Review: Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance

This is the 4th Discreet Retrieval Agency mystery and definitely one of the best.

The Discreet Retrieval Agency, made up of Lola Woodby and Berta Lundgren, receives an anonymous commission with an invitation to a holiday party in Vermont. They are to retrieve a ring that was stolen by one of the attendees years ago.

But, while busy with their errand, the hostess keels over. Lola and Berta thought it was a heart attack, but police reveal it was a poisoned cocktail and they are at the top of the suspect list. With no one else to turn to, Lola and Berta must find the real murderer before they find themselves behind bars.

And they work hard to do it. Lola and Berta go from one end of the town to the other following leads in the coldest of weather with Cedric the pomeranian in tow. There are many suspects on their list from family members to household staff (both temporary and permanent). And a cryptid bear that walks on two legs has been spotted in the woods nearby.

It's still prohibition era. That plays a small part in the mystery. After all, where do these people get their fixings for their cocktails from? And where do they get the whiskey to soak the fruitcake in? And Lola and Berta have a wonderful 1920s vocabulary. The culture is 1920s as well.

The biggest mystery. though. is who is the killer or are there multiple killers since there end up being multiple victims. I love watching Lola and Berta figure out what is going on.

The novel mostly moves along at a decent pace as the women go from one set of clues and suspects to the next and sometimes back again. There is a little slow part in the middle, but it's not for long.

I have to admit I thought I knew who was responsible, but I was wrong. It was nice to have a logical surprise at the end.

I gave this mystery 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the historical aspects of the book. It's well paced and had a surprise ending for me. If you enjoy stories from the prohibition era and slightly humorous cozies, then this would be a good choice for you. It's also a good holiday read since it takes place just prior to Christmas.

Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance was released November 13th, 2018 from Minotaur Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I have a bad feeling about this," I said.

"If you slip, steer into the slide. That is the only way to avoid a tailspin."

"Not that. The murder."

"We will be on our way back home tomorrow."

How I wished I could believe it.

(3% through on my Kindle)

Lola and Berta are talking. Lola is the "I" in question. The two ladies make up the Discreet Retrieval Agency. Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance was published November 13th, 2018 from Minotaur Books. This is the fourth novel featuring the Discreet Retrieval Agency in a prohibition era mystery.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #246: Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Discreet Retrieval Agency is doing a brisk holiday business of retrieving lost parcels, grandmas, and stolen wreaths. But with their main squeezes Ralph and Jimmy once more on the back burner, both Lola and Berta pine for a holiday out of New York City. So when they receive a mysterious Christmas card requesting that they retrieve an antique ring at a family gathering in Maple Hill, Vermont, they jump at the chance. Sure, the card is signed Anonymous and it's vaguely threatening, but it's Vermont.

In Maple Hill, several estranged members of the wealthy Goddard family gather. And no sooner do Lola and Berta recover the ring--from Great-Aunt Cressida Goddard's arthritic finger--than Mrs. Goddard goes toes-up, poisoned by her Negroni cocktail on ice. When the police arrive, Lola and Berta are caught-red-handed with the ring, and it becomes clear that they were in fact hired not for their cracker-jack retrieving abilities, but to be scapegoats for murder.

With no choice but to unmask the killer or be thrown in the slammer, Lola and Berta's investigations lead them deep into the secrets of Maple Hill. In a breathless pursuit along a snowy ridge, with a lovelorn Norwegian ski instructor and country bumpkin hooch smugglers hot on their heels, Lola and Berta must find out once and for all who's nice...and who's naughty.

Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance is expected to be published November 13th, 2018 from Minotaur Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? I've enjoyed the other books in the series. This is the fourth book. It promises to be just as good as the others. I expect it to have madcap adventures and good mysteries as Lola and Berta try and solve the mysteries before they get put in jail.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: Gin and Panic by Maia Chance

Mrs. Lola Woodby and her trusty companion and former cook, Berta are hired for the discreet retrieval of a stuffed rhinoceros head by Lord Sudbury. It seems like it will be an easy task with a big payoff. Plus the alcohol will be flowing freely at the mansion where the rhino's head is and Lola does enjoy a good gin and tonic.

Not long after they've arrived, the owner of the mansion turns up dead in what appears to be a suicide. Lord Sudbury retains their services asking them to look into Rudy's death. The ladies eat it up like chocolate and plunge in where angels fear to tread.

More death, gangsters, diamonds, and a dash of romance round out the plot. Not to mention that Lola is supposed to be sending out her sister's wedding invitations and picking a caterer for her.
There are gunshots fired, car chases, consorting with gangsters in a speakeasy, and plenty of prohibition era slang bandied about.

I have to say that I've enjoyed all the books in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series. This is the third one and it's quite fun. There are a few good mysteries and plenty of humor. I will say Lola needs a better pair of shoes than t-straps for skulking around, but that's part of the fun as is her carting her dog Cedric everywhere they go.

If you enjoy mysteries with well developed quirky characters and twisty plots, then this would be a good book for you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written. The mysteries are good. There is humor. And the main characters are entertaining.

Gin and Panic by Maia Chance is being released today, October 24, 2017 from Minotaur Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: Gin and Panic by Maia Chance

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

"There was something to be said for those old-fashioned men, Mrs. Woodby. One felt there were adults in charge of things. It was, if nothing else, reassuring. Nowadays when I read the newspaper, I have the sense that enormous moody toddlers are running the show." (17% through on my Kindle)

Gin and Panic by Maia Chance is due to be released October 24, 2017 from Minotaur Books. It's the third book in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series. The above teaser is from an ARC and may appear differently in the final edition. There is currently a Giveaway on Goodreads from the publisher. It's a mystery that takes place in the prohibition-era 1920s and is full of humor as Lola Woodby and her cook attempt to solve it.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #189: Gin and Panic by Maia Chance

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

Synopsis:

Former socialite Lola Woodby, a not-so-discreet private eye in Prohibition-era New york City, along with her grim Swedish sidekick, Berta, take on a piece-of-cake job: retrieving a rhinoceros trophy from the Connecticut mansion of big game hunter Rudy Montgomery. After all, their client, Lord Sudley, promises them a handsome paycheck, and the gin and tonics will be free. But no sooner do they arrive at  Montgomery Hall than Rudy is shot dead with a houseful of suspicious characters standing by. Lord Sudley ups the ante, and Lola and Berta take the case. Armed with handbags stuffed with emergency chocolate, gin flasks, and a Colt .25, Lola and Berta are swiftly embroiled in a madcap puzzle of stolen diamonds, family secrets, a clutch of gangsters, and a flapper who knows her way around a safari rifle.

Gin and Panic is the third mystery in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series by Maia Chance. It's due out October 24, 2017 from Minotaur Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? I've enjoyed the other two in this series. I like a good humorous mystery. And I enjoy reading books set in the 1920s, 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Teetotaled by Maia Chance

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Expected publication:
October 4th 2016 by Minotaur Books

"Some people have a nemesis, I  have Miss Ida Shanks. One part boiled fowl, one part witch, and one part writer for New York's most muckraking newspaper."

31% through on my Kindle

This quote comes from an ARC and may appear differently in the final edition.

Teetotaled by Maia Chance is due to be released today from Minotaur Books. It's a period cozy taking place in New York in the 1920s. It's a lot of fun too. Lola Woodbury and her former cook Berta have been forced to find another way to make a living after Lola's husband dies leaving her penniless. They've happened on the notion of forming a private detective agency. This book is the second in the series.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #148: Teetotaled by Maia Chance

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Expected publication:
October 4th 2016 by Minotaur Books

Teetotaled by Maia Chance is book #2 in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series. It's due out October 4, 2016 from Minotaur Books.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

After her philandering husband died and left her penniless in Prohibition-era New York, Lola Woodby escaped with her Swedish cook to the only place she could—her deceased husband’s secret love nest in the middle of Manhattan. Her only comforts were chocolate cake, dime store detective novels, and the occasional highball (okay, maybe not so occasional). But rent came due and Lola and Berta were forced to accept the first job that came their way, ultimately leading them to set up shop as a Discreet Retrieval Agency, operating out of Alfie’s cramped love nest.

Now they’re in danger of losing the business they’ve barely gotten off the ground—they haven’t had a job in months and money is running out. So when a society matron offers them a job, they take it—even if it means sneaking into a detox facility and consuming only water and health food until they can steal a diary from Grace Whiddle, a resident at the “health farm.” But barely a day in, Grace and her diary escape from the facility—and Grace’s future mother-in-law is found murdered on the premises. Lola and Berta are promptly fired. But before they can climb into Lola’s red and white Duesenberg Model A and whiz off the property, they find themselves with a new client and a new charge: to solve the murder of Grace’s future mother-in-law. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I read book 1 in the series and I enjoyed it. Lola and Berta work well together. Maia Chance uses humor in her writing as well. And I enjoy reading books that take place in the 1920s prohibition era. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR list. Happy Reading!