Hounded

Matilda Smithwick Mystery #3

by E.J. Cochrane

Dog walker-turned murder investigator Matilda Smithwick is stressed out. Thankfully, her best friend Dottie has the perfect solution—a weekend getaway to a private island off the coast of Maine.

When one of the guests is found dead in the wine cellar, Dottie “volunteers” Maddie to hunt for the killer among them. No easy feat on a remote island with no internet or cell phone reception. Add in Dottie’s questionable assistance, an impending storm, a captive and unruly pool of suspects, a growing body count and Dottie’s insistence that the party must go on, and Maddie certainly has her hands full.

Can Maddie stay out of trouble long enough to catch a killer?

Hounded is the third book in the Matilda Smithwick Mystery Series.

218 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

In addition to teaching college English, E.J. Cochrane has had just about every job imaginable, including running her own dog walking company. When she’s not writing, teaching, walking dogs or distracting herself with yet another employment adventure, she’s one of those awful people who enjoys running (and somewhere in her closet has the dusty collection of marathon finisher medals to prove it). She and her partner live in Chicago with their three cats and their dog.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hounded is the third novel in the Matilda Smithwick Mystery Series. Each novel can easily be read as a standalone story.

Maddie is a dog walker by trade, who always finds herself knee deep in dead bodies. This time her best friend Dottie persuades Maddie to spend a restful weekend on a secluded island off the coast of Maine. As guests and the hired help start turning up dead, Maddie is pushed into the role of detective to keep the remaining visitors safe and sound.

There is a striking similarity to Agatha Christie’s novel, And Then There Were None by the remote setting and quickly dwindling number of characters. While Christie’s novel is one of suspense, Cochran heads in the direction of farce and flippant dialogue. For me, the dialogue fell short of its mark. At times it was repetitive and the humour it was seeking was just not found.

Dottie’s assistant Carlisle is a character I would definitely want to see more of in future books. She is smart and unaffected by those around her. Carlisle is a mystery unto herself which begs to be explored.

As a cozy mystery Hounded didn’t meet my expectations yet it held my interest enough to finish the novel. If you are looking for light entertainment Hounded would be for you.

I received a free advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jo reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly a good little mystery, full of suspense, and good characters, with an interesting storyline but a little fast-paced for me. Hounded is the 3rd time we see Maddie in the series. The plot is a “who’s done it” style storyline, similar to Agartha Christie's books.

I've given Hounded by E.J Cochrane a 3.2 out of 5

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries but this one misses the mark for me. Maddie is whisked away by her best friend Dottie to a private island off the coast of Maine. Others are invited for the birthday celebration that Dottie is throwing for herself. When the ultra wealthy owner of the house ends up dead Dottie asks Maddie to investigate.

They are cut off from the mainland until a helicopter arrives in a few days. It is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”. As a few more bodies appear you’d think there would be tension with a killer(s) on the loose. But instead these suspects are delivering zingers. And Dottie insists on a five course meal being prepared and continuing on with a the fashion event she planned. I’m guessing the characters are supposed to be droll and entertaining. These characters are not endearing or likable. It made me wish a few more could be eliminated.

This is the third book in the Matilda Smithwick Mystery series, but the first I’ve read. I think I was expecting more mystery and less farce. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC in exchange for a review. (2.5 Stars)

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good murder mystery, especially when they are written in the cozy mystery style, such as the famous Agatha Christie mysteries. Hounded by E.J. Cochrane seemed to be exactly the type of mystery I was looking for. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed in the book.

The premise of the story is actually really good. Matilda (Maddie) Smithwick is whisked off to a remote island off the coast of Maine by her best friend Dottie for a weekend birthday party that Dottie is giving herself. It sounds like a relaxing weekend until one of the guests is found murdered. Then the island’s remoteness becomes a problem since there is no cell phone coverage, no internet, and with a coming storm, no way off the island for Maddie, Dottie and her other guests. As the body count rises, Maddie is “volunteered” to find the killer, hopefully before they are all murdered.

The remote island was a great setting for the tale and well-described. I can easily visualize this setting from the author’s words.
My problem with the novel mostly involved the interactions between the characters and the overly flippant dialogue. I think that was the biggest problem I had with the story. It kept me from seeing much of a connection between the characters, even Maddie’s best friend Dottie.

Hounded is the third book in the ‘Matilda Smithwick Mystery Series’, but it can easily be read as a standalone novel. While I had a few problems with the tale, those of you who love this type of mystery might enjoy the story. I’m giving the book three and a half stars.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. Hounded is the third book in the series, and it features Maddie, a dog walker, and her friend, Dottie.
Dottie organized a birthday celebration for herself and when a murderer dares spoil her weekend, she insists Maddy investigate.
While there was nothing wrong with the book, there was nothing great about it either. I didn't really like the characters, Dottie seems pushy and entitled and she irritated me throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
#Hounded #NetGalley

[Cherie]

DNF at 20%. I couldn’t get into the writing style of this book.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy a good LGBT crime book but this one is a not for me. Several times I had to reread a paragraph to work out who was speaking and what they were talking about. The characters aren't that likeable or memorable. The author's intentions were clear, the execution disappointing, others may enjoy it though.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book it’s not that's easy to review. Yes it was a good story but with the many characters, murders and set changes I can’t even begin to give this book the rating it deserves. A very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books