An Opening for Murder

Maggie Kean Misadventures #2

by Nageeba Davis

In the sequel to A Dying Art, artist-turned-sleuth Maggie Kean must put her detective skills to use once again when she stumbles upon the body of a noted patron of the arts baking in her kiln during the opening of her art exhibit. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Amazon, Fiction, Romance, Art, Contemporary

314 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 2, 2002

Reviews

[Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year after Maggie Kean discovered her neighbor Elizabeth’s body in a septic tank, she finally found her talent in sculpting. Detective Sam Villari, who used to handle Elizabeth’s case, is now Maggie’s boyfriend although she isn’t ready to really commit to a serious relationship. On the night of her prestigious sculpture opening at The Outlook, Hank Duran, a prospective buyer, decided to take a look at Maggie’s other masterpieces, which was stored in another location. When both of them went ahead to look for her hidden sculpture, Maggie smelled & discovered a burned body inside the kiln. It wasn’t long before she went into her usual sleuth mode and poked her nose into discovering the killer on the loose. This time, she had her best friend Lisa and Duran as her accomplices/partners in crime. And as usual, Villari was disappointed and angry because Maggie didn’t confide in him about her own investigation.

Nageeba Davis’s second book in the Maggie Kean Misadventures series is exceptionally written, perfect for sleuths like me who love murder mysteries with romance on the side. Maggie was her usual self – snarky, smart-mouth and a snoop. And I actually missed that in her. Sorry, it took me a year to read the sequel, so I was more than happy to share happy thoughts and snide remarks about her. Villari was still hot and hunky. Yes, I know, almost all heroes and heroines are either gorgeous, sexy and hot, so I always say that on my reviews; I couldn’t help it. Anyway, I liked the newest character, Hank Duran, who was a walking rainbow, and had a lot to say about the people around him.

Artistic Licence is a very entertaining read, full of humor and thrills. This is another mystery series that had me thinking about the killer until the end. Thumbs up!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie's meddling in murder investigations are sometimes funny but not well receive her boyfriend,
Detective Sam Villari. He has repeatedly told to stay out of police investigations. But she cannot control her snooping.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing exciting but enjoyable.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good "who done it!"

Maggie Kean, a sculptor, discovers a charred body in the kiln at the studio holding her first art show. Her boyfriend, Sam Vellardi, a homicide detective, is there to begin the investigation. Maggie wiggles her way into the investigation, chasing a private investigator all over the north end of Colorado Springs. She gets the stink eye from Vellardi as she moves through the police investigation, but he can't make her stop. This is a second in the series. An easy read with moments of laughter throughout the book.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting although slightly lost as I read the second book first. The ending I didn’t care for as it seemed too quickly wrapped up and nothing the audience would have been able to figure out from the top few clues. Was an okay mystery.

[P.A. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie Kean is finally getting her art show. Schmoozing the patrons is not her strength, so when one of the oddest members of the crowd asks to see if she has something edgier to show him, Maggie sees it as a way to duck the responsibility. She regrets her cowardice as soon as she looks in the kiln where there's a dead body — crispy and blackened from the heat.

She doesn't want to investigate, that's Sam's job and he keeps pushing her away so she'll be safe. The problem is that she needs to know and Sam is holding all the clues very close to his chest. It leaves her only one option, start investigating on her own.

I recommend this to anyone who likes a cozy mystery with a dash of humor and a dollop of romance. I reviewed book 1, Artful Dodger, if you are want to start at the beginning of the series.

[Jeanne Bahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't put this series down. Great character!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artistic License

Truly enjoyed this second book in the series as much as the first book. Great murder mystery that kept me guessing. Quality writing.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel as much as I loved the first one. I feel like I know these characters. I loved the mystery and the addition of the quirky character, Hank Duran.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different type of mystery, with an uptight sculptor that is also a very curious person (that part is not different). I just liked the different quirks in the story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and quick summer read. A good murder mystery that had enough clues and interesting characters to keep it interesting.

[Dogsandbooks]

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