Malice in Miami

A Jamie Quinn Mystery

By: Barbara Venkataraman

Narrated by: Fay Annette

Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Reluctant family law attorney Jamie Quinn is loving life - and why wouldn't she? Her boyfriend Kip is back from Australia, her long-lost dad finally has his visa, and she's about to start her dream job at an art foundation.

But it all falls apart when Jamie is accused of stealing priceless art from a rare book collection. If she can't find out who framed her, she can kiss her dream job goodbye - and her law license, too.

Meanwhile, Kip has problems of his own. Now an environmental activist, he uncovers a deadly secret - one that just might get him killed. Jamie's in trouble, Kip's in danger, and Duke Broussard has gone AWOL. How could Jamie's favorite PI abandon her at a time like this?

©2020 Barbara Venkataraman (P)2021 Barbara Venkataraman

Hilarious Mystery

Jamie Quinn is a Florida lawyer who is finally closing her law practice for a job in the art field. First she needs to learn about art.

Before she gives up her legal career, she does one last favor, get child support for a 17 year old with twins. The hang up is the supposed father is a rich (older) sugar farmer and the teen refuses to name him.

Jamie is like so many of us. Funny, clumsy, a bit sarcastic, loyal, and she never gives up. Each day she gets sucked into even more mysteries and trouble. As one problem is solved, another pops up that is bigger and more dangerous.

This series has many twists and turns. Each book is enjoyable and laugh out loud funny in places. The characters, both new and returning, are fun to read.

Really enjoyable book

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 6 in the series. I’ve really enjoyed all of them. This was the first one I listened to rather than read. The reader was good and the audio production was good also.

This series is in essence a cozy mystery/reluctant detective story with a couple of twists. The first twist is location related. Cozy mysteries often take place in cold snowy often rural locations. This takes place in a suburb of Miami. The other twist is that the main character (or reluctant detective) is usually someone who is under employed or who works in some kind of service related industry (runs a bakery, librarian, homemaker . . . things like that). The main character in these is a lawyer.

These two twists are a lot of what I love about the series. They are just different than the typical cozy mystery. I like Florida books (Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey for example) . . . I love the crazy Florida characters that appear in the “typical”
Florida book. While those characters are not the focal point of these novels . . . they do appear.

These are typical cozy mysteries in most other ways. If you like cozy mysteries but you want something a little different than the scores of others this series is just wonderful.

This book is pretty typical of the series. It didn’t really stick out in any way (I think that is a good thing). Of course the plot is different and there are new characters but it’s just a typical book in a series that I really enjoy.

I love books that are a little different but are good stories well told. These books tend to be on the shorter side but unlike other series that I have read they still feel complete even though they are short. I have a relatively new found respect for authors who can write shorter books that feel complete. I think it is far more difficult than it seems. The nice thing about shorter books is that the pacing feels really fast which I love . . . I really dislike most slow paced books. These feel really quick.

In short I really like this series in general and this book in particular. If you like a good cozy mystery give these a go they are really good reading!

Fun mystery with great characters

Jamie has decided to close up her practice to work at an art foundation. She needs training for the new job and she needs to attend fund raising galas. It turns out, both of these things can get her into trouble with the wrong people. In fact a number of things can get both Jamie and her boyfriend in trouble. And of course, they find trouble. As she is framed for a crime she didn't commit, Jamie is recruited to try to bring in some bad guys.

This is a well written, interesting read. I actually listed to the audio version, which was very well done. The author has a natural mid-western accent, but she does convincing character accents. This is another fun book in the series. I think all readers could read and enjoy it. You do not need to have read the previous books in the series.

Vexing Career Change

Jamie Quinn has made a career choice – she is going to work with a foundation with obtaining priceless art however, there is a glitch or two in her career choice.  Someone is framing her for stealing, she can’t shake off all her family law cases – one in particular and finally, there is the pesky Python population that must be controlled … yes, she goes out to hunt Pythons that are loose in the Everglades in her spare time!  Kip, her boyfriend is back and is on the hunt for his dream job too.  Toss in her father’s VISA issues and poor health – well, Jamie has her hands full!

The author, Barbara Venkataraman once again provides her listeners with an action-packed, fun cozy type mystery.  With each new mystery, Venkataraman throws in a few twists and new characters.  This story, like all the others, has a solidly built plot with strong character development and a plot twist or two.  This is an easy listen with authentic dialog and character interactions.

The narrator, Fay Annette, once again delivers a wonderful performance.  She dons the Jamie persona and gives each character a unique voice.  Her tones accurately reflect the mood of the character and story well.  Her voice is soothing and pleasant to hear.

I have had the pleasure of reading most of this series and I love them!  The plots are solid but not complicated. 

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was clear and well produced.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

great story

i enjoyed listening to this book while driving . I love reading about Jamie's adventures.

Florida fun

Another entertaining tale from Barbara Venkataraman. Some serious situations dealt with a light and humorous touch. From snake catching adventures to facing a mob boss, Jamie leads an exciting life. Several hours of delightful and engaging reading (or listening). Thanks to the author for providing a copy for my voluntary review.

Love this series!

Things are finally looking up for Jamie Quinn. Things start to go downhill when her boyfriend Kip’s new job isn’t looking all that great and Jamie is accused of stealing valuable art. She’s convinced someone is framing her but why and who?

With Kip’s life on the line and her own career in jeopardy, Jamie tries to find answers. It’s not easy but she’s determined to prove her own innocence and save Kip at the same time.

I so enjoy my visits into Jamie Quinn’s life. Fay Annette, the narrator, has a great storytelling manner that makes me feel like I’m listening to an old friend telling me a story. Her tone fits perfectly for this story.

The mystery moves at a fast-pace and I find myself caring more about Jamie than the actual mystery. She’s the type of character I’m really rooting for. I want to see her do well. I want good things for her. I cringe when things go wrong.

Although the mystery is solved in this story, I feel like the reader needs to start with book #1. I’ve read the series from the beginning and can appreciate it so much more that way. I suggest starting with the first book and reading straight through. It’s 100 times more fun that way. It gives the reader a chance to get to know Jamie and all the wacky people surrounding her.

I hope the author will continue with this mystery series.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free audio book copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A quick, fun, and light mystery.

Jamie is happy that her boyfriend, Kip, is back and her father is near-by with a legal visa. Jamie has decided to give up her law practice and take on a totally new position as an executive officer for a local art foundation. Jamie is friends with the organization’s founder who has convinced her to take on the job even though she knows very little about art. The employer has created a whole notebook with a study plan and a calendar of society events.

Although Jamie is closing down her practice, another attorney in her building cajoles her into helping with a paternity lawsuit. She agrees before she learns that the suspected father is a wealthy and corrupt Florida Sugar mobster who controls many politicians throughout the state. She engages her irreverent PI, Duke Broussard to help track down the man.

Before beginning her new job, Kip invites Jamie on an adventure in the Everglades. They meet friends and, to Jamie’s dismay, they go python hunting. Jamie manages to get through the event while Kip revels in the excitement.

As Jamie begins her study program, she is suddenly accused of stealing priceless art. Clearly, she is being framed and will have to figure out why and who. Meanwhile Kip has started a new job which puts him in a location to discover an environmental problem. The couple don’t realize that their difficulties might converge.

The story has fun adventure mixed with legal challenges, murder and danger. I enjoyed the exploits hunting the pythons. The mystery doesn’t really begin until a bit into the story and moves along quickly. There is good rapport between Jamie and Kip and some emotional issues with Jamie’s father. Being an attorney, I appreciate the legal issues and concerns which are not too complex for a non-legal person to follow. I also enjoyed the setting of the story since I am familiar with South Broward County and the Everglades. This package is a fun story and easy listen. I recommend the series to fans of easy mysteries with a female protagonist and a touch of legal issues.

Audio Notes: Fay Annette does a fine job with the narration. Her presentation provides distinct voices, captures the easy humor, and makes the story an enjoyable listen.

Source: Audible Code from Author. My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Another marvelous Jamie Quinn adventure!

I have missed Jamie Quinn. Even though bad things have happened and she’s put herself in danger over the years, there is always somehow an air of joy and delight around her – and that makes the series delightful.

Malice in Miami is the 6th book in the series and Jamie’s life seems to have settled into a state of contentment: boyfriend Kip is back from his long, long, long Australia trip, Jamie’s dad is finally in Miami with his lovely wife Ana Marie, Jamie is about to start a new career at an art foundation. She’s terrific at family law but it’s burned her out, and the new job is a dream-come-true. But of course it’s Jamie and that means this isn’t all going to go off without a hitch.

Through a sequence of almost funny events and circumstances (funny to us; to Jamie, not so much) she is accused of stealing valuable art so not only her new job but also her law license is in jeopardy. Kip is having some career-change issues of his own and Jamie’s father Guillermo is afraid he will be illegally deported.

Jamie is convinced by her office mate to take one last family law case. Quick and easy, right? Turns out to be not nearly as simple as expected – and much more dangerous. She’s not just up against a deadbeat dad but has discovered some things shady people desperately want to keep hidden. Kip, while happily performing his new python-hunting side gig, stumbles upon some more of that info that people want to keep hidden. And, yes, python hunting. Never would have thought of that. He convinces Jamie to go on one excursion – if that doesn’t have you laughing out loud nothing will.

As always, the plot is well constructed, moves smoothly along, dropping just enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing, and all our favorite characters are back: BFF Grace, nemesis FBI Nick, and “Father of the Year (?)” Duke Broussard, the most interesting PI you’ve ever met. Sunny, steamy Florida with its mansions, museums and Everglades feels like you are right in the middle of it, Kip is as adorably sweet and sexy as ever. Author Barbara Venkataraman is her usual masterful self, keeping you riveted with the mystery, the suspense, the charm and those quirky bits like “Florida Man” that are her trademark. I thoroughly enjoyed Malice in Miami and voluntarily leave this review. The book is great, the audiobook even better with its spot-on narration. I recommend Malice in Miami without hesitation. In fact, read the entire Jamie Quinn series and all the shorts this talented author has written. You’ll be glad you did. All opinions are my own, and my fingers are crossed hoping for #7 in this fantastic series.

Jamie seeking social justice

This sixth installment of the Jamie Quinn Mysteries has all the ingredients of a fun ride. It seems that Jamie is going to have a quiet life once and for all but nothing could be further from the truth. This is not your typical cozy mystery but a much more complex story with many unexpected events and several twists that keep the reader on their toes.

I find Jamie to be a likable character, always trying to do the right thing and sometimes too naive for her own good. It’s impossible not to like her. She always gets into trouble because her initial intention is to help other people without thinking about the consequences for herself. It’s something I like about her. Kip is back from Australia and he has a more active role in Jamie’s life in this book. I enjoyed seeing their dynamics as a couple and how they complement each other.

I expected at first I more straightforward story, a more mainstream cozy mystery, but the main goal here is not a murder to investigate but achieving social justice in several ways. I found it a fresh approach and a way of showing what matters to Jamie.

Fay Annette did a very good job bringing the characters to life and keeping voices and styles consistent. I especially liked her interpretation of Jamie and how natural her speech sounded. It was like listening to a real person. I’m still not 100% convinced by Brussard’s voice but overall I found Annette’s narration quite pleasant.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.