Prepped for the Kill: A Marjorie Gardens Mystery By A.E.H. Veenman

by Kathleen Costa

Details on how to win an e-book copy of this book at the end of the review.

Date: July 23, 2016 Case File: Prepped for the Kill

Ladies and Gents,

KC here, I just finished the exciting second adventure of Isis Ferrelli, aka Marjorie Gardens. Still reeling from the investigation she led into the murder of her client (Dial QR for Murder), she continues to worry that friends and co-workers might find out about her online crime blogger alter-ego and crime-syndicate family. Some ‘loose ends’ continue to haunt her.

Isis works as a defense attorney for McCarter and French, LLP, in Port Shirley, Massachusetts, and her online personae blogs at MyThug Shot about cases ‘changing names to protect the innocent.’ Before she can be whisked away on vacation with her dreamy boyfriend, Assistant DA Jason Shahaman, she first needs to determine whether or not a client, who wishes to act as a whistle-blower on her employer, is worth the law firm’s time. Examining the file, the case seemed legit and the client trustworthy, so why does she decide to take the severance pay and drop the case? This puts the firm on the search for a new client.

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Moving on, Isis is surprised to learn that her neighbors, Raymond Lockhart and Jedemiah Briggs, who played an active role in her previous investigation, are seriously considering purchasing a luxury survival condo at the Reebok Refuge Silo, a decommissioned missile base. They’re hoping to solicit her expertise in reviewing the purchasing agreement which includes a $1M price tag for a full unit.

Ray assures Isis that a discount can be negotiated for accepting the role as Chief of Defense for the underground community and Jed, his roommate, would act as his engineer. To Isis it seems a very expense way to survive doomsday, and although the law firm was not happy with her taking on a ‘pro bono,’ the three head off to the facility’s Open House for an on site investigation.

Image source: A.E.H. Veenman

The facility seemed the perfect place to spend the ‘apocalypse’ with a pool and spa, cafeteria, school and library, infirmary, aquaponics, livestock ark, recreation areas, well-appointed living quarters…all managed by friendly and capable staff/residents. Living quarters were a question since a few were more luxurious than others and some incomplete.

Supplies seem to be addressed, but what is the connection to the One-Stop down the road? Then…a prank, a poisoning, power outages, lock-downs, two missing key members (one with a necessary code), a murder, and no way out! So, who thought the ‘apocalypse’ would happen inside the facility?

Well, concluding my report, this adventure had me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the “cat and mouse” hunt up and down the various underground tiers trying to keep all locations clear and uncover the motive behind the sabotage and murder and excited to see if they would escape their confinement before it turned into one very big coffin. AEH Veenman painted Isis as a clever character who kept her wits about her to protect her friends and finally resolve the issues. This delightful mystery has earned 4.5/5 Doomsday clocks!

Until next time,
Arrivederci!
KC

Learn more on the author's website and Facebook page.

To enter to win an e-book copy of Prepped for the Kill, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “prepped,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 13, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address.

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.