the series, and can't wait to read it.
May 15, 2020
As always with Sophie, this book is a light, fun, and quick read.
September 3, 2020
Best of the three. I probably like this one the most, because it revolves around a baseball plot. I'm a sucker for baseball stories.
January 12, 2016
A fun, light story along the lines of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books (interestingly she also has a book out with the same title!). A PI (who also got a job working for a relative's business) is hired by a professional baseball player's wife (hence the title) to find out what is going on with him. Our heroine is part of a big ethnic family and community (Greek, not Italian), has a pet (dog, not hamster), lives alone in an apartment but mooches food off her mother all the time. There are lots of similarities, but Sophie is a character all on her own. There is one great sex scene, very little violence or murder, and a lot of humor, so very entertaining overall. This is the 3rd in a series, which I didn't realize when I bought it, probably better to start with the first.
August 28, 2009
Sofie Metropolis is back in the third installment in the ever growing saga. More missing pet cases, the assault charges against her grandfather, a baseball player that is not acting like himself, and serious relationship issues are all handled in this tale. I'm not sure how I feel about this one yet. The series is generally filed under mystery, but the mystery portion of this one is virtually non-existent. Sofie grows more comfortable with her job and herself. However, I don't like the choices she is making. A little frustrating. Certainly the least favorite of the three so far, but still worth reading. (6/10)
February 9, 2014
I really am enjoying this series. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was the mystery part of the story meandered a little bit. The ending really did surprise me & I liked how it worked out. I will be picking up the next book in this series & I highly recommend it. People complain that this is like Stephanie Plum by J. Evanovitch. I don't see that as anything but a compliment for the series. Because the characters are funny, whacky, the family is in everyone's business, Sophie is a hot mess...... I love them. It makes them interesting. I read more than 1 book a year so I don't care about the similarities. The series stands on its own merits & I LOVE it.
June 18, 2014
Private investigator Sofie Metropolis gets her first big case—the wife of New York Mets star pitcher Reni Venezuela suspects something is wrong with her husband, and wants Sofie to investigate. But Venezuela’s bodyguards have got Sofie’s number, and she enlists the help of another investigator, a newspaper reporter, and a mysterious Aussie. Sofie’s large Greek-American family is busy matchmaking, and her sister tries to convince her to get a tattoo. Fans of Janet Evanovich might light Astoria’s answer to Stephanie Plum.
February 26, 2016
May 18/10 -- Chapter 3 --
May 30/10 -- Chapter 6 --
June 01/10 -- Chapter 9 --
June 04/10 -- Chapter 20 --
June 06/10 -- Finished --
Sofie makes me laugh. I see many similarities to my own family/friends/community and it brings a smile to my face. Some parts are overstated for comedy, I guess, but on the whole it is a riot and I have loads of fun with reading these stories. Great (for me) when I need a pick-me-up.
May 30/10 -- Chapter 6 --
June 01/10 -- Chapter 9 --
June 04/10 -- Chapter 20 --
June 06/10 -- Finished --
Sofie makes me laugh. I see many similarities to my own family/friends/community and it brings a smile to my face. Some parts are overstated for comedy, I guess, but on the whole it is a riot and I have loads of fun with reading these stories. Great (for me) when I need a pick-me-up.
August 5, 2013
I liked this book but not as much as the first two in the series. I listened to the audio book but was soon disappointed because the narrator had changed. The narrator of the first two books was just too hard to top. Still liked the series and the author. I would love to see what other books Tori has to offer.
September 6, 2016
Another enjoyable story. I was a little disappointed in Sofie and Dino's fast trip into the soap opera world on Sofie's name day and I felt that the tattoo was supposed to have been a clue but after being featured here, there and everywhere, wasn't.
In any case, it was a short, fun mystery and Sofie is such a likeable character that I'll most likely continue reading as they happen.
In any case, it was a short, fun mystery and Sofie is such a likeable character that I'll most likely continue reading as they happen.
March 20, 2016
There can be a fine line between funny and obnoxious. Sofie was just obnoxious throughout the book. I did this as an audio book , like I did the first 2 books which I totally enjoyed. She was whiney and bitchy to everyone in this book. What happened? I'm definitely going to read some reviews to see if it's worth reading more, right now not interested at all!!!!!
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