M&K Tracking

Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #4

by Kate Danley

M&K Tracking is finally up and running, but business has been the pits for Maggie and Killian... that is until someone tries to open a portal to the pits of the Dark Dimension via Father Killarney's church.

When it comes to vanquishing evil, who are you going to call? M&K Tracking. It is a hell of a job, but somebody's gotta do it.


WARNING: This book contains cussing, brawling, and unladylike behavior. Proceed at your own risk.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Fae, Demons, Ebooks

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Kate Danley began her writing career as an indie author in 2010. Since then, her books have been published by 47North, she spent five weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and she has been honored with various awards, including the Garcia Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year (The Woodcutter), McDougall Previews Award for Best Fantasy Book of the Year (Queen Mab), Best of 2014 by Suspense Magazine (M&K Tracking), and the 2017 Utopia Award for Best Anthology of the Year (Once Upon A Kiss - "Galatea & Pygmalion"). Her play Building Madness won the prestigious Panowski Playwriting Award and her play Bureaucrazy was a semi-finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her works have been produced in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada, and the UK. She has over 300+ film, television, and theatre credits to her name, and specializes in sketch, improv, and Shakespeare. She wrote sketch for a weekly show in Hollywood and has performed her original stand-up at various clubs in LA. She learned on-camera puppetry from the man who played Mr. Snuffleupagus and performed the head of a 20-foot dinosaur on an NBC pilot. She lost on Hollywood Squares.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

M&K tracking may be up and running, but unfortunately for Maggie and Killian, their caseloads consist of tracking/chiseling renegade gargoyle butts off of roofs. Easier said than done since the gargoyles attach themselves using poop. Talk about shitty job assignments;-) And that's BEFORE all hell breaks loose. However, Maggie's worst fears also come true in this novel, as she must brave not only a church picnic/carneval, (I'd happily have taken the pink tiger!) but also the elfin forest; plantlife in general and outdoor trekking. (Poor gal. I can relate!) I've been waiting for Killian to introduce Maggie to his world, and although her first time was less than ideal, I enjoyed seeing Killian in his right element... and Maggie so out of hers. I would definitely have taken more advantage of the situation, even if Killian had in fact, forgotten the matches on purpose. Who cares, right? "Stupid elf"? I don't think so. Let's trade Killian's name for another, shall we? *snort*... Seriously girls, what would YOU have done if you were alone with a gorgeous man who offers to share his bed with you... Under the open sky, stars shining down? I know, right!? (And so do you;-))

Seeing Killian interact with his friends, meeting the queen in their just-for-the-insanely-fit capital, and learning more about his past was enlightening, and at times; hilarious. Although my fave moments were those which revealed just how much Killian's willing to give up to make their partnership work. And hopefully move forward;-)

The ending was action packed right up intil the very end, (yay for Killian's family jewels!) but I hope we will soon be introduced to the evil mastermind behind these attacks.

I believe this is my favorite Maggie novel to date. It was also, by far, the funniest. Next one, please.

[Meigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie's sarcasm and stupid humor never grows old. Kind of like Killian's perverted, flirty comments, I do so look forward to those whenever I enter Maggie Mackay's world.

Maggie and Killian are fighting their biggest battle to date - a hellhole to the dark realm is on the verge of opening completely. Bad news - once the boundary is broken, all hell breaks loose. Literally. Demons and other unsavories will now have free passage to earth, where they can then cause chaos and mass destruction. Leave it to Maggie and Killian of M & K Tracking, formerly Mackay and Mackay, to figure it out.

I love Maggie and Killian's new partnership. Not only do they work so well together in business, they work great as friends with just a little dash of flirtation thrown in to make it seem like someday they will be more. I also love that no matter how much time Killian spends on earth, he still wears those damn man-tights. I always wonder why no one looks at him funny. He's wearing tights, for heaven's sakes. Tights!

Another interesting aspect was that Maggie got to spend some time in Killian's stomping grounds. They had to travel to the elf lands in order to track down a very important object, and I really enjoyed Killian on his home turf. I liked that some of his personal life was revealed, as there hasn't been much revealed so far to this point. I felt like we got to know Killian just a little better. The dragons were pretty neat, too. They weren't the sexed-up shape-shifting kind, they were normal - lizard like, fire breathing beasts. Just how I like 'em.

Definitely looking forward to the next installment of Maggie and Co., whenever that may be. I need more Killian (and his man-tights).

[Jean ~ Kindle Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series! This fourth book is actually my favorite in the series so far. I continue to love Maggie's sass and sarcasm, and I love her relationship with Killian. (Thank you, Ms Danley, for not making Maggie immediately fall into bed with the elf.) I am also impressed by how all the previous books have been tied together, and I'm tantalized by (vague spoiler) the possibility of a big bad who is behind it all.

Maggie's mother still bothers me. In fact, Maggie's whole family is one big, wet blanket on my Maggie fun-time, but fortunately, the family comes in small doses.

These are short books, but I wouldn't change a thing. Ms. Danley deftly packs plenty of action into each one. But now I have discovered that the only problem with a series binge is having to actually wait for the next installment in the series. :(

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting What I Asked For . . . Kind of

In my review I complained that Maggie and Killian never had any honest relational moments. And as I began this novel I complained that they were always on Maggie's turf where she was in control. Both of these critiques were addressed in this novel, as well as nicely plotted save-the-world story without making me motion sick with the frenetic pace. So why the 3 star rating? Maggie. I am very frustrated by Maggie and her unwillingness to have an emotional range beyond the size of a tea cup. Yes, I see underneath to the fierce caring for family, for Killian as her friend and partner, and for protecting the world BUT her unwillingness to express the "mushy" at all and her let herself feel the awe of things truly transcendent without reducing them drives me crazy. Who looks at the incomprehensible beauty of the elven queen's palace and responds how old is that "joint"? I could understand a reverent "Well, f***!" and then reverent silence. It made her sound like a snotty pre-order, determined to be unimpressed despite herself. Killian vulnerably shared real doubts and worries, and she exercised enough self-control to consciously react with her usual reflections, which was an admirable first, but she did risk any emotional vulnerability in return. My frustration could be entirely my issue, either missing things in the character I am meant to see or expecting things beyond what she was written to be. The question will be at what point will my frustration outweigh how much I enjoy the humor and hilarious family dysfunction of the Mackays (as well as a certain very patient blond elf).

[KATHY · Rating 5 out of 5]

M&K Tracking (Maggie MacKay Tracker Book 4)

I laugh and laugh when I read these stories with Maggie and Killian. The humor is so off color sometime, but always still appropriate! This story was about a window in the basement of a church, that once broken, would allow all the nasties from the Dark Dimension to flood into Earth. Only a dragon heartstone could prevent it. So the story moves along well with Killian and Maggie fighting vampires, demons, werepires, dragons and even shadows. Much death in the elf world, brought the queen herself, to be of help in Maggie and Killian's efforts to obtain the stone. The story line was especially good in the second half of the book. Exciting and keeping my interest. Of course there never seems to be a happy ending for Maggie, so the next book will continue with her and Killian searching for the stolen object!
Kathy Barber Doyle - 5/6/2018

[Netta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the many adventures of Maggie and Killian! A little dark and spooky but its all good fun staking vampires and dragons together. Not to mention the wonderful playful banter between them even if they fight they always have each other's back. I love it!

[Denise Moreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heady Stuff!!

I can't get enough of Maggie and Killian! Each adventure is more exciting than the next. I am on to the next book now. Oh, and a message for Maggie: kiss the effing elf already!!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie!

These books just get funnier! I love the characters and their antics. This series is very well written and I fly through them. I just can’t put them down. Maggie is the best!

[Brigette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. Not as good as the preceding books; both Maggie & Killian seem much dumber in this book. Let's hope the next book shows some improvement.

[Patty Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST series EVER!

[Sandra Holladay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. Once again Maggie and Killian save the world. Lots of action, lots of bantering back and forth. Just a good, enjoyable read.

[Lisa Norvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maggie

I don't know why it has taken me this long to find this awesome series but I am so glad that I have. The more I read the better the series g gets!

[Sparrowapril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Maggie adventure from Kate Danley

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again enjoyed it very much and going to move on to the next book soon. Can't wait to see what Maggie and Killian get themselves into next.

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, it just seemed a tad rushed at the end.

[Shiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series, I loved the dragons and Killian's character development with the Queen.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid entry in the fantasy genre.

[Thenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun addition to the series!

This time, the appearance of an uncommonly high number of gargoyles on earth tips Maggie and Killian off to a disaster looming and they find themselves the lucky duo that has to save the world. Again.

Nefarious plots to open a hellhole to the Dark Dimension, werepires and vampweres following an unknown mastermind, a jaunt in the elf forest and a battle with a dragon or two, make this a less than restful time for the new partners, who, despite the difficulties, manage to save the day once again.

A very enjoyable book with the trademark humor of the series that never fails to amuse me.

I look forward to the next book, The M-Team, which I'm hoping won't be the last.

Previous book reviews:
✦ Maggie on the Bounty (Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #3) ~ ★★★★ (09/03/2015)
✦ The Ghost and Ms. MacKay (Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #2.5) ~ ★★★★ (08/01/2021)
✦ Maggie Get Your Gun (Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #2) ~ ★★★★ (31/01/2015)
✦ Maggie for Hire (Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #1) ~ ★★★★ (21/07/2014)

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and Killian are doing your typical partner things – throwing sarcastic barbs back and forth, trying to figure out how they’re going to pay the bills, chipping away dirty gargoyles from rooftops, and, you know, saving the world.

After a cryptic phone call warns Maggie not to take a job (which, of course, only ensures that she will *totally* take that job), M & K Tracking is forced to dive into a non-paying but world-saving gig once again. Sad about the money, but this one certainly took us to places we’ve never been before. Remember the Dark Dimension from previous books? Well it turns out that isn’t just the place where the genie went. There are horrible things that come out of there and they might be set loose if Maggie doesn’t continue to be the superhero that she’s determined to be.

On top of all the action-packed goodness, we also get a healthy dose of information about Killian and it is way more than just how much he wants Lacy (or Maggie… or really any hottie). While the big bad still lurks in the background, I am willing to take the small (OK, saving the world isn’t really small) wins and information gathering along the way. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this foul-mouthed heroine and her saucy side-kick.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: this is the first book in the Maggie series I did not wrangle my name into. Didn't edit; didn't contribute; didn't name it.

Didn't matter.

Maggie and Killian are back at their game, and close to the top of it. For me, this was a dessert-wine chaser of a read after slogging through a 900-plus-piece of psychotherapy, and it was good to get back to the laughs and the quick comebacks and the "fucking elf" references that make these guys among my favorites.

As with the last two of the three in the series, this one builds on their history, but knowing it is not required. You can just Jump On In to the Other Side and find perfectly good fun with it. You'll also learn that the Other Side has its own Other Side, and there's some interesting cosmology that goes with THAT.

You'll learn some things about gargoyles that you might not want to know; you'll endure at least one "Quasimodo had a hunch" joke; and Killian breaks character in a key respect only twice this time (that I could find;). Other than that, though? It's quick and fun and you'll be back from those lovable kids Saving The World Before Dinner- again- before you're hungry for the fifth installment:)

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no doubt that Kate Danley has a way with words and sarcastic banter. That is one of the things that keeps me coming back for more in the Maggie MacKay series. In M&K Tracking, Maggie has changed the name of the tracking company she once shared with her father to include, Killian, the hottie fae who has become a good friend.

Maggie and Killian are increasingly receiving jobs to retrieve gargoyles, one of the nastiest creatures to retrieve. However, when they discover hundreds of them residing at the church they frequently visit, they realize that something wicked this way comes. The gargoyles warn of an ancient and deadly evil that is trying to infiltrate this world and the entrance happens to be right in the basement of the church.

As Maggie and Killian set out to keep the evil from getting through, they will have to go to the land of the faerie and fight a dragon. This is not the most pleasant job; but, who ever said saving the world would be easy? This is another wonderful edition to this series that you will definitely not want to miss!

[I.M. Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

M&K Tracking is another fun read that is bittersweet, I only have one book left in the series. I think it took me longer to read this book only because I knew that this was the second to last book in the series. Again, I have absolutely no complaints (aside from the series ending). It was action packed as usual and I will never think about a gargoyle the same way again. And the dragons talk! And they don’t change into humans, but I do like the concept of the dragons being tainted by vampire disease. I was happy to get some sort of background on Killian. He just kind of showed up and I accepted but I never questioned about what he did before he ended with Maggie and it was nice having that piece of the puzzle put into the place. Again, I found Maggie’s sarcastic humor to be downright hilarious, in fact I have several quotes that I will be reciting for a very long time. I’m sad that the series is ending so I may put off reading the last book for a little bit, so I can savor what I have read so far.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to start off by saying that I love this series!!!!!!! I'm a stay at home mother of three from a small town in Texas, so books like this are key to my survival.

Maggie and Killian are at it again, this time they are saving the blissfully unaware world from the vampires attempting to open up a hell hole located beneath Father Killarney's church.

I enjoyed this book because we get to see a whole new side to Killian. I loved seeing him in his element and learning about his past. (The queen!!!???! Really!!??! Whooda thunk it????!) As always, the interaction between him and Maggie kept me chuckling and hoping for more than slight hits of a potential relationship between the two.

I'd love to stay and write more, but I've already downloaded the next book and can't wait to get started!!!!

[Waverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hail Kate Kanely! Her Maggie MacKay mysteries are full of witty reparte and well-established world building. If you haven't caught on to this series, get going: the humor and action are well worth the price of admission.

In this installment, Maggie and Killian are forging ahead on a really well-plotted novel. There's of course, a multiverse to save, and dang if it isn't up to Maggie once again to figure out how to get the right tools, in the right places, before the barrier protecting humanity from the Dark Dimension cracks a permanent portal in the basement of Father Killarney's church.

Dragons who need slaying! Relics that could break the barrier, if chimed at a dangerous frequency.

A great story, full of witty humor and nail biting action.

[Jenette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to love this series. The humour, the ass kicking, the characters and how they develop as these rise progresses just keeps me coming back for more. And who doesn't love a good dragon slaying? The relationship between Maggie and Killian continues to be a strong example of partnership that dances on the edge of romances but never quite tips over the side. Sometimes I wish it would and other times I'm too busy laughing at another barb or a new exchange of banter to care. That's a rare quality in urban fantasy and is one of the strongest reasons to come back and read more in this series. I can't wait for the next one to come out.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw. Now I want to know what that secret smile was about too. Damn you! Damn you for making me wait so long for the next book! Great writing. I gotta say I enjoy this series so very much you wouldn't believe me. I have no idea how one manages to write a series about the end of the world in a cheery manner but I love it. Maggie as a smart-mouthed ass-kicker is just the cherry on top. Killian helps as well. That elf sure is fine. Can't say his relentless flirty manner with Maggie doesn't get me all bothered too. Great job.

[Darby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, another great edition to an urban fantasy, where you get two worlds/dimensions that keep the urban environment going. I don't like it when authors make these parallel worlds set in something similar to medieval europe - I love the world building in these books.
Maggie and Killian are still working together, but her refusal to allow any of her emotions revealed to Killian is becoming a little exasperating and mean.
The book was a little short and therefore missed expanding some areas where it could have (like relationships).
But read it! - it is worth it!

[Relina Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"M&K Tracking" by Kate Danley is another fun filled adventure for Maggie Mckay and Killian. Vampires, elves and gargoyles oh my! When Maggie and Killian are attempting to earn some cash tracking gargoyles off of Father Killarney's church they stumble on a plot to turn the basement into a two way portal from the Dark Dimension to Earth. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It is smart and witty with just enough sass to make you smile.

[Stacy Gallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires

Poor Maggie and Killian they constantly have to fight vampires and end their evil plots. However, Maggie and Killian make a great team. There was plenty of adventure and it was fun to have gargoyles and dragons in the mix. Killian continues to flirt with Maggie, and I really wish they would hook up. They would make a cute and powerful couple. Especially, if it gave us deets on Kilian's bedroom prowess.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really had to work to get through this one for some reason. I don't know if I was distracted or if it was the book. The books before this one made me laugh out loud, which I don't do often, but this one wasn't as funny for me. Also, a lot of the "mechanics" of the portals and how to close them seemed confusing.