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Mack's Bar Mystery #6
Last Call
Bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton and her barstool detectives love to puzzle through cold cases. But when one of their own disappears, danger is on tap . . .
Fresh off solving a murder that hit too close to home, Mack’s trust is shattered. But when Milwaukee police detective Duncan Albright asks for her help with a shooting, she can’t resist using her extra-perceptive senses to benefit others. It turns out the victim was the ruthless businessman their friend Mal was investigating undercover. And now Mal is missing—and his fingerprints are on the gun. Was his cover blown, forcing him into hiding? Or could he be a straight-up killer on the run? Mack doesn’t know what to believe anymore—except her own gut, which leads her to secret rooms, shocking revelations . . . and the fear that this could be her final round.
Fresh off solving a murder that hit too close to home, Mack’s trust is shattered. But when Milwaukee police detective Duncan Albright asks for her help with a shooting, she can’t resist using her extra-perceptive senses to benefit others. It turns out the victim was the ruthless businessman their friend Mal was investigating undercover. And now Mal is missing—and his fingerprints are on the gun. Was his cover blown, forcing him into hiding? Or could he be a straight-up killer on the run? Mack doesn’t know what to believe anymore—except her own gut, which leads her to secret rooms, shocking revelations . . . and the fear that this could be her final round.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published July 31, 2018
110 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Allyson K. Abbott
7 books259 followersAllyson K. Abbott is a pseudonym used by Beth Amos, author of the suspense novels COLD WHITE FURY, EYES OF NIGHT, SECOND SIGHT, NICK OF TIME, and FACE OF DEATH. Beth is also the author of the Mattie Winston mystery series written under the pseudonym Annelise Ryan, which includes WORKING STIFF, SCARED STIFF, FROZEN STIFF, LUCKY STIFF, and BOARD STIFF.
Beth lives in Wisconsin, where she changes identities nearly every day.
Beth lives in Wisconsin, where she changes identities nearly every day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 13, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton is brought into her first authorized case as a consultant for the Milwaukee Police. With Detective Duncan Albright by her side, they arrive at the scene of a shooting. The victim is a man undercover cop Mal O’Reilly has been investigating. Now Mal isn’t answering his phone and they have no idea where he is but his fingerprints are on the murder weapon. Mack and Duncan know they need to find their friend fast because his cover could be blown. Also, his family is in town to install an elevator in Mack’s Bar and they are going to want answers. Duncan and Mack can’t believe Mal killed a man and fled the scene. But then Mack’s special talents lead her to something very surprising in the house where the shooting occurred that could blow the case wide open.
I have really enjoyed this series. Ms. Abbott’s characters are so realistic. Mack’s Synesthesia may be a little bit out there but it is a real condition which she has really fined tuned to give her the ability to help the police. Her romantic relationship with Duncan is heating up, but darn, I was team Mal, especially after we met his family in A Toast to Murder. I loved that their visit continued into this book. The bartenders, servers, and customers are all like Mack’s family and I know that feeling because my parents bought a bar when I was in Junior High and we lived in the apartment upstairs. Like Mack, I spent a lot of time downstairs helping in any way I could and got to know the regulars pretty darn well. We didn’t have a Capone Club but we did have some epic Euchre tournaments. Sadly, Mack had to deal with a lot of tragic events over the course of the series, and each helped to shape her into the fantastic person she is now.
The mystery in this book was marvelous. I am not going into a lot of details because I do not want to spoil anything. I will say Mack uses her gentle soul, her synesthesia, and her own history to get a witness to open up to help solve the case. I really liked that Mack really played a key role in her first case as a consultant and that she changes a lot of minds. I had thought Mack would take an incredible step, but she didn’t. She did take another step that I thought was a bit too soon, but there was a reason for that.
Sadly Last Call is truly the last call. This is the final book in this series that took place over a very traumatic year in Mack’s life. It was a pleasure to meet her and everyone connected to her life, great people, and even the unsavory ones. I was late to the party on this series but I am so happy I found it and was able to read all six books and was able to share my reviews with you.
The author gave plenty of background in this book so new readers can read this book as a stand-alone, but I really encourage you to read the series from the start so you can get to know the people in Mack’s world from the start.
Bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton is brought into her first authorized case as a consultant for the Milwaukee Police. With Detective Duncan Albright by her side, they arrive at the scene of a shooting. The victim is a man undercover cop Mal O’Reilly has been investigating. Now Mal isn’t answering his phone and they have no idea where he is but his fingerprints are on the murder weapon. Mack and Duncan know they need to find their friend fast because his cover could be blown. Also, his family is in town to install an elevator in Mack’s Bar and they are going to want answers. Duncan and Mack can’t believe Mal killed a man and fled the scene. But then Mack’s special talents lead her to something very surprising in the house where the shooting occurred that could blow the case wide open.
I have really enjoyed this series. Ms. Abbott’s characters are so realistic. Mack’s Synesthesia may be a little bit out there but it is a real condition which she has really fined tuned to give her the ability to help the police. Her romantic relationship with Duncan is heating up, but darn, I was team Mal, especially after we met his family in A Toast to Murder. I loved that their visit continued into this book. The bartenders, servers, and customers are all like Mack’s family and I know that feeling because my parents bought a bar when I was in Junior High and we lived in the apartment upstairs. Like Mack, I spent a lot of time downstairs helping in any way I could and got to know the regulars pretty darn well. We didn’t have a Capone Club but we did have some epic Euchre tournaments. Sadly, Mack had to deal with a lot of tragic events over the course of the series, and each helped to shape her into the fantastic person she is now.
The mystery in this book was marvelous. I am not going into a lot of details because I do not want to spoil anything. I will say Mack uses her gentle soul, her synesthesia, and her own history to get a witness to open up to help solve the case. I really liked that Mack really played a key role in her first case as a consultant and that she changes a lot of minds. I had thought Mack would take an incredible step, but she didn’t. She did take another step that I thought was a bit too soon, but there was a reason for that.
Sadly Last Call is truly the last call. This is the final book in this series that took place over a very traumatic year in Mack’s life. It was a pleasure to meet her and everyone connected to her life, great people, and even the unsavory ones. I was late to the party on this series but I am so happy I found it and was able to read all six books and was able to share my reviews with you.
The author gave plenty of background in this book so new readers can read this book as a stand-alone, but I really encourage you to read the series from the start so you can get to know the people in Mack’s world from the start.
September 6, 2018
Last Call is an amazing addition to this already wonderful series.
Mack is a bright, down to earth character who always looks for the best in people.
She has overcome some tragic events in her life, and these events have made her become the person she is today.
This book captured my attention from the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
This story shows Mack and Dalton, her boyfriend, in a different light while investigating a murder that leaves a small child vulnerable.
I can't say enough about this book, I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys a well told story.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Mack is a bright, down to earth character who always looks for the best in people.
She has overcome some tragic events in her life, and these events have made her become the person she is today.
This book captured my attention from the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
This story shows Mack and Dalton, her boyfriend, in a different light while investigating a murder that leaves a small child vulnerable.
I can't say enough about this book, I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys a well told story.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
July 30, 2018
Mack Dalton is now a consultant to the Milwaukee police department in the 6th installment of Mack's Bar series. Mack accompanied Police Detective Duncan Albright to his next case. They find a businessman shot from behind. The gun lying nearby and their friend Mal's fingerprints are on the gun and Mal is missing. Mack informs the officers that there are two different types of blood present. Her synesthesia allows to point out several items. Mack finds a hidden room and young girl who appears to be autism and possibly has some form of synesthesia. At this point, the tale has several twists and turns as Mack and Duncan attempt to find answers. Who is the girl? Where is Mel? The Capone Clubs bring another puzzler to the police attention. Did the victim died a natural death or was he murdered? I highly recommend this book and series. Recipes for cocktail drinks are included.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 18, 2018
Last Call is the sixth book in Allyson K. Abbott’s Mack’s Bar Mysteries series and the first book I had read in the series. While it can stand on its own, it does provide spoilers of the previous books. The author does a stellar job at creating suspense. I love the concept of The Capone Club, a group of amateur sleuths and a couple of real detectives that meet to discuss crimes. They meet at Mack’s Bar, a bar she inherited from her dad. When her dad was murdered, Mack began helping the police with the gifts of her synesthesia condition. It is now the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death and Mack is helping to investigate a murder involving a suspect whom Mack knows well. I have to admit that I had a difficult time getting into this book. The details of Mack’s synesthesia simply interrupted the flow of this book too much for me personally. However, the author spins a terrific story.
August 13, 2018
Best of All!
When I read these books I feel like I could be not only a regular at Mack’s bar, but part of the Capone club. They feel so real! I love a good mystery & this was had several. I also am a sucker for a happy ending. I hope this was not the last book in this series, but if it is, it was wrapped up beautifully!
When I read these books I feel like I could be not only a regular at Mack’s bar, but part of the Capone club. They feel so real! I love a good mystery & this was had several. I also am a sucker for a happy ending. I hope this was not the last book in this series, but if it is, it was wrapped up beautifully!
October 29, 2018
This is book 6 in the Mack's Bar series. With Mal missing, Mack and her bar stool friends are eager to solve the latest case. police detective Duncan Albright asks for her help with a shooting, and the victim turns out to be the bad guy that Mal was investigation. The police think Mal is the shooter but Mack and the gang know he's in trouble. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 19, 2020
Perfect way to end the series. I thought they were going to kill off one of the main characters at one point to make the ending easier. Glad they didn't. I looked up to see if this author had other stuff. She writes under a different name that I see books under all the time. Maybe I'll pick one up since I enjoyed this series!
August 21, 2018
Last Call by Allyson K. Abbott is the sixth A Mack’s Bar Mystery. Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton has been asked to be a consultant for the Milwaukee Police Department. Her synesthia has helped solve several recent cases and Duncan Albright calls her his secret weapon. Duncan is called out to a murder scene and Mack joins him for her first consulting gig. They find Sheldon Janssen dead from a gunshot wound and his little girl hidden in a secret room. Mack is surprised to discover that the little girl, Felicity has undiagnosed synesthia. Mal O’Reilly’s blood and fingerprints are found at the scene, but no one can find him. It turns out that Mal was working undercover at Wade Klein’s construction company and Janssen was Klein’s right-hand man. They do not know if Mal has been badly injured or if his cover has been blown? Sonja, a Capone Club member, brings the group a case to solve. Caroline Knutson has been griping about her husband for quite some time, and suddenly Oliver turns up dead. Instead of grieving, the widow is updating her look at the salon with a pleased countenance. Mack and Duncan team up with the lead detective, Roberta Dillon to make sure Oliver did not have help getting to the great beyond. As if Mack does not have enough to keep her occupied, the O’Reilly clan is working on the bar’s elevator and, to keep them safe, they have moved into her apartment. Come along to Mack’s Bar, pull up a stool, grab a bite to eat along with a refreshing beverage and help the group solve the two crimes in Last Call.
Last Call may be the sixth novel in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The author summarizes the first five books in the series (the cases in each one). We learn about Mack’s synesthesia, how she inherited the bar, the Capone Club, updates she has made to the bar, and her relationship with Duncan. If you have not read the other books, it will spoil it them you. However, it is has been a while since you read a book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery, you might find it helpful. I thought the story was nicely written with steady pacing throughout (for the most part). I did feel that the frequent explanations of Mack’s synesthesia interrupt the flow of the story. It is obvious that the author did her research on synesthesia from the way she presents the information and the amount of detail included. The two crimes were interesting, but they were not complex. The way one of the murders was executed was unique and clever. There are good clues to aid readers in solving the cases before the solution is revealed. The members of the Capone Club are mentioned in the book, but we spend little time with them. It can be difficult to keep all the characters straight (there are so many with the bar employees, Capone Club, O’Reilly family, police officers). I thought the ending was sweet and romantic. A majority of Last Call felt like filler. I would have preferred the author focus on one murder mystery. The way Last Call ended makes it seem as if it is the last book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series.
Last Call may be the sixth novel in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The author summarizes the first five books in the series (the cases in each one). We learn about Mack’s synesthesia, how she inherited the bar, the Capone Club, updates she has made to the bar, and her relationship with Duncan. If you have not read the other books, it will spoil it them you. However, it is has been a while since you read a book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery, you might find it helpful. I thought the story was nicely written with steady pacing throughout (for the most part). I did feel that the frequent explanations of Mack’s synesthesia interrupt the flow of the story. It is obvious that the author did her research on synesthesia from the way she presents the information and the amount of detail included. The two crimes were interesting, but they were not complex. The way one of the murders was executed was unique and clever. There are good clues to aid readers in solving the cases before the solution is revealed. The members of the Capone Club are mentioned in the book, but we spend little time with them. It can be difficult to keep all the characters straight (there are so many with the bar employees, Capone Club, O’Reilly family, police officers). I thought the ending was sweet and romantic. A majority of Last Call felt like filler. I would have preferred the author focus on one murder mystery. The way Last Call ended makes it seem as if it is the last book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series.
April 4, 2022
Last Call is the final book in the Mack's Bar Mystery series. Somehow, I missed this one when it was published, so was glad to see the audiobook available at my library. Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton owns a local bar and also hold meetings for a group of armchair detectives, called The Capone Club. Mack has a condition known as synesthesia, and has been helping the police using this "gift". In a previous book, her boyfriend, police detective Duncan Albright was told to keep away from her, so in order to keep her safe, inserted undercover police officer, Mal O’Reilly as her boyfriend. Mal is now on another case and is involved in a murder as well as being shot himself. Mack and Duncan begin to investigate because they need to exonerate Mal.
I really enjoyed this series, especially due to the wonderful characters created by the author. The author gave plenty of background in this book so new readers can read this book as a stand-alone, but I really encourage you to read the series from the start because it is a good one but also so you can get to know the people in Mack’s world from the start. Mack’s Synesthesia may be a little hard to believe but it is a real condition which she has fined tuned to give her the ability to help the police. The relationship between Mack and Duncan developed over the books and I was happy to see that they are now a couple. The mystery in this book has a lot of tangents. There was an undercover operation, money laundering, a child with autism, a couple of murders (2 different cases) and lots of secrets, greed and lies. Mack is a gentle, trustworthy person and is able to get some witnesses to open up and using her synesthesia find clues to help solve the cases. This was a great book to wrap up this series and I do recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. Nicole Poole does a nice job narrating this book with expression, emotion and various voices.
I really enjoyed this series, especially due to the wonderful characters created by the author. The author gave plenty of background in this book so new readers can read this book as a stand-alone, but I really encourage you to read the series from the start because it is a good one but also so you can get to know the people in Mack’s world from the start. Mack’s Synesthesia may be a little hard to believe but it is a real condition which she has fined tuned to give her the ability to help the police. The relationship between Mack and Duncan developed over the books and I was happy to see that they are now a couple. The mystery in this book has a lot of tangents. There was an undercover operation, money laundering, a child with autism, a couple of murders (2 different cases) and lots of secrets, greed and lies. Mack is a gentle, trustworthy person and is able to get some witnesses to open up and using her synesthesia find clues to help solve the cases. This was a great book to wrap up this series and I do recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. Nicole Poole does a nice job narrating this book with expression, emotion and various voices.
August 9, 2018
Strong cozy series with an usual milieu and protagonist. Mack Dalton owns a bar in Milwaukee a setting that is developed and used to great advantage in this series. However, it's her synesthesia that has gotten to her to be official consultant for the police. Synesthesia, a neurological disorder, has her experiencing every sense in at least two ways. Sounds can be tasted, smells can have visual manifestations, etc. Using this, she can become a human lie detector or recognize it something is changed or missing.
She has used the synesthesia to help solve crimes in the past, including her father's murder. Helping her solve crimes is a cast of bar regulars called the Capone Club. Sufficient exposition is provided to make this an acceptable entry point into the series, but I'm betting you'll want to go back and read more.
Highly recommended. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
She has used the synesthesia to help solve crimes in the past, including her father's murder. Helping her solve crimes is a cast of bar regulars called the Capone Club. Sufficient exposition is provided to make this an acceptable entry point into the series, but I'm betting you'll want to go back and read more.
Highly recommended. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2022
Ho aspettato un sacco per leggere questo libro perché sapevo che era l'ultimo della serie e mi dispiaceva abbandonare molti dei suoi personaggi. Comunque, alla fine l'ho fatto e non me ne sono pentita: bella storia ed ottimo finale.
June 25, 2019
This is the sixth and final book in the Mack's Bar Mystery series. I have been enjoying the series so I was sad to see it come to an end. I found Mack to be a very interesting protagonist. Her neurological condition provided the author with the opportunity to create a character that had a unique perspective and voice in this genre. Mack overcame a lot of heartache and grief to find her own makeshift family and niche as a consultant to the police force. I think the reason I am disappointed that this series ended after six books is that I felt Mack was hitting her stride and I could envision more books and mysteries to come. I also enjoyed the secondary cast of characters that made up the Capone Club. They were each unique in age, gender and profession so that they all had something to contribute.
The mysteries were well done and both resolved nicely in the end. The author threw in some nice twists that kept me guessing but added to the enjoyment. In the end, I think the author did a nice job of wrapping up this series to leave the reader satisfied.
The mysteries were well done and both resolved nicely in the end. The author threw in some nice twists that kept me guessing but added to the enjoyment. In the end, I think the author did a nice job of wrapping up this series to leave the reader satisfied.
July 17, 2018
In this latest edition of the mack's bar series has Mack assisting the police in a shooting investigation using her synesthesia . Things take a turn when Mack and her boyfriend and detective Duncan Albright, realize their friend and fellow cop whonwas working undercover may be involved . Mack finds a hidden cubby in the victims house and it revesls a child who appeared tto have witnessed her fathers murder. It complicates things when they realize the child has a form of autism. Mack is the only one who can comunicate with her. Mack and Duncan work together to piece together what happened and to clear their friends name.
I really enjoyed this book . I loved mack's interaction with the young girl, Felicity. I also liked watching her relationship with Duncan develop more. I hope there are more books in this series. The ending was good but felt very final. I highly recommend this series.
I really enjoyed this book . I loved mack's interaction with the young girl, Felicity. I also liked watching her relationship with Duncan develop more. I hope there are more books in this series. The ending was good but felt very final. I highly recommend this series.
August 22, 2018
Oh my goodness! I was reading a Mattie Winston mystery earlier this summer and was excited to diiscover that Annelise Ryan also writes under a pen name, of Allyson K. Abbott. So I started this series. I love the way the author reveals the story to the reader, there's an interesting situation, combined with the medical background that works with law enforcement.
With a twist in this series.
Mack our protag is a bar owner, who also doubles as an independent consultant to the police based on her observations experienced through her condition, called synesthesia, or basically enhanced emotional experiences that involve more than one sense.
In this scenario, Mack is juggling multiple situations; she has one case with a juvenile who happens to have synesthesia also who may be involved with a family member's homicide; a case that is questionable based on what the members of her Capone Club have discovered through local news; a bar renovation; and a friend who is MIA and may be involved in one of the homicide cases. The story is intellectual, flows freely and is fast paced. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!
With a twist in this series.
Mack our protag is a bar owner, who also doubles as an independent consultant to the police based on her observations experienced through her condition, called synesthesia, or basically enhanced emotional experiences that involve more than one sense.
In this scenario, Mack is juggling multiple situations; she has one case with a juvenile who happens to have synesthesia also who may be involved with a family member's homicide; a case that is questionable based on what the members of her Capone Club have discovered through local news; a bar renovation; and a friend who is MIA and may be involved in one of the homicide cases. The story is intellectual, flows freely and is fast paced. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!
August 24, 2018
One of the reasons that I am rating this 5 stars is that another character has synesthesia, the unique trait that Mack has, and her story is woven into one of the mysteries needing to be solved very well. As usual, Mack has her great support group working with her as well as Mal and Duncan. Clever plotting!
April 21, 2023
A great read that is very enjoyable.
April 19, 2024
This was such a great series and I’m so sad that this is the last book. It totally ended on a high note. I really enjoyed Mack’s cases and the ones in this book were really good and interesting.
May 6, 2019
I am sad to see this series ending, I would have loved to read more about Mack Dalton and her friends. This author has another series writing as Annalise Ryan, so I plan to try it.
June 13, 2018
I had a difficult time getting into this book. I did like the storyline surrounding the child, Felicity, and Mack’s synesthesia and how that played out in the clues and the storyline, but I wasn’t really invested in the other characters or the Capone Club. I will check out the earlier books of the series, though, and see how those stories develop.
September 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and my first by this author. A good clean mystery thriller. Going to try more by this author to see if the writing is the same.
June 16, 2018
Last Call is the sixth book in Allyson K. Abbott’s Mack’s Bar Mysteries series. Both mysteries are presented well throughout the entire book. There are lots of red herrings and twists and turns to sort through and the characters are well developed and likeable. There is some adult language in this book, but no graphic violence or adult situations. The author is talented in creating suspense and tension with her written words.
Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton owns Mack’s Bar in downtown Milwaukee and has a neurological condition called synesthesia, which causes her to experience sensations in multiple modalities, such as a voice triggering a taste and a lie tasting different from the truth. This makes her an asset to Milwaukee Homicide Detective Duncan Albright and her crime-solving group, The Capone Club, which is comprised of a diverse crew of amateur sleuths and a couple of detectives. Mark Holland, chief of police and Tony Dixon, the current DA, recently invited her to work with them on a consulting basis. Previously, Mack received letters with puzzles that she must solve within a specific timeframe to prevent the death of people she knows and cares about and she’s currently recovering from an accident that prevented her from making it to one of those locations.
On the anniversary of her father’s murder, Mack’s boyfriend, Milwaukee Homicide Detective Duncan Albright receives a call about a murder. Given the emotions she’s feeling, Duncan offers Mack an out, but in her new role as a consultant, she insists on going to the crime scene. The victim is identified as Sheldon Janssen, the number one man for Wade Klein, a construction company owner who is under investigation for conducting business in a very unprofessional manner. Duncan and Mack’s good friend and undercover cop, Malachi “Mal” O’Reilly’s fingerprints are on the murder weapon and no one seems to know where he is. Mack’s synesthesia leads her to a scared little girl inside a hidden space in Sheldon’s house. Mack bonds with the girl, Felicity, who is Sheldon’s daughter, and believes she is autistic and might have some form of synesthesia.
Sonja West, one of The Capone Club’s members, brings Mack’s second official case to her attention. Sonja, the owner of an upscale hair salon, suspects one of her clients, Caroline Knutson, murdered her husband, Oliver. The case isn’t in Duncan’s district, but he agrees to look into it. Detective Roberta “Bobby” Dillon agrees to allow Duncan and Mack investigate the case with her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton owns Mack’s Bar in downtown Milwaukee and has a neurological condition called synesthesia, which causes her to experience sensations in multiple modalities, such as a voice triggering a taste and a lie tasting different from the truth. This makes her an asset to Milwaukee Homicide Detective Duncan Albright and her crime-solving group, The Capone Club, which is comprised of a diverse crew of amateur sleuths and a couple of detectives. Mark Holland, chief of police and Tony Dixon, the current DA, recently invited her to work with them on a consulting basis. Previously, Mack received letters with puzzles that she must solve within a specific timeframe to prevent the death of people she knows and cares about and she’s currently recovering from an accident that prevented her from making it to one of those locations.
On the anniversary of her father’s murder, Mack’s boyfriend, Milwaukee Homicide Detective Duncan Albright receives a call about a murder. Given the emotions she’s feeling, Duncan offers Mack an out, but in her new role as a consultant, she insists on going to the crime scene. The victim is identified as Sheldon Janssen, the number one man for Wade Klein, a construction company owner who is under investigation for conducting business in a very unprofessional manner. Duncan and Mack’s good friend and undercover cop, Malachi “Mal” O’Reilly’s fingerprints are on the murder weapon and no one seems to know where he is. Mack’s synesthesia leads her to a scared little girl inside a hidden space in Sheldon’s house. Mack bonds with the girl, Felicity, who is Sheldon’s daughter, and believes she is autistic and might have some form of synesthesia.
Sonja West, one of The Capone Club’s members, brings Mack’s second official case to her attention. Sonja, the owner of an upscale hair salon, suspects one of her clients, Caroline Knutson, murdered her husband, Oliver. The case isn’t in Duncan’s district, but he agrees to look into it. Detective Roberta “Bobby” Dillon agrees to allow Duncan and Mack investigate the case with her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
July 23, 2018
Last Call is probably my favorite of the books in this series so far. I never really connected with Mack, but events in this book made her seem warmer and more approachable than in past books. There is a new character introduced which may be why I found Mack more likable.
If you're new to the series the rehashing of Mack's synesthesia and past crime solving may be helpful, for readers of the past 5 books it could be a bit tedious, because there's quite a bit of it. Since it's been a while since I've read this series it didn't bother me and was actually helpful.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
If you're new to the series the rehashing of Mack's synesthesia and past crime solving may be helpful, for readers of the past 5 books it could be a bit tedious, because there's quite a bit of it. Since it's been a while since I've read this series it didn't bother me and was actually helpful.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 10, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: Mack is a different type of detective which makes this a different type of mystery. It still has the twists and turns and characters that make for a riveting story but it is Mack’s gift or curse, that lifts it above the crowd. Mack was born with a neurological condition whereby she experiences her senses differently from the rest of us. When she smells something, she will often have a visual reaction as well. Every sense is doubled up, so to speak. It caused her no end of challenges as a child until she was diagnosed and allowed to develop her abilities.
Her talents make her a valuable asset to police, once they can get beyond the skepticism. Her greatest advocate is her boyfriend and the two of them have three separate but connected mysteries to solve including two murders. In the course of the investigation Mack finds a child who has a similar condition on top of so many other factors that conspire to islotate her. Thankfully Mack is able to connect and help the little girl.
I love Mack. She is a fascinating character who has allowed her differences to define her in a totally positive way. I love the characters who surround her and I loved the clever twists that are wound into the narrative. All in all, I could not put the book down.
I give five purrs and two paws up.
Her talents make her a valuable asset to police, once they can get beyond the skepticism. Her greatest advocate is her boyfriend and the two of them have three separate but connected mysteries to solve including two murders. In the course of the investigation Mack finds a child who has a similar condition on top of so many other factors that conspire to islotate her. Thankfully Mack is able to connect and help the little girl.
I love Mack. She is a fascinating character who has allowed her differences to define her in a totally positive way. I love the characters who surround her and I loved the clever twists that are wound into the narrative. All in all, I could not put the book down.
I give five purrs and two paws up.
September 10, 2018
I have enjoyed this series. The unique neurological condition that the main character suffers from is fascinating and gives her a "Holmes" like perception of the world. While I have always felt that the cast of characters was a tad too big to keep track of, everyone is likable in their own right. The ones who matter the most to our main are well described and we get just the right amount of back story on them as background characters. The romantic story line is the only one I have felt was lacking a bit. I've never really connected to the two as a couple.
In this installment we are treated to 2 mysteries to solve. The "official" police one involves the case Mal has been undercover on since he was introduced as a character. This mystery was well thought out and intriguing. I did not guess the murderer until late in the story. The second mystery is the "Capone Club" one. This also was well thought out but I figured it all out with the first synthetic clue that Mack had and couldn't' figure out herself until later. Despite that I enjoyed watching Mack and Duncan figure it all out.
My only complaint is in a particular writing choice. I don't really like when the author has her characters have a conversation, in this case, their plan to capture the villain and their theory on the crime, and not have the reader listen in on the conversation. I get that for the reader to have that conversation would mean revealing the solution earlier than the author wants but it just feels out of place considering the reader is present for all other conversations but all of a sudden we are shut out. For me it is distracting from the flow of the narrative.
Overall I enjoy the series. This did feel a bit like a "last call" book and I don't know if there will be more but I will continue to read them if there are more stories to read.
In this installment we are treated to 2 mysteries to solve. The "official" police one involves the case Mal has been undercover on since he was introduced as a character. This mystery was well thought out and intriguing. I did not guess the murderer until late in the story. The second mystery is the "Capone Club" one. This also was well thought out but I figured it all out with the first synthetic clue that Mack had and couldn't' figure out herself until later. Despite that I enjoyed watching Mack and Duncan figure it all out.
My only complaint is in a particular writing choice. I don't really like when the author has her characters have a conversation, in this case, their plan to capture the villain and their theory on the crime, and not have the reader listen in on the conversation. I get that for the reader to have that conversation would mean revealing the solution earlier than the author wants but it just feels out of place considering the reader is present for all other conversations but all of a sudden we are shut out. For me it is distracting from the flow of the narrative.
Overall I enjoy the series. This did feel a bit like a "last call" book and I don't know if there will be more but I will continue to read them if there are more stories to read.
March 6, 2020
4.5 stars
The story picks up shortly after the previous one ended. Now Mack is officially a consultant for the police which ensues an introduction of some new characters.
At a crime scene, a little girl is found but she’s unresponsive. Is she autistic? Does she have synesthesia? Was she the killer or a witness?
Mal is also missing. How does he figure into the crime?
As in the other books, there is more than one mystery for Mack to solve. All very interesting.
The one about the party planner was quite ingenious. I didn't figure that one out. I did figure out most of the other one but it was still good.
At first, the synesthesia disorder seems a bit weird but it’s a unique element to the usual cozy plot. It’s actually really cool the way it comes into the story & helps them solve the crimes.
Overall: This is a clever, well written series. I highly recommend it to those who like cozies as well as mystery/puzzle lovers.
This is the last book in the series and the writer did a brilliant job of wrapping everything up in nice, pretty bow.
I hope the writer will take pity on us readers and do another book in the series as I’ve been highly entertained by it.
***SHOUT OUT to Teri & her challenge- I've delved into the piles of TBR books hidden in my closet as well as meandering thru book shelves looking for items that would fit the categories. I've come across some amazing gems like this one b/c of the challenge.
THANKS GIRL!!!***
The story picks up shortly after the previous one ended. Now Mack is officially a consultant for the police which ensues an introduction of some new characters.
At a crime scene, a little girl is found but she’s unresponsive. Is she autistic? Does she have synesthesia? Was she the killer or a witness?
Mal is also missing. How does he figure into the crime?
As in the other books, there is more than one mystery for Mack to solve. All very interesting.
The one about the party planner was quite ingenious. I didn't figure that one out. I did figure out most of the other one but it was still good.
At first, the synesthesia disorder seems a bit weird but it’s a unique element to the usual cozy plot. It’s actually really cool the way it comes into the story & helps them solve the crimes.
Overall: This is a clever, well written series. I highly recommend it to those who like cozies as well as mystery/puzzle lovers.
This is the last book in the series and the writer did a brilliant job of wrapping everything up in nice, pretty bow.
I hope the writer will take pity on us readers and do another book in the series as I’ve been highly entertained by it.
***SHOUT OUT to Teri & her challenge- I've delved into the piles of TBR books hidden in my closet as well as meandering thru book shelves looking for items that would fit the categories. I've come across some amazing gems like this one b/c of the challenge.
THANKS GIRL!!!***
August 21, 2025
This series was a rollercoaster. It’s started strong. It dipped real low. Then there was that whole stalker mess that dragged on way too long. Then, there was this.
I think this series suffered from too many characters and too many schticks. The element that made it unique should have been the Capone Club and the bar OR Mal’s synthesia. There was too much going on to develop any of that. I also have no idea why for half of the books the author chose to run two concurrent mysteries. With Mal going back and forth between working at the bar, giving away all her profits, working on two cases, and explaining her disorder 50 times, nothing ever really happens.
I did like that we finally ditched the stalker and went back to crimes but it suffered from a lack of Capone Club. They played no role in this and it was especially strange because until this book, they were a huge component of how Mal solved mysteries.
I also think the wedding was dumb and clearly added just because the series was ending. Duncan sucked. He valued most things over Mack and then decided that since was his work “sidekick” he’d actually be able to see her. If your job is so serious that you don’t have time for a relationship, that’s completely ok, but don’t make it so your relationship has to take place at work in order to have the time. Mal was a far better character who actually valued people. The fact that Mack chose Duncan was so predictable and bland.
I think this series suffered from too many characters and too many schticks. The element that made it unique should have been the Capone Club and the bar OR Mal’s synthesia. There was too much going on to develop any of that. I also have no idea why for half of the books the author chose to run two concurrent mysteries. With Mal going back and forth between working at the bar, giving away all her profits, working on two cases, and explaining her disorder 50 times, nothing ever really happens.
I did like that we finally ditched the stalker and went back to crimes but it suffered from a lack of Capone Club. They played no role in this and it was especially strange because until this book, they were a huge component of how Mal solved mysteries.
I also think the wedding was dumb and clearly added just because the series was ending. Duncan sucked. He valued most things over Mack and then decided that since was his work “sidekick” he’d actually be able to see her. If your job is so serious that you don’t have time for a relationship, that’s completely ok, but don’t make it so your relationship has to take place at work in order to have the time. Mal was a far better character who actually valued people. The fact that Mack chose Duncan was so predictable and bland.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2018
Another fun book in this series. Things are definitely heating up between Mack and her cop boyfriend, Duncan. She is now an official police consultant and goes with him to crime scenes. Her bar has been remodeled except for one last bit, an elevator which is being installed by family members of another cop friend, Mal. Unfortunately Mal is a suspect in the latest murder and Mack and Duncan are working the case trying to find the real killer.
Mack's friends at the bar who form the Capone Club have found something they want her to look into. She enlists Duncan's help and they start investigating a wealthy man's death. With two cases going on plus the bar renovation Mack has her hands full. She also comes across a young girl whose father was a murder victim and she has some special needs and Mack is the only one who seems able to communicate with her and help her.
A fun read. The author does bring in bits of previous stories and if you hadn't read them there are some spoilers in there. Like how she evolves her characters and brings in some new ones.
Mack's friends at the bar who form the Capone Club have found something they want her to look into. She enlists Duncan's help and they start investigating a wealthy man's death. With two cases going on plus the bar renovation Mack has her hands full. She also comes across a young girl whose father was a murder victim and she has some special needs and Mack is the only one who seems able to communicate with her and help her.
A fun read. The author does bring in bits of previous stories and if you hadn't read them there are some spoilers in there. Like how she evolves her characters and brings in some new ones.
February 8, 2020
Mackenzie "Mack" Dalton inherited the bar after her father was murdered. Her mother died just after she was born, so it had always been Mack and her father. Her father helped her cope with her neurological disorder of synesthesia which means she not only had heightened senses, but they were somewhat crosswired. When she heard voices, she also tasted them and when she heard music, she saw shapes. It had made her somewhat of a freak growing up, but she had learned to suppress her reactions and learn to mimic the behavior of others. Milwaukee police detective Duncan Albright asks her help with a shooting knowing that she had helped solve her father's and his girlfriend's murders with her special talents. At first, his boss was furious but then decided that they would hire Mack as a consultant (especially since it was an election year and they could use her help solving cases). Duncan and Mackensie are now working on the murder of Sheldon Jannsen and somehow their friend, undercover police office Malachi O'Reilly may be a suspect in his death and Mal is missing.
October 26, 2020
I read the first two books then skipped to this one because I got it on sale. I was glad to see that the author had finally reached the point where the seemingly unending examination of every last nuance of main character's synesthesia was no longer the main topic and the solving of the crimes was front and center.
I was fully intending to go back and read the three books in between where I left off in the series. I knew from reading her Maggie Winston series (written under the name of Annelise Ryan) that she would provide details from the previous books. Normally I'm ok with already knowing spoilers. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that this book would contain so much detail about what happened in the three books in between that it would spoil my desire to read the other books. I would strongly advise anybody else thinking of skipping around in this series that's it's not a good idea.
I was fully intending to go back and read the three books in between where I left off in the series. I knew from reading her Maggie Winston series (written under the name of Annelise Ryan) that she would provide details from the previous books. Normally I'm ok with already knowing spoilers. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that this book would contain so much detail about what happened in the three books in between that it would spoil my desire to read the other books. I would strongly advise anybody else thinking of skipping around in this series that's it's not a good idea.
June 1, 2025
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It was cute and intriguing. This is one where I just let the story take me to where it needed to go, and I didn't spend a lot of time trying to figure out the whodunit. I just felt a connection with the book.
This was a random library pick for me, and although I knew it was a book series - only because it stated it on the cover - I didn't know it was the last in the series. I liked that the first chapter was a recap, without giving much spoilers, so I was caught up on the main character, how she got to where she is at this point in the series and about her neurological disorder called synesthesia. This was helpful since the books focus was on how her mixed up senses help her become a police consultant and help solve cases - let alone be a human lie detector. There were a couple of spoilers of what happened in previous books within the story, but that's okay it'll be something I'll already know when I read it. For anyone new to this series, I would recommend starting with the first book Murder on the Rocks.
This was a random library pick for me, and although I knew it was a book series - only because it stated it on the cover - I didn't know it was the last in the series. I liked that the first chapter was a recap, without giving much spoilers, so I was caught up on the main character, how she got to where she is at this point in the series and about her neurological disorder called synesthesia. This was helpful since the books focus was on how her mixed up senses help her become a police consultant and help solve cases - let alone be a human lie detector. There were a couple of spoilers of what happened in previous books within the story, but that's okay it'll be something I'll already know when I read it. For anyone new to this series, I would recommend starting with the first book Murder on the Rocks.
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