Another installment in the Kelly Pruitt mysteries. Kelikoa has created a strong, female protagonist in a primarily male-dominated world of private investigation. This is the 3rd book in the series, but could be read as a stand-alone novel.

After a divorce, Kelly is finally getting to a point where her personal life is stable and she is coming into her own leading a PI agency when she gets a gig trying to discover what exactly drove a client's granddaughter underground. Kelly's investigation starts with an undercover operation at a homeless shelter where another girl goes missing.

Kelly is in a race against the clock to discover what's going on before any more women are murdered. With the help of her half-sister, she is working tirelessly to solve the case. This short, but intense book will have you sitting down to read it in one fell swoop.

Great for fans of mysteries!

I think this one is my favorite in the series! To see Kelly’s growth from the first 2 books with her family relationships really makes this one special! This book touches on some heavy topics, but with a light hand. I say that in a positive way because drugs, homelessness, and broken relationships are so rampant in the world today, but the author did a great job of writing what I would consider a #cozymystery while bringing attention to a lot of problems we face today.

Thank you for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

This is the kind of thriller I love, fast-paced, intriguing, action-packed and impossible to put down, I read it in one sitting. This is my first book from this author and I’m sure it won’t be my last.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

Deceived by Mary Keliikoa released May 10, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

The third book in this Portland, Oregon-based mystery series. This one has PI Kelly Pruitt going undercover at a women's homeless shelter to investigate the disappearance of the granddaughter of a client (and former client of her father). There is a lot going on under the surface and some twists that add to Kelly's backstory which are interesting. I like this character even if I have to yell at her in my head for always leaving her basset hound (Fred) in the car too much when she is investigating cases. (It's winter in Oregon so not hot, but still...).
I look forward to book 4.

This is the kind of thriller I love, fast-paced, intriguing, action-packed and impossible to put down, I read it in one sitting. This is my first book from this author and I’m sure it won’t be my last.

After reading 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐚'𝐬 𝑫𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅 & 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒅,I knew I wanted to read 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 as soon as I learned of it’s May 10th, 2022 release. I loved 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐚'𝐬 character Kelly Pruett and following her on her puzzle solving thrills in the first books, so I knew this one wouldn’t disappoint me!
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And I was right! It was another roller coaster ride of drug deals where there shouldn’t be drug deals, women who have gone missing, amazing characters and clues that make you feel like you are on the hunt right along side Kelly Pruett.
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𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐚 is a fabulous author, and one who has worked her way on to my favorites list. She blends crime and suspense in the perfect way! Her characters are never dull and she keeps you hooked on her 4⭐️ reads until the very end. I definitely recommend this one!
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Many thanks to 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 for providing my advanced reader’s copy for this tour!
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Once again, Kelly Pruett, a P.I. in Portland faces a complicated case taking us along as she uncovers truths about the case and life in general. Really she's been doing pretty good. Relations between her and her ex ok. A solid relationship. And a wonderful daughter. One of her father's best clients has been sending her work, mainly process serving. Now she has a chance to prove her abilities to him by finding his granddaughter whose dealing with addiction. As she goes uncover into the homeless shelter, she discovers much to worry about. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery, especially a P.I
tale.

Mary Keliikoa, the author of “Deceived, A Kelly Pruett Mystery” has written a suspenseful and intense novel. The genres are mystery and suspense. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. The timeline for this mystery is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex and complicated. The protagonist, Kelly Pruett, is a single mother, who shares custody of her handicapped daughter. Kelly works as a Private Investigator, after taking over her deceased father’s business. Often, Kelly has found herself in dangerous territory.

I love the way the author describes her characters and the sights and sounds of the city. Kelly is called in to find a client’s granddaughter and finds herself in a homeless shelter, where there are ominous and threatening things going on. There are drugs being used, other missing girls, as well as a few murders. Kelly is clearly headed to a deadly and tragic investigation.

Kelly does have the help of a few new friends, a Police Detective Boyfriend, a half-sister, and a mother-in-law. She also has a kind and lovable daughter and a friendly dog. There are secrets and betrayals. I would recommend this intriguing and captivating mystery.

Deceived is the third book in the Kelly Pruett Mystery series, and I really think it's my favorite! I adored the prior two books, so that's saying a lot! In Deceived, PI Kelly Pruett is hired by a former client of her dad's. The client's granddaughter is in hiding because she's afraid of something sketchy going on at a homeless shelter for women.

Kelly is such a strong character. She's grown so much throughout the series. In spite of the hardships she's endured, Kelly rises above them. Though you can read Deceived on its own, in order to really appreciate Kelly and how her relationships change, it's better to read them in order.

I think that one reason this is my favorite is how Keliikoa highlights the homeless community, showing how strong bonds form among groups and how protective they are of each other. This book kept me turning the pages and reading late until the night! I highly recommend Deceived as well as the prior two books to all mystery lovers!
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Mary Keliikoa has written another great Kelly Pruett mystery!!! Kelly is one of my favorites, and her mysteries just keep getting better. She's out to prove herself as a private investigator, and she has the spirit as well as the drive to do it. I love how she takes her dog along with her. She's still trying to balance life co parenting with her ex and living next door to her ex mother in law. When she is on a case, though, she goes full force. Kelly Pruett is a character women could look up to, and Mary Keliikoa writes her character so perfectly.

Deceived is the third book in the PI Kelly Pruett series. Kelly has become a more developed character as the series progresses. This can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend starting with the first book, Derailed, followed by Denied, to get the full scope of Kelly's growth.

Here Kelly is hired to look into a case of a granddaughter going into hiding. Kelly goes undercover in a homeless shelter. She finds rampant drug dealing and other shady activities. No sooner does she discover these illegal activities, she is fired. Not long after a young woman goes missing. Kelley decides to investigate regardless, and with the help of her half-sister, Hannah, goes to a homeless tent city, undercover.

This is a quick read that keeps the reader engaged. It is fast paced and at 218 pages perfect for an afternoon mystery read. You will love Kelly's dog, Floyd, and her daughter (who is deaf), Mitz.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The review is my own.

I’ve read and enjoyed all the books in this mystery series featuring Portland Private Investigator Kelley Pruett. I love the way this book has not only an excellent mystery it also brings to the forefront the homeless population.

DECEIVED has a well developed mystery that kept me on my toes for the entire read. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book both the new and the returners from the other books in this series.

This book does a nice job of also spotlighting the importance of family. It highlights perfectly that nontraditional families can function for the good of all.

Kelley loves her daughter, her dog, and peanut butter.

In this book, Kelley has been hired to look into potential drug dealings in a women’s homeless shelter that has caused the founder’s granddaughter to go into hiding.

Even though Kelley completes the task she was hired to do she feels like there is more going on. When another young woman goes missing, Kelley decides to go out on her own to find answers.

As Kelley searches for the truth the body count rises. Can Kelley find the answers and keep all those around her safe?

Another fantastic addition to my favorite series.

I was hooked on to the story and could not put it down until the end. The mystery behind the missing girls and drug dealings at the shelter kept me guessing till the end. Turns out, drug dealing was just a tip of the iceberg. Hmm!

Excellent character development (recurring characters) and portrayal (new characters.) Mary Keliikoa is a master storyteller. Halfway through the story, Kelly faces a lot of hurdles. Her client does not want her to investigate further, she learns something explosive about the rehab center attached to the homeless shelter, she ends up as a suspect in a murder investigation and Kyle is not happy with Kelly's behavior. Then there is Hannah (her half-sister) and Arlene (ex mother-in-law) with whom Kelly shares a love-hate relationship. This is about to change though... and so is Kelly's relation with Linda, her ex best-friend and her ex-husband's current girlfriend.

If you love engrossing and riveting mysteries, you might want to give Deceived a try.

PI Kelly Pruett is back and she's on a roll!
In this one Kelly is hired to look into the possible drug dealing taking place at her clients woman's shelter and the disappearance of his granddaughter. After spending a night in the shelter and acquiring pertinent information about the case the client decides he doesn't want her on the case and keys get go. The problem is, Kelly has her teeth into this one and won't let it go. She's determined to see it through and find the missing girl. Along the way, Kelly finds help from unexpected sources as well as reconnecting with her mostly absent sister.
I really enjoyed the further adventures of PI Kelly Pruett. The author does a commendable job of fleshing out Kelly's character as well as the supporting cast. Kelly continues to be a lovable character who you want to root for and care about. While the mystery and investigation takes center stage the subplots are crucial to driving the story forward.

Deceived by Mary Keliikoa is the third in the Kelly Pruett series. Although this is my first book that I’m reading in the series, I didn’t feel lost or confused at all. I really liked Kelly and thought she was strong, self-sufficient and brave. The pacing of this book was fabulous, it never slowed down and I was completely satisfied with the ending.

This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing! This is the third book in the Kelly Pruett mystery series, but it can completely be read as a standalone.

I really enjoyed Kelly. She's a strong, smart woman! She had a great character arc throughout this story, and I want to go back and read the first two books now. I'd like to see where her characters started and how far she's come!

The murder mystery plot in this story was fast paced. I liked that we focus on the mystery, but also on Kelly's personal life as well. It was a well-balanced story, and I didn't want to walk away from the characters at the end!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved this book! From page one I didn't put it down. The plot, fantastic. The writing style, fantastic. Will definitely read future and past books from this author. And what a GREAT ending. I loved it.

Another case that will keep you guessing as Kelly will not give up until she finds all the answers. You'll enjoy these characters as they feel like your friends.

Deceived (Kelly Pruett Book 3) by Mary Keliikoa was a so-so book for me. The story was not as page-turning as I would have liked. However, I did like the dog in the story, but I could just not connect with any of the characters or get invested in the book's storyline.

I will check out this author's other books and see if others are better.

#Deceived #NetGalley @booksforwardpr

In Deceived, PI Kelly Pruett finally feels like she's coming into her own. With her personal life well on track, a gig uncovering what drove a client's granddaughter underground could be good for business. But after her undercover operation at the homeless shelter reveals rampant drug dealing, she's suddenly kicked off the case... just as another girl goes missing.
Vowing to expose the truth even if it means pro-bono work, Kelly is taken aback when her half-sister helps her hunt down answers in a tent city brimming with distrust. When her investigation doesn't move quickly enough to save a second woman from a vicious murder, Kelly doubles her efforts unwilling to accept defeat.

Kelly is a well-drawn character whose personal arc has been developing through this series. Deceived hits the mark by combining a newly found understanding of herself and those around her with additional room to grow. The offset with social issues is handled well – without beating the reader over the head, the reader is made to appreciate the nuances of the issues. The pace of the book and its conclusion are also well-handled.