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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Review of The Trouble with Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton
I received this book from the author for an honest review and once I started reading it, I couldn’t stop and finished reading it in two days. After a serious injury Madeline Dawkins, Private Investigator, returns to work to solve two cases concomitantly involving widows. The protagonist in Cynthia Hamilton’s mystery series isn’t out of danger herself and is attacked by a “hit man,” someone hired to assassinate her by her ex-husband Steven Ridley, and although this character is little seen, he is spoken of often enough to give the reader the idea that he’s a complete sociopath.
I very much enjoyed reading the analytical thinking progressions that Madeline employs when discussing the cases with her partner in business and in life, Mike Delaney. Madeline’s problem-solving techniques involve observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, inference, explanation, and decision making. However, she also uses her “gut feelings,” insights, and inclinations, which are profound and revelatory in solving murders/suicides/deaths. Due to these critical thinking processes, the author has chosen to write a fascinating and absorbing, yet eloquent and engaging mystery novel. I applaud her intelligent writing style which elevates the genre, and hope to read other books in this series..
THE TROUBLE WITH PARADISE by Cynthia Hamilton is a captivating, page-turning, twofer. Both storylines are equally well done, with characters I loved rooting for, and characters I loved to hate. I think you’ll enjoy this book, too.
The Trouble With Paradise is the fourth book in The Madeline Dawkins Series by Cynthia Hamilton. Madeline Dawkins is a private investigator with her partner Mike Delaney. The Santa Barbara D.A. calls up Madeline about figuring out how two men died. Unfortunately, Madeline isn’t a stranger to troubled marriages. Not only does Madeline have to worry about solving these two cases, but now her ex-husband is trying to clear the name of an inmate. I loved the way the author was able to carry out multiple storylines and how well she was able to tie them together. You’ve got two men dead, one who may have been killed by his wife and the other who may have killed himself. Then there is the storyline of Madeline’s ex-husband trying to clear Lindsay Bartholomew’s name. This is the second story I’ve read in this series and I definitely preferred Madeline in this story. I look forward to seeing what Madeline is up to in the next book.
The Trouble With Paradise is the 4th book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery series by Cynthia Hamilton. Each book can be read as a standalone but in my opinion I think you’d get more from the series if you read it all from the beginning and in order. This is a fantastic mystery series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As much as I loved the first book in this series, I think it gets better and better as it goes on and we get to spend more time in the company of Madeline Dawkins and her partner Mike Delaney. Just reading the blurb, I was already hooked and that was before I even started reading – Two dead husbands – Accident, Suicide or Murder?
Yet again Cynthia Hamilton had written an intricate storyline with so many twists and turns that you can’t put this book down. I absolutely loved this book. The two cases that Madeline and Mike are working on are full of mystery, danger and intrigue and are highly entertaining. I was totally absorbed by both cases and couldn’t wait to see how they unravelled.
Madeline and Mike are both amazing characters. I could read their exploits for hours on end. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
The trouble with paradise
By
Cynthia hamilton
Book 4 of Madeline Dawkins series, we continue to follow Mike and Madeline who are private detectives, Madeline is recovering from being shot and comes back to work. The two find themselves with two similar cases and Madeline’s ex shows up again in this story. All in all I like this book. It answers more questions left after the last book and has a really good ending. You will enjoy reading this book and enjoy how these characters develop.
This is the fourth book in the Madeline Dawkins series and Cynthia Hamilton has done it again. Mike and Madeline have another case to solve
Steven is back in thier lives given then a case omg . Andrews death was at suicide or something else Natalie wants to know. I would highly recommend this book and entire series to anyone who enjoys murder mystery and supnse writing.
Yet another great book in the Madeline Dawkins series. In this one Madeline and Mike are working two different cases in which both of the husband’s end up dead.
One was definitely murder as the wife was sent to prison for the crime. But did she really do it? There are plenty of suspecrs to choose from, but it will take a lot of interviews to get the answers they seek. Was it the housekeeper or the foreman? Perhaps it was a jealous ex-wife? Or was it one of the grown children that became overly ambitious and would do anything to get what they wanted?
The second case seems cut and dry: suicide. There was no forced entry, no witnesses, and the only prints on the weapon belonged to the deceased. The widow is adamant that her husband didn’t kill himself so she hires MDPI to look into the case. Madeline and Mike seem to be getting nowhere with the case until Madeline catches the widow, Natalie, in a somewhat compromising position. Now she is determined to find whether or not Natalie and her new lover are responsible for the death of her husband.
I really enjoyed this Cynthia Hamilton book, just as much as the other ones that i read. The characters and the many twists and turns of the story. The suspense and mystery will keep you wanting more and more. I could not put this book down until the very end. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Hamilton.
This is the fourth book in this series…and it just keeps on rollin’. This book is interesting in that there are two cases being investigated simultaneously…and everything is not quite as it appears to be. Madeline is approached by the DA to look into a suicide when the widow is convinced there is more at play. Meanwhile, Mike is approached by Steven (yes…Madeline’s ex) to look into a murder on behalf of another inmate.
There is a lot going on in this book with the different story lines…but as they move forward, Mike and Madeline find that there are some similarities that could link the two. But, if they are linked, then where is the mastermind behind it all? You will have to read it to find out.
This story, while busy with storylines, doesn’t really move forward in terms of character growth. Don’t get me wrong, Madeline has grown a lot since book 1. Maybe I just want more. Both she and Mike are great people and I want to see more from them. But, all in all, it is another great book in this series!
5 Stars
“Two women in a world of misery, both widowed by circumstances that haven’t been sufficiently explained,”
The Trouble With Paradise is the fourth book in the Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. I am soooooooooo in love with this series- hands down one of the best discoveries I have made this year!!!! This is one of those series that you can read over and over again and never tire of it. After reading the first book and loving it so much, I was compelled to go on a one-click spree for any other books that I could find in the series. I ended up reading the series back to back, and several times over- that’s how much I enjoyed them.
I went into this book with extremely high expectations because all the previous books were so brilliant- so part of me was a little trepidatious about reading it, wondering if Cynthia Hamilton could sustain the momentum and deliver another thrilling mystery. So, I am thrilled to say that I should never have doubted her as this book is every bit as wonderful and brilliant as the previous books- setting my anticipation levels on high for the release of Book Five!!!
The story is so cleverly woven with intriguing mystery, suspense, drama, engrossing developments, action, danger, tension, romance, emotion, and so much more. Cynthia Hamilton once again puts Madeline and Mike through their paces- weaving a smart and thought provoking mystery infused with a dangerous tension that kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the story.
This story takes place four months after the events of the previous book. Madeline and Mike end up with two cases involving grieving widows who need help to uncover what really happened to their husbands. One widow is in jail, charged with the murder of her older, wealthy husband. But did she really kill him? And if not, then what really happened? The other widow wants to prove that her husband’s death definitely wasn’t suicide. But, what will our detectives discover? As I have come to expect from Cynthia Hamilton, nothing is ever simple. She always manages to weave a complex, multilayered mystery with more than a few twisty surprises to get me sitting up and really paying attention. Add in the fact that Madeline’s snake of an ex is now released from prison, had me wondering what he was up to, and when he would make his move. He seems to have turned over a new leaf- but Madeline (and I) know better- and just how underhanded and vile he can be. So what unfolds makes for quite a thrilling read!
As I have mentioned previously, I think The Madeline Dawkins books would make a fantastic television series- reminding me a lot of the old Moonlighting series with Cybil Shephard and Bruce Willis- but with more danger, excitement, and a modern ‘feel’.
So, if you love a cleverly crafted and thrilling mystery then what are you waiting for! Grab yourself a copy and dive in- but be prepared to develop an addiction to Cynthia Hamilton’s stories- you may find that one book will never be enough.
I am so desperate to find out what’s in store for Maddie and Mike- especially after the way this book ended! So, bring on Book Five!!! SQUEEEEEEE!!!! I can’t wait!
Brilliant!!!!
Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!
Madeline’s cases continue to get even more interesting as she’s attempting to solve two which seem to be at the same time, assisting two different widows in two very different scenarios. Madeline’s ex is out of prison and needs Madeline’s own partner to help clear his name. As the two cases coincide with one another, Madeline must figure out both simultaneously. I can’t help but love Mike and Madeline’s relationship even if it is a power duo saving the world but it would be better if they become official as a couple. Just me wishful thinking on where I hope their story goes because I’ve enjoyed every book’s installment so far so this one is no exception.
The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton. This is the 4th book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery series. These have been such fun books to read. This is the story of 2 dead husbands and their wives. One wife is in jail for the crazy tractor death of her much older husband and the other wife is convinced that her husband’s death was not a suicide like they are trying to make her believe. Madeline has been on rest for 4 months and during that time her ex husband in jail has gotten parole and has asked Mike to help him figure out if Lindsay Bartholomew was set up for her husband’s death. At the same time Santa Barbara District Attorney Conrad Adams is helping Mike and Madeline search for answers in Lindsay Bartholomew’s husband “suicide”. Will Mike and Madeline solve these mysteries before someone else dies and will they discover that these 2 men had a lot more in common than it seems. Read The Trouble with Paradise to find out.
With even more page turning suspense and a little extra romance for Madeline and Mike, the fourth installment of the Madeline Dawkins Mysteries is fantastic. Two different women with dead husbands need help for almost opposite reasons. One isn’t convinced of her husband’s suicide and the other might have been framed for her husband’s bizarre death. Madeline’s trash bag ex asks for help and out of the goodness of his heart, Mike says yes. Yes, the help is for Lindsay but I still think Steve had some nerve even asking.
Mike and Madeline have hearts really too good for their world and are prepared to do whatever it takes to help these two women.
The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton is a five star novel. I have loved getting to know Madeline and Mike as people over the course of the first three books. Having more to devour, only makes this series better. This time, the duo has started investigating the deaths of two people. One, the wife was in prison for killing her husband and two, the police said it was a suicide. Once the pair is put to the task, they start finding out more and more. What they uncover is truly crazy and I did not see it coming. This book was difficult to put down and I didn’t do much of that until it was finished!
The Trouble with Paradise (Madeline Dawkins Mystery)
by Cynthia Hamilton
Another great mystery in a great series. I love to read about Mike and Madeline and how they solve their next case. This story kept me on the edge of my seat while I was anticipating what was going to happen next. The author does a wonderful job weaving a suspenseful story full of action and interesting characters. I have loved reading this series from the start. I can’t wait to read the next book by this amazing author. I highly recommend this book.
The Trouble with Paradise is already the fourth book in Cynthia Hamilton’s Madeline Dawkins’ series! I love how Madeline’s character has evolved over the series and her sidekick Mike … their friendship, the way they work together to solve the cases, how they wade through twists and turns … This time we have TWO cases, two widows with obviously two dead husbands … are their deaths how they seem on the surface or is there something else, more sinister, going on beneath … the writer keeps us at the edge of our seats and biting our finger nails … will Madeline and Mike find the secrets the men had on time?
This is one brilliant series and I cannot wait to see what Madeline and Mike will investigate next!
The Trouble With Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton is the fourth in the Madeline Dawkins. Cynthia Hamilton does a homerun with this installment of Madeline Dawkins story. Her writing style is one that pulls you into the story. Once you are hooked, you do not want to put the kindle down. The dynamic duo Madeline and Mike are back in action with two clients. Will they be able to find out what exactly happened or will the cover up remain?
The Trouble with Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton is the third book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery series. I recommend reading these in order but I believe they can be enjoyed as a standalone. There is an underlying portion of the story from the first book which keeps coming up but each mystery is self-contained. This series keeps getting better with each book. Madeline and her partner Mike are on the case with two different cases both involving dead husbands. How did these men die and who is at fault? Mike and Madeline will work together to figure out both cases.
I like there are multiple cases that overlap but have similarities despite being completely different cases. I look forward to reading more about Mike and Madeline and the crazy cases which come across their desks. Also, I have enjoyed seeing how these characters and the secondary characters are developing and changing with each book. I will be reading more of these in the future.
The Trouble With Paradise by Cynthia Hamilton is part of a great series. I have been reading this series in order and have loved everything so far. The author is such a talented writer. These books are loaded with suspense. I keep saying ok one more chapter, let me see where this is going to go and then forget it, another door opens up and I’m still reading a few chapters later.
Two mean are dead. One by suicide and one by a tragic accident where the wife is arrested and blamed for his murder. Mike and Madeline are amazing PI’s and are now on both cases. They investigate every angle
and scenario to find out The Who, what, why, when and how. These two characters are awesome to read about and I love how they are best friends and sometimes more.
Looking forward to more by this author.
This is the 4th book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series and I think it should be read in order. There are continuing threads which tie them all together and will make it easier to read.
The author continues to build strong characters and puts them in unexpected positions. The plot line is suspenseful and I’m sure this series could continue for many more books – similar to the cozy mystery series we are familiar with but not so “cozy”.
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