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A Maggie McDonald Mystery #2
Scheduled to Death
Professional organizer Maggie McDonald has a knack for cleaning up other people’s messes. So when the fiancée of her latest client turns up dead, it’s up to her to sort through the untidy list of suspects and identify the real killer.
Maggie McDonald is hoping to raise the profile of her new Orchard View organizing business via her first high-profile client. Professor Lincoln Sinclair may be up for a Nobel Prize, but he’s hopeless when it comes to organizing anything other than his thoughts. For an academic, he’s also amassed more than his share of enemies. When Sinclair’s fiancée is found dead on the floor of his home laboratory — electrocuted in a puddle of water—Maggie takes on the added task of finding the woman’s murderer. To do so, she’ll have to outmaneuver the suspicious, obnoxious police investigator she’s nicknamed “Detective Awful” before a shadowy figure can check off the first item on their personal to-do list — Kill Maggie McDonald.
Maggie McDonald is hoping to raise the profile of her new Orchard View organizing business via her first high-profile client. Professor Lincoln Sinclair may be up for a Nobel Prize, but he’s hopeless when it comes to organizing anything other than his thoughts. For an academic, he’s also amassed more than his share of enemies. When Sinclair’s fiancée is found dead on the floor of his home laboratory — electrocuted in a puddle of water—Maggie takes on the added task of finding the woman’s murderer. To do so, she’ll have to outmaneuver the suspicious, obnoxious police investigator she’s nicknamed “Detective Awful” before a shadowy figure can check off the first item on their personal to-do list — Kill Maggie McDonald.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2017
About the author
Mary Feliz
6 books624 followersMary Feliz writes the Maggie McDonald Mystery series featuring whip-smart professional organizer Maggie McDonald and her side-kick golden retriever. Together, with the help of family, friends, and a quirky community, they restore order when violence rips their world apart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 2, 2020
Scheduled to Death is the 2nd book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series written by Mary Feliz. As most of you know (if you regularly follow my reviews), I tend to read full book series in order. I somehow read book four and five of this series, then went back to the beginning, so today's review is focused on the early part of the series... but soon I'll be ready for the latest book which releases in mid-2020. I'm a fan of this series, especially with the tips and advice from the author at the beginning of each chapter.
Maggie is a professional organizer. She's working for a professor who's engaged to be married and putting up his house for sale, as he's moving into his fiancee's place. The land under the house seems to have been deeded to a neighbor upon his parents' death, should he ever try to sell it. The lady runs a garden and helps people in their town. Boots, that's the neighbor, doesn't want him to sell the house, or claims he can't... there's a few things going on there. Anyway... Maggie arrives to find the professor's fiancee dead! The professor is immediately arrested, and it seems like he'll lose the property to the neighbor. Who really did it?
What fun! I did enjoy this book, but I liked the debut much better. This one has great core characters and really takes the relationships to the next level; however, I wasn't too fond of the newcomers who were strictly part of the murder mystery. Boots was a bit rude, the girls she watched over were also difficult, and the temporary detective was the biggest arse I've ever seen. That said, the mystery was intriguing, but it kinda went astray a bit in this one. It had two different tentacles and I thought it could've come together a little bit tighter. It was good, just not as clever as the first or the later ones I've read.
I liked getting to know Maggie's husband more in this book, as in the first one, he was away in India. I've never seen someone have so many car accidents in such a short time tho! I'll definitely keep reading them. Four down, two to go. Feliz has a great writing style, and it easily draws you in. I keep thinking I'll read a few chapters each night and put it down, but I find myself wanting to finish as much as possible in one sitting. That's a good sign. So... give this series a chance, but read it from the beginning. Always better that way. Bring on some more, Ms. Feliz - and thank you for the ones you've already shared.
Maggie is a professional organizer. She's working for a professor who's engaged to be married and putting up his house for sale, as he's moving into his fiancee's place. The land under the house seems to have been deeded to a neighbor upon his parents' death, should he ever try to sell it. The lady runs a garden and helps people in their town. Boots, that's the neighbor, doesn't want him to sell the house, or claims he can't... there's a few things going on there. Anyway... Maggie arrives to find the professor's fiancee dead! The professor is immediately arrested, and it seems like he'll lose the property to the neighbor. Who really did it?
What fun! I did enjoy this book, but I liked the debut much better. This one has great core characters and really takes the relationships to the next level; however, I wasn't too fond of the newcomers who were strictly part of the murder mystery. Boots was a bit rude, the girls she watched over were also difficult, and the temporary detective was the biggest arse I've ever seen. That said, the mystery was intriguing, but it kinda went astray a bit in this one. It had two different tentacles and I thought it could've come together a little bit tighter. It was good, just not as clever as the first or the later ones I've read.
I liked getting to know Maggie's husband more in this book, as in the first one, he was away in India. I've never seen someone have so many car accidents in such a short time tho! I'll definitely keep reading them. Four down, two to go. Feliz has a great writing style, and it easily draws you in. I keep thinking I'll read a few chapters each night and put it down, but I find myself wanting to finish as much as possible in one sitting. That's a good sign. So... give this series a chance, but read it from the beginning. Always better that way. Bring on some more, Ms. Feliz - and thank you for the ones you've already shared.
February 5, 2017
Maggie McDonald professional organizer has once again stumbled onto a murder. With her family taken care of Maggie had time to super sleuth the situation.
It is another fun read from Mary Feliz I am providing a full review on the page turner for Mystery Thriller Week.
If you love a little more than cozy with your mystery this is a lovely series to consider. Maggie is a modern mom with a humorous way fo dealing with her family. Quite different from other books and a really nice change.
It is another fun read from Mary Feliz I am providing a full review on the page turner for Mystery Thriller Week.
If you love a little more than cozy with your mystery this is a lovely series to consider. Maggie is a modern mom with a humorous way fo dealing with her family. Quite different from other books and a really nice change.
August 10, 2017
In this second encounter with Maggie McDonald, we find her up to her neck in mystery, murder and mayhem. There was a lot going on in this story, but Mary Feliz does a great job of writing this story so you do not get confused. Maggie is hired by Professor Linc Sinclair to help organize his belongings and clean out his house so he can move in with his fiancé, Sarah, a friend of Maggie's. When Sarah is found dead from electrocution in Linc's home, of course she has to get involved. With Jason, her friend the detective laid up with a seriously broken leg, they call in a retired Police Detective named Apfel, but Maggie and her friends quickly nickname him Detective Awful. He does no investigating because he is sure that Linc int he killer. During her investigation of Sarah's death and trying to clear Linc, she meets many people, who could be possible suspects. Of course, Maggie is a very nurturing person, so she moves Linc and his wolfhound Newton into her home while the investigation is going on. Things start getting dangerous when Linc and Newton are hurt in a bicycle accident. There are more accidents and Maggie is right in the middle. The second storyline has to do with some teens who Maggie believes have aged out of the foster care system. With an ex stalking one of them, Maggie has a second mystery on her hands. This was a well written book that flowed well and kept me entertained. There were several surprises at the end of the book, although my suspicion of the murderer was confirmed. I am looking forward to the next one in this series. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this book and series. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
February 20, 2019
This was a very good second installment to the Maggie McDonald series. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I meant to listen to this while driving but found myself finishing it at home to find out what was going to happen next. And next after that. Then how it ended. The next one is ready to go.
January 1, 2017
In the second book in this series continues to entrain Maggie McDonald teams with Beth Olmos to showcase Linc Sinclair's home in order to sell it. Linc is planning to marry Sarah, the school librarian and has hired Maggie to help with the organization their the households. Maggie and Tess go to the house and find
Sarah electrocuted in Linc's lab. We meet Detective "Awful" who is determined to arrest Linc for the murder. Maggie begins to explore the circumstances surrounding the event. In doing so, she discovers several reasons for the death. There are several attempts to kill Linc. Maggie needs answers so everyone is may be safe. I did not care for tips at the beginning of each chapter as they break up the tale. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy Underground through NetGalley for an honest of review. I would like to the for this opportunity to read and review the book.
The opinions expressed are my own.
Sarah electrocuted in Linc's lab. We meet Detective "Awful" who is determined to arrest Linc for the murder. Maggie begins to explore the circumstances surrounding the event. In doing so, she discovers several reasons for the death. There are several attempts to kill Linc. Maggie needs answers so everyone is may be safe. I did not care for tips at the beginning of each chapter as they break up the tale. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy Underground through NetGalley for an honest of review. I would like to the for this opportunity to read and review the book.
The opinions expressed are my own.
April 6, 2017
SCHEDULED TO DEATH was a fast paced, action filled mystery. A real whirlwind just like the first book in this series, ADDRESS TO DIE FOR.
Author Mary Feliz once again pens a true page turner. I was spellbound as page after page the story, and the mystery evolved. The creativity of this author is astounding. The way she plotted out this story, and the ultimate reveal, left me happily breathless.
Don't let my short review (not my style), steer you away from reading SCHEDULED TO DEATH. I'm late getting this one written (as I am with a few others), and this is the second review I have done that has suffered because of being a bit behind.
Please do give this wonderful mystery a read! Both delightful books in the Maggie McDonald Mysteries need to be in your TBR!
Author Mary Feliz once again pens a true page turner. I was spellbound as page after page the story, and the mystery evolved. The creativity of this author is astounding. The way she plotted out this story, and the ultimate reveal, left me happily breathless.
Don't let my short review (not my style), steer you away from reading SCHEDULED TO DEATH. I'm late getting this one written (as I am with a few others), and this is the second review I have done that has suffered because of being a bit behind.
Please do give this wonderful mystery a read! Both delightful books in the Maggie McDonald Mysteries need to be in your TBR!
February 11, 2017
The one word that I think of when describing this book is busy. There was a lot going on. When Maggie's client's fiancé is found dead from electrocution in his home, that she is helping to organize, of course she has to get involved. During her endeavors of trying to find out who was responsible for killing Sarah and clearing Linc’s name, she meets many people, who could be possible suspects. Of course, Maggie is a very nurturing person, so she moves Linc and his wolfhound Newton into her home while the investigation is going on. Things start getting dangerous when Linc and Newton are hurt in a bicycle accident. There are more accidents and of Maggie is right in the middle. Then she moves some aged out foster children into her home and there is more danger. Throw in having to deal with a tetchy police detective and it is almost too much for Maggie, but she is persistent and will not give up. This was a well written book that flowed well and kept me entertained. Like I said earlier, it was very busy with a lot going on. Of course the ending was a complete surprise and not what I was expecting at all. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
November 9, 2017
Book two in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series. Well the family finally got moved in after all of the crazy stuff in book one and now Maggie is trying to get her organizing business off the ground. Her first client is important enough to get the word around if she does a good job and things are going smooth until a dead body is found at the house she is cleaning out and her employer is the main suspect even getting arrested. The evolution of the story had me hooked wondering what would happy next and the characters are really easy to relate to by this point. The addition of the horrible police officer really adds a new layer to the story that inspires Maggie to find out what really happened. The story is very well written and if you enjoy cozy mysteries novels then this is the series for you. I really enjoyed reading it so it gets 4/5 stars.
January 30, 2018
Maggie McDonald is back and as organized as ever!! I am really enjoying this series as I love the characters and it gives me tips on how to organize my life.
When the fiancee of Maggies new client Professor Lincoln Sinclair is found murdered in his home, Maggie knows she has to investigate to find out who killed her and why to clear Lincolns name.
The mystery was good and the cast of characters is wonderful, the group of friends she has is fun and supportive, doing what they can to help Lincoln in his time of need.
The third book in this series is waiting on my kindle for me to jump into and I think it's about time I did just that.
*Huge thanks to Mary Feliz, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
When the fiancee of Maggies new client Professor Lincoln Sinclair is found murdered in his home, Maggie knows she has to investigate to find out who killed her and why to clear Lincolns name.
The mystery was good and the cast of characters is wonderful, the group of friends she has is fun and supportive, doing what they can to help Lincoln in his time of need.
The third book in this series is waiting on my kindle for me to jump into and I think it's about time I did just that.
*Huge thanks to Mary Feliz, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
January 21, 2017
This is the second in a series about a home organizer, Maggie, in a small town in CA. She manages to stumble across murders and gets caught up in solving the crime.
I love all the tips at the beginning of each chapter on organization, some are very useful and I need to put a few of them into practice.
I love the cast of characters and they all play a significant role in progressing the story line. There is a new character in this book (pretty sure this book only), a incompetent police detective named George Apsel. They have given him a most appropriate nickname of detective awful because he is truly awful and does not care about solving the crime. Heck, he can't even get Maggie's name right. He is filling in for Jason (another police detective) that broke his leg and is laid up...but we still get to see him some in this book.
The mystery itself was not easy to figure out...I think I suspected the killer just because he seemed suspicious but there was not anything I could put my finger on. The reason for the killings was a bit surprising to me, but it made some sense if you understand where the killer was coming from (not that it is justifiable!).
Outside of the main story line there was a minor line about a couple of homeless young women. I liked how Maggie and a few others gained their trust and helped them out. There were some surprises regarding these two women that just made it more intriguing and interesting.
I really enjoy this series and can't wait to read more.
I love all the tips at the beginning of each chapter on organization, some are very useful and I need to put a few of them into practice.
I love the cast of characters and they all play a significant role in progressing the story line. There is a new character in this book (pretty sure this book only), a incompetent police detective named George Apsel. They have given him a most appropriate nickname of detective awful because he is truly awful and does not care about solving the crime. Heck, he can't even get Maggie's name right. He is filling in for Jason (another police detective) that broke his leg and is laid up...but we still get to see him some in this book.
The mystery itself was not easy to figure out...I think I suspected the killer just because he seemed suspicious but there was not anything I could put my finger on. The reason for the killings was a bit surprising to me, but it made some sense if you understand where the killer was coming from (not that it is justifiable!).
Outside of the main story line there was a minor line about a couple of homeless young women. I liked how Maggie and a few others gained their trust and helped them out. There were some surprises regarding these two women that just made it more intriguing and interesting.
I really enjoy this series and can't wait to read more.
December 10, 2016
Mary Feliz's second Maggie McDonald mystery is one that will keep you guessing, even though it's saddled with the ubiquitous vile-tempered, dumb cop. (Luckily, he's shuffled off to the shadows rather quickly.) I'm still very impressed with Maggie. She's calm under fire, she's caring, smart, and level-headed. In other words, she's a "Mom," and the best kind of mother there is.
The author has created a first-rate cast of characters, so much so that-- although I enjoyed getting to know more about Maggie's husband Max-- I missed the interactions with her sons and her best friend. I know everyone in the cast can't be in the spotlight all the time, but these characters are so good that I just get greedy.
Scheduled to Death may have a good mystery, a very good car chase scene, and a fine cast of characters, but Feliz also takes the time to deal sensitively with other issues like homeless children and the world of academia. These topics are woven into the story to give it even more depth and texture.
If you're on the lookout for a good cozy mystery series to read, you know what I'm going to say. Give Mary Feliz's Maggie McDonald series a try with the first book, Address to Die For before you move on to this one. I think you'll enjoy the characters as much as I do.
The author has created a first-rate cast of characters, so much so that-- although I enjoyed getting to know more about Maggie's husband Max-- I missed the interactions with her sons and her best friend. I know everyone in the cast can't be in the spotlight all the time, but these characters are so good that I just get greedy.
Scheduled to Death may have a good mystery, a very good car chase scene, and a fine cast of characters, but Feliz also takes the time to deal sensitively with other issues like homeless children and the world of academia. These topics are woven into the story to give it even more depth and texture.
If you're on the lookout for a good cozy mystery series to read, you know what I'm going to say. Give Mary Feliz's Maggie McDonald series a try with the first book, Address to Die For before you move on to this one. I think you'll enjoy the characters as much as I do.
January 7, 2017
Book 2 in the series.
I have to be up front and admit I didn't quite like this book as much as I liked the first one. The inept and frankly nasty, police detective who replaced Jason after his accident was completely unlikable and annoying. Not to mention, distracting.
I still enjoyed the story, but Detective Awful pulled me out of it more than he moved the story along and it got to the point where any time he showed up, I skipped ahead.
It was still a fun, fast moving story, with Maggie and Co. figuring out the real killer and tying up a few other interesting little side-plots.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I have to be up front and admit I didn't quite like this book as much as I liked the first one. The inept and frankly nasty, police detective who replaced Jason after his accident was completely unlikable and annoying. Not to mention, distracting.
I still enjoyed the story, but Detective Awful pulled me out of it more than he moved the story along and it got to the point where any time he showed up, I skipped ahead.
It was still a fun, fast moving story, with Maggie and Co. figuring out the real killer and tying up a few other interesting little side-plots.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
September 30, 2019
Did the "mad" scientist off his fiancé or is someone out to off the "mad" scientist to keep him from receiving a nobel prize? The first book in the series grabbed me, but this second book in the series has thoroughly pulled me in and has me rooting for the characters who now feel like old friends. Great characters that have been well developed with a strong female lead to really delight you. Add to great characters a well thought out and complex plot and you have an absolute winner of a book or rather book series! Toss in that the series is so far available via audiobook and those of us who spend a lot of time on the go can really get excited about following a series!
February 7, 2017
Scheduled To Death,is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series. This cozy mystery series introduces us to Maggie McDonald who is a professional organizer. While I have not yet read the first book in this series, I was able to follow this story with no issues.
In this episode of the series, Maggie has been hired by a Stanford professor to organize his house, as he is selling it. But, in the process of organizing the house, Maggie finds the professor's finance, one Sarah Palmer, dead in his home lab. Was it an accident or was it intentional?
A fast paced story with plenty of twists and turns. With lots of suspects, it wasn't easy to figure out who the murderer was, which was great!
I will be going back to read the first book in this series, as I enjoyed this book and want to learn more about the beginnings of this series.
Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader's copy of this book.
In this episode of the series, Maggie has been hired by a Stanford professor to organize his house, as he is selling it. But, in the process of organizing the house, Maggie finds the professor's finance, one Sarah Palmer, dead in his home lab. Was it an accident or was it intentional?
A fast paced story with plenty of twists and turns. With lots of suspects, it wasn't easy to figure out who the murderer was, which was great!
I will be going back to read the first book in this series, as I enjoyed this book and want to learn more about the beginnings of this series.
Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader's copy of this book.
January 29, 2017
Maggie McDonald is a Certified Professional Organizer and she hopes the upcoming holiday event scheduled to occur at Professor Lincoln Sinclair’s home will jumpstart her business. Unfortunately, Maggie finds more than just disorganization in the professor’s home- she finds the dead body of Linc’s fiancée. Evidence points to murder rather than an accident and now Maggie is determined to find the murderer. Will Maggie become a target in the process?
SCHEDULED TO DEATH is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series but can easily be read as a standalone. Mary Feliz does a marvelous job at introducing new readers to her characters and her world. I haven’t read the first book, ADDRESS TO DIE FOR, but have already added it to my ever-growing TBR list.
And oh the characters! I can’t help but love the vitriol directed at the aptly nicknamed “Detective Awful”. I’m almost sorry we won’t get to see more of this over-the-top ridiculous menace, as he provides quite a bit of humor. Maggie is a great heroine, full of spunk and determination. I love her willingness to do the right thing, even when it involves helping others in the middle of the night. She’s fearless and organized, which is a deadly combination.
SCHEDULED TO DEATH is a fast paced, entertaining cozy mystery. Each chapter starts with a piece of organizing wisdom from Maggie before we set off on the next segment of our adventure. I can’t wait to see what Mary Feliz has in store next for Maggie and her friends. Easily recommended!
SCHEDULED TO DEATH is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series but can easily be read as a standalone. Mary Feliz does a marvelous job at introducing new readers to her characters and her world. I haven’t read the first book, ADDRESS TO DIE FOR, but have already added it to my ever-growing TBR list.
And oh the characters! I can’t help but love the vitriol directed at the aptly nicknamed “Detective Awful”. I’m almost sorry we won’t get to see more of this over-the-top ridiculous menace, as he provides quite a bit of humor. Maggie is a great heroine, full of spunk and determination. I love her willingness to do the right thing, even when it involves helping others in the middle of the night. She’s fearless and organized, which is a deadly combination.
SCHEDULED TO DEATH is a fast paced, entertaining cozy mystery. Each chapter starts with a piece of organizing wisdom from Maggie before we set off on the next segment of our adventure. I can’t wait to see what Mary Feliz has in store next for Maggie and her friends. Easily recommended!
January 12, 2017
As a disorganized person struggling to reform, I feel drawn to the Maggie McDonald Mystery series, mostly because the main character is a professional organizer. The idea of a highly organized person as an amateur detective is intriguing. Plus, I figure I might pick up a few organizational tips while reading.
Scheduled to Death is the 2nd book in the series. I haven't read the first book yet, but there is enough background information sprinkled in with the new plot to easily figure out the different characters and enjoy the mystery. Maggie is building her new professional organizing business. She's helping a professor organize his life. Linc wants to get married, but he's got to clean up his act first. Maggie arrives one bright cheerful morning to help him continue his progress, only to find something much worse than a messy desk. Linc's fiance and Maggie's good friend, Sarah, is dead on the floor. Something isn't quite right about the situation. Maggie finds herself teaming up with local police to find out what caused Sarah's death.
Each chapter of the book opens with an organizational tip from Maggie - a nice extra touch. The pace of the story is spot-on, and the subplots (organization, community gardening, etc) don't overwhelm the mystery. In fact, the organizational background of the main character helps to further the plot, rather than getting in the way of it. Romance is not a distraction in this cozy. Maggie is happily married with teenage children. I like all of the side characters. It's interesting to see how Maggie handles being friends with a suspect and the investigating officers. The way they all come together to help each other solve the case is another refreshing change from formula cozies where the police continually warn or even threaten anyone who tries to investigate. Nice change! I can't say there is no "dumb'' or annoying cop....but he is a side character that even the other officers can't stand. While reading, I found myself continually thinking if the main characters were real people they would be enormously enjoyable as friends.
All in all, a great cozy mystery! There are plenty of suspects, interesting clues and plot twists. The idea of community gardening is intriguing. I'm glad that was a subplot intertwined with the mystery. The organization tips were helpful and I'm going to try to implement some of the suggestions.
Scheduled to Death will be released by Kensington on January 17th! Organized or disorganized, cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this one!
A third Maggie McDonald Mystery, Dead Storage, is coming out in July!
**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book provided by Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
Scheduled to Death is the 2nd book in the series. I haven't read the first book yet, but there is enough background information sprinkled in with the new plot to easily figure out the different characters and enjoy the mystery. Maggie is building her new professional organizing business. She's helping a professor organize his life. Linc wants to get married, but he's got to clean up his act first. Maggie arrives one bright cheerful morning to help him continue his progress, only to find something much worse than a messy desk. Linc's fiance and Maggie's good friend, Sarah, is dead on the floor. Something isn't quite right about the situation. Maggie finds herself teaming up with local police to find out what caused Sarah's death.
Each chapter of the book opens with an organizational tip from Maggie - a nice extra touch. The pace of the story is spot-on, and the subplots (organization, community gardening, etc) don't overwhelm the mystery. In fact, the organizational background of the main character helps to further the plot, rather than getting in the way of it. Romance is not a distraction in this cozy. Maggie is happily married with teenage children. I like all of the side characters. It's interesting to see how Maggie handles being friends with a suspect and the investigating officers. The way they all come together to help each other solve the case is another refreshing change from formula cozies where the police continually warn or even threaten anyone who tries to investigate. Nice change! I can't say there is no "dumb'' or annoying cop....but he is a side character that even the other officers can't stand. While reading, I found myself continually thinking if the main characters were real people they would be enormously enjoyable as friends.
All in all, a great cozy mystery! There are plenty of suspects, interesting clues and plot twists. The idea of community gardening is intriguing. I'm glad that was a subplot intertwined with the mystery. The organization tips were helpful and I'm going to try to implement some of the suggestions.
Scheduled to Death will be released by Kensington on January 17th! Organized or disorganized, cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this one!
A third Maggie McDonald Mystery, Dead Storage, is coming out in July!
**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book provided by Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
January 11, 2017
Maggie McDonald’s superpower is organizing and she’s putting it to good use at Stanford professor Linc Sinclair’s home when they stumble upon the electrocuted body of Linc’s fiancée, Sarah. Maggie applies her skills to investigating the crime. She’s driven to solve the mystery out of loyalty to her friends, and moral indignation over the sloppy handling of the police investigation—and if Linc’s job isn’t finished on time, Maggie’s fledgling business, Simplicity Itself Organizing Services, doesn’t stand a chance.
Scheduled to Death is a delightfully well-paced cozy mystery with enough twists and surprises to keep the pages flipping. Between the taciturn garden mistress Boots, her cadre of garden assistants, all former foster children, Stanford graduate students and professors, a bloodthirsty pickup truck and a threatening black Range Rover, there are enough secrets and suspects, explosions and crashes, to keep readers guessing until the end when the truth is revealed. Maggie has her own team of helpers including Orchard View Detective Paolo Bianchi and family friend, Detective Jason Mueller, on medical leave from the department. Even the dogs, Belle, Newton and Munchkin, play their parts in creating the backdrop to restoring peace in Orchard View.
Through her easy-going writing style of clear, modern prose, Author Mary Feliz has created a realistic and believable town in the Palo Alto hills. That Maggie is not a professor or attached to the University works in her favor. That she’s a professional organizer with a strong family life and social contacts gives her credibility and reasons to be in places bodies might turn up. She’s uber-organized, a boon for an investigator. Maggie is a woman we might count as a friend and certainly we know through our clubs, PTA, church, and social circles. Intelligent, logical, determined, personable, kind and motivated, Maggie McDonald is a character who will inspire readers.
Scheduled to Death is a delightfully well-paced cozy mystery with enough twists and surprises to keep the pages flipping. Between the taciturn garden mistress Boots, her cadre of garden assistants, all former foster children, Stanford graduate students and professors, a bloodthirsty pickup truck and a threatening black Range Rover, there are enough secrets and suspects, explosions and crashes, to keep readers guessing until the end when the truth is revealed. Maggie has her own team of helpers including Orchard View Detective Paolo Bianchi and family friend, Detective Jason Mueller, on medical leave from the department. Even the dogs, Belle, Newton and Munchkin, play their parts in creating the backdrop to restoring peace in Orchard View.
Through her easy-going writing style of clear, modern prose, Author Mary Feliz has created a realistic and believable town in the Palo Alto hills. That Maggie is not a professor or attached to the University works in her favor. That she’s a professional organizer with a strong family life and social contacts gives her credibility and reasons to be in places bodies might turn up. She’s uber-organized, a boon for an investigator. Maggie is a woman we might count as a friend and certainly we know through our clubs, PTA, church, and social circles. Intelligent, logical, determined, personable, kind and motivated, Maggie McDonald is a character who will inspire readers.
November 27, 2016
Scheduled to Death by Mary Feliz is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mysteries, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first book, Address to Die For. Maggie is a professional organizer who is trying to get her business up and running in the small town of Orchard View, California, where she has just relocated wth her family for in order to have a calmer and more laid back life. Unfortunately for Maggie, the bucolic life she hoped for is not to be. She discovers her second body in this book, and once again finds herself in the middle of a police investigation, as one of her clients is the main suspect, Maggie is determined to prove his innocence, and in the process, stumbles into all sorts of trouble. Fortunately, she has a strong network of friends to help her out as she finds herself deeply immersed in the mystery, and in the crosshairs of a dangerous predator. This book is a real page turner, and I found myself on the edge of my seat several times, and unable to put it down. I liked the continued character development in this book, as well as Maggie's organizational tips at the beginning of each chapter. I highly recommend Scheduled to Death and am looking forward to the next book in this series!
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 7, 2017
Professional Organizer Maggie McDonald is working to help Professor Lincoln Sinclair clean up his large Victorian home, in time to host her friend's Annual Holiday Showcase. But when they find the Professor's fiancee dead in his upstairs lab, Maggie is once again drawn into the middle of a murder investigation. This time led by the world's most incompetent police detective. Can she solve this mystery before an innocent is arrested? This is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series, although this is the first book that I have read both in this series and by this author. It was easy to slip into the lives of the main characters and the story flowed nicely from beginning to end. There were several suspects and twists before the final solution and even an interesting subplot. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this advanced reading copy of this book.
February 12, 2017
This is the second book in the Maggie McDonald series and I really enjoyed it. Maggie McDonald is a professional organizer with a special new client. The fiancee of her friend, Sara, needs his house organized as they prepare for marriage. The job also includes Sara's own home and Linc's office.
When Linc and Maggie meet at his own to find Sara dead, things take a turn. First of all, the normal detective and their friend, Jason, is not on the case. Second of all, his replacement, Detective Awful, is exactly that. Maggie and her friends try to work around Awful and clear poor Linc of murder charges while he tries to handle that Sara is gone.
I read the first of this series and really enjoyed it as well. Maggie is such a fun character and I love seeing how her friends and family are coming together through the series. Detective Awful was annoying at times but, I didn't feel he detracted too much from the story. He was kind of like the annoying guy in a movie where you're thinking "Oh good grief, go away" but again, not bad enough where he was all I focused on while reading. All in all, a great read!
I volunteered to read and give an honest review of this book.
When Linc and Maggie meet at his own to find Sara dead, things take a turn. First of all, the normal detective and their friend, Jason, is not on the case. Second of all, his replacement, Detective Awful, is exactly that. Maggie and her friends try to work around Awful and clear poor Linc of murder charges while he tries to handle that Sara is gone.
I read the first of this series and really enjoyed it as well. Maggie is such a fun character and I love seeing how her friends and family are coming together through the series. Detective Awful was annoying at times but, I didn't feel he detracted too much from the story. He was kind of like the annoying guy in a movie where you're thinking "Oh good grief, go away" but again, not bad enough where he was all I focused on while reading. All in all, a great read!
I volunteered to read and give an honest review of this book.
November 16, 2016
I really enjoy this series. Maggie MacDonald is a likeable character and I think most readers will enjoy getting to know her.
This book held my interest from the very beginning. It told a story of love, friendship, grief, greed and so much more.
The dynamics of the different friendships make this story very believable. The diverse friendships bring laughter to this well written cozy mystery.
Maggie's life revolves around her family, friends and her organizational skills. She doesn't have time to investigate a murder, but she can't let this one go. The victim is a friend and before Maggie can grieve, she has to find out who killed this special person.
This story will make you laugh, but it will also make you cry. It was so well written and thought out that I can't wait to read the next book n this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley
This book held my interest from the very beginning. It told a story of love, friendship, grief, greed and so much more.
The dynamics of the different friendships make this story very believable. The diverse friendships bring laughter to this well written cozy mystery.
Maggie's life revolves around her family, friends and her organizational skills. She doesn't have time to investigate a murder, but she can't let this one go. The victim is a friend and before Maggie can grieve, she has to find out who killed this special person.
This story will make you laugh, but it will also make you cry. It was so well written and thought out that I can't wait to read the next book n this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley
February 10, 2017
Maggie McDonald is a great character, she seems like someone you would want to know in real life, plus she is managing to start a new career in a new town with a husband and sons to juggle as well. Her organizing skills are desperately needed at an old Victorian owned by an absent-minded professor type named Linc Sinclair--he's needing to downsize and move in with his fiancée Sarah (a new friend of Maggie's). It was heartbreaking when murder touched the lives of her friends, but the story moves quickly as the police become involved. There are quite a few secondary characters and storylines, but they are well defined and very likable. The community garden added interesting red herrings, too. I liked the organizing tips Maggie shared at the beginning of each chapter, they helped me feel less unorganized in my own life. This well written mystery is worth the read.
February 15, 2017
This is the second book in the Maggie McDonald series – this series just keeps getting better. Maggie is a professional organizer and getting her business off the ground after her move to Orchard View. She has been working with Linc (a Stanford professor) and Sarah his fiancée to get his house organized prior to their wedding. However, Sarah is found electrocuted in his home lab and the police “detective awful” believe Linc is the guilty party.
Maggie is convinced Linc is innocent and works with her new friends to track down the real killer. I read the first book in this series; however, I do not think you need to have read it first to enjoy this story. The story is faced paced and really keep you guessing who the guilty party could be. There is always a lot going on. Frankly, not sure how Maggie does it.
I really enjoyed this book and this series. The author gets you invested in the characters and you feel what they feel and you feel like you are friends with this group of people. Would love to have Maggie as a neighbor. I have already pre-ordered the next in this series. Highly recommend.
Maggie is convinced Linc is innocent and works with her new friends to track down the real killer. I read the first book in this series; however, I do not think you need to have read it first to enjoy this story. The story is faced paced and really keep you guessing who the guilty party could be. There is always a lot going on. Frankly, not sure how Maggie does it.
I really enjoyed this book and this series. The author gets you invested in the characters and you feel what they feel and you feel like you are friends with this group of people. Would love to have Maggie as a neighbor. I have already pre-ordered the next in this series. Highly recommend.
July 17, 2020
Loved this addition. It sure kept me guessing, right to the end.
October 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book and the characters, I thought at first it would be more of a cozy mystery, but it has little more depth then a cozy. Interesting story line.
February 16, 2017
This book featured Maggie McDonald, a professional organizer, which is a profession you don't see much in books, not even cozies. Organizing tips are given at the start of each chapter. Maggie is the amateur sleuth with a husband and two sons. This is different because a lot of sleuths are single. I enjoyed the family dynamic. They seemed like a nice, happy family.
In addition to family, friendships are featured, especially with Paolo, a detective, and Maggie's friends Tess, Jason, and Stephen. I found the characters to be realistic and some emotions were expressed after the murder. Readers will feel sorry for Linc, the fiancé of the victim, Sarah, who was mentioned as being a friend of Maggie's and must've been featured in the first book in the series.
One of the detectives in the book is named Apfel (German for apple), but Maggie and Tess call him Detective Awful because he really is terrible, not a great cop, and doesn't seem good with people. Kind of a funny character. In one part of the book he kept calling Maggie Mrs. McDougal even though she kept on correcting him. It was like he wanted to annoy her.
I liked the animals in the book: Maggie's Belle (on the book cover) and Linc's Newton, an Irish Wolfhound. There were cats in the book too, but they weren't featured much. Maggie's cats were Holmes and Watson!
There weren't that many descriptions of people. I would've liked to have Maggie and Linc described. I didn't care for the name of "Boots." I don't usually like it when characters have weird or original names. I thought the print in the book was kind of small, but then again I have bad eyes. I think these Lyrical Underground books by Kensington are mostly in e-book, not print, so libraries may not carry the printed version.
I kind of enjoyed the book but might not read any more of them.
This could be considered a traditional mystery and sort of a cozy.
I received a copy to review, which I did so voluntarily. This has been my honest review.
In addition to family, friendships are featured, especially with Paolo, a detective, and Maggie's friends Tess, Jason, and Stephen. I found the characters to be realistic and some emotions were expressed after the murder. Readers will feel sorry for Linc, the fiancé of the victim, Sarah, who was mentioned as being a friend of Maggie's and must've been featured in the first book in the series.
One of the detectives in the book is named Apfel (German for apple), but Maggie and Tess call him Detective Awful because he really is terrible, not a great cop, and doesn't seem good with people. Kind of a funny character. In one part of the book he kept calling Maggie Mrs. McDougal even though she kept on correcting him. It was like he wanted to annoy her.
I liked the animals in the book: Maggie's Belle (on the book cover) and Linc's Newton, an Irish Wolfhound. There were cats in the book too, but they weren't featured much. Maggie's cats were Holmes and Watson!
There weren't that many descriptions of people. I would've liked to have Maggie and Linc described. I didn't care for the name of "Boots." I don't usually like it when characters have weird or original names. I thought the print in the book was kind of small, but then again I have bad eyes. I think these Lyrical Underground books by Kensington are mostly in e-book, not print, so libraries may not carry the printed version.
I kind of enjoyed the book but might not read any more of them.
This could be considered a traditional mystery and sort of a cozy.
I received a copy to review, which I did so voluntarily. This has been my honest review.
February 16, 2017
Scheduled to Death by Mary Feliz is the second book in her Maggie McDonald Mystery series. This is the first book I have read in this series and it is a standalone story. Anything you needed to know from the previous book was explained as part of this story. Maggie is working as an organizer, helping people who need organization in their lives. It might be organizing a room, getting rid of belongings, or just organizing one’s life. She also tends to volunteer more than she should, not allowing enough time for herself and her family. The community where Maggie and her family live, near Palo Alto, California, has a small town feel to it.
I really loved the helpful and doable organizing tips that led off each chapter. I enjoyed the relationship that Maggie, her family and friends had with the police officers, more like family or friends. The trust they had with each other was not something one would expect from the police.
This was a enjoyable story with entertaining characters that you want to get to know better and lots of twists and turns. The characters were well written, authentic and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I really loved the helpful and doable organizing tips that led off each chapter. I enjoyed the relationship that Maggie, her family and friends had with the police officers, more like family or friends. The trust they had with each other was not something one would expect from the police.
This was a enjoyable story with entertaining characters that you want to get to know better and lots of twists and turns. The characters were well written, authentic and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 22, 2022
Maggie McDonald and her family moved to Orchard View after a late aunt left her husband a large home and the money he would need to maintain it. Now, she's starting up her organizing business again in her new town, and she's lucked out by being able to organize the home of Professor Lincoln Sinclair, who will be getting married soon and combining households. But when she arrives with her realtor friend Tess, they find the body of Lincoln's fiancée, Sarah, electrocuted in a puddle of water. At first it looks like a horrible accident, but after the police investigate the crime, it's determined to be a murder.
But the man in charge, Detective Apfel, whom Maggie and everyone around her has nicknamed "Detective Awful," is a horrible detective and rubs everyone the wrong way. He's decided that Linc killed Sarah -- never mind that Linc was nowhere near the crime scene -- and is determined to pin the murder on him. What can Maggie do but help Linc? Even though her husband Max wants her to stay out of it, she knows she can't. Maggie has more than one problem coming her way, and even if she wants to try and just help people, there's someone out there besides the police who doesn't want her help -- the killer...
This is the second book in the series and I must say that I enjoyed it quite much more than the first. In the first, Maggie's husband was working out of town and I was afraid it was going to be another cozy where the protagonist had her husband gone all the time and she solved murders on her own. I was pleasantly surprised that Max made more than an appearance in this book, even if he didn't get involved in the investigation as much, he was supportive of his wife, which goes a long way.
Maggie knows that Linc couldn't commit a murder, so she starts looking as to who might have wanted the woman dead. Or did they? Since it occurred in Linc's house, maybe he was the target after all? Could it have been one of the teenagers who worked next door in the gardens? Or perhaps their supervisor, Boots?
All she knows is that since the detective who would have been on the case, Jason Mueller, is out with a broken leg, and the obnoxious replacement doesn't care about justice, only about closing cases fast. With Maggie under the gun for time, she needs to find a killer before they find her.
When the ending comes, everything is put together nicely, and we were given a clue to the murderer (I am pleased to say that I was right) but you have to watch for it along the way. At the end, there is a nice epilogue which puts it all into perspective, and I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
But the man in charge, Detective Apfel, whom Maggie and everyone around her has nicknamed "Detective Awful," is a horrible detective and rubs everyone the wrong way. He's decided that Linc killed Sarah -- never mind that Linc was nowhere near the crime scene -- and is determined to pin the murder on him. What can Maggie do but help Linc? Even though her husband Max wants her to stay out of it, she knows she can't. Maggie has more than one problem coming her way, and even if she wants to try and just help people, there's someone out there besides the police who doesn't want her help -- the killer...
This is the second book in the series and I must say that I enjoyed it quite much more than the first. In the first, Maggie's husband was working out of town and I was afraid it was going to be another cozy where the protagonist had her husband gone all the time and she solved murders on her own. I was pleasantly surprised that Max made more than an appearance in this book, even if he didn't get involved in the investigation as much, he was supportive of his wife, which goes a long way.
Maggie knows that Linc couldn't commit a murder, so she starts looking as to who might have wanted the woman dead. Or did they? Since it occurred in Linc's house, maybe he was the target after all? Could it have been one of the teenagers who worked next door in the gardens? Or perhaps their supervisor, Boots?
All she knows is that since the detective who would have been on the case, Jason Mueller, is out with a broken leg, and the obnoxious replacement doesn't care about justice, only about closing cases fast. With Maggie under the gun for time, she needs to find a killer before they find her.
When the ending comes, everything is put together nicely, and we were given a clue to the murderer (I am pleased to say that I was right) but you have to watch for it along the way. At the end, there is a nice epilogue which puts it all into perspective, and I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
February 14, 2017
This was my second visit to Orchard Valley and I was not disappointed. Knowing the back story for professional organizer Maggie McDonald made it more interesting but new readers can start with this book and not feel lost. Maggie is hired by Stanford professor Linc Sinclair to help downsize his personal collection of “stuff” and sort three generations worth of furniture. Linc has been nominated for a Nobel Prize so Maggie is excited by the opportunity because it will introduce her to a new client base. Unfortunately the excitement turns to anxiety when they discover that Linc’s fiancée Sarah has been electrocuted. The introduction of a new character, “Detective Awful”, pushes Maggie into protective detective mode. He is immediately suspicious of Linc and doesn’t want to investigate thoroughly but Maggie is determined to find the real killer. Ms. Feliz has a knack for creating believable situations for her diverse group of characters. In this book she touches on a couple of hot button issues in a way that is informative without being preachy. The book draws you in from chapter one and moves steadily to the resolution but there is plenty of action along the way. I think the reveal of the villain’s motive will be surprising to most readers. This series gets better and better. I look forward to book three.
February 16, 2017
This is the second book in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series. Maggie is a professional organizer, wife, and mother to two teenage sons. She also spends a lot of time volunteering in her community of Orchard View. Her newest client, Lincoln "Linc" Sinclair is a scatterbrained, Nobel-nominated scientist who is engaged to the local librarian. Maggie has been hired to help get his house in order before the wedding and unfortunately finds the body of Sarah, his fiance, in the basement, a victim of electrocution. The detective in charge doesn't think it's anything more than an accident, but it doesn't take long for it to become apparent that someone wants Linc gone and will hurt anyone that gets in the way. The question is, who, and why? When the detective won't help, Maggie decides to figure it out herself. The mystery was pretty solid with a complex cast of characters and plenty of suspects. The resolutions came a little too quickly and a little too easily, but if you enjoy a good cozy mystery with likable characters, this is a nice choice.
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
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