Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress [Paperback]

Kyra Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Davis's fluffy fifth Sophie Katz mystery (after 2009's Lust, Loathing and a Little Dark Chocolate), the part Jewish/part black mystery author and sleuth sets out to avenge the murder of her best friend, Dena Lopiano, the proprietor of an upscale San Francisco sex shop. When a bullet hits Dena in the back at the apartment of Dena's ditzy cosmetician cousin, Mary Ann, Sophie wonders whether Mary Ann, who's intent on a Disney-themed wedding with successful toymaker Monty Sanchez, was the real target, or even Sophie herself. Suspects include Mary Ann's ex-boyfriend, Rick Wilkes; Rick's weird taxidermist girlfriend, Fawn; and Chrissy Powell, the founder of MAAP (Moral Americans Against Pornography), whose husband once dated Dena. Wacky quotes from Fatally Yours, one of Sophie's books, and an exciting cliffhanger ending compensate in part for a surfeit of breathless dialogue and a too obvious killer. (June)
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From Booklist

This is the fifth in Davis’ series of comedic romance-mysteries starring San Francisco amateur sleuth Sophie Katz and her wacky friends and family. The story begins with the engagement of Sophie’s friends Mary Ann and Monty, but within the hour and a dozen pages, Sophie’s best friend, Dena, has been shot. It is not clear if Dena will ever walk again, but it is clear that Sophie, with the help of her Russian boyfriend, Anatoly, a private investigator, who is logical where Sophie is emotional, will find out who did it and make them pay. The problem is that nymphomaniac Dena has more than her share of enemies, thanks to her lifestyle and her popular sex shop. Suspects include members of Dena’s bizarre circle of friends, ex-boyfriends, and those who object to her dating practices. There’s not a “normal” (read boring) character in the bunch, which is what makes this series so much fun. --Judy Coon

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778327892
• ISBN-13: 978-0778327899
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kyra Davis is the internationally published author of the critically acclaimed Sophie Katz Mystery Series and So Much For My Happy Ending. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and is currently living in Southern California with her son and his charming albeit moody leopard gecko. You can learn more about Kyra Davis and her books by visiting her website: www.kyradavis.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner, June 18, 2010

By 

Maryasha - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress (Paperback)

I just finished Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress. This series has been a fun distraction from the distress of real life and political craziness that surrounds us, and this new book was in no way a disappointment. For a couple of days I holed up with Sophie and her band of eccentric, difficult and ultimately lovable friends and forgot to check the daily news. Reading one of Kyra Davis' books is like a vacation. I end the book with a bit of sadness that it is over, but I'm refreshed and re-energized. I look forward to the next installment of this wonderful series. I have also read Davis' stand alone novel, So Much For My Happy Ending. It was very good, and although fun, definitely had a more serious message. I hope to see this author write other kinds of books. She has a novel voice and an interesting perspective.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophie is on the case, May 31, 2010

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D. Love "I love to read!" (NYC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress (Paperback)

What a ride following the investigation with Sophie as she's determined to find the person who shot Dena and ruined Mary Ann's big news. What I liked most about this book are the characters, especially Marcus and Leah, and all the twists and turns that the author had in place that lead to the killing surprise. This was a very good read and I can't wait to read book six.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophie Katz rocks!!!, May 24, 2010

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Kenneth Green (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress (Paperback)

Sophie Katz is at it again! In the first few pages, Mary Ann tells Sophie and Dena about her engagement. Before they can celebrate, Dena gets shot in the back, can no longer feel her legs, and the Doctor's think she may never walk again. As the story unfolds, Sophie and Anatoly both try to discover who shot Dena, although both go at it in different ways. The emotions are high, and the suspense is so thick you can almost cut it with a knife. All the characters that we have come to know and love are in the book, and the writing is, as always in Kyra Davis books, fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable!