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Holly Hands #1
Knock Out
Holly Hands. 29. Single mom. Disgraced, former boxing pro. Repo woman.
Repossessing Lamborghinis and other exotic toys from criminals is second-hat for Holly.
But finding a dead body—and solving a murder—is not.
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—and the dead body in her trunk—are any indication—it’s about to get a whole lot worse.
KNOCKOUT (A HOLLY HANDS MYSTERY) is book #1 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.
Repossessing Lamborghinis and other exotic toys from criminals is second-hat for Holly.
But finding a dead body—and solving a murder—is not.
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—and the dead body in her trunk—are any indication—it’s about to get a whole lot worse.
KNOCKOUT (A HOLLY HANDS MYSTERY) is book #1 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.
240 pages, ebook
First published December 21, 2020
1479 people are currently reading
2771 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 - 30 of 131 reviews
February 6, 2021
Knockout by Mia Gold
This is a quick, humorous read that grabs you until the end. Holly Hands takes a dive and finds herself in some deep dodo not just with the boxing community but also with her family. Excited to read the next in this series.
This is a quick, humorous read that grabs you until the end. Holly Hands takes a dive and finds herself in some deep dodo not just with the boxing community but also with her family. Excited to read the next in this series.
August 28, 2022
“Knockout”, first mystery in author Gold’s now three-book Holly Hands set, really tested our resolve to finish every book we start. Holly is sort of an even dumber Stephanie Blum-type protagonist, mostly inept at managing her money despite a daughter who has serious (but never explained) medical problems. After throwing a boxing match (hence her nickname) so badly she was suspended for two years, she takes a job as a repossession expert with a crook she knows from high school, who shells out thousands in retrieval fees for little other than the daring required. Folly after folly grew totally tiresome, with the ongoing plot Holly’s attempt to clear her name when a Lamborghini she recovered is found with a dead body in the trunk. Meanwhile, with barely any money to her name, she’s taking her daughter to tour an exclusive private school – duh. The lame conclusion tops off a just silly story that embarrasses the term “cozy”.
No more ink shall be wasted on this review, a wish we would express for the rest of the series.
No more ink shall be wasted on this review, a wish we would express for the rest of the series.
August 3, 2021
You know, the story wasn’t terrible. I liked the main character and the premise was interesting. My complaint with this book is Holly, the main character, has a daughter who’s 8 and has some health concerns that need several surgeries. On a regular basis this woman would put her kid to bed and then leave the apartment. Just leave her alone while she went off and investigated. What kind of stupidity is that!??! Every time she did it I was only irritated more to the point that I couldn’t forget it while I kept reading. It definitely ruined the book for me. How can she claim to have her kid’s best interests at heart and LEAVE HER AT HOME ALONE. AT NIGHT! WHEN SHES ONLY 8!!! Ugh.
March 28, 2021
I will admit right up front that I enjoy stories about strong women who have to make tough choices to get through their daily lives. Knockout is about Holly - a single mom who is trying to earn enough money to not only support her daughter, Olivia, but also to provide her daughter with needed life changing medical care. As such, Holly finds herself in a position to throw a boxing match for an expected huge payday. But, she ends up with a triple whammy when the loan shark disappears without paying her the promised money, her brothers (and coaches) want to disown her, and the boxing league suspends her from boxing for 2 years. No boxing - no money and no health insurance for Olivia. Holly finds herself going to work for an old high school chum - one with some not so fond memories of Holly and her brothers. String Bean, as Holly called him in high school, is now a successful loan shark - among other things. While "collecting" for String Bean does not always go as planned, Holly manages to complete a couple of successful repo jobs, while earning enough to get her daughter started on medical treatment. However, when a body is found, the police peg Holly for the murder. Now she has to solve a murder which she knows she did not commit. Plus, she has to continue working for String Bean so she can earn money for her daughter's medical bills and needed surgery. Holly also wants to enrolled Olivia in a better school where she is not bullied every day. Can Holly manage to solve a murder, keep earning money from String Bean, and stay on the right side of the law? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 15, 2021
What you see: A woman boxer in need of money for her daughter's health and education. A promise that goes unfulfilled. An effort to collect what's due that leads to a new job. Welcome to Holly Hands' life.
What you get: Dangerous yet somewhat funny employment risks. Quick thinking and focused woman. A single mother who will do whatever it takes for her daughter. You've met Holly Hands.
I loved the excitement and thrill of Holly's new life and the author's characters with great descriptive details. I loved the sense of humor interspersed and assisted greatly by Frank! However some details really bothered me. How can you put an eight year old to bed, lock up the apartment, and leave her alone all hours of the night??? Especially knowing you could be arrested and not make it home?
I felt the concept of time was stretched beyond reality several times. One in particular was when she follows a mark home from picking up his children, yet it's hours before she has to pick up her own daughter from school. Huh? I would have liked to see a better solution to leaving her daughter alone, and accurate time flow. It would help make the whole story more possible and real.
What you get: Dangerous yet somewhat funny employment risks. Quick thinking and focused woman. A single mother who will do whatever it takes for her daughter. You've met Holly Hands.
I loved the excitement and thrill of Holly's new life and the author's characters with great descriptive details. I loved the sense of humor interspersed and assisted greatly by Frank! However some details really bothered me. How can you put an eight year old to bed, lock up the apartment, and leave her alone all hours of the night??? Especially knowing you could be arrested and not make it home?
I felt the concept of time was stretched beyond reality several times. One in particular was when she follows a mark home from picking up his children, yet it's hours before she has to pick up her own daughter from school. Huh? I would have liked to see a better solution to leaving her daughter alone, and accurate time flow. It would help make the whole story more possible and real.
October 9, 2024
Really fun read - I am starting #2 in the series right now!
January 27, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5 stars rounded down to 3 stars
Highlights:
🥊 strong single mother MC
🥊 YA mystery
🥊 female ex-boxer
🥊 organized crime
Despite this book being a “cozy mystery”, the mystery left a little to be desired. It was pretty tame and easy to solve in the end. The story was definitely more character driven than plot driven, but I loved the main character so I’ll let it slide 😉
This woman was a complete badass! She is all about doing whatever it takes to protect her child and she is amazing. She kicked so many grown men’s asses in this book 😂 it was even funnier because she is constantly underestimated by them and then BOOM! They are on the floor and she is standing over them with all the power!
Life lesson number 1: never underestimate a woman (especially a mother) 💕
Anyway, despite the... less than stellar plot, I would definitely like to check out the rest of the books in this series! I am kind of attached to the characters now 😂
(TW: death, violence, sick child, mentions of Child Services, toxic men, minor animal abuse)
Highlights:
🥊 strong single mother MC
🥊 YA mystery
🥊 female ex-boxer
🥊 organized crime
Despite this book being a “cozy mystery”, the mystery left a little to be desired. It was pretty tame and easy to solve in the end. The story was definitely more character driven than plot driven, but I loved the main character so I’ll let it slide 😉
This woman was a complete badass! She is all about doing whatever it takes to protect her child and she is amazing. She kicked so many grown men’s asses in this book 😂 it was even funnier because she is constantly underestimated by them and then BOOM! They are on the floor and she is standing over them with all the power!
Life lesson number 1: never underestimate a woman (especially a mother) 💕
Anyway, despite the... less than stellar plot, I would definitely like to check out the rest of the books in this series! I am kind of attached to the characters now 😂
(TW: death, violence, sick child, mentions of Child Services, toxic men, minor animal abuse)
December 10, 2023
Throwing a fight will send the career of Holly "Hands" Aldren into the dumpster, but it's a deal she accepts for a huge payout to fund her daughter's essential operation. When the other party reneges and her family distances themselves, Holly is left without options. A former high school associate offers a well-paying job as a repo agent which will leave Holly walking on the grey side of the law. Her first job goes off without a hitch until a police officer pulls her over to check out the rare edition sportscar and finds a dead body in its trunk. Oops.
Whenever I tire of cosies and am not in the mood for an outright thriller, I love to read a Mia Gold book. Her stories are always fraught with suspense yet still maintain a decent plot. This new series is a worthy example.
A genuinely sympathetic character, Holly is doing her absolute best as a single mother with limited resources and a child who requires expensive medical outlays. Rather than wallow in self-pity, she plays to her strengths and finds a creative solution to her monetary woes. Few would be as daring as Holly, nor would they be as innovative. I admire this character, though I would not have followed her path.
As a detective, Holly is not a dud. She interviewed a few people, located information, and drew a conclusion. Her backup, an abused Pit Bull was both endearing and delightful. However, it would be safe to say that she needs more experience in investigation. The mystery was wrapped up convincingly, and though a story arc continues, the main theme of this tale concluded pleasingly.
I recommend this book (and, presumptively, the rest of the series) as a gritter substitute for a cosy. I seem to recall there was perhaps a swear word or two, and the subject matter is not age-appropriate for younger readers.
Whenever I tire of cosies and am not in the mood for an outright thriller, I love to read a Mia Gold book. Her stories are always fraught with suspense yet still maintain a decent plot. This new series is a worthy example.
A genuinely sympathetic character, Holly is doing her absolute best as a single mother with limited resources and a child who requires expensive medical outlays. Rather than wallow in self-pity, she plays to her strengths and finds a creative solution to her monetary woes. Few would be as daring as Holly, nor would they be as innovative. I admire this character, though I would not have followed her path.
As a detective, Holly is not a dud. She interviewed a few people, located information, and drew a conclusion. Her backup, an abused Pit Bull was both endearing and delightful. However, it would be safe to say that she needs more experience in investigation. The mystery was wrapped up convincingly, and though a story arc continues, the main theme of this tale concluded pleasingly.
I recommend this book (and, presumptively, the rest of the series) as a gritter substitute for a cosy. I seem to recall there was perhaps a swear word or two, and the subject matter is not age-appropriate for younger readers.
June 16, 2025
2.5/5 STARS! I adore listening to cozy mysteries on audiobook & this has good narration & an interesting plot. But, Holly drove me nuts. I love the fact she was a boxer & a strong fighter. She had all the markings to be a good character. I just hated her decisions & thought she was dense at points. Like, you ruined your boxing career & took a dive for your daughter, but didn't even get at least half the money upfront?! Ugh.....good plot though.
November 6, 2024
Right at the start of "Knockout" boxer Holly “Hands” Aldren finds out that hard times make for bad decisions. She takes a dive during a fight in order to get funds for her daughter Olivia's operation - it's not a wise thing to do as she soon finds out.
Barred from the ring, and with no hope of getting paid for her trip to the canvas, Holly's out of options until a deal with the devil opens up for her.
Local gangster Steven “String Bean” Brener - Holly gave him a black eye back in the day at school - wants someone to repo goods stolen by other criminals.
He throws her in at the deep end and her first job is to repo a Lamborghini Gallardo - easy peasy! And that is where Holly's troubles really begin :)
Not to mention that her vicious ex Boyd, Olivia's father, has got early release from prison and is trying to find her!
It's a good thing she's got Frankenstein on her side.
It's written with a lot of humour and heart (particularly concerning Olivia) and is a very enjoyable read. The darker side only surfaces towards the end when Boyd appears on her doorstep, but it appears that that story will be for another day and another novel.
3.5 Stars
Barred from the ring, and with no hope of getting paid for her trip to the canvas, Holly's out of options until a deal with the devil opens up for her.
Local gangster Steven “String Bean” Brener - Holly gave him a black eye back in the day at school - wants someone to repo goods stolen by other criminals.
He throws her in at the deep end and her first job is to repo a Lamborghini Gallardo - easy peasy! And that is where Holly's troubles really begin :)
Not to mention that her vicious ex Boyd, Olivia's father, has got early release from prison and is trying to find her!
It's a good thing she's got Frankenstein on her side.
It's written with a lot of humour and heart (particularly concerning Olivia) and is a very enjoyable read. The darker side only surfaces towards the end when Boyd appears on her doorstep, but it appears that that story will be for another day and another novel.
3.5 Stars
April 4, 2021
I started reading this book during a book club read-a-thon. If this hadn't been the case, I would have likely put it down less than halfway through. This isn't a typical cozy mystery, with more violent descriptions than most. I didn't find myself loving or even liking any of the characters throughout the story. Holly Hands is a single mother, recent former boxing pro who finds herself accepting a less than ideal offer of employment from an old friend. Overall, I wasn't a big fan of Holly's character and found her to be rather immature for the load of responsibilities she had. I will say that the discovery of the dead body was unpredictable and what kept me reading early on. I didn't find myself wanting to know more at the end of the book which is my reason for the 3 stars, it's rare that I don't want to continue on with a cozy mystery series because they are typically fun to read, but this one missed the mark for me.
May 18, 2021
Kind of...bad
Doesn’t make sense. Loves her sick daughter but leaves her alone in the middle of the night. Repeatedly. Not sure what sickness the girl has. The whole fighter storyline completely thrown out in a few pages. And the killer? Completely out of left field. From page ninety-one I was reading the first and last sentences of most paragraphs. Waste of valuable reading time. I’ll read a Jack Reacher novel to snap back from this mess.
Doesn’t make sense. Loves her sick daughter but leaves her alone in the middle of the night. Repeatedly. Not sure what sickness the girl has. The whole fighter storyline completely thrown out in a few pages. And the killer? Completely out of left field. From page ninety-one I was reading the first and last sentences of most paragraphs. Waste of valuable reading time. I’ll read a Jack Reacher novel to snap back from this mess.
August 21, 2022
I started out having a little sympathy for the main character because of her sick child, but that quickly changed. She claimed to be be purposely losing fights and committing crimes to make money for her sick daughter's medical costs... But she constantly left the child unattended and put herself in situations that could've landed her in jail or worse. That's not a character that I can make myself root for.
September 5, 2022
A pretty fun mystery, with an engaging, and reasonable protagonist. Holly "hands" Aldren is a woman boxer that is in financial trouble. She takes a deal with a loan shark to throw a match in order to get paid an unstated amount of money, which she needs to help with her little girl's illness (a form of anemia).
Through various circumstances, she ends up working for a minor (apparently unaffiliated) crime lord that has her do repo jobs, and in the process of these, she finds a dead body.
The book swaps between Holly with her daughter, Holly trying to repo various vehicles, and Holly trying to solve the murder. At first she's ordered to by the crime boss, then the crime boss tells her to stay away but she keeps at it... because she's the prime suspect, according to the cops.
It moves along fairly well and Holly's boxing training comes in handy because she's small and men keep underestimating her. And the huge unspecified dog breed she befriends helps out.
Overall the book was entertaining, even if it seems as if the writer isn't 100% clear on how some things work and skates over them with few details to avoid having to give more information (like how a Lamborghini Gallardo works). The monetary troubles are really undetailed so you basically have to assume Holly knows what she's talking about when she cannot afford things, but then later is able to when she gets paid.
She kinda is a bad mom, she makes promises she doesn't keep, she keeps shuttling her daughter off to a friend to do various jobs, etc. But she has a pretty good relationship with her little (unknown age) girl because the tyke is young and mom does really try even if she's not great at it.
And of course, there's the evil ex, because there always has to be; the kind of guy this girl would never get involved with but somehow did because he has to be a terrible person.
Through various circumstances, she ends up working for a minor (apparently unaffiliated) crime lord that has her do repo jobs, and in the process of these, she finds a dead body.
The book swaps between Holly with her daughter, Holly trying to repo various vehicles, and Holly trying to solve the murder. At first she's ordered to by the crime boss, then the crime boss tells her to stay away but she keeps at it... because she's the prime suspect, according to the cops.
It moves along fairly well and Holly's boxing training comes in handy because she's small and men keep underestimating her. And the huge unspecified dog breed she befriends helps out.
Overall the book was entertaining, even if it seems as if the writer isn't 100% clear on how some things work and skates over them with few details to avoid having to give more information (like how a Lamborghini Gallardo works). The monetary troubles are really undetailed so you basically have to assume Holly knows what she's talking about when she cannot afford things, but then later is able to when she gets paid.
She kinda is a bad mom, she makes promises she doesn't keep, she keeps shuttling her daughter off to a friend to do various jobs, etc. But she has a pretty good relationship with her little (unknown age) girl because the tyke is young and mom does really try even if she's not great at it.
And of course, there's the evil ex, because there always has to be; the kind of guy this girl would never get involved with but somehow did because he has to be a terrible person.
June 21, 2023
I got this book because I use to be a big fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, although I have gone off it the more the series continues, the same old same old. This book was so much better and I really enjoyed it. It does sort of remind me Stephine because Holly's job does seem similar to a bounty hunter but it is a totally fresh approach and more grown up. I really liked Holly and felt for her with what she and her daughter are going through. There wasn't to much of a mystery because this is the first book in the series and the author was establishing the reason why Holly did what she did and how far a mama bear will go to protect her cub. So a lot of home life ups and downs but I actually enjoyed that because it was entertaining, especially his she also ended up with a dog that she didn't want. Definitely a series to look out for.
With a sick child to take care of and multiple surgeries desperately needed, single mum Holly decided the only way is to throw the fight. The problem is everybody knows she threw it and she is hand from the one thing she can do and her boxing family aren't speaking to her. To top it off it was all for nothing as there is no sign of the money. She turns to an old school friend for help on tracking down the bookie, instead he offers her a job. 're claiming stolen property from less than savoury types. With little choice she takes the job. When her very first job ends with her being arrested in a stolen car with a dead man in the boot. It seems she might have made a mistake. Now not only does she still have to find money but she also has to find a killer.
I liked the narrator. She did some fun voices for the characters.
With a sick child to take care of and multiple surgeries desperately needed, single mum Holly decided the only way is to throw the fight. The problem is everybody knows she threw it and she is hand from the one thing she can do and her boxing family aren't speaking to her. To top it off it was all for nothing as there is no sign of the money. She turns to an old school friend for help on tracking down the bookie, instead he offers her a job. 're claiming stolen property from less than savoury types. With little choice she takes the job. When her very first job ends with her being arrested in a stolen car with a dead man in the boot. It seems she might have made a mistake. Now not only does she still have to find money but she also has to find a killer.
I liked the narrator. She did some fun voices for the characters.
January 29, 2023
It was a solid story. I loved Holly as a fighter who was constantly underestimated but used her fighting knowledge in a realistic and logical way. Seeing the fights from her expert POV was great.
Many of the other aspects of this book didn't ring quite as true. The medical issues around her daughter seemed kind of hand-wavy and served solely as Holly's motivation throughout the story. The guy giving Holly jobs seemed like he was supposed to be interesting, but there were only tiny hints and nothing to grab onto that made me want to know more. And the dog, who was supposed to be a major character, didn't do anything except for one single part of the book that was borderline cliche. I'd hoped for more to develop their bond, but I didn't feel it.
I didn't really have any questions coming out of this book that I'd want answered in subsequent books. I assume she gets better at stealing cars, she'll deal with her ex, and maybe something interesting will happen with her new boss. I know part of this is because of the genre. Cozy mysteries typically don't have strong ties between books, but this one felt like it was trying and failed. Overall, not a bad read, but I don't plan to read any others in this series.
Many of the other aspects of this book didn't ring quite as true. The medical issues around her daughter seemed kind of hand-wavy and served solely as Holly's motivation throughout the story. The guy giving Holly jobs seemed like he was supposed to be interesting, but there were only tiny hints and nothing to grab onto that made me want to know more. And the dog, who was supposed to be a major character, didn't do anything except for one single part of the book that was borderline cliche. I'd hoped for more to develop their bond, but I didn't feel it.
I didn't really have any questions coming out of this book that I'd want answered in subsequent books. I assume she gets better at stealing cars, she'll deal with her ex, and maybe something interesting will happen with her new boss. I know part of this is because of the genre. Cozy mysteries typically don't have strong ties between books, but this one felt like it was trying and failed. Overall, not a bad read, but I don't plan to read any others in this series.
May 11, 2025
Holly Hands, a 29 year old single mother, wants some extra money to pay for hospital treatment for her 8 year old daughter. Holly has some faults and falls for a scam to make easy, quick money. Follow Holly in her quest on the other side of the law to pay some hospital bills.
This is the second book I have read from Mia Gold. The format and writing style is very similar to the other book On the Rocks. Another woman who can bend or break the law to achieve her goals and can more than hold her own in a fight. This time the action is around the city of Baltimore and once again all human life is here. I liked how Holly mixed with all sections of society, rich and poor, lawful and criminal.
I enjoyed reading Knockout and found it an entertaining crime thriller. Nice touch was Holly meeting a large dog who she nicknamed Frankenstein and he bounced his way into her life and family.
I found Knockout to have a good plot, with a steady pace and good editing. Thankfully her 8 year old daughter only has a small part to play, making Knockout a GOOD 4 star read.
This is the second book I have read from Mia Gold. The format and writing style is very similar to the other book On the Rocks. Another woman who can bend or break the law to achieve her goals and can more than hold her own in a fight. This time the action is around the city of Baltimore and once again all human life is here. I liked how Holly mixed with all sections of society, rich and poor, lawful and criminal.
I enjoyed reading Knockout and found it an entertaining crime thriller. Nice touch was Holly meeting a large dog who she nicknamed Frankenstein and he bounced his way into her life and family.
I found Knockout to have a good plot, with a steady pace and good editing. Thankfully her 8 year old daughter only has a small part to play, making Knockout a GOOD 4 star read.
July 20, 2025
Knockout by Mia Gold. (Holly Hands #1).
This book has an interesting premise but this type of "cozy mystery" has been done before and there was nothing really to set this one apart from the others.
The main character Holly, a single mother, lost a boxing match on purpose to get a cash payment from a bookie to pay for her 8 year old daughter's medical expenses. As her life implodes, the bookie disappears without paying her and she hits rock bottom.
Holly reconnects with a high school classmate Stephen, who is now a big time underworld player. Holly starts a new job doing repo jobs (a Lamborghini, a Corvette, a high end boat) on commission with bonus payments for a speedy recovery of said items.
The blurb of the book description compares itself to other authors who write similar books. I liked the story telling but for me the characters were caricatures of characters that other authors have used before. For me this was an Ok read. 3 stars.
This book has an interesting premise but this type of "cozy mystery" has been done before and there was nothing really to set this one apart from the others.
The main character Holly, a single mother, lost a boxing match on purpose to get a cash payment from a bookie to pay for her 8 year old daughter's medical expenses. As her life implodes, the bookie disappears without paying her and she hits rock bottom.
Holly reconnects with a high school classmate Stephen, who is now a big time underworld player. Holly starts a new job doing repo jobs (a Lamborghini, a Corvette, a high end boat) on commission with bonus payments for a speedy recovery of said items.
The blurb of the book description compares itself to other authors who write similar books. I liked the story telling but for me the characters were caricatures of characters that other authors have used before. For me this was an Ok read. 3 stars.
March 28, 2022
Enjoyable and looking forward to reading another Mia Gold book. Action filled. No unnecessary fillers. Good characters. The story line was simple but real life enough to make it also very believable. I also must admit having the main character be down on her luck and have the world continually throw major punches her way and her either block them and throw her own back or take them and get back up, shake it off and get ready for the next round regardless of what is tossed at her; it was very refreshing rather than the helpless women in many stories.
One complaint: this audio had several spots that would repeat/echo the same sentence after having just been read. I had this happen with one other book. It happened about 1/2 a dozen times so I still recommend the book as it was only on a rare occasion unlike the other book.
One complaint: this audio had several spots that would repeat/echo the same sentence after having just been read. I had this happen with one other book. It happened about 1/2 a dozen times so I still recommend the book as it was only on a rare occasion unlike the other book.
August 16, 2022
Holly takes a dive in a fight to help pay for treating her daughter's illness, but the jerk skipped out on her. Her lead to find that loan shark and get her money leads her to "reposessing" a car with a dead body in the trunk. One thing leads to another and now Holly needs to find the real killer to get her money and stay out of prison.
Here's what I didn't like: there was some continuity issues with Olivia's doctor appointments and surgeries. I felt the plot was a bit basic, and I kinda wished for once that someone wouldn't underestimate her and make her "jobs" a little more difficult. I was never worried she wouldn't get this figured out.
Here's what i liked: She kicked major butt. I loved how she warned people. I believed she was a boxer. I liked Frank. So glad the pooch was rescued.
Overall, this was a light cozy and easy to read.
Here's what I didn't like: there was some continuity issues with Olivia's doctor appointments and surgeries. I felt the plot was a bit basic, and I kinda wished for once that someone wouldn't underestimate her and make her "jobs" a little more difficult. I was never worried she wouldn't get this figured out.
Here's what i liked: She kicked major butt. I loved how she warned people. I believed she was a boxer. I liked Frank. So glad the pooch was rescued.
Overall, this was a light cozy and easy to read.
March 11, 2021
Listened to most of this as an audiobook and had the ebook on the side to read also. I highly recommend listening because I felt more engaged with the story through that method.
I enjoyed this book, holly is a strong female lead, a loving mom fighting and making sacrifices for her daughter.
I feel like as a reader I never got the clues to figure out the case, it was mostly drama in how Holly was getting entwined in problems. Enjoyable for suspense but not if you want to be a detective alongside the protagonist.
I loved how the author is so descriptive whenever you meet a person, you get a clear picture of what they look like. Which made the audiobook format better too.
Overall a fun, dramatic, crime and mystery book.
I enjoyed this book, holly is a strong female lead, a loving mom fighting and making sacrifices for her daughter.
I feel like as a reader I never got the clues to figure out the case, it was mostly drama in how Holly was getting entwined in problems. Enjoyable for suspense but not if you want to be a detective alongside the protagonist.
I loved how the author is so descriptive whenever you meet a person, you get a clear picture of what they look like. Which made the audiobook format better too.
Overall a fun, dramatic, crime and mystery book.
August 12, 2022
Kind of improbable even for a cozy mystery
I won't summarize the story since you can get that elsewhere. I was intrigued by a main character who is a female boxer but Holly's boxing career ends early in the story. After that it's one improbable scenario after another. I was very perturbed by how often Holly leaves her 8 year old daughter alone at night in an apartment on a crummy part of Baltimore and during the day with a neighbor who has six kids of her own, never pays her because Holly is broke. On the plus side, the book is a fast read and complete, albeit with an abrupt ending. Just too much improbable stuff. I give it 3 stars for some originality but I won't continue with this series.
I won't summarize the story since you can get that elsewhere. I was intrigued by a main character who is a female boxer but Holly's boxing career ends early in the story. After that it's one improbable scenario after another. I was very perturbed by how often Holly leaves her 8 year old daughter alone at night in an apartment on a crummy part of Baltimore and during the day with a neighbor who has six kids of her own, never pays her because Holly is broke. On the plus side, the book is a fast read and complete, albeit with an abrupt ending. Just too much improbable stuff. I give it 3 stars for some originality but I won't continue with this series.
February 9, 2021
Great debut to the Holly Hands Cozy Mystery series by Mia Gold with a cast of zany characters you want to know more about and a wonderful mystery that quickly became a page-turner. I really like Holly "Hands" Aldren, single mom, disgraced former boxing pro and repo woman who dons her sleuth cap when she is the prime suspect in a murder while repossessing a Lamborghini. "Knockout" is a fun read with great suspects, twists and turns and I can hardly wait to see what happens next in Baltimore with Holly Hands. I received an advance reader copy of this book from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.
May 5, 2022
Actual rating 3.5
A decent cozy mystery type of story. Holly is a boxer who throws a fight for a large payout that does not happen. She was doing it to get money for her daughter who has health problems and needs expensive surgeries that insurance will not take care of. She gets involved in repossessing cars to make money when she is banned from fighting. While I understand her motherly instinct to protect her daughter, she disappears a lot and depends on a neighbor to care for her child while she is out and about at different hours making money. The silly antics of her car possession stories makes the story enjoyable along with Frank a dog she gets in the adventures.
A decent cozy mystery type of story. Holly is a boxer who throws a fight for a large payout that does not happen. She was doing it to get money for her daughter who has health problems and needs expensive surgeries that insurance will not take care of. She gets involved in repossessing cars to make money when she is banned from fighting. While I understand her motherly instinct to protect her daughter, she disappears a lot and depends on a neighbor to care for her child while she is out and about at different hours making money. The silly antics of her car possession stories makes the story enjoyable along with Frank a dog she gets in the adventures.
October 4, 2025
Listened to the audiobook to either help me go to sleep or while playing mobile games on my tablet so quite the cozy experience.
I liked the grittier approach to the cozy mystery genre in which Holly gets involved in organized crime doing repo work. Having Holly be a boxer was also a nice touch given that historically, in America at least, boxers worked alongside gangsters, if not gangsters themselves.
I'm only giving this book 4 stars since the audiobook I listened to had some errors-- repeated sentences, the narrator starting over whatever sentence she was reading. The audio file could've used a bit more editing for a more polished end product.
I liked the grittier approach to the cozy mystery genre in which Holly gets involved in organized crime doing repo work. Having Holly be a boxer was also a nice touch given that historically, in America at least, boxers worked alongside gangsters, if not gangsters themselves.
I'm only giving this book 4 stars since the audiobook I listened to had some errors-- repeated sentences, the narrator starting over whatever sentence she was reading. The audio file could've used a bit more editing for a more polished end product.
January 15, 2021
Knock Out is a cozy mystery that is a little bit different. Mia Gold has written a book where the main character is a lady boxer. Holly “Hands” has an eight year old daughter, Olivia, who is ill. Holly makes a stupid mistake that leads Holly down a dark hole which takes her to being charged with murder. Knock Out us fast paced with lots if twists and turns. I never knew what was happening next. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading book 2. I received an arc for my honest review.
March 2, 2021
For a mystery, this book is awfully slow and doesn't have much action. Holly is a disgraced boxer who takes a job as a repo person and has to solve a crime so she gets paid. It's her first time doing an investigation and yet she instantly knows how to go about it, never making any bad moves. And the police procedure - or what there is of it - is laughable.
This book is in need of serious editing. Holes needed to be filled, and someone should have realised the 17 times Holly uses the term "rust bucket" describe her car.
October 7, 2024
Fast-paced and entertaining
Holly's desperate. She's lost her job, and her 8-year-old needs 6 expensive surgeries. Not only that but Holly's scum ex is trying to get hold of daughter Livie. What's an ex-boxer to do? Maybe her old high school nemesis can help her out now he's worked up well into the local crime scene...
Holly's a great character, a mom who loves her daughter and will do anything to save her. Holly doesn't lack courage or talent with her fists. As Holly moves from one adventure to the next, I could hardly put this book down.
Holly's desperate. She's lost her job, and her 8-year-old needs 6 expensive surgeries. Not only that but Holly's scum ex is trying to get hold of daughter Livie. What's an ex-boxer to do? Maybe her old high school nemesis can help her out now he's worked up well into the local crime scene...
Holly's a great character, a mom who loves her daughter and will do anything to save her. Holly doesn't lack courage or talent with her fists. As Holly moves from one adventure to the next, I could hardly put this book down.
February 19, 2021
AWESOME!! Got me I it’s grip from the first pages. Holly is extraordinary, Olivia is a little heart breaker! Characters are well developed. Plot twists and turns, back tracks and then is off again! I thought “ Knock Out” referred to a great looking main character, boy was I surprised. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read the next book. Great job, Mia!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2021
When is a boxer not one, when they're banned.
There are black, there are white, and then there's grey. The characters here trend toward grey. The plot is nicely done and the protagonist well thought out. Like on a old Colombo episode you know how it's going to end but the trip getting there is a fun one. I may have given my age away with that reference but I'm sure you get my drift.
There are black, there are white, and then there's grey. The characters here trend toward grey. The plot is nicely done and the protagonist well thought out. Like on a old Colombo episode you know how it's going to end but the trip getting there is a fun one. I may have given my age away with that reference but I'm sure you get my drift.
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