B is for Bad Girls

Malibu Mystery #2

by Rebecca Cantrell, Sean Black

Introducing the highly-anticipated sequel to the sensational "A" is for Actress, a comic gem from the acclaimed minds of New York Times bestseller Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black. Brace yourself for another exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the pages of this fast-paced and uproariously funny novel, tailor-made for die-hard fans of the hilarious Janet Evanovich.Prepare to dive headfirst into the thrilling world of Maloney Investigation, where audacious private detective, Sofia Salgado, takes center stage once again. This time, she's embroiled in a case that transforms into her mother's worst Sofia, assuming a covert identity, infiltrates the opulent confines of one of Malibu's renowned rehab clinics. There, amid the glitz and glamour, lurk secrets that could shatter lives.As Sofia delves deeper into her quest to unearth the truth behind the untimely demise of a rising rock star, she and the mischievous denizens she encounters—such as enigmatic rock icon Brandi Basher and chaotic Monaco Jane of reality TV fame—face the grim possibility of an eternal residence in the celestial rehab center in the sky.Join Sofia Salgado on her perilous journey as she races to solve this gripping mystery, a riddle that holds the key to survival for herself and the captivatingly flawed female compatriots she encounters along the way. Brace yourself for an adrenaline-infused narrative, brimming with unexpected twists and turns, witty banter, and the electric energy of a New York Times bestseller. This remarkable sequel is a must-read for anyone seeking an enthralling escape into a world where danger, humor, and intrigue collide.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

A few years ago Rebecca Cantrell quit her job, sold her house, and moved to Hawaii to write a novel because, at seven, she decided that she would be a writer. Now she writes the award-winning Hannah Vogel mystery series set in Berlin in the 1930s. “A Trace of Smoke,” "A Night of Long Knives," "A Game of Lies," and "A City of Broken Glass." She also co-writes the Order of Sanguines series with James Rollins, starting with the upcoming book 1: "The Blood Gospel." And she writes the iMonster series as Bekka Black, including "iDrakula" and "iFrankenstein."

A faded pink triangle pasted on the wall of Dachau Concentration Camp and time in Berlin, Germany in the 1980s inspired “A Trace of Smoke.” Fluent in German, she received her high school diploma from the John F. Kennedy Schule in Berlin and studied at the Freie Universität in Berlin and the Georg August Universität in Göttingen.

When she visited Berlin in the summer of 2006, she was astounded to discover that many locations in her novel have been rebuilt and reopened in the last few years, including the gay bar El Dorado and the Mosse House publishing house.

Her short story “Coffee” will appear in the “Missing” anthology in February 2009.

Her screenplay “The Humanitarian” was a finalist at Shriekfest 2008: The Los Angeles Horror/Sci-fi Film Festival. Her screenplay “A Taste For Blood” was a finalist at the Shriekfest 2007: The Los Angeles Horror/Sci-fi Film Festival.

As of this writing, she lives in Berlin with her Ironman husband and son.

Reviews

[itchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

brief synopsis:
maloney investigations investigates a seemingly unsuspicious death of a junkie right after rehab.

setting:
malibu, california

named personalities:
emily - sofia's sister who was usually late
mr smiley - the yellow smiley-faced clock on sofia's kitchen wall
violet - sofia's seven-year-old niece
van - violet's six-year -old brother
ray - emily's husband
brendan maloney - sofia's boss at maloney investigations
aidan maloney aka mr maloney junior - brendan's son; sofia's sometime friend, sometime arch-nemesis
fred - a seagull; sofia's pseudo pet
craig williams - a singer who was found dead in his apartment with a needle in his veins
zoe - sofia's good friend that was lost to drugs
jenna williams - craig's sister; malibu investigations' client
miss wilkinson - craig's music teacher when he was a little boy
janet - sofia's level-headed and caring mother
buster taylor - craig's manager
gus coggins - proprietor of waves, a rehab center on the water
polly coggins - gus' wife; co-proprietor of waves
oliver - gus and polly's realtor son who overdosed on heroin
flint - a long-haired chihuahua
jacob schmidt - an elderly german handyman
snow cone - a white bichon frise
gray cole - sofia's neighbor; one of the biggest movie stars around
keith richards - a heroin junkie
godzilla - a fictional monster
muto - another fictional monster
jim - a star trek character
dr mccoy - another star trek character
jeffrey weiner - sofia's ex-agent
jackie chan - a martial artist
strawberry shortcake - a cartoon character
muffin 'rin tin tin' aka the shoe killer - waves' god mascot
monaco 'moaning monaco' jane - a well-known party girl
richard - monaco's dad
amber lindberg - monaco's sidekick
alice miller aka brandi basher - a bona fide rock star
darth vader - a star wars character
dr khan - a consultant for half pint detective
cavanaugh - the waves' doctor
duke ellington - a musician
charles - a british royalty
elizabeth - another british royalty
william - still another british royalty
sheila - a flight attendant with a rich dad
tex - another neighbor of sofia's
jose - the bartender at sofia's favorite restaurant
rocky hannaford - a patient polly nursed
rocky junior - the previous rocky's son
rex - a black labrador
bristol palin - richard's butler
anna nicole smith - a celebrity who got tied up in litigation

i may have missed a name or two as i might have gotten confused with some names as they come given that i've read the books in sequence.

[Deborah Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this PI mystery quest, loaded with entertainment business elements that held my interest. Leading lady Sofia Salgado is capable and competent, yet realistic with flaws and insecurities, and even the secondary characters resonate with endearing qualities I look forward to reading more about. Light, yet written with skillful prowess, the book is appropriate for all ages to enjoy. The entire novel is fast-paced and the case is solved in a satisfying manner, so important for a good mystery read. This is definitely a series I will continue to follow.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofia Salgado played a private investigator on a television show. When she quit the entertainment industry, she decided to be one in real life. Unfortunately she's still a target of the paparazzi which makes her work harder. The exception is her current case, where she's going to rehab to see if a famous singer was murdered. Sofia is not thrilled with this plan. She doesn't do drugs and being isolated from her back up is risky. Who knows what could happen while she's there! I love Sofia. She's an original. Trouble seems to follow her around and if something embarrassing happens TMZ is there to record it. Her battle of wills with Aidan is hilarious. They may fight but underneath it they care for each other. Just how much is the question. This is a fast paced story filled with surprising twists and turns. I could put this book down. I loved the quirky characters especially Fred, her pseudo-pet. This book is a quick and entertaining read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Malibu Mystery series.

[Imjussayin · Rating 2 out of 5]

"B" is for Bad Girls: Malibu Mystery 2
Chronological order recommended.

In A Nutshell: Williams a famous rocker dies of a drugs overdose. His nearest and dearest was his sister, who was mysteriously cut out of the Will in favour of the drug clinic owner. His sister smells a rat and Sofia goes undercover in rehab to investigate. A lively read with pop-culture references that make it believable. 👍🏽

The Protagonists: Sofia Salgado was the child star of a hit series called The Half Pint Detective. But fame and fortune was not her dream but that of her sister. A frustrated Sofia, age 22, wants something more meaningful. And she may have found it in detecting. Sofia is amusing and given her current life choice, earnest.

The Plot:Jenner Williams askes Maloney investigations to find out how her brother died. He came out of rehab clean, dies of an OD. And Williams leaves a Will that cuts out his beloved sister entirely in favour of his rehab clinic. So Sofia is asked to go undercover in the clinic.

Again the book offers amusing dialogue and humourous compromising situations. I like the plot. Sofia going undercover rang true. And so did the personalities she met in rehab like the rock star Brandi Basher. Brandi is wild, and I would enjoy seeing her appear in further books.

The supporting cast is also colourful including Sofia's niece and nephew. Violet, a fighter and Van a DIY kid. They are over the top; Violet has a nutcracker fighting move. No prizes for guessing which part of the male body that hurts.

I like the setting of Sofia's home, a gentrified trailer park on the seafront with mobile homes costing six figures. Less believable is Sofia's Ikea furniture.

Although the book is weak in parts, it was stronger for linking the stories in books one and two. It also brings the reader more intimately into Sofia's family.

Those who like Stephanie Plum may find this series fun. A good second book so I am off to read three.

Enjoyable.

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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one or reread ?: Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1*Finished the book but didn't like it not fulfilled
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.

[Tara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

'B' is for Bad Girls by Rebecca Cantrell & Sean Black, narrated by Madeline Mrozek is Book 2 in the Malibu Mystery series. I loved the storyline in this one! So much happens in this audiobook...the writing is excellent! While you could listen to this one as a stand-alone, it's really so much better if you start at the beginning. Originally, I didn't start with Book 1, but I'm now in the process of making my way through. I'm so happy I decided to do that because the character development is great, and you will soon feel like you've know these characters forever.

If you have read any of my other reviews, you know I love listening to Madeline Mrozek's narration. Again, she does not disappoint! Her performance here is outstanding. She has a way of pulling listeners in and keeping them engaged all the way through to her last word. She comes across as calm and controlled, while at the same time welcoming and funny! I can't explain it really, but when I listen to her, my stress of the day fades away. She brings stories to life and gives personalities to characters. If you haven't listened to her, you must! You will be happy you did. :-)

I give 'B' is for Bad Girls (Malibu Mystery) by Rebecca Cantrell & Sean Black, narrated by Madeline Mrozek 5/5 stars. It's engaging and funny, and its quick-moving storyline and well-developed characters will keep you listening. I recommend this book and series to those who enjoy funny, clean mysteries. You deserve some "me time;" this series is a great place to start! Enjoy!

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

[doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cantrell and black/b is for bad girl's

Cantrell and Black are great writers writing the Malibu mystery series together. I can see that they make a combustible team together being of same mind frame. This series involved the Maloney detective agency getting involved in finding out why a famous music star died of drug overdose in a rehab clinic when the star was cleaned . The detective agency sends Sofia into the clinic posing as a drug addict to find out what's going on in the inside. When you think you know , you find out it's a whole different angle. You will not be disappointed with this series as the first one you read. Can be a stand alone but you need to read the series in chronically order to understand the dynamic of Aiden and Sofia and Brandon Aiden father to to know where each of the characters are coming from . Both of these writers Cantrell and Black together are dynamo duo who doesn't disappoint the readers with mystery with a twist of humor, on to next serie. 😁

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series doesn't follow the formula of every other cozy, so nice to have a change once in a while. Sofia is an ex-actress turned P.I. She's average, other than being famous. Lol. She's not overly clumsy, but not elegant either...she's like me. I love when I can relate to characters.
Well written, good pacing, not a surprise ending that couldn't be possible, but not obvious.
Narration is amazing, clean and clear with distinct characters.

I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy as a gift, NOT in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion. =)

[Beckie Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I much enjoyed this book vs the last. I still love the chemistry btwn Sofia and Aidan. Violet and Van are very smart and destructive kids. Man, I'd hate 2 babysit them. Handful. My main question about the book: why hav tainted urine in a detox facility (bathroom)? It seemed like every1 there had a legitimate issue with addiction. I liked Brandi's character, I hope she has cameo appearances in the following books. I felt bad for Amber but she moved on with Brandi in her new career path. Look fwd to the next book.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Another fun book in this series. Sofia is super enjoyable as a main character. Her family is hilarious. Loved the scenes inside rehab and the way Sofia has to actress her way into “druggie Sofia third person style”.

Enjoying this series. Quick fun read, nothing too revolting in the way of the crime (ie: not CSI), and yet the sleuthing part is pretty well developed too. Good stuff.

[Charlene Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute mystery's

This is second one I've read and I do suggest reading in order characters are built up. The two children are adorable little stinkers. You need to read to find out why

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. It is light and laugh out loud funny. I really enjoy Sofia's niece and nephew..too hilarious. This was a really good story and I didnt figure the killer until the very end. What a nice twist. Also...always love the embarrassing moments for Sofia. On the the next one!

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and funny!

Another exciting book in a high quality series! The varied cast of characters are compelling, the dialogue sounds natural, and the storytelling is quite the rollercoaster.

[Shiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and Sofia and Aidan's slightly wierd flirtation. Fascinating characters - can't wait for more

[Opal Sibley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice mystery

I enjoyed the characters and the situations they were placed in. It was a little weak in places but fun.

[Jan]

Light, quick, fun read guaranteed to make housecleaning or the gym time go by just as quickly. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there are no spoilers here, but there is lots to smirk and guffaw at!
My copy is audio by Madeline Mrozek who really knows how to up the entertainment factor.

[Matthew Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This was the second book of yours that I have read and enjoyed and I am looking forward to your next book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

"B" is for Bad Girls is the second in this series, and it was a fast and entertaining read. This time Sofia goes undercover into a rehab clinic for a case and quickly realizes that it is a dangerous place to be. I enjoyed the character of Brandi Basher, a musician Sofia meets in rehab, and I hope she makes an appearance in future books!

One of the things that had bothered me in the first book was the fact that Sofia drives around LA in a Tesla Roadster but nothing is ever said about her charging it (it is an electric vehicle). I was happy to see that the authors did at least put in one mention of her charging it in her parking space at her home, so bravo! Perhaps they'll decide to include a casual mention here or there in other parts... at one point, for instance, Sofia loans her car to someone else (I won't go into details because I don't want to give spoilers), and it would have been a perfect time for her to realize she hadn't explained how to unplug it and for her to hope that person would figure it out. Or Sofia might mentally congratulate herself at some point in driving around LA that she gets to use the carpool lane thanks to her Tesla even though she's driving alone.

The book was a fast read and fun, but the storyline did wind up a bit too quickly and I don't know that all the strings were tied up to my satisfaction (again, I don't want to give spoilers, but the ending wasn't entirely believable to me). The characters of Sofia's niece and nephew are a bit annoying and still seem over-the-top (I have to assume that's an intentional decision by the authors, but let's just say that the scene involving a window and a cherry pit strains belief!). The children seem more like props than fully fleshed-out characters, but again, hopefully they will be developed more in future books and be given some redeeming qualities.

All in all, another fun read by Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black, especially if you're in the mood for light fare!

[Su Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading "B" is for Bad Girls (Malibu Mystery Book 2) by New York Times and International bestselling authors Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black. These books are an absolute joy to read. I just love the humor. They're fast, funny, laugh out loud books that will leave you wanting more. Thank goodness there are 26 letters in the alphabet!
The first book, "A" is for A$$hat, Sofia was photographed relieving herself outside a rehab center in Malibu. This prompted everyone into believing (especially her family) that she was in dire need of help from said rehab center! This second edition finds Sofia going undercover in yet another Malibu rehab clinic. Join Sofia Salgado in her hilarious escapades in trying to save the resident 'bad girls' and redeeming herself back into her mother's good graces. Find out just how good of an actress she really is!
Each book allows us to delve a little deeper into Sofia's family life as she interacts with various members. This is a loving, close knit group of people who know the value of what it is to be 'family'.
I grew up thinking the life of a private detective would be a glamorous life to live. So far, with these two books, I'm beginning to realize - it's not that glamorous. But, the books do give us the opportunity to live that life vicariously through Sofia. If these books are going to follow through and cover the entire alphabet, then here's hoping the next 24 books allow us to embark on a journey to glimpse firsthand and witness the emotional growth and maturity of this amazing young lady. I have a feeling we're going to be laughing all the way!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. In the 2nd book of the series, Sofia grows as a person and a character.

Many cozy books featuring women portray the woman as a twit, but Sofia isn't. Nor is she a superwoman. She quirky with flaws and strengths and very human.

The supporting cast is also well developed - her sister is her best friend and really gets her, her mom is funny and over protective and forever staging interventions due to misunderstandings.

The narrator does an awesome job of portraying each character as individuals - I know who is speaking without being told and I forget that it's just one person reading, which to me is the true measure of an audiobook reader.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Fred the seagull is a good pet. Feed him pizza or bolgna and he's happy. This series is funny and fast. Sofia has sass and the possibility of Aiden at some point down the road. I just know it!! In the meantime he and his yellow Porche are her backup. She gets in trouble in her fake rehab stay but finds a friend in the process. These two books are reminiscent of early Stephanie Plum books so that makes them a good read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series but a definite stand alone. It is a mystery that has humor throughout and family members who actually care about each other...it also poles fun at some Hollywood stereotypes. The mystery is solid, the story enjoyable and our heroine Sofia is a charmer while the other characters are colorful and entertaining.
Good read, great characters.

I did receive an arc for an honest review.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

OK! Female PI doing her own thing.
The protagonist is likable and there is plenty of action. I liked the plot of this book, setting out to investigate if the famous singer's death

was accidental or something else. It kind of concluded the way I expected.

The narration was well done, a very enjoyable listen.

[Deborah Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting new heroine

I have read and enjoyed Cantrell's Tesla series so was interested to try this one. I am glad I did. Sophia is an ex child star now working as a detective. This mystery takes us inside one of Malibu's luxury rehab centers. There is a nice cast of characters and satisfying twists.

[Carol Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

"B" Is for Bad Girls is #2 in the series, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. It's short, funny and has a good mystery. It's fun to have the entertainment industry in the background of the series.

[Amy Gennaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, all of Rebecca's books. This is an okay series. Very derivative from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I am not saying that I won't read them, I just think that she has done much more imaginative work---like the Joe Tesla series.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second book in the series. I am liking them so far. Fun and easy to read but not totally predictable. I look forward to reading more of them.

[Rani Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book and this second one. They're fun and funny. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

[Lorrie A Yeschick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A good read without being too silly. Once in a while I like a mystery that's a little more light hearted...entertaining easy read.

[Lynn W Stubenrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read!

Book two of the Malibu Mystery series didn't disappoint! It was very good with an entirely different kind of story but the same really fun and interesting characters. On to book three! Wheeee!

[janetwright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical #2

It's not as entertaining as the 1st one but that's on me. I shouldn't read series books back to back. I did like Sofia breaking out of the typical L.A. box.