18 1/2 Disguises

A Romantic Comedy Mystery (Maizie Albright Star Detective, Book 7)

By: Larissa Reinhart

Narrated by: Joan Dukore

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

An old friend murdered and a new friend in jeopardy.

For fans of romantic comedy mysteries, Veronica Mars meets Stephanie Plum in the seventh book in the Wall Street Journal best-selling Maizie Albright Star Detective series.

#DisguisedDetectiving... Maizie Albright might have once played a (teenage) private investigator on TV, but she’s now living the (adult) part. Her (mother’s) name is on her business cards. Her (boss’) appointment book is brimming with new clients. And her bank account has grown large enough to finally trade in her dirt bike for an actual new (pre-owned) vehicle.

And then there’s Wyatt Nash. Love of her life. Future father of her...wait.

And then there’s Wyatt Nash. Future partner in her business. Not now. Later. Right now, they’re waiting for Maizie to get her PI license and for Nash to get out of the red so they can get on with...

Just what, Maizie isn’t so sure. But she is sure about one thing. She’s ready to take on her own cases. To prove she’s more than just a (washed-up actress) assistant private eye.

When Maizie finds her costume designer friend killed during a masquerade gala, it’s the opportunity Maizie hoped she’d never get. An investigation into an old friend’s murder. But one that’s also put her new friend in jeopardy. While the police begin their inquiries, Maizie starts her own case. Her investigation may cost Maizie her job, her relationships, and her life.

The Maizie Albright Star Detective series:

• 15 Minutes
• 16 Millimeters
• NC-17
• 18 Caliber
• 18 1/2 Disguises
• 19 Criminals

©2021 Larissa Reinhart (P)2022 Larissa Reinhart

Entertaining mystery

Maizie Albright is yet again surrounded by death. Waiting for her PI licence and to work side by side in partnership with the man she adores Wyatt Nash, Maize now has to solve the case of her murdered friend. In taking on this investigation she will put everything she loves and holds dear to her at risk, including the job she has fought so hard for.

This series has gotten better and better and I really enjoyed this addition to the series. There were numerous twists and turns in and I admit I was caught off guard on a couple of occasions. The suspense built throughout and the addition of some junior sleuths added to the witty banter that was throughout the story.

Will Maize be able to solve the case and keep not only herself but everyone she loves safe?

The narrator Joan Dukore really brought this story to life for me.

Another Maizie Adventure

The adventure begins when Maizie decides to investigate a murder on her own. Maizie continues to grow as she tries on a variety of characters to help her investigate the case. While she makes some mistakes and has a few mishaps, she continues to learn and she finds herself shedding the characters and letting Maizie take the lead role. I really enjoy the growth of Maizie and her relationships throughout the series. The supporting cast of characters are hilarious and add depth to the plot and sub-plots.

Joan Dukore does an excellent job again and is a perfect Maizie.

18 1/2 Disguises was a fun installment in this series and I’m looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Good Listen

I think the author did a good job with this story and the narrator did a good job bringing the characters to life

Growing Pains for Maizie

“I’m wondering if I’m really cut out for this PI business. Or if I’m just trying to show everyone I’m more than a has-been actress. That I can actually do something other than pretending to be someone else.”

This seems to be the theme of the book. Maizie is struggling to find her footing with her career and with her private life.

The book starts with Maizie and Rhonda finding the body of Maizie’s former costume designer who has recently settled in Black Pine. As the bodies pile up, Maizie questions her decision to become a private investigator…was it just a whim? The mystery is a really good one and had me guessing until the very end. There are enough characters to make it interesting, but not too many to make it confusing. The character, Annie, is introduced to us as Maizie’s new boss and mentor in her new office, having begun working for Vicky.

While the mystery is fantastic, the parallel story is engrossing and perfectly woven. Maizie really wants to prove her worth as an independent private investigator, but in true Maizie fashion, she ends up trying to be an Annie-Nash mashup character as she tries to navigate through investigating the crime. This is certainly a more mature, serious (but not too) installment than previous outings, but it still has the comic elements that make Maizie and Nash so endearing (see Billy, the convertible).

While reading, many questions were rolling around in my brain:
Will Maizie spend one too many lunches and late-night phone calls with Ian?
Will Rhonda and Tiffany ever speak to her again?
Will Maizie ever find out why Nash is so preoccupied and where he has been every night?
Why does Maizie seem to hate the bed and new curtains in the office, and what’s her issue with the camo tie?
Is Maizie more like her mother than she realizes? [gasp!]
Who assaulted Lucky?
Will Nash lose not only his business, but also Maizie?

Joan Dukore once again brings this colorful cast of characters to life.

I received an ARC and got nothing done around the house until the story was told, Maizie and Nash being my secret obsession. This was the best installment so far, and that is saying a lot! Cannot wait until 19 is written!

Maizie is getting better

I love the Maizie Albright character and she is definitely developing in this book. I feel like we all have a little bit of Maizie in us, when she’s faced with a difficult situation she fakes it till she makes it. Like investigating a murder and creating the character in your head that you want to be and then attempting to become it. It’s like she’s her own full-time professional coach. Her relationship with Nash is also developing which is nice to see. Definitely a fun book.