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The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag #1
Skeletons in the Closet
Maggie Phillips hasn't had it easy. As the wife of a retired Navy SEAL and the adoptive mother of two little hellions, Maggie is constantly seeking new ways to improve her family's financial situation. She accepts a cleaning position for her new neighbors (who redefine the term 'eccentric'), never imagining she will end up as the sole alibi for a man with a fascination for medieval torture devices when he is brought up on murder charges.
While Maggie struggles to prove the man's innocence, her deadbeat brother arrives, determined to sell Maggie and Neil on his next great scheme and to mooch with a vengeance. If that isn't bad enough, her in-laws (cutthroat corporate attorneys), descend on the house, armed with disapproval and condemnation for the family's annual Thanksgiving celebration.
As the police investigation intensifies, Maggie searches for the killer among the upper echelon of Hudson, Massachusetts, in the only way she can--by scrubbing their thrones.
Of the porcelain variety, that is....
"a must read for all people who love a good mystery and a jolly good laugh... laugh out loud funny..."
A Whole Bottle of Champagne by Black Orchid
Reviewer for Cocktail Reviews
While Maggie struggles to prove the man's innocence, her deadbeat brother arrives, determined to sell Maggie and Neil on his next great scheme and to mooch with a vengeance. If that isn't bad enough, her in-laws (cutthroat corporate attorneys), descend on the house, armed with disapproval and condemnation for the family's annual Thanksgiving celebration.
As the police investigation intensifies, Maggie searches for the killer among the upper echelon of Hudson, Massachusetts, in the only way she can--by scrubbing their thrones.
Of the porcelain variety, that is....
"a must read for all people who love a good mystery and a jolly good laugh... laugh out loud funny..."
A Whole Bottle of Champagne by Black Orchid
Reviewer for Cocktail Reviews
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2008
2049 people are currently reading
3040 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Hart
73 books479 followersSign up for my author newsletter and never miss a new release at authorjenniferlhart.com
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart writes about characters that cuss, get naked, and often make poor but hilarious life choices. A native New Yorker, Jenn now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her imaginary friends. Her works to date include the Cougars and Cauldrons series, the Silver Sisters series and the upcoming Legcay Witches of Shadow Cove.
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart writes about characters that cuss, get naked, and often make poor but hilarious life choices. A native New Yorker, Jenn now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her imaginary friends. Her works to date include the Cougars and Cauldrons series, the Silver Sisters series and the upcoming Legcay Witches of Shadow Cove.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
September 6, 2013
Maggie is married to a retired Navy SEAL, she's a full time mom who loves clipping out coupons and is a definite fan of bulk toilet paper from Walmart if it will save her a dollar. When her one friend volunteers her to work as a cleaning lady for her snooty neighbors she's none too happy. But she dutifully turns up for the job mop and bucket in hand.
Unfortunately for her the job lands her right in the middle of a murder mystery. The wife has turned up dead and the husband would be the main suspect except Maggie is his alibi.
I really don't know what to say. I was expecting to be mildly entertained, not to find a book that I just can't fault. I was expecting your stereotypical klutzy neurotic heroine, not a smart and snarky woman who is comfortable in her skin and will unapologetically stick up for her friends. I was expecting a husband who treats his wife like a disobedient child, not a guy who is genuinely in love with his woman, who trusts her judgement and will back her come what may.
Nine out of ten murder mysteries I will have picked the bad guy in the first 25%. This book I was still wondering right up to the last chapter.
So all of that adds up to five stars...and I haven't even considered the clever and witty writing which had me laughing and madly highlighting some of the great expressions and turns of phrase. If you hear me say something cool in the next few weeks, there's a good chance I stole it from this book.
Unfortunately for her the job lands her right in the middle of a murder mystery. The wife has turned up dead and the husband would be the main suspect except Maggie is his alibi.
I really don't know what to say. I was expecting to be mildly entertained, not to find a book that I just can't fault. I was expecting your stereotypical klutzy neurotic heroine, not a smart and snarky woman who is comfortable in her skin and will unapologetically stick up for her friends. I was expecting a husband who treats his wife like a disobedient child, not a guy who is genuinely in love with his woman, who trusts her judgement and will back her come what may.
Nine out of ten murder mysteries I will have picked the bad guy in the first 25%. This book I was still wondering right up to the last chapter.
So all of that adds up to five stars...and I haven't even considered the clever and witty writing which had me laughing and madly highlighting some of the great expressions and turns of phrase. If you hear me say something cool in the next few weeks, there's a good chance I stole it from this book.
November 24, 2021
This is a 3.5 star read.
December 28, 2017
1.5 stars. I was hoping for something fun and light for a couple of hikes. At times, and particularly so during the last couple of hours, it sounded like the narrator was vying for the grand prize in a speed reading competition. I could hardly keep up with this motor mouth. Downright irritating. The book relied almost entirely on humor and character dynamics to carry it along. Sure, Maggie was likable enough and there were some funny moments, but the plot was sooooooo flat and unsatisfying. I'll pass on the next books in the series.
December 12, 2019
No! Just no!
I know it is a cozy and light reading - but even unbelievable ’out there’ plots can be written so a reader can stop and think “well it might happen”. This one didn’t and all Maggie did was whinge and complain. Honestly if I was her husband I’d have left her - and if I had of been the murderer then she would have been top of my kill list!
I know it is a cozy and light reading - but even unbelievable ’out there’ plots can be written so a reader can stop and think “well it might happen”. This one didn’t and all Maggie did was whinge and complain. Honestly if I was her husband I’d have left her - and if I had of been the murderer then she would have been top of my kill list!
December 2, 2013
A light, fluffy, cozy mystery for those willing to suspend disbelief. I thought the plot was not realistic and I wasn't always fond of the main character's whiny attitude.
October 15, 2019
A great read! I wasn't sure what to expect but I am a fan of the author. I wasn't surprise that it turned out to be a lot of fun and a good cozy mystery. Maggie’s need to investigate the mystery is explained by her need to control her environment. The family interaction works well for me and I love the relationship she has with her friends and especially her husband who just happens to be a hunk of retired Navy SEAL. Both her personal past and the fact that she had to take care of the family while he was deployed formed the person that she is, one who really has trouble letting go of control. I was not able to figure out the murderer, but that is ok, that is not unusual in a cozy mystery. Much of the humor is at her expense but most of it she has to laugh at because she hates to cry. I will say that I enjoyed the second book even more than this one, but I often find that to be true. Maybe it is because I know the characters better or maybe it is just because the one I am reading is the one I love the most.
April 17, 2014
I needed a mind vacay, so downloaded this free version on my Kindle and read it through in an hour and a half. The story moves quickly and the author certainly has a quirky sense of humor. However, certain plot lines were stretched almost to the point of transparency, and thus the mystery itself was less than satisfying. Also, I found myself just too exasperated with the doormat personality of the protagonist Maggie. When you want to splatter paint on the main character's best friend for being a pushy tyrant, it is never a good sign. Two glaring usages of the possessive in place of a plural aggravated me a bit, but these may not be present in the print version. Not a total waste of time, as some parts of the story were quite enjoyable. At least I got my money's worth.
January 31, 2018
This book is a WASTE OF TIME. I usually enjoy "cozy mysteries". They take me out of the real world and don't require me to think much. But this one really bugged me. Don't have a character tell you how she is ALWAYS late and keeps her husband waiting to go to an event, and then, not much farther into the book have that same character tell you how she is "always on time"!! Also, the plot at the end got very "muddy" and I couldn't tell what had happened. The characters weren't that well drawn or interesting. All in all, don't bother to read this. There are many more interesting and satisfying "mindless" books out there.
Read
August 9, 2016AudioBook Review:
Overall: 5 Narration: 5 Story: 5
I will admit that the blurb is what drew me into the story: the ability to present a murder mystery with a main character who is just “the right brand of crazy” to be funny, not too obsessed with taking herself or her reputation seriously, and wanting to help her family’s financial situation so that saving $3 on cheap toilet tissue is not the driving force to her knowing the aisles at W*****t well enough to walk them in her sleep.
Fairly recently relocated to a small town of Hudson, west of Boston and just inside the “Tech Belt” in Massachusetts, Maggie and her husband Neil ( a retired Navy SEAL) have found a modest house for they and their two sons to settle in. Decent schools, not quite strapped enough to be house-poor, the opportunity for Maggie to take on some housecleaning jobs in the little neighborhood is a perfect one for extra money. And, with the encouragement of her best friend, she decides to go for it, calling her company The Laundry Hag.
When the wife of her first client is found dead, all eyes turn to him. But, Maggie was “enjoying” one of several uncomfortable moments with this man with his fascination for torturous devices and their history, and is the alibi that proves he didn’t physically kill his wife. But, Maggie (and her best friend Sylvia) have their own ideas and a misguided sense of their own abilities and are determined to unveil the murderer themselves.
Several twists and turns, with an incredibly well-plotted story that kept the killer under wraps until the end, Maggie is delightful and clever, with a knack for seeing herself with brutally honest eyes, and finding the funny. Her relationship with her husband and son are delightfully portrayed and very real, with Neil’s acceptance of her “happy place moves” as she stands in her kitchen and just sniffs, to ground herself in the moment and release tension. These two are perfectly matched with his protective abilities and sense, and her own particular brand of crazy that is wholly engaging and utterly devoid of deception or ill will.
Secondary characters are far more than just additions: arriving with an instant impression from Maggie, and then allowed to develop and show themselves as the story continues. Her best friend Sylvia, and her immature younger brother Marty , right behind “Pee Wee Herman and Joseph Stalin” on her list of potential babysitters for her two sons Josh and Kenny. With neighbors, police and a ‘gym rat’ all rolled into the mix – the asides about the characters from Maggie’s perspective are funny and sharp, instantly presenting a visual for them. And her in-laws are perfectly dislikable and overplay their hand often where Neil is concerned. Far from creating a division, he is wonderfully supportive and protective of the woman he loves.
Narration in this audio version is provided by Suzanne Cerreta and she has a nice mix of tone and emphasis to give distinctive delivery and sound to the characters. I love the often rapid-fire witticisms from Maggie, and you are never in doubt whether she is thinking or verbalizing her bon mot of the moment. While she didn’t over-reach to present any of the male voices, each one of them had a distinct flavor and delivery, and she nailed the emotive emphasis that gives a voice a certain ménage, belligerence, protective or even adolescent edge, that enhanced the story without distracting.
It’s hard not to empathize with Maggie: everyone will find a moment in her life that is all too familiar: from lamenting a book report on a Hemingway title “it’s true alcoholics hurt more than themselves, even after death”. Maggie has several moments from laundry sorting, to battling with pantyhose and a random wiry grey hair, and even her husband knowing her mood from the casual and comfy outfit she put on. We all have moments to relate, and Jennifer L. Hart managed to bring that into the story and enhance the story in an enjoyable way. If you want a fun, funny and completely engaging cozy mystery, grab this story now.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own
Overall: 5 Narration: 5 Story: 5
I will admit that the blurb is what drew me into the story: the ability to present a murder mystery with a main character who is just “the right brand of crazy” to be funny, not too obsessed with taking herself or her reputation seriously, and wanting to help her family’s financial situation so that saving $3 on cheap toilet tissue is not the driving force to her knowing the aisles at W*****t well enough to walk them in her sleep.
Fairly recently relocated to a small town of Hudson, west of Boston and just inside the “Tech Belt” in Massachusetts, Maggie and her husband Neil ( a retired Navy SEAL) have found a modest house for they and their two sons to settle in. Decent schools, not quite strapped enough to be house-poor, the opportunity for Maggie to take on some housecleaning jobs in the little neighborhood is a perfect one for extra money. And, with the encouragement of her best friend, she decides to go for it, calling her company The Laundry Hag.
When the wife of her first client is found dead, all eyes turn to him. But, Maggie was “enjoying” one of several uncomfortable moments with this man with his fascination for torturous devices and their history, and is the alibi that proves he didn’t physically kill his wife. But, Maggie (and her best friend Sylvia) have their own ideas and a misguided sense of their own abilities and are determined to unveil the murderer themselves.
Several twists and turns, with an incredibly well-plotted story that kept the killer under wraps until the end, Maggie is delightful and clever, with a knack for seeing herself with brutally honest eyes, and finding the funny. Her relationship with her husband and son are delightfully portrayed and very real, with Neil’s acceptance of her “happy place moves” as she stands in her kitchen and just sniffs, to ground herself in the moment and release tension. These two are perfectly matched with his protective abilities and sense, and her own particular brand of crazy that is wholly engaging and utterly devoid of deception or ill will.
Secondary characters are far more than just additions: arriving with an instant impression from Maggie, and then allowed to develop and show themselves as the story continues. Her best friend Sylvia, and her immature younger brother Marty , right behind “Pee Wee Herman and Joseph Stalin” on her list of potential babysitters for her two sons Josh and Kenny. With neighbors, police and a ‘gym rat’ all rolled into the mix – the asides about the characters from Maggie’s perspective are funny and sharp, instantly presenting a visual for them. And her in-laws are perfectly dislikable and overplay their hand often where Neil is concerned. Far from creating a division, he is wonderfully supportive and protective of the woman he loves.
Narration in this audio version is provided by Suzanne Cerreta and she has a nice mix of tone and emphasis to give distinctive delivery and sound to the characters. I love the often rapid-fire witticisms from Maggie, and you are never in doubt whether she is thinking or verbalizing her bon mot of the moment. While she didn’t over-reach to present any of the male voices, each one of them had a distinct flavor and delivery, and she nailed the emotive emphasis that gives a voice a certain ménage, belligerence, protective or even adolescent edge, that enhanced the story without distracting.
It’s hard not to empathize with Maggie: everyone will find a moment in her life that is all too familiar: from lamenting a book report on a Hemingway title “it’s true alcoholics hurt more than themselves, even after death”. Maggie has several moments from laundry sorting, to battling with pantyhose and a random wiry grey hair, and even her husband knowing her mood from the casual and comfy outfit she put on. We all have moments to relate, and Jennifer L. Hart managed to bring that into the story and enhance the story in an enjoyable way. If you want a fun, funny and completely engaging cozy mystery, grab this story now.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own
October 4, 2009
I chanced upon this book through one of those coincidences that really makes me wonder. When I read the blurb about the story, I just had to get it; the humour was reason enough... and I do enjoy a great mystery. So when I finally had a chance to read it, I was totally taken by surprise. This is one first-rate story by an author that now has my full attention! Yowza.... All I can say is I dearly hope that Jennifer L. Hart has more Laundry Hag stories to come. Not only do I want to see just what Maggie gets into, I'd love to get more of a backward look at her life. Just how did she come to meet and marry her luscious SEAL, Neil and become mom to his two very young sons? And c'mon... Sylvia? She's a character and a half that lady... and Leopold has more than enough charm for a roomful of people.
So, please.... MORE Laundry Hag stories... otherwise I may not be accountable for the weeping and wailing that would ensue.
So, please.... MORE Laundry Hag stories... otherwise I may not be accountable for the weeping and wailing that would ensue.
August 8, 2015
Just don't.
I kinda feel like the recent comment by Elizabeth Warren: "Did you fall Dow, hit your head, and think you woke up in the 1950's? Or the 1890's?" I tried to tolerate the sexism in the book. I mean, it was free, it was a book...but after she wrote " Women are different—we’re born without the competitive sports gene" I, a mere female myself, felt a little faint and had to go sit a spell..jk. OMG. Seriously? Has she not seen the World cup or Wimbledon or is it still pre-Billie Jean King era?
I kinda feel like the recent comment by Elizabeth Warren: "Did you fall Dow, hit your head, and think you woke up in the 1950's? Or the 1890's?" I tried to tolerate the sexism in the book. I mean, it was free, it was a book...but after she wrote " Women are different—we’re born without the competitive sports gene" I, a mere female myself, felt a little faint and had to go sit a spell..jk. OMG. Seriously? Has she not seen the World cup or Wimbledon or is it still pre-Billie Jean King era?
July 8, 2014
Won't be reading this one either. Same format as "Housewife Assasin Handbook". Not my thing.
January 26, 2019
This was not terrible but there are better out there.
December 2, 2008
Review ParaNormal Romance.org
"a wonderfully fun whodunit"
Misadventures seems a bit of an understatement when it comes to Maggie Phillips. Maggie, a stay-at-home mom with in-laws from hell, has perfected the art of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At a soiree with her gorgeous husband, a former Navy SEAL, her best friend talks her into taking a cleaning job, and it's all downhill from there. Dead people, implements of torture (not used), quick one-liners and hilarious similes comprise this comic mystery.
Jennifer L. Hart has written a wonderfully fun story, and I love Maggie's character. She's one of the most realistic characters I've read about recently, and everyone can empathize with her; from page one when she has to re-wash her hair with Head & Shoulders because she found dandruff and then used cuticle scissors to remove the one straggling gray hair. And, Neil is also terrific with just the right combination of humor, love and macho male protectiveness.
Hart has her pacing down to a science. And, she throws in a few surprises just to keep you guessing. I had no idea who the villain was, and I hate it when that happens. In addition to Maggie, Neil and their two boys, we meet a nice old guy, an older Annie Oakley type, a couple police officers and a greasy "gym rat." Her characters, both primary and secondary, have good complexity, and she keeps you laughing all the time you're trying to guess whodunit. From the title, and the ending, it sounds like this will be a series, and I definitely look forward to future installments.
Reviewed by Katherine Petersen
Posted November 21, 2008
The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet Wild Child Publishing
September 28, 2008
REVIEWED BY:
Black Orchid
SCORE:
A full bottle
Author: Jennifer L. Hart
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
REVIEW:
Maggie accepts a job with the local posh-knob, Mrs. Kline, cleaning her vast, mansion-like house. Mr. Kline is a bit of an oddball and collects memorabilia from times past, like iron maidens…
However, Mr. Kline faces murder charges, and Maggie is his only alibi. The detective in charge of the case has the idea that Maggie is doing naughties with Mr. Kline, hence her being his alibi. It’s lucky Maggie’s husband trusts her!
The detective enlists Maggie’s help in finding information out about the people who move in the same circles as Mr. Kline, so she broadens her cleaning business and cleans house for several other people. Not only does she meet new folks and fill a void in her life, but she employs first a pregnant teen and then an elderly man.
However, twists and turns abound, and what is at first an apparently ‘clean-cut’ murder case, turns into something rather more sinister. With an excellent climax, The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet is, quite simply, a must read for all people who love a good mystery and a jolly good laugh.
A really enjoyable read—laugh out loud funny—one that I’m glad to have had the privilege to review. I look forward to more of Ms. Hart’s work. Excellent!
Posted in Wild Child Publishing
From Terri at Night Owl Romance Reviews
Maggie is a housewife in the wilds of Massachusetts. She’s from the south but married Neil, a former SEAL, and when he left the Navy, he moved his family to his home. Maggie is happy as a housewife but in an area where women work outside the house as professionals, she’s seen as being a bit different. Still, she’s making a good life for herself, Neil and their two boys.
When attending a party in their neighborhood, Maggie is given the opportunity to clean her neighbor’s house. She’s reluctant to do so but when a check for $500 shows up in the mail, she’s ready to clean. Little does she know that this one job would be changing her life forever.
Maggie accidentally leaves her cell phone in the house. When she returns to get it she is meet by the wife’s sister. They enter the house only to find the wife having sex with someone who definitely was not her husband. Leaving quickly, Maggie calls and arranges to pick up her phone the next day from the husband. This meeting gives the husband an alibi when the police find the wife killed.
As Maggie meets with local police, she is drug more and more into their investigation endangering not only her life but the lives of her family. She also finds that her cleaning business is taking off to the point that she is needing to hire some help. To add to her chaos, her bitch of a mother-in-law calls to inform Maggie that she is now doing the Thanksgiving Dinner and she will be bringing some important clients with her so Maggie had better do it right!
As things getting more and more complicated, you could only laugh at some of the problems Maggie seems to have. She is looking for help and her husband calls around trying to find her some. What he finds is a pregnant teenage daughter of an old military buddy. Not exactly what she needs to do major cleaning! Her mother-in-law, knowing Maggie wants to get new living room furniture, decides to help by sending her a white sofa and love seat. Who sends white furniture to a house with two boys? And how do you keep it white for more than an hour?
Maggie’s relationship with her husband, Neil, though is special. Maggie admits she’s just a regular person who has found a gray hair or two. She’s depressed when she realizes Neil wears a smaller size jean than she does. Still, Neil is her rock. Neil cares about Maggie and would do anything to keep her happy and safe, even take time off from work if she needs him to. This is good when Maggie needs to get Neil to pick her up from the police station in the middle of the night. They may not always agree but Maggie and Neil love and support each other and it shows.
The mystery of who did it was well done. I had no idea as to who the murderer was until the end. As the story played out there were several suspects, some you wanted to be the murder and others you actually liked. Maggie’s trying to help the police was interesting as she bumbled her way through this investigation. She had no idea as to what she was doing but there were too many dead people showing up for her not to be doing something right!
The secondary characters were even interesting from the bitch of a mother-in-law to the mother-in-law’s gay cook to Maggie’s deadbeat brother. Each added its own spice to the mixture and created a delightful creation. I enjoyed reading about Maggie’s son’s problems with his book report and her brother looking for an easy way to get rich. Maggie, if nothing else, has a full and interesting life.
"a wonderfully fun whodunit"
Misadventures seems a bit of an understatement when it comes to Maggie Phillips. Maggie, a stay-at-home mom with in-laws from hell, has perfected the art of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At a soiree with her gorgeous husband, a former Navy SEAL, her best friend talks her into taking a cleaning job, and it's all downhill from there. Dead people, implements of torture (not used), quick one-liners and hilarious similes comprise this comic mystery.
Jennifer L. Hart has written a wonderfully fun story, and I love Maggie's character. She's one of the most realistic characters I've read about recently, and everyone can empathize with her; from page one when she has to re-wash her hair with Head & Shoulders because she found dandruff and then used cuticle scissors to remove the one straggling gray hair. And, Neil is also terrific with just the right combination of humor, love and macho male protectiveness.
Hart has her pacing down to a science. And, she throws in a few surprises just to keep you guessing. I had no idea who the villain was, and I hate it when that happens. In addition to Maggie, Neil and their two boys, we meet a nice old guy, an older Annie Oakley type, a couple police officers and a greasy "gym rat." Her characters, both primary and secondary, have good complexity, and she keeps you laughing all the time you're trying to guess whodunit. From the title, and the ending, it sounds like this will be a series, and I definitely look forward to future installments.
Reviewed by Katherine Petersen
Posted November 21, 2008
The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet Wild Child Publishing
September 28, 2008
REVIEWED BY:
Black Orchid
SCORE:
A full bottle
Author: Jennifer L. Hart
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
REVIEW:
Maggie accepts a job with the local posh-knob, Mrs. Kline, cleaning her vast, mansion-like house. Mr. Kline is a bit of an oddball and collects memorabilia from times past, like iron maidens…
However, Mr. Kline faces murder charges, and Maggie is his only alibi. The detective in charge of the case has the idea that Maggie is doing naughties with Mr. Kline, hence her being his alibi. It’s lucky Maggie’s husband trusts her!
The detective enlists Maggie’s help in finding information out about the people who move in the same circles as Mr. Kline, so she broadens her cleaning business and cleans house for several other people. Not only does she meet new folks and fill a void in her life, but she employs first a pregnant teen and then an elderly man.
However, twists and turns abound, and what is at first an apparently ‘clean-cut’ murder case, turns into something rather more sinister. With an excellent climax, The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet is, quite simply, a must read for all people who love a good mystery and a jolly good laugh.
A really enjoyable read—laugh out loud funny—one that I’m glad to have had the privilege to review. I look forward to more of Ms. Hart’s work. Excellent!
Posted in Wild Child Publishing
From Terri at Night Owl Romance Reviews
Maggie is a housewife in the wilds of Massachusetts. She’s from the south but married Neil, a former SEAL, and when he left the Navy, he moved his family to his home. Maggie is happy as a housewife but in an area where women work outside the house as professionals, she’s seen as being a bit different. Still, she’s making a good life for herself, Neil and their two boys.
When attending a party in their neighborhood, Maggie is given the opportunity to clean her neighbor’s house. She’s reluctant to do so but when a check for $500 shows up in the mail, she’s ready to clean. Little does she know that this one job would be changing her life forever.
Maggie accidentally leaves her cell phone in the house. When she returns to get it she is meet by the wife’s sister. They enter the house only to find the wife having sex with someone who definitely was not her husband. Leaving quickly, Maggie calls and arranges to pick up her phone the next day from the husband. This meeting gives the husband an alibi when the police find the wife killed.
As Maggie meets with local police, she is drug more and more into their investigation endangering not only her life but the lives of her family. She also finds that her cleaning business is taking off to the point that she is needing to hire some help. To add to her chaos, her bitch of a mother-in-law calls to inform Maggie that she is now doing the Thanksgiving Dinner and she will be bringing some important clients with her so Maggie had better do it right!
As things getting more and more complicated, you could only laugh at some of the problems Maggie seems to have. She is looking for help and her husband calls around trying to find her some. What he finds is a pregnant teenage daughter of an old military buddy. Not exactly what she needs to do major cleaning! Her mother-in-law, knowing Maggie wants to get new living room furniture, decides to help by sending her a white sofa and love seat. Who sends white furniture to a house with two boys? And how do you keep it white for more than an hour?
Maggie’s relationship with her husband, Neil, though is special. Maggie admits she’s just a regular person who has found a gray hair or two. She’s depressed when she realizes Neil wears a smaller size jean than she does. Still, Neil is her rock. Neil cares about Maggie and would do anything to keep her happy and safe, even take time off from work if she needs him to. This is good when Maggie needs to get Neil to pick her up from the police station in the middle of the night. They may not always agree but Maggie and Neil love and support each other and it shows.
The mystery of who did it was well done. I had no idea as to who the murderer was until the end. As the story played out there were several suspects, some you wanted to be the murder and others you actually liked. Maggie’s trying to help the police was interesting as she bumbled her way through this investigation. She had no idea as to what she was doing but there were too many dead people showing up for her not to be doing something right!
The secondary characters were even interesting from the bitch of a mother-in-law to the mother-in-law’s gay cook to Maggie’s deadbeat brother. Each added its own spice to the mixture and created a delightful creation. I enjoyed reading about Maggie’s son’s problems with his book report and her brother looking for an easy way to get rich. Maggie, if nothing else, has a full and interesting life.
April 3, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I found it well written and witty. The characters were well thought out and structured.
I did not guess who the murderer was and it kept me guessing until I found out till right at the end. I never would have guessed.
I would give it 4 stars, it was a good and enjoyable book.
I did not guess who the murderer was and it kept me guessing until I found out till right at the end. I never would have guessed.
I would give it 4 stars, it was a good and enjoyable book.
November 16, 2017
4.5
I really didn't expect this to be that good but I was wrong....fantastic.
I really didn't expect this to be that good but I was wrong....fantastic.
March 7, 2018
I really enjoyed the humor in this book which made it a fun read.
October 31, 2024
Great book.
March 21, 2022
Audiobook Review.
Fun ride!
I really love the ability of Jennifer Hart to create lovable and hateful characters that pull my emotions. The performance is a great complement to the story. An all-around entertainment!
Fun ride!
I really love the ability of Jennifer Hart to create lovable and hateful characters that pull my emotions. The performance is a great complement to the story. An all-around entertainment!
April 17, 2020
Didn't finish
By halfway through U was so disgusted with the heroine? that I quit reading. I no longer care what happens to her.
By halfway through U was so disgusted with the heroine? that I quit reading. I no longer care what happens to her.
May 20, 2016
Didn't make it past first chapter
The book would have been funny, except the female character is putting herself down. She is fat, she is short, she is always late, she is a wreck. Her husband is perfect. He also puts her down.
I can get enough of that in real life. I read to escape reality not to re-live parts of my life I have left behind. Misadventures are funny, feeling put down is not.
The author has great talent and used it to put a bad taste in my mouth. It is rare that I don't even make it past the first ten pages of a book but this one was removed from my device. I am actually angry at the wasted talent used to write this book.
The book would have been funny, except the female character is putting herself down. She is fat, she is short, she is always late, she is a wreck. Her husband is perfect. He also puts her down.
I can get enough of that in real life. I read to escape reality not to re-live parts of my life I have left behind. Misadventures are funny, feeling put down is not.
The author has great talent and used it to put a bad taste in my mouth. It is rare that I don't even make it past the first ten pages of a book but this one was removed from my device. I am actually angry at the wasted talent used to write this book.
November 3, 2014
Maggie has a smart mouth but no spine at all. Maggie doesn't accept a job as a house cleaner, her "friend" tells a complete stranger that Maggie will do it. No one I know would show up for a job (especially cleaning houses) someone else volunteered them to do. Then the foolishness of sneaking around wearing all black - also initiated by the same friend. This was just ridiculous. I could not go further.
November 10, 2014
This book was great! It was cleverly written with no clichés or silliness. It was cleanly written and felt like an almost normal family who loves one another. You really liked the characters and felt like you knew them. There are a few curse words in this book for those who are opposed to that, but not many and usually where they would be needed. I can't wit to read more of this series, hoping they are just as clever!
May 4, 2014
Laugh out loud funny. I love the characters and the interactions that abound. I will say though it is light on the mystery, who-done-it, meaning don't read it for the mystery. do read it for light hearted story line. for the most part this is a clean book, although not Christian, I did enjoy it. the book does have some light language through out.
July 28, 2014
I loved it! Laugh out loud funny! This is the first book in the Laundry Hag series. I really loved the main character Maggie and all of her zany sidekicks. This is a fast and funny read, and very entertaining. I didnt guess "who did it" either! This is the second book I have read of Ms. Harts, and I am now a fan for life!
September 11, 2015
This was an easy read and had some funny parts but overall the reasoning behind the murders didn't make a lot of sense. Also, I wish I had a dollar for every time she said "SEAL", I'd be able to hire my own maid with that kind of money. Having said all that, I'll probably read the rest of the series.
November 28, 2016
Don't Bother!
This has been the worst free book I've ever read! I should have stopped reading when Maggie decided to push a wheel barrow 2 miles to grocery shop. It was one stupid idea after another and we're supposed to believe the police department wants her to be an informant! Really, don't bother with this one!
This has been the worst free book I've ever read! I should have stopped reading when Maggie decided to push a wheel barrow 2 miles to grocery shop. It was one stupid idea after another and we're supposed to believe the police department wants her to be an informant! Really, don't bother with this one!
October 24, 2017
The cover and the title drew me in. It was an interesting book. The answer to the mystery wasn't totally obvious but it did make sense when it was laid out. Some of the characters were a bit odd. The MCs husband annoyed me with his nickname for his wife. I would have probably slapped him but she had way more patience than I have, I guess. Overall, a good story that will entertain.
October 29, 2014
Just glad I got this book as a free download. If I read about how the main character's husband was a SEAL one more time, I might have lost it. The main character is such a pushover, it's beyond belief. The story line itself is beyond belief. Yes, it had humor, it's saving characteristic.
July 24, 2016
Liked it, but didn't love it. It was a good book for an "in-between" (between books of meatier substance).
And seriously, I got that the hubs was a retired SEAL the first 20 times it was mentioned in the book. It didn't have to be brought up every other page.
And seriously, I got that the hubs was a retired SEAL the first 20 times it was mentioned in the book. It didn't have to be brought up every other page.
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