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Maggie Kelly Mystery #3
Maggie Without A Clue
I've got a successful career, a great apartment, a fascinating man...and all I want is to curl up on the sofa with my cats and a bag of Funyuns. What's wrong with this picture?
I should be enjoying the company of Alexandre Blake, Viscount St. Just, hero of my historical mystery novels...but ever since Alex and his sidekick, Sterling, materialized in my living room, I've been dodging dead bodies. The news that the dynamic duo had gotten their own place was music to my ears—until the symphony ended with a hysterical phone call from Berni Toland-James, my recently widowed (as in: just woke up next to the bloody corpse of her estranged husband) publisher…
See? This is what I'm talking about.
Things look bad for Bernie, who'd made no secret of the fact that she wasn't too broken up when Buddy "disappeared" seven years ago. Meanwhile, Sterling's been on the receiving end of some weird threats…
OK, this just got personal. Messing with my friends? Bad move. Messing with my friends while I'm going through nicotine withdrawal? Watch out.
What with trying to sleuth, quit smoking, evade my therapist's more pointed questions, and meet my latest deadline, I'm a woman on the edge. Now, with the clock ticking on Bernie's freedom and Sterling's safety, it's time to get down to business with Alex (no, not that kind of business...well, maybe a little) and get a clue...
I should be enjoying the company of Alexandre Blake, Viscount St. Just, hero of my historical mystery novels...but ever since Alex and his sidekick, Sterling, materialized in my living room, I've been dodging dead bodies. The news that the dynamic duo had gotten their own place was music to my ears—until the symphony ended with a hysterical phone call from Berni Toland-James, my recently widowed (as in: just woke up next to the bloody corpse of her estranged husband) publisher…
See? This is what I'm talking about.
Things look bad for Bernie, who'd made no secret of the fact that she wasn't too broken up when Buddy "disappeared" seven years ago. Meanwhile, Sterling's been on the receiving end of some weird threats…
OK, this just got personal. Messing with my friends? Bad move. Messing with my friends while I'm going through nicotine withdrawal? Watch out.
What with trying to sleuth, quit smoking, evade my therapist's more pointed questions, and meet my latest deadline, I'm a woman on the edge. Now, with the clock ticking on Bernie's freedom and Sterling's safety, it's time to get down to business with Alex (no, not that kind of business...well, maybe a little) and get a clue...
294 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2004
5 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books541 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 2, 2017
3.5 stars.
I must say that Maggie is living such an interesting life since Alex and Sterling showed up!
This time the mystery involves Maggie bestie editor Bernie and her second supposedly dead husband who turned up dead again in her bed.... LOL! Moreover, we find that Maggie's little old lady neighbor's interesting past may cause Sterling his life after Alex subleased her apartment.
The question of whether Alex and Sterling are actually mortal is still unresolved but as Alex pointed out, they are evolving. At the end of this book, Alex's action in safeguarding their lives is quite drastic and becomes a bone of contention between him and Maggie. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved in the next books.
I must say that Maggie is living such an interesting life since Alex and Sterling showed up!
This time the mystery involves Maggie bestie editor Bernie and her second supposedly dead husband who turned up dead again in her bed.... LOL! Moreover, we find that Maggie's little old lady neighbor's interesting past may cause Sterling his life after Alex subleased her apartment.
The question of whether Alex and Sterling are actually mortal is still unresolved but as Alex pointed out, they are evolving. At the end of this book, Alex's action in safeguarding their lives is quite drastic and becomes a bone of contention between him and Maggie. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved in the next books.
October 14, 2016
In my opinion, this book marks a turning point in the series. The focus changes from "Look at this impossible situation!" to "So now that this is our new normal, what do we do?" The primary focus is on what it means to be a hero in real life -- both the good and bad of it. This makes the book more thoughtful than the previous two. The case is this one is the most complicated so far. Good luck figuring out whodunit. The best part of the book is the introduction of J. P. Boxer. She is a terrific character who always has lines that make my jaw drop.
I was offered a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. I was happy to have it to go with the paperback copy I bought years ago.
I was offered a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. I was happy to have it to go with the paperback copy I bought years ago.
November 20, 2016
Alex and Sterling have sublet the apartment across the hall from Maggie. Bernice (aka: Bernie, Maggie’s publisher) calls hysterically asking Alex and Maggie to come quick. She woke up covered in the blood of her ex-husband, Buddy James and no memory of what happened. Actually, he’s her soon-to-be declared officially dead ex-husband, because he took his boat out seven years ago and never came back.
Alex hires Bernie a criminal attorney, J.P. Boxer, before they call the police. J.P. takes over, even handling the police and keeps Bernie from being arrested.
Meanwhile back at the apartment (I’ve always wanted to say that, LOL.), Sterling and Vernon (aka: Snake, former street person) are cleaning up the mess from the “Mob” guys that tossed the apartment looking for a mysterious “it”. When Maggie and Alex return from Bernie’s place, they discover that Sterling and Snake are being held for ransom.
How does Alex prove Bernie’s innocence and find Buddy’s murderer? Find and rescue Sterling and Snake? Read the story to find out!!!!
This was a hilarious, fast-paced reread for me (in order this time). I kept finding myself slipping into that place where I felt like I was watching the story unfold not just reading the story. This is definitely, still a “keeper”.
Alex hires Bernie a criminal attorney, J.P. Boxer, before they call the police. J.P. takes over, even handling the police and keeps Bernie from being arrested.
Meanwhile back at the apartment (I’ve always wanted to say that, LOL.), Sterling and Vernon (aka: Snake, former street person) are cleaning up the mess from the “Mob” guys that tossed the apartment looking for a mysterious “it”. When Maggie and Alex return from Bernie’s place, they discover that Sterling and Snake are being held for ransom.
How does Alex prove Bernie’s innocence and find Buddy’s murderer? Find and rescue Sterling and Snake? Read the story to find out!!!!
This was a hilarious, fast-paced reread for me (in order this time). I kept finding myself slipping into that place where I felt like I was watching the story unfold not just reading the story. This is definitely, still a “keeper”.
May 1, 2008
I know her characters are over the top, but because she writes tongue-in-cheek, I end up laughing and wanting more. Nothing difficult here, but there's some clean (everything behind closed doors) fun here.
August 25, 2016
Wow so THAT took a dark goddamn turn. WOW.
Content notes: murder (v gory), kidnapping, anti-gay slur (and, credit, one of the main characters calls it out as such and goes off on the person using it), break-in, the mob, gory murder as back story, another murder, ableism
Content notes: murder (v gory), kidnapping, anti-gay slur (and, credit, one of the main characters calls it out as such and goes off on the person using it), break-in, the mob, gory murder as back story, another murder, ableism
June 30, 2008
These are starting to grow on me. This third book in the series was less annoying than the first two. Yes, it has managed to suck me in, and I'll probably keep reading. Darn that Kasey Michaels!
February 21, 2021
A great cure for insomnia!
September 2, 2021
Some books are worth reading again, funny witty and a little different. This is one of them.
November 22, 2021
Enjoyable book. Maggie was cute even with her crutches. St Just grows on you and his side kick. There was always some thing go on all the way till the end.
October 19, 2016
This is a great book; this is the third book in the Maggie Kelly Mystery series written by Kasey Michaels. Maggie Kelly writes a best selling Regency Era-set mystery series starring her handsome, witty hero, Alexandre Blake, Viscount St. Just. This works very well, or at least it did until St. Just somehow managed to make the leap between fiction and her New York apartment. He even brought along his sidekick, Sterling Balder, and apparently they have no intention to return to the pages of her books. And that's not even the strangest thing happening in Maggie's once dull but reasonably normal life. Ever since St. Just's arrival, dead bodies have had a habit of showing up, and St. Just, who truly believes he is a brilliant amateur detective, always insists he will solve the crimes. And with little regards for rules, something that Maggie's new boyfriend, police Lieutenant Steve Wendell says is beginning to get on his nerves.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
October 25, 2016
Maggie Kelly is back, along with Viscount St. Just, Sterling, Lt. Wendell, and Bernie! In this mystery, Bernie awakes one morning to find her second husband (believed dead nearly seven years) REALLY and TRULY dead next to her in the bed. What a shock, especially as poor Bernie has no memory of the events of the prior night!
Also, Mrs. Goldblum leaves unexpectedly, but the arrangements have already been made for St. Just and Sterling to move in temporarily. Of course, there is an unfortunate encounter with the local mob, which leads to St. Just investigating two mysteries at the same time. He realizes that he is not the same person (or character), but that he is changing emotionally, and this change also affects dear Maggie.
The story can be read as a stand-alone, but it has been so fun to have read from the beginning, and then see what new characters, i.e. J.P. Boxer, will come along in the new books.
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions are my own.
Also, Mrs. Goldblum leaves unexpectedly, but the arrangements have already been made for St. Just and Sterling to move in temporarily. Of course, there is an unfortunate encounter with the local mob, which leads to St. Just investigating two mysteries at the same time. He realizes that he is not the same person (or character), but that he is changing emotionally, and this change also affects dear Maggie.
The story can be read as a stand-alone, but it has been so fun to have read from the beginning, and then see what new characters, i.e. J.P. Boxer, will come along in the new books.
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions are my own.
November 8, 2016
Maggie Kelly Regency mystery writer is visited in real life by her regency crime fighting, witty hero Alexandre Blake, St. Just. Alexandre has now somehow come alive in her New York apartment. And with St. Just’s arrival dead bodies keep showing up too. The strangest things keep happening in Maggie's once dull life. Bernice her publisher calls hysterically asking Maggie to come quick. Bernice woke up covered in her soon to be ex-husband, Buddy James, blood and needs Maggie to help her. St Just and his side kick Sterling Balder set out to solve this murder after all he’s a brilliant amateur detective which solve the crimes. A hilarious fast paced mystery for your reading pleasure!!!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2013
This is my favorite one of this series. It was such a shame that the publisher killed this mystery series. Ms Michaels who is probably best know for her regencies/historicals found a way to bring regency England to the modern day by having Maggie Kelly, a historical romance writer, visited in real life by her regency crime fighting hero Alexandre Blake. Mysteries were never deep but the fun was in the banter and the situational comedy. I hope that Hallmark or someone will make this series of books into movies.
March 26, 2011
The circumstances between Alex, Steve, and Maggie are heating up! And it was nice to see Maggie making progress. The mystery and murder were engaging and offbeat, making a good backdrop for Alex to show off.
October 24, 2016
What a wild ride! Can these characters stay out of trouble? Mysteries on top of mysteries and lots of sexual tension going on. Quite a few amusing scenes and the introduction of another colorful character to this crazy cast make this installment of the series the best so far.
December 3, 2016
Kasey Michaels' Maggie is getting better and better. The third book in the series (Maggie Without A Clue) is my favorite....so far. It has plenty of mystery and a lot to laugh about. I can hardly wait to read the fourth book. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2009
Mystery
February 8, 2011
Love the ending...
May 17, 2011
heading to book #4. Get addicted to Alex Blake... oops... I mean the series, Maggie ^^
August 2, 2011
didnt realize this is the third in a series, wish i had, but nothing unusual there. Good book, mystery genre, and i will look for the rest of the series
December 30, 2012
Still lively; wonder what the next book will bring.
August 6, 2013
Oh Alex is evolving!!!
February 11, 2014
Regency romance in the modern world as Maggie's characters have been give life in 1990's New York.
July 10, 2014
Enjoyable entry in the series. It seemed like there was a lot of character growth in this one.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews