REVIEW: Deadly Does It (A Mason & Mann Mystery Book 2) by Abbi Waxman
When Natasha Mason’s AA sponsor is in deadly danger, she turns to the cranky yet brilliant Julia Mann for help, in this exciting new mystery novel from the USA Today bestselling author of One Death at a Time.
Mason, a Gen Z adrenaline junkie, and Mann, an ex-con, ex-actress, and lawyer turned sleuth, have already solved one murder together. United by their commitment to sarcasm and general disappointment with the human race, they now face a second crime that’s way too close to home. Alexa Rousso keeps having accidents, and no one but her thinks it’s a coincidence. Could her checkered past be coming back to get her? Mason and Mann’s investigation takes them to the Bay Area, to the Central Coast, and – of course – to the hippest spots in Los Angeles. Will the Berkeley boho vibe convert Mann from vintage couture? Will the wine snobs of Ojai drive Mason to drink (or to vinicide, which isn’t even a thing)? More importantly, will they solve the mystery before the murderer’s sights settle on the detectives themselves, or will this new challenge also be their last?
CW/TR – Many characters are addicts, mostly alcoholics though past drug use is mentioned.
Dear Ms. Waxman,
It’s round two for Julia Mann and Natasha Mason – who usually just goes by Mason. Both are recovering alcoholics who met (in book one) when Julia was accused of (another) murder and Mason, along with Julia’s other “crew” helped finger the real killer. Now Mason’s sobriety sponsor is getting threatening notes along with events that she coordinates being sabotaged. It’s time for Julia and Co to try and figure out what’s going on and who’s behind it.
I heartily approve of Alcoholics Anonymous and the efforts of addicted people to quit whatever is driving them to ruin their lives. I have relatives I only wish had managed to throw off their addictions. However, the first 100-ish pages of this book could be described as “let’s reintroduce the huge cast of characters from book one” as well as a Wiki for AA. When something finally happened to remind me of the person being threatened – you know, the reason for the case – I had almost forgotten what’s being investigated.
Mason and Julia usually manage to get along. Sorta. But they can both be abrasive at times. Yeah for others (and each to the other) yanking a knot or two into them where needed. There is a character who loves to do deep dives into trivia and then expound at length on what he has read. I agree with Julia in saying, “Enough, Will.”
Once the investigation truly begins, it turns into (probably) what real life investigations are really like. Digging for facts, doing interviews with people about events long ago, and trying to piece things together. At times, not exactly thrilling. Mason is pondering becoming a licensed PI and works with one who is dating Julia’s friend and cook. I liked how this makes Mason really think about what she wants to do with her life. Mason and her sister have been at odds for most of their lives but a family health emergency also gets them to examine established “family roles” in new ways.
There is a lot about AA in the book. Little AA PSAs are liberally dotted throughout the story. After finishing it, I will freely admit that the past addictions of several characters do play a role in the plot. I kind of sort of figured out whodunnit but, being fair, there were some things that I didn’t get. I could have done without the villain expositions though. Still, would I read another book with Mason figuring out her life and Julia and Mason seeing to justice? Sure, I certainly would. B-
~Jayne
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