Under Wraps

 

Underworld Detection Agency

 

Hannah Jayne

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Audible Studios
Narrator: Jessica Almasy
Date of Publication: July 1, 2014
Abridged or Unabridged: Unabridged
Length of Production: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Sick of wrongful-death lawsuits every time a full moon comes around? Call the Underworld Detection Agency. As a human immune to magic, Sophie Lawson can help everyone from banshee to zombie transition into normal, everyday San Francisco life. With a handsome werewolf as her UDA boss and a fashionista vampire for a roommate, Sophie knows everything there is to know about the undead, the unseen, and the uncanny. That is, until a rash of gruesome murders has demons and mortals running for cover, and Sophie finds herself playing sidekick to detective Parker Hayes. Dodging raging bloodsuckers, bad-tempered fairies, and love-struck trolls is one thing. But when Sophie discovers Parker isn't what he seems, she has only one chance to figure out whom to trust. Because an evil hiding in plain sight is closing in - and is about to make one wisecracking human its means to ultimate power.

This series was on my want to read list for quite awhile, so when I was able to get all the books in audio format for an amazing price... I jumped on it. And then I proceeded to let the disk containing them languish in my desk drawer. For months. My Month of TBRs seemed like a great time to get into this series, since I already have them just ready to be put on my player and enjoyed. And that was great, in theory.

I say in theory, because the files weren't listed in series order. And with each of them having Under in the title, I *cough* added the wrong file to my player. I spent so much time listening and trying to understand why the story just seemed off. Why wasn't I hearing the story I read about in the blurb? I was out of step with what was going on, and it was driving me crazy. It wasn't until I went to leave a little cranky comment in Goodreads that I realized that the titles didn't quite match up. Yep, that's right. I was listening to the wrong book first. *bangs head on desk* So several hours lost and the correct story added, I started again - much more better.

Jessica Almasy totally nailed the slightly naive, too optimistic quality that is Sophie; think Phoebe from Friends. She has a good heart, but not exactly a math-lete, you get me? Jessica' performance really nailed Sophie's whole vibe. Each of Jessica's voices really brought something to the character. I think my favorite voice though was Steve's, the troll who talks about himself in third person and is trying to score a date with Sophie.

All of the character's in the book were very distinctive and came alive for me. While this is an Urban Fantasy dealing with Vamps, Weres, Witches, Zombies, Trolls, etc. as well as murder and mayhem, it's not very dark. More like a fun cozy mystery that just happens to be set in a world populated by the undead. I like a book that doesn't take itself so very seriously on occasion and can poke a bit of fun at itself. I found this world to be imaginative and full of potential, (especially if my early peek into a later book is anything to go by.) I gave this book 3 stars.

 

This series was on my want to read list for quite awhile, so when I was able to get all the books in audio format for an amazing price... I jumped on it. And then I proceeded to let the disk containing them languish in my desk drawer. For months. My Month of TBRs seemed like a great time to get into this series, since I already have them just ready to be put on my player and enjoyed. And that was great, in theory.

I say in theory, because the files weren't listed in series order. And with each of them having Under in the title, I *cough* added the wrong file to my player. I spent so much time listening and trying to understand why the story just seemed off. Why wasn't I hearing the story I read about in the blurb? I was out of step with what was going on, and it was driving me crazy. It wasn't until I went to leave a little cranky comment in Goodreads that I realized that the titles didn't quite match up. Yep, that's right. I was listening to the wrong book first. *bangs head on desk* So several hours lost and the correct story added, I started again - much more better.

Jessica Almasy totally nailed the slightly naive, too optimistic quality that is Sophie; think Phoebe from Friends. She has a good heart, but not exactly a math-lete, you get me? Jessica' performance really nailed Sophie's whole vibe. Each of Jessica's voices really brought something to the character. I think my favorite voice though was Steve's, the troll who talks about himself in third person and is trying to score a date with Sophie.

All of the character's in the book were very distinctive and came alive for me. While this is an Urban Fantasy dealing with Vamps, Weres, Witches, Zombies, Trolls, etc. as well as murder and mayhem, it's not very dark. More like a fun cozy mystery that just happens to be set in a world populated by the undead. I like a book that doesn't take itself so very seriously on occasion and can poke a bit of fun at itself. I found this world to be imaginative and full of potential, (especially if my early peek into a later book is anything to go by.) I gave this book 3 stars.

I think I may be rating books too high right now. But I loved this on audio. Normally, I find long pauses annoying, but this was perfect. Belly's narration sounded pretty valley girl, and though I'm not sure exactly where Cousin's Beach is supposed it be, it worked really well. I, too, couldn't decide if I like Jeremiah or Conrad... or that other guy. Totally listening to the next one.