Spying in High Heels

By: Gemma Halliday

Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

LA shoe designer Maddie Springer lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears - along with $20 million in embezzled funds - and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPD's sexiest cop. With the help of her postmenopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300-pound psychic, and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her?

©2010 Gemma Halliday (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Totally fun, entertainment!

I loved the snarky narration!!! I didn’t want to miss a word! This was just a fun, thoroughly entertaining story with a terrific narrator who was absolutely perfect for the part!

unexpected

Would you listen to Spying in High Heels again? Why?

I plan on listening to the whole series. I really like the protagonist. She is not a whiner or helpless.She manages to try to work out her jams herself but is smart enough to know that she is in over her head. A little like Stephanie Plum I found myself laughing out loud.

Fun, quirky, bazaar main protagonist

Maddie, an almost 30 year old shoe designer, has more strange things happen to her than any other main character I've ever read. The author has developed her into a real ditzy stereotypical blond who doesn't really know what she wants. Though at times she lets the character show some depth, mostly Maddie stumbles thru life making mistake after mistake. Theres no way this is real life romance or frame..it's slapstick comedy and totally light listening-nothing else.

I bought these for my thirty something daughter who enjoys this kind of writing a lot more than I do-though I listened to the first 2 books in the series I'm not sure I'm good for any more.

I gave this a 3 star for Story and for Overall and 4 for performance because I think Caroline Shaffer does very well with accents and bringing out the strange personalities of Maddie and the secondary characters. They are a totally strange group-from Mom to Maddies friends to Moms friends. The main romantic character, Ramirez, is written fairly cardboardy-with all the overblown characters personalities I don't understand how Ramirez can be such a Joe Friday kind of cop.

Ah well...daughter enjoyed them and she bought them (we share an audible account).

Could be that if you like classic books, or literary writing you won't be able to take much of Maddie. If you like snappy dialog and bazaar plot lines Maddies antics are right up your line. In any case, a real chick lit. book. Guys would likely go crazy with this plot line.

To each her own.

Entertaining and Fun

I'm a firm believer in ratings should reflect the genre and overall experience when listening to a book. People pick chick flick mysteries and expect serious stories, dumb. This story is fun, sweet, calamity Jane in heels story. I honestly thought I knew the murderer, but was wrong. It wasn't heavy on romance, but maybe further into the series will pick up.

Narration was good, but I hated the Russian voices and not the best male voices. Still a solid narrative.

I'd recommend this if your in the mood for a fun entertaining mystery.

Very Cute and Fun

Where does Spying in High Heels rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Look there's no major meaning of life here in this book. It's just a fun escape and fun read (listen). So ranking it among other books isn't fair as that is not the point of this book. As far as ranking it with other beachy, nice, cozy mysteries? Well then this book is great at the top of the list in the genre. It is what it is. When you want a fun escape with a wild ride this is your book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spying in High Heels?

Ramirez...everything Ramirez and especially his family.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ramirez family.

Who was the most memorable character of Spying in High Heels and why?

Ramirez...he's the sexy bad-boy cop...need I say more?

Any additional comments?

Nothing disturbing in this book. You won't cry or be sad from this. You will only come away entertained and with a few great laughs. The characters are all very fun. I love them all.

Easy reading enjoyable

Would you try another book from Gemma Halliday and/or Caroline Shaffer?

Yes, she is similar to Janet Evanovich, whom I love and I will purchase the others in the series.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Very predictable but that's why you read these type of novels

What about Caroline Shaffer’s performance did you like?

great performance, consistent throughout

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

yes

Immensely entertaining!

I loved the story and the way the author inserted such humor! It was read so well, you felt like you were right there. Kudos to all!

Copycat book

This was so much like the Evanovich books but no grandmother to enhance it! Ramirez even wore a black shirt like the other series ! The narrator was GREAT! She sounded exactly the way I thought that Maddie would sound. She made the story! I wanted to know the ending but I was disappointed that it was so similar to the other series.

Cute cozy mystery

The first book in the series with Maddie Springer, children's shoe designer, being a reluctant and at times bumbling detective - think Inspector Clouseau. The narration was nicely done and the overall story was cute with some chuckles along the way. The only annoying part was the too often mentioned EPT test.

Chick flick - not for men

Being a middle aged man I have difficulties in understanding the main character in her mascara deliberations and love for Prada aso. But then again - I am not supposed to.
Caroline Schaffer narrates perfectly well the emptybrained blonde.
With all that said, the story is well put together.
So if you're into fashion, female and in your twenties this just might be the perfect book for you.