The Trouble with Paradise

Hale Mary Mysteries #2

by Katrina Kyle

Welcome to paradise. Where the drinks are strong, the sun is hot, and the secrets are deadly.

Please note this book was previously published as The Choke.

Hale Seton is tired of losing . Determined to get her struggling sports management agency off the ground, the disgraced ex-snowboard champion is in Key West, Florida trying to land a deal with local billionaire and boxing afficionado, Ricky Dominica.

But before she can sign on the dotted line, a homeless man turns up dead—on Ricky’s yacht.

When the police finger Ricky’s son for the murder, Hale leaps at the chance to help uncover the truth. When she discovers the victim is the father of an underprivileged local fighter, it isn’t long before she’s entangled in a complex web of corruption and greed.

As Hale is pulled into the search—along with a dirty cop, jealous siblings, and a back-stabbing ex-girlfriend—she finds herself caught between the killer and the truth.

Genres: Mystery

362 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2022

Reviews

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choke is the second book in the Hale Mary Mystery series and is an engaging murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and has murder, danger, suspense, secrets, and intrigue. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new author to me and I will definitely be back to read more of her books after enjoying this one so much! A page turner that had me guessing until the very end! Plenty of action and adventure, along with nail biting mystery! Really enjoyed this entire book! Highly recommended!

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

[Korinne Tande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable "whodunit" with a murder to be solved, and the main character, Hale Mary, sets out to do just that - solve the mystery. (I love the clever twist on Hail Mary!) I enjoyed the main character as she went about living her life and solving the murder. Life for Hale gets complicated. Lots of twists and turns that are affected by decisions a person thinks of as small and not very important, and then bam! Chaos! Many of the characters have their own theory about the suspect(s) as there are several possible motives and possible culprits. The story reminded me of growing up in a small town where everyone knows everything about you, and what they don't know, they make up. One of the statements from the book made me sit back and ponder that small town life as well as what I see now as a grown-up living in the city. "Most of us experience guilt for having it better than the person on the street corner." Nothing better than a book that makes the reader ponder life and the way things are. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Trudie Collins]

I don’t often say this about the second book in a series, but I enjoyed this one more than the first. It has a few nice twists and turns and leaves you guessing until the end. It’s an enjoyable and fun read. It’s set in a different location to the first so all of the descriptions of places are new and interesting and it isn’t centred around American Football. It follows the main character from the first book and contains some others, but most of the characters are new. They are diverse and definitely not one-dimensional. This follows on well from book one and, though it has gone in a slightly different direction, it works well and makes sense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terri McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tough as nails female sports agent( so she thinks), roots for the underdog and just can't turn a blind eye to doing the right thing. Characters in her book are human, flawed, and quirky. Easy to read , yet carries a subtle message. This is the secound book of her series and I'm looking forward to more. I've read both so far. These books can be read as a stand alone as they have complete endings, but if read in order you can follow her progress in setting up the company.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tequila Sunrise meets Margaritaville

Some people are just unlucky and trouble just keeps finding them. Some don't think that what they plan to is a bad idea. Then there is Hale, she knows and does it anyway "for the greater good" and all too often not for her safety. That pretty much sums up her life. It also makes for a very good story.

[John Rhyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choke

I absolutely loved this book, you couldn’t see what was coming around corner. Every time I had to put the book down, I was thinking what was going to happen, and I wanted to get back to find out.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Fun series that has definitely grabbed me! Hale is back and is now teamed with Norma. She’s down in Key West trying to get her client some work. Lots of mystery and action as Hale tries to find a killer. Totally kept me guessing!

[Christina Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read!

If you ever want to read a good book, this is one you will have a hard time putting down. With the right amount of drama and mystery, this book has it all. I loved all the characters but Hale Seton is one heck of a sassy detective.

[BATTONBUG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have enjoyed each of the books written by Katrina Kyle thus I recommend reading them in the order written

[Marilyn Ruttan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good

I found it was a bit daunting with all of the characters involved.I still enjoyed it with all the twists and turns.

[Jackie Simons]

Read 10/22

[Norman E Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and action-filled

Although I think others would like this book, many would be confused by the number of characters involved. Overall it was a good read.

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting read

Very exciting read I kept changing my mind on who theuni killer was. Hale goes through a lot in this one.

[Katy Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have done with a few less characters, and the partner's actions on the boat were ridiculous.

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the Hale Mary Mystery series and it held up well as a standalone. Hale is in Florida trying to sign a client when a murder happens. She is involved with the family so does some of her own investigating.
I loved how strong and determined Hale was. She ran into many misadventures and obstacles while solving the mystery. I really enjoyed the story and would love to read more!
Thank you to Book Sirens for the review ebook.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

whew!!

This series is really pulling me in. I would’ve never figured out the killer and the way to story is weaved and you get little hints of things that later tie all in is a cherry on top. I’m hoping that as the series goes on Hale will start to really deal with her own personal problems, and will we ever really get to interact with her family? Also, I really love Norma because she’s hilarious and a great friend