A special thank you to Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A DEADLY BUSINESS (Mia Quinn Mystery Series #2) by Lis Wiehl continues the suspense, after A MATTER OF TRUST (Mia Quinn Mystery #1) with Mia, a prosecutor in Seattle’s King County Violent Crimes Unit, while juggling the demands of single parenthood.

Mia and her children, 14 yr-old Gabe and 3 yr-old Brooke, are still adjusting to the loss of her husband, Scott, an accountant who died in a car accident seven months ago. However, Detective Charlie Carlson wants to re-open the case, as he has reason to believe Scott’s death was not an accident.

A compelling crime mystery---as the book opens, there is much drama, as a 22 yr-old convict walks into the courtroom, and knocks Mia to the ground, holding a razor blade to her throat (he blames her for his conviction).

Her next order of business is to decide if three, 15 yr old boys, whose actions in a shopping cart case, resulted in severe injuries to a young mother-- should be charged as adults or juveniles. (all in a day’s work).

As Mia becomes personally involved with this mother, and the case she faces, she is also dealing with the secrets of her husband, Scott. Did she even know this man?

She and Charlie begin an investigation of their own. Piece by piece she is faced with his betrayal which involves the IRS, another woman, his clients, unethical accounting practices, jewelry store, and more colorful characters.

As the truth becomes more shocking and the case grows more complex, her husband's killers are focused on Mia and her children. How far will this prosecutor go to learn the truth about her husband—and how far will she have to go to protect her family?

I enjoyed reading the inspiration behind this story---the 2011 incident of two teens who threw a shopping cart from a walkway at a NYC shopping center, where a woman was shopping with her teen son (crushed by the cart dropped from four stories). When all was said and done, after weeks fighting for her life, the mother of two lost the use of her left eye and would require daily physical therapy. One of the most miraculous things about this story was that Marion found a way to forgive the two boys who changed her life with a senseless crime. In this case the two boys who dropped the shopping cart were charged as juveniles. This meant that the goal in sentencing was less about punishment and more about rehabilitating the two boys so that they could rejoin their community, make better decisions, and be more mindful of their actions.

DEADLY BUSINESS, was a suspense thriller with well-developed characters. I look forward to reading the first book in the series to learn more about Mia-- She was a likable yet flawed character, who balances her work and family with humor and love, while juggling numerous obstacles and challenges.

Her high profile career as a public prosecutor does not come easy, as is extremely demanding. The justice system is the arena for Mia’s work, yet she is often asking what justice is supposed to look, as she has to review punishment for wrongdoing, rehabilitation for criminals, and preventing future crimes.

Also included at the end, an excerpt from SNAPSHOT, set in Fort Worth, Texas -- What if a single photograph, unearthed after fifty years, is the key to solving a murder? Inspired by actual historical events, and featuring a personal photo and research by Lis Wiehl's retired FBI agent father, SNAPSHOT is set to be her most poignant work to date. Sounds like a winner!

This was my first book by Lis Wiehl, and look forward to reading more from this talented author! An ideal book for book clubs and discussions.

http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/893629/-deadly-business ( )

The writing team of Lis Wiehl and April Henry is one of my favorites for creating riveting mystery/suspense novels. I especially like listening to their books during my morning walks. A Deadly Business, the second book in the Mia Quinn Mystery series, is another winner. If you are looking for a fast-paced novel with relatable characters and a complex and twisting plot, check this one out.

Mia Quinn is juggling a lot of things — career, single motherhood — and now threats in and out of the courtroom. Her life just keeps getting more and more complicated. Her boss is pressuring her to make a decision in a controversial case and friend and detective, Charlie Carlson, brings her evidence of foul play in the death of her husband. Add kids and a new romantic interest into the mix and you have a life that threatens to overwhelm.

I liked that the action took off from the opening. Mia is hit on all sides with stress, threats and confusing emotions. Fast-paced is an understatement! But the many plot lines never distract the reader; they just keep you on your toes. There is some unresolved issues at the end, but most of the story is satisfactorily wrapped up. I also really liked the characters in A Deadly Business. These are flawed people trying their hardest to do what is right despite the pressures of life. Do they mess up? Oh yeah. But don’t we all. Their very realness makes them credible.

A Deadly Business is good for all fans of mystery/suspense, and I am looking forward to the next installment in the Mia Quinn Mystery series.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults

(I purchased this audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

A Deadly Business
Lis Wiehl

Book Summary: A prosecutor of violent criminals. A detective on a dangerous beat. When these two pros take on an off-the-books case, the line between professional and personal becomes perilously blurred. When a twenty-two-year-old convict walks into the courtroom, his eyes confirm what Mia Quinn already guesses: he blames her for his conviction. In seconds, he knocks her to the ground and holds a razor blade to her throat. While she manages to escape without injury, it's just one more reminder that Mia's job prosecuting Seattle's s most dangerous criminals is far from low risk. As a single mom, the last thing Mia wants is for her work to follow her home¬ – or discover that it already has. Now Detective Charlie Carlson is suggesting the very thing Mia doesn't want to believe—that her accountant husband’s deadly car accident was no accident at all. When Mia and Charlie encounter resistance to reopening the case, they take the investigation into their own hands. And they find much more than they bargained for. Was Mia's husband more than an accountant . . . and less than an honest man? As the truth becomes more shocking and the case grows more complex, her husband's killers take note of Mia . . . and her children. How far will this prosecutor go to learn the truth about her husband—and how far will she have to go to protect her family?

Review: This is the first book I have read by Lis Wiehl. I loved the pace, story line and action. The page flew by. Mia was a sympathetic character along with being easy to like. She and Charlie make a great team. I thought the investigation to her latest case sad and very true for our times - the grocery cart being dropped on Tasmin’s while walking out of a store. It was so real and sad. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. It was a great mystery although I did catch on to who did it about half way through. The person who ordered the murder was a coin toss for me. I loved the compassion Mia has although not a hard core Christian message the living the Bible message out was distinct. I believe that more people today are Mia, Eli and Charlie than not. This is a great fast pace read with a lot of twists and turns filling the pages.
I would like to thank BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )