Sapped

Maple Syrup Mysteries #0.5

by Emily James

What we don’t know can hurt us…

The worst way to find out that your boyfriend is already married is to see it on the news. The only way it could be worse than that is if his wife died under suspicious circumstances.

Unfortunately for criminal defense attorney Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes, that’s exactly what happens. Her now ex-boyfriend insists he’s innocent, and he begs Nicole to find out who really killed his wife. She’d like to simply leave him to his fate, but her sense of justice won’t allow it.

With few clues to go on and her emotions getting in the way, Nicole worries that she won’t figure out the killer in time. And as she begins to unravel the truth, the killer turns the table on her, making it look like Nicole was the one who committed the murder after all…

Sapped is the prequel to Emily James’ Maple Syrup Mysteries series. If you love small-town settings, quirky characters, and a dollop of romance, then you’ll want to buy this new amateur sleuth mystery series today!

Genres: Mystery, Novella, Cozy Mystery

134 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2016

About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author Emily James writes cozy mysteries with quirky characters, twisty plots, and a touch of romance.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries, although if you haven’t read any of the other books, you may wonder why the series is named such. A slight foreshadowing is there but the reader is not overtly told anything. It has a standard but interesting premise, is a quick read, and has a main character you can identify with. The contrary family dynamic was an interesting change of pace and it adds a personal element to Nicole’s character development. It will be enjoyable to see how this prequel connects to the rest of the stories.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the first in the "Maple Syrup Mysteries." It is actually pretty good and answers some of the questions about the main character (Nicole) that one has when reading the first book in the series ("A Sticky Inheritance).

[Heather Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy was just right. Clean, interesting, and well-written, with a winsome protagonist. Also, the cover art for this series is AMAZING and I like the maple syrup theme! I'll be reading the next books in this series.

[Janice Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapped is the prequel novella for Emily James' Maple Syrup series, and I read it after the first book. But whether you read it before or after #1, it fits, filling in information about how Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes came to be in a small town in Northern Michigan and new owner of a maple syrup factory. The characters are quirky (which I love), the setting interesting and fitting, the plot intriguing, and the outcome well worth the read.

I love cozy mysteries, especially when the content is clean.

Since I've already read book #1: A Sticky Inheritance, I have purchased #2: Bushwhacked, and am ready to read.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early morning news told Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes two things:
1. Her boyfriend (almost fiance) was married.
2. Her boyfriend was under arrest for the murder of his wife.
Floored by this turn of events, Nicole turned to her father for help. As a successful attorney, he was well-placed to defend her boyfriend, Peter Walsh. Nicole, who worked for her father as a lawyer, joined the defence team only to learn that their firm doesn't believe in innocence only acquittals. With this disturbing news, Nicole began a separate investigation with surprising results.

Sapped introduces the Maple Syrup Mysteries. It's a great backstory that provides a tonne of insight into the main character, Nicole. I was firmly Team Nicole, ready to share in her adventures from the start. She's a fascinating person with integrity and an aptitude for reading people. It will be a pleasure to watch her in action. The frostiness of her relationship with her parents brings a sympathetic edge to her persona.

While this book is an introduction to the series, it is by no means a quick throwaway. The story has a strong pace and the plot has girth. I recommend reading this book before moving into the series as it fills in much of the background to Nicole's story.

While there is a small amount of on-screen violence, Sapped falls into the cosy category. It's a great tale for us cosy lovers.

[Maryf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this story from the author for a review. Nicole is smart in figuring things out but not a very good lawyer or judge of character in boyfriends. I was so glad she was able to figure out the killer and motive but the rapport with her father was almost unbelievable. I'll be reading more of the series since she does come to terms with her ability as a lawyer.

[Alanna Vane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Emily James, and it was a fun and cozy read. Mostly, I loved how human and relatable the main character is, and her commitment to truth. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes is the daughter of two over-achieving lawyers. She’s a lawyer herself, and although her people skills are an asset to her parents’ firm, she knows she’ll never live up to their expectations.

Now she’s desperate to help prove her suddenly ex-boyfriend innocent of murder. Even when her father orders her off the case.

Sapped is a prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries series, available as a free ebook for signing up for the author’s newsletter, or in print through Amazon.

It’s an engaging mystery, fast-paced and with a snappy delivery. Nicole’s self-doubts in a world of confident people make her very relatable, as does her desire to uncover the truth. She’s smart, spunky, and has a lot more going for her than she realizes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and immediately dove into the next in the series, A Sticky Inheritance, in which we see the significance of the “Maple Syrup Mysteries” title for the series. This isn’t a Christian series, but it’s a good, clean read.

There’s more than one author named Emily James. To find out more about the one behind the Maple Syrup Mysteries, and for more about her books or to sign up for your free ebook copy of Sapped, visit authoremilyjames.com.

[Review copy from my personal library.]

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are introduced to Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes in this installment. We are shown the dynamics of Nicole's family and her personal relationships with boyfriend and girlfriends.

It opens with Nicole and, us readers, finding out that her beloved boyfriend, Attorney Peter Walsh being taken in for questioning on the death of his wife...what? Wife? Yes, Peter is not an honest hardworking good boyfriend, he is a cheating husband. Nicole is shocked and honestly, you are taken along with her...I was shocked.

As her parents own the law firm that Nicole and Peter work for, it is a given that they will represent him in court. As Nicole strives to equate the Peter she knows with this other Peter, she finds out that perhaps she isn't meant to be an attorney, at least not a 'Defense' one.

We are also introduced to her Uncle Stan. That is interesting because Ms. James next (rather first) novel is "A Sticky Inheritance" and that novel is stellar.

This novel put everyone in context and was a good mystery with a strong ending that leads to even finer books ahead.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapped is a enlightening prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries series. Just like the rest of the series, Sapped is hard to put down once you start reading.

Prior to moving to Fair Haven, Nicole is a defense attorney in DC. Before Mark and Erik there is Peter. We finally meet Nicole's parents, her best friend and we get a glimpse into the loving relationship between her and her Uncle Stan.

Emily James successfully spins an intriguing mystery, but without the use of the "F"word and overly descriptive sex scenes. She simply relies on her creative skills to tell a great story.

I highly recommend the Maple Syrup Mysteries to anyone who likes a good, clean Mystery & Suspense. I'm 43 and thoroughly enjoy these books, but even my mom is excited to buy this series after I told her about it. In my teens I loved Mary Higgins Clark & Jessica Fletcher, so I can see a wide age range enjoying this series.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries series, so keep that in mind. I personally loved the story. The characters are well developed and the storyline was great! I would of killed my so-called boyfriend when I found out he was married! But when his wife dies and he is the top suspect and rightly so, Nicole can't help herself to see that justice is served and looks into the death. This was a quick read as you get so involved in the characters you don't ever want it to end. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time reading this author and the first in the series. The main character is Nicole and she is a lawyer and works in her dad firm. She is also dating a lawyer who works there. No one knows he is married until sh is arrested for her murder. Nicole can't believe it at first and then when she does , she wants to prove he did it. She is almost murdered herself trying to prove it. It is a page turner and I look forward to her next adventure.

[Mella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I liked Nicole and I liked the story. I felt sorry for her with everything that happened but I really enjoyed her relationship with her father and how she was resilient and determined to see the case through to the end. It was a little too short to get a lot of depth but it sounds like a great start to a new series. I'll be reading the next one for sure.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice twist on the typical cozy mystery. Heroine finds out her hero is a married man when he is arrested for killing his wife. She decided she will find out who really killed his wife. This story has one giant twist that will having you gasping.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was a very fast read! Nicole is a lawyer working for her father! When she finds out her boyfriend is married and his wife has been murdered she wants on the case. There were a few surprises. But it was obvious who the killer was so not much of a mystery.

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received free copy for review. Fantastic intro to the Maple Syrup mysteries. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Natalie Bachiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series I read. I am very intrigued with the dynamics of the characters, especially the family. I look forward to the next book.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd been wanting to start this series for quite sometime now, and when I saw that I had the prequel, I figured that might be a good way to kick it off, and it was. It gave me some definite insight to main character Nicole and what her life was like working for her parents' law firm. Nicole was mentioned a few times in the author's newer series featuring a cupcake food truck, and I was hoping to get to know her through this series where the cupcake main character will eventually appear in one of the books.

There was a murder, but it was fairly cut and dried as to the perp. The problem was that Nicole was determined to get proof of the person's guilt, and she nearly got killed doing that. Just from the phone conversation Nicole had with Uncle Stan, I loved his character. He and her bestie, Ahanti were important in saving her life from the killer, but Nicole still used her own ingenuity during the showdown.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upside: female sleuth who works in law. Downside: no maple syrup farm.
Upside: a manipulating man gets exposed. Downside: the lady doesn't know any self defence moves, and completely unbelievably lets the man force pills into her without even throwing crockery, toasters and fruit bowls at him in the kitchen. What, she stands there, has a discussion with a killer, and politely opens her mouth and swallows without trying to smash his nose or poke out his eyes? Earlier she threatened to knee him in a painful place, why couldn't she do it when it counted? Just thinking about the unreality of that scene has made me take two stars off the rating. Three, now.

Also: these days we do not use the word spastically.
I am looking forward to reading the series about a maple farm, since I like trees.
I downloaded this book from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole, Nikki Fitzhenry-Dawes;
Prequel to A Sticky Inheritance, when she traveled to Fair Haven to settle her uncle's death;
Finds out that her fiance is married, by seeing a news flash that his "wife" was found dead in their pool;
He worked at her family's law firm, her dad was defending him;
Nikki started her own investigation, hoping to help prove he was innocent;
But as she spoke to a neighbor, the deceased's sister and reviewed the details she realized Peter Walsh was guilty of killing his wife Eva. He married her for her money/trust fund.
She went to the house to look for the burner phone used to make the call Eva received.....
Peter realized she knew and tried to get her to take sleeping pills, but her call to the office recording their conversation, and then fake attempts to log in, with "help me dad" got her dad and the police there in time to rescue her.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries explains how and why Nicole heads off Uncle Stan's Maple farm. Nicole is an attorney, but not like her mom and dad. She doesn't have the drive that they do, which disappoints them, especially her father. When she discovers her boyfriend is married, while watching the news no less, she still wants to believe in his innocence and tries everything in her power to prove it. As she investigates, she finds the truth, not only about her boyfriend, but about what is really important to her parents.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to the series. Nikki’s boyfriend is charged with his wife’s murder. A wife Nikki had no idea of until she heard it on the radio. Her father, the head of the law firm he and Nikki both work at didn’t know he was married either. However, Dad does agree to be his defense attorney. Nikki is gobsmacked of course, she can’t believe he was married and that he had it in him to murder his wife. So she sets out to prove him innocent. And finds out how wrong she was when he attempts to murder her too, and it was premeditated!

[Melissa Basnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole’s boyfriend is accused of killing his wife which she didn’t know that he was married and they has been dating a year. She tries to find evidence that will show he did not kill his wife and finds out that he was not the best guy. Her parents are also keeping other secrets from her. There are a few plot twists and there was an interesting suspect reveal. This is the first book in the series I have read and I am curious to see where it goes next.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequel - Yes, I'd already read book 1.

I think it does help to have read book 1 to catch a few references in the prequel.

Nicole is having a crisis in her career - does she want to remain a lawyer (like her parents) even though she can't cope in a courtroom or should she find something new?

Also did her boyfriend kill his wife - or is he being framed? By the way - WIFE????

Nicely plotted story,

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole sees her world change on a dime when it turns out her boyfriend is not what she thought. She becomes an amateur sleuth to solve a murder. This is the prequel to the Maple Syrup Mysteries and can be read as an introduction to the series. There were quite a few twists and turns in this novella.

[Morpheyy]

I like this even more than #1. The mystery was harder to solve this time and I really loved the dad's character, and the closeness between uncle and niece, and the protagonist and friend. The characterisation was better overall, I felt. And though the main character is not perfect, it's done in a way that's still believable. 100% recommend!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this easy to read book. The plot was interesting and kept me reading this book in one sitting. I loved the main character and her determination to see the truth no matter what. The author is great and I want to read more from this series!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This definitely needed another round of editing, but it was good enough to make me want to check out the rest of the series now.

[Christa Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the different take on things!

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting first read.