Last Call by Paula Matter is the first book in the NEW “Maggie Lewis” mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, coming July 8, 2018
A bartender at a Florida VFW has to clear her name or she’ll be serving time instead of drinks
Bartender Maggie Lewis can’t hold her beer, her tongue, or her temper. On a bad day at work she’d love to kill a customer or two. On a very bad day she becomes the primary suspect accused of doing just that.
Suspended from her job after being set up for the murder of Korean war veteran Jack Hoffman, Maggie has no intention of letting herself be framed. And since the police have yet to arrest anybody for the last major crime in town—the murder of Maggie’s husband—she’s sure they won’t try too hard to collar the real culprit. So Maggie must produce enough evidence to clear her name, get her job back, and find the killer before she ends up behind the wrong kind of bars.
I give the author credit in creating a wonderful everyday character that could be me or even you. As she struggles with her daily life, Maggie finds herself investigating a murder when she becomes the main prime suspect. Who wants Jack dead? Who murdered her husband? That’s where this story begins and end and I totally enjoyed reading this fresh take on an adventurous tale filled with an eclectic cast of characters starting with Maggie and ending with a different view on life.
This was an enjoyable and well-written drama that quickly became a page-turner as I had to know what else can befall our heroine and what happens throughout the story takes her on a journey of self-discovery and I like how the author showcased the road less traveled. The mystery was nicely done and kept me on my toes as the author intended with all the suspects who worked with Maggie and clues that hid a few secrets that were a stronger motive to the crime. And it was Maggie’s determined pursuit and with help from friends, in particular, Michael and Brenda, that helped in the apprehension of a killer hiding in plain sight. From Maggie to Michael to Brenda to Gussie and even to Bobby Lee, all played pivotal roles that enhanced how well this story was being told. From the small-town atmosphere, to the engaging dialogue and to a comfortable tone, this was a satisfying tale worth reading over and over and I look forward to the new adventures awaiting Maggie and her friends.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and via NetGalley.