I received this book for free through Houseparty.com for a fair and honest review. This is the first book by Susan Breen that I have read. I feel that this book was designed to fill a gap in the mystery market: Christian fiction. The main character, Maggie Dove, is a religious woman who is dealing with 20 years of grief. She struggles with behaving the way God teaches while still being very upset by her neighbor who keeps wanting her to move/chop down the tree that reminds her of her family history. When that neighbor is found dead at the base of that tree and a family friend is accused of the murder, she jumps in to clear his name. Throughout, she goes through a lot of self analysis. The plot was good and the writing style was nice. I just couldn't connect with the main character. While I enjoyed the story, it isn't one I would go back to. I would recommend it to a Christian fiction reader as a gentle entry into the mystery genre.

This book introduces readers to Maggie Dove, a 62-year-old woman who has ploughed her way day by day through the past 20 years mourning the loss of her daughter and husband. Maggie is embroiled in a dispute with her neighbor Marcus Bender, who wants her to cut down her oak tree. When he turns up dead under that same tree, suspicion falls on her, then on Peter Nelson, her daughter,s childhood friend.
Maggie is determined to help Peter and uses her innate abilities to investigate.
Nicely plotted, with good twists and turns.

Book Review: Maggie Dove by Susan Breen
Review by Dawn Thomas

225 Pages
Publisher: Alibi, an imprint of Random House

Mystery & Suspense, Women Sleuths

Maggie Dove is a widow and teaches Sunday School. She is still morning the loss of her daughter and husband many years ago. Her neighbor, Marcus Bender, is new to Darby-on- Hudson. He asked Maggie to move or cut down her large oak tree. He expects her to do what he asks and does not accept her rejection. He will not let the matter go and even threatens to poison the tree. Maggie is angry and sits at her window with a rock in her hand waiting to see if he comes near the tree. She realizes someone is lying under the tree so she goes out to investigate. It is Bender and he is dead. When Pete, a police officer arrives, he believes it was a heart attack. She cannot believe it since Bender took good care of himself.

Maggie used to write mystery novels but lost the will to write after her daughter died. Her friend Winifred lives in a nursing home and suffers with a debilitating disease. Pete cannot move pass the death of Juliet, Maggie’s daughter even though it happened twenty years ago. When Bender’s death is ruled a homicide, Pete is the prime suspect. There will be more deaths before the book ends and Maggie puts it upon herself to solve the case even though the Police Chief asks her to stay out of it.

There are many religious references throughout the book. I do not mind a mention or two but there were religious comments on almost every page. I also did not care for the characters in the book. They were shallow and seemed to be self-absorbed. The book is written as if it will be the beginning of a book series but if that is the case, I think I will pass on them.

This was a good story and Maggie is a strong voice. It got a little wordy at times. Cozy mysteries just don't do it for me unless it's Miss Fisher's Mysteries.

I received a free ebook of Maggie Dove as a House Party ChatterBox participant.
#RHMysteryPack #Sponsored

I love Maggie Dove - she reminds me of an aunt that has gone through similar tragedies in life, yet has remained a gentle loving person. Not perfect though, as seen with her struggles to get along with some members of her community.

Maggie Dove was an enjoyable cozy mystery, set in a town full of interesting characters. After the death of her curmudgeonly neighbor in her yard, Maggie gets dragged into trying to solve his death, the death of her close friend, and keep herself alive as well!

I hope we get to read more about Maggie Dove in the future.

I'm not a huge mystery reader, so this was kinda new for me, but it was an excellent first step!

Loved following Maggie on her journey to find one hated man's murder. Can she save Peter? At every twist and turn Maggie's wit kept me on my seat's edge.

I received this e-book Maggie Dove for free from Random House Publishing to read and review for free. This is the first book I have read by author Susan Breen. But will very much look for her books in the future. Maggie Dove has a lot more spunk the people half her age, But she never slows down and even when you think that she will give up she doesn't. She roots for most people in her town, even though they probably think she is on the crazy side. This a book that has drama and some comedy. You just never know what Maggie is going to come up with next. I love that she started a detective agency. If anybody can make it work its her. This is a book for everyone to read.

I am a book lover, I love almost any book. This is a fast read, great for summer reading, although it gets a little wordy at times. Some people like that. I sometimes have a hard time concentrating when it gets wordy. Will I read her next book? Maybe, depends on what I am in the mood for. Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? No. *Free digital copy from HouseParty/Chatterbox*