Dead Calm

Annelise Ryan

Feb 2018 · A Mattie Winston Mystery Book 9 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

A coroner-turned-sleuth investigates a puzzling scene at a seamy motel in this hard-boiled mystery by the USA Today–bestselling author of Dead Ringer.

As deputy medical examiner and homicide detective respectively, newlyweds Mattie Winston and Steve Hurley are dispatched to a grisly crime scene at the Grizzly Motel, a seedy joint for illicit liaisons on the outskirts of Sorenson, Wisconsin. A man and woman are found dead next to each other in bed in what initially appears to be a grim but straightforward murder-suicide. An affair gone sour?

But as the forensic evidence is gathered and autopsies are performed, Mattie and Hurley realize the scene has been staged. They have a double murder on their hands. The spurned spouses of both victims top the list of suspects, but as more is revealed, the case becomes increasingly complex. Dividing their time and resources between the crime and an ongoing investigation involving Mattie's father, plus caring for their kids, the two are stretched to their limits. After another victim turns up dead, there’s no room for error as they stage a scene of their own to back the killer into a corner . . .

 

Praise for Annelise Ryan and her Mattie Winston series

 

“The forensic details will interest Patricia Cornwell readers . . .while the often slapstick humor and the blossoming romance between Mattie and Hurley will draw Evanovich fans.”—Booklist

 

“A puzzler of a mystery . . .. A smart and saucy heroine in Mattie Winston . . .. What a thrill ride!”—New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay

 

“Ryan smoothly blends humor, distinctive characters, and authentic forensic detail.”—Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

Dead Calm by Annelise Ryan is the ninth installment in A Mattie Winston Mystery series. Mattie Winston, medicolegal death investigator for the medical examiner’s office, and her husband, Detective Steve Hurley are called out during the night to a crime scene at the Grizzly Motel. At first glance, it looks like a murder-suicide scenario with Craig Knowlton killing Meredith Lansing. But upon further examination, it is evident that the scene was staged. Now Steve and Mattie have a double murder on their hands. The more they dig, the more complex the case. At the site of Steve and Mattie’s new home, the builders dig up a set of unusual remains. The bones are deformed which causes speculation that the remains are those of an alien (media sensation). Steve is still digging into the Prince case which relates back to Mattie’s father. They are still missing some key details. Will Mattie’s father fill in the gaps? This pair have their hands full with three investigations, a teenager and a toddler to take care of, and the construction of their new home on hold. Then another victim turns up. It does not help that the medical examiner’s office is understaffed, and the only potential candidate has a malodourous medical condition. How will it all turn out? You will have to read Dead Calm to find out! Dead Calm reminds me of the Energizer bunny—the story just keeps going and going at a fast clip. Dead Calm has three mysteries with varying levels of complexity. There is one odd, one simple, and the final one is convoluted. The main mystery can be solved before you are a quarter of the way through the story. The Prince case is more complex, and it started in a previous book in this series. It is a mystery that plays out since readers are not given all the facts necessary to solve it. This case dominates the book, and we are vast amounts of information relating to it (information overload). The odd case involving the deformed skeleton is interesting and provides some humorous moments (since people believe the skeleton belongs to an alien). I felt that the author crammed too much into this one book. Dead Calm is not a standalone book. While many details about the characters and cases from previous books is included (goes on for many pages), new readers will be lost. The characters are realistic and well-developed. The ending was anticlimactic regarding the Prince case, but the solution was clever. The crimes are counterbalanced with humor that will have many people laughing hilariously. There are a couple of items in the book that I could have done without. One of them being Matthew, Mattie’s young son, peeing on her leg. While I am sure most people will find it humorous and realistic, I did not feel it needed to be included (makes me glad I had a daughter). There is some repetition of information in Dead Calm. It makes me wonder if authors think readers forget the facts as we progress through the book. I am giving Dead Calm 4 out of 5 stars. There is a preview of Last Call (the next book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series) at the end (both series written by same author).

I love the series but I am outraged that the book is priced at 12.75 for an e-book..so I will NOT be buying ..a shame someone got greedy

Truly enjoyed each book in this series. Great character development and pacing! Also look into her Mack's Bar Mysteries, written as Allyson K. Abbott! Think she also writes under Beth Amos, first read her books under Harlequin or Silhouette as a teen! These mystery series showcase her matured talents!

About the author

Annelise Ryan is the pseudonym for the author of the Mattie Winston Mysteries and the Mac's Bar Mysteries (written as Allyson K. Abbott). She has written more than 200 published articles, worked as a book reviewer for Barnes & Noble, and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. Annelise currently works as a registered nurse in an ER. She can be reached at www.mattiewinston.com. Her books have garnered numerous accolades, most recently she has been honored by the Wisconsin Library Association.