Saturday 18 May 2013

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

 GoodReads: Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?


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Expected publication date: 11/06/13

Mystery mixed with a touch of romance. Spies and Prejudice is a must read for fans of Veronica Mars!

Berry Fields works as a PI at her dad's private investigation firm, collecting evidence of the affairs she's certain all men commit. After an incident in the 8th grade involving pepper spray boys haven't exactly been lining up to date her. And she's cool with that, because really, who has time for liars and cheaters? Certainly not her.

One day after a stakeout Berry witnesses her best friend's father secretly exchanging a document that has to do with her mother's death. She never believed that her mother committed suicide, so this is the perfect opportunity for her to finally find out the truth about her death. Berry is thrust into a sticky situation, though. In order to find out more information she must sneak into her bf's fathers study...is finding out the truth really worth betraying her best friend?...

Spies and Prejudice features a fun and colourful set of characters. It's a refreshing change to read about a set of high schoolers that aren't dramatic or angst-y, but are still relatable. Berry was a fantastic protagonist. Strong and sassy, she is a no-nonsense kind of girl, who doesn't take crap from anyone. I also liked Berry's gadget making best friend Mary Chris. The genuine sense of friendship between these two was sweet.

When Tanner comes rolling into town Berry's life is turned upside down. She wants nothing to do with him, but she can't seem to get away from him as he always seems to pop up at the most inconvenient times  (specifically when she's trying to investigate her mother's death.)  Berry can't help but question why. Is trying to protect her? or is he trying to stop her from finding out the truth? Just what is Tanner hiding?

The whole 'handsome, but arrogant' love interest has been done time and time again, but Vance has created a love interest with a difference. While the romance isn't the focus of the story, it is still sizzling with chemistry.

Overall, the plot was well thought out and the mystery was engaging. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little bit rushed, and a small loose end wasn't tied up, which for someone like me who likes their loose ends tied up would have been nice. Aside from these minor qualms, I found Spies and Prejudice to be a fun read. (As for the "playful nod to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice" I can't really comment on that, because I haven't read the book.)

Rating:


17 comments:

  1. you got me at the words "Veronica Mars". This does sound a bit like Mars Investigations. Does the girl have a Buster like dog? :D

    Vance sounds great and even with this type overly used, I still love guys like that (only in fiction though. In real life? I'd want to punch them). But the rushed ending would annoy me and i HATE loose ends so much.

    great review Renu!

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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  2. Like Juhina, I was interested the second I read the comparison to Veronica Mars. That is great!
    I don't think Tanner would work for me, I'm a bit tired of that particular trope, but overall this sounds like a great, fun read and I think I'll give it a chance.
    You DID mention Veronica Mars after all.
    Great review!

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  3. Ohhhh it's like Veronica Mars. Thanks for the review, I think I have to pass on this one. I don't like rushed ending.

    -Dannielle

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  4. I loved Veronica Mars!! I still miss that series. I love all my loose ends tied up, so this is not a problem for me. Great review, Renu! :)

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  5. Ooh! A mystery novel, looks good. I always avoid titles like these, as I never think authors treat them seriously. But this one seems to premise a lot more! I think I'll keep an eye out for this pretty.

    Lovely review, Renu! <33 (hey, that rhymes :))

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  6. Honestly, P&P re-tellings never work for me, so I doubt I'll be picking this up, but I'm glad you did enjoy this for the most part. Great, balanced review, Renu! :)

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  7. This one sounds like a fun read even if the ending is loose. The romance sounds nice but what I really like is the strong sense of friendship between Berry and Mary Chris.

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  8. It's too bad about the rushed ending but the rest sounds pretty good! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  9. Spies and Prejudice does sound like a fun read Renu, I like how it doesn't follow the same path a lot of books have and that you still were able to take away a lot from it. Fab review! :)

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  10. I usually like everything to be tied up at the end, too, but I think this still sounds like a lot of fun. The comparison to Veronica Mars is what drew me to this, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! Lovely review, Renu. I'm looking forward to starting this soon.

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  11. This sounds like a fun read - glad to see that the romance isn't the focus of the story but it's sizzling with chemistry. Thanks for sharing :)

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  12. Good to hear about a well thought out plot and engaging mystery!

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  13. Ha this sounds really good! I love super sleuthing titles like this so I think I could really like it. It's too bad that the ending felt a bit rushed to you, I hate it when that happens. Fabulous review!

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  14. I never enjoyed book about some crimes or mysteries or like in this case stories about private detectives. I've watched so many TV shows about similar things and I guess I know how things work :) Still this one sounds interesting only not for me. Great review Renu :)

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  15. You had me at Veronica Mars! Seriously though, I think the premise of this one, while not entirely original, sounds really fun and engaging. I hate it when endings are a letdown, but if the story holds true throughout, I think it's worth a read. I'm adding it to my TBR. Brilliant review :)

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  16. Heh, you had me convinced just with the mention of Veronica Mars! But I also love that it had a sassy protag and and engaging mystery. This is the first review I've read for this one, but it's definitely going on my TBR now, thanks!

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  17. I pre-ordered this one so needless to say, I am looking forward to reading it. :)

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