This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Mai Tai Malice is the third book in the Kalliope Brooks Mysteries by Tanya Westlake. The author plunges readers into the vibrant energy of Tampa's Gasparilla Parade, where amateur detectives Kalliope Brooks and Tess Russo face their most challenging case yet. When a murder disrupts the festivities and Kallie finds herself the prime suspect, the stakes become intensely personal. Together with her partner Tess and an unexpected ally, she must navigate through a maze of deception and danger to uncover the victim's shadowy past. This sun-drenched mystery combines the thrill of investigation with the rich cultural backdrop of Tampa's historic district, creating a story that's as much about place as it is about crime.
Author Tanya Westlake's truly gripping narrative kept me guessing until the final revelation and had plenty of interesting twists and interpersonal drama along the way. Her writing brings Tampa's historic streets to life with authentic details that create an atmosphere of adventure and suspense but never overwhelm the story's momentum or Kallie's central emotional journey. The chemistry between Kallie and Tess drives the narrative forward, and their clever dialogue adds moments of lightness to balance the darker elements of the mystery with some levity and a glimmer of hope. Westlake builds tension through carefully placed clues and red herrings, creating a puzzle that challenges both the characters and readers, and the narrative is brilliantly focused so that readers sit on Kallie's shoulder and discover things with her instead of simply being told what's what. The character development also shines through in the ensemble cast of potential suspects with clever subterfuge in every interaction, revealing new layers of personality and potential criminal motivation that enrich the overall story. I enthusiastically recommend Mai Tai Malice to anyone who enjoys intelligent mysteries with strong characters and a vivid sense of place.
