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THE SUPER
Kate Mercer was a cop. A detective. A senior investigator for the Arizona Attorney General.
Then she got too close to the wrong case.
When Kate refused to stop investigating a financial fraud scheme, she didn't just lose her job—she was blacklisted. For a year, no one in Phoenix would hire her. Her career was over.
Until The Ashford comes calling.
A mixed-income apartment building needs a new superintendent. The pay is good—suspiciously good. Free lodging included. Yet for someone with Kate's background, it's not a good fit. Not even close.
But after a year of rejection, Kate can't afford to say no.
What she doesn't expect is how familiar it all feels. Tenants who vanish without explanation. Financial discrepancies buried inside bank accounts. Staff who know far more than they should—and say far less.
Then Kate sees the patterns. The same ones that got her fired.
The Ashford isn't just poorly managed. It's part of the operation she was investigating a year ago. And someone hired her knowing exactly who she is.
When she starts asking questions, the response is warnings disguised as concern, silence where cooperation should be, then violence that makes it clear she's crossed the line twice.
Kate has a walk away and stay alive, or finish what they tried to bury her for starting.
Some buildings have secrets. The Ashford is one.
And Kate Mercer just moved in.
Book 1 in The Kate Mercer Files.
Then she got too close to the wrong case.
When Kate refused to stop investigating a financial fraud scheme, she didn't just lose her job—she was blacklisted. For a year, no one in Phoenix would hire her. Her career was over.
Until The Ashford comes calling.
A mixed-income apartment building needs a new superintendent. The pay is good—suspiciously good. Free lodging included. Yet for someone with Kate's background, it's not a good fit. Not even close.
But after a year of rejection, Kate can't afford to say no.
What she doesn't expect is how familiar it all feels. Tenants who vanish without explanation. Financial discrepancies buried inside bank accounts. Staff who know far more than they should—and say far less.
Then Kate sees the patterns. The same ones that got her fired.
The Ashford isn't just poorly managed. It's part of the operation she was investigating a year ago. And someone hired her knowing exactly who she is.
When she starts asking questions, the response is warnings disguised as concern, silence where cooperation should be, then violence that makes it clear she's crossed the line twice.
Kate has a walk away and stay alive, or finish what they tried to bury her for starting.
Some buildings have secrets. The Ashford is one.
And Kate Mercer just moved in.
Book 1 in The Kate Mercer Files.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 12, 2026
I didn't like how book 1 ended
I didn't like how it ended at all
So sudden
So, so abrupt
I didn't like how it ended at all
So sudden
So, so abrupt
July 18, 2026
The Super: A Conspiracy Thriller by DL Maddox is the first novel in the Kate Mercer Files series. Kate had the freedom and knowledge of an investigator for the Arizona Attorney General to obtain information and access to areas that are closed to most. That all changed when she refused to stop digging into a money-laundering scheme, which got her blacklisted from every job in the area. After a year, she was running out of money and options until she was asked to become the superintendent of one of the buildings that was under her investigation.
DL Maddox has the gift of turning something ordinary, like an apartment superintendent, into something mysterious, exceptional, and compelling. As the plot unravels, the author skillfully adds another twist in characters or events as this job leads to Kate’s next adventure, or death. Though the pace isn’t quick, each scene is mesmerizing with tension and secrecy. The characters grow on you as their true nature is revealed. Overall, I loved reading the Dog Walker series by Maddox and found this series just as exceptional.
DL Maddox has the gift of turning something ordinary, like an apartment superintendent, into something mysterious, exceptional, and compelling. As the plot unravels, the author skillfully adds another twist in characters or events as this job leads to Kate’s next adventure, or death. Though the pace isn’t quick, each scene is mesmerizing with tension and secrecy. The characters grow on you as their true nature is revealed. Overall, I loved reading the Dog Walker series by Maddox and found this series just as exceptional.
September 15, 2026
This is a review for the trilogy. If you decide to read this book, be aware that the series can not be read as stand alone books, they must be read in order and you actually have to finish all 3 books to find out the ending. So it is a commitment. Overall, it was an interesting and unique story but some readers may not care for the writing style. The author is economical with words and descriptions. Character development is cold but efficient. The main character has a limited number of adjectives that she likes to use to describe people places and things. In this way it is repetitive as you will see the same adjectives used over and over and over again. This may turn some readers off while others may find it modern, contemporary or clever. For me the minimalist style was a nice change at first but it didn't grow on me. By the third book it felt tiresome and pretentious. Overall, it was an interesting story but had I known that I had to read all three books in order to finally find out who done it, I probably would have given them a miss.
July 26, 2026
Would you take a job in a building that seemed to know more about you than you did?
That question kept me hooked while reading The Super by D. L. Maddox. Kate Mercer is a smart and determined lead, and I loved watching her uncover the hidden secrets behind The Ashford. Every new clue made me wonder who could really be trusted.
D. L. Maddox does a great job building suspense without overcomplicating the story. The mix of conspiracy, financial crime, and mystery kept the pages turning, and Kate's determination made her easy to root for. If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads and plenty of twists, The Super is a fantastic start to the Kate Mercer Files series.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals, they’re full of sparks and surprises.
That question kept me hooked while reading The Super by D. L. Maddox. Kate Mercer is a smart and determined lead, and I loved watching her uncover the hidden secrets behind The Ashford. Every new clue made me wonder who could really be trusted.
D. L. Maddox does a great job building suspense without overcomplicating the story. The mix of conspiracy, financial crime, and mystery kept the pages turning, and Kate's determination made her easy to root for. If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads and plenty of twists, The Super is a fantastic start to the Kate Mercer Files series.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals, they’re full of sparks and surprises.
August 13, 2026
When I saw the description, I thought it was a pretty cool story concept and it drew me in. Even as I started reading it, I liked where it was headed. But I really struggled with the writing style. It was very ...staccato....for lack of a better work. "He was near. But not close." "Not shock, not surprise." "For privacy. For control.", etc., etc. I get that it's written in the first person and I suppose that this is reflecting the main character's thought process, but there was just no flow to it.
This was a relatively short book, comparatively for me. If it wasn't, I'm really not sure if I would have finished it. If it had better flow, I probably would've given it 4 stars. If this ends up becoming a series, I'm not sure that I'll continue.
This was a relatively short book, comparatively for me. If it wasn't, I'm really not sure if I would have finished it. If it had better flow, I probably would've given it 4 stars. If this ends up becoming a series, I'm not sure that I'll continue.
July 26, 2026
I've gone down the Maddox rabbit hole before, so it’s nice to jump into a new series by this author.
As is consistent with his other books, Maddox brings mundane professions to life with brilliant plot and characters. As others have said, he has a knack for taking an innocuous or unexpected person and putting them in extraordinary situations. In this book? A financial fraud investigator turned building superintendent is thrown into a massive case with major players.
Lead character, Kate, brings this book to life. Her habits, routines, and determination are what take the plot to the next level. If you're into a well-written and interesting thriller, this is a great book to check out!
As is consistent with his other books, Maddox brings mundane professions to life with brilliant plot and characters. As others have said, he has a knack for taking an innocuous or unexpected person and putting them in extraordinary situations. In this book? A financial fraud investigator turned building superintendent is thrown into a massive case with major players.
Lead character, Kate, brings this book to life. Her habits, routines, and determination are what take the plot to the next level. If you're into a well-written and interesting thriller, this is a great book to check out!
July 2, 2026
The Super is a gripping conspiracy thriller that grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Kate Mercer is a strong, intelligent lead, and I enjoyed following her as she unraveled a web of secrets and deception. The pacing is fast without being rushed, and the twists were great and kept me guessing. D.L. Maddox does a great job balancing action, suspense, and believable characters. If you enjoy thrillers with high stakes, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of surprises, this is an excellent start to what promises to be a fantastic series. Recommended.
July 7, 2026
The Super is a gripping conspiracy thriller that grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Kate Mercer is a strong, intelligent lead, and I enjoyed following her as she unraveled a web of secrets and deception. The pacing is fast without being rushed, and the twists were great and kept me guessing. D.L. Maddox does a great job balancing action, suspense, and believable characters. If you enjoy thrillers with high stakes, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of surprises, this is an excellent start to what promises to be a fantastic series. Recommended.
June 4, 2026
-1 star for a cliff hanger finish. A new author to me with an interesting writing style which is different. Kate's character is no nonsense but not very endearing making her very hard to relate to.
The story flowed at a relatively good pace, I found it easy to put down and walk away from.
I feel I have to read the next book in the series to get closure for the end of this book.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
The story flowed at a relatively good pace, I found it easy to put down and walk away from.
I feel I have to read the next book in the series to get closure for the end of this book.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
June 11, 2026
The Super by D.L. Maddox introduces Kate Mercer, a former detective whose career is destroyed after she investigates a financial fraud case too deeply. Forced into a new job as a superintendent at an apartment building called The Ashford, she quickly discovers that the same patterns from her past investigation are reappearing. Strange disappearances, hidden financial activity, and suspicious behavior from staff suggest the building is part of something much larger and more dangerous. As Kate digs deeper, she realizes she was placed there intentionally and is being watched. The novel builds tension through mystery, surveillance, and personal risk, creating a strong sense of paranoia and urgency. While some plot elements feel familiar to the conspiracy thriller genre, the pacing keeps the story engaging and the stakes consistently rising.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews