The
first book in the new Maddie Baker Mystery series by New York Times, USA
Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller Denise Grover Swank.
Maddie
In the last few months, my life has gone to crap. My uncle died. I gave up my
life to move back to my hometown to take care of my ailing aunt. And oh… I
unwittingly drove a guy to his murder. Not exactly a stellar restart.
But things just keep getting worse, because the sexy-as-hell, yet stick-up-his-butt
homicide detective in charge of solving the case thinks I had something to do
with it, and he won't leave me alone.
Even more concerning? It turns out the victim was one of the last people to see
my mother alive before her unsolved murder eighteen years ago.
Noah
I left a big city police department for a fresh start in a smaller town. Less
crime. Less murder. But three months later, I’ve been handed the murder
investigation of the most hated man in town. The list of potential suspects is
as long as Santa’s naughty list, but one name keeps popping up.
Maddie Baker.
She’s infuriating as hell, but is she a cold-blooded murderer? My instincts
tell me no, yet I can’t exactly trust those. The last time I let myself presume
someone was innocent, I ended up with a bullet wound and a broken heart.
Book
1
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
Apple Books ~ B&N ~ Google Play ~ Kobo
Paperback (US)
Ruthie
– ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series, and I am already counting down to September,
when the next book is going to be released. Whilst this one doesn't exactly end
on a cliffhanger, it certainly makes you want to read on about the engaging
characters we have met.
This is a clever combination of a crime, an unsolved mystery, and a strong
attraction between the two leading characters. They are an unlikely pair, and
when they may need to describe their meet, they may not use the word cute – but
the circumstances are definitely memorable. They both have reason to be
cautious about commitment, but fate has other ideas!
Maddie is a person who has had to change her whole life in order to step up and
care for her recently widowed aunt, who has early stage dementia. Her return to
the town where she grew up holds difficult memories, but she is repaying the
care given to her by her aunt and uncle. We know very early on that she is a
worker, she may not be able to find another librarian role, but work she must –
which is how she finds herself giving an Uber ride to a man who is then murdered.
Whilst new in town detective, Noah is very dubious that Maddie could have done
the deed, she is his only lead. And so the scene is set for a very
entertaining, ill-timed attraction, one which they both find they cannot avoid,
in spite of the complications. I think that the crime element of this book is
done well, not too graphic, not too simplistic. Evidence is peeled away, giving
insights into Maddie of what she missed seeing as a youngster, and Noah the
realisation that this may be a small town but there is still a need for his
services.
I am absolutely ready for the follow up book, not that I am trying to wish the
summer away or anything!
New
York Times and USA Today bestselling author DENISE GROVER SWANK was
born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen.
Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states, and ten
houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She
speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through
an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook
comments (in her own mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite
badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of
justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still
fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to
perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her
sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
Connect with Denise
Grover Swank
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Website ~ Goodreads
Facebook
Group: Denise Grover Swank Readers Community
Hosted by
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided
a free copy of Blind Bake (Maddie Baker Mystery #1) by Denise Grover Swank to
read and review for this tour.
