A Cadger's Curse

D.D. McGil Literari Mystery #1

by Diane Gilbert Madsen

Who’d have guessed that running employee background checks at the HI-Data Corporation would make DD McGil the target of a ruthless killer? For DD, a thirty-something English professor turned investigator, the routine job should have been a welcome distraction from her fiancé’s death and her eccentric Aunt Elizabeth’s quest to authenticate an unlikely literary treasure―a Robert Burns text worth millions if proven genuine. Relying on her own moxie (bolstered by the occasional shot of Glenlivet), her sexy lover, and the fact-finding acumen of her antiquarian bookseller friend, DD races to find out who’s behind the high-tech treachery at HI-Data before it’s too late. 
   

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

327 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lydia Presley · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's pretty bad when you start a book and realize that the author, in her anxiety to introduce you to a character, decides to introduce the same details about her character more than once within the first few pages. Yes, I get that DD McGil is 38 years old. Thanks for reminding me.

I don't really know what I was expecting when I picked out this book - but if I'd known the book was a knock-off of Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's series I would have said, "thanks, but no thanks". This is the story of DD McGil (No, her name doesn't stand for anything dirty, just Daphne December). She's an insurance investigator (see: Make-shift P.I.) and has the quirky Aunt (much like Stephanie's Grandmother), the same parental relationship with her mother and even issues with her car.

The mystery was only just engaging enough to make me feel as if I wanted to find out "who done it" but even that was nipped in the bud as I realized about 60% in I knew who did it! Fully predictable, full of blatant knock-offs and fairly badly written, I know for sure I won't be reading the sequel to this anytime soon.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with a Scottish twist, murder, and corporate mayhem.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lightweight, fast paced, somewhat silly book that was a fun read with no thought or stress necessary. Really enjoyed the Scots aspects to it.

[Christine Kuffel]

Well done, but not for me

[Gail]

DD (don't ask what the DD stands for) McGil is an academic turned private investigator. She is hired to do a very quick turnaround background check for HI-Data Corporation, in the midst of the holidays. She goes to their corporate headquarters only to be found over the body of one of their executives who also happened to be someone she hated.

The mystery thickens and the body count rises as she continues to investigate the new hires and deflect suspicion as she's the chief suspect.

Interwoven is the mystery her Scottish Aunt brings with a very valuable Robert Burns artifact. More bodies and more violence. The two mysteries collide as DD races against time to solve the mysteries and saver her own life.

This book initially grabbed my interest but that interest waned and waxed throughout the 300 pages. I think the Scottish part, while amusing, distracted from the other more interesting mystery. Do Scottish people really act that way...it seemed such a caricature drawn from watching too much Brigadoon while drinking too much Scotch. I'm an afficiando of things Scottish, but this more romanticized than real life.

I liked DD and the characters. I liked the historical artifact mystery as well. I just think they distracted from one another.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy literary history AND sleuthing, then this excellent book is for you. It's the first in a series and is Diane Gilbert Madsen's first published novel, starring one D.D. McGil, a "no-nonsense" gal who stumbles across some priceless relics of Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Scotland, whilst undertaking some background checks on new-hires at a high level computer data firm. In addition to the literary side of the book it is set here in our very own Chicago, during one of our seemingly never-ending winters. Fun, well-written, and thoroughly researched, this delightful book will leave you panting towards the end with its quick-paced and exciting climax. Delighted to see it on CPS bookshelves.

(BTW Gilbert-Madsen's second book in the series will soon be released and it features the "lost papers" of Ernest Hemingway, a third book is in the works and it features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's visit to the USA. Add them to your list already!)

[Lissy Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughy enjoyed meeting the DD McGil Literati Mystery. I am hooked and look forward to the authors newest title to come out early in 2013. The female lead, DD McGil is surrounded by several interesting characters including a protective wolf. Set in Chicago, the author takes you on a tour of some of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks. DD, a thirty-something English professor turned investigator, the routine job should have been a welcome distraction from her fiancé’s death and her eccentric Aunt Elizabeth’s quest to authenticate an unlikely literary treasure—a Robert Burns text worth millions if proven genuine.

Relying on her own moxie (bolstered by the occasional shot of Glenlivet), her sexy lover, and the fact-finding acumen of her antiquarian bookseller friend, DD races to find out who’s behind the high-tech treachery at HI-Data before it’s too late.

Great launch to the series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insurance investigator DD McGil, on a rush assignment in Chicago's technology corridor, finds the body of her dead fiance Frank's half brother, a man whose attitude after Frank's suicide enraged her. She's trying to vet four new employees by the New Year, but her efforts are slowed when she's forced to move out of her office, which is facing demolition. Tough-talking DD is also under pressure from her Scottish aunt to verify a manuscript by Robert Burns, although DD is sure that it's a forgery. There are more murders, too, which doesn't make DD's life much easier--and at least two people who are trying to kill her.

[Gretchen Rings · Rating 2 out of 5]

DD McGil--DD stands for Daphne December(!)--is a female PI based in Chicago. In this first book in the series, DD is pulled into multiple mysteries both professional and familial. The professional case involves a shadowy high-tech corporation in Naperville, IL where its employees are dying off one by one. The personal case involves DD's Scottish grandmother and artifacts she acquires that may or may not have belonged to 18th C. Scottish poet Robert Burns.

I didn't love this book, but it was engaging enough that I might try the next in the series, Hunting for Hemingway. Certainly it was fun to read a book set in Chicago, and fans of Sara Paretsky might enjoy it.

[MayMay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 38 year old LADY wannabe Sherlock Holmes/Nancy Drew/Mission Impossible who works for "Hi-Data" (such a fancy title that the author created) in a post modern world who drives a Miata who lives in Chicago...which was sort of cool but what the hell. It was fun for a brief moment but the story is a bit scattered, and this author can't get to the point. There is no climax whatsoever. No excitement. When I got this book, I didn't know what I was going to get into. I know right of the bat who already done it. Ugh so frustrating. Overall, I wasted my time reading this piece of "art", and if this world allows us to have our precious time back I would redeem my time in a heart beat.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had been sitting on my shelf for a while but since I have to mail it to a friend I decided I better get a move on and read it. Picked it up and didn't want to put it down. It is one of those books that you aren't real sure why you are liking it so much, you just are. DD was a lot of fun to read about and her aunt, La Dragon, who is Scottish was a hoot. Luckily I already have the next book in this series on hand and I can just about guarantee that it won't sit around much longer before I get to it.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The similarities between the protagonist, D.D. McGil, and Sara Peretsky's V.I. Warshawski are too close to be coincidental. I enjoyed the way that the different plot threads were brought together in the finale and I also liked the character of her Scottish aunt. The author could have done a bit more research on the likelihood of her high-tech company setting the computing world on its ear by creating a disassembler program. Those have been around as long as compilers.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I hate to describe a heroine as spunky--that's exactly what DD Mcgil is. Former college professor turned insurance investigator tackles a multitude of crimes, all between Christmas and New Year's--throw in a cold case and a hot lover to boot. The literary angle (rare Robert Burns items) and strong Scottish flavor make it fun and all rather light. Very Midnight Ink. I'll try #2 when it comes out.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of literature, I was skeptical when I first picked up "A Cadger's Curse." How could they tie literature into a mystery and make it, well, good? But I was enthralled as I finished the first chapter and simply could not put the book down. With a cast of colorful characters, two intertwined mysteries, a romance hovering in the wings and a believable and witty heroine, "A Cadger's Curse" is a MUST READ for anyone who ever studied Robert Burns. English and Lit majors, this one's for you!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. While not great prose, the characters and story were great.

Those who are comparing it unfavorably to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum because the main character is a gutsy female surrounded by strange friends and family are off base. If having a gutsy female main character surrounded with interesting/strange family and friends make a book a copy cat...than almost EVERY book is a copy cat.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story- two mysteries, a feisty Auntie, an impending explosion, and lots of Scotch. It was a bit full of jargon in places, literary and technical, and some elements came out of the blue, but it worked in the end. I especially liked the part where the first kidnapper was killed by a second, independent kidnapper... :)

[Sarah Hearn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read any DD McGil novels before so I didn't know what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Re-read: 3.5 stars. Interesting plot although a bit too tied into the Scottish accents of the characters. I thought the Robert Burns plot was meant to be the principal plot but on re-reading, I think it is the HI-Data plot that is primary. Got a bit twisted from time to time.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good debut mystery,I am looking forward to the second in the series.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

best thing I wish someone would say about me ... when, correction if, she dies ih she ends up in heaven she'll tell god what to do. if she ends up in hell, god help the devil.