17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree

Maizie Albright Star Detective #5

by Larissa Reinhart

RING IN ANOTHER YEAR WITH THE “FRESH, FUNNY, AND FEISTY STAR DETECTIVE”

Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Maltese Falcon in this Maizie Albright Star Detective New Year’s Eve action & adventure-styled, humorous, romantic crime caper from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Larissa Reinhart.

“The mystery and detective cases drive the story, but Larissa Reinhart’s characters steal the show every time.” — The Girl with Book Lungs

This New Year’s Eve, Maizie Albright’s happy to leave aside her Hollywood alde lang syne for the sake of a new life with family and friends in Black Pine, Georgia. There are so many reasons to celebrate. A new home with her father’s family. Her new career as an assistant private investigator to hunky Wyatt Nash. A new love life with hunky Wyatt Nash…

However, a new career and home mean responsibilities. Like getting called in on a case on New Year’s Eve day. And babysitting Remi, her half-sister (and possibly half-Tasmanian devil) while her dad's out of town. What’s a private investigator in training to do? Make New Year’s Eve day “take your sister to work day.”

But when a woman arrives at Nash Security Solutions, asking about an old movie prop Maizie had given to her father, her New Year’s Eve gets crazier than Times Square at midnight. Before champagne toasts and the Big Peach drops, Maizie has twelve hours to reprise her most detested role to protect her family from old acquaintances best forgot and never brought to mind. Will these ruthless villains pop Maizie’s cork before the clock strikes twelve? Or worse yet, drop the ball on her baby sister?

For a fun and wacky holiday adventure, catch up with Maizie and Nash and download 17.5 Cartridges today!

"This novella bridging events of the novels heralds in the New Year by taking Maizie and Nash Security Solutions in a new direction, promising even more adventures in cinematic and real world detecting. Chapter headings with hilarious hashtags are just one of the indicators of the snarky humor in store for readers, especially when combined with movie fandom that is the embodiment of 'fanatic.'" — Cynthia Chow, King's River Life Magazine

Genres: Mystery, Chick Lit, Amateur Sleuth

Unknown Binding

Published December 17, 2019

About the author

A Wall Street Journal bestselling and international award-winning author, Larissa loves to tell funny, sweet stories about sassy Southern women looking for love (and sometimes dead bodies) in all the wrong places, like in her award-winning Cherry Tucker Mystery, Maizie Albright Star Detective, and/or Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series. You might have seen Larissa and her family with their little dog, Biscuit, on HGTV's House Hunters International "Living for the Weekend in Nagoya" episode. They’re back in Georgia where Biscuit has a bigger yard but now has to live with thunderstorms.
Check out LarissaReinhart.com to learn more and get a free story while you're visiting.

Her books have been chosen as book club picks by Woman's World Magazine and Hot Mystery Reviews. They've also been finalists for Georgia Author of the Year, the Silver Falchion, the Daphne du Maurier Award, The Emily Award, and Dixie Kane Memorial. Her work also appeared in the 2017 Silver Falchion Reader’s Choice winner, Eight Mystery Writers You Should Be Reading Now.

Cherry Tucker Mysteries (in order):

A CHRISTMAS QUICK SKETCH (prequel)
PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY
STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW
HIJACK IN ABSTRACT
DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE
THE VIGILANTE VIGNETTE
THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE
A COMPOSITION IN MURDER
A VIEW TO A CHILL
A MOTHERLODE OF TROUBLE

Maizie Albright Star Detective series in order:

15 MINUTES
16 MILLIMETERS
NC-17
A VIEW TO A CHILL
17.5 CARTRIDGES IN A PEAR TREE
18 CALIBER
18 1/2 DISGUISES
19 CRIMINALS (coming soon!)
20 CARATS

Finley Goodhart Crime Capers in order:

PIG’N A POKE (prequel short story for Larissa's subscribers)
THE CUPID CAPER

Reviews

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With all the humor of the Maizie Albright Star Detective series and the action of one of Maizie's movies or TV series, 17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree is a true blast! A crazy rich guy, a manipulative femme fatale and a rambunctious little sister offer Maizie almost than she can handle. Two groups seem to be on a quest for a tacky prop from one of Maizie's movies that has developed a cult following, a movie she would love to forget. But that artifact has one thing going for it that makes it worth protecting; it was a gift to her father who appreciates the message behind the gift even more than the shotgun shell necklace. I loved everything about the book, but what touched me most was that Maizie revealed her insecurities. She always seems so sure of herself, but she doesn't quite trust her connection with Nash or with her father.

As a fan of the Maizie Albright Sart Detective series, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of 17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree. The books was as fun as the earlier books in the series and fans and new reads alike with love it.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little adventure is quite an experience. Lots of action taking place. No rest for the wicked I guess. Someone (or a couple someones) are wanting a movie prop that Maizie (the protagonist... used to be actress current wanna be private investigator) had given her father from one of her movies. She doesn't know why, but she's gonna find out, apparently even if it means total destruction. This book is a little shorter than the others in the series... longer than a novella though, but has all the heart as the others. It can be read as a stand alone, as is the case with each of the books. It is clean as far as sexual content goes, but there is some mild violence (or threat of.) There is a little kinda sorta romance between her and her mentor. (When you read this book, you'll understand the 'kinda sorta' part of it.) ;) Maizie's little sister steals the show in several scenes, and offers some additional comedy, although, with everything that Maizie has experienced (bless her heart,) not much more is needed. The story has a little but of ridiculousness to it, but not in a bad way. As I mentioned, it is a busy story. No downtime for the characters. Just as one incident concludes, another mishap happens. Though to be fair, the entire book takes place during one day.

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better way to spend New Year's?

This series is so much fun! This installment finds Maizie in charge of Remi while her father is out of town. More like Remi's in charge with her swarm of Jack Russell's! Who knew one small child could wreck so much havoc! A group of bad guys is trying to get a movie prop that Maizie gifted to her father. And they will stop at nothing! And who's side is Nash on in all this? Too hard to tell!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun!
17.5 CARTRIDGES IN A PEAR TREE (2 of 2 books in Crimes Most Merry & Albright) is another winner! Maizie says “No sale!” But the bad guys have other ideas. Enjoy!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of action and wacky humor abound in this short New Years Eve story as two factions vie for a movie prop. Although this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kung Fu Kate, Warhead Girl, and Julia Pinkerton never had to deal with real-life issues of size and strength.”

It’s Christmas in Black Pine. As usual, Mazie Albright is stuck in the middle of something she never asked for, and her little sister Remi is included. Remi’s too bright for her own good, as we all know, but who thought she’d get into trouble of THIS magnitude... and what a bunch of spent shells actually is worth. Just what is Mazie’s newly built life worth? Her job? Remi’s life? Her boss Wyatt Nash? All for a movie prop? What a way to start a new year.....!

In this, the 5th book in the “Maizie Albright Star Detective” series, the pace is fast, the mystery topsy-turvy and Maizie at the center of the anything-but-perfect-storm. Even when things look fine on the outside, in Maizie’s world, does anything go well for long. Leave it to Larissa Reinhart to keep us laughing right through New Year’s Eve. Highly Recommended 5/5

[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s New Year’s Eve and Maizie is spending the holiday at home with her family. Unfortunately her step-mom mothers had fallen and her parents needed to take care of her. That left Maizie to take care of Remi, her six-year old sister. A woman arrives at the Nash Security Solution office asking about an old movie prop that Maizie gave to her father. All of a sudden people are interested in this prop and she has until midnight to give it up. As the story unfolds, Maizie goes to great lengths to protect this prop and Remi from the evil characters. Remi is a pistol with her antics of trying to help Maizie. Wyatt’s soft side and his feelings for Maizie is brought to the front. This story was a lot of fun to read. The adventures of Maizie and Remi are hilarious! I am addicted to this series and can’t wait for the next book. Highly recommend this book!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble does seem to follow Maizie, but when she got left in charge of Remi, well I knew it was going to get interesting. You would not think a child that age would be so inventive. The things she can come up with are amazing! Read along and follow the adventures of Nash, Maizie and Remi. I think you’ll have a chuckle or two or three and a few shakes of your head. Some of these characters are well, you’ll have to decide. Interesting storyline. You never know what people are willing to pay for or what they think they can accomplish with it. What’s next for Maizie and Nash. Guess we’ll have to stay tuned. I received an ARC of this book, but my opinion is my own.

[Jan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy New Year

The only person causing more chaos in Black Pine Mtn. than Maizie is Maizie's six year old sister with her pack of Jack's! The only difference is trouble comes to Maizie but Remi is always looking for it! This is a fun story filled with what makes this series addicting - crazy situations, romance, characters to love as well as some (Vickie) you love to hate. Maizie ' s first twenty years were far from ideal but she is doing everything she can to make changes and become a strong, self-supporting, hard working, dependable person. That's why she's so lovable and her wacky adventures are so much fun to keep up with!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree by Larissa Reinhart is a very action packed novella. This is a part of a very fun and exciting series Maizie Albright Star Detective. This book was a very quick read but had me engaged right from the first page until the end. There are so many wacky little adventures, a little romance and some well-defined and likeable characters. This story will have you laughing out loud. If you need something to cheer you up or a light fun, action packed novella this is the one for you. You will become hooked and have to read the rest of the books in this series. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

[Martha Countryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree” is the perfect Christmas holiday read! Mysterious gangster type guys are after something Maizie values. And of course, Maizie doesn't want to it up! Her PI boss/boyfriend Nash and her six year-old half sister Remi are in and out of the conflicts too. The read sizzles in more ways than one! More amazing Maizie--more crazy fun! I'm definitely looking forward to more upcoming releases of Maizie's adventures! I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and agreed to post an honest review.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree is such a FUN and well written Holiday Novella in the Mazie Albright Start Detective Series.

I absolutely love this series and this latest addition is so wonderful.

I laughed so HARD and had such a great time with this book. The mystery is great , the characters well fleshed out and I love the blossoming relationship with Mazie and Wyatt Nash.

I recommend all books in this series, you will absolutely LOVE them!

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nash has a new client, Maisie has a new headache.
At least two different people want a prop from when Maisie was still doing movies.
Between being abducted, escaping, trying to keep her young sister safe (her sister would do a better job keeping her safe) Practically demolishing her father's home...

Let's just say this story has more twists in it than a macrame knot. Along with some humor and a good bit of action. This was a fun story that was also a little silly.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hoot! I loved everything about it! The characters really are characters! They meet the most interesting people and do the craziest things! If you like clean Southern mysteries with a lot of laughs, you’ll love this quick little novella. It’s not exactly what you would call a traditional Christmas experience!

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maizie is looking after her half-sister while her father and stepmother go to a family emergency. All goes well until multiple groups start trying to take possession of a movie memento.

Can Maizie protect her sister and herself and keep the gift she gave her father.

[Why did I think of the current Twitter fiasco and its owner?]

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

What trouble can a small girl get into , and sister having to get out of along with herself .Nash into middle of all.

[Sandra Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining, what a New Years surprise awaits Maizie with great adventures to come for her and little sister Remi.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy fast-paced!

I like the story line and the characters. Maizie acts younger than her 26 years and that distracts from the story for me.

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maizie is tasked with looking after Remi while her dad is out of town. Remi is strong willed and tends to just do what she wants, which isn't the greatest thing, when Maizie is getting hunted down by crazed men, all wanting a necklace from a movie she did years ago. Unsure why people want this seemingly worthless necklace, Maizie is reluctant to give it up. To her it has sentimental value, and no money is worth handing it over.
Another great read with fun characters, and a little action!