VOWS, VENDETTAS, AND A LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Author: Kyra Davis ISBN: 9780778327899 6/2010 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Overjoyed at Mary Ann'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.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Wow.  That’s the first thing that comes to mind after finishing the latest in the Sophie Katz series, VOWS, VENDETTAS, AND A LITTLE BLACK DRESS.  Kyra Davis has certainly outdone herself this time.

In VOWS, readers quickly learn that Sophie’s friend Dena Lopiano has been shot, and she promises that she will find the person responsible.  The usual Sophie hi-jinxs ensue—pulling in her friends to help; fudging information she gives Anatoly; and acting impulsively, even if it means breaking the law.  What’s different about this book is the level of seriousness that Davis includes throughout the story, specifically with Dena’s injury and Sophie and Anatoly’s relationship.  During Dena’s recovery and the investigation, Maryann is starting to plan her wedding, with unsolicited help from Sophie’s sister Leah.  While not as light as the previous books, VOWS still has the humor that the novels are known for, primarily surrounding the plans for Maryann’s upcoming nuptials.  The most thrilling moment of the book, however, comes at the very end.  In a drastic change from the previous books, VOWS ends with a cliffhanger that will leave readers begging for the release date of the next book.

As fantastic as all of the Sophie Katz books have been, VOWS is by far the best and an absolute must read.

Christina Baker