Mad Money & Murder

by Jenni Stand

Liz Pond is a private investigator with her own agency in historic San Antonio, Texas. Her specialty is proving that con artists are frauds, and Liz knows just how to spot a fake...by using her own secret psychic abilities.



However, after the failed rescue of a kidnapped woman, Liz has lost all faith in herself as a PI. She's also lost her psychic abilities and doesn't know if she'll ever get them back.



While walking along the San Antonio River Walk during its annual draining, Liz finds a body weighted down at the bottom of the drained river. The victim's roommate hires Liz to find the killer. Liz agrees to take this one last case because she can't stand the idea of seeing a murderer escape justice. A romance with a local police detective is bubbling just below the surface, plus a reluctant friendship with an investigative reporter she's afraid will discover her secret, will this end up being her last case? Or will Liz regain her abilities - as well as her confidence?

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2024

Reviews

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story gets off to a roliicking start when the body of a hotel employee is found on the banks of a river in San Antonio, and P.I. Liz Pond is hired to solve the case. Along the way, there are subplots and diversions that, at times, make the murder feel secondary. When Pond finally does solve the case, it feels like things could have moved more quickly. 

While I wasn't totally enthralled with this book, it does have a down-home feel to it that helps keep you engaged. One aspect that was definitely interesting was giving the lead character psyochemtric abilities. This is the first book in the Liz Pond mystery series.

[Tish Bouvier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely captivated by Jenni Stand's debut in the Pond Investigations Mystery series, "Mad Money & Murder," I found myself completely immersed in the world of Liz, an amateur PI with sporadically functioning psychic abilities. From the get-go, this novel gripped me with its unique blend of mystery, humor, and a dash of romance, making it a compelling read that I couldn't put down.

In conclusion, "Mad Money & Murder" is an outstanding start to what promises to be an exhilarating series. Its blend of mystery, humor, friendship, and a hint of romance makes it a must-read for fans of the genre.

[Zsaffryn Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, folks, I’ve finally been to Texas!

I’ve never had setting be this impactful in a book. I feel as though I’ve personally walked the streets of San Antonio, experienced the celebration for the annual draining of the river, and enjoyed great food with the locals, all while solving a murder.

The plot follows a psychic personal investigator whose skills are varied and not infallible which makes her relatable and gave me something to cheer for from the start. She’s also gifted with a sense of humor and heartwarming connections with friends and family. I laughed on more than one occasion.

Mad Money & Murder was the perfect cozy to ease me into the mystery genre. I’m keeping my eye out for the sequel.

[Denise Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenni Stand’s Pond Investigations series starts off with a winner. I really enjoyed Mad Money & Murder. I have lived in San Antonio all my life, and Jenni Stand’s research is so thorough, she taught me a bunch of things about San Antonio that I didn’t know. The characters are interesting, the plot is intriguing, and the villain is plausible without being obvious. I didn’t guess and was surprised at the reveal. Liz Pond’s psychic abilities are presented in a plausible way and seem perfectly reasonable in the context of the story. The romantic interest is subtle and doesn’t detract from the plot, but it definitely adds an additional layer of interest. This is a fun read.

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PI with psychic abilities! I was instantly drawn into the story and kept wanting to know more. Liz is a likable character. I was just as invested in her personal life as I was the murder. The budding romance with the detective was one of my favorite parts of the book. Her assistant, Claire, works because she wants to and not for the money. I look forward to seeing what the next case is!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut! I thoroughly enjoyed Mad Money & Murder, set in picturesque San Antonio. This book delivers a good time with a likeable heroine with psychic abilities, a handful of compelling suspects, and a cast of fun characters.

[Joanne Keene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for her 1st book!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Enjoyed this quick read and that the setting was along the riverwalk in San Antonio. Have downloaded the next one!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing. The plot has a few holes, but a fun read. It is set on the Riverwalk in San Antonio