Under Wraps (Underworld Detection Agency #1) by Hannah Jayne
Urban Fantasy
March 1, 2011
Paperback
Kensington

Reviewed by Tori

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 him 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+

Recent Reviews:
Vampire Book Club – 3/5
Tynga’s Reviews
All Things Urban Fantasy – 3/5
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