Dead in the Water (A Mattie Winston Mystery Book 8) Kindle Edition

It keeps you guessing from the beginning as the author lays out the story. The crime part ended rather abruptly. Sort of the one disappointment in the book..

Well-done, fun cozy mystery! Since my days of obssessively reading Cherry Ames, Vickie Barr, Trixie Belden & Nancy Drew, cozy mystery has been my go-to feel-good genre. I’m glad to find another satisfying series to plug into from time to time :)

This is book 8 in the Mattie Winston series and it is bit of a turning point. These books tend to be light-hearted and readable even as they are dealing with details of murder in both the coroner’s office and the police investigation. This book is less light-hearted. Some series age better than others. I still like this one and will keep reading, but I miss the humor of the earlier books as the series seems to be taking a more serious path. There is still a light touch, but the earlier books in the series were flat out funny at times and I miss that. It is best to read the books in order so that you know the characters’ history and will better appreciate the events of the current book. There are several significant recurring characters. This plot of this book is complex for the series. It provides some information about Mattie’s long absent father, a very incomplete resolution of the crimes within its covers, and sets up what will surely be an on-going story line. There are life-changing events for our characters along with the shift in tone. I read many more serious mystery series as well so that is not a problem for me. It is more a matter of this book not being what I expected in the Mattie Winston stories. There was one thing that I actively disliked. Hurley latching on to “Squatch” as a term of endearment for Mattie is not believable, kind, loving, or remotely endearing. It is also not consistent with the rest of the book where in several instances she has been insulted by insensitive wise cracks about her size that fall flat and Hurley is aware of the insult. So, for the man who loves her best to call her “Squatch” as a diminutive of Sasquatch is just flat out wrong. I gave it 5 stars because I will read the next one. But if "Squatch" stays as an endearment, a star goes.

I always enjoy the work of Annelise Ryan. The main characters remain the same in each story so they feel like old friends and watch as the families grow. The suspense of the story kept me wondering what was going to happen next

Well written with an engaging plot

I have fallen in love with the characters in this series. It was interesting to find out things about Mattie's father and his past. I wish there was more humorous moments like in the first few books, but I still love this series.

You will love Mattie. These books are so satisfying. A great murder mystery and laugh out loud moments. And, if you enjoy reading every detail of your sleuth's day, you will get a kick out of this series.

Another stellar addition to the Mattie & Hurley Saga. It’s still a lot of fun, and Mattie is as wry and entertaining as ever.

Wonderful book thoroughly enjoyed it.

The worst book I ever bought on Amazon. I probably skipped half of it because the details added nothing to the story. Character development was nonexistent. I will never buy another by this author.