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Madison Cruz Mystery #1
Hot Scheming Mess
Secrets, spies, sexy guys.
Staying alive is hard.
Especially since Madison Cruz must try to connect with her FBI mother, yet hide evidence for her grandfather. Out of her league, and out of control, she won’t stop trying to unmask the treacherous villain who endangers her family. As the mystery heats up, so does her attraction to a couple of sexy guys who vie for her affections. With two to choose from you’d think Madison could have double the fun. But she can’t think about that right now, because the enemy is right behind her!
A humorous mystery laced with romantic comedy.
Winner of Chanticleer Book Review’s Mystery & Mayhem Humor Award, Lucy Carol delivers a sparkling fun page-turner, launching the hilarious series, Madison Cruz Mystery.
Staying alive is hard.
Especially since Madison Cruz must try to connect with her FBI mother, yet hide evidence for her grandfather. Out of her league, and out of control, she won’t stop trying to unmask the treacherous villain who endangers her family. As the mystery heats up, so does her attraction to a couple of sexy guys who vie for her affections. With two to choose from you’d think Madison could have double the fun. But she can’t think about that right now, because the enemy is right behind her!
A humorous mystery laced with romantic comedy.
Winner of Chanticleer Book Review’s Mystery & Mayhem Humor Award, Lucy Carol delivers a sparkling fun page-turner, launching the hilarious series, Madison Cruz Mystery.
436 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2013
1066 people are currently reading
2034 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Carol
21 books46 followersLucy Carol's top priority is to entertain you, and keep you turning pages. She writes mysteries for those who like it fun, fast, and don't mind losing a little sleep. Living and writing in the Pacific Northwest, she loves martinis, flowers, dancing, a good lipstick, and cake. Her background is in the performing arts, having been an actress, voiceover artist, choreographer, and singing telegram.
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June 9, 2017After reading several fairly grim non-fiction books (two reported here and a couple on-going) I felt I needed something fun.
Well, this fit the bill! I call it romantic suspense because there are spies and secrets and near-kidnappings and dangerous escapes, but it's also zany, featuring an aspiring actress, Madison, who takes any gig that pays the rent, from singing telegrams to being The Clumsy Waitress at restaurants to punk someone, to singing to a corpse while wearing a pregnancy outfit.
Her love life is just as messy--she is surrounded by cute guys but she either can't communicate or they want to be "fuck buddies" and she falls somewhere between. She thinks? But there is no time to really think, because her grandfather dragged her into a mystery that may or may not concern her FBI agent mother, with whom Madison does not have the best relationship.
The subsidiary characters are a lot of fun, especially Toonie, the older woman across the hall who used to be a strong woman in Las Vegas shows, and Target, who runs the prop shop to end all prop shops, and of course Spenser, Madison's bestie. Oh, and then there are the wrestler guys . . .
The plot zooms along, shifting with butterfly twists and turns, resolving the mystery in a satisfying way while leaving threads for a series about Madison. I loved the writing, so vivid, funny, and occasionally throwing a zinger of insight at you amidst the craziness. And the author knows improv theater, and the weird little gigs that performers get stuck with while trying to get a career going.
Well, this fit the bill! I call it romantic suspense because there are spies and secrets and near-kidnappings and dangerous escapes, but it's also zany, featuring an aspiring actress, Madison, who takes any gig that pays the rent, from singing telegrams to being The Clumsy Waitress at restaurants to punk someone, to singing to a corpse while wearing a pregnancy outfit.
Her love life is just as messy--she is surrounded by cute guys but she either can't communicate or they want to be "fuck buddies" and she falls somewhere between. She thinks? But there is no time to really think, because her grandfather dragged her into a mystery that may or may not concern her FBI agent mother, with whom Madison does not have the best relationship.
The subsidiary characters are a lot of fun, especially Toonie, the older woman across the hall who used to be a strong woman in Las Vegas shows, and Target, who runs the prop shop to end all prop shops, and of course Spenser, Madison's bestie. Oh, and then there are the wrestler guys . . .
The plot zooms along, shifting with butterfly twists and turns, resolving the mystery in a satisfying way while leaving threads for a series about Madison. I loved the writing, so vivid, funny, and occasionally throwing a zinger of insight at you amidst the craziness. And the author knows improv theater, and the weird little gigs that performers get stuck with while trying to get a career going.
June 16, 2017
Not a typical cozy for sure but a good intrigue story
I'm rating the story, action, humor and how good and fast-paced this was. I really could picture it as an action thriller with lots of comedy. Madison is hilarious, that girl will try anything. I was surprised at the twist which was a good one. I had suspicions but wasn't sure why so I let it go and just read the book. In some places I would say there was a little TMI as far as (to me) unneeded romance stuff. I like a hint of romance but hey you can skip what you don't wanna read, right? I agree with the reviewers that said the f bomb was really not a crucial part of the story. I know it exists, lots of people say it but to me it just didn't fit in this story especially all the talk about f buddies, kinda irrelevant and actually boring for anyone just wanting to read the actual story. I would probably check out the next book because I did come to like the characters pretty well. Toonie was an absolute hoot and Grandpa was pretty cool. I like that Madison's mom told her how she felt about her daughter and I hope their mom daughter relationship continues to get better in the stories to follow.
I'm rating the story, action, humor and how good and fast-paced this was. I really could picture it as an action thriller with lots of comedy. Madison is hilarious, that girl will try anything. I was surprised at the twist which was a good one. I had suspicions but wasn't sure why so I let it go and just read the book. In some places I would say there was a little TMI as far as (to me) unneeded romance stuff. I like a hint of romance but hey you can skip what you don't wanna read, right? I agree with the reviewers that said the f bomb was really not a crucial part of the story. I know it exists, lots of people say it but to me it just didn't fit in this story especially all the talk about f buddies, kinda irrelevant and actually boring for anyone just wanting to read the actual story. I would probably check out the next book because I did come to like the characters pretty well. Toonie was an absolute hoot and Grandpa was pretty cool. I like that Madison's mom told her how she felt about her daughter and I hope their mom daughter relationship continues to get better in the stories to follow.
January 29, 2025
This was a free kindle acquisition but was still not really worth it lol. It felt trying too hard to be a cool spy book, and I thought the main character was kind of dumb.
August 13, 2013
This debut novel brings a fresh voice to the "madcap mystery" genre as author Lucy Carol unleashes an army of distinctive characters into the reader's imagination.
Madison Cruz has defiantly chosen an acting career, against the wishes of her straitlaced mother, an FBI agent. That rebellious choice looks less glamorous as weeks pass without income. Madison is getting by on "singing telegram" gigs and, as the story opens, desperately agrees to serve as an audience plant in "Fight Cabaret," a low-brow wrestling show held in a dive bar.
The FIght Cabaret scene introduces the first of Lucy Carol's unique characters, as we meet hunky wrestlers with names like "Atomic Waist" and "Sparkle Pecs" whose over-the-top antics in a "tight little sparkly spangly bathing-suitie kind of thing" dial up the humor. In quick order, we also meet Vincent Cruz, Madison's grandfather; Toonie, a former female weightlifter whose glory days in Vegas are decades in the past; FBI agents; a mysterious woman stalking Madison; an elderly nemesis of Vincent Cruz's, who engages him in an epic old man brawl; crazed fans who really long to be zombies; and much more than I can describe here.
They're all after a MacGuffin that Vincent has asked Madison to hide, without explaining why, before he disappears. The book takes on a delightful pace, laced with plenty of witty banter, as Madison tumbles from one spy encounter to the next, interspersed with humiliating jobs as a bumbling waitress, a prankster at a funeral, and a gig as a fairy godmother.
Fun informs every page and the story definitely earns its "madcap" label -- yet unlike some farces, it never loses genuine heart as "new adult" Madison tries to figure out where her real life fits in all this madness. If you like Janet Evanovich and her genre (but perhaps have tired of the fact that Stephanie Plum never learns or changes and the formulaic plots never vary), take a chance on this debut. The writing gets stronger with every page, and I finished the book eager for a sequel -- if only to see what this wacky author comes up with next.
Every publisher says they're looking for an author with a "fresh voice." Lucy Carol is it -- and one of a kind.
Madison Cruz has defiantly chosen an acting career, against the wishes of her straitlaced mother, an FBI agent. That rebellious choice looks less glamorous as weeks pass without income. Madison is getting by on "singing telegram" gigs and, as the story opens, desperately agrees to serve as an audience plant in "Fight Cabaret," a low-brow wrestling show held in a dive bar.
The FIght Cabaret scene introduces the first of Lucy Carol's unique characters, as we meet hunky wrestlers with names like "Atomic Waist" and "Sparkle Pecs" whose over-the-top antics in a "tight little sparkly spangly bathing-suitie kind of thing" dial up the humor. In quick order, we also meet Vincent Cruz, Madison's grandfather; Toonie, a former female weightlifter whose glory days in Vegas are decades in the past; FBI agents; a mysterious woman stalking Madison; an elderly nemesis of Vincent Cruz's, who engages him in an epic old man brawl; crazed fans who really long to be zombies; and much more than I can describe here.
They're all after a MacGuffin that Vincent has asked Madison to hide, without explaining why, before he disappears. The book takes on a delightful pace, laced with plenty of witty banter, as Madison tumbles from one spy encounter to the next, interspersed with humiliating jobs as a bumbling waitress, a prankster at a funeral, and a gig as a fairy godmother.
Fun informs every page and the story definitely earns its "madcap" label -- yet unlike some farces, it never loses genuine heart as "new adult" Madison tries to figure out where her real life fits in all this madness. If you like Janet Evanovich and her genre (but perhaps have tired of the fact that Stephanie Plum never learns or changes and the formulaic plots never vary), take a chance on this debut. The writing gets stronger with every page, and I finished the book eager for a sequel -- if only to see what this wacky author comes up with next.
Every publisher says they're looking for an author with a "fresh voice." Lucy Carol is it -- and one of a kind.
January 3, 2017
Eh
Story was ok but didn't flow very well. The author kept switching between 1st and 3rd person which drove me nuts! Not interesting enough for me to bother reading any more of the series
Story was ok but didn't flow very well. The author kept switching between 1st and 3rd person which drove me nuts! Not interesting enough for me to bother reading any more of the series
December 28, 2017
A quick easy and entertaining story. It has humor, a little mystery and just enough romance.. Madison is funny, sassy and likable. I like the additional quirky and entertaining characters. The storyline is fun with a little mystery keeps you turning pages. I enjoyed reading this book and can recommend to everyone that wants a light easy and fun read.
May 9, 2024
2024 reads, #26. I picked this up as part of my ongoing efforts to read deeply and widely within the world of quick genre novels published through Kindle Unlimited, as a way of helping out my freelance clients who write and publish under the same circumstances, in this case actually a cozy mystery novel instead of the romance novels that usually take up my time with KU titles. I actually got halfway through this the first time I read it, then got distracted by several other books that came up in my library reserve list, then had to go back and read this one again all the way from the beginning, because I had totally forgotten the storyline by then; but this should be interpreted as a big compliment, because normally I wouldn’t go to nearly this much trouble for one of these disposable KU books I download for free from those KU promotional websites (I think Bookspry in this particular case).
That’s entirely because of our delightfully trainwrecky, highly rootable protagonist at the center of our story, the perpetually unemployed and underloved actress Madison Cruz, whose self-sabotaging misadventures in her Seattle hometown are a true delight. That’s a real key to enjoying these kinds of stories, I’ve discovered as I read more and more of them; so many Kindle Unlimited authors use these kinds of main characters as basically Mary Sue stand-ins for themselves, presenting perfectly perfect heroes who never do anything wrong and never have a hair out of place, always saving the day with one hand while serving up another plate of yummy homemade scones with the other; but author Lucy Carol understands that these kinds of protagonists are much more interesting when they mess up big and often, which Madison certainly does, taking two hilarious steps back for every step forward she makes in her debut adventure here when it comes to the men competing for her attention, her strained relationship with her mother, and the constant humiliating situations she finds herself in as an actress who can only find work doing singing telegrams and kids’ parties and the like.
It’s within such a milieu, then, that Madison stumbles across an honest-to-God international conspiracy involving missing babies, crooked FBI agents and former Soviet dissidents, the details of which are best left a surprise; what I can tell you without fears of spoilers, however, is that somehow Carol actually makes this an organic part of what’s otherwise a cozy domestic story about a bunch of city-going single twentysomethings, and rather than forcing the international intrigue onto a situation that can’t naturally fit it in, comes up with an extremely clever way to make it seem like such developments are the most natural thing in the world to happen in Madison’s plucky life. (Of course, both her mom and her uncle are FBI agents, so this helps quite a lot.) I have to confess, I was a little in love with Madison myself by the time I finished this extremely engaging story, and if I was someone who actually had a Kindle Unlimited account, I would launch right away into the other half-dozen titles that have now been written in this series. If you’re a KU person, I strongly encourage you to do so yourself, or at the very least read this funny, warm, witty start to it all, which can be found for free at multiple promotional websites for these kinds of books.
That’s entirely because of our delightfully trainwrecky, highly rootable protagonist at the center of our story, the perpetually unemployed and underloved actress Madison Cruz, whose self-sabotaging misadventures in her Seattle hometown are a true delight. That’s a real key to enjoying these kinds of stories, I’ve discovered as I read more and more of them; so many Kindle Unlimited authors use these kinds of main characters as basically Mary Sue stand-ins for themselves, presenting perfectly perfect heroes who never do anything wrong and never have a hair out of place, always saving the day with one hand while serving up another plate of yummy homemade scones with the other; but author Lucy Carol understands that these kinds of protagonists are much more interesting when they mess up big and often, which Madison certainly does, taking two hilarious steps back for every step forward she makes in her debut adventure here when it comes to the men competing for her attention, her strained relationship with her mother, and the constant humiliating situations she finds herself in as an actress who can only find work doing singing telegrams and kids’ parties and the like.
It’s within such a milieu, then, that Madison stumbles across an honest-to-God international conspiracy involving missing babies, crooked FBI agents and former Soviet dissidents, the details of which are best left a surprise; what I can tell you without fears of spoilers, however, is that somehow Carol actually makes this an organic part of what’s otherwise a cozy domestic story about a bunch of city-going single twentysomethings, and rather than forcing the international intrigue onto a situation that can’t naturally fit it in, comes up with an extremely clever way to make it seem like such developments are the most natural thing in the world to happen in Madison’s plucky life. (Of course, both her mom and her uncle are FBI agents, so this helps quite a lot.) I have to confess, I was a little in love with Madison myself by the time I finished this extremely engaging story, and if I was someone who actually had a Kindle Unlimited account, I would launch right away into the other half-dozen titles that have now been written in this series. If you’re a KU person, I strongly encourage you to do so yourself, or at the very least read this funny, warm, witty start to it all, which can be found for free at multiple promotional websites for these kinds of books.
December 11, 2024
Hot Scheming Mess by Lucy Carol
⭐️⭐️ (2 out of 5 stars)
Hot Scheming Mess has an intriguing premise—secrets, spies, and romantic tension all wrapped up in a humorous mystery. Madison Cruz, the heroine, is caught in a whirlwind of espionage and family drama, juggling an FBI mother, a mysterious grandfather, and two swoon-worthy love interests. On paper, this sounded like a delightful escapade full of laughs and twists.
While there were moments of cleverness and charm, I struggled with the execution. The writing style didn’t work for me, particularly the shifts between first and third person, which felt jarring and disrupted the flow of the story. Additionally, the plot seemed to rely heavily on convenience, with certain elements popping up just when needed, rather than feeling naturally integrated into the narrative.
The humor, which should have been a highlight, occasionally felt forced. Instead of a seamless blend of mystery and comedy, it sometimes tried too hard to elicit laughs, pulling me out of the story rather than drawing me in.
That said, there are glimpses of potential here—Madison is a plucky character with an interesting dynamic between her family and romantic interests. If you enjoy lighthearted mysteries and don’t mind a quirky, over-the-top style, this might still be worth a look. Unfortunately, for me, it missed the mark.
⭐️⭐️ (2 out of 5 stars)
Hot Scheming Mess has an intriguing premise—secrets, spies, and romantic tension all wrapped up in a humorous mystery. Madison Cruz, the heroine, is caught in a whirlwind of espionage and family drama, juggling an FBI mother, a mysterious grandfather, and two swoon-worthy love interests. On paper, this sounded like a delightful escapade full of laughs and twists.
While there were moments of cleverness and charm, I struggled with the execution. The writing style didn’t work for me, particularly the shifts between first and third person, which felt jarring and disrupted the flow of the story. Additionally, the plot seemed to rely heavily on convenience, with certain elements popping up just when needed, rather than feeling naturally integrated into the narrative.
The humor, which should have been a highlight, occasionally felt forced. Instead of a seamless blend of mystery and comedy, it sometimes tried too hard to elicit laughs, pulling me out of the story rather than drawing me in.
That said, there are glimpses of potential here—Madison is a plucky character with an interesting dynamic between her family and romantic interests. If you enjoy lighthearted mysteries and don’t mind a quirky, over-the-top style, this might still be worth a look. Unfortunately, for me, it missed the mark.
December 18, 2024
This was a hilarious book in parts mixed with adventure and mystery.
Madison is a singing telegram among other roles. Her mum Ann is in the FBI and her grandmother has some secrets, but what are they?
Her friends are amazing Ex boy, Spencer and the rest, follow them all on the adventure of chaos that is Madison's life lol 🤣
I can't wait to read the next book.
And I don't know if I'm happy for Jason or sad for Exboy
Madison is a singing telegram among other roles. Her mum Ann is in the FBI and her grandmother has some secrets, but what are they?
Her friends are amazing Ex boy, Spencer and the rest, follow them all on the adventure of chaos that is Madison's life lol 🤣
I can't wait to read the next book.
And I don't know if I'm happy for Jason or sad for Exboy
February 19, 2025
A very good cozy mystery. Tons of adventure with lovable characters and a side of romance. I loved getting to know the main character and that she was quirky in her own way without being not like other girls”. I also really loved Joey his mystery played out and her families involvement and that she didn’t suddenly become a master detective. O can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
May 5, 2024
I’m not sure about this book. I simply didn’t like it. I felt the book was kind of all over the place. It simply wasn’t for me, although I’ve got to say at the end it was sort of giving “killing eve” vibes.
October 12, 2023
This was a fun little mystery. Nothing crazy, but good suspense throughout that kept me reading.
November 23, 2023
I got this on stuff your kindle day and for free it was okay. It took me so long to get into it. I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series
September 22, 2024
I liked it enough to add the 2nd book, not even realising there was one.
June 20, 2016
More like 3.5 stars.
Lucy Carol dubs this a "madcap mystery," and that's just a spot-on description. Madison Cruz is a struggling actress who picks up temp gigs while she waits for her big break. She does singing telegrams (even one at a funeral) and birthday parties and whatever else her agent throws at her while crossing her fingers for callbacks. Her personal life is just as messy as her professional life: her mom essentially dumped her on her grandparents when she was a kid, running off to join the FBI and leave Madison to grow up. Fortunately, her grandfather fills the parent role nicely...and when he starts acting suspicious and she comes across him having a knock-out, drag-down fight in his living room, she's concerned. In his rush out the door on the run to DC, he asks her to hide a toolbox of secrets and not tell her mom anything. Sounds easy enough, since they barely speak, but then her relationship with her mom starts up again. Meanwhile, she's interested in two guys who both offer different relationship avenues...so many choices. With mysterious guys (and a butt-kicking gal) following her to her gigs (who knew the KGB was so into singing telegrams?), Madison begins to question who is (and isn't) who they seem? Why so many secrets? Who can she trust?
A new type of mystery--lots of tangents all embroiled and culminating with a showdown at a vampire convention. Not a fluffy cozy. A fast-paced ride that throws (real and fake) punches. A laugh here, a jab there...constant action. Piles of characters introduced in this first book of the series.
Lucy Carol dubs this a "madcap mystery," and that's just a spot-on description. Madison Cruz is a struggling actress who picks up temp gigs while she waits for her big break. She does singing telegrams (even one at a funeral) and birthday parties and whatever else her agent throws at her while crossing her fingers for callbacks. Her personal life is just as messy as her professional life: her mom essentially dumped her on her grandparents when she was a kid, running off to join the FBI and leave Madison to grow up. Fortunately, her grandfather fills the parent role nicely...and when he starts acting suspicious and she comes across him having a knock-out, drag-down fight in his living room, she's concerned. In his rush out the door on the run to DC, he asks her to hide a toolbox of secrets and not tell her mom anything. Sounds easy enough, since they barely speak, but then her relationship with her mom starts up again. Meanwhile, she's interested in two guys who both offer different relationship avenues...so many choices. With mysterious guys (and a butt-kicking gal) following her to her gigs (who knew the KGB was so into singing telegrams?), Madison begins to question who is (and isn't) who they seem? Why so many secrets? Who can she trust?
A new type of mystery--lots of tangents all embroiled and culminating with a showdown at a vampire convention. Not a fluffy cozy. A fast-paced ride that throws (real and fake) punches. A laugh here, a jab there...constant action. Piles of characters introduced in this first book of the series.
October 18, 2023
Holy, Potatoes! What a wacky mystery filled with suspense, intrigue, and tons of laughs! I was hooked from the beginning when a shit-faced Madison Cruz, an out-of-work actress, literally tackles a bunch of wrestlers for a gig. Hilarious!
Madison is a badass. She takes no prisoners when it comes to speaking her mind and doing whatever she can for her loved ones. Her predicaments are endless. Some are amusing, but there is some seriously dangerous shit going down in her family that could get her killed. And, she has two smokin' hot potential "boink buddies" to keep her warm at night.
The mystery itself is well thought-out and keeps you guessing until the very end. But what really sets this story apart is its humor. From the minute she finds her grandfather fist-fighting with a stranger in his house she is thrown into a world of mystery and intrigue. Her grandfather begs her to take a metal box with papers in it and hide it until he returns. Little did she know this request would take her down a rabbit hole of family secrets as she is determined to uncover them in between hilarious singing telegrams and zany funeral gigs, mending fences with her FBI agent mother, and running from men with guns.
Overall, Hot Scheming Mess is a wild ride that you won't want to miss. Whether you're a fan of suspense, comedy or just looking for a fun read, this book has something for everyone. So grab a copy, settle in and get ready for a wacky adventure that you won't soon forget.
Madison is a badass. She takes no prisoners when it comes to speaking her mind and doing whatever she can for her loved ones. Her predicaments are endless. Some are amusing, but there is some seriously dangerous shit going down in her family that could get her killed. And, she has two smokin' hot potential "boink buddies" to keep her warm at night.
The mystery itself is well thought-out and keeps you guessing until the very end. But what really sets this story apart is its humor. From the minute she finds her grandfather fist-fighting with a stranger in his house she is thrown into a world of mystery and intrigue. Her grandfather begs her to take a metal box with papers in it and hide it until he returns. Little did she know this request would take her down a rabbit hole of family secrets as she is determined to uncover them in between hilarious singing telegrams and zany funeral gigs, mending fences with her FBI agent mother, and running from men with guns.
Overall, Hot Scheming Mess is a wild ride that you won't want to miss. Whether you're a fan of suspense, comedy or just looking for a fun read, this book has something for everyone. So grab a copy, settle in and get ready for a wacky adventure that you won't soon forget.
June 12, 2021
The anthology Murder on the Beach introduced me to Lucy Carol and Madison Cruz and I was hooked! Boyfriends and Bodies/Hot Scheming Mess wasn't quite what I expected but I loved it and immediately ordered the second book in the series. Unexpected, unique, hilarious all come to mind when I think of the first book in the Madison Cruz Mystery series but so do the words, deep, emotional, real. The action is movie-comedy funny but the core story and central characters are so much more. This is the kind of novel that has me laughing while my heart is twisted in knots. Hot Scheming Mess/Boyfriends and Bodies was an excellent surprise and the hot guys didn't hurt.
Madcap well describes Madison's world on an ordinary day but these days are NOT ordinary. I am not sure how secrets and spies and crazy wrestlers and singing telegrams can translate to a very real feeling world but Lucy Carol sells it perfectly.
Note: Amazon and Kobo offer it for free under the title Boyfriends and Bodies. B&N also list B and B but it costs $4.99, worth it but free is a better try me price. Goodreads list different titles for books in the series, Hot Scheming Mess for this one.
Madcap well describes Madison's world on an ordinary day but these days are NOT ordinary. I am not sure how secrets and spies and crazy wrestlers and singing telegrams can translate to a very real feeling world but Lucy Carol sells it perfectly.
Note: Amazon and Kobo offer it for free under the title Boyfriends and Bodies. B&N also list B and B but it costs $4.99, worth it but free is a better try me price. Goodreads list different titles for books in the series, Hot Scheming Mess for this one.
January 27, 2022
I must admit to being a little confused about where this story was headed when I first started reading and to be honest, it will take a while to get into the flow of the story. But that may be part of the intrigue. Madison takes the odd job delivering singing greetings and doing a lot of ad libbing. The book starts with a semi-choreographed brawl with muscular guyss, but to get courage, Madison drinks way too much and over acts her performance. The next day, terribly hung over, she goes to see her grandfather who happens to be in the middle of a of a knock-down brawl with another brawny old gent. He instructs to get a secretely hidden box from the garden shed and hide it and go about her life as usual. He leaves the other guy wrapped in duct tape and disappears. It gets way to complicated to explain at that point without giving too much away. Madison has a distant relationship with her mother, an FBI agent, but as more and more truth comes out things begin to make sense, even if they are a little crazy. It was a fun and twisty-turny romp, but well worth reading.
June 30, 2024
Madison Cruz needs to earn money for rent, even if that means humiliating herself as a drunk bystander at a wrestling match in a bar. It's no way to impress her FBI mother, but at least her grandfather loves her. Yet he gets into some trouble and makes Madison promise not to tell her mom. She has to help him, but doesn't know what the trouble is. The mystery is as bumpy as her career, and may be just as deadly, but she can have some fun along the way!
This is a light-hearted mystery romance. It had me laughing from the beginning. Madison is a bit of a mess. Okay, more than a bit, but she loves to entertain while her mother wants her to buckle down and get a serious job. So, yeah, there's some tension there! I did like reading this story from Madison's point of view rather than her mother's. It was wacky and silly, but that was the fun of it. The story is tangled and unravels in unexpected ways with cosplay zombies and wrestlers. There's a love triangle and a strange neighbor lady. I won't say anything more as it might spoil it. Highly entertaining.
This is a light-hearted mystery romance. It had me laughing from the beginning. Madison is a bit of a mess. Okay, more than a bit, but she loves to entertain while her mother wants her to buckle down and get a serious job. So, yeah, there's some tension there! I did like reading this story from Madison's point of view rather than her mother's. It was wacky and silly, but that was the fun of it. The story is tangled and unravels in unexpected ways with cosplay zombies and wrestlers. There's a love triangle and a strange neighbor lady. I won't say anything more as it might spoil it. Highly entertaining.
April 26, 2018
Madison Cruz lives life on her own terms, regardless of what her essentially-estranged mother thinks. This is not a book about zombies, but zombies play a major part during part of the story. All kinds of zombies, the most intriguing being the zombie fairies.
The story starts with Madison going to visit her grandfather. Much ado about lots of things.
I enjoyed the story very much. I would love to see this on the big screen, especially the zombie fairies. Lots of humor, intrigue, attempted murder, what's not to like? Madison is a fairly well developed character. Most of the rest of the primary cast are described enough to get a good sense of them, though some seem to just fill a role. This didn't detract from the reading.
All in all, I would like to read more stories about Ms. Cruz. She's certainly a hot mess.
The story starts with Madison going to visit her grandfather. Much ado about lots of things.
I enjoyed the story very much. I would love to see this on the big screen, especially the zombie fairies. Lots of humor, intrigue, attempted murder, what's not to like? Madison is a fairly well developed character. Most of the rest of the primary cast are described enough to get a good sense of them, though some seem to just fill a role. This didn't detract from the reading.
All in all, I would like to read more stories about Ms. Cruz. She's certainly a hot mess.
May 18, 2019
Family Politics
Lucy Carol sure knows how to showcase the most comical and mysterious dysfunctional family. You throw in a bunch of entertainers that dress in skimpy clothes throwing each other around a ring hitting each other with furniture,while another draws zombies writing zombie storeys ,you get the idea Madison is at the center of all these friends when things get even stranger and every one comes to her aid wether she asks or not. This truly is cozeymystery that keeps you reading from start to finish with out wanting any interruption,so before you begin reading Hot Scheming Mess use the powder room make snacks and find a comfy spot you can relax and enjoy your tantalising read. 😘🙄😊 Kat
Lucy Carol sure knows how to showcase the most comical and mysterious dysfunctional family. You throw in a bunch of entertainers that dress in skimpy clothes throwing each other around a ring hitting each other with furniture,while another draws zombies writing zombie storeys ,you get the idea Madison is at the center of all these friends when things get even stranger and every one comes to her aid wether she asks or not. This truly is cozeymystery that keeps you reading from start to finish with out wanting any interruption,so before you begin reading Hot Scheming Mess use the powder room make snacks and find a comfy spot you can relax and enjoy your tantalising read. 😘🙄😊 Kat
February 20, 2019
This book has been on my list for a while now and I am so glad I finally got around to reading it. Madison Cruz is an actress who does all sorts of wierd gigs and is a daughter of an FBI agent. When she walks into a fight her grandfather is having with a stranger Madison's life certainly gets turned upside down.
This book is really great. I found it a bit slow at the beginning but then I couldn't put it down. The characters are great and the story line was really good. Madison went with the wrong guy in my opinion but hopefully she will drop him soon.
A really great read and I am looking forward to reading more.
This book is really great. I found it a bit slow at the beginning but then I couldn't put it down. The characters are great and the story line was really good. Madison went with the wrong guy in my opinion but hopefully she will drop him soon.
A really great read and I am looking forward to reading more.
April 29, 2024
I'd rate this closer to a 3.75stars. An entertaining read in the first in the Madison Cruz Mystery series. Madison has quite a lot going on in her life and walking in on her Grandfather fighting another man is just the cherry on top. This starts a series of events that has Madison being followed, and saved, by a mystery woman. Not sure who she can trust, even her FBI agent mother, Madison is on the case and ready to save her grandfather. A fun read, a few too many characters so it got a little confusing trying to keep them all straight. It will be fun to see where the series goes from here.
November 6, 2024
2.75- the first 20-30% of this book I thought I was going to dnf. it took a really long time to introduce the actual plot line of the story, but the character building up until that point was messy and all over the place. I flew through this book, and the writing was good, but the storyline was so messy and chaotic that it just didn’t have the same effect. there’s definitely some promise here in terms of writing style, but the plot needs refining and the character building and development needs work. I won’t be reading any more in the series, but I don’t regret pushing through the first 30% and finishing this book.
October 2, 2023
Laugh out loud mystery
Madison Cruz is a kind of actress surviving by doing singing telegrams and doing parts of wrestling matches. Her mom is an FBI agent who spent most of Madison’s childhood away, Madison lived with her grandfather. When coming over to visit her grandfather, she finds him in a fight to the finish with an older man she’s never seen. When her grandfather knocks the opponent out, he ties him up, tells Madison to get a hidden box, not to tell her FBI agent mother and disappears.
This book is laugh out loud funny in parts and a good mystery to boot.
Madison Cruz is a kind of actress surviving by doing singing telegrams and doing parts of wrestling matches. Her mom is an FBI agent who spent most of Madison’s childhood away, Madison lived with her grandfather. When coming over to visit her grandfather, she finds him in a fight to the finish with an older man she’s never seen. When her grandfather knocks the opponent out, he ties him up, tells Madison to get a hidden box, not to tell her FBI agent mother and disappears.
This book is laugh out loud funny in parts and a good mystery to boot.
November 4, 2023
Madison Cruz runs a singing telegram business. Madison was raised by her grandfather due to her mother is an FBI agent who was away a lot. Madison comes home to find her grandfather in a fight with another man who he knocks out. Madison’s grandfather asks her to keep a mysterious box and not to tell her mother then he leaves. Then people are watching Madison’s every move. Madison decides to find out what was so special about the box and why her grandfather left. I really enjoyed this humorous cozy mystery novel.
January 14, 2024
An entertaining, fast past mystery with likeable characters. And while I wouldn’t call her scheming, our MC Madison is definitely a hot mess. She is also stubborn, sassy, likable and just a little bit nuts. The story has secrets, spies, singing telegrams, attempted murder and zombie faeries as Maddison attempts to navigate her job as a second-rate actress, building a relationship with her estranged FBI mother, a disappearing Grandfather and a couple of confusing (but hot) men.
There are a bunch of wonderful, quirky secondary characters, that add an extra element of enjoyment.
There are a bunch of wonderful, quirky secondary characters, that add an extra element of enjoyment.
December 2, 2025
Secrets in the family
Madison has a lot of crazy jobs through her agent. Her life was fairly uneventful until she went to her grandfather's home and saw him fighting with a man she didn't know and then her grandfather disappeared for a will. Her mother works for the FBI and her friends are wrestlers, barista and an artist. Somehow Madison gets embroiled in a mystery that involves her far and she is trying to run from the FBI and the Russians. Crazy adventure with some romance sprinkled in.
Madison has a lot of crazy jobs through her agent. Her life was fairly uneventful until she went to her grandfather's home and saw him fighting with a man she didn't know and then her grandfather disappeared for a will. Her mother works for the FBI and her friends are wrestlers, barista and an artist. Somehow Madison gets embroiled in a mystery that involves her far and she is trying to run from the FBI and the Russians. Crazy adventure with some romance sprinkled in.
October 19, 2017
The title says it all in terms of describing our heroine, Madison. The poor girl just can not catch a break. Bumbling through the story by the seat of her pants, we follow Madison, and a plethora of interesting characters navigate the pitfalls of Zombie Prom, while trying to figure out what's happened to her grandfather and her mother. A lot of action, a lot of laughs and Toonie is such a great character!
December 30, 2017
A Fun, fast paced mystery with crazy likeable characters
This is a wonderful first book in this series! If you like a fast read with spies, mystery, humor and a snarky main character, Madison, who has trouble with relationships and a group of quirky friends who stand by her then this is your series! Although I figured out the who and what before the end, it did not in any way distract from the storyline. I highly recommend this book!
This is a wonderful first book in this series! If you like a fast read with spies, mystery, humor and a snarky main character, Madison, who has trouble with relationships and a group of quirky friends who stand by her then this is your series! Although I figured out the who and what before the end, it did not in any way distract from the storyline. I highly recommend this book!
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