This is the fourth in the Maggie McDonald Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. I have read and/or listened to all of them and I think this one was my favourite so far. Maggie is a professional organizer and this book shows how her skills can be used in other areas besides organizing a house. In this book there are wildfires and each chapter begins with a tip of what you can do in advance of a disaster where evacuation could occur. There are also some great resources at the end of the book. Having shared that, here is my review of the book.

With wildfires ripping through the canyons, Maggie and her family are worried they might have to evacuate. At the same time, Maggie's friend Tess, gets a phone call that her husband has been found dead on the trails he ran on in the canyon. Knowing that he could not have fallen on the familiar trails, his son Teddy is sure someone killed him. Once that is confirmed, Tess is arrested for his death. Maggie calls her lawyer to help with getting Teddy settled with their family as well as helping Tess. As the story unfolds, there are a lot of clues, some red herrings and several suspects. I thought I knew who the murderer was, then changed my mind. Along with the murder, there are also issues with drugs and cartels having several grow-ops hidden around the canyon. Along with the drugs comes some environmental issues and human slavery. Once another law enforcement agency steps in, Jason is left with only an advisory role which he worked to his advantage. There were several twists, new characters and environmental issues all part of the plot. Mary Feliz does a wonderful job with these varying stories all woven together to write a great story. I definitely recommend this one to cozy mystery lovers, especially if you like a different twist on a story. The publisher, Lyrical Underground, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

I really enjoy this series, professional organizer Maggie McDonald seems like someone you would know from your kids' school, except that she has a knack for solving crimes. The wildfire situation is California makes a great backdrop for this story, covering up many crimes in the forests and mountains near Maggie's home. When her friend Tess is the first suspect in her husband's death, Maggie easily steps up, along with her supportive husband and family, to find out what really happened. While some of Maggie's tips at the beginning of each chapter are truly geared to the fire season, many are ones that I feel anyone could utilize in emergency situations. It's good to be prepared.

Disorderly Conduct is a gem of a story. Maggie McDonald has a full life, children, a husband, her organization business, and skills as an investigator.
Wildfires are burning out of control and Maggie is preparing her family members for evacuation.
Unfortunately, her best friend's husband is found, dead, murdered, and her friend is the prime suspect.
Taming wildfires may be easier than proving her friend's innocence, but Maggie won't stop until the real murderer is caught.
This story is fast paced and will keep the reader engaged from the beginning to the end.
Fans of the author will be delighted with Disorderly Conduct.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I think this is such a charming series and the latest doesn’t disappoint me. I think this was extremely realistic in this mystery, with the past few years being hosts to wildfires in California. It is easy to see the scene your head, smell the fire and even picture finding a body. I loved that we had lots to focus on in this mystery, questions and answers will pop through your mind quickly as you race to the finish.

Overall, as I was closing in on the end and the murderer I couldn’t help but find myself smiling. I really enjoyed this book and as always Maggie is one of those characters that you just come to love. Plus, the tips at each chapter in this book were helpful for me. I am using a few in my life now! It is always nice to walk away with some new tips and want for the next mystery.

Disorderly Conduct

by Mary Feliz

I am of two minds about Mary Feliz’s latest cozy mystery Disorderly Conduct. As a mystery, I think it is top notch. It has interesting, likable characters, from Maggie, a professional organizer, right down to three lovable dogs who play a big part in the story. The setting is compelling as the story plays out in the middle of fire threats in California and involves the tech world of highly paid engineers on software campuses. The plot has twists and turns. Even after the suspects are narrowed down to three, it is hard to guess which one is the murderer and certainly the motive remains a major puzzle.

Unfortunately, I have two problems with Disorderly Conduct. One is that each chapter begins with a tip from Maggie McDonald’s notebook compiled for her company, Simplicity Itself Organizing Services. At first I enjoyed the tips, most of which deal with emergency preparedness. As the book progresses and becomes increasingly more intense, however, the tips become longer and more of an interruption.

The second problem is the large number of social issues Mary Feliz stuffs into this cozy mystery. Don’t get me wrong; I am fine with a themed cozy. I think social issues are important, but the time I spend reading is my pleasure time. I don’t want to feel like someone is either lecturing me or trying to forward an agenda through a cozy mystery. Gun control, gay marriage, discrimination against Muslims, domestic violence, bullying, Olympic competitions, drug cartels, the environment. Choose one, choose two, but not the whole package, please!

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Lyrical Underground (Kensington Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #4 in the Maggie McDonald Mystery Series, but works as a standalone.

Publication: July 10, 2018—Kensington Press (Lyrical Underground)

Memorable Lines:

If eye rolling was an aerobic activity, no high school on the planet would need to worry about physical education credits.

Rationally, I assumed he was here to update us with news of the investigation into Patrick’s death, and possibly to report on firefighting efforts. But my lizard brain was trying desperately to convince me to flee from a danger and tension in the air that I could feel but couldn’t see.

I glanced at my watch again, having already forgotten what it said when I’d checked the time just seconds earlier. My short-term memory had gotten lost somewhere in the swirl of dreadful events.

This is another great cozy murder mystery story, the fourth in the series but the first one I’ve read - and I really enjoyed it, though I’m now tempted to go back and read the earlier books once my tbr pile is lower! It has fire, family, intrigue and a Golden Retriever in this hotly paced murder mystery.

Maggie McDonald is a professional organiser, helping others sort out their lives and giving tips, too. You’ll discover some of the tips as you read the story because each chapter starts by sharing one of them. When her best friend is arrested after her husband is found murdered, Maggie helps organise support for her friend’s family and starts to investigate what happened, too. Get ready for danger, surprises and revelations as this fast paced story progresses. With wildfire’s burning, there’s much more to this story than it first appears. I hadn’t read anything by this author before but I’ll definitely be looking out for more by them in future!

I have no hesitation in recommending this intriguing murder mystery to anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries with great characters, a real sense of family and fun, too.

I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

This was a series that although I enjoyed the first one, I wasn't sure if the series could keep my attention. However, the series has become one of my favorites. Although I'm not sure when Maggie has time to work as an organizer, she can certainly organize any situation.

I like the relationships of the characters as well as the location for the series. I thought that it wasn't interesting to see a glimpse of Google in this book.

I enjoyed this mystery and the twists and turns had me guessing. It was easy to read with a nice pace and this was another late night page-turned for me.

I'm going to say right off the bat I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. It had nothing to do with the plot line, I just didn't understand how the day a woman finds out her husband is dead why all these people would come over that same day and Maggie would set up an atmosphere that was almost party like. I understand people paying condolences and bringing food, but within hours? There were just a few things that happened the first day that just didn't seem logical.

All of that aside, once I got past that first day the story line picked up speed as Maggie and the crew were off trying to decipher who killed Patrick and why. The final result was quite surprising and the author does a great job of misdirection with the characters. I honestly expected the killer to be another character based on information provided. There are still the pesky neighbors that we still don't like even into the fourth book.

Maggie remained true to her character as in previous books - a mother hen with fantastic organizational skills that is able to ferret out the true criminal.

I appreciate all the hints and tips at the beginning of each chapter. I can use all the help I can get when organizing my own life, and these tips can be quite helpful. This book even has a list at the end related to emergency preparedness for acts of nature and the like. I had no idea that the CDC in efforts to reach more people created a program that tied to what to do if there was a zombie apocalypse. Granted this will most like never happen, but if it intrigues others to become prepared then I'm all for whatever it takes!

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 4 in the series.

This wasn't my favorite book in the series. Maybe because it hits a bit close to home, since I live in a drought stricken area prone to wildfires (there were multiple fires burning in my state as I read this). The hints at the start of each chapter, while I still find them a bit distracting, were actually quite interesting this time.

I also kind of felt like the murder mystery kind of took a back seat in this book. But I still appreciate Maggie's quick defense of her friends, and her willingness to go the extra mile to help them out. Honestly, it's the characters that make this series fun. The writing is solid, but the characters make me want to keep reading with each new book.

I have been enamored with this series from the very first chapter of Address to Die For and each book in this series has only gotten better and better. In Disorderly Conduct this held true and to me has been the best in the series, yet! I don't know how Mary Feliz does it, as her books are thoroughly entertaining, full of intrigue and suspense and characters that you would want to have in your own circle of friends and family. This book had to have been hard to write, as as an author to know you will be putting some of your beloved characters through such a traumatic time, has got to be hard, however Mary Felix navigated these waters with poise and care. Mt heart broke for each character to have to work through the emotional turmoil they went through. And the mystery, oh the mystery, it kept me on the edge of my seat reading very late into the night because I just couldn't put it down! Honestly, this is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I love these characters, especially Maggie. As an OCD organizer, she truly speaks to my heart and soul. I know I will be waiting, not-patiently, until I get to see this whole clan again in Book 5!

~4.5 STARS~

Great, enjoyable read!!!

It has all the components that I love in a book...great characters, a great storyline, and my favorite, a dog!!!!

Maggie is professional organizer, but she finds herself in a dangerous position. She is making preparations to evacuate her home with her family as the California fires creep closer. On top of that, she finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery that strikes close to home, her best friend, Tess’s husband, Patrick’s, body is found, and his running mate is nowhere to be found. She has to be a support to Tess and Tess’s children, all the while being there for her own children as Patrick’s death heavily impacted them all. As she is dealing with all of this, her family is now being threatened. She definitely has her work cut out for her to find this killer.

I love when I think I have the mystery solved, and the writer adds another twist. This book was full of twists. It was emotional too as Tess was dealing with a devastating loss that was completely unexpected. Maggie is a wonderful friend and is with Tess every step of the way. I loved seeing how strong that friendship was.

The book is very well-written with engaging characters, and the mystery really kept me guessing. I love the beginning of each chapter with a snippet taken from her notebook of organization. It really fit in with the book! This is the first I have read in the series, but I found that I had no problem reading it as a standalone. I’m really looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

I have read all four books in this wonderful series but I have to say, I think this is the best. Maggie is an organization expert. From how to organize your home, prepare for emergencies or just about any event in between, Maggie can get the job done. Her family extends to members of the police department who respect her insight. Her husband, her sons and those people she calls friends, they all get her undivided attention when any one of them is in need. This time, her friend Tess faces the sudden death of her husband, Patrick - was it an accident or was it murder? The police declare it homicide and arrest Tess, no bail, either. Maggie and her family step in to become temporary guardians for Tess's son, Teddy and his dog. Once he is safe under her roof, Maggie shifts into investigator mode and sets out to help the police find out who had motive to kill Patrick, a person she is certain had no enemies.
Maggie isn't the type of nosey person who thinks the police can't do their job without her input. She does ask a lot of questions, trusts her instincts and always respects the police. Her family is close knit and, if you are lucky enough to call her a friend, for sure she's got your back when you need help. The characters are well developed, and multi faceted. Her family is one I would love to hang out with. Maggie would be your one phone call, for good or for bad, for her help or to share your happiness.
The mystery was not at all obvious with some red herrings and blind alleys and several times I thought I knew who dunnit only to find out I was so wrong. I didn't see it coming but the ending was satisfying. Having added another "family" member, I'm looking forward to the next installment to see how that develops.
This series can be read out of order but the relationships have more impact if the books are read in order.

I liked this book. It is well written and the characters are well developed. It is emotional and I could stop reading till I knew how it ended. I look forward to more stories in this series.

I really enjoyed this latest entry in the series. I like how Maggie interacts with her family and friends and the fact that you get preparedness/organizational tips is a plus! The story is well thought out and well written. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Another great installment in this adorable cozy mystery series. This time super organizer Maggie is packing her family for an enforced evacuation due to an out of control wildfire that puts their property at risk. They plan to stay with her friend Tess and her family. Before they even arrive Tess calls freaking out that the cops called saying they had found her husband body at the edge of the wildfire. This turns out to be murdered with Tess arrested for it. While acting as a temporary guardian for the son Maggie has to do what she does best to clear her friends name. I have to say that this was a surprising mystery investigation with lots of plot twists to throw you of the scent mixed in with heart warming family scenes. Great character development, a well thought out mystery, and family theme that really warms the heart. Great for fans of the genre. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

Such a solid, unique mystery series, Disorderly Conduct grabbed me right away and was action, action, action the whole way through. Mary Feliz always incorporates current social issues and news events in her books that helps to ground the stories in reality even when things get a little dramatic (drug cartels anyone :)
I also love that there's a strong family unit that work together with multiple law enforcement officials to solve the mysteries. Maggie also reacts to the murders/violence etc. with a realistic mix of fear/anxiety for herself and family and need to stay calm and look at the situation rationally, using her skills as a professional organizer.
I didn't find this plot/mystery as compelling as the last instalment in this series (book 3), but I was still extremely entertained and can't wait for book 5.
I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves cozies or general mysteries as it's less campy than a lot of cozy series out there.

Wildfires have been in the news a lot lately. They destroy everything in their path and seem to have a mind of their own. How frightening it would be to see the threat of a wildfire close to your home. Maggie is facing that very danger and decides it is time for action. She prepares her family for evacuation and I enjoyed reading how detailed she was about what to bring and how to prepare the home they were leaving behind. There must have been butterflies going their stomachs as they saw the fire rage closer to them.
When a body is found among the area where the fire is , it shakes the town up. Maggie's best friend, Tess is about to get some very upsetting news. I did like how detailed the author was when the body was identified at the morgue. We have all seen those shows where they pull the body out of a slot and the family stares at it. Technology has come a long way and I think it makes more sense to look at the body on a screen to soften the agony the family is going through. I wasn't surprised that Tess was arrested, but I was quite impressed with her son. He is one sharp teenager asking questions that the officers should have been asking others instead of his mom. The big question is why was Patrick up there near the fire and who wanted him dead?
The author gives us several suspects to consider and I tried really hard to figure out who did it and why. I was unsuccessful and pleased that the author had me guessing till the end. There are many twists in the story and I loved how Maggie was determined that her best friend would not be found guilty. It felt like a story that could happen in any neighborhood and of course there is always those gossipy people. I often wonder why people say unkind things when a family is going through a traumatic event. It makes me furious when the media interviews neighbors who want their fifteen minutes of fame.
The story is very well written and brings friends closer together while being able to depend on the truth to come out. Several of the characters were a challenge to like such as Robert Wu. He works with Tess and didn't hide his dislike for Patrick at all. Robert was rude in a way and hinted that Patrick was holding Tess back in her job. I found Robert to be very unpleasant and wanted to slap the smirk off his face. I enjoyed the different people Maggie interviewed to clear her friend's name. Each character seemed to have a reason to kill Patrick so my list of suspects was getting longer. The story gets more intense as Maggie digs further into what happened the day Patrick was killed.
The ending is quite explosive and really intense . I loved learning about the swat team and other law enforcement agencies involved. I didn't expect how in depth the mystery went. I was so engrossed in it, I didn't want it to end. I love how the story started as a murder but turned into so much more. At the end of the book the author has given readers information about emergency preparations. It is filled with helpful websites that readers should look into so they will not be caught off guard in an emergency.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

An interesting spin on the organized sleuth, Maggie uses her lists and determination to help her friend Tess get out of jail, along with her husband and friends, an unlikely immigrant Martin, three teens, dogs, and friends. Only someone set up Tess and not all is as it seems. The story moves ahead with twists and turns as the flames shift direction and illegal activities in the mountains are identified. Danger from multiple directions keeps the tension at a high level.

What I most enjoyed were the characters - unique, human, and realistic responses of the teens to the initial tragedy, as well as the dangers they encounter on the trail. Martin's story is also touching as is the community response to Patrick's death. Maggie is likable and stays the course. The police involvement - Jason and Paolo - are definitely the good guys. Ever wonder how to prepare for a disaster? Each chapter starts with tips on how to be ready and situations to consider.

This is the fourth in the Maggie McDonald series. It's my first for the series and easily read as a stand alone. That said, I'll be adding this series to my TBR list.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Disorderly Conduct
A Maggie McDonald Mystery, Book #4
Mary Feliz
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Professional organizer Maggie McDonald manages to balance a fastidious career with friends, family, and a spunky Golden Retriever. But add a fiery murder mystery to the mix, and Maggie wonders if she’s finally found a mess even she can’t tidy up . . .

With a devastating wildfire spreading to Silicon Valley, Maggie preps her family for a rapid evacuation. The heat rises when firefighters discover the body of her best friend Tess Olmos’s athletic husband—whose untimely death was anything but accidental. And as Tess agonizes over the whereabouts of her spouse’s drop-dead gorgeous running mate, she becomes the prime suspect in what's shaping up to become a double murder case. Determined to set the record straight, Maggie sorts through clues in an investigation more dangerous than the flames approaching her home. But when her own loved ones are, can she catch the meticulous killer before everything falls apart?

“A skillful amateur detective with an impressive to-do list.”
—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW, Address to Die For (Goodreads)


Review:

The emotions that I felt while reading this book were very strong. I felt so much sorrow for Tess and her son, Teddy, for losing their spouse and father. The emotions went much deeper than those I usually experience when reading a cozy. The grief was just pouring off of the pages in this book.

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Maggie and her family and friends have so much love to share. Maggie will do whatever she can to help Tess during her time of sorrow, even figuring out who killed her husband. Maggie and her husband, Max, make such a great pair and really compliment each other. And I enjoyed spend time with Maggie’s kids, Brian and David. They were involved throughout the entire book and I enjoyed that a lot. I like that Maggie is a wife and mom, it is refreshing in the cozy genre.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. Through the writing style I felt like I had a real feel for the characters and the reasons behind their actions. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and went into enough detail without getting wordy. I really enjoyed all of the tips that were included at the beginning of each chapter. Most of the tips had to do with emergency preparedness, which can be helpful to anyone.

The mystery was well plotted and was not easily solved. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. Throw in some twists and turns and a couple of red herrings and even the most experienced armchair detective will have a difficult time figuring it out.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. But you might want to have some tissues ready because there were some very sad moments.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Disorderly Conduct by Mary Feliz is the fourth installment in A Maggie McDonald Mystery series. Devastating wild fires are ravaging through the hills above Silicon Valley close to where Maggie McDonald and her family live on their farm. They are preparing to evacuate when Maggie receives a call from her best friend, Tess Olmos. Tess’s husband, Patrick had not been in touch which is not unusual (he gets caught up in his work). But, then she is contacted by the police stating they believe they found her husband in the hills and they need her identify the body. Tess and her son, Teddy are devastated by the news and have trouble believing Patrick’s death was accidental. They soon discover that Patrick was murdered when the police arrive to search her home and arrest Tess. The evidence the police find in Tess’s house seals her fate. Maggie needs to sort through the clues and question the suspects to pinpoint Patrick’s killer before Teddy loses both of his parents.

I found Disorderly Conduct to be nicely written and to have a quick pace. The mystery becomes complex when it is discovered that criminals are growing marijuana illegally on the public land in the hills above their farm. It happened to be where Patrick ran frequently. However, the mystery takes up a small portion of the book. I wish the author had made Patrick’s murder the focus. The story talks about the fires that are ravaging through the Santa Cruz mountains destroying the vegetation and forcing wildlife along with humans to flee. There are helpful tips at the beginning of each chapter on how people can prepare for emergencies (fires, hurricanes). The items we should have available in our home and car along with planning where you would go. It is important to remember your pets in your plans. There are great characters in A Maggie McDonald Mystery series. Maggie is a smart, strong woman who can handle any situation thrown at her. The kids and the animals add humor to the story (and it makes me very happy that I had a daughter instead of a son). The various families are close and help each other in times of crisis (like Tess taking in the McDonald family). While Disorderly Conduct could be read alone, I recommend reading Address to Die For first. My rating for Disorderly Conduct is 3 out of 5 stars. Disorderly Conduct addresses some tough topics in a different way. Return to Orchard View and join Maggie as she sets out to catch a murderer and save her best friend.