Under Wraps (Underworld Detection Agency, #1) in Vampires, Weres and Fae!

Mar 10, 2011 Melindeeloo rated it liked it · review of another edition

If you are judging Under Wraps by its cover, resplendent in leather and holding a sword, magic immune leading lady Sophie - who works for the Underword Detection Agency - looks like shes ready to kick backside and take names. This is not the case, instead, the Underworld Detection Agency is really much more like Social Services for the supernatural (Fill that out in triplicate. Next.) And Sophie who is far more likely to be found in twin sets, pencil skirts and sensible shoes is executive assist If you are judging Under Wraps by its cover, resplendent in leather and holding a sword, magic immune leading lady Sophie - who works for the Underword Detection Agency - looks like shes ready to kick backside and take names. This is not the case, instead, the Underworld Detection Agency is really much more like Social Services for the supernatural (Fill that out in triplicate. Next.) And Sophie who is far more likely to be found in twin sets, pencil skirts and sensible shoes is executive assistant to the director of the agency. Considering her job description, it is really odd that Sophie ends up helping a hunky police detective Parker Hayes with a murder investigation that appears to have a supernatural perpetrator.

Okay, so this was not at all what I expected but Under Wraps doesn't take itself seriously. The tone of the story is light, takes a really long time to get rolling but Sophie's' troll stalker, and Sophie's' unique use of firearms do provide a few humorous moments. The only bit of edginess to be found in Under Wraps is that the murders are suitably yucky (Sophie finds them vomit-worthy.)

Sophie is pleasant enough as the first person heroine, and there are some interesting characters around her - her fashionista vamp roomie and the roomie's 'teen' nephew 'Vlad' are sort of fun. But nobody besides Sophie feels especially fleshed out. And even though Parker is always 'on the make' with Sophie and Sophie has lusty thoughts, the sensuality level is way more mild than wild - way way more.

So, bottom-line? Under Wraps ended up being ok and it is possible that I'd have enjoyed this more if I'd come into the book expecting something a bit closer to what it actually was. The cover art and marketing blurb mean that this book is ending up in the hands of the wrong audience. What was really needed was a cartoony cover like How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf or The Werewolf Upstairs because the audience for this book is someone looking for a clean light paranormal read with a touch of humor.

Under Wraps is the first in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles with the next book Underground out in November 2011 - although Sophie apparently gets some surprising info about her heritage at the end of the book, I honestly can't say that I have any idea of what's next for Sophie and the Underworld Detection Agency. ...more

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May 11, 2014 Nichole ~Bookaholic~ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z-2014, audio, pnr-uf, a-lendable-books-to-post, wispersync-for-voice, z-2014-audio-challenge-my-precious

3.5 Stars

While the cover gives the impression that Sophie is going to be a "kick ass" leading lady....that is not quite the case, but she is still a likeable character. This is what I categorize as a "light and fluffy" read/listen and just what I needed after finishing a couple of more intense thriller type books. ...more

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Apr 05, 2021 Wealie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 0-purchased, 0-audible, 0-kindle, 1st-of-series, 0-series-read, listened, poor-narration, poor-prose, did-not-finish-series, challenge-read

2 stars - Lacklustre prose, with an uninteresting protagonist and unlikable love interest, there's little to recommend this 'cozy urban fantasy' which doesn't remotely fit its book cover ...more

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Dec 15, 2014 Delitealex rated it really liked it

Shelves: shape-shifter-werewolf, urban-fantasy

I really enjoyed this book it's a great light read. The characters were funny and interesting I definitely will be continuing with this series. ...more

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