"Lover Come Hack": A Madison Night Mystery By Diane Vallere: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review and a link to purchase it.

Breaking up is hard to do. Madison Night had thought she was pre-empting that experience by asking for a 50th birthday present: a “man-free” six months before making a decision between suitors Detective Tex Allen and Hudson James.



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What she learns is that the break-up of a friendship can be just as brutal, especially when: (1) it comes in the form of an email; and (2) Madison’s personality flaws are color-coded for easy identification. Jane Strong had seemed like the perfect new best friend for Madison, since they were nearly the same age, and they were both self-taught, mid-century modern decorators with a love of vintage clothing. Jane was the one who suggested that they combine forces for the Very Important Properties competition, a concept created by the Design in Dallas Initiative to promote emerging talent. Their collaboration was evidently not a success, and after briefly confronting Jane and demanding an explanation, Madison finds Jane being wretchedly sick in the restroom.
mystery book cover
Image Source Henery Press

That turns out to be the last encounter between Jane and Madison, but it’s only the beginning for her Mad for Mod’s business problems. Now, on a tight deadline to create and fulfill a new design project for the competition, Madison’s computers are suddenly hit by a virus that erases everything. It has her relying on former nemesis – now turned frenemy? – Donna “Nasty” Nast for tech support, as the former police officer specializes in private security, and is acquiring quite a list of hacked clients. Madison also finds herself uncomfortably at the top of the suspect list and, per her own rules, she’s unable to contact Tex for assistance. That doesn’t mean that she won’t fulfill her promise to not-at-all-awkwardly redecorate his apartment, or do a lot of investigating on her own to learn more about Jane’s post-divorce life and who wanted her dead. If Madison should also learn the reasons behind their friend-breakup, all the better.

While all of Diane Vallere’s series contain vast amounts of clever banter and humor, the novels featuring Madison Night always tend to be more contemplative and somewhat darker. Madison is at a place in her life where she thought she would have been more confident and established; perhaps that is why she is demanding a little “me-time” to decide what she truly wants. What is outstanding in this series is that Madison is relatable to women of all ages, struggling to find her footing in romance and her career without losing her identity. Loads of design details and home construction information are included, not to mention some brilliant business-related puns (Joanie Loves Tchotchkes is my favorite). The complex mystery builds towards a horror film-worthy conclusion, with the need to know the result of Madison’s six-month men-hiatus just as riveting. Madison is a woman who continues to be as resilient as she is stylish, and I can’t wait to see what she takes on next.

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "cambodian,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 5, 2019. U.S. residents only.If entering via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast featuring mystery short stories and first chapters read by actors!

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.



Comments

  1. I’d love to read this! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like good read. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like a really good read. Thank you for the chance. JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank-you. Would love to read this. kckendler at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've read some of Diane Vallere's other series but not this one as of yet. Sounds good. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the chance I’d love to read it sounds interesting donakutska7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is such a fun series! I love Madison!
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  8. Would really like to read. Thanks for the chance .
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a great series! Would love to read this one.
    Jwhite410@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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