Deep Blue Goodbye

Allison Hart #1

by Robin Mahle

Allison Hart had it all—for a while. When her 20-year marriage ends and her kids have all but flown the coop, she opts for a new direction and an unlikely new career.

Her best friend Charlotte "Charlie" Wells offers an unexpected solution that ignites a fire inside Allison. A private investigator. It was the best use of her skills. The only caveat was that Charlie had to agree to be her partner.

Long-time friends, Detective Shane Sullivan and D.A. prosecutor, Milo Nash, are behind Allison all the way and offer leads to help her get her feet wet. She’s soon put in contact with Tommy Boyce, a hard-boiled private eye, who throws her a bone. Just a small job; stakeout a couple of cheaters and get a few pictures. But when her targets are gunned down by a hitman, Allison is hurled into a deadly scheme of murder, lies, and corruption.

Detective Sullivan implores Allison to let the cops do their job, but she knows the killer is after his only remaining witness—her. Allison must now stay one step ahead to keep her fledgling career and her life from meeting an untimely end.

From the million-selling author Robin Mahle comes an exciting new series. Allison Hart is a sharp-witted sleuth whose partner Charlie keeps her in check. If you like a little Sue Grafton sprinkled with a dash of Janet Evanovich, this new series is for you!

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Ebooks

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2019

About the author

Robin Mahle, Mystery and Suspense author, lives with her husband and two children in Virginia.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "DEEP BLUE GOODBYE" Allison Hart has just come out of a 20yr marriage with husband Leo she worked for Fraud Investigations for Workers Compensation in Florida she father evidence against her boss thinking he'd be fired but she was instead.
Allison talked with BF Charlotte aka Charlie Wells she started a new career as a PI and she asked Charlie to be her partner they work well together get first assignment is getting pictures of a woman cheating on her husband but they end up being murdered by a hitman and she's witness this which put her in extreme danger.
Allison's two other BF'S are Detective Shane Sullivan and Milo Nash who work for the The fraud and Corruptions Unit fir the DA office they tell Allison to Keane things to the cops but being the independent, strong willed feisty, sassy woman she is doesn't go for it.
There are more murders and it all leads to to the higher ups in the city thus is fill of suspense, intrigue, danger, murder, corruption, lies and twists that have you turning page after page what an exciting amazing read by Robin Mahle who create very interesting, caotivating characters.
I definitely recommend to get this book I SOOO can't wait for book two "LETHAL PASSAGE" I sure hope there's a romantic relationship with Allison and Shane in thus next book I really lihe them together. AWESOME AWESOME READ!!!!!

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting back to Mahle. Her stories flow with continuity and style. Her characters are totally fleshed out. I look forward to reading more of the Alison Hart series.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Competent crime thriller"

On the plus side, this was well-written and a complete story. On the downside, Allison Hart isn't different enough from the hundreds of other Private Investigators created by writers in the same overcrowded genre to stand out. If you're after a page-turning read to fill a few hours without committing to a series, then this is okay.

[Mguhin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish

Errors and cliches made me bail before I found out who did it. I hate when that happens. Needs better editing. Dialogue ok but characters thin. If you really want a DEEP BLUE GOODBYE, read John D. MacDonald 's superior version.

[JoLynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t impressed by this book at all. I think parts were meant to be funny but it fell flat. The storyline was just not great though I guess the characters were alright. I was glad when it was over.

[Robert Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy going crime thriller.
An enjoyable read about Alison Hart who is forced out from her fraud investigation position and persuaded to do something completely different but yet still similar to take on a new job as a private investigator. Alison talks bet friend into her new profession and while waiting to get her PI licence and to set up her new business she takes on a simple adultery job for another PI Tommy Boyce to pay her way.
While Alison is watching the adulterer’s things take a turn and she witnesses the murder of the couple she was watching, then the PI who gave her the job is also murdered by a hitman. The plot twists and turns and Alison with her new partner Charlie and her long time friends detective Shane Sullivan and D.A prosecutor Milo Nash slowly unravel and take down the murderer and those in power who ordered them. Alison is always one step away from being taken out herself.
Although I have read lots and lots of Robin’s books and liked everyone, somehow I couldn’t relate or even get to like Alison, Charlie or a lot of the other characters for some reason. Alison and Charlie also Kinda bumbled along to me and I kept thinking “Why would you?” That being said the story and easy writing style still kept me going to the end,

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEEP BLUE. GOODBYE
...1. Allison.Hart.S....Robin..Mahle
We meet Allison after twenty years of marriage, divorced, in her mid years, with a job as investigator for the state of Florida. She collected the evidence, then the state decided what to do with it. She had razor sharp intuition and
didn’t hesitate to say what she thought. After 5 years, she spoke out against the wrong person and got fired. A great new series, about finding a job, where she would be a boss, having people to work with she trusted. It has the circus effect as Allison calls it with being friends with her ex, and girlfriend and Nolan and friends.
A refreshing, light hearted series, with humor, and good characters, will look for the next book, hopefully soon.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

[LooseBoots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. This is a brand new series with a brand new character, Allison Hart. It’s always an exciting experience sharing the journey with the main character and , like Robin’s other books, you feel part of the story.
She cuts her teeth learning the trade of being a detective, a P.I.
Full of tension and excitement throughout. She has some good friends who help her out and I have to say that I am SO looking forward to more in this series.

I do so love a GOOD detective thriller and this is DEFINITELY one of those.

You don’t want to miss this book. It’s action packed and personally, I was glued to each page .
No spoilers- just a fantastic read.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Hart has entered a new phase of life. After two decades her marriage dissolved and she lost her job, the result of doing the right thing. Relying on the skills she has cultivated through life and career experience she embarks on becoming a P.I. What should be a simple bread and butter case, trailing a cheater, becomes so much more. Inadvertently discovering a double murder puts her in the cross hairs of danger. With the support of her friends and a killer on her trail can she solve this mystery and remain unscathed? Find out for yourself and enjoy this well written book. I enjoyed each twist and turn as the story unraveled.

[Barbara Knudsen Score · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Deep Blue Goodbye and I can hardly wait for the next book. I like Allison & Charlie together as partners they seem to balance each other. I kept waiting for more information on Allison's ex Leo, just don't like him, and their daughter. Really like Shane and hope in the next book they have a romantic relationship, Allison needs him. The story was great and the characters were believeable. " I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.” I am a solid fan of Robin Mahle. If you haven't read any of her books... your missing out.

[Ken Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new female lead, and not your normal type either. Meet Allison who is propelled on her new career as a fledgling PI by events beyond her control.
A double homicide that she "witnesses" leads to further complications when all she thought was a simple photographic assignment.
Be prepared for some action, more murders, and a trail that leads higher up in the city.

I received an arc copy of the ebook

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great start to a series...I hope! Allison is embarking on a new career after she suffers from 'empty nest syndrome'. With the help of some friends she gets what everyone thought a pretty easy case to start off with...wrong! The police want her to stay out of it, but she is the only witness to this crime and they are after her! She is a spunky girl who is out to do what she thinks is right. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Dawn Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Once again Mahle writes a winner -
Allison, divorced, picks a new career as a investigator. Her first job is a stakeout of a wife cheating on her husband. As she gets the pictures - shots are fired.
As the murders continue - Allison must find the answers before they kill her.
And - what she finds is shocking!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting. I love the main character and how she was determined to do what is right. I think the plot was wonderful. There was constant excitement and intrigue. This is a great start to a wonderful series I am sure. I want to read more from this author.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Hart has a strong sense of morality. She loses her five year job as an insurance fraud investigator when she turns evidence on a supervisor who is milking the system. From there she needs something new. Her friend Charlie, who worked with her at the insurance fraud company, suggests that Allison has the talent needed to be a PI and become her own boss.

Allison goes to her two friends, Detective Shane Sullivan and District Attorney Milo Nash, to see if they can help her find someone to help her with her new endeavor. D.A. Milo Nash comes through with an overworked PI Tommy Boyce. Boyce is not in the story for a long period of time and Allison's easy job of spying on an adulterous couple turns into a murder mystery.

Allison becomes involved in investigating Tommy Boyce's death after she meets his daughter Lucy. Lucy is around the same age as Allison's daughter. We don't learn much about her daughter, but it appears that she is estranged from her. This connection in Allison's mind causes her to become driven to help Lucy.

Allison and Charlie interfere in a number of murder investigations as the murders pile up. I would imagine that a real police department would have had her in handcuffs way before the end of the story. Her friend Detective Shane Sullivan enables her in her many illegal activities. By the end of the story, she and Charlie are hugely instrumental in solving the case.

There's excitement as Allison becomes a target for the big player who's driving all this murderous activity. Some things are a touch unbelievable. The burner phone sitting out in the open after the police were invited in to one suspect's house, would have been fair game for the officer to bring in, if I'm not mistaken. Allison wouldn't have needed to sneak back and take it illegally.

I did enjoy it because it kept me wondering what was going on. I'm still not sure what part Franklin Perry played and would like to learn more about her daughter and her husband, Leo. He seems to be such a good involved parent that I can't help but wonder what caused him to cheat on Allison and go after a younger woman. He also seems very concerned about what Allison does and acts like he's still her husband. Where was that care about her getting hurt when he decided to destroy their marriage after 20 years?

[Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The start of a promising new mystery series

I love reading the first book in a new mystery series to find out how the protagonist got started in investigating crimes. Allison Hart worked for the Florida fraud unit investigating workers comp cases. She is very good at her job. While out on a case she discovers her boss in cahoots with the fraud perpetrator, reports it to a superior, but gets reprimanded instead of rewarded. She quits her job to start her own P.I. business along with her friend, Charlie. She takes on a case from a seasoned P.I. to surveil a woman having an affair with her husband's employee, and then witnesses their murder. When the other P.I. is found dead, Allison promises his daughter she will find answers. The lead homicide detectives try in vain to keep her from interfering in their investigation but her assistance proves invaluable in solving the case. Allison is a strong woman protagonist, a single mother who has a great relationship with her 18 year old son who lives with her while going to college. I would definitely read more in this series.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was our first mystery and suspense story by Robin Mahle, partially attracted by the fact that all of her novels, about 17 so far, feature female protagonists. Indeed, in “Goodbye”, we enjoyed this first foray into crime solving by at the moment an amateur PI named Allison Hart, who was recently fired (essentially for being a whistle-blower) from her previous job of some five years investigating disability fraud – so at least pertinent skills. She decides to maybe get her license and try her hand privately, and soon gets an assignment through some police buddies from an overworked PI, Tommy Boyce, they know. She’s to take some “cheating wife” photos, but during her surveillance, the two parties to the tryst are killed by gunshot. Trying to report back to her temporary boss, he’s missing too, a worrisome coincidence to say the least. The remainder of the tale is mostly a "police" procedural except for the focus on Allison and her girlfriend Charlie (another amateur) as they dig up some important clues to help solve the case.

The plot was indeed twisty and in parts rather suspenseful. The downfall though is that Allison and Charlie could never in real life get away with inserting themselves into an active investigation by the authorities, not to mention their constant withholding of evidence and eyewitness testimony. While they coordinated often with an assistant DA, we began to wonder if he was on the up and up as he withheld all kinds of progress from the official detectives. Lastly, Allison’s devotion to Boyce’s daughter Lucy to solve the matter was pretty silly for someone she knew for five minutes.

We liked the writing and the female characters well enough to certainly try another, but hopefully the roles of a PI vs. the police will be more carefully delineated and maintained, else it threatens the credibility of the plot.

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of those books I randomly choose on kindle. I must say I really enjoyed it a lot. The characters (especially the protagonists) are really well-made and feel real. I enjoyed all the issues brought by the protagonist being a diverced middle-aged mother. The story itself was rather on the simple side without many plot twists, but it was the good side of simple - the pacing was also very good.

What I liked the most though was how various genre cliches and tropes were subverted in this book. In fact I found myself slightly disappointed with the relatively "easy" ending, until I realized that it too averted the trope of the main chracter facing the killer on her own.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was the fact that giving us other perspectives than Allison and Charlie provided the reader with too much information too early and I believe it would be better to let the reader learn it together with the protagonists.

A really nice read and I'll surely check out more books by this author.

[NS Krishna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many flaws in plot. Bribing and corruption is when a contractor bribes a public official . Here the mayor bribes Carlos, a builder. A Carlos wife’s friend turns out helps the mayor because ( no idea) . And a mayor gets some 4-5 people killed to cover up the fact that he gave 50000 dollars to a builder, apparently from campaign funds. For what? And allusion gets all evidence completely illegally. How can you arrest a Mayor with that? And is the mayor stupid to have told Laura ( their relationship is vaguely hinted at) something incriminating , even if was a burner phone? Moronic plot

[Jan L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. I liked the characters but as the story rambled on, I never quite understood what the chase was. For a character to decide to be a PI then to immediately be involved in a major case, her investigative skills need a lot of help. The ending leads a promising path to the next book in this series.

[Dan A. Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deep Blue

Nice to read a clean book language wise. However, the characters in the book were flagrantly stupid in constantly violating the law, withholding evidence, and breaking police procedures. Even the law enforcement officials were guilty of dumb behavior. I don’t think I will read more in this series.

[Barbara R. Cady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series!

I absolutely love Ms. Mahle's work! Ive read many of her books in the other series and this one did not let me down! Great new characters to meet, a story filled with more twists than a corkscrew, it keeps you turning pages to see who's gonna get bumped off next!

[Tina Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written & keeps us interested!

I did really enjoy this book, however, most ppl would end up in jail for obstructing justice for what Allison did in this book. She also obtained evidence in a way that would make it inadmissible in court, but other than that it was pretty good!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic new series for me!

Love the characters and the beginning of the story of Allison Hart PI in Tampa FL. She is hired to take pictures of a cheating spouse. Oops they re killed that night…. The rollarcoaster begins! Action keeps coming so looking forward to reading more in this series and others by this author.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this.. A woman that stands her ground, an ex husband that is pro active in co-parenting and a couple of the best friends a woman could ever have. Throw is a murder or three- and you have a 1 day read.. Will look for more by this author..

[Dewey Carroll Brackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very realistic

I just could not get into this book. Allison is an aspiring PI working on a,case her DA friend threw her way. She gets into deep trouble and some of the things she did were not on the up and up. It's a wonder she didn't get killed.

[Mickey Noel]

This was a well written and completely absorbing tale!

Strong-willed and stubborn, wannabe P. I, Allison learns the hard way how difficult this is going to be. Fantastic story, great characters and my new binge worthy series!

[Walter Critz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that captures your interest right away and keeps you churning through the pages. The believable main characters find themselves risking their careers and even their lives as they sort through a murder mystery.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes being unjustly let go can be a good thing.

A well paced thriller with a quite likable female protagonist. While similar to cozys in some ways the action is better done than in most of the cozies I've read. I definitely plan on reading the next installment.

[paulette sarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great police thriller

This book kept you up on your toes until the end. Loved all the main characters buy Allison was by far the gutsest one. Would love to read more with her as the main character.