Dead Even

Dead Even

Mattie Winston, Book, #12

Annelise Ryan

5 Stars

Synopsis:

In Sorenson, Wisconsin, a local bigshot is found with a pool cue through the heart—and Mattie Winston must untangle a web of lies to sink a killer . . .

In her previous career as a nurse, Mattie Winston’s job was to keep death at bay. Now, as a medicolegal investigator, she’s required to study death intimately—to figure out causes and timing, and help deduce whether it was natural or suspicious.

In the case of Montgomery “Monty” Dixon, a well-to-do Realtor, there can be little doubt: Broken pool cues do not embed themselves. Monty’s body is found in the game room of his lavish house, the walls adorned with photos of Monty and various celebrities. But as Mattie and husband Steve Hurley, a homicide detective, both know, money and connections can’t protect anyone from a killer.

The first suspect is Monty’s wife, Summer, who claims to have been at a cooking class at the time. When that alibi is served up as a fake, Summer moves to the top of the suspects list, but is soon joined by Monty’s ne’er-do-well son, Sawyer, who has racked up gambling debts he hoped his dad would pay off. Monty’s twin brother is engaging in shady financial deals. An affair, a Ponzi scheme, a disputed inheritance . . . there are as many motives as suspects, and soon Mattie and Hurley have turned up other, possibly related deaths.

Balancing a high-profile case with the demands of their increasingly stressful household isn’t easy. It’ll take all of Mattie’s skill—along with a lucky break or two—to stop a killer from racking up another victim.   (Goodreads)

Review:

Whenever I read a book by this author I know that I am in for a real treat.  I know that there will be suspense and family, and it will be a good book.

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Mattie and Steve are great partners, both in life, parenting and crime solving.  They respect each other, care about each other and will do anything for each other.  The secondary characters add a lot to the story and are all very good friends to Mattie and Steve.  They added a lot of humor to the story and a lot more depth.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and the book is a quick easy read.  These descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning and I was taken on an intriguing ride.  There was plenty of action and tension and I really liked that.  

I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well plotted mystery.  I think the books just keep getting better.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley.