What do you think?
Rate this book
Maddie Swallows Mysteries #2
Dead Upon Arrival
Flying high in the New Mexican sky has never been more lethal.
The biggest hot air balloon festival would have been a vacation if Maddie didn’t have to balance her apathetic teenagers, a meddling mother, and act as therapist for a desperate patient. Let alone solve a murder case!
When Maddie witnesses someone fall from a hot air balloon, it seems like a tragic accident. But as facts come to light, the police are convinced it’s foul play. And Maddie’s friend is to blame.
With the remainder of the festival canceled and all attendees required to stay for questioning, Maddie has two days to discover the truth behind the murder and free her friend from suspicion.
Dead Upon Arrival is the second book in the Maddie Swallows mystery series. If you like humor, intrigue, and, of course, hot air balloons, you'll love this cozy mystery.
Grab Dead Upon Arrival and test your whodunit skills today!
The biggest hot air balloon festival would have been a vacation if Maddie didn’t have to balance her apathetic teenagers, a meddling mother, and act as therapist for a desperate patient. Let alone solve a murder case!
When Maddie witnesses someone fall from a hot air balloon, it seems like a tragic accident. But as facts come to light, the police are convinced it’s foul play. And Maddie’s friend is to blame.
With the remainder of the festival canceled and all attendees required to stay for questioning, Maddie has two days to discover the truth behind the murder and free her friend from suspicion.
Dead Upon Arrival is the second book in the Maddie Swallows mystery series. If you like humor, intrigue, and, of course, hot air balloons, you'll love this cozy mystery.
Grab Dead Upon Arrival and test your whodunit skills today!
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2022
402 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 17, 2023
Contemporary cozy mystery. Definitely not as well written as the first one. Character reactions seem overly dramatic and the family relationships are pretty dysfunctional. The children pretty much are out of control, disrespectful and the mom just seems to have given up on discipline. When the mom who is the main character, a psychologist, claimed she didn’t know what strychnine was, I gave up and read the last chapter to find out who the murderer was. And I was right.
September 7, 2025
i liked the first book way better, and i find myself quite bored most of the book. i was already skeptical about this book series when i first started it, and now i'm certain i won't be continuing.
June 19, 2024
Maddie is at the balloon festival with her kids and mother. She's only gone to help out a friend with therapy. Whilst there a murder occurs. Maddie then has 2 days to solve the crime and prove that the person who's been arrested didn't do it.
A nice cosy mystery, that was a quick and easy read. I like Maddie's character and how she strongly loves her kids and mother, but admits they do her head in at times lol.
I guessed who was involved from early on, but did doubt myself a little. I was quite surprised with the reasoning behind it.
I wouldn't mind reading the rest of this series.
A nice cosy mystery, that was a quick and easy read. I like Maddie's character and how she strongly loves her kids and mother, but admits they do her head in at times lol.
I guessed who was involved from early on, but did doubt myself a little. I was quite surprised with the reasoning behind it.
I wouldn't mind reading the rest of this series.
April 13, 2023
This pushes Maddie's story forward in good ways with a visit to a (hot air) balloon festival, and murder occurs right off, of course. I like the way the relationships are developed, with Benji, the Sheriff Potts, and others. And the kids, too. (Yeah, the kids may not be the best disciplined lot in history, but they feel kinda pretty real to me. Heh heh.)
Again, this seems to be an indie publication. The writing and editing are both quite fine, and I spotted only one microscopic typo in the whole thing.
Again, this seems to be an indie publication. The writing and editing are both quite fine, and I spotted only one microscopic typo in the whole thing.
October 25, 2022
My favorite cat, Ava, is back in book two!!! Yay!
Oops, wait a minute…the cat is not the protagonist…the cat is not the protagonist….(Shh! Don’t tell the author.)
Maddie Swallows returns and she doesn’t disappoint. The author, Bellmore, continues to bring more grit and mystery to Maddie’s stories.
Let’s delve into my pros and cons…shall we? Be it, the list is small, but let’s get the cons out of the way. An issue that does bother me a bit, and I noticed it more in this second installment, is the the time sequence shifts within the chapters can be a bit awkward. Every now and then I have to go backwards a bit to make sure I was keeping up with the timeline. (Not so much that it hindered me from wanting to continue, though.)
Also, it was a tad slow in picking up my momentum, but once it gets moving, we are good to go.
Now, it’s time for the pros…
The author still has an impeccable way of building character personality. From her meddlesome mother (I have one of those), to her spitfire smart son, Flash, we can see personality through the writing. I enjoyed learning more about the returning characters, and fitting them in with the newer ones that are apart of this book. I can’t give you all of the dirt, because that wouldn’t leave you anything to find out for yourself. (Just remember to fight the urge to knock Maddie in the head when it involves Benji. She’s so blind…ugh!)
Anywhoo, I once again am grateful for the privilege of receiving an ARC reader copy so that I could give my honest feedback (without any spoilers). As usual, these are my opinions and you can’t form yours unless you read it yourself!
I look forward to the next book about, Ava…I mean, Maddie. (Mantra…the cat is not the protagonist of this book…woosa.)
Oops, wait a minute…the cat is not the protagonist…the cat is not the protagonist….(Shh! Don’t tell the author.)
Maddie Swallows returns and she doesn’t disappoint. The author, Bellmore, continues to bring more grit and mystery to Maddie’s stories.
Let’s delve into my pros and cons…shall we? Be it, the list is small, but let’s get the cons out of the way. An issue that does bother me a bit, and I noticed it more in this second installment, is the the time sequence shifts within the chapters can be a bit awkward. Every now and then I have to go backwards a bit to make sure I was keeping up with the timeline. (Not so much that it hindered me from wanting to continue, though.)
Also, it was a tad slow in picking up my momentum, but once it gets moving, we are good to go.
Now, it’s time for the pros…
The author still has an impeccable way of building character personality. From her meddlesome mother (I have one of those), to her spitfire smart son, Flash, we can see personality through the writing. I enjoyed learning more about the returning characters, and fitting them in with the newer ones that are apart of this book. I can’t give you all of the dirt, because that wouldn’t leave you anything to find out for yourself. (Just remember to fight the urge to knock Maddie in the head when it involves Benji. She’s so blind…ugh!)
Anywhoo, I once again am grateful for the privilege of receiving an ARC reader copy so that I could give my honest feedback (without any spoilers). As usual, these are my opinions and you can’t form yours unless you read it yourself!
I look forward to the next book about, Ava…I mean, Maddie. (Mantra…the cat is not the protagonist of this book…woosa.)
October 16, 2022
This is a fun mystery story about a psychologist who is starting life again in her small hometown with her two teenagers and her mother. One of her patient begs her to attend a balloon festival to support the patient. When Maddie and her family arrive at the festival, they are enthralled by the beautiful balloons. That feeling is replaced by horror when someone falls from a balloon to his death. It's determined to be a murder. Maddie and her kids aren't sure that the right man is in custody.
This book reminds me of a Stephanie Plum story. Although Stephanie is ill suited for her job, Maddie is a good psychologist, but a novice at solving murders. Her family pitches in and the results aren't exactly clear if they are helping or hurting the investigation.
I enjoyed the book and I think it can be read by young adults and up.
I received an advance reader copy and this is my honest review.
This book reminds me of a Stephanie Plum story. Although Stephanie is ill suited for her job, Maddie is a good psychologist, but a novice at solving murders. Her family pitches in and the results aren't exactly clear if they are helping or hurting the investigation.
I enjoyed the book and I think it can be read by young adults and up.
I received an advance reader copy and this is my honest review.
September 26, 2023
Asked to attend an out-of-town hot-air balloon festival as a support person for a client, Maddie Swallows packs up the family and turns the invitation into a mini-break. Little did she know that she would once again become embroiled in a murder investigation when a man plummets from one of the balloons.
The author is gaining her stride here as the main character becomes less of a doormat and more of a professional career woman. The sheriff (though her inclusion demanded a plot twist all of its own) is portrayed in a more sympathetic light and becomes less of a caricature. Unfortunately, the main character's mother is still strident and irritating in her demand to be the centre of attention. Perhaps this will be addressed in the next book.
I was pleasantly surprised by this addition to the series and feel much more inclined to continue.
The author is gaining her stride here as the main character becomes less of a doormat and more of a professional career woman. The sheriff (though her inclusion demanded a plot twist all of its own) is portrayed in a more sympathetic light and becomes less of a caricature. Unfortunately, the main character's mother is still strident and irritating in her demand to be the centre of attention. Perhaps this will be addressed in the next book.
I was pleasantly surprised by this addition to the series and feel much more inclined to continue.
October 27, 2022
Who Threw the Man From the Balloon ? . . .
Psychologist Maddie Swallows and her family were invited by a patient to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico when she sees someone, Charles Reed (who was not the “real” Charles Reed), fall to his death from a balloon! Someone had cut the ropes on the balloon, then thrown the man out of it. And everyone hated the victim, which makes it more difficult to narrow down suspects.
Although the local police quickly arrest Andy, Parker Loveland’s crew member, Maddie and her kids think the police made a mistake. Maddie is ready to look for the real murderer with not much time to do it. Unfortunately, her family is all set to help her… not necessarily an advantage. Will she catch the culprit to get Andy released?
Psychologist Maddie Swallows and her family were invited by a patient to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico when she sees someone, Charles Reed (who was not the “real” Charles Reed), fall to his death from a balloon! Someone had cut the ropes on the balloon, then thrown the man out of it. And everyone hated the victim, which makes it more difficult to narrow down suspects.
Although the local police quickly arrest Andy, Parker Loveland’s crew member, Maddie and her kids think the police made a mistake. Maddie is ready to look for the real murderer with not much time to do it. Unfortunately, her family is all set to help her… not necessarily an advantage. Will she catch the culprit to get Andy released?
October 29, 2023
Ketika 'terlanjur' memenuhi permintaan seseorang atas nama pertemanan, tak jarang hal tersebut akan berujung pada permintaan-permintaan lain yang mungkin tidak diharapkan, apalagi ketika permintaan tersebut berkaitan dengan kasus pembunuhan.
Buku kedua dari seri ini, langsung melanjutkan cerita dari buku pertama. Walaupun ceritanya sebenarnya langsung berlanjut, premis dari buku kedua ini cenderung lebih dipaksakan.
Penyelesaian kasus terkesan terburu-buru padahal sudah didukung dengan pembangunan latar cerita yang menarik.
Malah sepertinya akan lebih menarik apabila disajikan sebagai cerita independen dibanding sebagai sekuel. Jadi berpikir dua kali apakah akan melanjutkan ke buku ketiga di seri ini atau tidak.
Buku kedua dari seri ini, langsung melanjutkan cerita dari buku pertama. Walaupun ceritanya sebenarnya langsung berlanjut, premis dari buku kedua ini cenderung lebih dipaksakan.
Penyelesaian kasus terkesan terburu-buru padahal sudah didukung dengan pembangunan latar cerita yang menarik.
Malah sepertinya akan lebih menarik apabila disajikan sebagai cerita independen dibanding sebagai sekuel. Jadi berpikir dua kali apakah akan melanjutkan ke buku ketiga di seri ini atau tidak.
January 13, 2024
Check your brain at the door
Maddie, a single mother with a PhD in psychology agrees to attend a hot air balloon festival because a client who never shows up for her appointments is nervous about going with a man she hardly knows. Once there, she becomes involved in a murder investigation. She barges into every aspect of the case determined to free the prime suspect, insisting on his innocence despite the fact she has never met him. She has a big mouth, is condescending to her mother, and doesn’t seem to know that her credentials entitle her to be called “Dr,” rather than “Ms,” which she indignantly declares when someone calls her “Mrs.”
There is no depth to the characters. At least it’s a short read.
Maddie, a single mother with a PhD in psychology agrees to attend a hot air balloon festival because a client who never shows up for her appointments is nervous about going with a man she hardly knows. Once there, she becomes involved in a murder investigation. She barges into every aspect of the case determined to free the prime suspect, insisting on his innocence despite the fact she has never met him. She has a big mouth, is condescending to her mother, and doesn’t seem to know that her credentials entitle her to be called “Dr,” rather than “Ms,” which she indignantly declares when someone calls her “Mrs.”
There is no depth to the characters. At least it’s a short read.
October 26, 2022
I learned of & wanted to visit this hot air balloon festival a year ago when we visited the area (at the wrong time of year). So when I started reading the book I was excited. A story set at the festival with someone dying from a hot air balloon ride? Yes, but this time Maggie is asked to help solve the mystery. I loved this story more than the first one, I believe. The ending was quite the surprise also. I can't wait for the next book after reading the epilogue in this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2022
The second Maddie Swallow story is an engaging cozy mystery story that takes place while they are watching the hot air balloon’s in New Mexico. I love how Maddie kids, her mother and her best friend all get involved with investigating the murder of a balloon owner. This is a totally an family affair and one with interesting interactions and a few twists. I throughly was entertained reading this story and loved all the interesting characters in this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2022
It’s raining bodies!
Maddie’s best intentions for a family vacation to the hot air balloon festival take flight when she witnesses someone falling from a balloon. The local police, eager to close the case so the festival can continue, make a quick arrest but Maddie believes their prime suspect is innocent. She is determined to find the real murderer and, much to her dismay, her family is just as determined to help her.
This is a well-written cozy with some good twists to keep things interesting and a surprise ending. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Maddie’s best intentions for a family vacation to the hot air balloon festival take flight when she witnesses someone falling from a balloon. The local police, eager to close the case so the festival can continue, make a quick arrest but Maddie believes their prime suspect is innocent. She is determined to find the real murderer and, much to her dismay, her family is just as determined to help her.
This is a well-written cozy with some good twists to keep things interesting and a surprise ending. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
February 4, 2024
Maddie was a counselor. She had a son Flash and a daughter Lilly. They all together have been known to help solve a murder. Soon they are going to some Ballon Festival show. Getting there and finding that a man had been pushed or fell out of one of the big ballon baskets. Next thing you know Maddie and her 2 kids and her Mom who snuck along got involved in trying to solve it. Was it a murder or a accident. So they decided to stay in that town for a few days and eventually got involved in the case.
October 27, 2022
In Dead Upon Arrival, Maddie, at a patient's request, and her family travel to New Mexico's hot air balloon festival. Soon Maddie has another murder to solve. I love how this psychologist, and her family, get involved in solving these murders. It is a plus that I never figure how who dun it! With too little time, too many suspects and too many possible motives, will Mattie find the murder before it is to late for the mail sitting in jail?
August 24, 2023
Maddie, her daughter Lilly, her son Flash and her mother are on their way to New Mexico for a huge hot air balloon gathering. Maddie didn't make reservations for rooms to stay in so they are stuck in a very low level motel. Things get better when they take a drive to see where the balloons are. They are amazed by the balloon glow they see as they top the hill. Everything was great until a man falls out of a balloon basket. Will Maddie figure out who did?
December 6, 2024
Dead Upon Arrival
Kat Bellemore
A great story!
This story was fun to read. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to read the rest of the series.
Kat Bellemore
A great story!
This story was fun to read. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to read the rest of the series.
November 1, 2022
Maddie can't even take a vacation without having to get involved in solving a murder mystery.
An entertaining story line that has you guessing until the end who dun it. The characters are fun, engaging and work well together to solve the mystery. Cozy mystery fans won't want to miss this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining story line that has you guessing until the end who dun it. The characters are fun, engaging and work well together to solve the mystery. Cozy mystery fans won't want to miss this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2022
Kat Bellemore writes very entertaining mysteries. She keeps you guessing until the end. But along the way she entertains you with interesting and fun shenanigans from her varied characters. The banter between family members is very spot on. Join the ride, you won't regret it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2023
12/23. 2.5 stars. Quick read. Maddie takes her kids to a hot air balloon festival where one man falls from a rising balloon and is pronounced dead. But is everything as it appears? Why is a fellow arrested for dumping the man out of the balloon? Can Maddie and her kids help solve the mysery?
Dialogue seems somewhat stilted and choppy.
Dialogue seems somewhat stilted and choppy.
December 31, 2023
This second book was just as fun as the last one, and a bit more detailed. It has hot air balloons, a murder, a huge betrayal, and plenty of grist for an investigation to find the real murderer. The plot is taking the reader all over the place, but the premise is clear, finding the real person responsible for the death of a bad man. I definitely recommend this book.
January 12, 2024
Don’t miss this winner!
This author uses a tight plot and expert craftsmanship to develop a mystery that offers layer upon layer of suspense and twist upon twist of situations. There are numerous opportunities for multiple culprits to be worked into the plot throughout the story, and it is not until the very end, that a a true culprit, surprisingly emerges
This author uses a tight plot and expert craftsmanship to develop a mystery that offers layer upon layer of suspense and twist upon twist of situations. There are numerous opportunities for multiple culprits to be worked into the plot throughout the story, and it is not until the very end, that a a true culprit, surprisingly emerges
February 12, 2024
Ok. I'm ready for book 3 in the series.
I love the fact that the same characters are continuing to be in each book. These characters are very likeable and always getting into some sort of trouble. MS Bellemore is great at writing in the style of Cozy mysteries but she adds her own twists to the story.
I love the fact that the same characters are continuing to be in each book. These characters are very likeable and always getting into some sort of trouble. MS Bellemore is great at writing in the style of Cozy mysteries but she adds her own twists to the story.
March 17, 2024
A quick cozy mystery read. Not as great as the first one although the characters did have major development. The climax was quite rushed, and confusing for a seasoned reader like me. Good plot, could have had better dialogues and the newer characters for this part could have been expanded better.
What works for this mystery series is you want to know what's coming next in line!
What works for this mystery series is you want to know what's coming next in line!
March 20, 2024
i have read book 1 ... this was my 2nd from this author in this "Maddie Swallows series". series "A Maddie Swallows Mystery" seven books total. i have read 2 so far. mystery series. amateur sleuth mysteries. amateur sleuths. came out Oct 26, 2022. i will read more soon ... from KB and from this series ...we will see if time allows. read on.
May 5, 2024
I liked this book as much as the first one minus the fact that I felt like it drug on for far longer then it needed to. The banter between Maddie and her mom never fails to give me a good laugh. I cant stand the fact that Benji and Maddie STILL ARENT TOGETHER UGH!!! I want to see how their story develops!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
What can possibly go wrong with Maggie and her family going to a hot ballon festival out of town? A murder, an innocent suspect and sheriff Potts working on the case. Another great Maddie’s cozy mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 30, 2023
Going to see a hot air balloon show shouldn't be dangerous but when an owner falls out of the basket to his balloon it's clearly murder. Maddie and her family get caught up in the investigation but in the end help to solve the murder and get their ride in a balloon
April 22, 2023
The story moved along at a nice pace. A family trip to a hot air balloon festival sounds like a great idea… until it isn’t because there is a dead body. Again the solution to whodunnit isn’t obvious from the beginning.
July 25, 2023
Enjoyable story.
Finally the stories are coming together. I’m beginning to see how the stories continue off of one another.
I enjoyed reading this book as I lived in New Mexico for 25 years and loved going to the Balloon Park in Albuquerque.
Finally the stories are coming together. I’m beginning to see how the stories continue off of one another.
I enjoyed reading this book as I lived in New Mexico for 25 years and loved going to the Balloon Park in Albuquerque.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews