Murderous CONsequences

by Nicole Leiren

Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

Genres: Mystery

244 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun -- in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.

Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure--all for the reader's pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie is a skilled con artist from a wealthy family who has move to a small hostile Texas town filled with snobs who disdain anyone "not from around here". A man she had taken exception to is found dead in the water by the state game warden and the locals put her in the frame "just because they can". Sadie is a great character and the others are clearly presented, the plot is like a train just starting up the flatlands and suddenly having to make unexpected twists and turns. Loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Harbor Lane Books, LLC via NetGalley. Thank you!
#MurderousCONsequences #NetGalley #Sadie Sabatini

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of cozy mysteries that push the boundaries and aren’t as sugary sweet as some of them tend to be so I was thrilled to find this one with a reformed con artist who moves to a small town in Texas to start over. I loved the depiction of small-town Southern residents and how different it is for Sadie to blend in and the mystery where her past seems to come back to haunt her. Despite all this, I had a difficult time connecting with Sadie or the story on the whole so I hope there are more in the series that I can read to try and forge the connection.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this murder mystery. The plot building was a bit slow in the beginning, but by the end it was action packed and the story came full circle. The plot building kept me guessing who the suspect would be because of the inevitable timing of Sadie being the first/only suspect until you get deeper into the story. The suspense Nicole Leiren was able to build with Sadie's past life and new encounters in her endeavors to enter retired life made for a surprising storyline that as the layers unfold you will not want to put the book down.

It was an easy and quick read which is great for those just getting into murder mystery books. I cannot wait to see if there will be a second installment in the series for us to learn more about the life Sadie left behind and to learn more about Derek Devenhart and the North Dakota job that led to Sadie's early retirement.

This was an ARC (provided by NetGallery)

[Ebbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Leverage (2008) is a favorite show for me, so I am always down to check out anything with a Robin Hood set up. I wouldn’t say this was a super close comp to Leverage (there is basically no team, just Sadie and the people she’s meeting in her new town), but I still had a good time with this. Sadie was clever enough (although she almost always chose the least subtle option at every turn lmao), and I liked that connecting with the ~regular folks~ in town was a big priority for her. Also appreciated that the love interest wasn’t a cop!

I’d definitely check out future books in this series

CW: There was a lot of references to counting calories and dieting that felt like it came out of nowhere

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alessandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the book’s description I was expecting the book to cover more of the protagonist’s backstory, but this is just mentioned in passing (almost more detailed in the blurb than the book itself!) and this put me off a bit.
While the story is competently written I could not connect with or care about any of the rather two-dimensional characters (even the protagonist is totally unbelievable as a retired successful con artist), and found the murder mystery itself unoriginal.
As such, I was happy that this book is a quick one-day summer read, I wouldn’t have put up with it for longer, and I definitely won’t be back for more of the Sadie Sabatini investigations.

Note: I received this book for free as an Early Reviewer from LibraryThing but the opinions above are mine and unbiased.

[Courtney Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to LibraryThing for the arc! This is a nice, easy ready! The story was told well and the ending was packaged and wrapped with a bow. It kept me entertained and engaged trying to figure out the mystery along with the protagonist (it did stump me until the reveal.) The only thing I didn’t like were the references to eating and weight. This woman is constantly moving/walking but feels she should only eat yogurt (and granola bars if she’s has a more active day than normal) which is not healthy at all.

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, cozy mystery of an ex-Robinhood turned legitimate business owner being accused of murder.

Sadie has just moved into a town in Texas when there's a murder and she's accused of being the killer. Now, there's a merry chase to find the killer and free herself. Witty, with a lot of plant twists, this was a good read.

#netgalley #MurderousCONsequences

[MaggieDay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. Sadie Sabatini retires from her past as a con-woman working to help clients (reminds me of the TV show, Leverage) to open an Italian glass shop in a small town in Texas. She finds herself as the prime suspect in a murder. I found this cozy mystery a fun read, with almost too many characters to keep track of.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Murderous CONsequences by Nicole Leiren is a thrilling dive into the world of deception, danger, and redemption. The story centers around Sadie Sabatini, a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her skills as a con artist to help those in need. However, her past catches up with her in the small town of Wilson, Texas, where she hopes to start anew with a legitimate business.

Leiren crafts a compelling protagonist in Sadie, whose complex character is both relatable and intriguing. Her journey from a life of cons to seeking a fresh start is fraught with tension and suspense, especially when a former associate threatens to expose her past. The stakes are raised when this associate turns up dead, and Sadie becomes the prime suspect.

The setting of Wilson, Texas, with its picturesque Lake Amore, provides a stark contrast to the dark secrets and dangerous liaisons that unfold. Leiren’s descriptive writing brings the town to life, making it a character in its own right. The small-town charm juxtaposed with the underlying menace creates a gripping atmosphere that keeps readers on edge.

The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Leiren skillfully weaves a web of blackmail, revenge, and hidden pasts, making it difficult to discern friend from foe. Sadie’s con artist skills become crucial as she navigates this treacherous terrain, using her wit and resourcefulness to uncover the truth and protect her new friends.

Supporting characters add depth to the narrative, each with their own secrets and motivations. The interactions between Sadie and the townsfolk are well-developed, adding layers to the story and enhancing the mystery. The tension builds steadily, leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

Murderous CONsequences is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Nicole Leiren delivers a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a protagonist who is as flawed as she is formidable. This book is a testament to the idea that no matter how far you run, your past will always find you, and it’s how you face it that defines your future.

[Nichole Scanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already cannot wait for the second installment in this series! Sadie Sabatini has some layers we need to unpack and learn more about.

Sadie has a shady past which we learn a small bit about in this first book but I’m sure there’s more and more to discover. Even working in the shade, she does it for the betterment of society so it certainly feels more palatable.

In trying to leave the shady life and start anew, above board, she chooses a horrible small town with too many busybodies and way to much of a caste social system. Even before her new store opens, she’s mixed up in a murder and becomes the main, if not only, suspect.

Luckily, due to her past life’s work, she is able to do a lot of the police’s job for them in finding the true murderer. Along the way, we meet much of the town and get to know just a tiny bit about Sadie and her days before.

Sit back and enjoy a mystery and then count the days for the next book to be available.

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be totally honest there are so many aspects of this book I did not like, Sadie (MC) was the main one. For someone with a background in con artistry she was terrible with people. I get that there was time pressure, but even still, she seemed to make a point of ticking people off. Not to mention that she turns into almost a stalker with Jeremy. So much of it rubbed me the wrong way that I ended up just scanning over the pages to get to the end so I can at least say I got my money's worth (and find out who the killer was).

And then there was her side kick, a 14 year old boy. I have 2 teenage sons and as wonderful as they are, I know they would rather be hanging with their friends during school holidays then a 30 something woman. Plus for all the "wisdom" he seemed to have he came across as a lot younger than 14. Or maybe that's just me.

[Cynthia Prosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This breezy cozy mystery was a fun read taking place in an upscale lake community in Texas. The protagonist had recently moved to the community to start a new life and a new business selling Venetian glass. The primary characters were well developed, but the secondary characters were rather 1 dimensional. The location was described so that you felt you were there. The plot unfolded at a good pace that kept you interested until the end. I was frustrated a bit because the background of the protagonist was only hinted at in small tidbits and useally to get the main character out of a jam. But those hints, well hint, at some unusual skills and noble motives that will be intersting to learn in later books. Would recommend.

[Pamela Devereux · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning I knew I was going to like Sadie. She's looking to start a new phase in her life and choose Wilson, TX because of the lake's name. What she didn't expect was to be caught up in the small town power structure or the murder of the most hated person. In the process of trying to find the killer before she ends up in jail, she is stepping on toes and slowly making friends. It seems the game warden is slowly worming his way into her heart. Her fight or flight mode has kicked in. Does she stay or live to fight another day? The real killer has other ideas. Jeremy, the game warden to the rescue.

[Marilyn Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming, humorous book is all about starting over. Sadie Sabatini is a con artist with a heart. She moves to a small town in Texas to avoid her past mistakes. But her past has a way of catching up with her and she becomes the main suspect in a murder case. She has to use her sleuthing skills to find out the truth, learn who to trust, protect her reputation and snag her happy ending.
This is a delightful beginning to what promises to be a new cozy series. I really liked this, the first book.

[Bre3924 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Library Thing. From the start my interest never waned. Very well written and kept me guessing who the culprit could be. Will definitely read more from this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope you do too!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very entertained by this newest book from Nicole Leiren. I recommend reading Murderous Consequences as a great way to spend your weekend!

[Carissa Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDEROUS CONSEQUENCES
Nicole Leiren, author
Mystery

This book is all about an ex con artist trying to make a fresh start when a murder happens right after she comes to town. All hell breaks loose and the con artist is in the hot seat. She must find out who did it before they take her to jail.

This was a good start of a new series. While there are still a few areas to fill in the back story, I give this 5 of 5 stars.

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute; it had me giggling frequently because as it was funny for a cozy mystery. It is about making new friends while danger is lurking, not knowing who you can trust. Although it felt like an established series with well-developed characters, it is just the first of what I hope will be a new series. I recommend this novel and look forward to more from both this author and this series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie wants to make a new life in the town of Wilson, Texas. However, she meets the wrong person and ends up as a murder suspect. This was an interesting read. I enjoyed how Sadie goes about finding the truth. I did not guess who it was until the end. Sadie is very sassy and loves to push people’s buttons. I received a free book from LibraryThing and the views and opinions are my own.