SERIES: A Maggie O’Malley Mystery #3
GENRE: Mystery/Thriller
PUBLISHER: Henery Press
RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2019
PAGES: 286
In the shadow of a past fraught with danger and tainted by loss, former pharmaceutical researcher Maggie O’Malley is rebuilding her life, trading test tubes for pill bottles as she embarks on a new career at the corner drugstore.
But as she spreads her wings, things begin to go terribly wrong.
A customer falls ill in the store. Followed by another. And then more. The specter of poisoning arises, conjuring old grudges, past sins, buried secrets and new suspicions from which no one is immune.
As Maggie and her best friend Constantine begin to investigate, they discover that some of the deadliest doses come from the most unexpected places.
Other Books In This Series
I love this series. I love Maggie & Constantine & the whole crew of characters. I love the smart, witty writing that draws you in completely to the case and – at the same time – makes you feel like you’ve stopped by Maggie’s and Constantine’s for a fun chat.
The addition of an adorable & protective dog, as well as navigating the tightrope of wedding planning (and the aunts), provides moments of reprieve from the poisoning case tension. A case which is intelligently plotted & filled with a variety of twists and turns that keep you invested & guessing until the surprising finish! A case which also sometimes seems to be three separate cases and at other times just one sprawling and complicated crime. I love the way Valenti crafts her plots and her characters – smart, humorous, full of heart, and having the tendency to steal your breath.
Bottom Line: I laughed a lot in this latest Maggie mystery. Not enough to take away from the plot but perfectly timed to leave a smile on your face pretty much from start to finish. If you haven’t read this series yet this can be a standalone but I recommend starting with book 1. Great mystery/suspense, great characters, and great fun!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 / loved it!
Reviewer’s note: readers may want to be aware that there is some profanity and crude language in this book.
Kathleen Valenti is the author of the Maggie O’Malley Mystery Series, which includes her Agatha- and Lefty-nominated debut novel, Protocol. When Kathleen isn’t writing page-turning mysteries that combine humor and suspense, she works as a nationally award-winning advertising copywriter. She lives in Oregon with her family where she pretends to enjoy running. Learn more at www.kathleenvalenti.com.
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The author is giving away a digital copy of As Directed to one of my readers! Open internationally, except where prohibited by law. This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter by commenting on this post.
Follow along with the Great Escapes tour HERE for more chances to win!
Carrie, your blog is one of my absolute favorites and I’m so honored and delighted to be here! Thank you so much for hosting me, and thank you x a zillion for your kind words and amazing review. So grateful for you!
my absolute pleasure! My bookish heart always skips a beat when i see a new book from you 🙂
Carrie, that is so kind!! I can’t tell you how much that means.
Thank you Carrie for that fantastic review. I couldn’t agree with you more about how you can do easily find yourself being part of the book, like Maggie and Constantine are old friends.
I have not read As Directed yet but, I also highly recommend that you start with the first book as well. Protocol and 39 Winks will leave you on the edge of your seats one minute and laughing the next.
I can’t wait to read As Directed.
Thank you so much, Betty! Your words fill my heart!! Very much hope you like As Directed.
i mean, the books are so good, you might as well start from the beginning, right Betty? 🙂
this sounds like a great book. i have just started reading cozy mysteries and am willing now to try something a little deeper. especially since it has humor in it.
Thank you, Lori! I very much hope you like it!!
this is a great sort-of crossover, Lori. It has the feel of a cozy mystery in many ways but with a bit more ‘thriller’ thrown in 🙂
Carrie, that’s a perfect way to put it! I’ll quote you!! 🙂
Oh yay! I’m honored!
This is a series that I have wanted to read for a while. It sounds like a great one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you, Gloria!
This book sounds fabulous, and I have been meaning to get to this series. Thank you for your review!
Hi Marla!! Thank you! 🙂
I have some of your books but have not fed them yet. But I will!! Looking forward to reading this one!!
Great to see you here, Faith! Thank you so much. 🙂
This sounds like a great mystery. I am new to this author and the series and so happy I found her on your blog. Thanks!
Thank you, Antoinette! I hope you have a chance to read and, if you do, I hope you enjoy the book. Good luck to you all!
This sounds like a great series that I’m looking forward to reading!
Thank you, Angela!
Would love to win and eat this book!
Whoops, I need to proof what I type….read the book!
Thanks, Barbara!!
heehee
Nothing like finding a new book plus a new author.
Lucky me
Thanks, Patty! Hope you try and like!!