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Mattie Winston Mystery #4
Lucky Stiff
It’s Christmas Day in the sleepy town of Sorenson, Wisconsin, but instead of unwrapping presents, deputy coroner Mattie Winston is at the burnt remains of a house, where a charred body has been found. The victim is none other than Jack Allen—a paraplegic who recently won a huge casino jackpot. Upon closer inspection, Mattie and detective Steve Hurley are convinced Jack was murdered to steal his winnings, giving the phrase Black Jack a whole new meaning…
But as Mattie investigates, even her cutting-edge forensic skills keep coming up short in a case with as many suspects as twists. After her odds-on-favorite turns up dead, Mattie and Hurley must race to find a killer before another victim cashes in his chips.
But as Mattie investigates, even her cutting-edge forensic skills keep coming up short in a case with as many suspects as twists. After her odds-on-favorite turns up dead, Mattie and Hurley must race to find a killer before another victim cashes in his chips.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
142 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Annelise Ryan
19 books1,131 followersAnnelise Ryan is a pseudonym for Beth Amos, the USA Today bestselling author of 30 novels, including the Monster Hunter Mysteries featuring cryptozoologist and bookstore owner, Morgan Carter, the Mattie Winston mystery series, featuring a wryly cynical nurse-turned-coroner, and the Helping Hands Mysteries featuring social worker Hildy Schneider.
In addition, she is the author of the Mack's Bar Mystery series written as Allyson K. Abbott and five standalone paranormal thrillers written as Beth Amos.
She is a retired emergency room nurse living in Wisconsin. There are several reasons why she decided to use pseudonyms, not the least of which was that her ER patients might not have been comfortable knowing she spent her spare time thinking up clever ways to kill people.
In addition, she is the author of the Mack's Bar Mystery series written as Allyson K. Abbott and five standalone paranormal thrillers written as Beth Amos.
She is a retired emergency room nurse living in Wisconsin. There are several reasons why she decided to use pseudonyms, not the least of which was that her ER patients might not have been comfortable knowing she spent her spare time thinking up clever ways to kill people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 30, 2024
2.5 stars
Although I am enjoying this series, I really struggled with this installment. Mattie is an intelligent woman. She is an experienced and knowledgeable nurse and she has an instinctive grasp of how to investigate a crime. Plus she is obviously attractive, as she seems to garner the male attention she craves wherever she goes.
And there's the rub for me. Why is this attractive, intelligent woman acting like such an idiot? Her foolish gambling in this book really offended me. And, yes, I realize that otherwise competent people get short circuited by the lure of the casino, but Mattie should have been able to learn from her first painful loss. I really hated Ms. Ryan for this plot point. Especially when she then upended a whole bunch of shit on our main character following this financial disaster.
Things can only get better in the next book, right? OMG, I just can't take another debacle like this one!
Although I am enjoying this series, I really struggled with this installment. Mattie is an intelligent woman. She is an experienced and knowledgeable nurse and she has an instinctive grasp of how to investigate a crime. Plus she is obviously attractive, as she seems to garner the male attention she craves wherever she goes.
And there's the rub for me. Why is this attractive, intelligent woman acting like such an idiot? Her foolish gambling in this book really offended me. And, yes, I realize that otherwise competent people get short circuited by the lure of the casino, but Mattie should have been able to learn from her first painful loss. I really hated Ms. Ryan for this plot point. Especially when she then upended a whole bunch of shit on our main character following this financial disaster.
Things can only get better in the next book, right? OMG, I just can't take another debacle like this one!
October 24, 2025
Another fun book in the series!
Lucky Stiff
By Annelise Ryan
Lucky is not a word I would use to describe our main character, Mattie. So much happens when she is around and when she decides to go gamble. A couple of good mysteries and a troubled romance keeps this unlucky gal going! Another fun read!
Lucky Stiff
By Annelise Ryan
Lucky is not a word I would use to describe our main character, Mattie. So much happens when she is around and when she decides to go gamble. A couple of good mysteries and a troubled romance keeps this unlucky gal going! Another fun read!
March 3, 2016
I feel betrayed and thoroughly jerked around.
This book committed one of the worst offenses to me as a reader. It ended on an absolute terrible note after a rather significant tug of war that looked like it was going to end okay. So with that, I'm going to write a no-holds-barred review and just get everything out of my system.
So, spoilers ya'll.
I praised Mattie so highly in my last review. And this book just friggin' called me liar and then set my pants on fire.
Right off the bat, Mattie ticks me off by trading tit-for-tat with a nobody character, Ryan writes:
"I know that saying nothing at this point will be taking the high road. However, Catherine has managed to hit one of my sensitive buttons, so I go crawling in the mud, instead."
Oh, this irked me. The problem is that Mattie crawls in the mud a couple of times in the book, but never when it really should have been done. Why she lets every WOMAN get under her skin while never standing up for herself with any of the men is beyond me. You know who you should be crawling in the mud with, Mattie? David! Why not say something biting and clever to the cheater and his new fling? And along the lines of saying how you feel in a big way, why can't you have a conversation with Hurley of real consequence? Why can't you stand up to yourself to Izzy instead of being shamed by ONE night of reckless drinking and gambling that really only harmed yourself?
And while I'm on THAT subject...
What the holy heck in bottle is with the gambling schtick?! This literally made me cringe. I cannot buy that this super puzzler solver that is Mattie Winston could some how think that the solution to her money problem is by spending thousands of dollars gambling - and not just after 1 or 2 devastating nights of loss, but 3. I really like Mattie's character as someone who can screw up but still be lovable, but there isn't anything lovable about being willfully stupid.
Speaking of stupid. What is with every stupid woman in this book brazenly propositioning Hurley? Is this supposed to be part of the funny? I found it as far from FunnyLand as possible, like way over in It-Hurts-My-Heartdom. In this book alone Mattie deals with Candy, Tonya and that evil sucker punch at the end when really the point could have been made with any ONE of the three - the point being that Mattie would rather dig out her heart with a spoon than be a spectator to a new romance in Hurley's life.
But that ending?!
O-M-G. It's like climbing to the top of the mountain and in the middle of celebrating how glorious life is, your guide pushes you over the side and points and laughs while you tumble all the way down to the bottom.
What? This isn't a romance? Oh, that's right. It's a cozy mystery. I almost forgot because the book was so busy throwing pieces of my sanity into the wood chipper.
As for the mystery. Well, it was just okay. It seems like two different homicides would be enough to keep it interesting, but I had the farmer pegged shortly after his post, and as for the other guy? I could barely bother because we took some weird detour into the twilight zone with a conference trip from hell that diluted the whole mystery and by the end I just skimmed through Fletcher's reveal because I was like, WHO CARES, HURLEY'S BOINKING TONYA AND I NEED A BEN & JERRY'S TOO!
With all that out of my system, I still downloaded the next book within 5 minutes of finishing this one. It would have been more like 5 seconds after finishing this one, but I was trying to really exercise restraint and show the book who's boss. Unfortunately, I read a spoiler accidentally that is two books from now and I just want to get there and I have no self control.
But seriously? Band aids don't fix bullet holes Annelise Ryan, I'm on to your tactics now.
This book committed one of the worst offenses to me as a reader. It ended on an absolute terrible note after a rather significant tug of war that looked like it was going to end okay. So with that, I'm going to write a no-holds-barred review and just get everything out of my system.
So, spoilers ya'll.
I praised Mattie so highly in my last review. And this book just friggin' called me liar and then set my pants on fire.
Right off the bat, Mattie ticks me off by trading tit-for-tat with a nobody character, Ryan writes:
"I know that saying nothing at this point will be taking the high road. However, Catherine has managed to hit one of my sensitive buttons, so I go crawling in the mud, instead."
Oh, this irked me. The problem is that Mattie crawls in the mud a couple of times in the book, but never when it really should have been done. Why she lets every WOMAN get under her skin while never standing up for herself with any of the men is beyond me. You know who you should be crawling in the mud with, Mattie? David! Why not say something biting and clever to the cheater and his new fling? And along the lines of saying how you feel in a big way, why can't you have a conversation with Hurley of real consequence? Why can't you stand up to yourself to Izzy instead of being shamed by ONE night of reckless drinking and gambling that really only harmed yourself?
And while I'm on THAT subject...
What the holy heck in bottle is with the gambling schtick?! This literally made me cringe. I cannot buy that this super puzzler solver that is Mattie Winston could some how think that the solution to her money problem is by spending thousands of dollars gambling - and not just after 1 or 2 devastating nights of loss, but 3. I really like Mattie's character as someone who can screw up but still be lovable, but there isn't anything lovable about being willfully stupid.
Speaking of stupid. What is with every stupid woman in this book brazenly propositioning Hurley? Is this supposed to be part of the funny? I found it as far from FunnyLand as possible, like way over in It-Hurts-My-Heartdom. In this book alone Mattie deals with Candy, Tonya and that evil sucker punch at the end when really the point could have been made with any ONE of the three - the point being that Mattie would rather dig out her heart with a spoon than be a spectator to a new romance in Hurley's life.
But that ending?!
O-M-G. It's like climbing to the top of the mountain and in the middle of celebrating how glorious life is, your guide pushes you over the side and points and laughs while you tumble all the way down to the bottom.
What? This isn't a romance? Oh, that's right. It's a cozy mystery. I almost forgot because the book was so busy throwing pieces of my sanity into the wood chipper.
As for the mystery. Well, it was just okay. It seems like two different homicides would be enough to keep it interesting, but I had the farmer pegged shortly after his post, and as for the other guy? I could barely bother because we took some weird detour into the twilight zone with a conference trip from hell that diluted the whole mystery and by the end I just skimmed through Fletcher's reveal because I was like, WHO CARES, HURLEY'S BOINKING TONYA AND I NEED A BEN & JERRY'S TOO!
With all that out of my system, I still downloaded the next book within 5 minutes of finishing this one. It would have been more like 5 seconds after finishing this one, but I was trying to really exercise restraint and show the book who's boss. Unfortunately, I read a spoiler accidentally that is two books from now and I just want to get there and I have no self control.
But seriously? Band aids don't fix bullet holes Annelise Ryan, I'm on to your tactics now.
April 20, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Deputy Coroner Mattie Winston catches a case on Christmas Day. Firemen called to a fire have found a body among the ashes. They are able to identify the man as Jack Allen, a paraplegic who was said to keep the fortune he recently won at the nearby casino in his home. Evidence shows the fire was deliberately set and not an accident as the killer had hoped. They also find Allen’s hiding spot empty. Working with detective Steve Hurley Mattie chases down clues while trying to ignore the romantic electricity that is running between them. They are also drawn into another case involving a missing man that was found floating in the river. Again, the evidence shows foul play.
I loved the first 3 books in this series for many reasons.
It is set in my home state of Wisconsin.
The text is full of Wisconsin references and the dialogue sounds just like the way I talk.
The story is usually well-written and plotted.
The humor flows from beginning to end.
But the thing I liked the best was protagonist Mattie Winston. She is a curvy woman, 6 feet tall, with size 12 feet, and she never fails to find herself the butt of a joke of her own making. This time mud and fire ants lead to two of her misadventures. The woman and the situations she gets herself into are flat out hilarious.
But this time she does some really stupid things that almost had me throwing the book at the wall and not finishing it. I also wish she stood up for herself better with her ex. She is a smart woman but when David is around she turns to mush. He cheated on her! He is the one who got at work with his pants down literally! Yet, she just lets him get away with everything. It is a good thing I was wrapped up in the main mystery and needed to know who killed a man in a wheelchair or this would have been a DNF.
Like Jack Allen, I deal with paralysis, I am a hemiplegic where my right side is mostly paralyzed while he is a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. I identified with this character and was sad he was the victim. It really got my dander up that someone took advantage of him and then killed him all out of greed. So I was totally focused on his killer being brought to justice. There is a long list of probable suspects and I was “in the right church, wrong pew, with my thinking when it came down to nailing the killer.
The second case was easier for me to solve and really broke my heart. It hit a little close to home for me and sadly was a sign of our time.
There was also a trip to Florida for a forensic convention during the holidays, that really made no sense and could have been completely left out.
The romantic issues were like a roller coaster ride and I was excited about it until the first curveball hit, but it was the final pitch that again had me wanting to throw the book at the wall and because the mysteries were solved I DID!
So, No! this was not a Perfect Escape but it wasn’t A Dreadful Detour either. There were things I really enjoyed about the story but there many I didn’t. I really want to know what happens next with these characters. So after a little break, I will venture into book 5, Board Stiff in hopes this book just had a couple of missteps.
Deputy Coroner Mattie Winston catches a case on Christmas Day. Firemen called to a fire have found a body among the ashes. They are able to identify the man as Jack Allen, a paraplegic who was said to keep the fortune he recently won at the nearby casino in his home. Evidence shows the fire was deliberately set and not an accident as the killer had hoped. They also find Allen’s hiding spot empty. Working with detective Steve Hurley Mattie chases down clues while trying to ignore the romantic electricity that is running between them. They are also drawn into another case involving a missing man that was found floating in the river. Again, the evidence shows foul play.
I loved the first 3 books in this series for many reasons.
It is set in my home state of Wisconsin.
The text is full of Wisconsin references and the dialogue sounds just like the way I talk.
The story is usually well-written and plotted.
The humor flows from beginning to end.
But the thing I liked the best was protagonist Mattie Winston. She is a curvy woman, 6 feet tall, with size 12 feet, and she never fails to find herself the butt of a joke of her own making. This time mud and fire ants lead to two of her misadventures. The woman and the situations she gets herself into are flat out hilarious.
But this time she does some really stupid things that almost had me throwing the book at the wall and not finishing it. I also wish she stood up for herself better with her ex. She is a smart woman but when David is around she turns to mush. He cheated on her! He is the one who got at work with his pants down literally! Yet, she just lets him get away with everything. It is a good thing I was wrapped up in the main mystery and needed to know who killed a man in a wheelchair or this would have been a DNF.
Like Jack Allen, I deal with paralysis, I am a hemiplegic where my right side is mostly paralyzed while he is a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. I identified with this character and was sad he was the victim. It really got my dander up that someone took advantage of him and then killed him all out of greed. So I was totally focused on his killer being brought to justice. There is a long list of probable suspects and I was “in the right church, wrong pew, with my thinking when it came down to nailing the killer.
The second case was easier for me to solve and really broke my heart. It hit a little close to home for me and sadly was a sign of our time.
There was also a trip to Florida for a forensic convention during the holidays, that really made no sense and could have been completely left out.
The romantic issues were like a roller coaster ride and I was excited about it until the first curveball hit, but it was the final pitch that again had me wanting to throw the book at the wall and because the mysteries were solved I DID!
So, No! this was not a Perfect Escape but it wasn’t A Dreadful Detour either. There were things I really enjoyed about the story but there many I didn’t. I really want to know what happens next with these characters. So after a little break, I will venture into book 5, Board Stiff in hopes this book just had a couple of missteps.
March 27, 2013
3.5 stars. Ok, I really love this series and I enjoyed this book. But it's not a 4 star read for me for two main reasons: 1. Mattie is a smart, college educated, confident protagonist, so the whole issue with the Casino just did my head in. Really? The author expects us to buy that Mattie is THAT stupid?!?! 2. Poor Mattie just got screwed over so many times in this book it just became hard to read. Too much emotional jerking around for Mattie AND for me! I don't want to feel a wreck when I'm done reading what I consider a cozy mystery.
Having said all that - it's a really good story. I absolutely love Mattie and Steve together - or not, as the case may be. I like all the characters and I enjoyed her nemesis not being a big part of this story. The humour is a little wacky and fun, a little slapstick. It's because I adore these characters so much that I am so irritated by the events mentioned above. The author does a good job making readers care about these guys and resent when they are made to do stupid things.
There are two mysterious death plots in this story, independent of each other. Both were excellent and not obviously predictable. The resolution of one came as a complete surprise to me.
The book ends with a blatant tie-in to the next book and I hope this next one sees Mattie bouncing back and not getting quite so beaten down by life in general. I hope the author stops abusing the poor woman. :) But most of all I hope it's published soon! I can't wait to read it.
NB: This is the second brand-new Kensington Paperback I've read in the last week and the production values of the book itself are disappointingly cheap - even for a paperback.
Having said all that - it's a really good story. I absolutely love Mattie and Steve together - or not, as the case may be. I like all the characters and I enjoyed her nemesis not being a big part of this story. The humour is a little wacky and fun, a little slapstick. It's because I adore these characters so much that I am so irritated by the events mentioned above. The author does a good job making readers care about these guys and resent when they are made to do stupid things.
There are two mysterious death plots in this story, independent of each other. Both were excellent and not obviously predictable. The resolution of one came as a complete surprise to me.
The book ends with a blatant tie-in to the next book and I hope this next one sees Mattie bouncing back and not getting quite so beaten down by life in general. I hope the author stops abusing the poor woman. :) But most of all I hope it's published soon! I can't wait to read it.
NB: This is the second brand-new Kensington Paperback I've read in the last week and the production values of the book itself are disappointingly cheap - even for a paperback.
April 5, 2017
Lucky Stiff by Annelise Ryan is the 4th book in the Mattie Winston Mystery series. Coroners assistant Mattie Winston is called out to a fatality at a house fire, the victim a paraplegic who had recently had a large casino win. Mattie's drinking and gambling and poor choices seemed out of character for her as she always seemed capable and sensible. Otherwise an interesting and entertaining book although it seemed a little drawn out.
January 18, 2021
Some very good lol moments, with head-scratchers along the way. The cases that needed solving were compelling enough, but I felt that Mattie was put down or let down or made to feel badly way too much, and so unnecessarily. And the non-trip to the convention seemed so out-of-place. Still a good bit of storytelling, so I rounded up to 4 from 3.5*. I already have several of the next in the series in my my clutches, so I've started on #5 to see if, and how, things get sorted.
February 9, 2016
This series keeps getting better has Mattie continues to develop her character. From hurt and depress woman in the first book. She is not able to handle things better. The minor characters of Izzy, Don and officers show more depth. Steve and the animals could be developed more. In this book, Mattie is back as deputy coroner knowing she cannot have a relationship with Steve. It is Christmas day and Mattie is called to a house fire where the firemen found a victim in the house. He turns out to a paraplegic who just won the jackpot at a casino. He keeps his cash in a home safe and it is missing. Mattie and Steve struggled to find answers. Mattie decides she can win a Jackpot also and starts gambling. Several directional changes are found in the plot before the answer is apparent. This author is adept at keeping the who done it a secret. I have yet known the answer before I finished. This book can be read as a stand alone.
June 9, 2016
Sorry folks, but this Mattie Winston book was so very hard to get through. To tell you the truth, towards the end, I skimmed through it AND , then I went to the last few chapters to see how it was going to end. The whole gambling theme was all wrong, and I'm soo tired of the " WOE IS ME" This is the 4th in this series..... the first book "working stiff" was FANTASTIC- I loved it- then as I read books 2,3 and now 4 - my book ratings have gone down. I will continue this series, for I do know ALL books in a series cannot be good.... All the characters I like and even get a chuckle here and there. I guess it is so disappointing when you know for a fact that this book could have been better! I can tell you that IF I read books out of order and I picked this one up first- I'm not sure that I would read the series... having said that- because I do know the series is good (for the most part) I'll chuck book 4 off as a DUD and later on pick up book number 5 --- and just HOPE for the BEST!
December 24, 2015
Amazing, I absolutely love this series. It's become one of the go-to series for me when I'm in a book hangover. Highly recommend!
December 1, 2018
Oh my, things are never dull with Mattie! This book was a roller coaster of a good time. Two cases to solve and all the personal drama. These books are so much fun and Mattie is a great character.
April 5, 2020
Just a 3 on this one. TOO much happened in one book and she did some very foolish things.
July 1, 2015
I picked up Annelise Ryan's first book in the Mattie Winston series because it takes place in a fictional town based on the place my daughter and her husband were living. And I loved it! Since then, I've read each of them voraciously as soon as I can get my hands on a new title. What a unique premise! Mattie is a former nurse who now works as an assistant coroner. She works with hunky cop Steve Hurley, and the two of them are madly attracted to one another, but their jobs preclude a romantic relationship. Add to the mix that Mattie, all six feet tall, size 12 shoes, seems to be accident prone, and is frequently caught in awkward situations involving things like falling in mud puddles or being bitten by hundreds of fire ants!!! Her supporting cast of characters are quirky, too, and provide comic relief for the serious business of cutting people up to find out how they died. LUCKY STIFF features two suspicious deaths and a large group of suspects. I love Ryan's books because I can't figure out whodunit until the bitter end. And for those of you who are followers of the series, you won't believe the plot twists in Mattie and Steve's relationship!
Read
February 8, 2016Fire And Gambling
This series keeps getting better has Mattie continues to develop her character. From hurt and depress woman in the first book. She is not able to handle things better. The minor characters of Izzy, Don and officers show more depth. Steve and the animals could be developed more. In this book Mattie is back as deputy coroner knowing she cannot have a relationship with Steve. It is Christmas day and Mattie is called to a house fire where the firemen found a victim in the house. He turns out to a paraplegic who just won the jackpot at a casino. He keep his cash in a home safe and it is missing. Mattie and Steve struggled to find answers. Mattie decides she can win a Jackpot also and starts gambling. Several directional changes are found in the plot before the answer is apparently. This author is adept at keeping the who done it a secret. I have yet know the answer before I finished. This book can be read as a stand alone.
This series keeps getting better has Mattie continues to develop her character. From hurt and depress woman in the first book. She is not able to handle things better. The minor characters of Izzy, Don and officers show more depth. Steve and the animals could be developed more. In this book Mattie is back as deputy coroner knowing she cannot have a relationship with Steve. It is Christmas day and Mattie is called to a house fire where the firemen found a victim in the house. He turns out to a paraplegic who just won the jackpot at a casino. He keep his cash in a home safe and it is missing. Mattie and Steve struggled to find answers. Mattie decides she can win a Jackpot also and starts gambling. Several directional changes are found in the plot before the answer is apparently. This author is adept at keeping the who done it a secret. I have yet know the answer before I finished. This book can be read as a stand alone.
March 27, 2013
3.5 stars. I really really love this series but this book had a few eye rolling moments so I could not justify a 4 star rating. I really like all of the characters in this series and also like learning more about the protagonists profession. I also really like the love story and all the drama and snarkiness that goes along with it. My main issue with this particular installment had to do with the protagonist acting "out of character" a few times -- especially where it came to gambling. Anywho I sincerely enjoy this series so much that I am still looking forward to book 5 and forgive the author any "silly" moments in this one.
March 16, 2013
I'm starting to get annoyed with the "Woe is me!" for Mattie. It started off as an awesome series, but now it's becoming overkill. The descriptions are repeated over and over again for each and towards the end, when we found out that last bit of information that ANOTHER dilemma to a certain couple...yeah.
Other than that, it was a quick, fun read. I just hope the author can go back to the original feelings of the first book, where it was more than just funny as hell and intriguing.
Other than that, it was a quick, fun read. I just hope the author can go back to the original feelings of the first book, where it was more than just funny as hell and intriguing.
August 19, 2015
I didn't like much of the plot in this book.
Mattie wouldn't be so stupid as to gamble away 10% of her settlement. And it's stupid that David can block her return to the hospital. And the ending with Hurly, really. Too much that just doesn't work in this book. I'll try one more, but if the author continues to make Mattie so stupid, I'm done.
Mattie wouldn't be so stupid as to gamble away 10% of her settlement. And it's stupid that David can block her return to the hospital. And the ending with Hurly, really. Too much that just doesn't work in this book. I'll try one more, but if the author continues to make Mattie so stupid, I'm done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
I love the characters and settings and mysteries of this series. However I am heartily sick of the contrived obstacles put in Mattie's life and it's sucking the joy out of the books for me. I mean gambling away all her divorce settlement, quitting her job then losing her new one before she starts and an old wife and kid? Seriously?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
I’m giving this 4 stars only because the mystery itself was good and the ending was OH WOW. That said, a good chunk of the murder solving part kept getting broken up with other useless, ridiculous (IMO) stuff, and I kept yelling, “Get back to the murder already!”
I also have a problem with Mattie. For a supposedly smart, strong woman she does some really dumb things (concerning her money especially), and she really, really needs to stand up to her ex-husband already! She really frustrates me. Hopefully she gets wiser in the next book.
Oh, and one more thing. Don’t eat anything while listening to this book. There were more than too many gaggable (is that a word?) moments. 😉
I also have a problem with Mattie. For a supposedly smart, strong woman she does some really dumb things (concerning her money especially), and she really, really needs to stand up to her ex-husband already! She really frustrates me. Hopefully she gets wiser in the next book.
Oh, and one more thing. Don’t eat anything while listening to this book. There were more than too many gaggable (is that a word?) moments. 😉
September 11, 2020
Mattie's divorce is finally through but Hurley and her are walking a tight line between their growing attraction and barriers because of collusion between their jobs. As a part of the ME's office, she is expected to go out to crime scene's and process them as well as help with the investigations.
I like the action and the investigations in these books. I also like the to MC's but not sure if I like the flaw introduced in this book in Mattie. But will definitely read on to see if it returns or was just a one shot thing.
I like the action and the investigations in these books. I also like the to MC's but not sure if I like the flaw introduced in this book in Mattie. But will definitely read on to see if it returns or was just a one shot thing.
December 19, 2020
This series continues to satisfy!
July 7, 2024
After the last book I read, this one seemed pointless and frivolous and I was disappointed with a bunch of recycled humor in the first half. However, she managed to pull the fat out the fire in the second half and redeem herself. I guess I won’t be giving up on this series after all.
January 9, 2022
4 ⭐️ really enjoy this series especially the mystery & romance aspects but the main character acts like a complete idiot in this one
December 29, 2021
Story about deaths at a nursing home, something not correct as the story did not match the book story description. Audiobook. //// Read the Correct story of Gambler burned to death on kindle. Lots of personal issues for the main character.
April 23, 2013
You know I really love this series, but Ms. Ryan how could you leave us hanging!!?? LOL
I do have a couple issues, first and foremost the gambling. Ok I can understand the first go around, especially since she had a tiny taste of beginners luck, but to go back and blow money the second time? Really. I know Mattie doesn't always make good choices but you'd think she'd be more careful with money. And now what is she going to do? Which brings me to my second issue...
Unemployed, really? First off Izzy had no business promising that job to anyone until Mattie resigned in writing. For someone who wants Mattie to play everything by the book and above board, he isn't very professional. Second, since it was a informal conversation, he most certainly doesn't have the right to expect her to still resign. It would be unprofessional at best, but the fact that they are friends... sorry very bad form. All in all I think this annoys me the most.
Poor Mattie & Hurley are they ever going to catch a break? I could see that he couldn't toss his ex and kid out, regardless of not knowing he was still married or had a daughter, but he could have been more supportive with Mattie.
It's going to kill me to wait another year to find out how this all works out... if it does. :(
I do have a couple issues, first and foremost the gambling. Ok I can understand the first go around, especially since she had a tiny taste of beginners luck, but to go back and blow money the second time? Really. I know Mattie doesn't always make good choices but you'd think she'd be more careful with money. And now what is she going to do? Which brings me to my second issue...
Unemployed, really? First off Izzy had no business promising that job to anyone until Mattie resigned in writing. For someone who wants Mattie to play everything by the book and above board, he isn't very professional. Second, since it was a informal conversation, he most certainly doesn't have the right to expect her to still resign. It would be unprofessional at best, but the fact that they are friends... sorry very bad form. All in all I think this annoys me the most.
Poor Mattie & Hurley are they ever going to catch a break? I could see that he couldn't toss his ex and kid out, regardless of not knowing he was still married or had a daughter, but he could have been more supportive with Mattie.
It's going to kill me to wait another year to find out how this all works out... if it does. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2015
This is the one where Mattie develops the gambling problem she's fighting in the next book. There are two mysterious deaths in this one, one obviously a murder, the other just confusing. There's also a disastrous trip to Florida in winter that I didn't get the point of. I didn't think it was one of the better books in the series, but it's a good read.
Also, Mattie's experience with fire ants didn't hold true with mine. They usually start biting before they're all up in your clothes, but since she didn't know to stomp her feet to knock them off (it works!), I'll grant that she might have gotten them all over her before she could get them off. But after she got her Benedryl, the ant bites itched. They keep hurting for days, especially with that many. And the bites make little blisters. You don't have to be specially allergic to get the blisters. Everybody does. And those blisters HURT! For days. The itching doesn't start till the blisters start to heal. So now, if you need to write a fire ant attack some day, you know the symptoms. :)
Also, Mattie's experience with fire ants didn't hold true with mine. They usually start biting before they're all up in your clothes, but since she didn't know to stomp her feet to knock them off (it works!), I'll grant that she might have gotten them all over her before she could get them off. But after she got her Benedryl, the ant bites itched. They keep hurting for days, especially with that many. And the bites make little blisters. You don't have to be specially allergic to get the blisters. Everybody does. And those blisters HURT! For days. The itching doesn't start till the blisters start to heal. So now, if you need to write a fire ant attack some day, you know the symptoms. :)
October 19, 2016
I have liked this series because it's a fun, light, quick read, but this book jumped the shark for me. The author completely threw her character's intelligence out the window. The gambling bit was over the top. I also got tired of reading that she can't go back to work at the hospital because it would be too humiliating to face her previous co-workers and their "pity"...yet she's there almost every day nosing around for something. Let the romance happen, or don't - it's gotten old.
August 3, 2015
I think I'm going to abandon this series. The main character is increasingly being written as a complete twit, whose lack of professionalism just makes me cringe. The romance is going nowhere, so that's not even a saving grace. The whole reason I read cozies is for entertainment; if I want to be depressed I'll go find a newspaper.
April 3, 2018
I was very disappointed by this, the next in the Mattie Winston series. It seemed that the author used just about every bad plot device she could think of to develop this story and the relationship of the two main characters. Here's hoping that next books in the series are much better!
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