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High Heels #5
Mayhem in High Heels
#1 Amazon, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling series! When a fashion designer wedding goes from marriage vows to murder suspects, it's up to her wacky wedding party to catch a killer! Shoes designer turned amateur sleuth Maddie Springer is finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams. And she's got the perfect wedding planner to pull it all off in style. Well, perfect, that is, until the woman winds up dead—murdered in buttercream icing! Suddenly Maddie's hope of a dream wedding melts faster than an ice sculpture at an outdoor buffet. And when her groom-to-be is assigned as the detective in charge of the case, there goes any chance of a honeymoon. Unless, of course, Maddie can find the murderer before her big day. With the help of her fellow fashionista friends, Maddie vows to unveil the cold-blooded killer. Is it the powerful ex-husband, the hot young boy toy, a secret lover from the past, or a billionaire bridezilla on the warpath? As the wedding day grows closer, tempers flare, old flames return, and Maddie's race to the altar turns into a race against time!Rating: This story does not contain any graphic violence, language, or sexual encounters. Its rating would be similar to PG-13 or what you would find on a Hallmark Channel movie or TV series.What critics are saying about the High Heels "A saucy combination of romance and suspense that is simply irresistible."~ Chicago Tribune"Stylish... nonstop action...guaranteed to keep chick lit and mystery fans happy!"~ Publishers' Weekly, *starred review*"Ms. Halliday is the undisputed queen of the genre."~ Fresh Fiction
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2008
214 people are currently reading
1626 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Halliday
95 books1,892 followersGemma had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up. She worked as a film and television actress, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary tattoo artist, and a 900 number psychic, before finally selling her first book, Spying in High Heels, in 2005 and deciding to be a writer.
Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. Her books have hit both the USA Today and the New York Times Bestseller lists.
Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.
Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. Her books have hit both the USA Today and the New York Times Bestseller lists.
Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
November 30, 2023
We're back again with Maddie Springer, who narrates in first person and takes us through the world she loves, epitomized in the series title High Heels. Not only does she sport long blonde hair but she often acts like the stereotypical ditzy blonde, so much so that we easily forget she was top of her class in design school and, over the five books of the series so far, she has become quite a successful designer of luxury shoes, turning her enthusiastic love of fashion into a career.
The sparkling humor of Maddie's narratives was still there this time, but the comedy of over-the-top wedding preparations didn't work too well for me--others may enjoy it more than I did. Maddie made no secret that she wanted a quiet, intimate wedding with her future husband Ramirez, the homicide detective, but she bends like a wet noodle before her mother's ambitions to put on the most fabulous wedding ever. And, surprise, Ramirez's mom has ambitions that way too.
True, the wedding planner who has been encouraging Maddie's mom's extravagance (and the profits it'll bring in) is inconveniently murdered, so the investigation that makes up the rest of the plot this time is securely ensconced in all the wedding foofaraw to create a more or less unified piece of writing. And the usual hijinks occur as they try to solve the mystery and catch the culprit. That was fun to read, except for one minor clunker--Maddie bets Ramirez she can find the killer before he does and they proceed to investigate in competition with each other. It works out in an amusing way, though, as you might have hoped.
Enjoyable overall, but not quite enough to lift it above three stars ("I liked it" in Goodreads code).
The sparkling humor of Maddie's narratives was still there this time, but the comedy of over-the-top wedding preparations didn't work too well for me--others may enjoy it more than I did. Maddie made no secret that she wanted a quiet, intimate wedding with her future husband Ramirez, the homicide detective, but she bends like a wet noodle before her mother's ambitions to put on the most fabulous wedding ever. And, surprise, Ramirez's mom has ambitions that way too.
True, the wedding planner who has been encouraging Maddie's mom's extravagance (and the profits it'll bring in) is inconveniently murdered, so the investigation that makes up the rest of the plot this time is securely ensconced in all the wedding foofaraw to create a more or less unified piece of writing. And the usual hijinks occur as they try to solve the mystery and catch the culprit. That was fun to read, except for one minor clunker--Maddie bets Ramirez she can find the killer before he does and they proceed to investigate in competition with each other. It works out in an amusing way, though, as you might have hoped.
Enjoyable overall, but not quite enough to lift it above three stars ("I liked it" in Goodreads code).
August 1, 2011
When I began this series I kept mentally comparing it to the Stephanie Plum series, and I loved it! As I kept reading the books, I got more and more disappointed in the series. Everything was way too predictable. The characters were way too flat. The main character ended up with the guy she met in book 1 who never trusted her, respected her, or supported her and never gave the other guy who did all of those things a fair chance. And he was even titled and had tons of money and a really great sense of humor - none of which the other guy had. I find books where females end up with males who treat them like "little women" who are stupid and annoying to be stupid and annoying. Go figure.
Plus - the main character eats TONS of junk food. She never tries to be healthy at all. And yet she makes constant fat jokes about poor Mrs. Rosenblatt. At the same time, this last book, she makes a crack about someone who doesn't like chocolate - "no wonder she had a stick figure." Those words are pretty much an insult - not a compliment like skinny or svelte or great figure. But you can't have it both ways! You can't insult the characters who eat healthily and the characters who have a weight problem! You can't make fat jokes and then make your main character eat nothing but fast food and milkshakes!
Why is there a need to pick on ALL of the women in this book anyway? One is too fat. One (the best friend) eats too healthily and exercises too much and is a slut. Her mom dresses badly. Seriously - this book read like it was written by a preteen boy who still hates girls.
If there were another book in this series I highly doubt I would read it. I only finished the books that I had because they all came as a set on Amazon and I had already spent the money.
Lesson learned.
Plus - the main character eats TONS of junk food. She never tries to be healthy at all. And yet she makes constant fat jokes about poor Mrs. Rosenblatt. At the same time, this last book, she makes a crack about someone who doesn't like chocolate - "no wonder she had a stick figure." Those words are pretty much an insult - not a compliment like skinny or svelte or great figure. But you can't have it both ways! You can't insult the characters who eat healthily and the characters who have a weight problem! You can't make fat jokes and then make your main character eat nothing but fast food and milkshakes!
Why is there a need to pick on ALL of the women in this book anyway? One is too fat. One (the best friend) eats too healthily and exercises too much and is a slut. Her mom dresses badly. Seriously - this book read like it was written by a preteen boy who still hates girls.
If there were another book in this series I highly doubt I would read it. I only finished the books that I had because they all came as a set on Amazon and I had already spent the money.
Lesson learned.
August 13, 2016
A silly bit of fluff. Like cream-filled donuts, a little goes a long way. I shall not pass this way again.
December 5, 2008
Mayhem in High Heels is honestly, one of the most funny books that I have ever read. Gemma did an excellent job with the writing of this book and how the character Maddie fumbles her way through some of the stickiest situations. I loved the relationship between Maddie and Ramirez, it was spontaneous and the laughing till your sides hurt, type of humorous. All poor Ramirez can do is just sit back and wait for the pieces to fall before he can help pick them up. I loved Felix's character as the journalist who just would not leave poor Maddie alone. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's safe enough to let my teenage daughter read it and that is a big plus in my book. Wonderfully written, intensly funny, and brilliantly written were just some of the reasons that this book get an A+ from me. Now I will be looking for the previous books in the series! This is a must read!
April 11, 2009
All Maddie Springer, Los Angeles shoe designer, wanted was to marry Ramirez, a totally hot policeman. But the wedding has taken on impetus of its own, and Maddie is getting nervous because she fears that Ramirez' indifference to the wedding translates as indifference to her. But when they find the body of her wedding planner murdered, he switches into full-time cop mode and really has no energy left for place card selection. As her small, intimate, tasteful wedding morphs into something quite different, Maddie makes a bet with Ramirez about who is going to solve the murder first.
April 13, 2015
Another entertaining instalment of mad Maddie Springer!
August 17, 2023
50 CENT THRIFT STORE BOOK REVIEW SERIES:
Can Maddie solve the murder of her wedding planner before her dream day? Is designing shoes just as difficult as being a detective? Will there be enough time for Maddie to get her nails done? These are only some of the questions that can only be answered through reading this book. Maddie, a feminist, believes she can solve a murder faster than her detective fiancé. Designing shoes has prepared her for this. Can she do it? You will find out in the last chapter. 10/5 un-ironic stars
Can Maddie solve the murder of her wedding planner before her dream day? Is designing shoes just as difficult as being a detective? Will there be enough time for Maddie to get her nails done? These are only some of the questions that can only be answered through reading this book. Maddie, a feminist, believes she can solve a murder faster than her detective fiancé. Designing shoes has prepared her for this. Can she do it? You will find out in the last chapter. 10/5 un-ironic stars
April 11, 2018
When Maddie goes to a meeting with her wedding planner and finds her face-down in her wedding cake with a knife sticking out of her back, she has to put the wedding plans aside while she helps her fiancé Ramirez solve the crime.
December 28, 2018
The ending redeemed this from one star. Unfortunately, “caveman” and “bimbo” are not so much insults as accurate descriptions. Library ebook.
January 23, 2012
WARNING: INCLUDES SPOILERS
I typically do not like to include specific plot information in my reviews because I do not want to spoil the book for anyone. However, as I was trying to decide how to review Mayhem, I could not figure out a way to explain myself without including details.
This is the fifth book in the High Heels Mysteries by Gemma Halliday featuring main character Maddie, who is best described as a hot mess. Throughout the series, I have struggled to actually like Maddie, with her lack of reasoning and propensity for over-reaction. However, Halliday’s humorous writing style has her coming off like a fashionable train wreck, where I just cannot look away.
Overall, this is my least favorite of the High Heels Mysteries so far. Maddie’s neurotic worry about her fiancé’s lack of interest in wedding minutia tips the scales toward me not liking the character. I am also, still not sold on the compatibility between Maddie and her primary love interest, Ramirez. Over the course of the series, they spend most of their time arguing, lying to one another, and exhibiting total lack of trust. In fact, strong physical attraction seems to be the extent of their compatibility. This book is no exception, except they trade out the lying for lack of respect for one another’s career.
I can admit that my dissatisfaction with the “happy couple” stems in part from my disappointment that she does not end up with Felix, with whom the author created even more chemistry and compatibility. I felt kind of cheated by the whole Felix sub-plot in this book. I know the author felt the need to resolve this thread, but it felt like a quick fix. In the previous two books, Halliday had developed his character beyond the sleazy portrayal of the second book, making him much more complex and endearing. So the quick fall for the cute girl with boobs seemed to turned him into a silly and shallow caricature.
And then there is the wedding nonsense. I know that everyone loses their mind a bit when it comes to weddings, but all of the last minute changes seemed a bit ridiculous. Especially the ones thrown in by Ramirez’s family a few days before the wedding, and yet he does nothing to stand up for their plans.
The mystery that unravels through all of this relationship and wedding mayhem is pretty solid. It unfolds in a whirlwind of hilarity and accidental discovery that characterizes the other books. In fact, even with my frustrations noted above, it was still a really fun read, enough to make me buy book 6, anyway. Although, I think I am going to need more going forward to hold my interest.
I typically do not like to include specific plot information in my reviews because I do not want to spoil the book for anyone. However, as I was trying to decide how to review Mayhem, I could not figure out a way to explain myself without including details.
This is the fifth book in the High Heels Mysteries by Gemma Halliday featuring main character Maddie, who is best described as a hot mess. Throughout the series, I have struggled to actually like Maddie, with her lack of reasoning and propensity for over-reaction. However, Halliday’s humorous writing style has her coming off like a fashionable train wreck, where I just cannot look away.
Overall, this is my least favorite of the High Heels Mysteries so far. Maddie’s neurotic worry about her fiancé’s lack of interest in wedding minutia tips the scales toward me not liking the character. I am also, still not sold on the compatibility between Maddie and her primary love interest, Ramirez. Over the course of the series, they spend most of their time arguing, lying to one another, and exhibiting total lack of trust. In fact, strong physical attraction seems to be the extent of their compatibility. This book is no exception, except they trade out the lying for lack of respect for one another’s career.
I can admit that my dissatisfaction with the “happy couple” stems in part from my disappointment that she does not end up with Felix, with whom the author created even more chemistry and compatibility. I felt kind of cheated by the whole Felix sub-plot in this book. I know the author felt the need to resolve this thread, but it felt like a quick fix. In the previous two books, Halliday had developed his character beyond the sleazy portrayal of the second book, making him much more complex and endearing. So the quick fall for the cute girl with boobs seemed to turned him into a silly and shallow caricature.
And then there is the wedding nonsense. I know that everyone loses their mind a bit when it comes to weddings, but all of the last minute changes seemed a bit ridiculous. Especially the ones thrown in by Ramirez’s family a few days before the wedding, and yet he does nothing to stand up for their plans.
The mystery that unravels through all of this relationship and wedding mayhem is pretty solid. It unfolds in a whirlwind of hilarity and accidental discovery that characterizes the other books. In fact, even with my frustrations noted above, it was still a really fun read, enough to make me buy book 6, anyway. Although, I think I am going to need more going forward to hold my interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2009
This book definitely had the feel as the last book in the series. After checking out the author's website, http://www.gemmahalliday.com/news/ , I found that that was indeed the case. I will miss Maddie and her zany friends and family.
Amazingly enough, Ramirez - my least favorite character in this series - didn't annoy me nearly as much with his caveman tendencies in this final entry. Even though I couldn't handle a man like that, I could understand why it would work for Maddie. And she even grew a bit of a backbone where he is concerned in this entry and let him have it. It was truly awesome and worth waiting for. :)
The only thing that disappointed me... that the publisher chose to write in the blurb on the back about who the groom was to be. In the previous book, Alibi in High Heels, the story ended with a large cliffhanger: who was proposing to Maddie on top of the Eiffel Tower? If you read the blurb on the back of the book, it totally outs that surprise. Too bad. I would have liked to discover whether it was Ramirez or Felix when I cracked the book open.
Ms. Halliday is coming out with a spin-off series, Hollywood Headlines, which appears to feature Felix and his crew at the L.A. Informer tabloid. It will be released in November 2009 and you can bet I'll be picking it up!
All in all, a satisfying end to this series.
Amazingly enough, Ramirez - my least favorite character in this series - didn't annoy me nearly as much with his caveman tendencies in this final entry. Even though I couldn't handle a man like that, I could understand why it would work for Maddie. And she even grew a bit of a backbone where he is concerned in this entry and let him have it. It was truly awesome and worth waiting for. :)
The only thing that disappointed me... that the publisher chose to write in the blurb on the back about who the groom was to be. In the previous book, Alibi in High Heels, the story ended with a large cliffhanger: who was proposing to Maddie on top of the Eiffel Tower? If you read the blurb on the back of the book, it totally outs that surprise. Too bad. I would have liked to discover whether it was Ramirez or Felix when I cracked the book open.
Ms. Halliday is coming out with a spin-off series, Hollywood Headlines, which appears to feature Felix and his crew at the L.A. Informer tabloid. It will be released in November 2009 and you can bet I'll be picking it up!
All in all, a satisfying end to this series.
April 21, 2009
Surprisingly, this last book in the series was my least favorite of the five. Usually I like final books because I'm a big fan of closure, but this one was slow moving and hard to get into. Overall, I really enjoyed these five books and would definitely recommend them. They are very funny and it is just really easy to like Maddie as a character (though I was a little disappointed in her weird relationship with Felix in the last book). I will be keeping watch out for Gemma Halliday's next series that focuses on Felix as the main character.
February 13, 2013
Alas, Maddie and Ramirez get married in this one. But there is still some good Felix moments and moments where Maddie ditches wedding stuff to investigate with Felix. The end, with the two of them, is just sad.
This one kind of had a random piece of the mystery revealed at the end, but I still enjoyed the mystery. Though the kind-of-though-not-really-cause-you-know-she-marries-Ramirez triangle irritates me enough to take some enjoyment out of the series because, on their own, the mysteries are quite entertaining as is Maddie's escapades with her friends in solving them.
This one kind of had a random piece of the mystery revealed at the end, but I still enjoyed the mystery. Though the kind-of-though-not-really-cause-you-know-she-marries-Ramirez triangle irritates me enough to take some enjoyment out of the series because, on their own, the mysteries are quite entertaining as is Maddie's escapades with her friends in solving them.
March 7, 2009
This is the 5th in the series. This one has Maddie wrapping up the wedding plans until her wedding planner is suddenly killed! Who would do that and why? Of course Maddie is in the middle of everything and Ramirez wants her out of the way.
I have to admit I figured out part of the ending but not everything. and of course Maddie & Ramirez do finally make it to the altar but not without some changes!
I have to admit I figured out part of the ending but not everything. and of course Maddie & Ramirez do finally make it to the altar but not without some changes!
January 24, 2009
What a wonderful quick read. I love these type of books so you dont have to think. I am going to go get the other books that this character is in. I love her attitude about shoes. What a fun book. Any one who is looking for a fun and easy read these are the books for them.
October 6, 2016
I started reading this, not realizing that this is the fifth book in the series and I had only read the first. OOPS.
That said, it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone, particularly if you're a fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Similar cast, different coast.
That said, it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone, particularly if you're a fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Similar cast, different coast.
March 10, 2009
I LEARNED THAT EVEN THE BEST LAYED PLANS CAN GO ASTRAY. when planning a wedding . this book makes you laugh and cry. all at the same time.
August 4, 2009
This was far better than the other in this series that I read, but it still ended with me feeling like the main character ended up with the wrong guy.
August 12, 2009
Lame.. totally trying to be Janet Evanovich. Right down to the love triangle, the hot cop boyfriend, the clumsiness of the main character, etc. Get your own story lady.
September 28, 2024
It was a little on the silly side, but made for a fun beach read. And I loved the ending :)
November 23, 2015
OK, fine. This book was awesome, but I just really loved Felix, so I wasn't too thrilled with the way this ended. Sad, sad disappointment. That's all.
June 16, 2016
Another "Maddy" cap mystery with the family and a wedding to boot or should I say to "heel".
February 23, 2025
There’s a fine line between a silly fun read and a ridiculous one, this skirts awfully close to ridiculous. I love a fun easy read, even if it’s over the top (like Stephanie Plum), I do not like a heroine that has no backbone. One that keeps letting others walk over her. This had too much of that. Maddie is an extremely girly girl, as such there is no way she didn’t have her dream wedding all planned out for years, so to try and make it seem as if she’d just allow all these people to do whatever they wanted with her wedding is just not believable at all. So many times I was so frustrated with her lack of backbone it made me set the book down for a bit. Forcing silliness and outrageous behavior/situations almost ruined the book. Instead of things happening outside her control (for the most part) she allowed so much ridiculousness it was painful. Hopefully the books get better, I really enjoyed the first few, but the last couple needed a bit less ridiculousness and a bit more realism.
June 27, 2025
Take a trip back into the noughts with shoe designer and amateur detective Maddie. She's planning her wedding to hot cop Ramirez, when she discovers the body of her wedding planner. Wedding hijinks ensue as Maddie tries to solve her murder and get her wedding back on track.
I haven't read the other books in the series, so probably the colorful characters were introduced gradually, but it all feels like a bit much, and no one is respecting Maddie's wishes for the wedding. There are also several moments between Maddie and Felix, tabloid reporter and partner in crime-solving, that hinted at unresolved feelings that were never really addressed.
I'm sure the book worked when it was first published, but now it feels a little retro--not just in technology and fashion but in its stereotyping of brides and women in general. The mystery was decent.
I haven't read the other books in the series, so probably the colorful characters were introduced gradually, but it all feels like a bit much, and no one is respecting Maddie's wishes for the wedding. There are also several moments between Maddie and Felix, tabloid reporter and partner in crime-solving, that hinted at unresolved feelings that were never really addressed.
I'm sure the book worked when it was first published, but now it feels a little retro--not just in technology and fashion but in its stereotyping of brides and women in general. The mystery was decent.
June 2, 2022
Can Maddie have a small and simple wedding without any hiccups? If you said Yes then you have not been following this book series very closely. LOL.
The Lucy and Ethel of murder mysteries aka Maddie and Dana are dragged back into another crazy fun filled adventure. This time while planning Maddie's wedding. This story is easily my second favorite of the six I have read so far. It captures the fun and humor of the first novel nicely. I laughed out loud several times and actually fell happy that she and Jack finally got married. In the last couple of novels Maddie came off as selfish and rude towards Jack. In this book she and Jack have a playful nature with their stubborn personalities. The saying is that opposites attract and these two are the perfect example.
The Lucy and Ethel of murder mysteries aka Maddie and Dana are dragged back into another crazy fun filled adventure. This time while planning Maddie's wedding. This story is easily my second favorite of the six I have read so far. It captures the fun and humor of the first novel nicely. I laughed out loud several times and actually fell happy that she and Jack finally got married. In the last couple of novels Maddie came off as selfish and rude towards Jack. In this book she and Jack have a playful nature with their stubborn personalities. The saying is that opposites attract and these two are the perfect example.
January 26, 2019
3.5/4 I used to give books 4 stars really easily, but I just read what each one means, and now I think I should be more selective...
Anyways, this book was cute and the mystery was really good. The author had us guessing who was the murderer until the very end. I loved all the sidekicks, Maddie's friends and "friends", in this book. They helped make the story more lively.
However, if you want to read an actual romance, don't read this one. In addition, there is no real sex described, just strongly hinted at.
Anyways, this book was cute and the mystery was really good. The author had us guessing who was the murderer until the very end. I loved all the sidekicks, Maddie's friends and "friends", in this book. They helped make the story more lively.
However, if you want to read an actual romance, don't read this one. In addition, there is no real sex described, just strongly hinted at.
March 8, 2019
Maddie Springer is about to marry the man of her dreams. But, as what is becoming a norm, she feels compelled to solve the mystery behind the murder of her wedding planner. She feels until the crime is solved, her fiance's(homicide detective Jack Ramirez) focus would be on the case rather than on their wedding. Those of you reading and enjoying the series will love this book as well. I wish the series would continue for I will truly miss the antics of Maddie, her mom, Dana, Marco, Mrs. Rosenblatt and Felix.
October 22, 2023
Okay, that kind of wedding preparation is the kind that makes you want to cry. It's a mess. And yet, of course, it all ends well.
The mystery was fair, though it wasn't as great as the one before! (Though granted, having your wedding planner turned up stabbed in the back is certainly a very interesting turn of events.)
Still, I shall continue indulging in these books, because my head just needs the light atmosphere of Halliday's books.
Oh the stripper bacherlorette party catastrophe did have me laughing!
The mystery was fair, though it wasn't as great as the one before! (Though granted, having your wedding planner turned up stabbed in the back is certainly a very interesting turn of events.)
Still, I shall continue indulging in these books, because my head just needs the light atmosphere of Halliday's books.
Oh the stripper bacherlorette party catastrophe did have me laughing!
January 5, 2018
Excellent read...as always...Gemma Halliday infuses Maddie with inquisitiveness, humor, and caring. With a sense of self preservation as well as wanting to right wrongs done to others, Maddie steps into some sticky situations. Book #5 in the series does not disappoint....as always, you’ll find laugh out loud moments....so if reading in bed at night...have your partner wear ear plugs..Gemma Halliday...Keep up the good Work. I look forward to getting the rest of the series to date....
September 14, 2020
Finally Maddie actually solves one... Sort of. This was another fun read where we get more of a glimpse into various characters while at the same time watching her wedding planning take place like a slow motion train wreak.
Plenty of humor, interesting mystery and enough chaos to make it all memorable.
Plenty of humor, interesting mystery and enough chaos to make it all memorable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews