Books in series
#1
A Dose of Murder
2004
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.
#2
The Stiff and the Dead
2005
This funny and charming second book in our promising new mass market mystery series features Pauline Sokol, a sassy 30–something ex–nurse turned medical insurance fraud investigator.
Pauline Sokol has just escaped serious bodily harm during her first investigation, when her second case file is literally thrown into her lap. And this one seems to be a doozie––with one suspect already dead! Pauline's sleuthing leads her to the Senior Citizen's Clinic, where she realizes that her deceased suspect was part of an illegal Viagra ring! Pauline is soon going undercover as a senior hot mama and chasing down leads at the local bingo parlor.
Between fending off some wrinkled "over–70" admirers, and helping the sexy investigator Jagger with his own case at the Senior Clinic, Pauline is again faced with a murderer on the loose! Adding to her panic is the reality that her attraction to Jagger is intensifying, despite the fact that the handsome and reliable Nick is courting her. With the help of her hilarious family and friends, Pauline must juggle an undercover nursing gig, two sexy leading men, a senior alter–ego, and a gaggle of geriatric suspects––all before she becomes the next victim!
#3
One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest
2005
When Pauline Sokol goes undercover to investigate brokers who match psychiatric patients with treatment facilities for high dollar bounties, she suddenly finds herself confined against her will in a mental hospital run by nuns! Of course, convincing the staff that she's not crazy is like convincing a jailer that she's innocent, so Pauline decides to use the time to her advantage and continues with her investigation. Just as she starts to immerse herself in this strange world and make some headway, her hunky cohort Jagger shows up. When Jagger won't help her escape, Pauline knows that she's in deeper than she ever imagined and her only hope is the help of her colorful and "off kilter" new friends – her fellow patients. But when a crooked cross dressing nun winds up dead, Pauline knows that only her wits can save her from a killer that's committed to silencing her...permanently.
#4
Deep Sea Dead
2006
Pauline Walks the Plank . . .
A confirmed landlubber, insurance fraud p.i. Pauline Sokol's never heard the call of the sea - or if she has, she didn't pay attention. But now the former RN is donning her nurse's whites once more to go undercover as part of the medical team of the Golden Dolphin - a lavish luxury liner that's setting sail for Bermuda.
There's something fishy going on aboard the super-deluxe dinghy, and it's Pauline's job to be the ship's designated secret snoop - if she doesn't get too distracted by the motley crew of friends and relatives who've decided to sail along with her . . . and by her sexy supervising fellow investigator, Jagger. But when a dead body turns up - in Pauline's cabin, no less! - and another nurse goes missing, Pauline realizes she may be over her head in shark-infested waters. And getting safely onto dry land may be a long swim back!
#5
Nip, Tuck, Dead
2006
Ex-nurse-turned-insurance fraud investigator Pauline Sokol's willing to risk anything to put a bad doc out of business—even her best friend Goldie's near-perfect proboscis! Her cross-dressing compadre has agreed to get his shnozz bobbed so Pauline can pose as his private nurse and gain entry into Highcliff Manor—a posh plastic surgery "spa" making an illegal killing with their repeat clientele.
But when a super-rich "frequent flier" is unexpectedly widowed—and a receptionist who knows too much is given the boot . . . off a nearby cliff!—Pauline realizes she's stuck her own nose into something really nasty. Despite the pleasant distraction of the hunky Dr. Neal—and the unexpected appearance of her sexy cohort, Jagger—Pauline can't shake the feeling she's being closely watched. And if she's not careful, she'll be the next one who goes under the knife!
#6
Dead on Arrival
2007
In spite of her fear of flying, ex-nurse-turned-insurance fraud investigator Pauline Sokol finds herself taking on a new undercover assignment to uncover the fraudulent goings-on at a land-and-air ambulance company, only to have her case complicated by the murder of one of the company's owners. Original.
#7
Dead Weight
2010
Nothing – not even murder – keeps Pauline Sokol off the case.
Pauline Sokol, ex-RN turned medical insurance fraud investigator, finds herself embroiled in a scam at a weight loss clinic in the scenic New Mexico desert. As if being undercover isn’t bad enough, she’s not allowed to eat chocolate, she lives in a body suit that weighs a ton, and her roommate turns out to be a mysteriously hot guy!
Nearly finished with what seems to be an open-and-shut case, Pauline befriends a woman who is an undercover reporter, also interested in the goings-on at the weight loss clinic. Pauline is grateful for the help – until that help turns up dead. Pauline knows the clock is ticking – and it’s not just counting down how long until she can get a candy bar.
Back to square one and the probable need to turn to her handsome, but incorrigible, co-worker, Jagger. Pauline must rely on her nursing skills as well as her ever-increasing skills as an investigator – despite her wish not to be one.
#8
Doctor Robin Hood
2013
Pauline and Jagger are once again given a new case to investigate—a fertility clinic! That means she has to pretend to be his wife! Yikes. This may be more than what she has bargained for—and similar to what she's dreamt about lately!
Author
Lori Avocato
Author · 12 books
After working thirteen years as a registered nurse, four of which she felt like "Hot Lips Houlihan" while serving in the United States Air Force, Lori Avocato picked up a book and said, "Hm. I can write one of these." Yeah right! Oh, she wrote several all right—twenty-one to be exact—but getting them published proved to be another matter. Throughout the years, she realized it was not an easy task to write a book, much less a short, concise one. Oh how wrong Lori was! However, now as an award-winning author, Lori is multi-published with twenty-one books currently sold in which her humor lends itself to her comedic voice. She writes contemporary novels and often uses her military, medical, or a combination of both backgrounds in her plots. Recently Lori has found her niche writing her new series, The Pauline Sokol Mysteries. Her ex-RN character, Pauline Sokol, becomes a medical insurance fraud investigator. Now she is working on a new series called "Lethal in Lace." Yikes! Stay tuned for details. As an Air Force veteran, Lori belongs to RomVets and The Nathan Hale Chapter of Military Officers Association. As a writer, she belongs to The Author's Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America along with several local chapters. Lori lives in the New England area, raising two sons (Heaven help her!), and, of course, continuing to write novels. She'd love to hear from you via email at LAvocato@cox.net
