Richard M. (algernon99) -
Helpful Score: 10
Sorry, this one just didn't do anything for me. The main character is such a useless, helpless wimp that it's irritating--to me, of course-your mileage may vary. She's supposed to be a capable nurse, but whenever she gets in the presence of the hunky mysterious Jagger (which is most of the book), she's a helpless puddle of hormones doing silly things that are supposed to be funny, but aren't. They're just...silly. I also don't find a gay best friend and roommate's romance with a transvestite gay man very comfortable to be around, either.
Maybe it'd be better to just wait for the next Stephanie Plum book--why waste your time with a very poor imitation?
Maybe it'd be better to just wait for the next Stephanie Plum book--why waste your time with a very poor imitation?
Helpful Score: 8
I love cozy mysteries but this one was just not my cup of tea. Even though it's very new (2004) I felt like the style was a bit corny and dated, with one particular character who talked like a stereotype gangster 'dollface", "good thing you're such a looker", "atta girl, doll"...my Mt. TBR is so massive that I firmly believe in the 50 page rule...so this is available for someone else!
Helpful Score: 5
THis series is VERY much like the Stephanie Plum series. Not sure if I am too enthused with it, because it does remind so much of Evanoviches books.
Helpful Score: 3
A bit slow going at first, but I liked the main characters enough to stick with it. I'm glad I did as the pace picked up enough that the book ended up being a fun, interesting read.
Helpful Score: 2
Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with this title. I muddle my way through chapter five but was unable to finish. Although the premise of the book was a good one (burnt out nurse becomes a P.I.), something about the character of Pauline Sokol just irritated me. Others might find it a lot more enjoyable than I did, though!
Helpful Score: 2
Because I'm an RN, I thoroughly enjoyed all the nuances AND specifics in this book. Besides, I like the samttering of humor. She doesn't take herself too seriously.
Helpful Score: 2
1st in the series. I thought it was pretty much a copy cat version of the Stephanie Plum series, but it had it's entertaining moments.
Kathryn M. (Gamecock-RN) -
Helpful Score: 2
I LOVE this series. I hadn't posted them before because I thought I might re-read them (before I joined PBS). Now, I have lots of new books and know I can request them again. 1st in series.
Helpful Score: 1
At first I hated this Character. I mean she is flipping out like every other minute. She seems very ditzy and the dialog gets hairy flipping to rapidly at times. Thank goodness the second novel is better written otherwise I would have had to write this athor off as skitzo. Read the first book to get the characters down, but trust me take breaks in between reads cause ...woooo doggie.
Helpful Score: 1
I know a lot of reviews say that this book is a rip-off of Janet Evanovich's Plum series and they're correct but I still enjoyed it. This book is fun and silly, I enjoyed the story and the characters. It's a good read on it's own or something to pass the time while you're waiting for the next Stephanie Plum to come along.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book in the style of Janet Evanovich.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is a comedic myestery series and it's filled with lovable characters and scenes that will keep you reading until your finished with the book. Pauline Sokol decided that she was tired of the life of a nurse and wanted a different occupation. She decides to become a private investigator and realizes thats its a dangerous job. The book has many twist and turns and the scenes between "Jagger" and Pauline are my favorite! It is a very good read, Highly recommneded!
Helpful Score: 1
Just starting to read this series and it is a fun book. The main character Pauline will have you giggling to yourself in regards to her comments in the story. I look forward to reading the next book.
Helpful Score: 1
The character of Pauline Sokol is smart and funny. It's an easy read and fun! The author keeps you wanting to read more at the end of each book about Pauline and her endeavors. I've enjoyed all 3 books and wish the author would write more to this series.
Helpful Score: 1
Could not get into this book. I'm sure that other people would enjoy it, though.
From FantasticFiction.com:
After years of chasing around sniffly munchkins with a tongue depressor, nurse Pauline Sokol has had it. She's sick of being an "angel of mercy" -- she'd like to raise some hell for once! But finding a new career won't be easy for someone who's had no experience beyond thermometers and bedpans.
Luckily, the smarmy head of an agency that investigates medical fraud thinks she'd be perfect for the job, since, for him, a potential employee's most important qualification is a killer pair of legs. So now Pauline's a p.i., but since she knows as much about detective work as a potted geranium might, the hunky and mysterious Jagger steps in to teach her the ropes. Her first assignment -- going undercover at a local clinic to investigate fake insurance claims -- promises to be a hoot ... until the healers around her start inexplicably dropping dead. And before she can say, "streptococci," Pauline's stuck in a true health care crisis with her own continued wellness in very serious jeopardy.
From FantasticFiction.com:
After years of chasing around sniffly munchkins with a tongue depressor, nurse Pauline Sokol has had it. She's sick of being an "angel of mercy" -- she'd like to raise some hell for once! But finding a new career won't be easy for someone who's had no experience beyond thermometers and bedpans.
Luckily, the smarmy head of an agency that investigates medical fraud thinks she'd be perfect for the job, since, for him, a potential employee's most important qualification is a killer pair of legs. So now Pauline's a p.i., but since she knows as much about detective work as a potted geranium might, the hunky and mysterious Jagger steps in to teach her the ropes. Her first assignment -- going undercover at a local clinic to investigate fake insurance claims -- promises to be a hoot ... until the healers around her start inexplicably dropping dead. And before she can say, "streptococci," Pauline's stuck in a true health care crisis with her own continued wellness in very serious jeopardy.
Heather A. (imabookfanatic) reviewed A Dose of Murder (Pauline Sokol, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This reminded me (almost a little too much) of the Stephanie Plum books.
Like Reading a Stephanie Plum Book, July 3, 2006
Reviewer: BostonLady "taylormade2" "Pauline is another Stephanie Plum. She's an inexperienced, blumbling investigator. While Stephanie is a bounty hunter, Pauline is a insurance investigator. Both have families that figure in the book. The father in both is a quiet man and the mother cooks all the time. Stephanie has a Grandmother and Pauline has an uncle. They both have gay men who help them. They both have high profile men in their lives who they really know nothing about. Stephanie has Ranger and Pauline has Jagger. It's like Stephanie has stepped into Pauline's body and took over. It's an enjoyable read except I kept comparing it to a Stephanie Plum book."
Reviewer: BostonLady "taylormade2" "Pauline is another Stephanie Plum. She's an inexperienced, blumbling investigator. While Stephanie is a bounty hunter, Pauline is a insurance investigator. Both have families that figure in the book. The father in both is a quiet man and the mother cooks all the time. Stephanie has a Grandmother and Pauline has an uncle. They both have gay men who help them. They both have high profile men in their lives who they really know nothing about. Stephanie has Ranger and Pauline has Jagger. It's like Stephanie has stepped into Pauline's body and took over. It's an enjoyable read except I kept comparing it to a Stephanie Plum book."
Anyone who has read the Stephanie Plum series will recognize early on that this series is identical. Plum has a flamboyant black hooker best friend, Sokol has a flamboyant black transvestite best friend. Plum has a crazy grandma living with her parents, Sokol has a crazy uncle living with her parents. Plum's mother cooks constantly, always has enough for guests and doggie bags. So does Sokol's mother. Plum and Sokol both have one bad boy love interest, and one good guy love interest. Plum works for her weasley relative. Sokol works for her roomate's weasly relative. Neither Plum nor Sokol can use a weapon. Neither Plum nor Sokol is ever prepared for a stakeout. It just goes on and on. I got bored with the Plum series, I am already bored with the Sokol series after one book.
First book in th Pauline Sokol Mysteries. It took me a while to get into this book. It was slow at times. I was hooked at about the middle and could not wait to find out who done it. Stick with this one. Can't wait to read more in the series.
Pauline Sokol #1
Imagine Stephanie Plum with a nursing degree and all Ranger all the time. Kinda mind blowing.
Imagine Stephanie Plum with a nursing degree and all Ranger all the time. Kinda mind blowing.
This is the first in a series and I really liked it. It made me laugh!
Nice book about survival in the workforce, with many dangers.
Lynn P. (Bama-Booklover) -
I chose this series to read as the MC Pauline Sokol is a nurse and I worked in the medical field during my working career. It seems to be more of a "detective" series to me than a comfy cozy. I love the MC's family and her interactions with her colorful male friends. Overall I did find the book difficult to read compared to many other cozies I've read. I'm on to the next in the series hoping it grabs more of my attention.
From the back of book:
OPEN WIDE AND SAY "AHHRRGGGGHHHHhhhhhhhuuuhhh."
After years of chasing around sniffly munchkins with a tongue depressor, nurse Pauline Sokol has had it. She's sick of being an "angel of mercy"--she'd like to raise some hell for once! But finding a new career won't be easy for someone who's had no experience beyond thermometers and bedpans.
Luckily, the smarmy head of an agency that investigates medical fraud thinks she'd be perfect for the job, since, for him, a potential employee's most important qualification is a killer pair of legs. So now Pauline's a p.i., but since she knows as much about detective work as a potted geranium might, the hunky and mysterious Jagger steps in to teach her the ropes. Her first assignment-- going undercover at a local clinic to investigate fake insurance claims--promises to be a hoot...until the healers around her start inexplicably dropping dead. And before she can say, "streptococci," Pauline's stuck in a true health care crisis with her own continued wellness in very serious jeopardy.
OPEN WIDE AND SAY "AHHRRGGGGHHHHhhhhhhhuuuhhh."
After years of chasing around sniffly munchkins with a tongue depressor, nurse Pauline Sokol has had it. She's sick of being an "angel of mercy"--she'd like to raise some hell for once! But finding a new career won't be easy for someone who's had no experience beyond thermometers and bedpans.
Luckily, the smarmy head of an agency that investigates medical fraud thinks she'd be perfect for the job, since, for him, a potential employee's most important qualification is a killer pair of legs. So now Pauline's a p.i., but since she knows as much about detective work as a potted geranium might, the hunky and mysterious Jagger steps in to teach her the ropes. Her first assignment-- going undercover at a local clinic to investigate fake insurance claims--promises to be a hoot...until the healers around her start inexplicably dropping dead. And before she can say, "streptococci," Pauline's stuck in a true health care crisis with her own continued wellness in very serious jeopardy.
Andy T. (MayberryFlyBaby) -
about halfway through this book I decided that Pauline Sokol, masters in Nursing and seemingly intelligent person, was a bumbling idiot. I mean, if you are concerned with getting inside your home safely and quickly you do not repeatedly wait until you get to the door to hunt for your door key! How stupid can she be??! This book was cute but could have been much better. I felt the author had severe ADHD while writing. Too much internal dialog from the main character. I had to reread several passages to make sure I hadn't lost track myself. Did not hate it but didn't like it either. I will try reading book 2 to see if the author had got her act together by then.
Jenna H. (deerewifeandmama) reviewed A Dose of Murder (Pauline Sokol, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
1st in the series. A great book - Pauline is wonderful and funny.
Once a nurse, not a medical insurance fraud investigator, Pauline tackles her first case and finds murder
VERY light read.
A \"Pauline Sokol\" mystery.
