None of us want to admit our lives are unmanageable. We prefer the charade that we are in control. Lillian Dove, however, is constantly reminded she has very little control over her life and only has the ability to move to the choices that come her way. The Lillian Dove Series is a journey in recovery. While Lillian is a recovering alcoholic, like many who struggle with addictions come to … addictions come to understand, stopping drinking does not mean life returns to normal. However, as this series begins, Lillian does realize she has compulsions and addictions to many things, not just Absolut.
How we handle dependency and denial is what allows for choice.
In Admit to Mayhem, Lillian needs to admit her life has become unraveled again when she becomes an eyewitness to arson. Probing into a cold case of arson sixty years ago and the arson she witnessed at the beginning of this novel helps her admit to some of her own life’s challenges and successes.
Admit to Mayhem, offering comedic dysfunction, is not only a suspenseful mystery but an important step for Lillian’s self-identity–and possibly for the reader’s.
Admit: I admit that my life has become unmanageable.
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The tone and setting reminded me a bit of a Joan Hess book. Small town, gossip, a dry sense of humor throughout, and well-written prose. The romance took a back seat to the mystery, and the story depends mostly on the odd charm, hapless misadventures, and wit of the main character. It’s a likable book, and starts off the series well enough.
Lillian Dove, the narrator and main character, is trapped in a small town to care for her difficult mother. Lillian is a recovering alcoholic, and her insightful comments on drinking in general, and her drinking in particular, add a great deal to this book.
Once morning, coming home from an accidental sleep-over with her boss, she spots a fire. She sees someone in the house, and climbs a latter to try and rescue the person. Things spiral out of control from that point on, and Lillian never really has a grip on anything–but she’s got spunk, she’s smart, and she has friends. And she has a great cat!
Likable, readable, charming, with crisp, clear sentences and snappy dialogue. I enjoyed it.
This review is for the audio book.
I enjoyed this book. This is the first book by this author that I have read or listened to but it won’t be my last, especially if there are more books in this series. I liked the main character and she might be a recovering alcoholic but that is not the main focus of the book. The rest of the characters were also likeable and the story really gives you a sense of the small town community. The mystery was interesting with a well thought out plot that keeps you guessing where the story was going to take you next. There is a love interest but with so much going wrong in her life Lillian doesn’t have much time to pursue it but it adds some drama to the book. Just a good all round mystery.
When a sudden thunderstorm arrives it means its not safe to drive home from a bar-b-que and Lillian spends the night at her boss’s house. When she sneaks home in the early hours she is the only witnesses to a house fire. When she sees someone still inside the house she puts her life in danger to help. When the fireman arrive Lillian is the only one to be rescued. Lillian knows what see saw but convincing the police means the home owner is arrested. The house was burnt down before and only one family member survived. Lillian believes the police arrested the wrong man and the only way to find the real arsonist is to lot into the past and find out the truth behind the first fire and losing her job means she has plenty of time to visit her ailing mother and investigate.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job of bringing the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Admit to Mayhem (Lillian Dove #1) was a good read by D.J. Adamson. Lillian Dove finds herself constantly reminded that she has little control of her life. Lillian is a recovering alcoholic and is trying to find a normalcy in her life. Lillian finds that she must admit that her life has unraveled again when she is a witness to arson. She finds herself looking into a cold case of arson sixty years ago as well as the one she witnessed. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more in this series.
This book was very interesting. It was unique and different in a good way. I enjoyed reading it. It has so many ups and downs. I love the main character and her pursuit of the truth despite her being an addict to booze. She maintains despite all the troubles that come her way. I was surprised at the ending of the book too. It makes me want to read more from this series and this author. I will be following her from now on too!