Two dead husbands. Accident, suicide or murder?Life in beautiful Santa Barbara County will never be the same for two grieving widows. One is serving a lengthy sentence for the bizarre tractor death of her much older, land-rich husband. The other is convinced her husband’s death was no suicide.During Madeline’s four-month convalescence, Steven Ridley—her jailbird ex—manages to get parole on the … get parole on the pretext of retraining inmates for their reentry into society. He has the audacity to enlist Mike’s help to find out if inmate Lindsay Bartholomew had been set up to take the fall for her husband’s death.
Santa Barbara D.A. Conrad Adams makes a personal appeal to MDPI on behalf of Natalie Sheckle, hoping Madeline and Mike can prove whether her husband took his own life, or if someone stitched him up for his own murder.
Never ones to shy away from longshots or lost causes, the duo dives into both cases. But now they must figure out what secrets these two men took to their graves.
The Trouble with Paradise is the fourth book in the Madeline Dawkins Series
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The Trouble With Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton a fantastic five-star read. This is number four in the Madeline Dawkins series and they just go from strength to strength, Madeline and Mike make such a great team they pull you into the story, you watch it unfurl and reveal the twists and complexities of the story that will just keep you on tenterhooks until the very end. Two deaths of two husbands, should be separate and simple, shouldn’t they? Well you need to read the story to find out, as you will be dragged into the story and put the pieces together as you read. But will you get the whole picture by the end or be left wondering till the story reveals itself.
After months of recovery and convalescence, Maddie is ready to return to work. Determined to not show any weakness, she takes on a bit more than she can handle. Nick, like always, knows she needs to be independent and is silently waiting to assist.
They are brought 2 cases revoloving around a husband dying. One was recommended to them by Steven Ridley, Maddie’s ex. The wife was accused and found guilty of killing her husband. But multiple people believe she’s innocent. The second is recommend by the DA. A widow convinced her husband would never commit sucicde and wants them to find a reason why he would OR prove he was murdered.
This story had plenty of twists, turns, and oh crap! moments. I definitely recommend this book. I highly recommend reading the previous ones so you’re caught up.
This genre is what I normally go for, but this series has done really shown me a different side to the crime/mystery genre and I have grown to really enjoy it. Cynthia Hamilton has once again drawn me into this read and made me forget everything around me! It had me turning the pages quickly wanting to find out more. This book is filled with suspense, mystery, action and leaves you guessing what could happen next. I can’t wait to see what will happen next in this series until then I highly recommend this read!
STOP! If you have not read books 1-3, do that first before opening this one, its needed to know all that’s going on here in this book.
We get to see some more growth for our characters in this book. Investigating not one but two cases involving dead husbands, we dive right in and are taken for quite the spin. And if that’s not enough, let’s throw in an ex with his own cry for help.
The story moved well, and we get to see all the details and are able to paint the picture in our minds of what is going on.
Good read, great series!
The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton
5 of 5 Stars
This is book four in Cynthia Hamilton’s ‘Madeline Dawkins Mystery’ series and having read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous three books I was really looking forward to this latest instalment and was definitely not disappointed. This series just keeps getting better and better, Madeline is a great main character and heroine of the stories and I felt like I was back with an old friend whilst reading this novel. In, ‘The Trouble with Paradise’ a person from Madeline’s past threatens her future and everything she has built for herself since leaving her husband and becoming a private investigator. Her latest cases along with partner Mike Delaney come personally from the Santa Barbara D.A. and include the case of a widow who is insistent that she did not kill her much older husband. The other is a widow who does not agree that her husband took his own life. Whilst sifting through the greed and betrayal involved in these cases to determine the truth, Madeline is reminded of her own past. Meanwhile, Madeline’s ex husband comes back into her life wanting to clear the name of an inmate, Lindsay Bartholomew who is adamant that she has been set up and is not guilty of the crimes she’s in prison for. Not believing her ex husband could be a changed man, Madeline focuses on her investigations. It soon becomes clear that if the killer is not already in prison then he is still free and will continue his murder spree to remain safe himself.
This story had me hooked from page one and kept me guessing until the last page, it has a fast paced and exciting storyline. The novel is full of drama and suspense, and I like how the author weaves the personal aspects of Madeline and Mike’s lives into the murder, mystery, crime story. It can be read as a standalone story, however the reader would understand more of Madeleine’s backstory if they have read the previous books in the story.
I definitely recommend this novel and think that it is a five star read.
The Trouble with Paradise is a Madeline Dawkins Mystery by Cynthia Hamilton, the fourth in the series. I was drawn to it by the title, promising a gorgeous setting and captivating mystery. The book delivered on both fronts!
Injured in a previous case, our heroine Madeline has just come back to her job as a PI. We get glimpses throughout that she is still healing physically and mentally, but she is determined not to be held back. She’s a likeable character, using her social skills to get (almost) everyone to open up to her whilst constantly processing things that don’t quite fit.
Setting-wise, I particularly liked the ranch and vineyard! It was beautifully described, and such a great location being by the sea. I wanted to be there, tasting the wine and enjoying the view (as long as there weren’t any tragic accidents happening on that particular day…).
Madeline and her partner Mike have two big cases keeping them occupied throughout the book. Both involve men dying in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind widows who aren’t satisfied with the official causes and reasons for their deaths. The pair of PIs try to approach both cases with open, fresh minds to discover the truth and ensure that justice is served.
I really enjoyed this book – it gets five stars from me. I haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series but they’re on my tbr list now. The story made enough sense without them, but I’m sure they would have given me a lot more background on the central characters.
I would recommend this book to fans of a good murder mystery, who will enjoy being transported to a beautiful Californian setting.
Another favorite!
Madeline Dawkins and her partner Mike take one not one but two cases for their PI business to work on in this installment of the series. One case is looking into a man’s suicide which his wife doesn’t believe he would have done it. The other is a wife accused of killing her husband where the crime just doesn’t seem to fit.
I love seeing how much Madeline has grown in confidence and strength in each book. And Madeline & Mike’s relationship and how they work in tandem really makes the story flow.
Once again I find myself at a loss for words. What can you say about The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton? I can honestly say that out of all the Mysteries that I have read since the beginning of this year Madeline and Mike have intrigued me the most. I love these little mysteries, it seems like there’s a different theme that runs through each one and it certainly was the for this one. But the most exciting thing about this mystery is that the romance between Madeline and Mike has been driving me crazy. They are, they aren’t, there might be someone else. You know it was just making me a nervous wreck. This story… well you’re just going to have to read it yourself.
We all have those authors whose books we will purchase without even reading what the actual book is about because we love that author so much. Cynthia Hamilton is that author for me. I LOVE her writing style and the way she creates a story so in depth it’s like you’re an active member of the story or at the very least- watching it like a movie. This is my 4th Madeline Dawkins Mystery book, and I cannot wait for another one. She struck gold with this series. I love Maddie and Mike to no end! This book will give you multiple different scenarios for a couple of cases that have been dumped on the duo. Will Steven Ridley be a problem for them this go around? What other kinds of trouble can these two with their new crew at MDPI get into? Read to find those answers and so many more.
The Trouble With Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton
Four Stars
The Trouble With Paradise is the fourth book in the Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. This series keeps getting better and better. This series is best if you read it in order. You will miss out on important backstory and they are all very good reads. Madeline and Mike really take us on an adventure in this new installment. The characters are growing as this series progresses and the story flows smoothly. I’m really glad I was introduced to this author and have put her on my must read list.
When two husbands die and are classed as suicides but the widows aren’t convinced, so will the budding detectives solve the mystery.
The story takes place four months after the last book and the two detectives take on the cases of two wealthy men who have been found dead, one wife has been charged with one of the murders and is currently in jail but the other wife is adamant that her husband was murdered so Madeline and Mike start investigating.
As the story weaves through the book you get drawn into the mystery as you delve into the world of these two investigators. There are some shocking twists and the way the story has layers within the book you are guessing as you turn the pages to book to solve the mysteries.
I love this series and I would recommend reading the the other books first, although this story is a stand alone story there are other elements to the history of the main characters which weave through the first three books. I love the well developed main characters and the thriller aspect of the stories makes for a great read. I can’t wait to read the next installment and see how these two characters develop in the future.
This is book 4 in the Madeline Dawkins series and these books keep getting better and better. It is a great faced paced read and keeps you guessing every step of the way.
After 4 months out recovering from injury Madeline is back at the PI firm with Mike ready to solve more cases.
When 2 cases arrive at once they have their work cut out for them. One case is brought to them by a friend. The other is brought to them by their enemy.
The 1st case is a woman who’s husband died from suicide, well that was the finding but his wife Natalie doesn’t believe that is the case. Did Andrew commit suicide or was it something more sinister? Also are Natalie’s motives for finding the truth the motives of a bereaved widow or is there more to it?
The second case was brought to them by Madeline’s ex husband who we know can’t be trusted. This case involves the murder of a man by tractor accident. However the police don’t believe it was an accident and arrest his wife Lyndsey for his murder. Was it just a tragic accident? Is his wife really guilty or murdering her husband or is someone else to blame?
The Trouble With Paradise (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton
I think this is my favorite of the series so far. I’m sure I felt that way about the last one too but I really enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book. Madeline is a bad a&^ lady and she proves it time and time again.
The two cases Madeline and Mike have this time are almost impossible to figure out. Two women widowed. One is jail, one isn’t but they both want answers. If anyone can figure out what happened it’s Madeline and Mike.
Can we talk about Samir for just a second? How awesome is he? I feel he is under appreciated and no matter what Madeline does for him it will never be enough.
Can’t wait for the next book to come out so I can find out what happens next.
The Trouble with Paradise is the fourth book in The Madeline Dawkins Series by Cynthia Hamilton which is a thriller. I have loved this series since the first book, and this one didn’t disappoint. Again, we follow Mike and Madeline who I come to love more as each book comes. This story follows the death of two different guys and whose wives need help bringing the truth to light. You won’t be disappointed with this book, it’s a really good read that answers some questions.
The Trouble With Paradise (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton. Another fantastic addition to a series I’ve decided is in my top favorites for this years. Sometimes I find series that go for a while can lose something along the way and I get bored but once again this author proves that’s not always the case. I’ve loved watching these characters grow throughout this series. This book involves two different cases which may make you think it’ll be too busy but I for one found it’s got a perfect balance. The characters pull you into their world so completely I lost track of time and the outside world for a while and loved every minute. The storyline is well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. I’m giving this story a five star review and highly recommend it. Can’t wait for more!