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Hale Mary Mysteries #2

The Trouble with Paradise

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On a deserted yacht off the coast of Key West…
A man has been murdered.
A billionaire’s son is on the run.
And Hale’s chance of saving her business is sinking fast.

Ex-champion and struggling new business owner, Hale Mary, is looking for a fight – a fight she can book for her MMA fighter client, that is. After days of hustling, she’s one meeting away from signing a deal with a local billionaire.

But when the body of a homeless man is found on his yacht and his son is nowhere to be found, her chance of success dies fast.

With a sheriff determined to lay the murder at the son’s feet, Hale decides the only way she leaves the island with a contract is to discover what really happened.

When her investigation starts to uncover secrets some in the billionaire’s inner circle desperately want to keep hidden, soon it’s more than her deal that is on the line.

Because even in paradise, the truth can be deadly.

- - -

THE CHOKE is a fast-paced, entertaining amateur sleuth mystery with a flawed, and sometimes foul-mouthed heroine, who explores the bonds of friendship and family -- and how far we’re willing to go for both.

It is the second book in the Hale Mary Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2022

359 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

Katrina Kyle

7 books22 followers

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5 stars
260 (50%)
4 stars
174 (33%)
3 stars
64 (12%)
2 stars
17 (3%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Heather W.
4,068 reviews35 followers
June 10, 2021
The Choke is the second book in the Hale Mary Mystery series and is an engaging murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and has murder, danger, suspense, secrets, and intrigue. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marie Evans.
571 reviews27 followers
June 5, 2021
This was a new author to me and I will definitely be back to read more of her books after enjoying this one so much! A page turner that had me guessing until the very end! Plenty of action and adventure, along with nail biting mystery! Really enjoyed this entire book! Highly recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
174 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2021
This book was an enjoyable "whodunit" with a murder to be solved, and the main character, Hale Mary, sets out to do just that - solve the mystery. (I love the clever twist on Hail Mary!) I enjoyed the main character as she went about living her life and solving the murder. Life for Hale gets complicated. Lots of twists and turns that are affected by decisions a person thinks of as small and not very important, and then bam! Chaos! Many of the characters have their own theory about the suspect(s) as there are several possible motives and possible culprits. The story reminded me of growing up in a small town where everyone knows everything about you, and what they don't know, they make up. One of the statements from the book made me sit back and ponder that small town life as well as what I see now as a grown-up living in the city. "Most of us experience guilt for having it better than the person on the street corner." Nothing better than a book that makes the reader ponder life and the way things are. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
367 reviews5 followers
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August 11, 2021
I don’t often say this about the second book in a series, but I enjoyed this one more than the first. It has a few nice twists and turns and leaves you guessing until the end. It’s an enjoyable and fun read. It’s set in a different location to the first so all of the descriptions of places are new and interesting and it isn’t centred around American Football. It follows the main character from the first book and contains some others, but most of the characters are new. They are diverse and definitely not one-dimensional. This follows on well from book one and, though it has gone in a slightly different direction, it works well and makes sense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Terri McClean .
188 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2021

This tough as nails female sports agent( so she thinks), roots for the underdog and just can't turn a blind eye to doing the right thing. Characters in her book are human, flawed, and quirky. Easy to read , yet carries a subtle message. This is the secound book of her series and I'm looking forward to more. I've read both so far. These books can be read as a stand alone as they have complete endings, but if read in order you can follow her progress in setting up the company.
281 reviews
July 16, 2023
Tequila Sunrise meets Margaritaville

Some people are just unlucky and trouble just keeps finding them. Some don't think that what they plan to is a bad idea. Then there is Hale, she knows and does it anyway "for the greater good" and all too often not for her safety. That pretty much sums up her life. It also makes for a very good story.
17 reviews
June 24, 2021
The Choke

I absolutely loved this book, you couldn’t see what was coming around corner. Every time I had to put the book down, I was thinking what was going to happen, and I wanted to get back to find out.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,178 reviews45 followers
February 8, 2022
Fun!

Fun series that has definitely grabbed me! Hale is back and is now teamed with Norma. She’s down in Key West trying to get her client some work. Lots of mystery and action as Hale tries to find a killer. Totally kept me guessing!
Profile Image for Christina Carter.
13 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2023
Very good read!

If you ever want to read a good book, this is one you will have a hard time putting down. With the right amount of drama and mystery, this book has it all. I loved all the characters but Hale Seton is one heck of a sassy detective.
10 reviews
December 9, 2021
Great story

I have enjoyed each of the books written by Katrina Kyle thus I recommend reading them in the order written
186 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2022
Was good

I found it was a bit daunting with all of the characters involved.I still enjoyed it with all the twists and turns.
3 reviews
March 8, 2023
Captivating and action-filled

Although I think others would like this book, many would be confused by the number of characters involved. Overall it was a good read.

Profile Image for Sharon Thomas.
669 reviews5 followers
September 20, 2023
Exciting read

Very exciting read I kept changing my mind on who theuni killer was. Hale goes through a lot in this one.
Profile Image for Marie (IfCatsCouldRead).
279 reviews17 followers
November 15, 2021
This is the second in the Hale Mary Mystery series and it held up well as a standalone. Hale is in Florida trying to sign a client when a murder happens. She is involved with the family so does some of her own investigating.
I loved how strong and determined Hale was. She ran into many misadventures and obstacles while solving the mystery. I really enjoyed the story and would love to read more!
Thank you to Book Sirens for the review ebook.
Profile Image for Bianca.
1,052 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2022
whew!!

This series is really pulling me in. I would’ve never figured out the killer and the way to story is weaved and you get little hints of things that later tie all in is a cherry on top. I’m hoping that as the series goes on Hale will start to really deal with her own personal problems, and will we ever really get to interact with her family? Also, I really love Norma because she’s hilarious and a great friend
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews