Maggie by the Book

Maggie Kelly Mystery #2

by Kasey Michaels

Coerced by Alexandre Drake--one of her fictional characters who has become all too real--to attend a writer's conference, author Maggie Kelly is faced with murderous fanatics, backstabbing colleagues, and NYPD Lieutenant Steve Wendell. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Fantasy

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Kasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)

Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").

A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.

Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!

Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls

Reviews

[Megumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a little more than the first. We got silly little insights to the characters lives. No real romantic development but a bit more annoyance and brilliance from Saint Just and entertaining wit from the other main characters. The background of a romance conference was entertaining, and the dedication and little note at chapter 10 had me laughing.
I didn't think I would enjoy this one as much but then again I read it until 4 a.m. without realizing it.
I look forward to the next book.

[Alisonpaddock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first "Maggie" book. The premise is wonderful - Maggie is an author of Regency romances and her debonair fictional character has come to life and moved into her New York appartment and her life. As any gentleman might, Viscount Saint Just adapts smoothly to his new circumstances and sets about solving the mystery behind the chaos at a convention of fans and writers. Magie and her friends are a hoot and the Viscount befriends quite a motely crew of actors and grifters - definitely not good ton! What reader hasn't wished her favorite character couls be real and a factor in her life? Be careful what you wish for!!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to "Maggie Needs An Alibi" is slightly better than its predecessor, but I still find the characters to be a little stilted, as though the author writes their dialogue the way she imagines clever, sarcastic people would talk, being neither clever nor sarcastic herself. Plus, they roll their eyes a lot, and that's just plain annoying. There must be other ways to convey disgust, cynicism, and frustration without coming across as a gum-chomping adolescent. This series has a creative premise, but it doesn't reach its potential.

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a great read

Kasey Michaels has managed to capture a world where imagination becomes reality. And then the laughs begin, imagine Lucy and Cary Grant in a screwball comedy. That is what this series holds for the readers.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over and over again I find mysteries are just not my genre, so take my rating with that in mind and don't be dissuaded by my rating if you like them. It's just that the whole story ends up being about character actions vs character development and I find them simply banal. Especially the niche of mystery comedy (invariably slapstick), which seems as rampant these days as vampire novels.

If anyone knows a good mystery writer to recommend that has deep characters and character growth, I'm all ears. Even the good mystery writers don't go that way, to my finding.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this second book more than the first, even though Maggie is just as neurotic and Alex as supercilious as ever. But I think I understand why Sterling has his own fan club.... Regency rap! LOL!

Murder and Mayhem at a romance writers convention! If that's what it's like in real life, I'm glad I haven't attended one yet! It's much too dangerous coming between those rabid fans/writer wannabes and their favorite authors!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been years since I've read this one. I really love the whole series of books! Great concept, lots of action & mystery with romance! Highly recommend!

[Trudy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give. Just couldn't get into it, a third of the way in.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish it. Too bizaare. Too many details on things that didn't need it. Plot developed too slowly. Too much of Maggie's bad mood.

[Zachary Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

No. Just no.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie Kelly is a successful author. She originally wrote historical romances. When that ended on a low note, she became an overnight sensation with her provocative Saint Just Historical mysteries. In fact her main characters is so real that he leaped from the pages of her book and now lives with her in New York City. She introduces him as Alexander Blake, her cousin and inspiration. To win a cover model contest, Saint Just persuades Maggie to attend a Romance Writers Association convention. Maggie isn't happy about going. She has no happy memories from other WAR conventions. However, this year is off to a memorable start. Someone is playing hurtful and mean pranks. Why? Maggie is a wonderful character. I love her snarky humor. She is always spot on with her comments. Saint Just is all polished manners and charm, but he is street smart and observant. He may make the ladies swoon but he's attracted to Maggie. When the pranks escalate, he and his companion, Sterling Balder, are there to protect Maggie. This is a fast paced and suspenseful story. There are plenty of suspects, potential motives and unexpected twists. The secondary characters are fascinating. What a mix - the hard drinking editor, the expectant mother ready to give birth, the desperate to be published authors. The convention setting made me chuckle. I loved it. It really made me want to attend one of these author events. Kasey Michaels writes with style and swagger. The Maggie Kelly mystery series is perfect combination of romance, humor and the paranormal. I'm ready for Maggie to stumble into another situation.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Maggie Kelly Mystery series written by Kasey Michaels. Maggie Kelly is a bestselling mystery author. She is trying to adjust having characters from her English Regency just appear in her New York apartment in the flesh. Alexandre (Alex) Blake, Viscount St. has also brought his faithful sidekick Sterling Balder. Alex is not happy living off of Maggie so he wants to become a contestant in a cover model contest that will top off the We Are Romance (WAR) convention to be held in Manhattan. To do that, he has registered Maggie, Sterling and himself for the convention, an affair Maggie has deliberately avoided for five years.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this fun series. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Wench · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, it's a cracking good mystery, Saint Just is a glorious pompous ass, all of that, but holy God. Ableism, parental emotional abuse, transphobia, murder threats, transphobic threats, a literal "Indian Princess" costume oh my god, slut shaming, murder, attempted murder, hostage taking... wow. It's clear this was written fifteen years ago (and apparently not edited then or now). To be fair, our main characters aren't the ones engaging in the worst, violent trans phobia (but are really awkward about a drag queen and pronouns), but one of them IS in the "Indian Princess" costume and the rest are approving. Also there's an author that in public goes by their pen name, that's the name on their badge, etc. and so on, and our Heroine insists on calling her by the name she no longer uses, to be mean.

Like... there's a lot of things I really like in this book! Snark! Wit! A clever mystery! And I'd like it a lot more if all of the really, really problematic stuff were not here. (And if a copy editor could go over this edition too, because lord.)

[Samie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Sterling are still "alive and well" and sharing Maggie's condo, instead of her imagination (where they came from).

Maggie is having issues with her next book, as Alex sees the email for "We Are Romance" (WAR) Writer's Convention. He, immediately, signs them up for it. Maggie, Alex and Sterling have just arrived at the hotel when the first prank is played. When, eventually, the pranks lead to murder, Alex tells Maggie that he'll solve the murder and win all the prize money from the contests, too.

Maggie By The Book is a fun, fast-paced read and I really enjoyed rereading this second book in the Maggie Kelly Mystery series. I'm so glad they were republished, as I received a free copy of another Maggie Kelly book (that I didn't own) in exchange for giving an honest and fair review.

This is what I always imagined a Romance Writer's Convention to be like (minus the pranks and murder, of course).

[Bernadette Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this Maggie Kelly mystery! The same cast of characters from the first book are back: Maggie, St. Just, Sterling, Bernie, and Tabby and this time they will all attend a WAR Convention (We Are Romance) with St. Just setting his sights on winning the cover model contest.
Soon, the practical jokes start and a lot of the members leave the convention early, but St. Just and Maggie follow the clues and solve the mystery before the convention is totally ruined.

Maggie has trouble writing her Chapter Ten in her current story, but I loved reading Chapter Twelve in this mystery! I could easily picture the scenes unfolding on the movie screen and it was hilarious!

I am looking forward to the next mystery in the series!

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sounded like an interesting concept. A mystery writer's characters come to life and are living among her and helping her to solve real life mysteries. I think I missed a lot not having read the first book in the series. Having more of a back story as to who these characters are would have been helpful. The book takes place at a writer's convention, and a series of pranks are ruining the events. The pranks continue to escalate until someone is killed. Maggie and her "team" work together to find out "who done it". It had its moments. And considering I only paid 74 cents for the book, I'd say I got my money’s worth........

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was number 2 in a series and it really isn't written in a way that you would need to read the 1st one to get what is going on. Maggie is an Author and her main character who of course is very handsome comes to life and ends up helping her solve a mystery. At the time that I read this I came across a number of other books where a character in the book came to life or in the case of the Inkheart Series came out of the book. As I recall it was a rather good book and although it is worth a read it didn't leave me with a burning desire to read the rest of the series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and her cohorts are at it again! The story really captures the mayhem that ensues at conferences with all of the underlying intrigue and trysts. The antics of Saint Juste and Sterling are very entertaining and their quick assimilation into modern life is fascinating. I was hoping for more romance for poor Maggie and I hope she overcomes her concerns about an improbable relationship with Saint Juste. Good story and it leaves you wanting more - so I'll be looking forward to the next in the series.

[Beby · Rating 4 out of 5]

buku kedua dari seri Maggie Kelly. kali ini mereka memecahkan misteri pembunuhan di pertemuan penulis-penerbit novel romance. kalau gue bilang buku kedua lebih lucu dari yang pertama. lucu ngeliat tingkah polos Sterling yang masih beradaptasi kehidupan modern, Alex yang super ganteng dan tingkahnya yang agak arogan

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book years ago with no lasting memories. The second book of Maggie Kelly is an easy read although I am not too found of the way the dialogues are written. Book Convention is always a good situation for a murder. The plot was clever and the ending a bit surprising. Nevertheless looking forward to the developing story line between Maggie and Saint Just.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some more LOL entertainment from Ms Michaels. I think one of my favorite parts is the description of Maggie laboring on Chapter 10, wherein - by Maggie's writing formula - there has to be some intimate scene, aka sex. Then the reader gets to Chapter 10 of this story, and is promptly told "Not that Chapter 10".

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Maggie book I have read and greatly enjoyed it. The mystery keeps you hooked and the smart comments made me laugh out loud a few times. Even if the first book 'Maggie Needs an Alibi' did not make you crave for more... this one will. I am looking forward to reading the next one. I received a free copy in return for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Maggie Kelly series and she still has the hero of her novels, Saint Just, living with her. He drags her to the WAR (romance writers) convention and that's where all the trouble starts. Good mystery.

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept: Alexandre Drake, Viscount Saint Just, the sexy hero of the novels Maggie has written came to life and won't leave her apartment (and is more or less, driving her crazy).

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie is back with her fictional hero come to life. Perhaps I get more enjoyment out of the absurd than some others, but I found it to be funny and a great waste of a few hours.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the self-deprecating irony here as a romance writer writes about the craziness and utter hilarity of a romance writer convention.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't do it. I've been trying to be interested in this book but it is so empty and boring. I'm moving on to Agatha Christie now.

[Amy]

Read March 2004, November 2004.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it was possible, this second book was worse than the first one! It dragged on too long, and I didn't care "who-dunnit" by the end of the book. I just wanted it to end!