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In the twisted mind of a clever killer, her intelligence makes her a prize worth taking. By whatever means. Matthew Smart has lost his Assistant, Cameron, in a brutal killing. Devastated, Matthew has to find out who murdered his employee while interviewing potential replacements. Strangely, the applicants all seem to be blowing off their interviews. So when a bold, softly curved beauty named Alexis McFadden shows up in his office looking to fill the position, he's tempted to hire her just because she's the only one who wants the job, although he doesn't believe she's a good fit. Lucky for Alex, a tricky new case convinces Matthew that he can really use her help. But what if Alex is smart enough to get herself hired against all odds, while in the eyes of a cold-blooded killer, she's too smart by half?

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2016

3 people are currently reading
68 people want to read

About the author

Sam Cheever

195 books1,078 followers
USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes mystery and suspense, creating stories that draw you in and keep you eagerly turning pages. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 100+ books.

Website: www.samcheever.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-c...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Ch...
Blog: https://samcheever.com/blog/

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5 stars
16 (51%)
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10 (32%)
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4 (12%)
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1 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Vonnie.
36 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2016
This was the first book I have read by Sam Cheever and I am now a big fan! I love the characters Matthew and Alex, I hope to be reading more about them in the series. Full of humor, mystery and suspense Smart Alex will keep you entertained from the beginning to the end.
Profile Image for Andrea Stoeckel.
3,163 reviews132 followers
April 20, 2018
“ He laughed. ‘I knew you were going to be a challenge. I’m pleased to realize I was right”

Matthew “don’t call me Matt”Smart runs Smart Investigations with his dachshund Max, whom he jokingly tells people is “the head of HR”. The story opened with Matthew finding his assistant Cameron murdered in their office. While he interviews replacements, he keeps trying to figure out why anyone would kill Cam.

Some of the string of applicants are no shows, until the final one, Alexis McFaddon shows up unexpectedly as a new client hires Smart to find out why his daughter was killed by a hit and run. Through a series of synchronized incidents both Matthew and Alex come very close to being the killer’s next victims.

This was a very fast read, and a very good read; just enough sass and smarts to keep the reader entertained. It was difficult not to read the whole book in one sitting. And now I’m more than ready for the next one. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily reviewed it. My opinions are my own]
Profile Image for Barbara.
2,648 reviews61 followers
May 14, 2016
Smart Alex is book 1 of the Smart Investigations Series and it has a little bit of everything this reader loves: Adventure, Suspense, Humor and of course Romance. Matthew Smart, owner of Smart Investigations, arrives at work one morning to find his assistant has been murdered. Matthew vows to find his killer and bring him to justice. In the meantime he must hire a new assistant, a chore he must do with a heavy heart, so he places an ad for the job. Oddly the people he sets appointments with don't show up. Just a Coincidence?

One day, while speaking with a possible new client, the sexy Alexis McFadden shows up at his office looking to fill the position.While there she gets the feeling Matthew isn't going to hire her but she knows she is perfect for the job. She jumps in with the new client and conveniences Matthew to give her a try. So the two of them set off to solve the mystery of the murdered assistant and that task becomes a dangerous adventure. As things get intense Matthew and Alexis also become closer and the pair take us on a sexy wild suspenseful ride.

Sam Cheever has another hit series in the works in this readers Humble Opinion. 2 Thumbs Up!!!
Profile Image for Alexandra.
Author 4 books7 followers
February 20, 2016
First off - I absolutely liked the title. It spoke to me. It wanted me to buy it. So I did; smart Alex that I am myself, and it made for a very very enjoyable read which made me fall head over heels for Max!!! He's the best! Detective Smart is a man with a mission, loyal and kind to friends, sharp and clever in his investigations - and smoky hot in his free time. In stumbles Alex, in desperate need of a job and with bad experience regarding men and their preconceived ideas of a bombshell as she is. And wow, what a bombshell! Her IQ is very high and she is sick and tired of pretending it isn't, so she lets it show and that makes her plain irrestistible for Matthew (not Matt. He is not a thing to put in front of your door!). And for me too, she is a woman after my heart and I loved the chemistry between them. It is a sizzling romance but that doesn't take away from the exciting suspense story, the killings they investigate together. Pretty convincing red herrings, an unexpected ending after quite some breathtaking twists and turns and the promise for more left me completely satisfied - and following this series and his author!
Profile Image for JB.
2,183 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2019
"I'm willing to give you the job on a trial basis. But only if you promise you'll never, ever draw on me again.". Matthew has to hire a new assistant when his old one is murdered. Alex has had a difficult time finding a job that she likes and her acerbic personality makes keeping one a struggle. Matthew has second thoughts about hiring Alex, but they are quickly put to rest when she exposes her ability to perceive and her impressions are spot on. However, the lust he feels will just have to take a back burner. Things heat up pretty quickly with the case of finding Cam's killer. Alex and Matthew work well together and very quickly start narrowing down suspects and leads. "I'm with him on that. Perpetual liars are uncivilized and dangerous people. Not to mention they make our jobs harder by a multiplier of ten.". Fantastic characters, great mystery - i did not figure out whodunnit until it was revealed. Here's to hoping more books about Alex and Matthew are headed my way! Enjoy! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Angie McGuire.
1,127 reviews13 followers
January 9, 2016
I received an ARC for an honest review!!
I really like mystery / love type books and this did not disappoint. Matthew is an investigator- looking for the killer of his friend/assistant, while trying to replace him at work. Alex is a highly educated woman who happens to be good at figuring people out. Matthew doesn't think she's right for the job, but gives her a chance anyway.
The investigation continues to develop, while the killer is watching their every move- and you really don't know who did it until the end.
I really enjoyed this book- it gives you all the feels without being being too sexy or inappropriate- which would not have been good for this book. I hope there are more books to come in this series with Matthew and Alex.
Profile Image for Kristin.
350 reviews19 followers
Read
September 7, 2016
Like always I know to get my popcorn ready to dive into one of Sam Cheever's books since I know I'll need a snack since I won't be moving till I'm done. Smart Alex did not disappoint! We have adventure, suspense and the classic humor that always sneaks into Mrs. Cheever's books.

You can't help but love Matthew Smart who of course investigates. It's quite strange though that none of his appointments show up for a position ; ) Now Alex you kinda wanna like her but her her since she's hot lol. Matthew and Alex of course seem to connect in a oh so feel good way while investigating. For sure a wild ride with those two.

Look forward to reading the next installment which I'm positive will be Samtastic!

Profile Image for Krys.
146 reviews
February 8, 2016
Smart, witty, and fabulous
Alex: strong, beautiful, independent, beautiful and scary smart.
Matt: (hehehe inside joke) Stong, caring, and a PI
Max: Adorable, and my favorite character, you will love him.
I love this story, it's well written. It will keep you guessing until the very end. Alex wow you learn so much about her but you will find your self wanting to know more. I hope we will see more of her in the next book.
Sam Cheever does an amazing job of bringing the characters and secondary characters to life. I cannot wait to meet more of both families and to dig in to the next book. I would definitely recommend this book!
Received in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,389 reviews58 followers
June 21, 2016
Matthew Smart's assistant has been murdered. Now it's up to him to find the murderer before he or she strikes again. But Matthew--don't call him Matt--needs another assistant and the only one who shows up for the interview is Alexis--call her Alex. Matthew's reluctant to hire her but she shows her skills during a client interview so she's hired.

I liked Matthew and Alex. They work well together. I liked knowing each one's thoughts as the story goes along. I would not make a good assistant because I only figured it out at the end as they were practically spelling it out for me. I'll read more of this series because I want to see how the romance turns out.
Profile Image for SylviaV.
686 reviews9 followers
January 11, 2016
Smart Alex (Smart Investigations # 1) by Sam Cheever.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
This is billed as book 1 in a new series and I think it is a great start. It had mystery, suspense and a hint of romance. The story kept this reader engaged and entertained. It was a perfect holiday read for me and I am interested in reading the rest of the books in this series to see what happens next for Alex and Matthew and Max.
666 reviews17 followers
Read
February 7, 2016
This is the first book in the Smart Investigations series, and this is a great start!
Matthew needs to hire a new assistant because his previous one, Cameron, was murdered! He interviews Alex, and he's isn't sure that she will be a good fit, but he gives her a chance.

This was a great book and I was unable to solve the mystery until the end of the story!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Troy Stewart.
224 reviews9 followers
February 13, 2016
The Author’s chapters are so brisk you'll find your self half-way through the book before you know it. As well, the suspense is so well paced, and it also tosses in so many possibilities and clues to the lead character’s identity into the mix, there's no way you'll be able to set the book down until you read the whole book . Fantastic Book !!!
Profile Image for Mary Lou Webb.
521 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2016
Good start to a new series

I enjoyed the characters in this story, but wish we had learned more about the female protagonist. I have a feeling that she has quite a story to tell. That being said, this is a delightful beginning to a new series. I wonder how long it will be before Alex takes over Matthew's agency?!
Profile Image for Charity Chimni.
Author 2 books9 followers
September 8, 2016
Matthew and Alex have instant chemistry. But both know better than to mix business and pleasure. They work together to solve a murder mystery and discover more about themselves in the process. A story full of mystery, suspense, a few laughs and an underlying passion. Can't wait to see where the series leads!
Profile Image for Debra .
1,403 reviews
June 17, 2016
A quick and easy read that kept me reading the entire book in one setting. I really liked Alex, a woman who is very intelligent, highly educated,beautiful, and yet is so insecure she has become a perpetual underachiever. Once she starts working for a private investigator she attracts the attention of a serial killer. Wondering who the killer was kept me guessing up to the very end.
Profile Image for Charity Chimni.
Author 2 books9 followers
September 8, 2016
Matthew and Alex have instant chemistry. But both know better than to mix business and pleasure. They work together to solve a murder mystery and discover more about themselves in the process. A story full of mystery, suspense, a few laughs and an underlying passion. Can't wait to see where the series leads!
74 reviews
April 11, 2016
Awesome book

I just love these books. The plot and characters are great. Keeps you interested from beginning to end. I plan to read all his books.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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