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Maple Syrup Mysteries #6

Capital Obsession

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Home isn’t always sweet…

With all the murder investigations Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes has been involved in since leaving her career as a criminal defense attorney, she’s looking forward to a short vacation back to her hometown of Washington, DC.

The trip turns out to be anything but restful.

Her dog-sitter keeps calling with problems, her parents are up to some scheme that Nicole is sure she won’t like, and someone is sending her best friend messages that are both threatening and intimate. He knows things no stranger could possibly know.

With her best friend’s life on the line, the stakes for Nicole have never been higher. Can she put all the clues together in time? Or will the case that matters the most to her be the one she’s finally unable to solve?

Capital Obsession is the sixth book in Emily James’ Maple Syrup Mysteries. The series is full of small-town settings, quirky characters, and a touch of romance!

This book is a "clean" read and contains no swearing, gore, or steamy bedroom scenes. While the series is best enjoyed in order, each book is a complete mystery on its own.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2017

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91 people want to read

About the author

Emily James

34 books93 followers
Award-winning and bestselling author Emily James writes cozy mysteries with quirky characters, twisty plots, and a touch of romance.

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5 stars
106 (49%)
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62 (28%)
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39 (18%)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Jeannie and Louis Rigod.
1,991 reviews40 followers
August 11, 2017
Nicole and her fiancé, Mark return to Washington, D.C. for this adventure. Mark has been offered a research position at Georgetown University. Nicole is very hesitant to return to her hometown as her controlling parents seem to be expecting her to rejoin the family law firm. The issue with the law firm is that it specializes in defense cases where the clients are perhaps not so innocent. Nicole is happier doing public defending.

As the couple's wedding comes closer, Nicole wants to ask her best friend, tattoo artist Ahanti to be her Maid of Honor. Ahanti has a serious problem...she is being stalked. When one of the suspects is found murdered, Nicole knows that the case is more serious than she even thought. Nicole must help Ahanti.

While Mark is being led on a dream job interview, and courted by Nicole's parents, Nicole is off installing security systems, following leads, and perhaps will lose her own life.

Ending with one heck of a finale, this book is completely different than the others in this series. It does show the Author's ability to write a good, solid, well-written murder mystery, but, I kind of missed the Maple Syrup aspects. Ms. James did soothe my soul by providing a delectable Maple Cheese Cake recipe at the very end...

Now, Will Mark and Nicole stay in Fair Haven or will they move to Washinton, D.C? I am hoping for the uniqueness of Fair Haven but with trips out of the town once in awhile. Perhaps, Nicole's Mother could begin taking 'on' specialized cases all over the U.S.? Hey, it's just a thought. Whatever happens, I will be a solid reader.
Profile Image for Janice Dick.
Author 24 books52 followers
April 16, 2018
After some time away from the Maple Syrup Masteries by Emily James, I've been able to continue on reading this series. This sixth book, Capital Obsession, was a great way to dive back into the life of Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes, and see what was new in her life.

In this book, Nicole and her fiancé are back in Washington D.C. to check out a job for Mark. The main plot involves Nicole's longtime best friend, Ahanti, who is being stalked. The game becomes deadly as they work through a list of suspects. If they don't work fast enough, their already dangerous situation will escalate. Meanwhile, Nicole and Mark navigate the turbulent waters of their relationship with her parents, and their plans for Nicole and Mark's future.

I enjoy the pacing humor of this story, the twists and suspense of the plot, the new settings and unique characters, most having found a place on Nikki's suspect list. A good read all around.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
April 9, 2019
I've got my mind set on you

Terrific. For anyone who has had a stalker - whether it was an unknown person or an ex that just couldn't let go then this will resonate. In today's world of so much online social media we have made it all too easy for people to keep tabs on us. Although having said that the answer to who the stalker is was just a tad too obvious.
When she and Mark get to DC she is surprised that her BFF hasn't been in touch and this unease gets worse when she's told that her BFF has broken off her engagement. Why? Tracking her down is the only way to get answers. She's is overwhelmed to find out that there's a stalker (who's already name veiled threats about the fiance )involved. Gifts, murder, attacks and a kidnapping follow. Can the stalker be stopped? How?
Profile Image for Dawn.
399 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2018
This mystery was interesting but actually really easy to figure out. At more than one point I wanted to shake the characters and ask them why they were putting the victim in dangerous situations several times. I did enjoy them diving into Ahanti’s story and background. Though the mystery was straightforward, it was still really interesting.

We actually got to learn a lot about Nikki’s life before Fair Haven. We find out about her friends and family life. I do enjoy getting more background information to Bekki. We also get to see the dynamic in her family. She get’s a very interesting relationship with her father.
310 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2025
Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes inherited a maple sugar farm from her uncle.
Engaged to Mark, offered a job in DC
They go to visit and find out Niki's best friend, Ahanti, a Tattoo artist, is being stalked. She is engaged to Geoff, Works with Terrance who is always borrowing money.....
He was attacked by the ....
Eddie her best customer is the STALKER, he also killed Cary;
Detective DeGoey
He kidnapped Niki and put her in his trunk. She was able to cut the zip ties and open the trunk and jump out. He was KILLED when his car rolled and hit a concrete barrier.
Ahanti and Geoff eloped.
Niki received a formal job offer from her parents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
836 reviews10 followers
July 30, 2017
Washington Ink!

Very thrilling mystery. This time Nicole is in Washington D.C. with fiancé Mark checking out a potential job he's been offered. Nicole not only has to deal with her overbearing father, but she has to deal with finding out who is stalking her best friend. So many twists & turns make for an intriguing plot as Nicole races to find the killer stalker before he strikes again. I can't wait for the next installment to find out what decision the couple makes - Fair Haven or Washington D.C.
Profile Image for Janet Sketchley.
Author 12 books81 followers
November 1, 2017
This is a fun series that keeps getting better as we watch the characters' relationships grow with each mystery that needs solving. It's neat to watch Nicole begin to understand her over-achieving parents' intentions instead of continuing to believe her childhood-based impressions of being a disappointment to them. As always, the pace is fast, the mystery engaging, and the answer not what I thought it would be.
Profile Image for Kathy Fair.
295 reviews7 followers
August 2, 2017
Amazing read

This book is well written and very suspense. The Characters are well defined and I was drawn in to the story and was unable to put it down until I finished and knew the results. I loved this story am am looking forward to the next.
127 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2017
Different location, but still fun

I love traveling and reading about different locations. It was fun to learn more about Nichole's best friend and life outside maple syrup land. Marks frustration about driving in the big city made me laugh.
8 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2017
Obsession

Nicole and Mark head to Washington, D.C. to decide if they want to relocate there. Nicole's best friend acts strange on her arrival. Nicole and Mark follow the clues to help Ashanti out of trouble. I love this series and can't wait for the next book.
250 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2021
Another hit!

Another great story! The plot had just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. I love all the characters, both old and new. I can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Laurie.
321 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2019
This is still a good series, but the mystery in this one was a bit too easy to figure out.
Profile Image for Aimee.
318 reviews7 followers
August 18, 2017
I received an ARC of Capital Obsession in exchange for an honest review.

I love the direction Capital Obsession takes. Emily James continues with the story of Nicole, but each book is something different. It isn't the same regurgitated "mystery" book after book, with only a different title and different dead body. And she not only brings back our favorite characters, but adds new ones each time. This time she even changes scenery, from Maple trees to the big city.

I was hooked from page one. We are finally going to meet Ahanti! But Nicole is a bit deflated when things don't go quite as planned. Mark is bribed, or blackmailed, during every interaction with Nicole's father. Their nice vacation to DC to checkout Mark's job offer goes from bad to worse with crazy traffic, enter a dead body, and a definite trip to a hospital for somebody.

Emily James keeps a steady pace, making this another book that is hard to put down. I applaud the fact that she shows a young couple that dates, and eventually is engaged, while remaining chaste and moral. This just goes to show a book can be intriguing while remaining clean. This book also deals with a very realistic threat, not some contrived, overly exaggerated plot that is far from being plausible or believable.

The Maple Syrup Mysteries is a great series that is well written. I relax in my recliner with a cozy blanket or snuggle up in bed and lose myself in this little tourist town, with interesting characters, funny store names, descriptions of beautiful scenery, and two dogs that I love, and just lose myself for a few hours. I highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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