PASSION, BETRAYAL AND KILLER HIGHLIGHTS

Author: Kyra Davis ISBN: 037389578X 5/2006 CHICK LIT Publisher: RED DRESS INK

Sophie Katz has just offered a man $12,000 for his services...Is she desperate or just meshugeneh? Considering the kind of disasters that usually befall the half-black, half-Jewish mystery writer, probably both. Because the last time Sophie saw sexy P.I. Anatoly Darinsky, he practically danced a jig when she waved goodbye—a normal reaction for a man who'd nearly bought the farm trying to protect her from her own foolishness. What are the chances he'd agree to take incriminating pictures of her sister's philandering husband? Or that he'd let her tag along—you know ...for research? But when her brother-in-law turns up dead and her sister becomes the prime suspect, Sophie's priority is finding the real killer. With or without Anatoly's help. Her brother-in-law's secret life yields plenty of suspects, but the San Francisco police aren't taking any of them seriously. So Sophie does what comes naturally to her: she stirs up trouble (to lure the killer out, of course). But if her crazy plan works, will Anatoly be there to protect her this time?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This is a fast paced murder mystery full of witty repartee and lots of laughs. Sophie is a mystery writer and amateur sleuth. (By amateur, I mean someone who can't seem to stop herself from ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time, every time.) Sophie is wonderful to watch because she can't seem to keep her nose out of everyone else's business. Though her intentions are always based on protecting and helping those she loves, she just can't seem to keep from making a bad situation worse. Whether she's feeding lipstick to her nephew or forgetting to report the discovery of a dead body to the police, you can't help but be entertained by her light hearted and incredibly big blunders.

Sophie's sister, Leah, a true Martha Stewart, seems more worried about what is an appropriate morning wear than the fact that she is the main suspect in her husband's murder. Leah can go from hysterics to anger to extreme vanity all in a matter of minutes. Who doesn't like a woman that encompasses all of your worst characteristics, but all in such extremes that you can't help feeling that you are laughing at yourself.

Then we have the sexual tension between Sophie and Anatoly, the hunky P.I.. Sophie often comes across as a jealous school girl, yet in a surprisingly charming way. As things heat up between these two, Anatoly reveals the kind of secrets that make women swoon and read romance novels. Now, I'm not giving details, but you know what I'm talking about when you get to the right scene.

PASSION, BETRAYAL AND KILLER HIGHLIGHTS is a book I would gladly read over and over. It kept me entertained, laughing, had a murder mystery and a very steamy romance. All of my favorites in one book—I was a sucker from the beginning.

Amanda Rutherford