Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas

A Sophie Katz Mystery

By: Kyra Davis

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Sophie Katz, bestselling mystery writer and amateur sleuth, has just discovered that Anatoly, her sexy Russian P.I boyfriend of six years is actually married to the daughter of a Russian mafia boss. Devastated by his betrayal, Sophie banishes him from their beautiful San Francisco Victorian home.

Desperate to distract their friend and pull her out of her depression, Dena and Marcus spirit Sophie away to Vegas for a "fun filled weekend" at a Sex Toy Trade Show. But bigger trouble awaits in Vegas. Anatoly is there; his beautiful Russian wife is there; and so is a dead body stuffed into a closet. And to make matters worse someone has gone out of their way to implicate Sophie in the murder. Sophie's completely over her head and when a mysterious man offers her help she's tempted to take it. But who is he and whose side is he on? It's also clear that whoever the bad guy is he would have no problem killing Anatoly, and although she may want to kill him herself, no one else is going to hurt Sophie's man.

©2012 Kyra Davis (P)2012 Kyra Davis

Not as good

I've enjoyed the Sophie Katz Mystery series. This book in the series was lacking though. It wasn't as good as the previous ones. Definitely listen to it, but know it isn't as good as the previous ones.

Great Book!! Great Series!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas to be better than the print version?

I havn't read the printed version. I don't really have time to read which is why I get the audio books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love all of Kyra's characters in this series. They work so well in the story and off of each other. Kyra does an amazing job with this series.

Have you listened to any of Gabra Zackman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Unfortunately, no. Or at least not yet. I am sure that I will and I am equally sure that she will be able to do as well on other books. Her voices for the characters are very believable.

If you could take any character from Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas out to dinner, who would it be and why?

All of them. I would love to just sit back and listen to them go at it with each other!!

Any additional comments?

I am really happy that Kyra made the leap and published her book by herself. I am a major fan of this series and was very saddened to hear that her publisher had dropped her. I hope that she can continue to bring Sophie and her friends to us again and again. If you are a first time reader\listener I definately recommend this series!! I am always telling anyone who will listen about this series and I hope I have added to her fan base. Keep up the good work Kyra because some of us are are rooting for you and Sophie!!!!

Plenty of giggles

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

maybe not on the edge of my seat in suspense but almost fell of weight bench while working out and listening to this book

Which scene was your favorite?

Sophie and her friend at the sex trade show

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

lot's of laughable scenes in this book

Any additional comments?

This was my first book in the Sophie Katz series. I listened to the audio version. It was a fun, fluffy mystery story with a lot of good laughs along the way. I have to say Sophie in Vegas at a sex trade show/convention was a total riot (note to self don't listen to this while working out, you get funny looks from those around you when you are laughing to yourself). If you are looking for a good escape and some laughs along the way this book is a good choice. I will have to try some of Sophie's other books

Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys humor

I have been a Kyra Davis fan since her first book. It's sarcastic, sexy, and never fails to make me laugh. In this novel another obstacle appears when after 6 yrs. of being together Sophie finds out that Anatoly is married which kind of puts a monkey wrench in their happiness. Only Sophie’s friends would suggest taking a trip to Vegas to a Sex Trade Show to cheer her up after the breakup. All of the crazy characters that we have come to know and love are in this book: Dena is fierce, Sophie's sister Leah surprises, Marcus is more outrageous than ever, and MaryAnn is still the optimistic Disney princess.

There are few characters I love more than Sophie but I frequently shook my head over her reasoning. Her mind strings together seemingly unrelated things and comes up some of the weirdest conclusions! However, she is a dynamic and fun character and this is a sexy, humorous, and mysterious blend of entertainment from one of my favorite authors. Davis knows how to make me laugh and cry.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys humorous mysteries.

Characters feel different...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I suppose. If you are a huge fan of this series you should certainly read it. But, if you are new, I'd recommend starting with the first book.

Would you recommend Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas to your friends? Why or why not?

No. This book just felt different from the others. The characters all seemed so off. Specifically the main character Sophie. I had a real problem with her security issues, which made the story so weak and very annoying. The character is supposed to be such a strong and independent woman, and this story made her seem weak and too dependent on others, mainly men.

Have you listened to any of Gabra Zackman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Gabra Zackman! She's so great and nails it as Sophie Katz.

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

No. If it were any other book in the series I would.

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure what happened to my amazing Sophie, but she was certainly MIA in this book. I can only hope the author will bring her back to life in the next book.

Get them all!!

I have almost all of this series. All of them are funny, and fun to listen too. Enjoy!!! Get the whole series for non thinking fun!

I hope there is more!

What did you love best about Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas?

I feel in love with this series with the first book! The story line, humor, and suspense kept me wanting more and more. I hope there is another Sophie Katz in the works!

More Great Fun

Lots of Sophie and friends humor and wacky detective work. If you're a fan of the series you won't be disappointed. Gabra does a great job and is still one of my favorite narrators. Can't wait until Kyra writes another.

Light, fun mystery with a hint of romance

STORY (chick lit) - This is the first book I've heard in the Sophie Katz series, even though it's Book #6. I picked it because the summary sounded like it might be clever, which it was, but I still won't be listening to any more of this series. I think there were quite a few unexplained motives, loose ends and conclusions that were hastily reached, but I did enjoy the likeable characters and most of the author's attempts at humor. The characters, including Sophie's ultra-stuffy sister, a gay male friend and an airhead named Maryann, are with Sophie in Vegas. When Sophie finds a dead body in her hotel closet, she finds herself in a mysterious and precarious situation involving her Russian boyfriend, his wife (yes, he's married!) and members of the Russian mob who also happen to be in Vegas at the same time. The mystery is not complicated so you can multitask, but not so simple that you can just listen on autopilot.

Sophie and her friends are in Vegas to enjoy a sex toy trade show, so there's vibrator jokes, mention of a performance called "Puppetry of the Peni$" and other references which I thought were clever and fun. They also drop the F-word occasionally, but I thought it was funny when it was used.

PERFORMANCE - The narrator did a nice job. Her delivery of the humor was effective, and she did several different voices well, including a Russian accent.

OVERALL (Actual rating 3.5) - This story stands alone and comes to a complete conclusion. Besides what I mentioned in the second paragraph above, there is one short, mildly explicit sex scene. Definitely not a book for guys!

Loved it

Would you listen to Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas again? Why?

Not for a few years. But I would watch mini-series. I've reread some of Davis's other books from this series that I hadn't read for some time.

What other book might you compare Vanity, Vengeance and a Weekend In Vegas to and why?

It has the sass of Suits (USA) and the character development of 30 Rock (NBC) on top of a sexy suspenseful plot.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, I was thoroughly entertained throughout.

Any additional comments?

Great from start to finish, excited for the next one. I highly recommend the series.