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Holly Hands #2
Sucker Punch
Holly Hands. 29. Single mom. Disgraced, former boxing pro. Repo woman.
Things seem like they may be looking up for Holly—until she is called into for her biggest job yet: to repo a mega-yacht.
It seems like an absurd task, made more absurd by the mega party she encounters on board. Yet Holly is up for anything.
But that doesn’t include dealing with a dead body. Or for having to solve yet another crime to keep herself out of jail.
Luckily, Holly has Lucky by her side—a neglected pit bull she found on the wrong side of a job, who refuses to leave her side—and who, like her, has nowhere to go but up. Together, maybe they can crawl their way out of the urban hell of their bad slice of Baltimore, where coming home at night is even more dangerous than going to work. Maybe Holly can manage to get her young daughter the medical treatment she desperately needs, and manage to get her out of her dangerous public school and into the private school of her dreams. Just maybe, she can fall in love with that private school Dad from the other side of town and start a whole new life.
Or maybe not.
Life has never been easy for Holly. And if the past few days are any indication, it’s about to get a whole lot worse.
SUCKER PUNCH (A HOLLY HANDS MYSTERY) is book #2 in a riveting new mystery series, a page-turning thriller that grabs you from page one and does not let go. Get ready to find yourself reading all night, bleary-eyed, and falling madly in love with a new character who will fight her way into your heart.
Book #3 in the series (BELOW THE BELT) is now also available.
Things seem like they may be looking up for Holly—until she is called into for her biggest job yet: to repo a mega-yacht.
It seems like an absurd task, made more absurd by the mega party she encounters on board. Yet Holly is up for anything.
But that doesn’t include dealing with a dead body. Or for having to solve yet another crime to keep herself out of jail.
Luckily, Holly has Lucky by her side—a neglected pit bull she found on the wrong side of a job, who refuses to leave her side—and who, like her, has nowhere to go but up. Together, maybe they can crawl their way out of the urban hell of their bad slice of Baltimore, where coming home at night is even more dangerous than going to work. Maybe Holly can manage to get her young daughter the medical treatment she desperately needs, and manage to get her out of her dangerous public school and into the private school of her dreams. Just maybe, she can fall in love with that private school Dad from the other side of town and start a whole new life.
Or maybe not.
Life has never been easy for Holly. And if the past few days are any indication, it’s about to get a whole lot worse.
SUCKER PUNCH (A HOLLY HANDS MYSTERY) is book #2 in a riveting new mystery series, a page-turning thriller that grabs you from page one and does not let go. Get ready to find yourself reading all night, bleary-eyed, and falling madly in love with a new character who will fight her way into your heart.
Book #3 in the series (BELOW THE BELT) is now also available.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2021
439 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Mia Gold
31 books61 followersDebut author Mia Gold is author of the HOLLY HANDS COZY MYSTERY series, comprising three books (and counting), and of the RUBY STEELE COZY MYSTERY series, comprising three books (and counting).
Mia would love to hear from you, so please visit www.miagoldauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
Mia would love to hear from you, so please visit www.miagoldauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 25, 2024
Holly Aldren has found the perfect school for her daughter, but her financial situation looks grime and tuition is expensive. Banned from her career as a boxer due to a thrown fight, she looks to her old classmate for employment. While he's more than willing to throw work her way, it's in the form of questionably legitimate repossessions. This time he's asking her to get a yacht. Always willing to try, Holly attempts to acquire the vessel but is flabbergasted to find the body of a dead woman onboard. And then there's the little matter of the police showing up and catching her in the act...
4.5 Stars
I love the uncomfortable feeling I get when I follow Holly on her adventures. It's like riding a rollercoaster; there's no serious danger, but the thrill is still there. Mia Gold is a master at hinting at perceived threats which is somehow more chilling than in-your-face peril. Beyond this, however, is a main character who is so sympathetic that the reader applauds her walks into grey areas.
While cosy mysteries are normally my preference, this thrilling series has me hooked.
4.5 Stars
I love the uncomfortable feeling I get when I follow Holly on her adventures. It's like riding a rollercoaster; there's no serious danger, but the thrill is still there. Mia Gold is a master at hinting at perceived threats which is somehow more chilling than in-your-face peril. Beyond this, however, is a main character who is so sympathetic that the reader applauds her walks into grey areas.
While cosy mysteries are normally my preference, this thrilling series has me hooked.
November 7, 2023
We literally go from where KO left off, so that was good as I read them back to back, and there are overarching storylines. However, due to that factor, this book comes across as quite repetitive. Same main storyline following our FMC, the same suppprting characters, and an almost identical story arc to book 1, and I don't feel this book bought anything to the party that the first didn't. So whilst it was still an easy fun read, it wasn't as enjoyable due to the reoccurring situations and monotonous thoughts from the protagonist. Also, there wasn't as much Frank, and I must admit I like the scenes with her dog side-kick! I can't say I'm fussed about reading the 3rd book.
May 28, 2025
Holly Aldren, a 29 year old single mother, has another repossession job on her hands. This time it is not a car but a yacht.
Sucker Punch carries on very well from Knockout, book 1 in this series. It is much of the same, with many of the characters following on from the first book. Thankfully Olivia, Holly’s 8 year old daughter has only a small part to play in this story. Again Frank, the large dog Holly took on, helps in her quest to repossess the yacht.
Again this story is told only from Holly’s point of view. I liked how when Holly meets someone new, she is not interested in their real name but assigns a nickname based on their behaviour or looks. This reminds me of my grandmother who always did the same when talking about others. I was always left in the dark and never found out who Make Piece or Twisty Neck were.
It was nice that the author uses real locations like Holly’s apartment in a converted industrial unit at Sparrows Point, Baltimore. I enjoyed reading Sucker Punch and found it an entertaining crime thriller. I think that Sucker Punch has a good plot, with a steady pace and good editing, making it a GOOD 4 star read.
Sucker Punch carries on very well from Knockout, book 1 in this series. It is much of the same, with many of the characters following on from the first book. Thankfully Olivia, Holly’s 8 year old daughter has only a small part to play in this story. Again Frank, the large dog Holly took on, helps in her quest to repossess the yacht.
Again this story is told only from Holly’s point of view. I liked how when Holly meets someone new, she is not interested in their real name but assigns a nickname based on their behaviour or looks. This reminds me of my grandmother who always did the same when talking about others. I was always left in the dark and never found out who Make Piece or Twisty Neck were.
It was nice that the author uses real locations like Holly’s apartment in a converted industrial unit at Sparrows Point, Baltimore. I enjoyed reading Sucker Punch and found it an entertaining crime thriller. I think that Sucker Punch has a good plot, with a steady pace and good editing, making it a GOOD 4 star read.
October 22, 2022
action comedy
Just like several other series although the heroine is a bit too trusting or stupid. She loses huge character points for leaving an eight year old alone at night. She doesn’t even tell her sitter neighbor/friend and what if there was a fire or the dad broke in. You just know the money will be stolen at some point. She doesn’t even share with family or friends about the medical bills and she always “has” to do it, whatever hairbrained it is at the time. Frank never seems to get taken out to pee or get regular dog food, even when she gets paid she doesn’t get food, make meals, buy clothes or pay her friend for watching, etc. the medical issues are never discussed except with the doctor, the prices seem high but then again no insurance and never spoken of to family.
Just like several other series although the heroine is a bit too trusting or stupid. She loses huge character points for leaving an eight year old alone at night. She doesn’t even tell her sitter neighbor/friend and what if there was a fire or the dad broke in. You just know the money will be stolen at some point. She doesn’t even share with family or friends about the medical bills and she always “has” to do it, whatever hairbrained it is at the time. Frank never seems to get taken out to pee or get regular dog food, even when she gets paid she doesn’t get food, make meals, buy clothes or pay her friend for watching, etc. the medical issues are never discussed except with the doctor, the prices seem high but then again no insurance and never spoken of to family.
February 22, 2022
"Sucker Punch" is a solid caper novel which, unfortunately doesn't tackle the story readers have been anticipating - why was Holly 'Hands' Aldren ever married to a vicious thug like her ex-Boyd?
Instead the book sees Holly attempt to repo a yacht and, in the process, getting collared by the police for a murder.
It's the second book in a row in which Holly has to solve the crime for which she is the prime suspect. In fact, the two books are quite similar.
There's a couple of good one-liners but "Sucker Punch" is not quite as good as its predecessor "Knockout".
An enjoyable mid-length read
3 Stars.
Instead the book sees Holly attempt to repo a yacht and, in the process, getting collared by the police for a murder.
It's the second book in a row in which Holly has to solve the crime for which she is the prime suspect. In fact, the two books are quite similar.
There's a couple of good one-liners but "Sucker Punch" is not quite as good as its predecessor "Knockout".
An enjoyable mid-length read
3 Stars.
August 7, 2022
Unusual
Holly is a boxer, suspended for throwing a fight( because she needed extra money for her daughters surgeries), but the deal went south and the guy never paid. Holly is looking for him, and still working for a shady character , doing dangerous repo work. It pays well, but somehow lands Holly in custody of police. This series is unusual, with quirky characters and great story lines. Holly is a fighter in many ways!
Holly is a boxer, suspended for throwing a fight( because she needed extra money for her daughters surgeries), but the deal went south and the guy never paid. Holly is looking for him, and still working for a shady character , doing dangerous repo work. It pays well, but somehow lands Holly in custody of police. This series is unusual, with quirky characters and great story lines. Holly is a fighter in many ways!
November 26, 2024
She's Got this....
This is a tough girl. Holly, hands were in good condition, too. She is getting things taken care of, and I am anxious to read the next book. Tough girls get things done, no matter what it takes. She has to take care of Livie's first, though. I think Frank should be able to help Holly get things done.
This is a tough girl. Holly, hands were in good condition, too. She is getting things taken care of, and I am anxious to read the next book. Tough girls get things done, no matter what it takes. She has to take care of Livie's first, though. I think Frank should be able to help Holly get things done.
January 31, 2025
Medium
(2). Holly Hands is a reasonable protagonist, but everything else about this book is pretty medium. We have a fun dog and an interesting family but none of the side characters really stand out and the whole story is pretty much one cliche after another. I doubt I will read another in this series. Very medium stuff.
(2). Holly Hands is a reasonable protagonist, but everything else about this book is pretty medium. We have a fun dog and an interesting family but none of the side characters really stand out and the whole story is pretty much one cliche after another. I doubt I will read another in this series. Very medium stuff.
August 28, 2025
Riveting
I really like the way this writer keeps the pace of the story line. So many twists & turns but keeps the main characters life true. I'm anxious to how the third book moves forward! I think this would be good for readers who are stuck reading only 1 or 2 types of books all the time.
I really like the way this writer keeps the pace of the story line. So many twists & turns but keeps the main characters life true. I'm anxious to how the third book moves forward! I think this would be good for readers who are stuck reading only 1 or 2 types of books all the time.
July 21, 2021
A woman boxer who took a dive during a fight to save her daughter's health!
this 2nd book was great also because now Holly found another body while trying to steal a yacht! Onward to read the next book!
this 2nd book was great also because now Holly found another body while trying to steal a yacht! Onward to read the next book!
March 15, 2022
Anyone lured to this book by Goodreads' favourable comparisons with the Stephanie Plum novels is likely to be as disappointed as I was. None of the humour, none of the charm and precious little of the warmth of Janet Evanovich's character.
June 29, 2023
Not a bad follow up to the first book. A lot of similarities but enough difference to make it stand on its own. Of course, the end gives you some clues about what lies ahead in book 3. A pretty good series so far.
May 30, 2024
Fast paced and action packed from the start. Murder, family drama and danger! With wonderfully colorful characters, bridges are mending, trouble is always lurking… What a brilliant read. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Holly and her daughter.
December 26, 2024
This was an OK read but I didn’t feel there was much depth to the story line and there were gaps. I liked the main character but others weren’t particularly well developed. The plot did seem pretty far fetched and rushed at times. Having said that, I quite enjoyed it overall.
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December 31, 2024How did Holly get in the predicament she is currently in ? She must have made some bad decisions at some point. Googling how to pilot a yacht seems a bit of a stretch as well but it's only a story and quite a good one.
February 28, 2025
This is book 2 and I haven't read book 1. There's a lot of time spent talking about her boxing career and taking a bribe.
I think too much of the story is the history. I would have preferred more time spent on the current story.
I think too much of the story is the history. I would have preferred more time spent on the current story.
March 2, 2025
Trouble definitely finds her
They say it's hardest to stay out of trouble, when you've never been in it... But poor Holly found it once, and now it rains on her. I understand her Momma Bear stance though, you don't mess with kids. On to next to find out what happens to Boyd!
They say it's hardest to stay out of trouble, when you've never been in it... But poor Holly found it once, and now it rains on her. I understand her Momma Bear stance though, you don't mess with kids. On to next to find out what happens to Boyd!
August 11, 2021
Don't expect a literary masterpiece, these books are just quick, entertaining reads.
March 19, 2022
Good one
March 22, 2022
It feels like part of a book, a novella maybe, but not a whole story.
January 18, 2023
Can’t believe she is that stupid. Evidently learned nothing in the first book.
March 22, 2024
great
Another great story to keep you turning pages. Fully formed characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. Perfect reading.
Another great story to keep you turning pages. Fully formed characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. Perfect reading.
December 27, 2024
Very enjoyable! Lots of twists and turns. Characters are like able! Leaves you wanting more.
December 28, 2024
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The story moved along well. The end makes you want to read more.
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The story moved along well. The end makes you want to read more.
June 28, 2025
Enthralling
This fighter turned repo was a good story that held,my,interest from start to end. I,can't wait to see what,happens next.
This fighter turned repo was a good story that held,my,interest from start to end. I,can't wait to see what,happens next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews