Dead Before I Do

Maddie Swallows Mysteries #3

by Kat Bellemore

‘Till Death Do You Part’ wasn’t supposed to be taken so literally…

When Maddie Swallows attends an out-of-town wedding with her best friend, Benji, she expects free food, dancing, and some awkward moments as she tries to figure out her feelings for her long-time friend.

What she finds instead is a dead groom and an entire wedding guest list who had reason to kill the guy.

It doesn’t help that Maddie was the last person to see the groom alive and is placed in the local police’s crosshairs as they work to solve the murder.

It will take some unexpected sleuthing, and a few therapy sessions, for this psychiatrist to prove her innocence, and bring justice to the real killer.

Dead Before I Do is the third book of the Maddie Swallows mystery series. If you love quirky characters, romance, and plenty of intrigue, you'll love this cozy mystery.

Pick up Dead Before I Do and travel to White Sands National Park for Maddie's latest mystery today!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2023

Reviews

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik begon per ongeluk meteen met het derde deel in de "Maddie Swallows Mysteries", maar gelukkig bleek "Dead Before I Do" prima als losstaand boek te lezen.
Het is een whodunnit met een vleugje romantiek, wat het naar mijn mening extra leuk maakt. Het plot was niet meteen voorspelbaar, waardoor ik bijna tot het einde nieuwsgierig bleef naar wie het had gedaan.

Wie weet ga ik in de toekomst nog eens op pad met onze psychologe/wannabe-detective! 🕵🏻‍♀️

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ughhhh Maddie is such a know it all that it makes it really hard to like her character at times. Poor Benji 😕😒

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unlikable Groom . . .

Maddie Swallows and her best friend Benji are attending a wedding and hoping to enjoy an impromptu vacation. Spending more time with Benji may help her decide what way her feelings for him are taking her. But finding the groom Mark dead, and everyone who knew him having a reason to do-him-in, puts a hold on her personal plans.

Maddie herself had seen the victim before his death, so Detective Holbrook is thinking he already has the most likely killer, especially with her fingerprints on the cake knife that killed Mark. Yes, they didn’t find the body until more than 4 hours after she had seen him alive, but the Detective didn’t seem upset over that detail. The body was moved to the dunes after he was dead. But the timing of the murder was “off” somehow, so Maddie didn’t get arrested… yet. Will she be joining in the search for the killer? Or will she try to stay out of it this time?

I enjoyed the story line and the characters involved. Maddie even elicited a few grins from the detective as she asked her own questions and explained her rationale for her thoughts on the matter. The mystery was done well and I look forward to the next one.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve mixed feelings about this book. It’s not a bad story by any means. The mystery is quite clever the groom dies before the wedding, our intrepid sleuth prime suspect and if you’re not careful you miss the critical clue that leads to who is truly the guilty party. Lots of quirky characters in the ensemble even when Maddie and Benji are away from home at a swanky resort. This has all the qualities of a book and a mystery that is my favorite genre. I think what throws me off is everything seems over the top dramatic. Also for someone who is a therapist who is responsible for helping others work through their emotional issues Maddie seems to be unable to deal with her own if things go even a tiny bit awry. I like the overall set up so I would give another book a try, hopefully I’ll have a better connect with that one. My two cents your mileage may vary.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie thinks she's going to a wedding as a "plus 1" with her longtime friend, and hopefully romantic interest, Benji. The venue is at a wonderful resort and Maggie and Benji have a glorious two bedroom suite. But trouble finds them as the groom is murdered. Maggie comes under suspicion, but she works to find the real killer.

I admit, I had my primary suspect, who turned out not to be the killer. There are so many potential killers, though. Fun cozy mystery. This book can be enjoyed by almost any reader.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Before I Do is the third book of the Maddie Swallows mystery series. Maddie is once again in the mix of solving a mystery, this time away from home at a wedding with her best friend Benji. I really like this series. There is always a good balance between Maddie as a single parent, her job as a therapist, and sleuthing. This book also has a good surprise ending. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Before I Do is another interesting mystery. This time Maddie is the chief suspect! The more she investigates the more suspects she finds. Almost no one seems to have cared for the groom. Ms. Bellemore's books always entertain me. This well plotted book has many clues and maybe a red herring or two as Maddie tries to clear her name. Maddie and Benji, a resort at White Sands National Park, and a dead groom. This one kept me guessing!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Till Death Do You Part’ wasn’t supposed to be taken so literally…

A cozy mystery that's entertaining and engaging, and keeps you guessing till the end. The characters are fun, work well together and just as entertaining as the story line.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book demonstrates that all is not always as it seems. This true for the mystery and Maddie’s personal life as well. This time Maddie must solve the mystery on her own because her partners in crime aka Maddie’s children are back home in Amor. I would definitely like to see a bit more complexity in the police detective character. A nice little book and a good addition to the series.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is different from the others in the series—Maddie and Benji are without her mom and kids.
As she and Benji track down clues to the murder, they contemplate how sharing their feelings could change their friendship.

I really like this series. The characters and the situations are realistically written.

[J Shu · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/25. Maddie is invited to go to a wedding with long-time friend Benji as his plus-one. Turns out there was no wedding because the groom turned up dead. Maddie is a suspect because of something she did. Who could have really killed the groom and why? And what about Maddie and Benji? Fun and quick read.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this book is no exception. It is entertaining and enjoyable with a lot of twists. A fun cozy mystery.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie Swallows just can’t keep out of trouble by finding dead bodies. I know a murder shouldn’t be funny but Kat Bellemore keeps plenty of humor in this one while Maddie works hard to keep from being arrested. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more Maddie Swallows adventures.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! If you've read all the Amor books (which you should, they're great), it's fun to see how the author fits the mystery into the existing story. If you haven't, they're still fun and well done mysteries. Highly recommend this book, this series, and this author.

[Catherine Hoidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end

This one kept me guessing until the end and I did feel sorry for the real killer. Maddie gives sound advice as to watch out who is playing you with words but is very insincere and the actual person was just that. Good job

[Lee Silpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down. Extremely well written and had me hooked. Started it one day and finished it the next. How dare I fall asleep. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

I enjoyed this book so much, I will continue to buy the books in the series. I have stopped watching television and have gone back to reading good books!!! Thank you for writing these Kat.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been invited to a wedding with Benji, her best friend back in High School, is surely good news for Maddie. Until the groom is found dead and Maddie is the first suspect. Cozy mystery with a touch of fun.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read!

4 1/2 stars of a good mystery and a romance, too. I love the characters, including the enterprising kids. I found this series by happy accident and I'm hooked!

[FRANCES R SOLTIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good fast easy read. Love the characters and the adventures they get themselves into. Fun series. I love the location the books are based on

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun! Great mystery and characters!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a book to fill some down time while waiting for an appointment. Downloaded this book and it was an easy read. I enjoyed the characters a great deal.

[PJ's Services, LLC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

It had a lot of suspense in it. It resembled Mrs. Marple, Poirot or Sherlock Holmes in the way the setting, crime, and solving took place. Good book.

[Craftyhj · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy reading cosy mystery

This is a pleasant series with engaging main characters. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two in the series. It was rather sad in the end.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick and easy read. Enjoyable but not amazing in terms of the mystery. If you’re paying attention it’s pretty simple to unravel but maybe I’ve read too many mysteries now idk

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book is just as good as the first two! Same great characters, interesting characters, and plot with lots of twists and turns! I would recommend!

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written murder mystery that takes place at a wedding venue. This book shows that all is not always what it seems. Maddie starts out as the prime suspect in the murder of a man who she and Benji find dead 4 hours after Maddie had seen the victim and spoken to him briefly. An entertaining story that keeps you guessing till the end with lots of twists and turns before the murderer is revealed.

[ICECREAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. Maddie attends a wedding with her friend. SPOLIER!!! Instead of a beautiful wedding she find the groom dead. Plot twist: she is now the PRIME suspect. She goes on a journey to solve to solve this murder and removes herself from the suspect list.