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The Madera Murder
Spending an entire summer in the company of her estranged father is the last thing Ashley Delgado is interested in. But what self-respecting twenty one year old can resist the promise of a vacation in Mexico? She should have known it was too good to be true. Her dreams of exotic adventure come crashing down when she and her father arrive at their destination: the Madera Hacienda. Once a proud symbol of wealth and success, the ramshackle estate is falling apart, and the Madera family has hired Ashley's lawyer father to help save the family home. A dusty derelict ranch is not the vacation she had in mind-but Ashley can't deny a thrilling shiver of premonition. When she hears rumors of a tragic eighteenth-century death and a long hidden treasure, Ashley joins the centuries-long search of the mysterious trove in the company of a group of American archaeological students. But as the shocking clues lead Ashley closer to the hidden riches, it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep the secret of the treasure--and the next tragic death may well be her own...
- GenresMysteryLds Fiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 13, 2025
I have the hardest time deciding between a 3.5 and a 4.
The Good
It was a relatively quick read. I liked the setting. I really could envision the hacienda, the dig site, and of course the elaborate meals. The story made me reminiscent of Nancy Drew.
The Okay
It took a bit to get into the actual plot of the story. Although I didn't mind this too much, because as mentioned above I enjoyed hearing and learning about the setting. While I am not a member of, I am familiar with the LDS religion. I appreciated that it wasn't too heavy handed throughout, especially as this was a religious publisher.
The Not So Good
The ending. Why Quinn? There was no reason to confess. You could have just acted interested in Ruben and Ashley's conversation. They weren't even suspecting you at that point. It would have been more believable to have the final reveal after he got the treasure. It still didn't make sense for him to kill Crystal, at least before he found the necklace. Also, bedroom eyes? I couldn't imagine describing a man I was interested in that way to my mom. Secondhand embarrassment.
The Good
It was a relatively quick read. I liked the setting. I really could envision the hacienda, the dig site, and of course the elaborate meals. The story made me reminiscent of Nancy Drew.
The Okay
It took a bit to get into the actual plot of the story. Although I didn't mind this too much, because as mentioned above I enjoyed hearing and learning about the setting. While I am not a member of, I am familiar with the LDS religion. I appreciated that it wasn't too heavy handed throughout, especially as this was a religious publisher.
The Not So Good
The ending. Why Quinn? There was no reason to confess. You could have just acted interested in Ruben and Ashley's conversation. They weren't even suspecting you at that point. It would have been more believable to have the final reveal after he got the treasure. It still didn't make sense for him to kill Crystal, at least before he found the necklace. Also, bedroom eyes? I couldn't imagine describing a man I was interested in that way to my mom. Secondhand embarrassment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2019
Once Ashley and her father arrive at the Mexican hacienda, and she meet the students working the archeological dig, maybe this trip won't be so bad. Until Ashley trips over a dead body. Now, because suspicions point to her dad, Ashley decides to find the real killer. It's not so easy when her life is threatened. Reads like a true suspense thriller.
July 21, 2018
I don’t feel like I can give this book a fair review because it is not my favorite genre, but I have made an effort to read more fluff. During much of the book, I kept having flash backs to my childhood Saturday mornings watching Scooby-Doo. I feel like this author watched a lot of Scooby-Doo...
October 4, 2018
Quick, suspenseful, and believable
September 22, 2022
It was a good story just wish it had a little more character development
August 15, 2023
Had to make myself finish it, it was okay i guess but not anything I would recommend.
April 24, 2014
What was supposed to be a week's vacation in Mexico with her recovered alcoholic father, Ashley Delgado was furious to find she was deceived! It was only after boarding the plane en-route to a dilapidated hacienda that she discovered the truth...She would just have to make the best of it. It did help her situation when she discovered the hacienda owner had also allowed a. archeology group of a professor and four college students to dig on the property. At least she would have students her age near by to occasionally associate with. It wasn't at all negative that the two young men were both "hunks". It would make it interesting until she could get back home where she could develop a real relationship with someone.
She longed to text her best friend and share her dilemma and her discovery but there was no cell service in the barren area she was forced to stay for a week...A week that was extended because of a shocking tragedy!
The characters were cleverly developed and felt real. The humor within the main character was enamoring and the reader could not help but feel a connection to her. The background scenery was also descriptive and portrayed well. As far as the book cover goes, it is quite eye-catching but would probably have been more effective if it weren't so dark. The Title is simple but descriptive.
The story was slightly drawn out but in a delightful way that kept the reader's interest. I listened to the audio book on CDs, read by Kimberly Mellen who did a Five Stars rated narration.
My review of this book has earned it a Four and a Half Stars rating.
She longed to text her best friend and share her dilemma and her discovery but there was no cell service in the barren area she was forced to stay for a week...A week that was extended because of a shocking tragedy!
The characters were cleverly developed and felt real. The humor within the main character was enamoring and the reader could not help but feel a connection to her. The background scenery was also descriptive and portrayed well. As far as the book cover goes, it is quite eye-catching but would probably have been more effective if it weren't so dark. The Title is simple but descriptive.
The story was slightly drawn out but in a delightful way that kept the reader's interest. I listened to the audio book on CDs, read by Kimberly Mellen who did a Five Stars rated narration.
My review of this book has earned it a Four and a Half Stars rating.
January 26, 2016
I listened to this book in my van while driving kids around. I am finding that kids, and all that I have going on it is far easier to buy a book on CD and put it in my car or audio book and listen to it in the car. I can listen while driving, working in my home, etc. I just don't have the time to sit and read like I would like to. Hence the hiatus in December and most of January. I am slowing way down this year, so that I can read more of my own books :). Anywho, back to the book.....heheh
I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow. I liked the location of the book and the idea of a haunted hacienda. I just wish it would have grabbed me a little faster than it did. If I had been reading it I would have quit, but I give it more of a chance when listening. I am glad I continued to listen though. I picked up and, by then I was invested and had to see where the book was going to take me.
Ashley spends some time in Mexico with her estranged father....who I really, really did not like. She finds this family they are staying with to be very interesting, and hears about the legend that goes along with the hacienda.
As we learn more about the legend things begin to happen. Stuff goes missing, and then there is a murder. Everyone is on edge, people are not who them seem to be.
Although the beginning was slow, it did pick and up and I enjoyed listening to this book.
This book was clean, and exciting. I like reading books that can keep my attention without so much language.
I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow. I liked the location of the book and the idea of a haunted hacienda. I just wish it would have grabbed me a little faster than it did. If I had been reading it I would have quit, but I give it more of a chance when listening. I am glad I continued to listen though. I picked up and, by then I was invested and had to see where the book was going to take me.
Ashley spends some time in Mexico with her estranged father....who I really, really did not like. She finds this family they are staying with to be very interesting, and hears about the legend that goes along with the hacienda.
As we learn more about the legend things begin to happen. Stuff goes missing, and then there is a murder. Everyone is on edge, people are not who them seem to be.
Although the beginning was slow, it did pick and up and I enjoyed listening to this book.
This book was clean, and exciting. I like reading books that can keep my attention without so much language.
September 18, 2014
This book is written by LDS author Deanne Blackhurst and the reason I mention this is that I don't usually like to read modern LDS fiction. This story is a mystery book whose main character, Ashley, happens to be a recent convert to the LDS Church. Ashley upholds her standards without cramming them down the reader's throat. I enjoyed finding out more about Mexico and the life of the Madera hacienda and its rich Spanish-Mexican history. The highlight of this story for this self-avowed cat lover is the local cat Houdini. First of all, we used to own a cat aptly named Houdini, just like the gato in this story and, without giving too much, this Houdini plays an important part in Ashley's rescue. Our Houdini was appointed bodyguard of my grand daughters by their dad, my son, and he took his role very seriously, sometimes acting more like a guard dog than a cat. He was legendary in the neighborhood for his faithfulness to his adorable human charges. I also thoroughly enjoyed reader Kymberly Mellen's Mexican accents, which I had fun trying to emulate.
April 24, 2014
I'm not sure if it was the literary voice of the protagonist that grated on my nerves or the physical voice of the reader in this audio book or a combination of the two, but all in all I had issues with her as she talked to herself. I also get frustrated with women you charge off into dangerous situations without a thought for safety. It makes them appear stupid and I'm not a fan of stupid women. Two stars means it was fine, just not one of my favorites.
February 13, 2017
I found this novel engaging and interesting. Although the plot was often fairly obvious, it was quick to read and had great characters and particularly, a great background to play on.
There are small amounts of Spanish throughout the dialogue and the writing, but it isn't often enough that it hinders the reading.
The first page, first sentence, was a big stumbling block and it seemed out of place and unnecessary to relate one time the character's religion, but it was a quick good read.
There are small amounts of Spanish throughout the dialogue and the writing, but it isn't often enough that it hinders the reading.
The first page, first sentence, was a big stumbling block and it seemed out of place and unnecessary to relate one time the character's religion, but it was a quick good read.
April 10, 2014
it was like i was reading zorro... without there being an actual zorro...
hidden treasure, and a murder in which an lds teen decides to solve on her own because no one else can possibly do it correctly...
she did act like a ditzy high school student instead of someone attending college, but if you just ignore that bit it was pretty good :)
hidden treasure, and a murder in which an lds teen decides to solve on her own because no one else can possibly do it correctly...
she did act like a ditzy high school student instead of someone attending college, but if you just ignore that bit it was pretty good :)
June 17, 2014
I really liked this book. A young lady and her lawyer father come to Mexico to help a family save their family estate. There is an old rumor that a long ago ancestor to those living at the estate now killed herself. The young lady finds the ancestor's diary. Questions are answered, treasure is found, and there is another murder.
August 9, 2014
I give most books a three, so adjust your interpretation of number of stars to that.
I enjoyed it, particularly the young boy. The mystery was well done and the characters were well defined. The ending was strong.
I like there was no swearing (whole family listened to this as we drove a long distance) or scenes that would be awkward.
I enjoyed it, particularly the young boy. The mystery was well done and the characters were well defined. The ending was strong.
I like there was no swearing (whole family listened to this as we drove a long distance) or scenes that would be awkward.
March 18, 2014
The basic story was interesting. However, the main character was so dumb that it made it somewhat difficult to really enjoy the book. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that her attempts at solving the mystery are just one dumb mistake after another.
June 3, 2016
Ashley is in Mexico with her father. He's been hired to help the Madera family and Ashley is about to be pulled into a 200 year old mystery. This book was a bit slow but the characters were developed well and the ending most satisfactory.
March 24, 2014
An easy little mystery read. The romance and the religion seemed like after thoughts--not very important to the flow of the book, but there anyway.
Language: clean, heat level: super mild
Language: clean, heat level: super mild
April 30, 2014
The mystery was good and I liked the ending but I found the main character, Ashley, a bit annoying. She seemed inconsistent at times.
May 18, 2014
fun read but very predictable.
July 12, 2014
good murder mystery...it was a fast read too
August 29, 2014
3.5 stars. Nice, clean, entertaining mystery written by an LDS author. My only complaint was that the ending was TOTALLY cheesy.
April 30, 2016
Cute story!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews