Former pharmaceutical researcher Maggie O’Malley is losing sleep. Constantine’s aunt is a multitasking sleepwalker who, in addition to wandering her stately home, prepares meals, folds laundry and, one winter night, stumbles across her husband with his throat slit. It’s a rude and gruesome awakening that’s upsetting to Aunt Polly. And interesting to the police. Maggie and Constantine work to … Constantine work to uncover who killed the cosmetic surgery mogul and why. As they dig into the lives of those who knew him best, they discover that the truth is only skin deep and doctoring perception is a treatment with deadly side effects.
A gripping page-turner with more twists than a surgeon’s suture, 39 Winks is a tale of lies, betrayals and greed that will keep you up at night. And looking over your shoulder.
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39 WINKS by Kathleen Valenti | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.
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This is the 2nd book in the Maggie O’Malley series and the 2nd one I have read. I enjoyed it. Maggie has lost her job at the drug company she helped take down in book one and is now working retail. When she sees a fellow employee being bullied by the owner she stands up to her boss and finds herself unemployed again. Which frees her up help Constantine clear his aunt of killing her husband. It turns out that the murder is part of a much bigger mystery and there are lots of twists and turns. I like the relationship between Maggie and Constantine as they work together to solve the mystery. I like that she does try to work with the police. The book is a quick read and will keep you up late reading. This series should be read in order. I am looking for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Maggie O’Malley is back and she is selling ladies lingerie?? Well, she is when the story begins. She lost her pharmaceutical job after all the drama she was involved in and she has bills to pay. She stands up to her boss and ends up unemployed again, but that is fine with her. Now she can go help her boyfriend, Constantine with his aunt and a murder she may have committed. She has a little sleepwalking problem and she happened to find her husband dead at the table with his throat slit. She has no idea what happened but she is covered in blood and the police’s prime suspect. There are many other people that may have killed the cosmetic surgeon. To prove Aunt Polly’s innocence Maggie and Constantine work to find the real killer. They find the deceased doc had a huge secret that could have led to his demise. Now they just have to make the police believe it.
In this follow up to Protocol, Kathleen Valenti again wraps pharmaceuticals into the story. Constantine’s Aunt Polly is battling Parkinson’s and Maggie thinks one of her medications is bringing on her sleepwalking. So while not only trying to find a murderer, Maggie is striving to help Polly find answers about her health. Her knowledge of drugs and medical procedures comes in handy in solving this mystery. I really enjoy the way the relationship between Maggie and Constantine has moved forward. They are learning to trust each other. Maggie still is unsure about being in a relationship. A little jealousy pops up when Constantine learns that Maggie and Detective Austin dated in the past. They do work well together and taking things slow is a good thing.
The author has created characters that are true to life and she has put them in stunning situations. The dialogue flows well and the imagery created takes readers right into the story.
This plot is very complex. Many threads need to be woven together. Greed, revenge, and vanity played major parts. A detective trying to settle a score, a patient unhappy with her surgery outcome, a doctor on the take, and the corruption goes deeper than could be imagined. Twists and turns kept me guessing and I was surprised by the amazing ending. This book would make a wonderful television movie.
The story ends with Maggie accepting a new job! I am excited to read book #3. Hope we do not have to wait too long.