Ex'd Out: A Melanie Bass Mystery

by Christine Falcone

After their divorce, Visiting Nurse Melanie Bass must keep in contact with Dr. Artie Krapaneck, her philandering ex-husband as they share custody of her beloved dog, Bruno. When she arrives at a Connecticut highway rest stop to retrieve the dog for “her week” she discovers the body of her ex-husband along with that of an unknown woman. It seems that now Artie will finally be out of her life forever. He isn’t. He left a “legacy” that now puts Melanie’s own life in danger – as well as Bruno’s.

Genres: Audiobook

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2022

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melanie is just dumb. The ending of this mystery had me losing brain cells. She FINDS the evidence but instead of turning it over to police, she TWICE hurls herself right into the arms of the killers AND GIVES THEM the evidence with no means of escape. Ughhhhh why must authors write supposedly educated, independent women so dumb!!!! It’s not cool, it’s cute. Oh and her getting mad at the guy who tried to HELP and told her CALL THE POLICE, turn over the evidence … yeahhhh just no.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself enjoying this pretty much. I couldn't put it down, which is a good sign, except that I'm kind of in a mood right how where nothing much makes me happy except reading, and this sort of light fluff is exactly what I want. So it may be too light and fluffy for a normal reader.

The main character is not a real detective, which is kind of a downer. But she is a home health care aide (or is it nurse? yes, I think so) and that part of her life is very interesting. But the murder mystery moved right along and the characters introduced show great promise.

To the nitpicky reader, I must give one quick warning--the author repeats herself. Not in big things, but little ones--from time I found myself reading a bit of backstory or description that made me stop and shake my head...didn't I already read this? Yep, I did. Where's the editor when you need one?

[Anna St.John · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWO TIMES THE FUN

Nurse Melanie Bass has come to terms with her philandering ex-husband, Artie. The two share custody of their beloved terrier, Bruno. . .until the day she goes to meet her ex in a parking lot to retrieve Bruno and finds Artie slumped over in his car beside a woman who is not his current wife. Both have been shot dead.

When Melanie attends her ex's funeral, she gets another surprise: Artie had an ex before he married her. The two ex-wives form an unlikely alliance in the quest to uncover the truth about Artie's death. With two ex's on the trail, veteran cozy author Christine Falcone delivers double the fun in this cozy mystery.

It's a twisty tale, with plenty of red herrings to go around. Fair warning: if you read this one, you'll probably want to read the next.

[T K Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised to see only nine reviews here. This is a great book. With a very interesting group of intertwined characters. It abides by the rules that govern what makes a mystery a “cozy”. The author pushes the boundaries but in a good way.

One reviewer faults the main character for falling into the too stupid to live category but, as a pet parent, I found her actions to save her dog understandable.

This has been on my to-be-read list since publication. So glad I finally did it and even happier that it was a pleasure to read.

[M.E. Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Bass is a visiting nurse who retained shared custody of their dog when she divorced her philandering ex-husband, a physician. When he is found dead in the place where she was to meet him to pick up the dog, she also finds a dead woman with him in the car. So then, besides fending off accusations of murder, she must also now deal with the fact that she wasn't the first wife; the first wife suddenly appears, and she is alive. Discovering what led to the murders, and what her ex had been involved with, and how involved those others in his practice were, will hold the reader's attention.

[C. Jennings Penders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictingly readable. I could not put this book down. Fun to read about the town I live in with references to Hammonasset Beach.

The best way to describe Ex’d Out is as a medical mystery.

Gallows humor and suspense in all the right places.
I loved this book!

Pick it up and I guarantee you won’t want to stop until you reach the end. Can’t wait for the next in Melanie Bass series.

[Mary Falcone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out Christine Falcone's debut novel

I found this book to be an easy fun read. Melanie is a very relatable character. Definitely looking forward to reading her next mystery.

[Laura Falcone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fast paced mystery! Loved it.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. I loved the main character and the twists and turns. The ending was a big surprise, which is always great in a mystery. I can't wait to read more Melanie Bass mysteries!

[Stacey E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy recommendation and new to me author. Looking forward to the next adventure with Melanie and Bruno.

[Mkotch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this page turner. I got bogged down in another book and this was like a breath of fresh air!