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When celebrities need a crime solved they call in the experts – the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency, otherwise known as the CCIA…

Who would want to murder former pop star Flynn Garrison?

That’s exactly what Amber Reed, the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency’s newest recruit, needs to find out.

She’s desperate to get to grips with her first assignment and prove she’s up to the job but there’s a lot at stake… and it’s not only her new career that’s on the line.

Is mixing business and pleasure ever a good idea? Will her relationship with fellow CCIA agent Charlie survive the challenge of the two of them working together?

And then there’s agent extraordinaire Martha, a man-eating six foot blonde goddess, also assigned to this murder investigation, who clearly has designs on Charlie.

Trying to uncover who killed Flynn and why whisks Amber from glamorous red carpet film premiere, to learning Scottish dancing at a Highland party in a grand country house - and the distinct possibility of becoming the murderer’s next victim.

Can Amber solve the case and still keep her relationship with Charlie on track?

235 pages, ebook

First published December 21, 2014

477 people are currently reading
322 people want to read

About the author

Zanna Mackenzie

40 books153 followers
Zanna Mackenzie lives in the UK with her husband, 3 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.

Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!

Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when she’s not writing or reading!

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5 stars
154 (44%)
4 stars
125 (36%)
3 stars
50 (14%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Author 2 books
January 22, 2019
Good story but not too crazy about all of Ambers insecurities

I enjoy the story, but Amber trying to be professional is fine, but most of the time she is not. Too many insecurities she’ll drive away even the guys who are saints.
Profile Image for Hope Gerhardstein.
506 reviews
September 20, 2018
Amber and her boyfriend, Charlie are sent to a small Scottish island to investigate the murder of Flynn Harrison, a former rock star. Amber is fresh out of training so a more experienced investigator is sent to help. Martha is a blond bombshell and formerly worked with Charlie. She flirts with him and Amber gets jealous. A little romance joins the mystery investigation. The mystery part I found very interesting, but I was getting annoyed with Amber’s insecurities and lack of trust in Charlie. Amber does something totally against her training and almost gets herself killed. Good ending. Disliked Martha in the beginning but she proved to be a good soul in the end.
Profile Image for Pamela A..
732 reviews12 followers
April 17, 2024
This was a cute cozy mystery I enjoyed the banter between Amber and her beau although the tension with the other lady was unexpected and added some excitement and tension to the story, this was my first book by this author and it just so happens I got this book for free through freebooksy.com which makes it an even better book 🤣😅🥹
Profile Image for Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm.
1,257 reviews109 followers
August 3, 2015
If you were on a job with your handsome and smart beau, then his old pal / gorgeous girl colleague joined your team, and you see her everyday flirting with your man, what would you do?

If I were Amber Reed, I might have strangled Martha the minute I see her stretching her arms to my Charlie. Ugh, the nerve of that woman, she was such a bitch! But I have to admit, Martha made this book a little more exciting with her annoying presence.

Amber and her boyfriend Charlie, members of CCIA or Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency, had to team up to investigate the death of Flynn Garrison, a former pop star turned recluse, whose body was found awash the shores of an island in outer Hebrides.

Amber's professionalism, wit, sleuthing skills and patience are tested in this investigation. It's not easy keeping your hands off your boyfriend at work, but Amber proved that it was a lot more difficult trusting him.

I enjoyed Amber's story, although this is already the second book in the series. I'm glad this can be read as stand-alone because the events that happened in the first book was briefly discussed here, so I didn't feel left out. This had been an engaging mystery slash contemporary romance and I'm looking forward to reading the next Amber Reed mystery!
Profile Image for Icy_Space_Cobwebs .
5,645 reviews329 followers
July 23, 2015
Amber really wants to impress on her new job--especially since boyfriend Charlie is the one who recommended her to the Celebrity Crimes Investigative Agency. But sometimes merely obstinacy, business, and being leery of corpses is a definite drawback. Still, Amber presses on..until the agency sends in an experienced investigator--a vain, egotistical, blond bombshell...

Endearing chick lit with a feckless, vulnerable, but likable series heroine.
338 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2020
Amber is knee deep in it now!

Amber wanted to join the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA). She has completed her enlistment training and is officially the newest recruit of CCIA. There is something to that old saying, ”Be careful what you ask for”. As a support officer in training she finds herself lowest on the totem pole. Even so, there are a few perks to the job. Unfortunately, Amber is still full of zany antics that land her in danger more often than not. Will she be able to enjoy any of those perks? There are plenty of twists and turns in this story to keep you guessing whodunit until the very end. And of course, there is just a little romance (and tension) thrown in for good measure.

I thoroughly enjoyed this less than believable, but more than entertaining story of murder and mayhem. It is a clean, fun, and easy read. The tale is not really believable, but it sure is entertaining!
1,050 reviews5 followers
December 19, 2018
Amber and Charlie are on their first real case together...and another agent is tagging along, too, to round out the experience of the team. Flynn Garrison, pop star turned geologist, is dead, and it's up to the CCIA to figure out if it was murder. Could be the wife. Could be the mysterious woman he's been hanging out with on the island. Could be the geology company he's been working for on the island, reconning the site for an Edinburgh company. Who knows, but it's a small town in Scotland, so everyone knows everyone's business, which is pretty handy for these CCIA agents who are trying to wedge in.
2,365 reviews12 followers
July 24, 2018
4 stars
I purchased Amber Reed Mysteries: Precious book 2 by Zanna Mackenzie and this review was given freely. Set in the UK and written in UK English.
Picking up where On Trial ends, Amber begins the case of Pop Star Flynn Garrison's murder with her new partner Charlie. However Amber's faith in her working and personal relationships with Charlie are challenged as she tries to balance her work and love life, a female agent makes a play for Charlie, and then Amber stumbles into the killer.
Controversy, romance, murder, a picturesque descriptions of a small scottish Island and is residents make this an emotional and at times suspenseful read.
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,373 reviews14 followers
November 16, 2021
I get all caught up in the characters in a book just like most other people do and so we judge a book on how we feel about those characters and what they’re doing. I like it when the characters learn from their mistakes and they grow and become better. So I give an author the opportunity to work that into the storyline. If the character comes across as very flawed and has deep issues that need to be worked out then hopefully that author finds a way to let that character learn and grow. I like a cozy mystery better when there’s less romance and more mystery . Other than this I really like the storyline. And I enjoyed reading the book!
1,700 reviews35 followers
August 9, 2022
This was a fun story and a good mystery.
The romance aspect is still a little heavier than
in most other cozy mysteries, but it never overtakes
the story.

the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA), is the
agency that Amber Reed works for. On her first official case,
a former lead singer who has walked away from the spotlight
is murdered.

I don't understand why the CCIA was investigating this one to start
with. They're called in when a celebrity asks for help in quickly solving
a case to help clear them.

The celebrity in this case is dead.
He couldn't have called anyone, and as far as I could tell nobody else called
them either.
Profile Image for Margo James.
454 reviews6 followers
November 24, 2018
Lots of mystery ahead.

The murder of a famous rock star puts Charlie and Amber on the case in the Scottish isles. Amber struggles with some issues from her past effecting her present. The case kind of takes a back seat to the feelings that Amber is working on sorting. Add a very flirtatious and beautiful agent sent to help with the case and Amber quickly becomes suspicious of everything, even her ability to do her job. The case does get solved, of course, but can Amber and Charlie solve their issues as well? The cozy fits, but the mystery continues.
1,477 reviews19 followers
July 18, 2024
Amber Reed is a new recruit with the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA) in Scotland. Amber and her boyfriend Charlie is the lead agent and Martha another agent are investigating the case of murdered former rock star Flynn Garrison. Flynn had retired from the limelight and was pursuing his dream as a geologist in Scotland. Amber, Charlie and Martha are sent to the Scottish island of Farra to solve the case of the murdered rock star. I really enjoyed this hilariously funny cozy mystery novel.
1,769 reviews24 followers
September 5, 2018
Three is a crowd

Another perfectly written mystery. Amber is on her first mission and with her sweetheart no less,in comes a third-party member miss all that. She's a seasoned agent long legs, large Dubble D's,a face that is beautiful in no casual way, worse of all she seems to want Charlie. How is Amber going to focus on theirmission?Read to find out pick it up now and start enjoying book two. Kat
875 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book. Twists and turns and romance. Amber has a lot of trust issues and hopefully when I get to the next book in this series that she will have learned to trust Charlie. They both work for CCIA and they will be working with different agents because of the case they are on. Lack of trust can be very difficult in any relationship. Will she learn or will it break that relationship. Only time will tell.
1,018 reviews
June 13, 2018
Funny romance with a mystery

This time they investigate a murder on a Scottish island of a retired rock star turned environmental scientist. They are joined by another agent, a rather predatory blonde who is getting too "friendly" with Charlie for Amber's comfort, causing some trust issues.
The image of Charlie in a kilt was worth the read.
30 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2021
First big case!

Amber. Charlie, & Marilyn, whose she? A seasoned agent is sent along with Amber & Charlie. Amber’s not happy thinking that they don’t feel like she can handle a case with Charlie. Murder, rock star, precious stones & the middle of nowhere play into this chapter for Amber & Charlie’s first case. Rock on!
311 reviews
March 19, 2021
Precious

This book didn't disappoint. Amber and Charlie's relationship is challenged during their first job in resolving the mystery of who murdered a famous singer when a female agent is sent to work with them. You will need to read it to discover the challenges. Love reading this author.
732 reviews
March 29, 2022
Too many secrets

Charlie and Amber are a couple of criminal investergators. They seem to work well together and they are also In a relationship. They're very likable characters. There's lots of suspense and danger as they work together to solve a murder. The story line was involved enough to make it quite interesting.
Profile Image for Stacey.
178 reviews
May 9, 2017
I picked this book up via Kindle Unlimited. I read the first one and was interested enough to continue onto the next one. I like Amber and Charlie as a couple and the mystery was a good one. Martha is a good catalyst for conflict and I look forward to seeing where the author takes this series.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,298 reviews
March 1, 2019
Okay

Books like this are so informational for children and hold such a wealth of knowledge. I really enjoy reading books, like this one and many others to my children, for if you start them young then they will grow to have a love for reading and adventure!
Profile Image for Marcia-Lee Finocchio.
604 reviews6 followers
October 29, 2019
Amber first case

Amber first case and does she blow it? She and Charlie on there first big case together, a third member of the CCIA joins them, a gorgeous woman , who seems to after Charlie, and Amber can’t keep her mind on the case.
291 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2021
Cute cozy

This is a cute cozy, a light read. Amber is beginning her career as a CCSI support agent. This is her first case. She is too insecure but I'm assuming that will change throughout the series.
1,448 reviews
September 20, 2022
I listened to the second audiobook in this series. The immaturity of Amber, the main character, distracts from the story. She doesn’t come across as clever or cute, just annoying. Unfortunately the tone and style of the narration contributes to that annoyance.
Profile Image for Delia Papas.
179 reviews3 followers
June 21, 2017
Suspicious

Fun easy read. Action packed with a little romance. Traveling with Charlie and Amber is exciting. Wanting to read more.
Profile Image for Dionne .
58 reviews
April 13, 2018
I am loving this character

This storyline has been quirky, funny with suspense all rolled into one. I am enjoying following this main character as her journey unfolds. Love it
891 reviews
January 29, 2019
Another great entry in the Amber Reed Mystery Series. Really enjoy these books and the interactions between the different personalities.
Profile Image for Sandra Olson.
Author 26 books29 followers
January 30, 2019
Great

Loved the characters and serving for this story. Wish Amber didn't go on and on about her past betrayals, but the rest of the story was good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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