Susan Kiernan-Lewis

A lot has happened since Maggie Newberry first came on the scene in Murder in the South of France. This is the sixth book in the series, but only the second I've read. Reading numbers 2 through 5 would help explain some of the off-hand comments in the plot, but the book stands on its own just fine. A mystery with no end of possible villains, exotic and enticing scenery, and a likable, if sometimes irritating heroine. What's not to like? I still have my French teacher quibbles about mistakes show more in the French language phrases that pop up every now and then--the book is set in the south of France, after all. But all told an enjoyable read. show less

Maggie Newberry, an independent woman and entrepreneur as a freelance advertising copywriter in Atlanta, is not used to being vulnerable or helpless. However, needing answers in a country where you don’t speak the language is only the start of complications after identifying her sister Elise’s body in a French morgue. As a dutiful daughter, Maggie had accepted her father’s request to fly to France to make the identification and bring her sister home. Maggie has multiple questions, and show more the police give her very little information. How did this happen? Why? Who? Will she ever learn the truth?

An armchair traveler’s delight from Atlanta to Cannes and intrigue leads to Nice, Montmartre, and Paris. Air and rail travel, taxis, walks, and well-known landmarks add to the scenes. Maggie is persistent, courageous, resolute, trying to reconcile memories of her sister with the descriptions and facts learned and baffled by her responses to a man named Laurent. There are twists and turns building suspense, and although some of my armchair sleuthing was accurate, not all was correct. I’m intrigued to read more of the series.

Note: I recommend the mystery but disagree with marketing it as a cozy mystery. show less

[Free Falling] is the first installment in [The Irish End Games Series] by [Susan Kiernan-Lewis]. Imagine being on a nice over seas vacation when the world ends. That is where this story begins.

The idea of survival and learning to live without modern technology is a major theme in this book. Also learning to appreciate the people who have your back. The characters in this story are not the deepest but they will elicit strong feelings from the reader. I enjoyed the book enough to buy the next show more two. show less

Fear of Falling revolves around a woman's ability to overcome paralyzing anxiety and do what she must for her family. As the family works together to survive after a global electrical outage, Sara comes to discover her inner core of steel where it comes to providing and protecting her family.
An enjoyable read but be prepared to suspend disbelief on a couple plot points. Well-edited and no formatting problems. 3.5 stars