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Maggie Lewis Mystery #1
Last Call
A bartender at a Florida VFW has to clear her name or she'll be serving time instead of drinks.
Bartender Maggie Lewis can't hold her beer, her tongue, or her temper. On a bad day at work she'd love to kill a customer or two. On a very bad day she becomes the primary suspect accused of doing just that.
Suspended from her job after being set up for the murder of Korean War veteran Jack Hoffman, Maggie has no intention of letting herself be framed. And since the police have yet to arrest anybody for the last major crime in town―the murder of Maggie's husband―she's sure they won't try too hard to collar the real culprit. So Maggie must produce enough evidence to clear her name, get her job back, and find the killer before she ends up behind the wrong kind of bars.
Bartender Maggie Lewis can't hold her beer, her tongue, or her temper. On a bad day at work she'd love to kill a customer or two. On a very bad day she becomes the primary suspect accused of doing just that.
Suspended from her job after being set up for the murder of Korean War veteran Jack Hoffman, Maggie has no intention of letting herself be framed. And since the police have yet to arrest anybody for the last major crime in town―the murder of Maggie's husband―she's sure they won't try too hard to collar the real culprit. So Maggie must produce enough evidence to clear her name, get her job back, and find the killer before she ends up behind the wrong kind of bars.
279 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2018
2 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Paula Matter
2 books8 followersPaula Matter (rhymes with otter) is the author of the Maggie Lewis Mysteries, which take place in a small town in North Florida. Last Call debuts in July, 2018.
Paula’s short crime fiction stories have been published in USA and German anthologies. After losing her job as a catering server, Paula decided instead of getting yet another job in the service industry, she’d tackle her mystery novel again.
Originally from Miami, FL, Paula kept moving north until she settled in north central Pennsylvania. A proud mom of one son, she lives with her husband “The Saint”, and worthy-not-spoiled rescue dog in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Paula’s short crime fiction stories have been published in USA and German anthologies. After losing her job as a catering server, Paula decided instead of getting yet another job in the service industry, she’d tackle her mystery novel again.
Originally from Miami, FL, Paula kept moving north until she settled in north central Pennsylvania. A proud mom of one son, she lives with her husband “The Saint”, and worthy-not-spoiled rescue dog in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 5, 2018
“Last Call” by Paula Matter opens with a confession by the main character, Maggie Lewis that sets the tone for the rest of the book:
Thus, we find Maggie, in debt, short on cash, working as a grumpy bartender at the local VFW. On a typical Friday night, the usual “aging” veterans spend their time annoying each other and drinking beer. They play tricks on each other, and one member takes extensive notes to keep track of who is there who is not, and who pays. The scene plays out day after day, week after week until one of the VFW members turns up dead, the note taker. The police collect evidence, review alarm code access to the VFW hall, look for suspects, and finally settle on one.
That search for answers turns up more questions, and along the way unearths past military, PTSD, and hometown secrets.
Matter created a genuine sense of place and community in small town North DeSoto, Florida. The town and the VFW provide the framework for the characters. The story would not be the same if it were set somewhere else. The characters guide readers through the search for answers. There is crime, but without gruesome descriptions and as a plus, there are laughs along the way to the end.
I was given a copy of “Last Call” from Paula Matter, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley. I enjoyed reading and laughing along the way. It is an enjoyable book to read, and in small town Florida, there is always pie.
“Refusing a ride back to the VFW was maybe the stupidest thing I’d done that morning. But, if Bobby Lee thought I was riding in the back seat of his police cruiser twice in one day… All of this— the murder, my arrest— may have started at work two nights ago”
Thus, we find Maggie, in debt, short on cash, working as a grumpy bartender at the local VFW. On a typical Friday night, the usual “aging” veterans spend their time annoying each other and drinking beer. They play tricks on each other, and one member takes extensive notes to keep track of who is there who is not, and who pays. The scene plays out day after day, week after week until one of the VFW members turns up dead, the note taker. The police collect evidence, review alarm code access to the VFW hall, look for suspects, and finally settle on one.
“Maggie, I need to take you down to the station for questioning in the murder of Jack Hoffman.”
That search for answers turns up more questions, and along the way unearths past military, PTSD, and hometown secrets.
Matter created a genuine sense of place and community in small town North DeSoto, Florida. The town and the VFW provide the framework for the characters. The story would not be the same if it were set somewhere else. The characters guide readers through the search for answers. There is crime, but without gruesome descriptions and as a plus, there are laughs along the way to the end.
I was given a copy of “Last Call” from Paula Matter, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley. I enjoyed reading and laughing along the way. It is an enjoyable book to read, and in small town Florida, there is always pie.
September 30, 2018
First Sentence: Refusing a ride back to the VFW was maybe the stupidest thing I'd done that morning.
Maggie Lews is trying to make ends meet by taking in a renter and serving as a bartender at the local VFW hall. Instead, she finds herself suspended from her job and suspected of murdering Korean war veteran Jack Hoffman. Not trusting the same police who still haven't solved the murder of her husband from a year ago, Maggie decides the only answer is to find the killer herself.
Not only does Matter introduce each of the characters, but we are told something which makes each one memorable. Matter has a wonderful voice. Her internal narrative for Maggie really works and makes the character someone to whom we can easily relate—"I could sometimes kick myself for being so stubborn. And mouthy. And grouchy. But I was working on it." Her issues are similar to those real women face, although possibly under different circumstances—"What did one wear to a strip club? Particularly a short, middle-aged, slightly chunky woman." The reference to reading Dennis Lehane adds a nice touch of realism.
All of the characters are fully developed. Yes, her neighbor Michael's background may seem a bit convenient, but that diminishes as we learn more about his background. His advice to Maggie adds a nice touch of seriousness—"Okay, don't ever forget that there's a real killer out there. This isn't a game." Gussie, a former teacher with a good eye and a sharp mind, is the type of character one always appreciates. The information about the murder of Maggie's husband and the rumor of treasure hidden in her house is well, and naturally, presented.
It is interesting to learn about VFW halls, their structure and customs. The tradition of the POW/MIA table is particularly moving.
Some books are filled with descriptions of delectable French or Italian fare. Matter gives one good ole', stick-to-the-ribs basic meals—"In a matter of minutes, Sally set two plates heaping with fried eggs, bacon, home fries, buttered toast, and unasked-for grits before each of us. … I scraped the last remaining egg off of my plate with a last bite of toast. Sally whizzed by, grabbed my plate, and plopped down a piece of banana cream pie. "Now, you can have some of my pie. You earned it.'" Now doesn't that sound good?
Suspense is even more suspenseful when it escalates in increments. Matter does just that, and does it very well providing us with nice plot twists along the way. It is not often an author provides as much background on the victim as Matter does. It's a refreshing change which humanizes the one who died. And it's nice when the killer is someone one should have guessed but didn't.
"Last Call" is a delightful debut. It's a traditional mystery with great characters that leaves one looking forward to the next book.
LAST CALL (Ama Sleuth-Maggie Lewis-Florida-Contemp) – G+
Matter, Paula – 1st book
Midnight Ink – July 2018
Maggie Lews is trying to make ends meet by taking in a renter and serving as a bartender at the local VFW hall. Instead, she finds herself suspended from her job and suspected of murdering Korean war veteran Jack Hoffman. Not trusting the same police who still haven't solved the murder of her husband from a year ago, Maggie decides the only answer is to find the killer herself.
Not only does Matter introduce each of the characters, but we are told something which makes each one memorable. Matter has a wonderful voice. Her internal narrative for Maggie really works and makes the character someone to whom we can easily relate—"I could sometimes kick myself for being so stubborn. And mouthy. And grouchy. But I was working on it." Her issues are similar to those real women face, although possibly under different circumstances—"What did one wear to a strip club? Particularly a short, middle-aged, slightly chunky woman." The reference to reading Dennis Lehane adds a nice touch of realism.
All of the characters are fully developed. Yes, her neighbor Michael's background may seem a bit convenient, but that diminishes as we learn more about his background. His advice to Maggie adds a nice touch of seriousness—"Okay, don't ever forget that there's a real killer out there. This isn't a game." Gussie, a former teacher with a good eye and a sharp mind, is the type of character one always appreciates. The information about the murder of Maggie's husband and the rumor of treasure hidden in her house is well, and naturally, presented.
It is interesting to learn about VFW halls, their structure and customs. The tradition of the POW/MIA table is particularly moving.
Some books are filled with descriptions of delectable French or Italian fare. Matter gives one good ole', stick-to-the-ribs basic meals—"In a matter of minutes, Sally set two plates heaping with fried eggs, bacon, home fries, buttered toast, and unasked-for grits before each of us. … I scraped the last remaining egg off of my plate with a last bite of toast. Sally whizzed by, grabbed my plate, and plopped down a piece of banana cream pie. "Now, you can have some of my pie. You earned it.'" Now doesn't that sound good?
Suspense is even more suspenseful when it escalates in increments. Matter does just that, and does it very well providing us with nice plot twists along the way. It is not often an author provides as much background on the victim as Matter does. It's a refreshing change which humanizes the one who died. And it's nice when the killer is someone one should have guessed but didn't.
"Last Call" is a delightful debut. It's a traditional mystery with great characters that leaves one looking forward to the next book.
LAST CALL (Ama Sleuth-Maggie Lewis-Florida-Contemp) – G+
Matter, Paula – 1st book
Midnight Ink – July 2018
December 28, 2018
Got my hands on an advance copy of this debut and I'm so happy I did! There was so much to love in this story, including the details of how a VFW works and how North Florida sometimes feels like a different world from South Florida (both literally and figuratively.) There was also a lot of great suspects with really strong motives. However, my favorite thing about the book is the main character, Maggie. The best way to describe her is perfectly imperfect. She has flaws. Like most of us, she knows she needs to work on them but of course they still creep up. I'm looking forward to spending time with her in many more books to come.
July 9, 2018
I received an advanced reader's copy of Last Call before I knew anything about it or the author, and then I started hearing/reading about its debut from other bloggers and sources. Its clever word play description from the publisher, with phrases such as "she'll be serving time instead of drinks" and "before she ends up behind the wrong kind of bars" indicated to me that this book is one I wanted to read. Even the title is a witty word play. I do so love finding a talented new author and a gem of a book I hadn't realized was waiting for me. Last Call is that debut that heralds great storytelling from a source with much more to come. Paula Matter (Matter rhymes with otter) has arrived on the mystery/crime scene with her first novel in the Maggie Lewis Mystery series to the delight of all who enjoy their sleuths as down-to-earth amateurs with a good dose of derring-do.
At 46 years old, Maggie Lewis is trying to just stay the course. It's been two years since her husband Rob was murdered, and she's struggling to hold on and wishing she could go a day without crying. Paying her bills is a matter of Russian roulette, and even with taking on a tenant for half of her Victorian duplex that she and Rob were renovating and working as a bartender at the local VFW, Maggie seems to be fighting an uphill battle. Not that she is just a weepy, sad figure. Maggie is a scrapper, and if grit and determination mean anything, she will be a survivor. But, it's a precarious situation, and she needs everything to remain constant to move forward. The VFW job is a major deal in her effort to keep it together financially. Having worked as bartender there for five years, since she and Rob moved from Miami to North DeSoto in northern Florida, Maggie is familiar with the rules and regulations of the VFW and the regular customers, some who are pains in the behind. One of the rear pains, a Korean War veteran named Jack Hoffman, is found murdered in his truck outside the VFW the morning after Maggie finally had a night off. Maggie immediately is suspected due to something found at the scene, and those in charge suspend her from her job. Desperate to prove her innocence and return to work, Maggie enlists the aid of her tenant Michael, who just happens to be a former cop from Pennsylvania waiting on his private investigator license.
There are quite a few aspects of this novel that make it work for me, providing a great read and a new series to look forward to. Paula Matter was right on target with her presentation of the VFW, its atmosphere, its activities, and how much it can mean to some veterans who need a touchstone in their lives, a place to see familiar faces who have shared their experiences. She even got the smoking that is allowed at the bar right. From personal observation, I felt Matter captured the spirit and atmosphere of this place, and the authenticity was crucial to the story's success. The best part of the story though was Maggie herself, a character that I grew fond of from the very beginning. She may seem a mess at first glance, and she might very well be, but she is a wonderful work in progress, a character with wit and tenacity and a growing desire to work through her heartaches. Supporting characters of her friends Michael and Brenda add strength to the meaning of second chances and better days. And, I enjoyed the Southern flavor of the story, with Matter's succinct, but humorous inclusions, such as the correct Southern pronunciation of the expletive "shit." I won't spoil it for you if you don't know. Look for it in the book. The story was just a read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I was given an ARC of this book by Midnight Ink, and my review is based solely on my personal opinion.
At 46 years old, Maggie Lewis is trying to just stay the course. It's been two years since her husband Rob was murdered, and she's struggling to hold on and wishing she could go a day without crying. Paying her bills is a matter of Russian roulette, and even with taking on a tenant for half of her Victorian duplex that she and Rob were renovating and working as a bartender at the local VFW, Maggie seems to be fighting an uphill battle. Not that she is just a weepy, sad figure. Maggie is a scrapper, and if grit and determination mean anything, she will be a survivor. But, it's a precarious situation, and she needs everything to remain constant to move forward. The VFW job is a major deal in her effort to keep it together financially. Having worked as bartender there for five years, since she and Rob moved from Miami to North DeSoto in northern Florida, Maggie is familiar with the rules and regulations of the VFW and the regular customers, some who are pains in the behind. One of the rear pains, a Korean War veteran named Jack Hoffman, is found murdered in his truck outside the VFW the morning after Maggie finally had a night off. Maggie immediately is suspected due to something found at the scene, and those in charge suspend her from her job. Desperate to prove her innocence and return to work, Maggie enlists the aid of her tenant Michael, who just happens to be a former cop from Pennsylvania waiting on his private investigator license.
There are quite a few aspects of this novel that make it work for me, providing a great read and a new series to look forward to. Paula Matter was right on target with her presentation of the VFW, its atmosphere, its activities, and how much it can mean to some veterans who need a touchstone in their lives, a place to see familiar faces who have shared their experiences. She even got the smoking that is allowed at the bar right. From personal observation, I felt Matter captured the spirit and atmosphere of this place, and the authenticity was crucial to the story's success. The best part of the story though was Maggie herself, a character that I grew fond of from the very beginning. She may seem a mess at first glance, and she might very well be, but she is a wonderful work in progress, a character with wit and tenacity and a growing desire to work through her heartaches. Supporting characters of her friends Michael and Brenda add strength to the meaning of second chances and better days. And, I enjoyed the Southern flavor of the story, with Matter's succinct, but humorous inclusions, such as the correct Southern pronunciation of the expletive "shit." I won't spoil it for you if you don't know. Look for it in the book. The story was just a read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I was given an ARC of this book by Midnight Ink, and my review is based solely on my personal opinion.
February 9, 2018
This is really an enjoyable book. When we read the detective-theme mystery book, we usually come to the conclusion after the character does. But with this book, we are guided and find the conclusion almost the same time as the character does.
There is no gruesome, too-descriptive crime scene, but there is detailed investigation we can read through. We get to know the other character the same time Maggie, the main lead, get to know them.
The sprinkle of romance and women friendship are also a good combination for the theme!
At the end of the book, you will yourself satisfied from a very good read.
Thanks #netgalley and midnight ink for providing the arc
There is no gruesome, too-descriptive crime scene, but there is detailed investigation we can read through. We get to know the other character the same time Maggie, the main lead, get to know them.
The sprinkle of romance and women friendship are also a good combination for the theme!
At the end of the book, you will yourself satisfied from a very good read.
Thanks #netgalley and midnight ink for providing the arc
September 29, 2018
Maggie Lewis is a bartender at the VFW in a small Florida town.
She finds herself suspected of murder and suspended without pay.
Soon she's on the case to prove her innocence.
A good book, but I was disappointed.
Too many times Maggie (and other characters) make choices that have you wanting to pull your hair out.
I will give the series another chance.
She finds herself suspected of murder and suspended without pay.
Soon she's on the case to prove her innocence.
A good book, but I was disappointed.
Too many times Maggie (and other characters) make choices that have you wanting to pull your hair out.
I will give the series another chance.
February 21, 2018
Paula Matter has woven a wonderfully fun and quirky debut in Last Call with a cast of characters you’ll want to hang out with for years to come. Maggie is both vulnerable and spunky as she struggles to make it on her own…with a little help from her friends. She’ll break your heart and have you laughing out loud!
July 1, 2018
This is a very powerful thriller /mystery that kept me reading until early morning. I loved it and highly recommend it to all that enjoy a good mystery. The writing is excellent and I look forward to further books by this author in the future.
I received a ARC and my opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for this excellent read.
This is the story of Maggie, a recent widow. She is struggling since her husband died in every way. She works as a a bartender at a bar that many VFW vets frequent. She is friends with many and used to dealing with the regulars. When one turns up murdered, the police only have one suspect and that is Maggie. She is determined to fight for her life and begins to investigate on her own. Maggie does not like the cops and does not trust them. They gave up looking for her husbands killer and are less interested in the truth then they are closing both cases. She has many friends that step up to help her including her new tenant.
I love her character as a protagonist for this series. Maggie is smart, savvy and determined to beat the cops. She proves her abilities as a investigator. She determines quite a labyrinth of clues and that is why I was unable to put this book down. It has a great ending which made it all the more enjoyable. Very well done writing and a excellent plot. This is a book to savor and read when you are not interrupted. I loved it.
I highly recommend this first in series and look forward to the next in series. What a fun read !
September 18, 2018
Maggie must prove she is not a murderer.
Bartender Maggie at a Florida VFW is a suspect in a murder when a Korean war vet is found murdered in the parking lot of the club. She and her neighbour, Michael, set out to clear her name and find the real killer and why Jack Hoffman was killed.
This is not the first murder in the small town. Maggie’s own husband was killed in their home just two years before and his murderer has never been found. It is no wonder Maggie has no faith in the local sheriff and must investigate herself.
This book was ok but nothing special, a bit of a pot boiler. The story has been done many times before and the why and who was obvious from the third chapter.
Even though they mention the death of Maggie’s husband that part of the story is still ongoing, as is the possible treasure somewhere in her house. Other parts are also not fully explained and it all seemed a little rushed and jumbled in places.
I never found out what VFW stands for; the crime scenes were a little sketchy and only the guilty parties looked guilty and had something to hide so no suspense either.
All a little wishy-washy I am afraid and a good book to perhaps to read on a wet Sunday, while the washing is in the dryer, but not a huge thriller.
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Bartender Maggie at a Florida VFW is a suspect in a murder when a Korean war vet is found murdered in the parking lot of the club. She and her neighbour, Michael, set out to clear her name and find the real killer and why Jack Hoffman was killed.
This is not the first murder in the small town. Maggie’s own husband was killed in their home just two years before and his murderer has never been found. It is no wonder Maggie has no faith in the local sheriff and must investigate herself.
This book was ok but nothing special, a bit of a pot boiler. The story has been done many times before and the why and who was obvious from the third chapter.
Even though they mention the death of Maggie’s husband that part of the story is still ongoing, as is the possible treasure somewhere in her house. Other parts are also not fully explained and it all seemed a little rushed and jumbled in places.
I never found out what VFW stands for; the crime scenes were a little sketchy and only the guilty parties looked guilty and had something to hide so no suspense either.
All a little wishy-washy I am afraid and a good book to perhaps to read on a wet Sunday, while the washing is in the dryer, but not a huge thriller.
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
June 25, 2018
Last Call by Paula Matter is the first book in Maggie Lewis Mystery and I sincerely hope it will be a long standing series.
Maggie is a widow and a bartender in Florida VFW, just living her life and trying to scrape by when she is falsely accused of killing a veteran, a long time patron of hers. Deciding not to be beaten, Maggie decides to fight back and investigate. She also enlists help of her new tenant who just happens to be a former police officer waiting to get his PI licence. With his guidance and support she asks some unpopular guestions and steps on toes of dangerous killer and his cohorsts.
I liked the fact that it is nicely paced, easing into the mystery, getting familiar with the main character and her life. I have never read a mystrery in this setting and must say I enjoyed it. I delighted in the fact that despite her unfortunate financial and romantic situation she has friends, some old and some new who are rooting for her. Especially liked a possible spark of romance and new beginning with Michael. The story is well written and it has a clever plot. Characters are well developed with some funny moments.
Highly recommended.
Maggie is a widow and a bartender in Florida VFW, just living her life and trying to scrape by when she is falsely accused of killing a veteran, a long time patron of hers. Deciding not to be beaten, Maggie decides to fight back and investigate. She also enlists help of her new tenant who just happens to be a former police officer waiting to get his PI licence. With his guidance and support she asks some unpopular guestions and steps on toes of dangerous killer and his cohorsts.
I liked the fact that it is nicely paced, easing into the mystery, getting familiar with the main character and her life. I have never read a mystrery in this setting and must say I enjoyed it. I delighted in the fact that despite her unfortunate financial and romantic situation she has friends, some old and some new who are rooting for her. Especially liked a possible spark of romance and new beginning with Michael. The story is well written and it has a clever plot. Characters are well developed with some funny moments.
Highly recommended.
March 14, 2018
Maggie Lewis, 46, is widowed and owns the duplex she leases half of to new P.I. Michael Bradley and his 9 yo daughter Chris. Maggie's bartender job at North DeSoto FL VFW is in jeopardy when she is framed for the murder of patron Jack Hoffman. Relying on Michael's help to clear her name and find justice for Jack stirs up parts of Maggie's emotions that she had shut down.
Maggie grows from a surly, unhappy widow to a gentler person with an interest in those around her.
Looking forward to the next installment as Maggie learns to cook at Sally's diner.
I volunteered to read an ARC through Net Galley
Maggie grows from a surly, unhappy widow to a gentler person with an interest in those around her.
Looking forward to the next installment as Maggie learns to cook at Sally's diner.
I volunteered to read an ARC through Net Galley
June 30, 2018
Maggie's trying to keep it together after the murder of her husband when Jack, one of the regular patrons at the VFW bar where she works is also murdered- and she's a prime suspect. Never mind that she shouldn't be, but that's how it is and of course she has to investigate on her own. Wait- she has the help of Michael, who has moved into the other side of her duplex with his daughter. This is squarely in the middle of the amateur detective genre (but not a cozy) but it's a good start to what I suspect will be a series. It's not a particularly complicated mystery but it was an engaging read. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.
September 23, 2018
This was a new author to me and now I'm very glad I found her. The Last Call was one of the best books I read this year. Such a a fresh approach to a murder mystery.
August 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book! My husband was in the hospital and Ms Matter kept me entertained! Look forward to another one in the series!!!
November 3, 2018
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book, and I'm so glad I did. I think it was well written with good character development and a good story line. I only wish my library carried her books - I'm going to ask, so I can read the second one in the series.
September 15, 2018
This was SO GOOD -- the heroine was smart, funny, and a bartender. She got suspended when a long-time VFW member was murdered. She and her tenant, who is almost a PI, begin to look into a few things and lo -- they also find a few things. The story of how she follows through on some of the information she weasels out of VFW members is amazing and funny. She is also aware that the murder of her husband many years ago has never been solved and she would like to know more about that. Great first book, and one can only hope that there are more to come.
June 4, 2018
Maggie Lewis works as a bartender at VFW in North Desoto. The bar in this small town is always busy with same old people who love to hang out from the time the bar opens until it closes. She is a middle-aged woman who lost her husband by murder. She has been working so hard almost every night, and a death of Jack Hoffman, one of the veterans at VFW, happens on her very much needed night off from work.
The next morning when she comes into the bar, soon she realizes her bosses are trying to frame her for Jack’s murder. Her scrunchie (a kind of hair tie) was the only thing that was found from Jack’s track where he was supposedly murdered, and someone has used her code to get into the bar around 3 in the morning. She is forced to put in the situation where she has to figure out who is behind Jack’s murder or else she is the one going to prison.
Although I enjoyed this story, I felt like it needed much elevation. It was a good amateur sleuth story, but there were not many twists in it. After Jack’s murder, I was expecting something more to happen because it felt like there were too many pages left to just read about how she solves this murder. Unfortunately, nothing really big happened after that.
The main question of this story is the fine line between secrets and lies. Is not telling all about yourself a lie or a secret? It’s a very good question to discuss. We all pick and choose what we say and what we don’t say regardless of if there is an intention of hiding. In order for Maggie to find out what was really going on at the bar, and what was the motive for the murder, she starts digging in every person’s, the ones who were present at the night, personal life. Sure enough, she uncovers the real relationships between those people and secrets each one of them have kept to themselves.
I enjoyed the personal aspect of Maggie’s life as a middle-aged widower who struggles to keep up with her life financially and emotionally. She is haunted by her husband’s murder and bounded to the job that forces her to overwork but underpays. But at the end of the story, she realizes changes are necessary. She needs to break her shell and jump into a new opportunity. It felt like this murder investigation made Maggie a more open-minded, happier, and better person.
All in all, I enjoyed this book, but I was expecting little more twists to the story.
I rate this book 3 stars based on the rating below.
(1 star: couldn’t finish, 2 stars: made myself finish it, 3 stars: I liked it💕, 4 stars: I loved it💕💕, 5 stars: loved enough to reread it!!)
Thank you so much for reading my review!!
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The next morning when she comes into the bar, soon she realizes her bosses are trying to frame her for Jack’s murder. Her scrunchie (a kind of hair tie) was the only thing that was found from Jack’s track where he was supposedly murdered, and someone has used her code to get into the bar around 3 in the morning. She is forced to put in the situation where she has to figure out who is behind Jack’s murder or else she is the one going to prison.
Although I enjoyed this story, I felt like it needed much elevation. It was a good amateur sleuth story, but there were not many twists in it. After Jack’s murder, I was expecting something more to happen because it felt like there were too many pages left to just read about how she solves this murder. Unfortunately, nothing really big happened after that.
The main question of this story is the fine line between secrets and lies. Is not telling all about yourself a lie or a secret? It’s a very good question to discuss. We all pick and choose what we say and what we don’t say regardless of if there is an intention of hiding. In order for Maggie to find out what was really going on at the bar, and what was the motive for the murder, she starts digging in every person’s, the ones who were present at the night, personal life. Sure enough, she uncovers the real relationships between those people and secrets each one of them have kept to themselves.
I enjoyed the personal aspect of Maggie’s life as a middle-aged widower who struggles to keep up with her life financially and emotionally. She is haunted by her husband’s murder and bounded to the job that forces her to overwork but underpays. But at the end of the story, she realizes changes are necessary. She needs to break her shell and jump into a new opportunity. It felt like this murder investigation made Maggie a more open-minded, happier, and better person.
All in all, I enjoyed this book, but I was expecting little more twists to the story.
I rate this book 3 stars based on the rating below.
(1 star: couldn’t finish, 2 stars: made myself finish it, 3 stars: I liked it💕, 4 stars: I loved it💕💕, 5 stars: loved enough to reread it!!)
Thank you so much for reading my review!!
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2019
Last Call charts Maggie Lewis’ attempt to prove she is innocent of the murder of one of her barflies in a VFW bar in northern Florida. The front cover describes the story as smart and funny, but unfortunately the tale is neither. The plot is a rather mundane whodunit set around the clientele of a bar and there’s no clever misdirection or twist, and the writing is rather workman-like and flat. Maggie Lewis comes across as angry and antsy and lacks a razor sharp wit needed to inject the needed humour. Which was a shame as there’s a lot of potential in the character – she’s down-to-earth, she lives hand-to-mouth barely keeping her head above water financially, and she’s hard-edged but vulnerable after the murder of her husband. She’s not too bright however, she lacks emotional intelligence, she’s not particularly likeable, and she blunders her way through a case she doesn’t actually solve leaving a trail of ruined lives through revealed secrets in her wake. None of that was exploited to its full potential. I was expecting a bit more sass and bite, but it was all too pedestrian and humdrum.
March 16, 2019
This could have been really good but was barely so-so.
The protagonist was not all that likeable, the pace was too slow and the plot was uninspired.
As far as murder mysteries to, this one was forgettable and fairly boring. The bones of a decent story were there but it just didn't do it for me.
The protagonist was not all that likeable, the pace was too slow and the plot was uninspired.
As far as murder mysteries to, this one was forgettable and fairly boring. The bones of a decent story were there but it just didn't do it for me.
June 19, 2019
A quick enjoyable read. Murder seems to follow Maggie around, first her husband is murdered, (and now she is being framed for murder by someone she most likely calls a friend. The characters are likable, the small town setting is well written, overall Last Call will keep you turning the page to see who done it.
March 4, 2019
Enjoyable murder/mystery read.
April 14, 2023
Good solid mystery read! Not to fluffy not to dark. I wish she had written more books.
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