Half Baked

Maddie Baker Mysteries, Book 3

By: Denise Grover Swank

Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Chris Brinkley

Sometimes the truth hides where you least expect it. Maddie Baker is about to uncover secrets that could shatter her world—or finally bring her peace.

Two decades of unanswered questions. One woman determined to find the truth.

Maddie Baker has spent nearly twenty years haunted by her mother's murder—a case shrouded in mystery and buried in a grave of police negligence. When Noah Langley, the new detective on the force, claimed to have solved the crime, Maddie believed she could finally close this agonizing chapter in her life.

But Noah got it wrong.

A chance meeting with the original detective reignites Maddie’s quest for justice. She learns the investigation was deliberately stalled, evidence was hidden, and the case file was destroyed. Fueled with new determination, Maddie vows to uncover the truth herself, no matter the cost. Noah vows to help her.

The deeper she delves, the darker the secrets become. Will Maddie find the closure she seeks, or will the shocking revelations force her to reconsider everything she thought she knew?

©2023 Denise Grover Swank (P)2024 DGS

Love love love

Love books by Denise Grover Swank! I loved the Rose series as well! Hoping to real all!!!!

Good listen

I enjoyed the serious it was captivating and kept me wanting to know what will happen next.

Loved it -Twists and Turns!

You feel as if you’re looking for the answers right along with the main character! Loved the characters and their development. You don’t automatically figure out everything like you do in many poorly written novels!

Great as always.

Good story! One of the things I like about Ms Swanks books is that her characters are flawed. No one is without some failing. And yet, the reader is still rooting for them.

I also love Shannon McMannus and Chris Brinkley.

Pleasant little mystery

However, I am so tired of the books lately all having similar takes on the same ending. I was hoping for something different - nope.
The narrators were solid and they kept me going. But, PLEASE authors, get with some original thought. If we wanted melodrama we could just start watching daytime TV. For me, a good mystery is about the sleuthing, Damsel in distress is out of date and boring.

Audio was worth the wait

Even though I had to wait for the audio, it was worth it. This was a wonderful series. Even though we have to say goodbye to Maddie and Noah, I enjoyed this book. The narration was great and brought everyone to life for me.

PG courtship! 🎟️

This book was not bad. It just was not for me.
I listened to all three of the series. The first one was my favorite followed by the second.

The third book did not have the same flare, lightheartedness, comedy, romance or vibe as the first two.

This particular book was much more serious and in my opinion, darker. The 3rd book focused more on Maddie's mother, and trying to find her killer. There was a lot more sadness, crying and overall heaviness to this book. (which brought me down)

The book starts off with more anguish and unresolved relationship issues between Maddie and Noah.

🍸Spoiler alert - Please dont read if you havent finished this book.

I really like this author, but as an adult, I adore romance books as a way of setting my mind free after a heavy day of work. I appreciate romance scenes, but this particular author does not feature romance or sexy scenes.....instead Denise features more lightheartedness and playfulness (perhaps someone in the eighth grade or a freshman in high school would relate to this since they have not really been in a relationship.) ...lets just say I am lookign for more sexy scenes (as an adult) It ok 100% to "embrace" one's sexuality.

After listening to the first two books which include a buildup of passion between Maddie & Noah ....and awaiting their big moment of finally getting together.... Everything is quickly shut down in the third book. There aren't any romance scenes. It is simply swept under the rug very quickly. They don't discuss what they're doing just the fact that they did it after it happened. (like a lifetime tv series) Very PG! One minute they're kissing and the next minute it's the next day and they've already done the deed. Wow, what happened between...? inquiring minds want to know.
I felt ripped off ...sorry but that's the truth. I was waiting to hear about their incredible romance, but there wasn't much there.
Again, this book really focused on gloom n doom... Extremely dark feel and vibe. Not for me. (sigh)

Congratulations to Shannon and Chris for your stellar narration. You really brought me into the characters lives!
I really really wanted to love this third book, but it simply didn't have enough substance, or romance for me.

~ Namaste 💌

That’s plenty

This is the third in this series that I’ve listened to. I don’t think this genre is for me.