Drowning in Deceit

Hope Hadley #4

by Meredith Potts

When Benjamin Norton's body is found face down in his swimming pool, there initially doesn't appear to be anyone who wanted him dead. As amateur sleuth Hope Hadley digs deeper, she uncovers a web of burglary, adultery, and deceit that stretches her investigative skills to the limit.

Books in The Hope Hadley Series
1. Fame Is A Killer
2. Fishing For A Murderer
3. Murder Of A Yoga Instructor
4. Drowning In Deceit
5. A Not So Merry Christmas Murder
6. Killer Injustice
7. Murder Of A Restaurant Critic
8. Murder Of A Movie Producer
9. The Killer Holiday Office Party

All of the Hope Hadley books can be read in any order.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2017

About the author

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Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drowning in Deceit
Hope Hadley Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4
By: Meredith Potts
Narrated by: Rachel Carr
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
Although this is a short story, it is packed with all the goodness of a novel. Great characters, good plot, clues to die for, ( yep, I went there), and twists.
The narrator is great, she kept things flowing just right!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I am giving the this book 4 stars is because of the opening. How would you like waking up to an alligator in your pool. That is how the book starts and goes from there. A cute mystery and quick read.

[Tara Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This review is for the audiobook on Audible.**

Drowning in Deceit is Book 4 in the Hope Hadley Cozy Mystery Series by Meredith Potts, narrated by Rachel Carr. I started with Book 1 and haven't looked back; I have really enjoyed listening to each of these short audiobooks, and I can't wait for Book 5 to be released on audio! It is fun to get to know the characters and watch them change over time. Even though this is a series, the books can be read in any order. Each one is complete in the sense that the mystery/case is solved within the pages of the book, leaving the reader with NO cliffhangers (Thank you!!). What I originally thought would be a turn-off has, instead, ended up being my favorite feature...the length! It's what has kept me running back for the next in series. I am not a huge fan of super long books, and I generally do not listen to many short ones, either. Most of my Audible library is filled with books that fall between 7-12 hours. Never did I expect audiobooks of 1-3 hours to be so much fun to listen to!

I have to admit that I am the queen of the snooze button. I am horrible when it comes to waking up...I have 9 alarms set, and I hit the snooze mutliple times on all of them. I can't even believe I am admitting that, but no one is perfect, right? One morning while getting ready for work, I decided to continue listening to where I had left off the night before in Book 1. Before leaving home, I was able to finish the book. I noticed that day I was in a happier mood...no joke, I think it was because I left my house smiling. I love the clever premise of this series: Hollywood actress, Hope Hadley, returns home to FL after her show (in which she played a detective) is cancelled. It's only natural Hope puts those sleuthing skills to work...and, thus, the adventure begins! Narrator Rachel Carr does a wondeful job in playing main character Hope Hadley! She is funny, engaging, and makes my listening experience that much more enjoyable. Well, the next morning when my alarm went off, I jumped up (yes...no snooze button today!), downloaded Book 2, and listened while I got ready. After having another great day at work, I knew I had to make the rest of this series part of my daily routine! Who knew Hope Hadley would be the answer I'd been searching for?! Yay!

Meredith Potts and Rachel Carr, thank you for putting a little pep in my step each morning and keeping a smile on my face all day long. I am anxiously awaiting Book 5's release on audio....PLEASE say this is not the end! :-) Waking up each morning to Hope and Joe solving their latest case has helped to brighten my mood and set the tone on a positive note for the day...not to mention, the snooze button on my alarm clock has probably enjoyed the time off. :-) I recommend Drowning in Deceit: Hope Hadley Cozy Mystery, Book 4 to those who enjoy cozies, humorous cases, and good, clean fun in all under a few hours.

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. :-)

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, concise plot and so much fun, Meredith Potts has me totally entertained! This cozy mystery is not long, but Potts has it packed full of interesting, well developed characters, a plot to keep you guessing and a beginning that will make you laugh out loud! Hope starts her day with an unexpected visitor, but that does not keep her from the next murder case. Along with her brother, the two are on the path to find out who killed Benjamin Norton, the man that cleans her pool. With suspects galore, we meet 3 women Benjamin was dating, a husband of one of the women, and the man that was his employee, each with their own story, but which one is the killer? With deductive skill we get to find out the culprit and enjoy this fast paced, well written story.

So many characters and Rachel Carr narrates them each with their own voice! She performs this story exquisitely.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drowning in Deceit is the second book I've read in the Hope Hadley mystery series by Meredith Potts. I enjoyed going to Hollywood, Florida to see what the amateur sleuth was currently investigating. In this story, Hope and her Police Detective brother, Joe, are on the look out for the person who murdered Benjamin Norton. Benjamin was Hope's pool cleaner, but she didn't know him well. Without much effort though, Hope and Joe are able to find five suspects who might have wanted Benjamin dead. There was his assistant Landon Thorpe, girlfriend Andrea Fogerty, mistresses Teresa Lomis, and Michelle Dillon, and Michelle's husband Hank. Meredith Potts does a good job of describing her characters and the plot so that the story really comes to life. I enjoyed the alligator visiting her backyard at the beginning of the story. Once again I liked that the characters were older than thirty!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audio book 4 but also a great standalone book. She has interesting and believable characters. Rachel Carrdoes a great job with the narration to maintain interest. This is a clean cozy mystery with no frank sex, gire or foul language. The character developmentis good for a short cozy mystery. You can do this book as a family. Hope Hadley is an amateur sleuth after her TV Show with her as a detective for years begore her show was csncelled. There is humor along with murderin the book. Her brother is a detective. They have to interview to find the murderer of the pool man, who was found in the bottom of the pool. The alligator scenes are great. This is a great fun read for families. I highly recommend this book.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting and quick story by Meredith Potts. This was Hope Hadley's fourth adventure, and I enjoyed it. There was so much funny happening around Hope as well as the death of her pool cleaner. Working with her brother made this an interesting story as they play well off each other. As to the mystery, I was fooled for a while but happy with the outcome. Narrated once again by Rachel Carr who was full of excitement as she told the story.

I received a copy of this audiobook as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Meredith Potts does not disappoint. You can count on clear dialogue, descriptions painted in words, and concise plotting.

Hope is not having a good day. First she finds an allegator trying to get into her kitchen through the doggy door. Then her pool cleaner is found murdered. She joins her brother Detective Joe Hadley to sift through suspects and solve the case.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Suzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fast read.I have not read this series before and found this book as an easy read. If you are looking for a hard core mystery this book is not for you. But if you are just wanting to relax and read a quick cozy this book fits the bill. Rachael Carr does a good job of narrating this cozy. I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

[Andrea Latham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was in an Audible Boxed Set as Books 1 - 5 and I listened to book 1 earlier this year. These books are for young girls and would be entertaining for them. I found it hard to believe that anyone would answer questions about murder from a person that is not a lawyer, police officer or another law enforcement officer.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting story. one question as to the outcome. how could a tiny woman strangle a large man.

As I mentioned before , it was puzzling about the murder. How could a small woman kill a larger man. It would seem like even surprised he could fight her off. There was no mention of any drugs in his body to slow him down.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drowning in Deceit by Meredith Potts was a great read. This is the fourth book in The Hope Hadley series. Hop decides to help uncover the mystery around Benjamin's death. He was found face down in a swimming pool. I loved reading this book and can't wait to read more of this series.

[Alayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very ordinary story which needed a good deal of suspension of disbelief - what detective allows his sister to attend with him to interviews with suspects? The most entertaining part was the alligator with his snout in the doggy door, and even that was terribly earnest.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drowning in Deceit (Hope Hadley #4), my tenth short read/listen from author Meredith Potts. Another cute, well-written clean cozy mystery and an enjoyable read. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Buster, her chocolate Labrador , finds an alligator in her kitchen early in the morning, Hope knows that her day only can go south from there. So when a corpse is found she knows she must help his brother Joe, the local detective In town, solve the mystery. The audiobook is great

[Judy R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pools and alligators

Hope's day began with and alligator trying to get in her house via the doggy door. It continued with assisting her brother with solving the death of two people.

Enjoyable quick read and list of characters.

[Sandra Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope finds an alligator in her back yard....waiting on the pool guy to come and clean up after the alligator only to find him deaf. Later one of his mistress ex also ends up dead. Oh what fun this one is in for.

[sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick book

Drowning in deceit Hope Hadley mystery series book 4 was an interesting fast read on to the next in the series

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better, but I'm still just hanging in to see how the relationship goes.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT riding down the road listening. I'm sure a lot of passers-by wanted to know who I was yelling at or talking to!

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Hope Hadley series. A light cozy mystery. Delightful and entertaining.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good narration but the story is exactly the same as all the others in this series

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pool guy is dead

Entertaining quick read. Well written the story moved right along. Several suspects it could be any of them. Happy reading

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy her cozies.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 1 out of 5]

The storyline is well plotted and the characters are well developed. Ms. Potts’ witty writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The characters are well developed and the mystery well plotted.NOTE: That was NOT MY review{s}; however, it does show exactly Meredith Potts' writing style...repetitious and unbelievable and not just a little bit preachy. Even as low a bar as I set for cozy mysteries, she limboed right under it.

Most of the stories are on ku, either as standalone or in sets. If you don't see one on ku look at the sets listed and it should be there. Actually, if you've read one story you've read them all basically.

Hope Hadley Eight Book Cozy Mystery Set Fishing For Murder, Murder Of A Yoga Instructor, Drowning In Deceit, A Not So Merry Christmas Murder, Killer Injustice, Murder Of A Restaurant Critic, Murder Of A Movie Producer, and The Killer Holiday Office Party.
I read them, a little too hmmm murder she wrote wrapping it all up in half hour or so and bit confusing although that could be because no good at names and it was 8 books of basically the same story so lot of names and suppose the buy price of 99 cents would have been okay if hadn't had the ku but seemed a bit forced wrap up/story lines.

Merry Christmas Cozy Mystery Gift Set 3 pack A Not So Merry Christmas Murder Killer Holiday Office Party The Last Frontier Of Murder
Tried to get in to the stories, but seemed rather slow, not even sure what was going on in the 3rd short story, seemed not quite sure itself, each story, but kindle unlimited so that's something.

Fame is a Killer is also Fame is Murder

The only reason didn't give it a 1 star is because am reserving that one for 'romance' that so far as been badly written excuse for soft porn.

Her books are one of the few times don't get a twinge over doing copy paste for single/set books on here at amazon and on goodreads.Goodreads needs a selection for Wished hadn't have read this.

Kindle Unlimited, so you are not stuck with the book{s} permanently.

The dates are mostly wrong for goodreads; I forgot for a while or didn't have goodreads at the time.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

DROWNING IN DECEIT is the fourth book in the Hope Hadley Cozy Mysteries series. They can be read in any order.

I love the simplicity of these cozy mysteries and believe them to be the perfect way to introduce the genre to a preteen.

In this particular one, the first three chapters, which have nothing to do with the murder, are the most fun. I was reminded of a meme I saw years ago, it was a picture of a gator, about 8ft long, clawing at a house door. As I remember, the caption said, “Why we lock our doors in Florida.”

Besides Hope, her brother Joe, and her boyfriend, the supporting characters are whimsical and outlandishly cartoonish making it almost spoof-like.

Don’t take it seriously. Relax and enjoy. Yes. That’s the word – enjoy. There is no stress here.

Narration: Rachel Carr is still rushing her reading. She needs to slow down and enjoy the story as well! On the other hand, she has a beautiful, clear voice with wonderful pronunciation.

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: DROWNING IN DECEIT
Series: Hope Hadley Cozy Mysteries #4
Category /Genre: Cozy Mysteries
Recommended for: 12+ due to content
Listenability: OK
Received from: Meredith Potts (as an Audible gifted copy)

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope begins her day with an alligator trying to get into her kitchen. While her detective brother is helping her sort it out, he gets a call that a body has been found. To her surprise it was her pool cleaner. She tags along on the investigation.

This is the fourth book in the Hope Hadley cozy mystery series. The books seem to be getting better as I read through the series. The personalities of the characters are quirky and interesting and the dialogue is well written. I particularly enjoyed how the siblings interacted. The storyline flows smoothly and quickly. I found this book hard to put down and read it in one sitting. The narrative was well written and from Hope’s point of view allowing the reader a chance to get to know her thoughts and insecurities. The mystery was complex with great suspects, lots of clues and a surprising ending. I know you could read each book separately but I think you would get more from beginning with the first one.

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoy Hopes adventures into sleuthing , this one after finding a Alligator in her yard she really wants her pool deep cleaned but that's going to be awhile as her pool guy has been murdered .

[Helen Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like this book. Interesting characters and story line.