Lucky Stiff by Annelise Ryan

Mattie Winston knows Jack didn't die from the fire.  She works in the forensic office and saw the autopsy.  Jack had won a big jackpot at the casino and got a cash settlement for his injury that made him wheelchair bound.  The reason he died is most likely money...

Kensington Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This author writes a good mystery that keeps you interested and wondering who the killer may be.  In the process, Mattie, a plus-sized woman, finds herself in embarrassing situations on a regular basis.  She's not the most graceful, can't decide how to go on from her married life since her husband left her for another woman, and she's nosy and gets herself into difficult situations all the time.

Ms. Ryan does make you care about her characters.  I wanted to pick Mattie up and shake her.  Don't be a wimp, go for life!  Stop spending money at the casino, you won't win!  Make up your mind about Hurley!

I enjoyed reading the story and identifying the killer.  I'm a bit unhappy that the author ruined Mattie's life at the end of the book.  I expect that was done to make you read the next book in the series and see what she does to recover.  Like I said, she makes you care about her characters and I think she was too hard on Mattie.  Why don't you read the book and let me know what you think?  Do you think she was too tough on her or is it just Mattie's own problems?

Happy reading.