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Underworld Detection Agency #1
Under Wraps
Sophie Lawson 32, human narrator, sees through magic veils, works for the Underworld Detective Agency below San Francisco Police HQ. Her boss Pete is a handsome werewolf - missing. Her roommate Nina is a fashionista vampire with teen nephew Vlad. Her new partner gorgeous detective Parker Hayes is not what he seems. A killer takes eyes, blood, hearts - is Sophie next?
330 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
About the author
Hannah Jayne
25 books653 followersHannah is the author of the UNDERWORLD DETECTION AGENCY CHRONICLES from Kensington books and the upcoming young adult thrillers TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY and SEE JANE RUN available from Sourcebooks, Inc. When she's not battling the demons of the Underworld or tackling a murderer at Hawthorne High, Jayne kicks her feet up in her San Francisco bay area home and attempts to share couch space with two enormous cats.
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
July 7, 2012
I have to review this on my shelves because THIS COVER IS SO MISLEADING I CANT EVEN STAND IT IM SO MAD!!!!!
So, I do NOT like the really frothy romantic comedy-type chick-lit books, and that's why I feel like my rating does not represent this book well, but I feel like the publisher is being PAID TO SELL A BOOK to the CORRECT AUDIENCE and this cover implies:
-Badass chick
-Edgy world
-There might be fire or crap blowing up in the background
RIGHT?!
NONE OF THESE IS TRUE!!
I don't even know how to rate this book because it's just not my cup of tea. I think if you likelighthearted stuff you may be into this. There is certainly a really big audience for this type of book, I feel sad for the author that she will never reach it with this kind of marketing.
So, I do NOT like the really frothy romantic comedy-type chick-lit books, and that's why I feel like my rating does not represent this book well, but I feel like the publisher is being PAID TO SELL A BOOK to the CORRECT AUDIENCE and this cover implies:
-Badass chick
-Edgy world
-There might be fire or crap blowing up in the background
RIGHT?!
NONE OF THESE IS TRUE!!
I don't even know how to rate this book because it's just not my cup of tea. I think if you likelighthearted stuff you may be into this. There is certainly a really big audience for this type of book, I feel sad for the author that she will never reach it with this kind of marketing.
May 12, 2011
This book was dreadful. The author and the editor should be ashamed to their core for putting this out there.
1. In case you've ignored all the other reviews, the cover is completely and totally wrong.
2. The 'hero' is a complete and utter asshole. Not bad boy asshole, but very racist and crude, drunk, Republican brother in law at Thanksgiving asshole. And the author seems to think that the readers should overlook this and root for him to get laid by the heroine because he is so hot. Seriously.
3. The heroine doesn't say anything because she 'blurts' out all her words. Every single word from her is blurted.
4. The heroine walks around looking like a tomato every single minute she is awake because she blushes when she blurts and when she doesn't blurt.
5. After she blurts and blushes, she plays with her hair. How all that hair stays on after hours of twirling her hair around her finger, I will never know.
6. The heroine has a stalker, as in super creepy stalker, but we aren't to think its such a BAD thing, you know? Just sweet.
7. Any paranormal person/being is a demon. Really? Really?
8. Vampires are blah, blah, blah and very polite. BUT...the heroine's vampire roommate is even less polite than Roseanne Barr.
9. The desecration, the annihilation, the massacre of the English language. a)"His nose was thin and freckled and a few stray whiskers - a petty attempt at a beard - ..." PETTY!!!??? b) "And I'll turn that human girl who was always trolling around you back home..." TROLLING!!?? c)"Steve's scent is distinct." No. No. No. You mean distinctive!!!! d)"That's another thing - when you live forever, you become very skeptical of who you want to take along..." O My Fing God. Skeptical of!!???... e)"This new generation of vampire - they think they are so entitled."
That was it. That was the moment when this became the 7th book I've not finished in my entire life.
Slight redeeming factors
1. The stalker is actually rather funny.
2. The rebellious vampire thing is sorta funny.
1. In case you've ignored all the other reviews, the cover is completely and totally wrong.
2. The 'hero' is a complete and utter asshole. Not bad boy asshole, but very racist and crude, drunk, Republican brother in law at Thanksgiving asshole. And the author seems to think that the readers should overlook this and root for him to get laid by the heroine because he is so hot. Seriously.
3. The heroine doesn't say anything because she 'blurts' out all her words. Every single word from her is blurted.
4. The heroine walks around looking like a tomato every single minute she is awake because she blushes when she blurts and when she doesn't blurt.
5. After she blurts and blushes, she plays with her hair. How all that hair stays on after hours of twirling her hair around her finger, I will never know.
6. The heroine has a stalker, as in super creepy stalker, but we aren't to think its such a BAD thing, you know? Just sweet.
7. Any paranormal person/being is a demon. Really? Really?
8. Vampires are blah, blah, blah and very polite. BUT...the heroine's vampire roommate is even less polite than Roseanne Barr.
9. The desecration, the annihilation, the massacre of the English language. a)"His nose was thin and freckled and a few stray whiskers - a petty attempt at a beard - ..." PETTY!!!??? b) "And I'll turn that human girl who was always trolling around you back home..." TROLLING!!?? c)"Steve's scent is distinct." No. No. No. You mean distinctive!!!! d)"That's another thing - when you live forever, you become very skeptical of who you want to take along..." O My Fing God. Skeptical of!!???... e)"This new generation of vampire - they think they are so entitled."
That was it. That was the moment when this became the 7th book I've not finished in my entire life.
Slight redeeming factors
1. The stalker is actually rather funny.
2. The rebellious vampire thing is sorta funny.
October 14, 2015
The cover of this book might make you think of Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson. This is nothing like those books. It is like comparing Star Wars to Spaceballs. Absolute silliness. Which is fun, once you get used to it. It made me laugh a lot.
Our "hero" is named Sophie. She works at the Underworld Detective Agency, which is located below ground under the San Francisco PD, as a secretary to a werewolf. Actually, she's an administrative assistant so don't be buying her a cake on Secretary's Day or she will be offended.
There is something supernatural killing people so Sophie gets the job of working alongside a human police detective to try and solve the case. She is a hot mess. Like, think the opposite of every badass girl in every book you've read - that's Sophie. She is no special snowflake, unless it is a special quality to suck at everything.
The detective she is working with is a hot guy and she immediately starts fantasizing about him. He had no idea that the supernatural exists and is pretty freaked out to learn that vampires, trolls, werewolves, and fairies exist. He's also not too thrilled to have secretary assigned as his partner for a murder case.
Sophie: "The sooner we crack this case, the sooner you can be done with the Underworld and go back to believing that the things that go bump in the night are just harmless human rapists, sadists, and murderers."
"That's all I ask," he said.
Every character in this book is funny and there are one-liners and silly things happening on every page. If you don't take it seriously, this book is pretty enjoyable.
Our "hero" is named Sophie. She works at the Underworld Detective Agency, which is located below ground under the San Francisco PD, as a secretary to a werewolf. Actually, she's an administrative assistant so don't be buying her a cake on Secretary's Day or she will be offended.
There is something supernatural killing people so Sophie gets the job of working alongside a human police detective to try and solve the case. She is a hot mess. Like, think the opposite of every badass girl in every book you've read - that's Sophie. She is no special snowflake, unless it is a special quality to suck at everything.
The detective she is working with is a hot guy and she immediately starts fantasizing about him. He had no idea that the supernatural exists and is pretty freaked out to learn that vampires, trolls, werewolves, and fairies exist. He's also not too thrilled to have secretary assigned as his partner for a murder case.
Sophie: "The sooner we crack this case, the sooner you can be done with the Underworld and go back to believing that the things that go bump in the night are just harmless human rapists, sadists, and murderers."
"That's all I ask," he said.
Every character in this book is funny and there are one-liners and silly things happening on every page. If you don't take it seriously, this book is pretty enjoyable.
July 17, 2014
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.
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.
March 20, 2012
That was AWFUL! I can't remember the last time I read such a terrible book. I made it through 150 pages and then I had to drop it because it was so bad! I can't believe this got published in the first place and some people actually like it. The jumpy plot aside, the heroine was such a manhungry wimp that I wanted to slap her. She made me embarrassed of being a woman, that has never happened before!
She is all about fluffy baths and fluffy bathrobes and fluffy bread while watching reruns of Gossip Girl and nattering about shoes and designer clothes and "Yummy, yummy" men with her vampire best friend - a 160+ year old best friend, who can only think about sales in her favorite boutiques! And when said BF forgets to chain a werewolf, the only thing she is asked to do - and she can't be bothered to go back and actually do it because she has to go to a CLUB! - and it leads to an incident during which the main heroine is pummeled black and blue, her reaction is basically "Whoops! My bad? Let's dress up!"
But back to the main airhead AKA the main heroine. She insists on being called an "executive assistant", NOT a secretary. She insists on helping the police and imagines herself as "CSI Sophie" or as one of Charlie's Angels in a leather bustier - yet she gets sick when they just talk about the body. When the cop tells her to stay at the precinct because she's a civilian, she calls him a sexist and insists on going everywhere with him - but when there's a murder, she whines that she doesn't want to go to the crime scene because the BODY IS STILL THERE! WTF?!
She keeps having sexual fantasies about her boss and the cop - fantasies a la Ally McBeal in which she climbs over the table and starts licking the guy. Whenever they sit close, she keeps leaning into the guy, imagining how horny she is, SNIFFING him! She made me feel sleazy in a sexual harrassment way. Yuck!
The straw that broke the camel's back was when the cop tried to teach her how to shoot and she pulled the trigger and started yelling and jumping up and down with a FRICKIN' LOADED GUN IN HER HANDS!
No. Just no. AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
She is all about fluffy baths and fluffy bathrobes and fluffy bread while watching reruns of Gossip Girl and nattering about shoes and designer clothes and "Yummy, yummy" men with her vampire best friend - a 160+ year old best friend, who can only think about sales in her favorite boutiques! And when said BF forgets to chain a werewolf, the only thing she is asked to do - and she can't be bothered to go back and actually do it because she has to go to a CLUB! - and it leads to an incident during which the main heroine is pummeled black and blue, her reaction is basically "Whoops! My bad? Let's dress up!"
But back to the main airhead AKA the main heroine. She insists on being called an "executive assistant", NOT a secretary. She insists on helping the police and imagines herself as "CSI Sophie" or as one of Charlie's Angels in a leather bustier - yet she gets sick when they just talk about the body. When the cop tells her to stay at the precinct because she's a civilian, she calls him a sexist and insists on going everywhere with him - but when there's a murder, she whines that she doesn't want to go to the crime scene because the BODY IS STILL THERE! WTF?!
She keeps having sexual fantasies about her boss and the cop - fantasies a la Ally McBeal in which she climbs over the table and starts licking the guy. Whenever they sit close, she keeps leaning into the guy, imagining how horny she is, SNIFFING him! She made me feel sleazy in a sexual harrassment way. Yuck!
The straw that broke the camel's back was when the cop tried to teach her how to shoot and she pulled the trigger and started yelling and jumping up and down with a FRICKIN' LOADED GUN IN HER HANDS!
No. Just no. AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
October 19, 2014
I had high hopes for this book, the synopsis sounded good, but for me at least, the execution wasn't there. Sophie seemed to me to be a boy crazy bubble head. I couldn't stand the way random thoughts would pop into her head, about men, being on a case and thinking it was going to be like CSI. After 60 pages of this I had to give it up. This one just wasn't for me.
April 12, 2011
Ok, the cover on this book is more than a bit misleading. Fortunately, I KNEW that, having read the reviews over on Amazon.com. Its more UF-lite than anything else. The heroine is a "plain Jane, vanilla norm" who works at the Underworld Detection Agency as the administrative assistant to the head of the SF branch. And, despite the Detection part of the name--think more Social Services than Mickey Spillane.
Sophie Lawson joins the legions of other red-haired heroines of UF chronicles, except that her main talent is--being immune to magic. Other than that, she's totally unable to do any magic, except of course, she can SEE the true natures of those of the "Underworld" as they call themselves.
A light hearted story that, like its more mundane brethern, the Cozy Mystery, is one that you read for the zany characters rather than any real mystery, terror or surprise. But the zany is great. A teenaged vampire (112 years old) who is into Goth and dresses like Bela Lugosi. A love struck troll (all 3 feet of him) who smells like a swamp. A witch with an unfriendly cat. . .
Sophie Lawson joins the legions of other red-haired heroines of UF chronicles, except that her main talent is--being immune to magic. Other than that, she's totally unable to do any magic, except of course, she can SEE the true natures of those of the "Underworld" as they call themselves.
A light hearted story that, like its more mundane brethern, the Cozy Mystery, is one that you read for the zany characters rather than any real mystery, terror or surprise. But the zany is great. A teenaged vampire (112 years old) who is into Goth and dresses like Bela Lugosi. A love struck troll (all 3 feet of him) who smells like a swamp. A witch with an unfriendly cat. . .
April 20, 2011
2,5 stars
Well covers can be deceiving ,there was a redheaded chick and there was a sword but that is all she is no Kate Daniels I can tell you.
The story wasn't that bad but the heroine cries ALOT I mean she is 32 going on 12 it is like she's in a constant case of PMS really .it was annoying .And since the story was told from her POV it was rather confusing to get what she really feels about some people and she did somethings that did not make sense at all.( like the scene in the club with the 2 vamps ) ????? She wanted to get close to them to ask them something and then she got scared and "again" cried.WTF is wrong with that woman?!
But I liked her roommate Nina and Steve the troll was funny.also I was really grateful for the lack of love triangle In this book which was a nice change.
I believe this series has potentials so I am going to wait for the next book to see if I am correct.
Well covers can be deceiving ,there was a redheaded chick and there was a sword but that is all she is no Kate Daniels I can tell you.
The story wasn't that bad but the heroine cries ALOT I mean she is 32 going on 12 it is like she's in a constant case of PMS really .it was annoying .And since the story was told from her POV it was rather confusing to get what she really feels about some people and she did somethings that did not make sense at all.( like the scene in the club with the 2 vamps ) ????? She wanted to get close to them to ask them something and then she got scared and "again" cried.WTF is wrong with that woman?!
But I liked her roommate Nina and Steve the troll was funny.also I was really grateful for the lack of love triangle In this book which was a nice change.
I believe this series has potentials so I am going to wait for the next book to see if I am correct.
Read
October 8, 20113.5 Stars.
Hannah Jayne’s light-hearted debut Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles Under Wraps centers on breather Sophie Lawson a seer (who has yet to come into her powers) and who works in the rather unusual UDA, 37 floors below the San Francisco Police Department. Beneath the hilly streets of above, the UDA handles the immigration, immersion, law and enforcement, inter-species disputes, and general hub of the Underworld population. Think MIB but for the Underworld or the civil servant office in Beetlejuice.
When the Underworld becomes plagued with a series of ritualistic murders, and Sophie’s boss, UDA Chief Pete Sampson goes missing, Sophie is asked to liaise with SFPD detective Parker Hayes (aka Alex Grace) on tracking down the killer or killers. Sparks fly with Parker and Sophie throughout its frothy pages and the mystery behind who and what Parker is a great draw. As is the slowly evolving sub-plot behind Sophie’s heritage that Jayne cannily sprinkles breadcrumbs about throughout the book.
Under Wraps is backed by a cast of quirky characters that kept me laughing, (my favorite being Steve the Troll), Vlad…the wannabe Impaler (who belongs to The Vampire Empowerment and Restoration Movement aka VERM), and a plethora of “fanpires” that will make readers smile, and smile often. And characterization might be the high point here compared to the plot(s) which is slow to develop.
So what makes Under Wraps different from other urban fantasies? Jayne’s strength is her quirky style, witticisms, and plentiful characterizations which remind me of Jayne Ann Krentz in the early days, and Dakota Cassidy’s immensely funny characters. Also, Jayne capitalizes on the innocent with her heroine and her attraction to Parker which is strictly PG-13. Sophie Lawson is not a femme fatale…but is shy, modest, and doesn’t have a problem clinging to big, strong Parker when they are fighting off the denizens of San Francisco’s Underworld. Parker and Sophie’s romance is like melting chocolate…pure, sweet, velvety and a nice change from the over-loaded passionate encounters that readers might be used to.
Jayne’s second offering to the series is out in November with Under Ground…which takes off from the cliffhanger that she thrusts readers at the end of Under Wraps…a rather titillating loose end…the revelation of Sophie’s heritage, and perhaps an explanation about how Pete Sampson was involved in it…which brings us back to the major clue that Jayne drops when Pete psychically connects with Sophie…
Under Wraps will appeal highly to fans of Michele Bardsley, Michelle Rowen, Dakota Cassidy and Molly Harper.
A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)
April 10, 2011
Don't let the cover fool you. This book was awesome. I loved the characters and the world building. Really like the twists and turns that this book took. I really didn't expect a lot of the turns that this book took.
What I liked about this book was that this book had a mystery in it. I'm a sucker for a good mystery. The mystery starts off like any other mystery would. Detective Parker Hayes comes to the UDA which is short for the Underworld Detective Agency, where our heroine Sophie Lawson works. Her boss is a werewolf, and her roommate is a vampire, so this is a world where there are a lot of supernatural beings exist which i find kind of cool and that the UDA is a lot like a police force.
Detective Parker Hayes comes to them because he wants to solve the crimes and Sophie offers to help. So begins their steamy chemistry. Sophie is instantly attracted to him, so she knows it's not magic affecting her. Sophie knows this because Magic doesn't affect her. The term for Sophie is magically immune to beings that would use all sorts of magic on her. I like how the author slowly builds their relationship.
Then there was the fact that we had a troll, yes there is a troll in the book named Steve. Then we had Nina's vampire Nephew, Louis who is now calling himself Vlad. Yes Vlad. I found Vlad and Steve to be extremely funny and full of surprises. Steve is trying to protect Sophie and I kind of at times found him to be a little stalkerish, but Steve says he is trying to protect her.
This book rocked in a lot of ways. There are more and more murders and then disappearances happening. People around Sophie and Nina begin to disappear like Sophie's boss, Sampson, (who happens to be a werewolf), The Manager of Dirt, the club that Nina goes to is found murdered.
What shocked me...***Spoiler Alert*** was the killer turned out to be the Police Cheif. I found that a surprising shock. The other thing that surprised me was that Parker Hayes, wasn't really Parker Hayes, but an Angel who was named Alex Grace. Angels, we have Angels, well a fallen one anyway.
I love how Steve at the very end, does kind of come to the rescue. I just enjoyed this book. The fight scenes were awesome. Love the mystery plot and how all the sub-plot's of the book come together.
Plus Louis aka Vlad, have some awesome one-liners in this book.
There was nothing wrong with this book. If in fact anything, this book made me want to read the rest of the series right now. Too bad, I have to wait till November to read the next one, Under Ground.
Grade: 5 Hearts
What I liked about this book was that this book had a mystery in it. I'm a sucker for a good mystery. The mystery starts off like any other mystery would. Detective Parker Hayes comes to the UDA which is short for the Underworld Detective Agency, where our heroine Sophie Lawson works. Her boss is a werewolf, and her roommate is a vampire, so this is a world where there are a lot of supernatural beings exist which i find kind of cool and that the UDA is a lot like a police force.
Detective Parker Hayes comes to them because he wants to solve the crimes and Sophie offers to help. So begins their steamy chemistry. Sophie is instantly attracted to him, so she knows it's not magic affecting her. Sophie knows this because Magic doesn't affect her. The term for Sophie is magically immune to beings that would use all sorts of magic on her. I like how the author slowly builds their relationship.
Then there was the fact that we had a troll, yes there is a troll in the book named Steve. Then we had Nina's vampire Nephew, Louis who is now calling himself Vlad. Yes Vlad. I found Vlad and Steve to be extremely funny and full of surprises. Steve is trying to protect Sophie and I kind of at times found him to be a little stalkerish, but Steve says he is trying to protect her.
This book rocked in a lot of ways. There are more and more murders and then disappearances happening. People around Sophie and Nina begin to disappear like Sophie's boss, Sampson, (who happens to be a werewolf), The Manager of Dirt, the club that Nina goes to is found murdered.
What shocked me...***Spoiler Alert*** was the killer turned out to be the Police Cheif. I found that a surprising shock. The other thing that surprised me was that Parker Hayes, wasn't really Parker Hayes, but an Angel who was named Alex Grace. Angels, we have Angels, well a fallen one anyway.
I love how Steve at the very end, does kind of come to the rescue. I just enjoyed this book. The fight scenes were awesome. Love the mystery plot and how all the sub-plot's of the book come together.
Plus Louis aka Vlad, have some awesome one-liners in this book.
There was nothing wrong with this book. If in fact anything, this book made me want to read the rest of the series right now. Too bad, I have to wait till November to read the next one, Under Ground.
Grade: 5 Hearts
June 16, 2011
First sentence: This is why I didn't do magic.
Moves on to show the dragon in her office is breathing angry fire on a "Gestalt witch and UDA Accounts Payable shark" or possibly Nina the vampire, settled in an overly-dramatic sitcom-style fight. Then: "I looked over the counter and did a sweep of the UDA waiting room. It was crowded, shin to shoulder, with the usual eleven o'clock crowd of minotaurs, gargoyles, Kholog demons, and trolls...."
Where I stopped reading?
Next page, page 5. There's a quick one-line setup paragraph, "That last one is important, since my boss is a werewolf." before....
"I know what you're going to say: that werewolves don't exist."
Seriously?
Werewolves are where I'm going to draw the line, after the dragon, vampire, minotaur, gargoyles, Kholog demons, and trolls?
I tried going on to the next page, but then she again decides what I think with "What? You thought demons were an unorganized bunch?" and what I really think is that she's calling me an idiot. And when I think about the back of the book where it introduces her as "a human immune to magic" I think that the beginning sentence should have been more that she -couldn't- do magic and I'm really done.
Moves on to show the dragon in her office is breathing angry fire on a "Gestalt witch and UDA Accounts Payable shark" or possibly Nina the vampire, settled in an overly-dramatic sitcom-style fight. Then: "I looked over the counter and did a sweep of the UDA waiting room. It was crowded, shin to shoulder, with the usual eleven o'clock crowd of minotaurs, gargoyles, Kholog demons, and trolls...."
Where I stopped reading?
Next page, page 5. There's a quick one-line setup paragraph, "That last one is important, since my boss is a werewolf." before....
"I know what you're going to say: that werewolves don't exist."
Seriously?
Werewolves are where I'm going to draw the line, after the dragon, vampire, minotaur, gargoyles, Kholog demons, and trolls?
I tried going on to the next page, but then she again decides what I think with "What? You thought demons were an unorganized bunch?" and what I really think is that she's calling me an idiot. And when I think about the back of the book where it introduces her as "a human immune to magic" I think that the beginning sentence should have been more that she -couldn't- do magic and I'm really done.
September 7, 2014
NO
No no no no
1star- x100
I was not even through 1 / 3, it sucked!
I saw the front page and thought "Ohh nice" and read story and felt that it could probably have quite a lot potensial.
WRONG
All characters are disturbed, the main character had weird mood swings and "hero" is just annoying and all feels so flat and fake ...
no one has any good moves, exaggerated, annoying and bad personalities.
and the story?
It the most sucked... SO MUCH
All paranormal facts are just wrong, sure, the most author have different facts, but these were just ridiculous.
and you know how the author wants to be funny, but it's just painful
Poorly written
Why did they publish this book? WHY?!
Do not read it
perhaps looks good on the outside, but inside it is poo ...just don't read it ...
No no no no
1star- x100
I was not even through 1 / 3, it sucked!
I saw the front page and thought "Ohh nice" and read story and felt that it could probably have quite a lot potensial.
WRONG
All characters are disturbed, the main character had weird mood swings and "hero" is just annoying and all feels so flat and fake ...
no one has any good moves, exaggerated, annoying and bad personalities.
and the story?
It the most sucked... SO MUCH
All paranormal facts are just wrong, sure, the most author have different facts, but these were just ridiculous.
and you know how the author wants to be funny, but it's just painful
Poorly written
Why did they publish this book? WHY?!
Do not read it
perhaps looks good on the outside, but inside it is poo ...just don't read it ...
May 20, 2011
GRANTED I barely got to 4% on my kindle.
-The author thinks she's funny but she is not.
-The main character was annoying.... Great advice to someone writing a book is that the first chapter should tell you what the entire book will be about. for example: murder mystery... the protagonist finds a dead body in first chapter. the first chap in this book said: This is about an annoying awkwardly hormone driven adult woman. You will be listening more to her dumb thoughts then learning about the world or plot.
ICK!
-The author thinks she's funny but she is not.
-The main character was annoying.... Great advice to someone writing a book is that the first chapter should tell you what the entire book will be about. for example: murder mystery... the protagonist finds a dead body in first chapter. the first chap in this book said: This is about an annoying awkwardly hormone driven adult woman. You will be listening more to her dumb thoughts then learning about the world or plot.
ICK!
June 7, 2019
Not the greatest - the characters didn't seem consistent to me and it had a not-quite-a-cliffhanger-but-you-can-see-the-cliff-in-the-vicinity ending... but I'm still reading the next one, so!
March 4, 2014
With every new book you read, especially in the paranormal detective genre, you take it with a grain of salt. Some work out fabulously and some, not so much. This one fell in the not some much category. I'm not saying I HATED it, but I can't say I really liked it either. What most of the reviewers says is true. The front cover really has absolutely nothing to do with the book. It's almost like they took small fragments of the storyline to make up a model for the cover. The fact that the main hero is a total douche, is also very true.
I couldn't stand Parker/Alex. I complete and utter bigot that literally thought every girl was drooling over him. The characters actually made me cringe. Even the heroine (Sophie) was a total idiot with her sex fantasies and putting up with belittling comments. Sophie literally tripped her way through the whole book. Actually the story reminded me of a bad blonde joke, except Sophie happened to be a redhead. Know what I mean?
Unfortunately the author was also horrid at trying to insert comedy into the storyline. It often fell flat or either was just plain stupid. Needless to say it wasn't funny. I can't even remember smiling once.
The only thing that I liked about this book was Nina & Vlad.
I may pick up the next in the storyline if I have nothing else to read at the moment, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy it.
I couldn't stand Parker/Alex. I complete and utter bigot that literally thought every girl was drooling over him. The characters actually made me cringe. Even the heroine (Sophie) was a total idiot with her sex fantasies and putting up with belittling comments. Sophie literally tripped her way through the whole book. Actually the story reminded me of a bad blonde joke, except Sophie happened to be a redhead. Know what I mean?
Unfortunately the author was also horrid at trying to insert comedy into the storyline. It often fell flat or either was just plain stupid. Needless to say it wasn't funny. I can't even remember smiling once.
The only thing that I liked about this book was Nina & Vlad.
I may pick up the next in the storyline if I have nothing else to read at the moment, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy it.
April 13, 2015
An excellent premise is let down by a poor storyline and two very annoying leads. Sophie Lawson has almost no likeable qualities, she spends all her time making up stories in her head based upon TV shows. Which seems ridiculous given that she works at the Underworld Detection Agency (UDA) and her real life is much more interesting than most. But she's too busy sniffling, whining and moping over her lack of a normal childhood to embrace the moment. And why an "administrative assistant" should be assigned to work with police detective Parker Haynes is never properly explained, big deal she has access to the right files all she does is spend her time getting hot and bothered over Parker's hot bod - even though he's not a particularly nice guy. Where's the plot, the emotion or even the fun in this novel? Great looking cover and premise are seriously hampered by a storyline that limps along with no likeable characters and a really hard to relate to female lead that is just too inept and whiney to live
May 14, 2019
A lot sillier than I expected, with a heroine that's loyal but pretty air-headed, a world full of all types of creatures and a mystery that she's tasked to assist a detective on solving.
I saw a lot of the twists coming, including the fact that .
Amusing story that leaves off just before we can discover the mystery of Sophie's real identity. I might pick up Under Attack, the second book of the series out of curiosity at some point.
I saw a lot of the twists coming, including the fact that .
Amusing story that leaves off just before we can discover the mystery of Sophie's real identity. I might pick up Under Attack, the second book of the series out of curiosity at some point.
May 20, 2011
Under Wraps is the first book in the Underworld Detection Agency. I would have to agree that the cover of the book is definitely misleading and doesn’t portray out heroine correctly. Sophie has no clue how to use any weapons to protect herself or anyone else for that matter. The only thing they get close is her hair color. Maybe Jayne is looking into Sophie’s head when she daydreams that she can be like her vampire roommate Nina, and dress in leather, or believing that she can be another Charlie’s Angel or CSI agent.
The premise of the story itself is that someone is killing off supernaturals and taking certain body parts as a part of a collection. But, for what purpose are they being collected? When Sophie volunteers to work with the Detective in charge of the case, she ends up being one of those targets because of her family’s background.
Sophie, as a so called heroine, is really clueless. She doesn’t slay, kill, or stop anyone from hurting her, or her friend’s. She may or may not be a seer like her grandmother before her, but she still doesn’t show any powers. She thinks she does when her boss mentally contacts her, but, no that was only his thing.
The only positive; she is immune to magic which basically means that nobody can use a magical curse or instrument against her. She has no clue how to shoot a gun. The first time she actually tries, she shoots the ceiling, then the floor. Here is where I had yet another problem with the story. Where the hell was the hearing protection? This is the first time she’s held a gun, so, again, where were her safety goggles to protect her eyes from ejected clips?
Sophie Lawson is the only “breather” on the staff of the Underworld Detection Agency. She is an administrative assistant to her boss UDA chief Pete Simpson. Simpson is a werewolf that needs to be locked up in chains at night for his protection and as well as that of others. What sense does that even make? I can see this being true for that day, or week, or days when it’s a full moon, but each and every night? Then, the whole Nina forgetting about the chains and leaving without doing her job she promised. Ditzy and Klutzy get along real well in this story.
Yet another beef I had was the point where Jayne made anyone who is supernatural in ability, IE, Vampires, Werewolves, Trolls, Zombies, and Witches into being demons. Ok ::head to table hard several times:: Since when are witches demons?
Sophie supposingly can tell the difference between breathers and supernaturals, so, it is interesting when Detective Parker Hayes enters into the story and ends up working with Sophie that she can’t figure it out. Naturally, Hayes isn’t who, or what anyone thought he was unless you don’t count the Kishi who calls him angel. There were several hints throughout the book until it finally comes out that he is a fallen angel that lost a valuable pendant and is now earthbound. Her vampire roommate, Nina Lashay, is 167 years old, and even she with her vampire senses couldn’t tell what Hayes was.
Silliness: Sophie puts a pot roast in the microwave and it explodes. What does Sophie do? Thinks she’s been shot in the head and passes out! DOH! When someone breaks into her apartment instead of shooting at it, she instead, throws the gun at the intruder instead! Oh yeah, and she stores it in the freezer where she has easy access to it at all times.
So, in closing, Under Wraps is a combination of mystery, romance, and a little bit of bad humor and awful puns along the way. Steve the stalker troll was creepier than anyone I’ve met recently. Just call him a stalker and be done with it. Sophie is one of the most klutzy heroine’s ever to enter into the Urban Fantasy world. Her roommate Nina isn’t all that better in my humble opinion.
Will I eventually read the next book Under Attack when it releases in November 2011? Only time shall tell and that will be only if I don’t have 100 others books that are more interesting to me.
The premise of the story itself is that someone is killing off supernaturals and taking certain body parts as a part of a collection. But, for what purpose are they being collected? When Sophie volunteers to work with the Detective in charge of the case, she ends up being one of those targets because of her family’s background.
Sophie, as a so called heroine, is really clueless. She doesn’t slay, kill, or stop anyone from hurting her, or her friend’s. She may or may not be a seer like her grandmother before her, but she still doesn’t show any powers. She thinks she does when her boss mentally contacts her, but, no that was only his thing.
The only positive; she is immune to magic which basically means that nobody can use a magical curse or instrument against her. She has no clue how to shoot a gun. The first time she actually tries, she shoots the ceiling, then the floor. Here is where I had yet another problem with the story. Where the hell was the hearing protection? This is the first time she’s held a gun, so, again, where were her safety goggles to protect her eyes from ejected clips?
Sophie Lawson is the only “breather” on the staff of the Underworld Detection Agency. She is an administrative assistant to her boss UDA chief Pete Simpson. Simpson is a werewolf that needs to be locked up in chains at night for his protection and as well as that of others. What sense does that even make? I can see this being true for that day, or week, or days when it’s a full moon, but each and every night? Then, the whole Nina forgetting about the chains and leaving without doing her job she promised. Ditzy and Klutzy get along real well in this story.
Yet another beef I had was the point where Jayne made anyone who is supernatural in ability, IE, Vampires, Werewolves, Trolls, Zombies, and Witches into being demons. Ok ::head to table hard several times:: Since when are witches demons?
Sophie supposingly can tell the difference between breathers and supernaturals, so, it is interesting when Detective Parker Hayes enters into the story and ends up working with Sophie that she can’t figure it out. Naturally, Hayes isn’t who, or what anyone thought he was unless you don’t count the Kishi who calls him angel. There were several hints throughout the book until it finally comes out that he is a fallen angel that lost a valuable pendant and is now earthbound. Her vampire roommate, Nina Lashay, is 167 years old, and even she with her vampire senses couldn’t tell what Hayes was.
Silliness: Sophie puts a pot roast in the microwave and it explodes. What does Sophie do? Thinks she’s been shot in the head and passes out! DOH! When someone breaks into her apartment instead of shooting at it, she instead, throws the gun at the intruder instead! Oh yeah, and she stores it in the freezer where she has easy access to it at all times.
So, in closing, Under Wraps is a combination of mystery, romance, and a little bit of bad humor and awful puns along the way. Steve the stalker troll was creepier than anyone I’ve met recently. Just call him a stalker and be done with it. Sophie is one of the most klutzy heroine’s ever to enter into the Urban Fantasy world. Her roommate Nina isn’t all that better in my humble opinion.
Will I eventually read the next book Under Attack when it releases in November 2011? Only time shall tell and that will be only if I don’t have 100 others books that are more interesting to me.
March 23, 2011
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/03/rev...
Favorite Quote: “Anyone under three feet tall gives me the creeps; including my kids.“
Sophie Lawson is an “executive assistant” for the head of the UAD-Underworld Detection Agency. Considered a “norm” or “breather” in this all supernatural word, Sophie’s claim to fame is that she is a null. Meaning nothing magical works on her or against her. So Sophie spends her days wrangling all that is supernatural into neat productive beings. Rather like the DMV.
When a series of ritualistic murders hint at supernatural origins and Sophie’s boss, the smexy Mr. Sampson suddenly goes missing, Sophie partners up with Detective Parker Hayes to find the murderer and clear her boss’s good name.
Under Wraps is a funny, snarky, light hearted urban fantasy; reminiscent of Dakota Cassidy and Molly Harper. A character driven novel that revolves around Sophia Lawson; executive assistant extraordinaire for the UAD and her interesting friends. Witty and fast paced; I found myself easily swept up into Ms. Jayne’s world.
Sophie, our protagonist, is a human working in a world of supernaturals. Hailing from a family of seers, Sophie’s powers never manifested beyond her ability to null magical abilities. Unlike many urban fantansy heroines, Sophie isn’t a ‘kick arse take no prisoners chick’. She is modest, ditsy, and loyal beyond belief. She does however have the power of snark and snappy comebacks which works greatly in her favor. Her inner musings about becoming a kick arse take no prisoners chick, with the wardrobe to match, is hilarious. Ms. Jayne develops Sophie slowly, allowing us a chance to get to know and love her.
Detective Parker Hayes is an enigma. Easy on the eyes and a terrible flirt, he keeps Sophie on her toes and invokes hot steamy feelings in Sophie that makes her very nervous. The banter between them is fantastic and keeps the storyline flowing smoothly.
“So what are you? A leprechaun?”
“I am NOT a leprechaun!”
“So? What are you then?”
“My grandmother was a mystic-a seer...”
“Can you read minds?”
“I think I might be able to read yours.”
“There’s that leprechaun spunk I like.”
*****************************************************
“So you think I’m DEAD?!”
“Okay, undead, whatever.”
“I’m not! Feel this. See? Flesh and blood.”
“So your not dead.”
“Then what am I?”
“A big girl?”
I did have a problem with Parker at the end though. The flirting is nice and makes for some fantastic sexual tension but towards the end, I felt some of the things he does are a bit off. He plays with her emotions, knowing how she feels about him, and by the 4th to 5th time I wanted Sophie to tell him to “put out or get out.”
We also get the hints of a possible love triangle but we shall have to wait and see.
The secondary cast of characters are an eccentric and quirky bunch. Steve the lovesick troll who speaks in the 3rd person because, and I quote, “Steve is a whole lot of man.” Nina, Sophie's vampire roommate, who’s sex advice and fashion wardrobe are over the top. Vlad, the wannabe impaler, (aka Louis) a teenage vampire who plays video games all the while plotting the demise of man kind. Paired with Chevy driving centaurs and a Tupperware selling witch; they all kept me in stitches.
The main conflict is slow to develop and doesn’t develop as deeply in the arc as I would have liked, but does wrap up nicely in a flurry of action and suspense. We are left with some interesting questions and a cliffhanger that has me wanting the second installment of this series, Under Attack, which is set to release November 2011. Under Wraps is a nice addition to the urban fantasy genre and I recommend this to anyone who loves snark, humor, mystery, and a smidgen of romance in their paranormal diet.
Rating: C+
Favorite Quote: “Anyone under three feet tall gives me the creeps; including my kids.“
Sophie Lawson is an “executive assistant” for the head of the UAD-Underworld Detection Agency. Considered a “norm” or “breather” in this all supernatural word, Sophie’s claim to fame is that she is a null. Meaning nothing magical works on her or against her. So Sophie spends her days wrangling all that is supernatural into neat productive beings. Rather like the DMV.
When a series of ritualistic murders hint at supernatural origins and Sophie’s boss, the smexy Mr. Sampson suddenly goes missing, Sophie partners up with Detective Parker Hayes to find the murderer and clear her boss’s good name.
Under Wraps is a funny, snarky, light hearted urban fantasy; reminiscent of Dakota Cassidy and Molly Harper. A character driven novel that revolves around Sophia Lawson; executive assistant extraordinaire for the UAD and her interesting friends. Witty and fast paced; I found myself easily swept up into Ms. Jayne’s world.
Sophie, our protagonist, is a human working in a world of supernaturals. Hailing from a family of seers, Sophie’s powers never manifested beyond her ability to null magical abilities. Unlike many urban fantansy heroines, Sophie isn’t a ‘kick arse take no prisoners chick’. She is modest, ditsy, and loyal beyond belief. She does however have the power of snark and snappy comebacks which works greatly in her favor. Her inner musings about becoming a kick arse take no prisoners chick, with the wardrobe to match, is hilarious. Ms. Jayne develops Sophie slowly, allowing us a chance to get to know and love her.
Detective Parker Hayes is an enigma. Easy on the eyes and a terrible flirt, he keeps Sophie on her toes and invokes hot steamy feelings in Sophie that makes her very nervous. The banter between them is fantastic and keeps the storyline flowing smoothly.
“So what are you? A leprechaun?”
“I am NOT a leprechaun!”
“So? What are you then?”
“My grandmother was a mystic-a seer...”
“Can you read minds?”
“I think I might be able to read yours.”
“There’s that leprechaun spunk I like.”
*****************************************************
“So you think I’m DEAD?!”
“Okay, undead, whatever.”
“I’m not! Feel this. See? Flesh and blood.”
“So your not dead.”
“Then what am I?”
“A big girl?”
I did have a problem with Parker at the end though. The flirting is nice and makes for some fantastic sexual tension but towards the end, I felt some of the things he does are a bit off. He plays with her emotions, knowing how she feels about him, and by the 4th to 5th time I wanted Sophie to tell him to “put out or get out.”
We also get the hints of a possible love triangle but we shall have to wait and see.
The secondary cast of characters are an eccentric and quirky bunch. Steve the lovesick troll who speaks in the 3rd person because, and I quote, “Steve is a whole lot of man.” Nina, Sophie's vampire roommate, who’s sex advice and fashion wardrobe are over the top. Vlad, the wannabe impaler, (aka Louis) a teenage vampire who plays video games all the while plotting the demise of man kind. Paired with Chevy driving centaurs and a Tupperware selling witch; they all kept me in stitches.
The main conflict is slow to develop and doesn’t develop as deeply in the arc as I would have liked, but does wrap up nicely in a flurry of action and suspense. We are left with some interesting questions and a cliffhanger that has me wanting the second installment of this series, Under Attack, which is set to release November 2011. Under Wraps is a nice addition to the urban fantasy genre and I recommend this to anyone who loves snark, humor, mystery, and a smidgen of romance in their paranormal diet.
Rating: C+
April 8, 2023
What the blood heck am I reading? I’m baffled by the Under Wraps novel.
Under Wraps is book one in the Underworld Detection Agency by Hannah Jayne.
I picked this novel up; because of the cool cover and blurb, but let me tell you they are both deceiving and miss leading. They imply a kick-ass chick, edgy world, intense mystery and exciting world building, but this is NOT true.
Lets start with the characters: None of them are interesting or gripping.
- Sophie, our heroine and the lead of this story comes off as a jungle cat in-heat, man-hungry wimp, ditzy & whiney. The blurb implies she knows everything about supernaturals, but oh my god she has no clue. Yes, she knows a little, but she is no expert. As for her job she is a glorified security who insists on be called an ‘excitative assistant’. Their are no interesting qualities about her. At the beginning of the story she insists on helping the police and imagines herself as “CSI Sophie” or “Charlie’s Angels,” but when they tell her about the dead bodies and when she sees one, she gets sick and whiny. The other thing that irritated me was her over the top hormonal fantasies about her boss, detective Hayes, or any hot guy that crosses her path. I’m baffled that she was even assigned to work a murder mystery cast with Detective Hayes.
- Detective Parker Hayes, our hero and possible love interest, thou Sophie also has a thing for her boss. Parker thinks he’s gods gift to women. He comes off as a playboy and that every women should fall to his charms and into bed with him. He has no drive to solve the case and more interest in flirting with Sophie.
- Then we have the secondary characters; Nina, the vampire roommate and her nephew, Linus, who insist on being called Vlad (cue eye roll). The nephew was turned as a 16-year-old, so he’s got all this teenage anguish going on. He’s over 114 and you’d think that after so many years he’d have grown out of the teenage crap, but nope. Then the roommate, Nina, she’s self-absorbed and takes advantage of Sophie. In one of the scene with the Nina, she was asked to do one thing for Sophie. What happens? She forgets to do it, which is chain up their boss, who is a werewolf. What really ticked me off is that she couldn't be bothered to go back and actually do it; because she has to go to a club.
As for the story. The plot is all over the place, the murder mystery isn’t even worked on, the UDA is not even a policy agency, and their is no world building.
- The UDA - Underworld Detection Agency sounds like it’s a supernatural police force, keeping supernaturals under control and following the law, but it’s more like the social security service. I can’t figure out how the UDA gets involved with the police.
- Then the scene that really had me rolling my eyes and throwing in the towel was around 55%; when the cop teaches her to shoot a gun. What does she do? She pulls the trigger for the first time and starts to yell and jump up and down with a loaded gun in her hands. That was just down right ridicules.
- Last, they have a murderer on the loose, her boss is missing and someone is stalking her. Yet, their is no drive or hurry to find out what’s going on. They have time to do other things like eat, go to the shooting rang, a club, etc.. but nothing is being done to process the story and figure out what’s going on.
Under Wraps had so much ridiculousness and way to many things wrong with it for me to even continue with the story. This one was not for me and I'd recommend avoiding it, but if the blurb intrigues you, give it a shot.
Rated: DNF'd at 55%
Under Wraps is book one in the Underworld Detection Agency by Hannah Jayne.
I picked this novel up; because of the cool cover and blurb, but let me tell you they are both deceiving and miss leading. They imply a kick-ass chick, edgy world, intense mystery and exciting world building, but this is NOT true.
Lets start with the characters: None of them are interesting or gripping.
- Sophie, our heroine and the lead of this story comes off as a jungle cat in-heat, man-hungry wimp, ditzy & whiney. The blurb implies she knows everything about supernaturals, but oh my god she has no clue. Yes, she knows a little, but she is no expert. As for her job she is a glorified security who insists on be called an ‘excitative assistant’. Their are no interesting qualities about her. At the beginning of the story she insists on helping the police and imagines herself as “CSI Sophie” or “Charlie’s Angels,” but when they tell her about the dead bodies and when she sees one, she gets sick and whiny. The other thing that irritated me was her over the top hormonal fantasies about her boss, detective Hayes, or any hot guy that crosses her path. I’m baffled that she was even assigned to work a murder mystery cast with Detective Hayes.
- Detective Parker Hayes, our hero and possible love interest, thou Sophie also has a thing for her boss. Parker thinks he’s gods gift to women. He comes off as a playboy and that every women should fall to his charms and into bed with him. He has no drive to solve the case and more interest in flirting with Sophie.
- Then we have the secondary characters; Nina, the vampire roommate and her nephew, Linus, who insist on being called Vlad (cue eye roll). The nephew was turned as a 16-year-old, so he’s got all this teenage anguish going on. He’s over 114 and you’d think that after so many years he’d have grown out of the teenage crap, but nope. Then the roommate, Nina, she’s self-absorbed and takes advantage of Sophie. In one of the scene with the Nina, she was asked to do one thing for Sophie. What happens? She forgets to do it, which is chain up their boss, who is a werewolf. What really ticked me off is that she couldn't be bothered to go back and actually do it; because she has to go to a club.
As for the story. The plot is all over the place, the murder mystery isn’t even worked on, the UDA is not even a policy agency, and their is no world building.
- The UDA - Underworld Detection Agency sounds like it’s a supernatural police force, keeping supernaturals under control and following the law, but it’s more like the social security service. I can’t figure out how the UDA gets involved with the police.
- Then the scene that really had me rolling my eyes and throwing in the towel was around 55%; when the cop teaches her to shoot a gun. What does she do? She pulls the trigger for the first time and starts to yell and jump up and down with a loaded gun in her hands. That was just down right ridicules.
- Last, they have a murderer on the loose, her boss is missing and someone is stalking her. Yet, their is no drive or hurry to find out what’s going on. They have time to do other things like eat, go to the shooting rang, a club, etc.. but nothing is being done to process the story and figure out what’s going on.
Under Wraps had so much ridiculousness and way to many things wrong with it for me to even continue with the story. This one was not for me and I'd recommend avoiding it, but if the blurb intrigues you, give it a shot.
Rated: DNF'd at 55%
April 27, 2011
Quick & Dirty: The suspense and danger of this story sizzle out and was never fully fleshed out. Unfortunately, this entry to the paranormal subgenre barely registers.
Opening Sentence: This was why I didn’t do magic.
The Review:
Sophie Lawson has been tasked with assisting detective Parker Hayes’ murder investigation. Matters are further complicated when her boss goes missing. Sophie and Parker work together to solve the murders and find out what happened to her boss.
Under Wraps is the first book in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles. I should also note that this isn’t an urban fantasy series. While the cover art portrays your typical no nonsense, come and get some urban fantasy heroine, it’s completely misleading.
Under Wraps ended up being just a so-so read for me. The story is narrated by our protagonist, Sophie Lawson. She works as an administrative assistant at Underworld Detection Agency. Sophie is a likable character, but she’s just not believable in her given role. Sophie is more of a hapless heroine with a heart of gold. She’s easily distracted and not very practical or knowledgeable when it comes to detective work. The idea that Sophie would be a useful asset in the investigation is completely ridiculous. Sophie and Parker have a shared chemistry, but most of the surrounding cast are superfluous characters.
The central plot just isn’t very interesting or compelling. The elements of mystery and danger didn’t do much to move the story forward. The lack of tension, character motivations and conflicts are apparent. Simply put, witty and snarky dialog can’t save this story.
Overall, Under Wraps is a fairly lightweight novel. If you’re looking for an amusing afternoon read, then you might enjoy this story. For those of you looking for a gritty, complex and intriguing urban fantasy world — you won’t find that here.
Notable Scene:
The gun bobbed in my hands, and I tried to grip it more tightly, the cold from the frozen steel and my own warm sweat making my palms itch. I was within reaching distance for the phone when I was startled by the sudden silence and then a deep, low breathing. I glanced up, seeing the shrouded figure hunched in the doorway. I stepped back, steeled myself, and leveled the gun. I felt the power roil through me as my fingers inched toward the trigger. I clamped my eyes shut and wrenched my mouth open, letting out a wailing howl as I pulled back and launched. I opened my eyes just enough to see the dark figure over the barrel of the gun as he tore back toward the window, hurling himself over my table and scraping the window sill before he disappeared into the darkness.
My legs felt rubbery and hot; I sank onto the carpet and crab crawled into my bedroom. I chanced a glance out the window, but there was nothing below. Whoever had broken in was long gone. So I clamped the window shut, throwing the lock and closing the curtains and blinds for good measure. I crawled to my nightstand, leveled my breath, and dialed the phone.
The Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles Series:
1. Under Wraps
2. Under Attack
FTC Advisory: Kensington provided me with a copy of Under Wraps. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
Opening Sentence: This was why I didn’t do magic.
The Review:
Sophie Lawson has been tasked with assisting detective Parker Hayes’ murder investigation. Matters are further complicated when her boss goes missing. Sophie and Parker work together to solve the murders and find out what happened to her boss.
Under Wraps is the first book in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles. I should also note that this isn’t an urban fantasy series. While the cover art portrays your typical no nonsense, come and get some urban fantasy heroine, it’s completely misleading.
Under Wraps ended up being just a so-so read for me. The story is narrated by our protagonist, Sophie Lawson. She works as an administrative assistant at Underworld Detection Agency. Sophie is a likable character, but she’s just not believable in her given role. Sophie is more of a hapless heroine with a heart of gold. She’s easily distracted and not very practical or knowledgeable when it comes to detective work. The idea that Sophie would be a useful asset in the investigation is completely ridiculous. Sophie and Parker have a shared chemistry, but most of the surrounding cast are superfluous characters.
The central plot just isn’t very interesting or compelling. The elements of mystery and danger didn’t do much to move the story forward. The lack of tension, character motivations and conflicts are apparent. Simply put, witty and snarky dialog can’t save this story.
Overall, Under Wraps is a fairly lightweight novel. If you’re looking for an amusing afternoon read, then you might enjoy this story. For those of you looking for a gritty, complex and intriguing urban fantasy world — you won’t find that here.
Notable Scene:
The gun bobbed in my hands, and I tried to grip it more tightly, the cold from the frozen steel and my own warm sweat making my palms itch. I was within reaching distance for the phone when I was startled by the sudden silence and then a deep, low breathing. I glanced up, seeing the shrouded figure hunched in the doorway. I stepped back, steeled myself, and leveled the gun. I felt the power roil through me as my fingers inched toward the trigger. I clamped my eyes shut and wrenched my mouth open, letting out a wailing howl as I pulled back and launched. I opened my eyes just enough to see the dark figure over the barrel of the gun as he tore back toward the window, hurling himself over my table and scraping the window sill before he disappeared into the darkness.
My legs felt rubbery and hot; I sank onto the carpet and crab crawled into my bedroom. I chanced a glance out the window, but there was nothing below. Whoever had broken in was long gone. So I clamped the window shut, throwing the lock and closing the curtains and blinds for good measure. I crawled to my nightstand, leveled my breath, and dialed the phone.
The Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles Series:
1. Under Wraps
2. Under Attack
FTC Advisory: Kensington provided me with a copy of Under Wraps. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
March 6, 2011
This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.
Under Wraps is that rare gem of a novel--something you find quite by accident and without knowing much about it. I found it during one of my incredibly long searches on Amazon, and after I featured it one WoW, Hannah contacted me to offer a copy for review. I jumped at the chance, and I'm so glad I did. Hannah Jayne's debut is fun, funny, sexy and deliciously creative. The book world is full of Urban Fantasies. It takes talent to stand out--and Hannah Jayne certainly has that.
Under Wraps tells the story of Sophie Lawson, an every day girl in a paranormal world. Her claim to fame is her immunity to all things magical. But besides stellar organizational ability, that's her only talent. She isn't a vampire or a witch or a werewolf. That makes her an outsider, too. So when she meets Parker Hayes, a detective from the "normal" police force, she's happy to be his guide on all things paranormal. It doesn't hurt that Parker is sinfully looking, or that he and Sophie have almost immediate chemistry.
Helping out with a murder investigation does for Sophie what it would do for any of us: sends her off into amusing fantasies that feature her fighting crime in floor-length leather jackets and high heels. As she quickly discovers, however, detecting isn't all smooth moves and cool clothes. For one thing, it involves real dead people. And the case she and Parker are working on has deeper implications than anyone realizes.
My favorite aspect of the book was the characters. I loved Sophie. She's funny and she's (to me, anyway) easily relate-able. It's not hard for a character to win me over by displaying a sense of humor, and that's what Sophie (and Hannah Jayne) did in Under Wraps. Sophie wasn't the only one I enjoyed. Parker Hayes is great, too, and the relationship between him and Sophie is awesome. These two don't want to jump each others' bones the moment they meet. Yes, there's an attraction, and Sophie has a little crush, but she doesn't spend quality narrative time speculating on what's in his, er...pants. She notices attractive things about Parker, but they don't keep her from acting naturally about 75% of the time. And when she can't quite pull it off, it's still funny. These two take the time to get friendly, and to form a connection that isn't about s-e-x.
Besides the characters, there are a number of elements that make this novel delightful. There's the troll, Steve, who is Sophie's stalker/admirer, and talks about himself in the third person. Sophie's roommate's nephew comes to visit. He's a perpetual sixteen-year-old who has changed his name to Vlad and joined VERM (Vampire Empowerment and Restoration Movement). At one point, there's also a gun in the freezer. The world-building is great, and the flavor of San Francisco floats around in the background. If you enjoy Urban Fantasy that has a lighter tone, I highly suggest Under Wraps. Even if you're not, give the Underworld Detection Agency a try. I dare you.
Under Wraps is that rare gem of a novel--something you find quite by accident and without knowing much about it. I found it during one of my incredibly long searches on Amazon, and after I featured it one WoW, Hannah contacted me to offer a copy for review. I jumped at the chance, and I'm so glad I did. Hannah Jayne's debut is fun, funny, sexy and deliciously creative. The book world is full of Urban Fantasies. It takes talent to stand out--and Hannah Jayne certainly has that.
Under Wraps tells the story of Sophie Lawson, an every day girl in a paranormal world. Her claim to fame is her immunity to all things magical. But besides stellar organizational ability, that's her only talent. She isn't a vampire or a witch or a werewolf. That makes her an outsider, too. So when she meets Parker Hayes, a detective from the "normal" police force, she's happy to be his guide on all things paranormal. It doesn't hurt that Parker is sinfully looking, or that he and Sophie have almost immediate chemistry.
Helping out with a murder investigation does for Sophie what it would do for any of us: sends her off into amusing fantasies that feature her fighting crime in floor-length leather jackets and high heels. As she quickly discovers, however, detecting isn't all smooth moves and cool clothes. For one thing, it involves real dead people. And the case she and Parker are working on has deeper implications than anyone realizes.
My favorite aspect of the book was the characters. I loved Sophie. She's funny and she's (to me, anyway) easily relate-able. It's not hard for a character to win me over by displaying a sense of humor, and that's what Sophie (and Hannah Jayne) did in Under Wraps. Sophie wasn't the only one I enjoyed. Parker Hayes is great, too, and the relationship between him and Sophie is awesome. These two don't want to jump each others' bones the moment they meet. Yes, there's an attraction, and Sophie has a little crush, but she doesn't spend quality narrative time speculating on what's in his, er...pants. She notices attractive things about Parker, but they don't keep her from acting naturally about 75% of the time. And when she can't quite pull it off, it's still funny. These two take the time to get friendly, and to form a connection that isn't about s-e-x.
Besides the characters, there are a number of elements that make this novel delightful. There's the troll, Steve, who is Sophie's stalker/admirer, and talks about himself in the third person. Sophie's roommate's nephew comes to visit. He's a perpetual sixteen-year-old who has changed his name to Vlad and joined VERM (Vampire Empowerment and Restoration Movement). At one point, there's also a gun in the freezer. The world-building is great, and the flavor of San Francisco floats around in the background. If you enjoy Urban Fantasy that has a lighter tone, I highly suggest Under Wraps. Even if you're not, give the Underworld Detection Agency a try. I dare you.
March 2, 2011
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
The cover art for UNDER WRAPS is completely gorgeous. It’s also completely wrong for this story. Just by looking at it, you would expect a dark, gritty urban fantasy featuring a tough and sexy protagonist, right? Wrong. UNDER WRAPS has a decidedly more playful, chick lit tone with a hapless heroine who is almost the polar opposite of the fierce looking model on the cover. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does give the wrong impression.
Now that we’ve set the record straight, UNDER WRAPS is a fun book. There’s a wide and wacky cast of creatures in this story ranging from a two foot tall troll who reminded me of Joe Jr. in While You Where Sleeping, a 100+ year old vampire who is stuck with the maturity—and body—of a sixteen year old boy: surly and hormonal forever, and an assortment of centaurs, zombies, pixies, werewolves, and just about every supernatural creature you can imagine.
Sophie is a likeable lead as well. She’s working a desk job at the Underworld Detection Agency (which is a lot like the DMV) when she gets paired up with a dreamy detective to solve a supernatural crime in the unsuspecting ‘normal’ world. She ends up battling her hormones as much as any actual foes, and while she gets a kick out of ‘playing CSI,’ she’s in way over her head most of the time and squeaks by on dumb luck more often than not. Still, she’s an endearing, if overly guy crazy character who injected every scene with levity and kept the plot from ever dragging.
Overall, UNDER WRAPS reminded me of a supernatural Janet Evanovich novel: a light and funny mystery with zany characters, a couple of gorgeous guys, and a heroine with heart but severely lacking in the skills department. If you always wondered what a Stephanie Plum novel would be like if Ranger was a werewolf and the population was largely paranormal, you’ll probably love this book. Just don’t expect it to be the next Rachel Morgan series. The next installment in the Underworld Detection Agency will be published on November 1st 2011 by Kensington
Sexual Content:
Kissing. Lots of sexual innuendo.
The cover art for UNDER WRAPS is completely gorgeous. It’s also completely wrong for this story. Just by looking at it, you would expect a dark, gritty urban fantasy featuring a tough and sexy protagonist, right? Wrong. UNDER WRAPS has a decidedly more playful, chick lit tone with a hapless heroine who is almost the polar opposite of the fierce looking model on the cover. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does give the wrong impression.
Now that we’ve set the record straight, UNDER WRAPS is a fun book. There’s a wide and wacky cast of creatures in this story ranging from a two foot tall troll who reminded me of Joe Jr. in While You Where Sleeping, a 100+ year old vampire who is stuck with the maturity—and body—of a sixteen year old boy: surly and hormonal forever, and an assortment of centaurs, zombies, pixies, werewolves, and just about every supernatural creature you can imagine.
Sophie is a likeable lead as well. She’s working a desk job at the Underworld Detection Agency (which is a lot like the DMV) when she gets paired up with a dreamy detective to solve a supernatural crime in the unsuspecting ‘normal’ world. She ends up battling her hormones as much as any actual foes, and while she gets a kick out of ‘playing CSI,’ she’s in way over her head most of the time and squeaks by on dumb luck more often than not. Still, she’s an endearing, if overly guy crazy character who injected every scene with levity and kept the plot from ever dragging.
Overall, UNDER WRAPS reminded me of a supernatural Janet Evanovich novel: a light and funny mystery with zany characters, a couple of gorgeous guys, and a heroine with heart but severely lacking in the skills department. If you always wondered what a Stephanie Plum novel would be like if Ranger was a werewolf and the population was largely paranormal, you’ll probably love this book. Just don’t expect it to be the next Rachel Morgan series. The next installment in the Underworld Detection Agency will be published on November 1st 2011 by Kensington
Sexual Content:
Kissing. Lots of sexual innuendo.
March 7, 2011
I have really been looking for something different to read, but stay in the world of Vampires, Werewolves, Fae etc. Under Wraps is just what I was looking for and much much more! Sophie works for the UDA the underworld Detective Agency. She is the only mortal living there; well she’s kind of mortal her ability to not be affected by magic helps out in a world where everyone uses magic in the Underworld. Her boss Sampson is a hot werewolf, her best friend is a vampire, and her grandmother was a seer before she past making Sophie thinks she might get those abilities one day.
The action begins when a detective from the mortal world come into the Underworld and visits the UDA. There have been strange murders happening and Parker Hayes comes in to ask Sophie’s boss Sampson for help. But since there are circumstances that keep Sampson in the Underworld he sends Sophie to help Hayes since the case shows unusual signs that connect it to the Underworld. Hayes and Sophie have a fun bickering relationship right of and she doesn’t give in that easily even though she wants to. I liked how normal she was and that at the murder scenes she wasn’t the normal tough heroine that can handle death, she felt and got sick from the scene.
After the murder occurs her boss Sampson goes missing which stir things up in the Underworld since he is a key figure. Hayes and Sophie work together to find out the murders and Sampson disappearance are connected. Lots of action, creatures popping in and out, learning how to use a gun, and some hilarious scenes happen with the Hayes and Sophie. Plus her new partner Parker Hayes has his own secret and Sophie and her best friend start to figure it out.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters her best friend who is a vampire is funny and a shopaholic, who also has a nephew who decides to be called Vlad. It was a quick and awesome read and I can’t wait for the second one. The ending is a good cliffhanger so I was happy that I don’t have to be depressed for so long waiting for the next but I still am excited to have this new series.
The action begins when a detective from the mortal world come into the Underworld and visits the UDA. There have been strange murders happening and Parker Hayes comes in to ask Sophie’s boss Sampson for help. But since there are circumstances that keep Sampson in the Underworld he sends Sophie to help Hayes since the case shows unusual signs that connect it to the Underworld. Hayes and Sophie have a fun bickering relationship right of and she doesn’t give in that easily even though she wants to. I liked how normal she was and that at the murder scenes she wasn’t the normal tough heroine that can handle death, she felt and got sick from the scene.
After the murder occurs her boss Sampson goes missing which stir things up in the Underworld since he is a key figure. Hayes and Sophie work together to find out the murders and Sampson disappearance are connected. Lots of action, creatures popping in and out, learning how to use a gun, and some hilarious scenes happen with the Hayes and Sophie. Plus her new partner Parker Hayes has his own secret and Sophie and her best friend start to figure it out.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters her best friend who is a vampire is funny and a shopaholic, who also has a nephew who decides to be called Vlad. It was a quick and awesome read and I can’t wait for the second one. The ending is a good cliffhanger so I was happy that I don’t have to be depressed for so long waiting for the next but I still am excited to have this new series.
December 29, 2012
As seen on Rabidreads.ca:
I am tempted to take Under Wraps to town for its bland title, throwaway drama, annoyingly plain narrator, and revolving door of side characters which come off more as caricatures. But that would be to waste gas. Under Wraps excels at shining light on the little guy, specifically a troll by the name of Steve, who refers to himself in the third person, dresses like a porno agent, smells funky as rotten potatoes, cheese, and rotisserie chicken, moves furniture in Sophie's office, and has an undying ache for our protagonist Sophie. It would be silly of me to praise Under Wraps for cultivating a character that like Zach Galifianakis's appearances in the Hangover and the Hangover II energizes people just because of how little he understands reality. There are numerous other movies, books, TV shows, and plays that do the same, making us hope for just one more scene with this hopelessly out-of-place character. Under Wraps just happens to fulfill the satisfying quotient of appearances and, by some complete grace, incorporate several other faces that I don't mind seeing over and over again such as a fashion-obsessed vampire roommate (a contraption that is fast going cliche), a morbid sixteen year old trapped in a one hundred seventy year old vampire's body (a contraption that really works here, especially with him being the nephew of the previously aforementioned vampire roommate), and, who can forget, our red-headed, five foot five protagonist who, more often than not, certainly more often than she is supposed to, and knows it, imagines herself as an agent on CSI. These touches on the symptoms and quirks of the characters, rather than say the shape of the plot, are what make Under Wraps a worthwhile read.
I am tempted to take Under Wraps to town for its bland title, throwaway drama, annoyingly plain narrator, and revolving door of side characters which come off more as caricatures. But that would be to waste gas. Under Wraps excels at shining light on the little guy, specifically a troll by the name of Steve, who refers to himself in the third person, dresses like a porno agent, smells funky as rotten potatoes, cheese, and rotisserie chicken, moves furniture in Sophie's office, and has an undying ache for our protagonist Sophie. It would be silly of me to praise Under Wraps for cultivating a character that like Zach Galifianakis's appearances in the Hangover and the Hangover II energizes people just because of how little he understands reality. There are numerous other movies, books, TV shows, and plays that do the same, making us hope for just one more scene with this hopelessly out-of-place character. Under Wraps just happens to fulfill the satisfying quotient of appearances and, by some complete grace, incorporate several other faces that I don't mind seeing over and over again such as a fashion-obsessed vampire roommate (a contraption that is fast going cliche), a morbid sixteen year old trapped in a one hundred seventy year old vampire's body (a contraption that really works here, especially with him being the nephew of the previously aforementioned vampire roommate), and, who can forget, our red-headed, five foot five protagonist who, more often than not, certainly more often than she is supposed to, and knows it, imagines herself as an agent on CSI. These touches on the symptoms and quirks of the characters, rather than say the shape of the plot, are what make Under Wraps a worthwhile read.
June 27, 2011
This cover has caused a bit of a stir among readers.
So, without giving too much of the story away. I'll tell you how I feel about this book now that I have finished it.
It was a slow start for me, because as it has been stated by others . . the cover and story don't match 100%. So, that in itself threw me for a loop. However, once I got past the first few chapters . . I was hooked. At one point I was laughing so hard, my 3 yr old told me to quiet down. I myself, never felt like I had the book figured out . . so it kept me on my toes, kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next.
This book had it all from the twist and turns of what's next, to the vampires, trolls, and many other underworld creatures, to the bits of romance, to the comedy. It was overall a very enjoyable read.
I will be looking forward to the next book, due out 11-1-11.
So, without giving too much of the story away. I'll tell you how I feel about this book now that I have finished it.
It was a slow start for me, because as it has been stated by others . . the cover and story don't match 100%. So, that in itself threw me for a loop. However, once I got past the first few chapters . . I was hooked. At one point I was laughing so hard, my 3 yr old told me to quiet down. I myself, never felt like I had the book figured out . . so it kept me on my toes, kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next.
This book had it all from the twist and turns of what's next, to the vampires, trolls, and many other underworld creatures, to the bits of romance, to the comedy. It was overall a very enjoyable read.
I will be looking forward to the next book, due out 11-1-11.
May 19, 2012
I really liked this book, it was funny and interesting in a campy Buffy the Vampire Slayer type way.
The lack of four stars comes from the ending where the author kept going after what felt like the finale to set up for the next book.
There were also a few editing errors where spelling was an issue and the wrong words used.
All in all it was a good debut and I picked up book two and am excited to read it to see if the author has grown.
The lack of four stars comes from the ending where the author kept going after what felt like the finale to set up for the next book.
There were also a few editing errors where spelling was an issue and the wrong words used.
All in all it was a good debut and I picked up book two and am excited to read it to see if the author has grown.
November 13, 2015
Some funny moments and an interesting premise, so a mostly enjoyable read. Sophie tends to have lots of similar thoughts and I could have used some more action, but I will continue in the series to see how things progress.
November 21, 2012
This book just wasn't for me. The back and forth between her thinking she was a badass and than being a wimp annoyed me. Parker, I mean Alex ran hot and cold throughout as well. I think my favorite character was Vlad and really that is just sad. This book fell short for me in so many ways.
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