Synopsis: She knows she's smart, but she's bored. When Sophie meets "Sam," a pre-Internet police detective who depends on her professional skills at the Dorado Bay Public Library, she decides to retire and go freelance. He's reluctant to hire her as a consulting researcher until she beats him to the murder scene and knows the victim. They awkwardly proceed to solve the crime with opposing techniques, uncovering a decades-old killing corporation and a religious cult, all in the same dysfunctional family.
Sophie Redesigned is the first in a series of Sophie and Sam collaborations to solve crimes committed under Sophie's sharp nose for trouble. Elder issues drive the plots while family ties are tested, including Sophie's relationship with her son Robin, who thinks "active retirement" should not mean sneaking around the country for clues. Then there's the problem of growing warmth between two senior citizens who are past their romantic prime. Or are they?
About the author:
Karen Dahood is a septuagenarian whose nonfiction writing career has included all of the arts and humanities and some health care. Elder issues became a special interest as she witnessed older friends and family members struggle to keep their dignity in a culture of ageism and denial. Check out her website too!
Review: I LOVE this book! What a refreshing book to find that the lead female character is over 65 AND has all her marbles and is not 'just a grandmother type'! If you think of Ms. Marple updated to Florida, you've got Sophie in a nutshell. Truly, as I was reading this book, I kept nodding my heading and saying, "yup, move Marple to Florida, born later in the US and bam- you've got Sophie". The other thing I was thinking was this book SO SO SO needs to be a movie! Even if they just used the characters and location and gave them a tv series, it would be so much FUN! The other thing about this book is that it is in large print. Yes, I know, that's because of who the 'intended' audience is for, BUT when it's late and you're reading, or you're out at the pool reading, the large print is heaven!
It is so wonderful to read a book that makes you go 'why has no one else thought of this?' If you want a quick and fun summer read to read and pass among all your friends, this IS the book!
AND, she already has more books in the series ready to go: watch for WINDOW ON THE POND, THRIFT SHOP, GIPSIES, TROUT SNUGGLES, and HOUSE ON FIRE. Click on the link for more info about each book!
Review: I LOVE this book! What a refreshing book to find that the lead female character is over 65 AND has all her marbles and is not 'just a grandmother type'! If you think of Ms. Marple updated to Florida, you've got Sophie in a nutshell. Truly, as I was reading this book, I kept nodding my heading and saying, "yup, move Marple to Florida, born later in the US and bam- you've got Sophie". The other thing I was thinking was this book SO SO SO needs to be a movie! Even if they just used the characters and location and gave them a tv series, it would be so much FUN! The other thing about this book is that it is in large print. Yes, I know, that's because of who the 'intended' audience is for, BUT when it's late and you're reading, or you're out at the pool reading, the large print is heaven!
It is so wonderful to read a book that makes you go 'why has no one else thought of this?' If you want a quick and fun summer read to read and pass among all your friends, this IS the book!
AND, she already has more books in the series ready to go: watch for WINDOW ON THE POND, THRIFT SHOP, GIPSIES, TROUT SNUGGLES, and HOUSE ON FIRE. Click on the link for more info about each book!
Disclosure: This book was sent to me free of charge, for review purposes, by the author herself. I was not told how to review it however!