Dead Among Stars

Maddie Swallows Mysteries #4

by Kat Bellemore

Space tourism isn’t dangerous. It’s the passengers. Psychologist Maddie Swallows had always thought of space tourism as science fiction. That was before the phone call that turned her world upside down and she was hired to work with celebrity passengers as they prepared for their once-in-a-lifetime flight.

It was her dream job. Until six passengers went up into space, and two hours later, only five returned. If you don’t count the dead body. Investigating a murder hadn’t been in the job description, but Maddie now needs to use her psychological training to discover who of the remaining five passengers is a murderer. Before they strike again. Dead Among Stars is the fourth book of the Maddie Swallows mystery series. If you like confined suspects, humor, and impossible whodunits, you’ll love this cozy mystery.

Grab Dead Among Stars and be swept up in this intriguing mystery today!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

218 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2023

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this story involves murder and that’s serious and not to be joked about but this book has some ridiculously funny vibes lol. I mean that in the best possible way. For example when Maddie is stuck in the spaceport because there was a murder on the flight and no one can leave her mother decides to take the kids and storm the castle so to speak. It’s completely ridiculous but I’m fairly certain everyone can relate and has a person like that in their life. One who lives by their own rules and darn the consequences. I found the whole cast of characters a bunch of celebrities set to go into space for a couple of hours and in the port for a few days of prep to be well written, diverse and fully embellished all the celebrity cliches. It was a wonderful story to watch all these people used to getting what they want when they want it to have to live together and try and be a team instead of an army of one. Then we have a high profile murder investigation with the clock ticking and pressure on. This was a little spacey forgive the pun I couldn’t help myself but a really amusing and entertaining mystery. Loved it from start to finish!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookworm_Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a proud New Mexican, I picked this book up for the Zia symbol and the outline of New Mexico, but I stayed for the story. Space tourism is definitely a big topic in NM, so I was interested to see how it played out in this story, and thought it made a great backdrop for a mystery. This was definitely what I call a "candy bar book." You know how sometimes you want something sweet, substantive enough to curb your hunger but not heavy enough to spoil your dinner, and that satisfies a craving? That was this book. It was short, sweet, and didn't drag out. It definitely fits the whodunnit category. I am not so sure about cozy mystery - this one didn't feel very cozy to me. I almost had to stop reading a couple of times because one character was driving me absolutely up the wall, but I think the author intended that (no spoilers on which one!). I do think most of the characters could have been fleshed out a little bit more, they read as generic murder mystery suspects. Overall, this was a nice quick read, especially if you enjoy mystery books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychologist, Maddie Swallow is asked to work with the seven celebrities who are paying a lot of money for a 2-hour trip into earth’s orbit at New Mexico Spaceport and is expected to stay with the celebrity “astronauts” for four days and three nights. After not getting very far with any of the astronauts Maddie wonders if she is any help at all with helping each person through the trials prior to and the flight itself as no one is willing to share anything with her. Finally, when the seven leave for their flight but only six come back alive, it is time to call in the sheriff who asks that Maddie stay close to the six remaining astronauts and as subtly as possible, listen to what they are saying. This is a great mystery with a well thought out storyline and terrific characters. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A toxic space flight..

When Maddie Swallows is hired as Psychologist for the tourist “astronauts” on the Galactic Enterprises space flight she was unprepared for the celebrity status of the passenger list. If she doesn’t want to offend them, she must quickly brush up on the celebrity news. Actors, singers, and fashion icons with egos to match their status. In spite of some issues, all seven passengers make it onto the flight. Unfortunately, only six make it off. Sheriff Potts is going to hold everyone at the spaceport until the crime is solved so Maddie is going to make sure that happens sooner than later.

This is a fun book. There is a good plot and some surprising twists. Maddie’s mother and her children add their own brand of humor to the story. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Among Stars is the fourth installment of A Maddie Swallows Mystery series written by Kat Bellemore. Psychologist, Maddie Swallow is asked to work with the seven celebrities who are paying a lot of money for a 2-hour trip into earth’s orbit. When the seven leave for their flight but only six come back alive, it is time to call in the sheriff. He asks Maddie to stay close to the six remaining astronauts and as sly as possible, listen for clues to help solve the mystery of the murder.

This is a great mystery with a well thought out storyline and terrific characters. This is a fun book. There is a good plot and some surprising twists. Maddie’s mother and her children add their own brand of humor to the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie gets a quick gig as a psychologist for a group of space tourists, also known as astronauts. She's going to make sure they are OK before and after their trip into space. Only one of the astronauts doesn't make it back alive.

While facing a lockdown until the sheriff can find the murderer, Maddie tries to puzzle through the possible murderers. There's a limited number because the person was murdered during the flight into space.

Some parts are laugh out loud funny and the entire story is fun reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just a 2-hour trip into space. How could a murder happen in such a short amount of time, in such a confined space without anyone seeing who did it? Maddie is on her own to solve the mystery this time but suddenly the kids & her mother show up. Mystery #2: how did they get into the secure center without clearance? At least this time she is not the suspect. It's nice to see the gang again. Grandma is her usual witty, unbelievable self. Loved this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from BookSprout.

Here I am, once again jumping into the middle of an ongoing series. The story works well as a stand-alone. The bits where the recurring characters mention another caper make me curious to read the other books, but did not take away from my enjoyment of this one.

The characters were all well done. Both the set of recurring characters and the set of space tourists had complicated relationships that all make sense and fit them.

The mystery itself was well handled. Plus, a bit of fun was mixed in with the drama.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Among Stars is a twisty mystery with many suspects. I love Maddie and this series. Maddie really has a stretch to figure out just which one of the high profile suspects snuffed the unpleasant victim. Maddie's Mom provides some comedic relief as she, along with Maddie's kids, storm the space facility! With so little time to solve the mystery, with nearly everyone having a motive, Maddie will need all the help she can get to solve this murder before people start leaving the facility. I could not put it down!

[Craftyhj · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series is hitting an excellent groove now - 3.75*

I have enjoyed getting to know Maddie and her family and friends. The characters are increasingly well rounded as the series progresses and this is definitely my favourite so far.

I am not American and therefore cannot comment on the accuracy of the criminal process.It does seem a little odd to me at times but I am aware that the judiciary is rather more political than I am used to here in the UK.

I look forward to moving on to the next book.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Bellemore is fast becoming my favorite mystery writer. Maddie is an unusual character to have mixed up in murders. Psychologists are supposed to listen to your problems and help you solve them, not solve murders. It is no longer surprising that Maddie in drawn in to mysterious deaths. I pretty sure you will be reading to the very end before being able to know who the murderer is and why. I really enjoyed this book.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh to have "rich people" problems. The goal is for the "average" person to be able to take a trip to the moon. However, with the price tag per a seat...the "average" person will NEVER be able to afford it. This book gives you plenty of suspects with lots of motives. As if there isn't enough going on while on the job....insert the crazy mother with the teen children. Never a dull moment! I honestly can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enough simple job. To prepare a bunch of celebrities to get ready to travel to space. This is Maddie’s job. How is it possible that trouble follows her and a new murder needs to be solved? Funny, and entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery has suspense, mystery and murder but it will also give you some moments where you can't help but laugh. You're pulled in and can't stop turning the pages waiting to see what happens next. It's well written and 100% enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John Hibbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this return visit to the spaceport even if I did have to excercise my speed reading skills to find out whodunit! So looking forward to the next in this series, I might just have to revisit the Amor series while I wait!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel locked room mystery

A different take on an old standby premise with lots of twists. I like these characters, especially the kids, and the setting was fun. There's no cliffhanger, but there is a lead in to the next book. Which is fine since I'm eager to read the next installment!

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome story! Quick read, great characters, and mystery.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated G

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosy murder mystery

The usual format for a Cosy murder series, with a lot of racing around accusing or suspecting the wrong person until the truth comes out at the last minute.