Madeline’s dual professions as event coordinator and private investigator cross paths during the most lavish affair of her career–a weekend-long fortieth birthday extravaganza for the wife of a famous film director. A simple background check after the disappearance of precious family jewels quickly turns into a murder investigation, and before Madeline and Mike can put the pieces together, … another body turns up. As the Santa Barbara police and sheriff’s departments search for clues, the Mad Dog P.I.’s use their own methods to untangle the crimes, discovering some unsavory truths behind the glittering façade of their clients.
Adding to Madeline’s already overflowing plate, the D.A. informs her that Rick Yeoman, one of the men who had abducted her three years earlier, has been prematurely released from prison after cutting a deal with the Feds. Besides fearing reprisals from the man she helped to convict, his parole also triggers the reappearance of soulless Lionel Usherwood, lured out of his hideaway by the call of revenge. When Yeoman’s body surfaces in Lake Cachuma, Usherwood moves on to the next target: Madeline.
A High Price to Pay is the second novel in the Madeline Dawkins series.
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“A High Price To Pay” by Cynthia Hamilton is a top-notch mystery book. This is book 2 in Hamilton’s Madeline Dawkins mystery series. I loved book 1 in the series, as well, but it is with her 2nd book in the series that the reader really gets a grip on where the mystery series is going. And Hamilton demonstrates that she has a deft and firm handle behind the wheel of her mystery series.
I love the way that Ms. Hamilton writes. As a huge fan of mysteries and crime thrillers, I want to read an author who writes intelligently and thoughtfully. I want characters that are not perfect but real. I want a plot that has me turning the next page eagerly to find out what is going to happen. I want an author who does not spoon feed me all the clues and information. Most importantly, I want interesting characters and dialogue. Cynthia Hamilton provides all of what I look for in mystery book.
This is top notch mystery book perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea or staying up all night to read or lolling at the beach. I am so thrilled I have discovered this author. I will be reading more of her books.
A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2)
By: Cynthia Hamilton
5 out of 5 stars
The story A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2) by Cynthia Hamilton is an amazing book to read and had me on the edge of my seat. It is a page-turner that will have you wondering what will happen next. I love how the story is written in such a way that I felt like I was right there with Madeline and her partner Mike every step they took. What starts out as a simple background check because of missing jewels turns into an investigation into murder. Will they find the one who is guilty? There is also a threat that appears from the past. There is an atmosphere of suspense that I felt when reading this book. Madeline is such a wonderful character as she is strong, independent, and has a fierce determination to find the guilty party. She is one that looks at all angles when working a case. I also loved reading about her partner, Mike. He is Madeline’s best friend and business partner. He is also very protective of Madeline and goes to great lengths to make sure she is safe. There is also the character of Lionel Usherwood who has a need for revenge. His has made Madeline his next target. Don’t miss out on a thrilling book that takes you on a ride that doesn’t end until the final page. I would highly recommend reading it.
5 Stars
A High Price to Pay is the second book in the Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. This is another exciting mystery following Madeline Dawkins sleuthing adventures. This story takes place three years after the ending of book one. With the event planning/private investigation business in full swing- Madeline is caught up in planning a huge shindig for Hollywood elite. A year in the making, Madeline needs everything to go off without a hitch. But Madeline seems to attract trouble. The party turns into a murder investigation when a body is discovered in an upstairs bedroom. And Madeline is on the list of suspects. Added to her troubles is the fact that one of her abductors from the previous book, has cut a deal and is being released early. Will he be gunning for Madeline, since she helped put him away? His release draws out the evil leader of the kidnappers, who is hell bent on revenge. Things turn into a deadly game of cat and mouse, where Madeline and Mike will need to keep their wits about them and harness all their skills if they are to survive.
This cleverly crafted story has all the elements required to make it riveting. Missing jewels, an FBI investigation, a huge ‘Hollywood’ event, murder, suspense, unravelling three mysteries, betrayal, a reunion, revenge, a game of cat and mouse, a life or death battle for survival, and much more.
I loved all the excitement, emotion, tension, drama, and intrigue that Ms. Hamilton always manages to instil in her stories- I can always count on her for an exciting read.
Fantastic!
Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!
Madeline is back with a side kick. Her and Mike have set up a Private Investigating business but its slow to pick up business at the moment so she decides to still take on her event planning role full time while it develops it clientele.
While organising the biggest party of the year she stumbles across there first case. The clients mother has had some missing jewellery stolen and has hired Madeline and Mike to investigate the crime but when there is a famous film director and people around him are suspects the plot thickens.
As they are investigating, Madeline discovers that there is a man from her past which may be trying to sabotage the whole thing, but while trying to organise the biggest party in Santa Barbara, trying to find out who stole the jewellery and thinking will there business survive who knows.
This book was a great second instalment in this series and the character interactions where just as good as the first book. The story flowed and was a page turner, the plot twists and turns and you feel like you are in the story helping them through to solve the mystery they behold.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and see the relationship grow between Mike and Madeline in the future.
A High Price to Pay by Cynthia Hamilton a feisty four-star read. This is number two in the Madeline Dawkins series and I would say that it is best to read them in order, I did and I enjoyed them that way as I didn’t feel lost at all reading the second story. This is a great whodunnit and it kept me guessing, I did guess right at first but then thought I didn’t and then just got so wrapped up in the story that I didn’t truly care. This has so many strings to the story, but the author does a great job of keeping it all together and plaiting them together to make a story that is easy to follow and really fun to read. If you like a mystery, then this is one for you. I only gave it four as there were a couple of bits that annoyed me but overall, it was very good.
A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2) by Cynthia Hamilton. This book was in my opinion better than the first but both are enjoyable. I do highly recommend reading these stories in order to fully enjoy and to not have any confusion. Our main character Madeline has grown a bit and I felt a better connection to her this time around. The storyline is well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. I found myself awake late to see it through until the very end and not being able to put it down. I’m excited to see where this author takes readers next. Four stars and highly recommended!
This is the second book in the Madeline Dawkins series and and its a great book.
After all the trauma cause to Madeline in the first book by her ex husband, she is back as a trained P.I with her close friend Mike.
She also still runs her event co-ordinator job as well. Her next job sees her planning a 3 day party for a famous client. However, things arent as rosy as they seem when the clients mother-in-law seeks Madelines help to find the person responsible for stealing her precious jewellery.
With both businesses taking off Madeline certainly has her hands full.
An added complication occurs when one of the men who was part of the plan that kidnapped her is released only to be found dead days later. Is the man that escaped justice Usherwood back getting his revenge on the people who turned him in and will Madeline be next on his hit list.
Its a great story that keeps you hooked and guessing. It has a strong and independent female main character which is nice.
In the second book of the Madeline Dawkins series, author Cynthia Hamilton knocks it out of the park! After reading the first book in the series, Spouse Trap, I’ve become invested in Madeline and I have I need for her to become successful and watch her recover. It’s a great start to see her and Mike starting their own private investigation firm and watching her work at event planning. I find the combination of both of those jobs very unique! In this book, I see Madeline growing up and maturing, she is growing stronger with everything that has happened to her and bouncing back. Cynthia Hamilton did a wonderful job keeping you hooked, I was right there along with Maddie trying to figure out who stole the jewelry. It’s a highly entertaining story, that will keep you wanting more of Madeline Dawkins world!
Once again Cynthia Hamilton delivers a great story. In A High Price to Pay (Madeline Dawkins Mysteries Book 2) we follow the continuing story of Madeline Dawkins. Now the proud owner of her own detective agency we follow Madeline on an exciting journey. Not only does her past come back to haunt her but the double jeopardy of a new case lands on her plate. That rapidly becomes a triple play. I loved watching the evolution of Madeline in this story and I love how her partner Mike is all about her. This one was a page turner for sure and you will not be disappointed.
A High Price to Pay (Madeline Dawkins Mysteries Book 2) by Cynthia Hamilton is the follow up book to Spouse Trap, it does refer back to some of the events in that book so I would recommend that readers make sure that they have read it first to fully appreciate the story. In A High Price to Pay, Madeline has recently received her P.I licence and, along with her friend and colleague Mike, are ready to start taking cases. Unfortunately for Madeline her first case is a bit close to home. The mother in law of her biggest client from her event planning business asks her to investigate some missing items from her home. However, the case is not as clear cut as it first seems. At the same time a threat from Madeline’s past has resurfaced and it making his ominous presence known. Madeline is not only facing the toughest case of her career so far; she is also watching over her shoulder in fear of her safety. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I love the development of the characters and the twists in the story. Perfect for anyone who likes a good mystery.
A High Price To Pat ( Madeline Sawkins #2) by Cynthia Hamilton. This is the second book in the Madeline Dawkins Series. This book was filled with mystery and danger throughout the pages. You won’t be able to put it down until you are finished. I love how Madeline has grown and it was great seeing her develop. I look forward to many more books by Ms. Hamilton.
This story begins with Madeline and Mike going through with their PI firm plans. Since they are just starting out, Madeline is still working as an event coordinator. However, the current job she is working needs both of her jobs in order to be successful. She must not only pull off an amazing birthday party for the wife of an actor…she also needs to find some missing jewels and, eventually, solve a murder. And then an old enemy makes a return….but you have to read it to know how it all pans out!
I feel that Madeline is less whiny and afraid in this book compared to the previous one. It’s like she found her self-confidence and I love it. These books are out of my usual genre of reading…but I have found myself really enjoying this series. I am keeping Cynthia Hamilton on my list of author’s to look for when I am searching for new books.
Cynthia Hamilton has done it again with another witty and entertaining novel about Madeline Dawkins. A High Price to Pay is book two in the Madeline Dawkins Mysteries that takes place a few years later after she and her best friend Mike get their business up and running. After finding out that the one person that is responsible for her torment, is still at large, Madeline does what she does best and sleuths around. Hamilton has a way with catching your attention and holds it for the entire novel. Fun, witty and entertaining is her style and will keep you glued to your seat.
A High Price To Pay is the second book in the Madeline Dawkins series. If you haven’t already I would definitely recommend reading the first book in the series beforehand.
Madeline is back working as an events coordinator, but also trying to get her PI business off the ground with her friend and partner Mike. Madeline is a great main character, she’s strong and feisty, yet real and vulnerable too. She has suffered in the past, which she is still coming to terms with, but it just makes her more relatable.
Like the first book this story is full of action to keep you hooked and wanting to find out what happens next. The story is full of tense moments and mysteries to be solved. The characters all have a lot of substance to them which I love, and you can tell the author has done a lot of research which really pays off in the details of the story which really bring it to life.
Looking forward to reading the next instalment.
We are back in the second book of the Madeline Dawkins Series. Madeline has really grown in the past few years. Madeline and Mike are now setting up thier business and then history has come to bite them. I would highly recommend reading this book Cynthia has quickly become one of my favourite authors. I look forward to seeing more from this series.
These books are kickass! I’m obsessed with Cynthia Hamilton’s writing in the way she captures Madeline’s life. Performing two jobs at the same time, private eye and event coordinator, Madeline is at a weekend-long birthday party for a movie director’s wife when she must track down not only the family’s jewels but also track down a murderer. Madeline works beside the local police department where she finds there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to her clients.
If that’s not enough, Madeline’s old abductor was released after striking a deal with the feds. Lionel Usherwood is on the path for revenge, if she doesn’t have enough on her plate as it is as Lionel already killed Rick Yeoman but now Lionel is out for Madeline’s blood next.
This book is filled with mystery, action, and suspense all in one! Great read: Original story, entertaining, and realistic.
Cynthia Hamilton has a way of drawing you and keeping you on the edge of you seat. I really enjoyed the second book in The Madeline Dawkins series. This is a really good story that follows Madeline and her partner, friend and lover Mike Delaney begin their private investigator business.
The story is well written and moves well and keeps you interested from beginning to end.
Psst…. You won’t believe the ending….
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers with unexpected whodunits. Get the book today!
We fast forward 3 years from the end of the first novel. Madeline has officially become a PI and is running a successful event planning business. She is told one of her previous attackers is being released from prison. Her first PI client ends up murdered. Will she discover who is responsible?
This book was full of action and drama. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it.
A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2)
by Cynthia Hamilton
This book was an awesome read. This story had many twists and turns and what I really enjoyed about it was that there were multiple events happening at the same time. I was very impressed with how it kept me engrossed and entertained throughout and how it all came together in the end. This is the second book in this series and I have to say I held high expectations from the first book and I’m happy to say this one met my expectations. Madeline has grown and changed in some ways in this story and I’m excited for you to experience it. I highly recommend this book.
A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2) by Cynthia Hamilton has once again cleverly woven threads to give us another thrilling, fast paced,and exciting story that had me on the edge of the seat from start to finish. Murder and mystery, fear and drama, love and hurt were compelling and emotions were running rampant but the story and the plot flowed smoothly. It can be read as a standalone since there is sufficient information from the first book ‘Girl Trap’ to bring you up to speed but I recommend you read it first as it gives you much more depth to the person Madeline is and what she has gone through.
Madeline fights once again for truth and justice as she faces off against the one monster that has haunted her dreams and made her life a living hell. Unfortunately she can’t seem to catch a break when organising a birthday bash which turns into murder and she is once again in the hunt to catch a killer.
Cynthia has infused elements of humor throughout which kept things from getting to dark and provided a laugh.
If you love a good mystery then give this series a go. You will be pleasantly surprised.