This is the third title in the Mainely Mystery series. Bookstore and part time private investigator Goff Langdon is asked to take on a case for a United States Senator. The senator is being blackmailed with pictures that show her involved with someone other than her husband. Believing that this case should be fairly normal, he finds out that once again he is wrong. When two men show up in house and make veiled threats against both his wife and dog, it is time to call in his friend Bart, aka Detective Jeremiah Bartholomew. As things spin out of control, a friend asks Langdon to take on the case of a man accused of being the OPK killer. Now Langdon is sure that his troubles have only begun. I found this third mystery a little more confusing and harder to “get into”, but enjoyable. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Langdon seems to have a knack for picking up the cases where nothing is as simple as it seems. Money is power, and there's plenty of both in this newest addition to the series. Three separate cases...or are they? Life is never dull in this small town, especially when politicians and mobsters are in play. It was great to see the return of characters we know and love. This is a page-turning book with plenty of twists and turns, as well as a touch of humor. Perfect for mystery lovers who like a little cheek in their reads.

I do like this series. I was thrilled to stop in the bookstore to see what Goff and his tribe were up to. Boy of boy did he land some interesting PI cases this time. With a senator involved he has hit the big time...or has he? I liked the twists and turns in the story. It was a good book that kept me interested. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The third in the trilogy sees a number of changes in this series featuring private detective Goff Langdon. Goff is tickled to be hired for not one, but three investigations, none of which fall into his norm. Goff is still owner of the Coffee Dog Bookstore and between he and his wife Chabal and her son Jack share the duties.

A powerful female senator is being blackmailed for an extramarital affair, a voluptuous woman wants him to find her missing sister, and an innocent immigrant is being framed for the series of heinous murders on coeds.

It’s a toss of the coin where to begin, but he is a low-key detective who has a number of close contacts in the right places, such as his local cop buddy, Bart. He takes dog with him when he can, though the canine is not known for his service dog training as much as a tail wagging ambassador.

Goff begins to suspect something much heavier is going on when what seemed to be a quick solve quickly turns dark and deadly . As matters become more complicated, there are Russian mobsters, dirty politics, spooks, and serial killers to sort with an escalating body count.

Rough and gritty, the narrative careens into the conclusion involving a complex plan with all his friends, family, and support characters. There has been power struggles from those who wield the most money, creating twists and tension between bewildering incidents and life-threatening moments.

The characters have evolved though this might easily be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars

I really like the storytelling, the dialogue and the characters, but was very disappointed to find the plot to be old nonsense. But entertaining it is.