Hickory Dickory Dead

Maisie Fezziwig #1

by Cheryl Bradshaw

Feisty. Ballsy. Bold. ... And not your average seventy-year-old woman.

After a late-night tryst with a much younger man, Maisie Fezziwig wakes to a harrowing scream outside. Curious, she removes a pistol from her dresser drawer and walks outside to investigate. The sleepy street is still and calm at first, until Maisie stumbles on a grisly murder that will change her life forever.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Crime

154 pages, ebook

First published June 27, 2017

About the author

Cheryl Bradshaw is a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author writing in multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, supernatural suspense, and poetry. She is a Shamus Award finalist for best private eye novel of the year, an eFestival of Words winner for best thriller, and has published over fifty books since 2011.

Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.

For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...

Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:

Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)

1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears

Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series

0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller

Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)

1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride

Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)

1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger

Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series

1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting

Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels

1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller

Reviews

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

At First I Thought This Was a Parody

I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, so the title of this book intrigued me. I needed a shorter, lighter read so I chose a new-to-me author, hoping for a good cozy. I was surprised to find that this is not a cozy. There are too many non-cozy elements like rape, murder, kidnapping, not to mention a closeup look at a corpse. Then there’s the protagonist who is . . . definitely not a Miss Marple.
We’re introduced to 70 year-old Maisie Fezziwig, who wakens from a nap in her bed, a younger man sleeping beside her. She thinks perhaps she had a bit too much wine last night. Maisie later admits (to her sister) that she’s a skank who beds men.
Maisie uses binoculars to spy on neighbors, breaks into a neighbor’s house, and digs in his yard. Another neighbor says she’s mean and vicious sometimes. She puts her hands around a woman’s neck and threatens her. A detective says she’s irritating and nosey. She threatens to call her mayor-son about police matters. Even if the author had written Maisie as a retired male, I’d still dislike the character as written.
Last night I stopped reading at the 40% mark, because there was little forward momentum in the plot. Today I skimmed to the end of the book.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this murder mystery. An easy read that kept my interest throughout. I loved Maisie Fezziwig. She is energetic, sassy and nosey at the age of 70. She definitely does not take NO for an answer. I hope to be a bit like her when I'm 70.

So many books I've spent $10 or more on and suffered through or couldn't finish. This book was free on Google Play Books. A hidden gem!

For those who didn't care for the murders, rapes etc. I would recommend not reading a book with the word "dead" in the title.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hickory Dickory Dead

A cleverly written novel of suspense, drama and meddling. Ms. Bradshaw writes a twisted plot with a heroine most readers will recognize as someone to avoid. My only complaint is the repeating murders as the tale progresses. Fun but a downer. C E Williams Received as a free download from Bookbub

[Knit Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie est médecin légiste à la retraite et lorsqu'une nuit, elle entend hurler dans son voisinage, ses instincts de flic reprennent le dessus, elle décide alors de mener l'enquête.
J'ai passé un très bon moment à lire cette ouvrage. L'héroïne n'en fait qu'à sa tête, ce qui m'a fait sourire plus d'une fois. L'histoire ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard mais ça détend et le suspens est bien présent. Mon seul regret : c'est bien trop court !
En bref : un bon petit polar qui change les idées !

[Diana Febry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straightforward, easy read. Recommend to readers who like mystery/crime books with elderly amateur sleuths.
Not going to set the world alight but an entertaining read.

[Lisa Millett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery

I loved this book. Former medical examiner, Maisie Fezzwig wakes up in the middle of the night and hears a woman's scream or at least she thinks she does. The next morning she goes around to all of her neighbors trying to figure it out. The new people in the neighborhood don't respond to her knock so she decides to bake them a cake and then try again. Her prim and proper sister, Maude goes with her and despite the fact that no one answers again, Maisie thinks she hears a baby crying so she goes around back. When she is sure of the baby crying she decides to break the glass door and investigate because she knows something is wrong. While Maude deals with the baby, Maisie looks thru the house and she finds the husband, Land dead in his bed and his wife, Zoey no where to be found. The police arrive including to take over but Maisie won't let it go. She calls a meeting of the neighborhood and learns that a few nights ago one of the neighbors saw Lane, the dead man burying something in the yard. Well Maisie can't let that clue go so she ends up digging up a gun. From here Maisie and the detectives follow several clues which lead to a college campus and to an old murder never solved. Will Maisie be able to solve the murder before someone else dies? Will the police be able to find the missing wife? This book has a lot of action and leads to a stunning conclusion. I loved the characters especially Maisie who is an active, older woman who chases men, drinks and doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. I really can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one twisted, tangled murder mystery! This is the second book I have read by Bradshaw, both were well done, but I really enjoyed this one. Maisie Fezziwig, a retired medical examiner, is a terrific character. She is smart, sexy, open minded and very much her own person. Maisie is also a little noisy and one could say a bit bossy. When she hears a scream, late at night, coming from just down the street she just can not let it go or let the police handle it. Knowing that the home has only recently been occupied by a young husband, wife and infant, she naturally wants to see how she can be helpful. What Maisie discovers begins the unraveling of series of crimes. This is a fun fast read!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Maisie. A 70 year old retired from being an ME, widow and still very active in solving mysteries.

[Dee Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like a first attempt at writing, Not bad

One of the reviews for Hickory Dickory Dead said ”pages of laugh out loud funny”. I missed those pages. There was nothing funny and the characters had no depth. I almost had to go back and check to see who a character was when he or she should have been more important.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was leftover from the Gaithersburg Book Festival and it caught my eye when I was preparing to add it to a Little Free Library. It probably helped that the author and I share a name. Turned out we have something else in common.

This book is pretty decent and kept me going from start to finish in one sitting. Not a cozy despite the old lady sleuth -- Maisie is brazen and bold and no Miss Marple to sir quietly by. She goes busting in with her gun drawn. And she has a rather business-like approach to pleasure. I thought the mystery was decently done and the plot was good. I might read another in the series if came across it. And I will send it to my sister-in-law to read next.

The thing missing from this book is context. It tends to be largely dialogue driven and action packed but it lacks background. It wasn't til a good 50 pages in or so that you find out Maisie was a medical examiner. Her exact back story with the local cops never really is addressed. And the setting for this book is a generic anywhere sort of place which is never specified. EXCEPT that one character mentions living in Kearns on Dugway, which made me stop in my tracks. And the fries she eats are "Salt Lake's best". And Maisie lives in The Avenues. And there is a discussion about a coffee shop on 9th and 9th. This book is set in UTAH -- but it never says so and makes only passing reference to the mountains but nothing else distinctive. The city must be SLC, but it could be a small to medium sized college town anywhere. I have often thought that some books have too much information that is unrelated to the plot of the mystery. This one didn't have enough. And I felt that way before I realized that it set near where I grew up and went to college. It made the story kind of flat despite the murder and mischief.

[Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the "Maisie Fezziwig" series, featuring Maisie, retired medical examiner, widow, and neighborhood busybody.

After hearing a woman scream in the middle of the night, Maisie grabs her gun and goes to check on her neighbors. She doesn't find anything amiss, but the next morning, she hears a baby crying next door and breaks into the young couple's house. There, she finds a frantic baby, a murdered husband, and a missing wife. Bored in retirement, Maisie begins looking into the crime, much to the chagrin of local police, her sister, and the widower across the street. Maisie's sleuthing turns up clues the police had missed, and as she follows the trail of connections between seemingly unrelated crimes, Maisie is not only one step ahead of the police, she has also landed herself in a killer's crosshairs.

First of all, I thought this would be a cozy mystery. I mean, what could be more cozy that a senior sleuth who has an eye for gents much younger than herself? It was not cozy. The crimes committed within the story were dark, as were the prior acts committed that led to the current situation. It was dark and twisted, but the story was so compelling that I had difficulty putting it down. I had to know how it unfolded! Maisie is a wonderful character, brash and vulnerable in equal measures. The plot careened along at a breakneck pace (kind of how Maisie drives!), and I was fully invested in the solution.

Not what I expected, but a darned good read. Five stars!

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say, I was expecting a little more than what I got, but I was not totally disappointed either. I guess I thought it would give me a few chuckles here and there. That didn't happen at all. I'm not too easy to move in the laughter department, but I am always wanting to be. Maybe I expect too much. But I don't really believe that, because on the rare occasion, I have actually caught myself laughing out loud, and when I least expected it. So there are some writers out there that can and do make it happen for me.

I was looking at this story as more of a "cozy" type mystery. Be my definition, I can't say it fit in that "genre" at all. I think part of it is because Maisie is not a character I was able to warm up to. I didn't find her amusing, or warm and cuddly either. She seemed to have a big chip on her shoulder, and wore it like a badge of honor.

The story it's self, I did enjoy. I never "guessed" ahead exactly what was behind the murders until it was literally spelled out for me. So in that regard, it was a true "mystery" story, and very well written. The twists and turns were all unexpected by me, at any rate. So it definitely captured and held my interest from start to finish. And in the end, isn't that what matters most? That the story is able to take you along on a journey of discovery and intrigue? Of course. So would I recommend it. I definitely would. Just don't expect to be laughing your way through it.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and book cover make this look like a cozy mystery, but...not really. There's no gore or sex, although sex is mentioned, and Maisie is clearly having it. There is also some mild swearing. If cozy mysteries are too cozy, but most thrillers are too graphic for you, then Hickory Dickory Dead might be perfect for you.

Maisie Fezziwig sounds like a Dickens character, but she's actually a kick-ass ex-medical examiner who just can't keep her nose out of an investigation, especially when it involves the kidnapping and murder of the young couple who recently moved into the neighborhood. She may be seventy years old, but she has an active social life and is determined to discover who harmed her new neighbors. Whoever they are, they messed with Maisy's neighborhood, and they messed with her, and they're gonna regret it.

While the book isn't heavy on violence, sex, or language (again, there is some, but mild), I can't say the same for the plot. There are plenty of twists and turns as the plot unfolds. Maisie actively investigates the crime; interviewing suspects and snooping for evidence like a full-on detective, and keeps you guessing as to the culprit(s) and motive(s). Definitely suspenseful, un-put-down-able, and exciting, I will be looking for more books to read from Cheryl Bradshaw!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventy-year old Maisie, a former ME, is the eyes and ears of her neighborhood, much to the chagrin of the local detective. Maisie inserts herself into an investigation when a young man in her neighborhood is murdered, his young child left abandoned, and his wife missing. Maisie is able to link this mystery with a couple of other crimes to bring the killer to justice.

Short, but engaging read. Maisie is quite the character and her lifestyle is unique for someone her age. Her age - that is perhaps the one thing that bothered me about this story. If she had been, say, sixty, it would have set better for me.

[Margaret Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I was enthralled by the book.

I have a little trouble writing what I love about books in general. I know what I'm going to say but when I put it into words it sounds like a little kid wrote it. I love the character Maisie. She is what I hope I am when I get older. She is totally believable and so much more with it than a lot of people my age. I loved the fact that a older woman could do everything Maisie does. There was nothing that I can think of that I didn't like. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[J. Florence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. It was the nice quick read that I needed.
Maisie is 70 years old and still a busy body, of sorts. She starts an investigation after being awaken by a scream.
An easy read it is, but it also involves murder, kidnapping, and rape.
A dead man, his missing wife, and their baby left alone is just a few of the things in this book.
I loved the fact that the book was about an older woman, instead of someone in their 20's.
This is just a great easy read that I loved. I hope you will read it also.

[carolebeckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hickory Dickery Dock

Maisie is a kick butt, take name, very smart senior citizen. But don’t call her that! Shes a retired medical examiner and has not lost her skills at solving problems. She’s also naturally nosey. When one of her neighbors is killed she’s ready to be on the case. These things just “don’t happen in my neighborhood!” She does know everything happening on her street. She is also very understanding and caring. This is a fun read! Come on, follow the clues with Maisie and enjoy.

[Carolyn Wylie-mcelroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This style is new to me....

And I don't care for it like the "Sloan" books, but i enjoyed it enough to finish reading. Maisie is an older widow who really misses her husband and her style of life is just different than mine. I'm not criticizing, just an observation. It kept me interested with very different characters, but I probably won't read another of this series. Her other series???? You betcha!!!! C:o)

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is not your average seventy year old woman, interesting description of her, and throwing the boyfriend out, preferring them not to spend the night.
A scream and she is ready to investigate, with a gun in hand, no less. New neighbors, and now the crying of the baby, where is the mother. Police tell her to stay out of it, but she doesn’t. Differ t the. Her other series, but good. She is still feisty, loves life.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisir

This is a great series opener and a fun read. Maisie is an unconventional retired medical examiner who likes to keep an eye on her neighborhood. So when she hears a scream in the night, she takes note. And when she later finds a crying infant, a dead father and that the mother is missing, she digs in to help the police with their investigation. The culprit doesn't stand a chance.

[library goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Maisie Fezziwig....feisty 70 year old who just cannot help herself when it comes to crime solving. It was at least half way through the book before the reader learns that she is a retired forensic investigator. The story went together well but there was one element that was left unsolved. What was one of the victims doing with large stacks of cash and what happened to the cash? Other than that, it was a good beginning to a series that has potentional.

[Rachel Peck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a gentle mystery that is fairly predictable and not nearly as interesting as I hoped it would be. Additionally, I didn’t rate the author’s writing. Lots of passive voice, weak verbs, and adverbs. I know she is a New York Times bestselling author, but I’m afraid I fail to see why. The characters are bland and the plot one dimensional. I’ve given a two star rating purely because I did keep reading until the end. It was readable. But that’s it.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

MEGA FAB 🏆

In this book I've found a new author with a writing style so different to what I usually read and I'm hooked . The storyline was great with twists and turns and great characters who you can imagine are someone you know/ live near . There is also a little bit of humour thrown in amongst all the action . Once I've read the books I've got I'm on to some more of Cheryl Bradshaws . ... I 100 % recommend this book

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maisie was a retired lady who was still a lively woman. She had her men visitors and she like to have some drinks every now and then. She heard what sounded like a scream but saw nothing .Next day she went over to the new neighbors hows with cookies but no one answered. But they heard a cry inside it was a baby all alone its mom was missing and its dad was dead. Maisie likes to do her own investigating and so she did.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

😊

Maisie Fezziwig, retired medical examiner, widower. Living life to the full in so many ways for a 70 year old woman. Awakened b6 a scream but sees othing when she looks out her wo.dows in the night. Next morning though she finds a crime that was the source of the scream.
Mystery, investigation and a whole lot of sass. Maisie is the woman to have in your corner without exception.

I haven't read a book yet by Cheryl Bradshaw yet that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed 😊.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

Wow, there's hope for me as I get older! I enjoyed the plot line and Maisie sleuthing skills. Maisie may be 70 but she is living her life the way she wants to. This a good book to read and have fun with. Try it you will like it! Okay Cheryl Bradshaw I'M ready for book two.

[Dorothy Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery with humor

Since I'm 74 I really loved this book. We may be old but we're not dead. Well written with believable characters and intriguing plots. Maisie is someone I would love to meet. Can't wait for the next book in this series. Would recommend it for anyone who loves a great thriller.

[michael frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hickory Dickory Dead

This is the first book in what I hope will be a series. The story centers around Maisie, a retired medical examiner. The story has an easy to read mystery with just a touch of humor. a good read for a time when you don't have time to invest in a complicated book.

[Bernadette F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like wine, Maisie ages well

It is nice to see the retired generation running around solving mysteries. Maisie uses her skill set from years of working as well as living to solve a neighborhood murder. Is it being a good neighborhood watch or just nosey? You have to decide for yourself.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey is given a choice - shoot and kill her husband or the masked intruder would kill her baby. She shoots her husband in the shoulder before trying to kill or identify the bad guy. Next morning, the husband is dead, the baby is crying and Zoey can’t be found. Neighbour Maisie starts investigating to find out all the details. Sticky-beaks can still be good neighbours.