Maxed Out (The Owl’s Nest Mysteries)

by C.S. McDonald

​Adult Fiction, 184 pages

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: McWriter Books

Synopsis

The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe is a huge success! Business is booming and Alexa Owl’s love life is heating up. Yet much to the seamstress’s dismay, Detective Bobby Starr is suddenly back again! Bobby isn’t your everyday gumshoe. Rather, he’s an angel who’s trying to earn a place in Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. He’s required to solve murders he had left unsettled from when he walked the earth in order to be accepted into this prestigious group. Of course, they will need to return to the time period in which the murder took place, and again, Alexa is a reluctant time traveler. Oh, and there’s one more little problem—this time, Bobby’s brought along a friend, Maxi Krogen, and she’s no angel!

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Review

Alexa is back helping Angel Squad wannabee, Bobby Starr, solve a murder. This is actually the second of three that Bobby has to solve to be admitted to Saint Peter’s Angel Squad.

I really enjoy the time-slip with Alex traveling back to the 1950s to help search for clues and uncover the murderer. It helps that she can do some research on her computer in the present before being pulled into the past. I can only imagine how fascinating it would be to visit another time period, especially with the clothes considering Alexa’s chosen profession.

Alexa and Bobby are trying to figure out who killed Maxi’s husband that she was framed for and died in prison accused of his murder. The answer was definitely not one I saw coming and I don’t think there were many clues that would point the reader in that direction. However, Maxi was not a nice ghost. She was rude, mean, and manipulative. What happens to her once the truth is uncovered was also a bit surprising.

Alexa’s romance with Cliff continues in this book. They seem like a good couple but their relationship is a very minor part of the storyline.  Perhaps in the next book, the author will expand upon that relationship.

All of the characters are fun, some are whimsical, and most are down to earth. There is a good balance and flow from Alexa’s story to the minor sub-plots with Winnie and Holden.

Knowing that Bobby has to solve three murders before becoming a part of the Angel Squad leaves me wondering if this will be a three book series only or if there will be more and Alex helps Bobby in his new duties if he makes the squad.

We give this book 4 paws up.

About the Author

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

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Giveaway

Autographed copy of MAXED OUT, plus other gifts (USA only) (ends Jul 23)

MAXED OUT Book Tour Giveaway