Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery

Celebrate Lit Book Tour

My Review

Agh.  Oh my.  This book.  I didn’t read the first three first and I should have.  There were a few things that would have been really nice to know beforehand so I’m going to say read the first books first.  It’s not the end of the world to not do so, but I really would have preferred to read the other three first.  I immediately grabbed the other three off the kindle library and set to work reading them.

Spoiler alert, you’re gonna want the next book like now!  Seriously.  She leaves it hanging and makes you want more.  Now I have had to add another book to my watch for the next in the series to arrive.  Not soon enough.  Tomorrow would not even be soon enough.

I loved it!  So much.  I cannot recommend this book of the author enough.  This is another author I’d never heard of but now can’t get enough of.  Definitely one to follow.  

But the Story

Our main character is Madeline.  Or better known to all as meddlin’ Madeline though she’d prefer something a little nicer like Mettlesome or some such.  Madeline is obsessed with detectiveship and solving cases.  She loves disguises and is immensely good at it.  While she has all the smarts and brains maybe sometimes her common sense has a bit to work on(surprisingly this has been said about me before).  Her character in this book while she’s for real undercover is Jane Sempleton.  And oh is she a hoot!

Jane is engaged to Royal(hmm like Russell maybe) who really doesn’t exist.  He’s just a cover for her Pinkerton Agent who’s in charge of the case.  Poor Jane writes to her Royal who writes her back and thus the case builds.  The sparing and fun in the letters between them is hilarious and I love seeing Jane reach to all the things around her. 

But life for Madeline isn’t simple for sure.  While she’s undercover in a town far away her family is changing back home.  Her aunt desperately disapproves of her activities and thus doesn’t know where she is.  Amy, her best friend, is set to arrive back at home after time abroad with a new fiance and poor Madeline won’t be there!  But she’s sure Amy will understand that oversight.  It can’t be helped.  Russell is her friend, her confidante, her protector and he knows she’s doing what she must.  But he’s worried she’s a bit too obsessed with her work.  A bit too obsessed with the adrenaline rush of it.  Will it take over and be more important than her faith and her family?  Is work more important than all she used to hold dear?

Get the book!  You won’t want to put it down or stop reading.  Trust me.

I received a digital copy of this book so that I could provide you with a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway.  I’m an avid book reader and just want to help you avoid the bad ones and embrace the good ones!

About the Book

Book: Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian historical, mystery

Release Date: February 19, 2019

For the first time, Madeline has permission to meddle.

Something’s not adding up in the Wintherwood, Ohio bank, and Madeline’s there to figure out why.

Sent by the Rockland Pinkerton’s office to investigate shady banking practices, Madeline finally has the opportunity to try out all her developing detective skills. From her new disguise to an assumed persona, complete with non-existent fiancé, Madeline takes on embezzlement in Wintherwood, Ohio.

Now, to find the culprit and get back to Rockland before Amy arrives, before Mrs. Barnes gets any sicker, and before Russell writes her off as a hopeless, heartless girl.

As Madeline figures out what’s happening, even Mr. Flint begins to lose confidence in her. How will she prove who is taking the money and why–especially after her primary suspect ends up dead?

Dead Letter is the fourth book in the Meddlin’ Madeline series.

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About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

3 Reasons You’ll Love the Book and Hate Me

“This is book four, right?”

I nodded.

He looked at me with those eyes that conjure up the idea of puppy dogs begging for treats. So deceptive. “You’re going to have to up the stakes then.”

“Well, this is the one where she goes into official active detective mode and decides if she even wants that kind of life.”

“Not enough.”

He was right and I knew it. Fortunately, I’d prepared for this moment. You see, I know him well. He’s a horror writer. He likes to torment in ways that make my worst meannesses seem petty (like the time I suggested killing off Chad in Past Forward—trust me. That was kind compared to his ideas).

So, I pulled out my bigger gun and plopped it on the table. I added ammunition. And grinned.

Look, you guys are going to hate me for it, but trust me. It needs to be done. You’ll forgive me… eventually. Maybe. I hope.

Then he did it. He gave me that look. No, not the, “Yeah, baby!” look you want to see when you’ve hit a hole in one. The, “Is that all you’ve got?” look.

The work began. He suggested one thing. I toned it back. He looked like that puppy again—except this time I’d kicked him. Bless his heart, he does love his horror.

Still, he whistled his way out the door a short while later, and I grinned. Compromise is beautiful. But what does that mean for YOU?

3 Reasons You’ll Love the Book and Hate Me

First—

Love the book: Madeline as Jane Sempleton is a hoot. She cracked me up from the beginning, and I’m still chuckling.

Hate me: Madeline’s faith and integrity are tested in this one—exponentially. Without giving away too much, her father even rebukes her!!!

Second—

Love the book: Mrs. Barnes is such a sweet mentor to Madeline

Hate me: Mrs. Barnes. That’s all I’m sayin’. Mrs. Barnes.

Third—

Love the book: Snippets of the heart get revealed.

Hate me: Russell. That’s all I’m sayin’. Russell.

So, there you have it. All the reasons you should read this book… and remember that the series isn’t over. Not by a long shot. It’s darkest before dawn. And um… a whole bunch of other clichés.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, March 18

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 18

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 19

Mary Hake, March 19

Aryn, The Libraryan, March 20

Back Porch Reads, March 21

Carpe Diem, March 22

Through the Fire Blogs, March 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

For Him and My Family, March 24

janicesbookreviews, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Bigreadersite, March 28

Lots of Helpers, March 28

Multifarious, March 29

A Reader’s Brain, March 30

Blogging With Carol, March 30

Inklings and notions, March 31

The Becca Files, March 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of Dead Letter, a Madeline-inspired book cozy, and a book-themed candle!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dee6/meddelin-madeline-dead-letter-celebration-tour-giveaway