Liza Reviews Malicious Mischief by Marianne Harden

Today, I'm reviewing Marianne Harden's book Malicious Mischief.

The story begins with Rylie Keyes having two suspicious car accidents in one day. 

The policeman who showed up at her second near death crash was her secret crush and friend, Zach. (Okay, he's missing his uniform here, but seriously, is anyone complaining?)

Rylie is a fabulous heroine who dreams of becoming a PI and wants to save people. She walks 'Suicide Trestle' with a giant Samoan to try to convince people not to jump.

You know what? This story is too weird to explain. Here's her book trailer, it does a much better job.

And here's the blurb:

 Is it strange to have the unemployment office on speed dial? 

Not for twenty-four-year-old college dropout Rylie Keyes. Her current job at a small retirement home is worlds more important than all her past gigs, though: if she loses this one, she won't be able to stop the forced sale of her and her grandfather's home, a house that has been in the family for ages. But keeping her job means figuring out the truth about a senior citizen who was found murdered while in her care. Explain that one, Miss Keyes.

     
The late Otto Weiner was thought to be a penniless Nazi concentration camp survivor with a silly grudge against Rylie. However, Otto was not a liked man by any means, and his enemies will stop at nothing to keep their part in his murder secret.

     
Forced to dust off the PI training she has to keep hidden from her ex-detective grandfather, Rylie must align with a circus-bike-wheeling Samoan while juggling the attention of two very hot cops who each get her all hot and bothered for very different reasons. And as she trudges through this new realm of perseverance, she has no idea that along the way she just might win, or lose, a little piece of her heart.

Wow! I thought my characters were trouble magnets, but this young woman is a super magnet.

Here's what others have to say about the book.

“Murder, mayhem, and irresistible fun! I loved Malicious

Mischief, Rylie Keyes, and the Pacific Northwest setting. A

clever romp of a mystery.”

—Melissa Bourbon, bestselling author of A Magical

Dressmaking Mystery Series

“With a fast-paced and witty writing style, Marianne Harden

will keep her readers on the edge of their seats.”

—Heather Blake author of the Wishcraft & Magic Potion

mystery series

“A sassy PI-wanna-be and a zany cast of characters will keep

you in stitches throughout this hilarious caper.”

—Jen J. Danna, author of Dead, Without a Stone to Tell It

“With a quirky and diverse cast of characters, compelling

Pacific Northwest setting, and fast-paced plot Marianne

Harden’s Malicious Mischief is a welcome mystery debut.

Fans of Janet Evanovich will want to put Harden on their

autobuy lists.”

—Amanda Flower, author of A Plain Disappearance

“Marianne Harden will keep you in stitches!”

—Macy Beckett, author of the Sultry Springs series

For some reason I wasn't asked to comment on her book even though I also write humorous books. 

sniff sniff

But no matter I can comment on anything I want on my blog as long as it doesn't fall under the category of National Security.

So here is what I had to say about the book.

LIZA'S ACTUAL REVIEW

It's a funny, fast paced, action packed, no clue who did it, mystery novel

I read this in a single setting and thoroughly loved it. (I rarely read anything in one setting) but I have David my robot read it to me as I went about my other tasks such as downloading photos.

Rylie Keye is truly a trouble magnet. Not only are people trying to kill her, but she’s looking like a solid suspect for the murder of her employer. 

One of the many things I liked about the book were the drive-by humorous quips and observations that kept showing up, such as:

“Go figure. I finally talked down a jumper, and now I wanted to push her off the edge.”

She also has funny title sentences for each chapter. Rather like life lessons from a comedian. Here's a sample:

Just when you think life’s a bitch, 

it has puppies

The story also has a budding romance I hope continues into the next books. 

I also like that the annoying minor characters have the funniest names like Bebitch and Lipschitz that when spoken in my head or by my Robot David sounds like curses.

And here is what surprised me most:

When I read mysteries, I normally can guess the ending early on. I continue reading to have the great satisfaction as to how inciteful I am.

Not in this book. If you can guess the ending, you’re a better sleuth than me.

Rylie suspects a great deal of people, certain each time she’s found the culprit, but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than any mystery I’ve ever read. Halfway through I gave up trying to solve it and just laughed and followed along.

I highly recommend this book on a day you need a break from reality and just want to laugh and have fun. I give it:

B&N

KOBO BOOKS

Marianne Harden, romantic mystery author


Rylie Keyes Mystery Series //  Entangled Select/Macmillan Publishing 

MALICIOUS MISCHIEF, October 22, 2013 
DELICIOUS MISCHIEF, May 2014


AuthorMarianneHarden
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