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Thursday, May 13, 2021

Audible Book Review: Malice in Miami by Barbara Venkataraman

This is a quick, easy and fun listen of a story about life with a touch of mystery.
Malice in Miami
A Jamie Quinn Mystery
By: Barbara Venkataraman
Narrated by: Fay Annette

Malice in Miami Audiobook By Barbara Venkataraman cover art
Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 04-28-21
Publisher: Barbara Venkataraman
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


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


Review:
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 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: 5/4/2021 Audible Code from Author. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet and author review goals.

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