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Die By The Pen
A famous author and his wife are found dead in their East Florida beach home -- with no apparent cause. Something outrageous has been done to the bodies.
Another best-selling author is killed on the other side of Florida. This time the cause of death is obvious. Are the two murders related? Connected? The MOs are completely different. More famous corpses are discovered. Clearly someone's killing authors using the methods in their stories. The killers appear to be unstoppable, and to have some mad, crazy plan.
Enter former Olympic athlete FBI Agent Naomi Soul and her best friend Agent Xue Sang. The crème de la crème of the pop literary world's best chance to survive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naomi Soul plays a critical role in Franklin, Victoria and Everon's investigation -- figuring out who destroyed New York -- in forthcoming Book 3 of the State Of Reason mystery: Finding Reason.
Book 1, Loss Of Reason, in the State Of Reason Mystery is FREE
Another best-selling author is killed on the other side of Florida. This time the cause of death is obvious. Are the two murders related? Connected? The MOs are completely different. More famous corpses are discovered. Clearly someone's killing authors using the methods in their stories. The killers appear to be unstoppable, and to have some mad, crazy plan.
Enter former Olympic athlete FBI Agent Naomi Soul and her best friend Agent Xue Sang. The crème de la crème of the pop literary world's best chance to survive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naomi Soul plays a critical role in Franklin, Victoria and Everon's investigation -- figuring out who destroyed New York -- in forthcoming Book 3 of the State Of Reason mystery: Finding Reason.
Book 1, Loss Of Reason, in the State Of Reason Mystery is FREE
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2016
258 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Miles A. Maxwell
12 books30 followersAn IFR certified private pilot, and student of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for more than 15 years, Miles speaks bits and pieces of ten languages, surfs, skis, sails and scuba dives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 7, 2016
I was really looking forward to reading this book. The idea of authors being murdered appealed to me (for some strange reason) and it had great reviews on Amazon. Unfortunately I found it a letdown. I would have abandoned it half way through but thought it might improve. The main character, Naomi Soul, and her sidekick spend the first 80% of the book wandering around Calafornia and Florida from murder to murder without a clue as to whom is carrying them out. Of course come the end there were about three clues, but this enormous chunk of the book is taken up with us being told how gorgeous Naomi is and how handsome and intelligent her three lovers are. Everyone seems to have a PhD and the guys are all amazing lovers - yawn. The pace picks up towards the end but even I worked out who'd done it before super-sleuth Naomi.
January 12, 2023
good news this steaming pile is no longer on amazon
okay I lied there's a second edition
https://www.amazon.com/Die-Pen-Naomi-...
On this amazon page you will see a quote "If you enjoy medical thrillers you will love Die by the Pen" which is absurd because there is almost nothing medical in this book
This book is the worst kind of garbage...
We have an FBI agent who is a former Olympic skier who is tasked to figure out who is killing the top authors of popular fiction.
The writing is juvenile; the plot is ludicrous, the characters are all Mary Sues
From about the beginning I was like I know who is the killer is and then I dismissed it for being too stupid.
I was correct that is how stupid this book is.
I apparently read another absurd book by this author
Amazon really needs a block author filter.
okay I lied there's a second edition
https://www.amazon.com/Die-Pen-Naomi-...
On this amazon page you will see a quote "If you enjoy medical thrillers you will love Die by the Pen" which is absurd because there is almost nothing medical in this book
This book is the worst kind of garbage...
We have an FBI agent who is a former Olympic skier who is tasked to figure out who is killing the top authors of popular fiction.
The writing is juvenile; the plot is ludicrous, the characters are all Mary Sues
From about the beginning I was like I know who is the killer is and then I dismissed it for being too stupid.
I was correct that is how stupid this book is.
I apparently read another absurd book by this author
Amazon really needs a block author filter.
May 28, 2016
Naomi Soul, former Olympic athlete, is now a kick butt FBI agent. Her partner, Xue Sang has already saved her life once and probably will again.
The two are having a down day on the beach after wrapping up their latest case in Florida. Before they can leave however a famous author and his wife are found murdered on the east coast of the state. The murders are as bizarre and violent as the author's own books.
When another best selling author is killed on the other side of the state, patterns begin to emerge. Is someone really taking out the NYT best selling authors? What could possibly be the motive?
As the bodies count continues, Naomi and her partner race the clock to find who could be the next victim and who is responsible. The ending will leave you with your mouth wide open!
Publishing a book is getting to be harder and harder unless you are a Big Name, and this book speaks to all frustrated writers. Because of the truths in the book, I actually spent a lot of time smiling and laughing. Yes, it is graphic and brutal, but it's also very true and that made it funny!
If you are struggling to get your book out there, read this! You may learn something new or you may just give a fist pump and yell YES!
I am so glad that we are going to be seeing more of Naomi in the next Reason book. Thank you Mr. Maxwell! Well done!
The two are having a down day on the beach after wrapping up their latest case in Florida. Before they can leave however a famous author and his wife are found murdered on the east coast of the state. The murders are as bizarre and violent as the author's own books.
When another best selling author is killed on the other side of the state, patterns begin to emerge. Is someone really taking out the NYT best selling authors? What could possibly be the motive?
As the bodies count continues, Naomi and her partner race the clock to find who could be the next victim and who is responsible. The ending will leave you with your mouth wide open!
Publishing a book is getting to be harder and harder unless you are a Big Name, and this book speaks to all frustrated writers. Because of the truths in the book, I actually spent a lot of time smiling and laughing. Yes, it is graphic and brutal, but it's also very true and that made it funny!
If you are struggling to get your book out there, read this! You may learn something new or you may just give a fist pump and yell YES!
I am so glad that we are going to be seeing more of Naomi in the next Reason book. Thank you Mr. Maxwell! Well done!
June 23, 2016
First of all I will have to say WOW and I definitely don't mean World of Warcraft...LOL...but let me get to why I loved this book so much I'm speechless...the Intrigue, and Murder...I would love to say more but I guess this will have to do...Note to Author Miles A. Maxwell job well done and definitely well written...Thanks for doing what you do for us readers... :)
May 30, 2016
Hard book to put down
The title is what caught my attention. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Beware several racy, sexual descriptions I don't usually like in a mystery but it didn't distract from the story or surprise ending.
The title is what caught my attention. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Beware several racy, sexual descriptions I don't usually like in a mystery but it didn't distract from the story or surprise ending.
July 10, 2016
Die By The Pen, introducing Naomi Soul of the FBI
by Miles A. Maxwell
This was a new author and a new character to me. I'm going to tell you what I liked about the novel first, cause there is a lot to like. Then I'll tell you why it only got 3 stars.
For anyone that loves reading, the title was an instant draw. The mystery was a very good one, and it was the only thing that kept me reading past Chapter 3 of "Part One" (really part 2...). Pacing is excellent; once the action starts, there is very little let up, with incidents happening right and left, and only occasional lapses into the investigatory process or the main character's non-professional life. Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Few clues, but the clues given were both interesting and went toward decisions that were made and the final reveal. There was a slam-bang, action filled climax, with a nice tieing up of loose ends. For the most part, the proofing and editing was satisfactory. While I very nearly threw this book at the wall after the first murder was discoverd, and although I struggled greatly with issues through the book, in the end, the mystery itself carried the day. It was on the basis of the strength of the mystery alone that the book got 3 stars -- and I definitely struggled to rate it that high.
So, let's move on to what I didn't like. NOTE: There will be at least two spoilers here, maybe three. :-)
1. Let's start with the biggie - the one that almost made me but down the book before things really got started. (SPOILER HERE). The first two murders were the murders of a famous author of thrillers, nicknamed, The Big Cheeze (the description of his work sounded very like James Patterson) and his wife. They were sedated or somehow rendered unable to resist, then a rattlesnake was lured into each victim's anus by inserting milk into the anal passage, and the anus sealed with a gold-plated ink pen. Okay. First, I don't care how much milk was squirted into one's anus, no rattlesnake is going to willingly enter it. Second. In order to insert the rattlesnake so it could exit head first (which, in the novel, it did), the snake would have to be cooled to the point of becoming comatose, and a speculum would need to be utilized to stretch the anal opening to the point where the snake could be inserted. Third, once the anal opening were sealed, there would be no oxygen in the canal. The snake (snake venom being the cause of death) remained in the anal passageway from the time of the murder until the discovery, the arrival of the police, the initial on-the-site exam by the M.E., and the beginning of the moving of the bodies for transport to the morgue. That's when one of the pens is noticed. When it is removed, out comes the milk followed by the snake which then coils and rattles and attempts a strike, but is then killed by everyone with a gun shooting it. Please. That snake would have suffocated long before being discovered. If it were put in there not in a comatose state, it would have pushed the pen out of the opening and exited (maybe biting the victim before exiting or after exiting or maybe not at all). I can suspend belief with the best of them, but come on. Maybe next time the author should try an eel or some other species that doesn't need to breathe air to survive.
Need more? Here's maybe a minor one: Mr. Maxewell decided, while our FBI agents are in Florida, to have one of them drink a coke. Yep, not a soda or a pop or a cola, a coke, with no capital C and no trademark sign. Now, I know that the word is used in slang to mean any kind of cola soda, but when we write, we're supposed to be sensitive to legalities. Just as the Kimberly-Clark people wouldn't be happy with an author using the word Kleenex (R) as a generic term, rather than tissue or facial tissue, the Coca-Cola company would rather the term "coke" refer to only their product. I'm not sure that "coke" hasn't passed into generic use, but it is something that makes me wonder about the author's understanding of trademarks. He later uses the term again, this time capitalized, and definitely referring to the brand (but still not identifying trademark symbol).
(Another Spoiler) The second murdered author dies in a way that mirrors the accident which happened to Stephen King in 1999. The author in the book, nicknamed The Prince of Darkness, is hit by a truck as he walks along the side of a road near his home. Maybe some readers would find it an interesting "art imitating life" inclusion, but I just thought it was hokey.
I read this on my Kindle, so many of the locations I may list reflect that. In the early 500s, the author has the FBI reviewing hate notes to the murdered authors. In some of them, obviously intentional misspellings are used, probably to show the ignorance of the note writer. However, I found it hard to believe that someone who writes "fowl" for foul and "dicusting" for disgusting is then going to get the word "pathetic" correct? Hmm. Whatever.
At 2012, the Killer's signature pen resting on the body of the murder victim and with which the killer has signed the body, is characterized as "a bit of blood drooling from its nib." Now the victim had been dead more than a day. I doubt any blood left on the pen nib was dripping, drooling, or doing much of anything but congealing at that point.
And I just didn't like the main character. I didn't dislike her, I just didn't care what might happen to her.
(Yet another Spoiler) I also found it interesting that the novel cover states "introducing Naomi Soul of the FBI," which she is during the action, but then the author has her quit the FBI to become a P.I. in the final chapter. If this is intended to be a stand-alone novel, then this is okay I guess. However, if Maxwell intends this to be a series, it was an awkward and maybe a bit misleading way to introduce the character.
Yes, there were a couple of more, but I think I've made my point. I did a lot of head shaking reading this book. Perhaps none of these things that are big problems to me would bother other readers. If so, it is a dandy and well-paced mystery, so if you can overlook what I've mentioned, perhaps you'd enjoy this book.
Personally I found it to be a strange mix of what I love in a mystery novel and what I hate in a mystery novel. The 3 stars? For my personal experience I was being very generous.
by Miles A. Maxwell
This was a new author and a new character to me. I'm going to tell you what I liked about the novel first, cause there is a lot to like. Then I'll tell you why it only got 3 stars.
For anyone that loves reading, the title was an instant draw. The mystery was a very good one, and it was the only thing that kept me reading past Chapter 3 of "Part One" (really part 2...). Pacing is excellent; once the action starts, there is very little let up, with incidents happening right and left, and only occasional lapses into the investigatory process or the main character's non-professional life. Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Few clues, but the clues given were both interesting and went toward decisions that were made and the final reveal. There was a slam-bang, action filled climax, with a nice tieing up of loose ends. For the most part, the proofing and editing was satisfactory. While I very nearly threw this book at the wall after the first murder was discoverd, and although I struggled greatly with issues through the book, in the end, the mystery itself carried the day. It was on the basis of the strength of the mystery alone that the book got 3 stars -- and I definitely struggled to rate it that high.
So, let's move on to what I didn't like. NOTE: There will be at least two spoilers here, maybe three. :-)
1. Let's start with the biggie - the one that almost made me but down the book before things really got started. (SPOILER HERE). The first two murders were the murders of a famous author of thrillers, nicknamed, The Big Cheeze (the description of his work sounded very like James Patterson) and his wife. They were sedated or somehow rendered unable to resist, then a rattlesnake was lured into each victim's anus by inserting milk into the anal passage, and the anus sealed with a gold-plated ink pen. Okay. First, I don't care how much milk was squirted into one's anus, no rattlesnake is going to willingly enter it. Second. In order to insert the rattlesnake so it could exit head first (which, in the novel, it did), the snake would have to be cooled to the point of becoming comatose, and a speculum would need to be utilized to stretch the anal opening to the point where the snake could be inserted. Third, once the anal opening were sealed, there would be no oxygen in the canal. The snake (snake venom being the cause of death) remained in the anal passageway from the time of the murder until the discovery, the arrival of the police, the initial on-the-site exam by the M.E., and the beginning of the moving of the bodies for transport to the morgue. That's when one of the pens is noticed. When it is removed, out comes the milk followed by the snake which then coils and rattles and attempts a strike, but is then killed by everyone with a gun shooting it. Please. That snake would have suffocated long before being discovered. If it were put in there not in a comatose state, it would have pushed the pen out of the opening and exited (maybe biting the victim before exiting or after exiting or maybe not at all). I can suspend belief with the best of them, but come on. Maybe next time the author should try an eel or some other species that doesn't need to breathe air to survive.
Need more? Here's maybe a minor one: Mr. Maxewell decided, while our FBI agents are in Florida, to have one of them drink a coke. Yep, not a soda or a pop or a cola, a coke, with no capital C and no trademark sign. Now, I know that the word is used in slang to mean any kind of cola soda, but when we write, we're supposed to be sensitive to legalities. Just as the Kimberly-Clark people wouldn't be happy with an author using the word Kleenex (R) as a generic term, rather than tissue or facial tissue, the Coca-Cola company would rather the term "coke" refer to only their product. I'm not sure that "coke" hasn't passed into generic use, but it is something that makes me wonder about the author's understanding of trademarks. He later uses the term again, this time capitalized, and definitely referring to the brand (but still not identifying trademark symbol).
(Another Spoiler) The second murdered author dies in a way that mirrors the accident which happened to Stephen King in 1999. The author in the book, nicknamed The Prince of Darkness, is hit by a truck as he walks along the side of a road near his home. Maybe some readers would find it an interesting "art imitating life" inclusion, but I just thought it was hokey.
I read this on my Kindle, so many of the locations I may list reflect that. In the early 500s, the author has the FBI reviewing hate notes to the murdered authors. In some of them, obviously intentional misspellings are used, probably to show the ignorance of the note writer. However, I found it hard to believe that someone who writes "fowl" for foul and "dicusting" for disgusting is then going to get the word "pathetic" correct? Hmm. Whatever.
At 2012, the Killer's signature pen resting on the body of the murder victim and with which the killer has signed the body, is characterized as "a bit of blood drooling from its nib." Now the victim had been dead more than a day. I doubt any blood left on the pen nib was dripping, drooling, or doing much of anything but congealing at that point.
And I just didn't like the main character. I didn't dislike her, I just didn't care what might happen to her.
(Yet another Spoiler) I also found it interesting that the novel cover states "introducing Naomi Soul of the FBI," which she is during the action, but then the author has her quit the FBI to become a P.I. in the final chapter. If this is intended to be a stand-alone novel, then this is okay I guess. However, if Maxwell intends this to be a series, it was an awkward and maybe a bit misleading way to introduce the character.
Yes, there were a couple of more, but I think I've made my point. I did a lot of head shaking reading this book. Perhaps none of these things that are big problems to me would bother other readers. If so, it is a dandy and well-paced mystery, so if you can overlook what I've mentioned, perhaps you'd enjoy this book.
Personally I found it to be a strange mix of what I love in a mystery novel and what I hate in a mystery novel. The 3 stars? For my personal experience I was being very generous.
did-not-finish
November 17, 2024For a moment, I was dreading this review because I thought I'd won a copy in a giveaway and I was going to have to trash a novel someone was kind enough to gift.
But I paid for this shit, so I feel vindicated.
Here are all the things that bothered me about this book, other than it exists and I paid for it:
------------------
It begins with chapter 4. Oh, don't worry. The other chapters are there. Just in random order for no apparent reason (it certainly isn't chronological). Unless the author was trying to appear clever, in which case it didn't work for me. Sorry.
------------------
This line: "Funny thing about life, and sunburns, you never know for sure how much time you’ve got left."
I'm sorry. Pray tell, what the fuck does that mean?
------------------
Some casual racism. If there's a character named Xue Sang, do we really need phrases like this?
"Xue in her bright green two-piece which looked just great against her mid-length dark Asian hair."
------------------
And a page or two later, you get this from the (presumably white) main character:
"I ran a hand back, pulling my short brown hair from my face."
You'll notice she doesn't mention Caucasian hair.
Yeah, that was enough for me to set this aside.
DNFed at 5%.
But I paid for this shit, so I feel vindicated.
Here are all the things that bothered me about this book, other than it exists and I paid for it:
------------------
It begins with chapter 4. Oh, don't worry. The other chapters are there. Just in random order for no apparent reason (it certainly isn't chronological). Unless the author was trying to appear clever, in which case it didn't work for me. Sorry.
------------------
This line: "Funny thing about life, and sunburns, you never know for sure how much time you’ve got left."
I'm sorry. Pray tell, what the fuck does that mean?
------------------
Some casual racism. If there's a character named Xue Sang, do we really need phrases like this?
"Xue in her bright green two-piece which looked just great against her mid-length dark Asian hair."
------------------
And a page or two later, you get this from the (presumably white) main character:
"I ran a hand back, pulling my short brown hair from my face."
You'll notice she doesn't mention Caucasian hair.
Yeah, that was enough for me to set this aside.
DNFed at 5%.
April 19, 2025
Audiobook: This was my first experience with this author's work, and it was entertaining; however, what made this book outstanding was the narration provided by Daniela Acitelli. I enjoyed the convoluted mystery. I thought the depiction of a police procedural in trying to determine the identity of a multi-state serial killer was realistic. I liked that the author brought up the inconsistencies between real life police work and other media, but then there was the scene of a high-end tech which seemed to negate that assertion. I liked FBI Special Agent Naomi Soul, but I could have done with a few less details regarding her love life. I was entertained by Daniela Acitelli's narration, and her performance added to my enjoyment of this story. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
December 9, 2019
Die by the Pen by Miles A. Maxwell is an intriguing mystery. I gave it four stars.
Naomi 'Spider' Soul was a skiier in the Olympics. Five years later she measured her ability to tolerate the sun by the scar that runs down her right knee to her shin. She now works for the government and isn't called 'Spider' any more.
She and her partner Xue were called onto a murder case by their boss, Madeline Wu, for the author "Big Cheeze" and his wife.
Naomi described a system for organizing crime data with the FBI called LINKS: Latent Investigatory National Knowledge System. Each case has its own name and number.
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Die-Pen-Naomi-...- Thriller-Reason-ebook/dp/B081DG4FX7
Naomi 'Spider' Soul was a skiier in the Olympics. Five years later she measured her ability to tolerate the sun by the scar that runs down her right knee to her shin. She now works for the government and isn't called 'Spider' any more.
She and her partner Xue were called onto a murder case by their boss, Madeline Wu, for the author "Big Cheeze" and his wife.
Naomi described a system for organizing crime data with the FBI called LINKS: Latent Investigatory National Knowledge System. Each case has its own name and number.
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Die-Pen-Naomi-...- Thriller-Reason-ebook/dp/B081DG4FX7
April 23, 2020
Miles Maxwell is the puzzle master. Die By The Pen is a challenging riddle for analytical types who thrive on problem-solving. The clues that create twists and turns include angry customer book reviews, which are highly amusing.
The protagonist Naomi Soul is particularly engaging because she’s an intelligent modern woman who is unapologetic while remaining laser-focused on crime-solving. I especially like the details, such as the fact that an FBI agent lives with her Mom. It’s realistic in today’s world of insane inflation.
Naomi and Xue are convincing because they’re examples of women who work hard but play hard. No, they’re not mechanical robots, as some might expect of civil servants. They’re highly driven career women who’ve managed to maintain their inner child, humor, and girlish enthusiasm.
The protagonist Naomi Soul is particularly engaging because she’s an intelligent modern woman who is unapologetic while remaining laser-focused on crime-solving. I especially like the details, such as the fact that an FBI agent lives with her Mom. It’s realistic in today’s world of insane inflation.
Naomi and Xue are convincing because they’re examples of women who work hard but play hard. No, they’re not mechanical robots, as some might expect of civil servants. They’re highly driven career women who’ve managed to maintain their inner child, humor, and girlish enthusiasm.
June 3, 2017
This was all kinds of psychological foolery! I just couldn't stop reading although it absolutely made no sense why the killer was killing. Not even the main character Naomi interested as much as the way the victims were murdered. The story was all over the place, nothing really connected not even the murders seemed to be connected just random except for the golden pen. But as far as Naomi having three bootycalls in three different states that's some magic tricks there lol! She used those men, yet they used her as well but to run when confronted with your fuckery with your "friends" as she calls them she was never truly their friends or truthful just a player who got caught and ran like a coward. I wonder who called that meeting of the men folk because that setup was the best ending ever!
January 30, 2025
This book is another one that sank to the bottom of the last page of my "thriller" collection. I don't even remember why I bought it. It's a perfect example of why I don't enjoy reading books where male authors try to inhabit the brain of a female first person narrator. They never quite get it right. I had the killer figured out very early on. Naomi should have and probably would have figured it out a lot sooner if she hadn't been too busy jumping into bed with every guy she knew. Her sex life was a distraction to the reader and to the character. And when she realized part of the Library of Congress was on fire, she thought to try to call her boss but not 911 to send a fire truck and fire fighters?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2018
I had a hard time getting into this book, it just wasn't moving for me. I put it down and came back to it later and I liked it, didn't love it. I like the friendship between Noami and Xui in the beginning but it got lost with all of Noami's fancy boyfriends. About 50% in I guessed the killer and thought what an interesting twist. I would recommend for a easy, mystery read. I am curious how the end plays out....is this resolved in another book??
April 16, 2021
Holly 🤯 the premise of this books sounds amazing: a serial killer after bestseller authors! Wonderful execution of the plot, didn’t see it coming until well past half the book and it really was bunkers.
The only thing that bother me was the amount of “wooohoo” every time we get the killer’s POV, and that I found some parts a little confusing. However, that did not affected the whole satisfaction at the end and enjoyment of the full story.
Just warning: it’s very explicit and gore.
The only thing that bother me was the amount of “wooohoo” every time we get the killer’s POV, and that I found some parts a little confusing. However, that did not affected the whole satisfaction at the end and enjoyment of the full story.
Just warning: it’s very explicit and gore.
April 25, 2021
Decent book, silly names
I liked the book. The story was interesting although I figured out the killer less than a quarter of the way through. The one thing that kept dragging me out of the story, that dampened my interest and enthusiasm were the asinine nicknames for the authors. Just silly
I liked the book. The story was interesting although I figured out the killer less than a quarter of the way through. The one thing that kept dragging me out of the story, that dampened my interest and enthusiasm were the asinine nicknames for the authors. Just silly
August 15, 2021
Good mystery book
Well I checked Amazon and it told me that the next book was first and this second so that's how I read them. I really liked the other one better because this book was to drawn out with no real suspects and then got kinda borIng with them traveling all over the place. It just got to be repeating the same outcome.
Well I checked Amazon and it told me that the next book was first and this second so that's how I read them. I really liked the other one better because this book was to drawn out with no real suspects and then got kinda borIng with them traveling all over the place. It just got to be repeating the same outcome.
June 3, 2018
Carefully crafted mystery
Thoughtful, carefully paced murder mystery with a heartbreaking reveal at the end. Seems solidly in the chick-lit category, but Naomi’s free-wheeling life may be a bit mystifying to more straight-laced readers.
Thoughtful, carefully paced murder mystery with a heartbreaking reveal at the end. Seems solidly in the chick-lit category, but Naomi’s free-wheeling life may be a bit mystifying to more straight-laced readers.
June 15, 2021
Die By The Pen
I liked it. Nice quick read. Good characters, developed nicely. Plenty of action. Had a small problem with the villian’s motivation. I think I can understand why, but I think it was a bit much. Still liked the book and will be getting the second one of the series.
I liked it. Nice quick read. Good characters, developed nicely. Plenty of action. Had a small problem with the villian’s motivation. I think I can understand why, but I think it was a bit much. Still liked the book and will be getting the second one of the series.
November 15, 2022
Miles Maxwell is Always a Great Read
I love this book but what's not to love! It is suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat! I felt in the room with Naomi and her three "friends" it was so descriptive. Twists right to the end!
I love this book but what's not to love! It is suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat! I felt in the room with Naomi and her three "friends" it was so descriptive. Twists right to the end!
January 17, 2018
Disappointing
This book had a lot of potential but just fell flat. The characters weren't believable, nor likeable, and it left me wondering why it wasn't more filled out.
This book had a lot of potential but just fell flat. The characters weren't believable, nor likeable, and it left me wondering why it wasn't more filled out.
February 11, 2018
Hooked from the start
Very fast paced, well written serial murder mystery. Characters were well established and the storyline was great. It was hard to put down from the get go.
Very fast paced, well written serial murder mystery. Characters were well established and the storyline was great. It was hard to put down from the get go.
December 27, 2018
Not a bad read did keep me gripped & wanting to know who the killer was
July 3, 2020
Great thrIller
This book kept you on your toes until the end. More twist and turns than a rollercoaster. The next part was the twist at the end who the killer really was.
This book kept you on your toes until the end. More twist and turns than a rollercoaster. The next part was the twist at the end who the killer really was.
January 5, 2022
Book started off great but about 1/2 way it became more and more unbelievable in both plot and sexual adventures.
September 25, 2022
Lots of twists and turns that you don't see coming. Very interesting.
October 27, 2022
This is the second book I have read by this author, and I am impressed. Good story lines that never bore you and unexpected endings. I intend to read more by Maxwell.
February 6, 2023
DNF
Immature writing, the snakes coming out of the victims' bottoms was ridiculous.
Immature writing, the snakes coming out of the victims' bottoms was ridiculous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2025
Although the book had some flaws, I chose to ignore them. I found the book interesting and a page-turner.
May 22, 2025
A nicely plotted serial killer murder mystery with an interesting killing MO. Well worth a listen
February 10, 2021
Surprising
The ending is a real twist- which isn’t a recommendation. The story is well written and interesting if still far fetched. The ending is more than far fetched. There might as well have been aliens playing with the earthlings as the actual ending. Just my opinion so don’t treat me as the characters in the book were treated.
The ending is a real twist- which isn’t a recommendation. The story is well written and interesting if still far fetched. The ending is more than far fetched. There might as well have been aliens playing with the earthlings as the actual ending. Just my opinion so don’t treat me as the characters in the book were treated.
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