Dead Storage, 3rd in Mary Feliz’s Maggie MacDonald series, hits the ground running! It takes readers to some of the older businesses in the Orchard Grove area, and gently weaves in a serious social concern prevalent in the milder climates of the United States. We also see increasing depth to existing relationships, including Stephen Laird and his sweet Mastiff, Munchkin and those in the community that he loves and is concerned for.

Maggie, a professional organizer, is scheduled to help Stephen and his husband, Jason, better organize their home. Jason, a police detective, is deployed to Texas to lead his auxiliary law enforcement team to help local law enforcement in the wake of natural disasters. Since their home refurb is imminent, Maggie and Steve will work together. Except when she arrives, Stephen, always prompt, is not home. After waiting a while, Maggie sees a weary, limping Munchkin coming home. Seeing his serious injuries, Maggie takes him to his vet and requests that all blood and other debris on the pup be sent to the crime lab. He would not typically be staggering home alone, so any evidence found could also help them find Stephen.

A Marine veteran, Stephen suffers terribly from PTSD. Munchkin has similar challenges, so they are an excellent team. Maggie learns that Stephen is in jail, one of the worst places he could be with PTSD. He refuses to speak with anybody other than Maggie, even though he could be indicted for the murder of the owner of a decades-old Chinese restaurant. Stephen insists that Jason not know where he is, as leading his team is critical to the team’s future. Instead, Stephen gives Maggie detailed info of what she must do to help him, most of all protecting the teen who was the only other possible witness to the murder. He cannot allow the teen to go to the police until certain conditions are met. At his own expense, he is concerned first for Rafi, his grandmother and sisters.

This is the second time I’ve met Maggie, her family and friends, and I feel like I know Maggie well, so excellent are the author’s descriptions, dialog and actions. I got to know Stephen much better this time, and even saw the growth in Maggie’s sons. The people in the part of Orchard Grove where the restaurant is located are well-defined. I was delighted to “meet” Annie/ Marjorie, one of the local homeless people Stephen and Munchkin know well. These are characters we come to appreciate more, and I hope there is a future for Rafi, Gabriela, and Margorie in upcoming novels.

This novel hits the ground running! The author imparts a feeling of concern for Stephen even before we learn he is missing. This reader’s concern for his welfare increases as the story continues as well Munchkin, Rafi, and even a couple storeowners and homeless people. This is a situation I so appreciate seeing, especially the manner in which the author gently shares. The plot twists bring surprises and ratchet up the suspense. I was surprised at who the bad guy(s) / gal(s) turns out to be! I was more than happy with the resolutions; I very much enjoyed and highly recommend Dead Storage to those who love Northern California, well-written cozy mysteries, and people extending human (and canine) kindness to one another. This is a talented author who easily summons readers’ authentic empathy and investment in characters and situations!

From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Mary Feliz has created a good strong mystery that will keep readers guessing as to what is really going on in that area of small businesses where the murder occurred. She also addresses such issues as homeless people, immigration status, and PTSD with sense and sensitivity.

But what she's done that I appreciate the most can all be found in the character of Maggie, and of her family, too. She and her family honestly try to do good for their friends, their neighbors, and their community. Maggie, her husband Max, and their two boys are also intelligent and filled with common sense. When one of the boys is threatened at school, it's handled swiftly and appropriately. Maggie is not the type of amateur sleuth who takes chances with her family's lives. She's also not the type of person who takes ill treatment like a doormat. Her response to an obnoxious lawyer had me laughing and cheering.

Maggie also does what so many other amateur sleuths don't-- she keeps in close contact with local police, and any time she finds something pertinent to an investigation, she shares it with them immediately. This means that the dangerous parts of the case are handled by the professionals... and that the reveal is not done onstage with the heroine narrowly escaping with her life. We learn what's happened by sitting down with Maggie, her friends, and family at her kitchen table and talking it all over. This is something that not all cozy mystery fans are going to appreciate, but I certainly do. Intelligence and common sense go a long, long way with me, and this means that I'm looking forward to visiting with Maggie again soon.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

I am really enjoying this series. I like the quirky characters, and I love Munchkin!

This time, one of Maggie's new friends is the prime suspect in a murder, but Maggie knows Stephen wouldn't have done it. But for some reason he's not talking, so it's up to Maggie to find out who really did it.

This story also delves into issues with drugs and looks at homelessness as well, but doesn't get all weighed down in them. It's still a light, fast, read and I am looking forward to more in the series.

I find this series much more compelling than I expected when I saw the first book. Each novel of the series has drawn me to a place that has darkness but many of the people she encounters remind of us that there is light in even the darkest places. Dead Storage is an intense and complex book that focuses on Maggie's good friend Stephen, an amazing ex-marine who deals with his PTSD by helping people and dogs with the same issue. Horrified to learn that Stephen has been taken into custody as a possible murder suspect, Maggie is blown away when he refuses to help himself get released. Learning the reason that he wishes to stay the center of the investigation, Maggie feels compelled to try to solve another murder. With limited access to her friend she feels lost in her investigation but inches her way through it. She is a person who loves people, so in addition to worrying about Stephen, it hurts her not to be able to explain to his husband, another dear friend and a police detective who is out of town working in a disaster area. I have adored Jason and Stephen from the beginning and I feel her pain. As usual, her husband isn't in the picture much as he is involved in a detailed problem at work, but we get to spend time with her awesome sons. I classify this series as lighter fiction in spite of the seriousness of the crimes because there are many wonderful people and great moments to help balance the bad things that happen.

As a fan of the series, I was excited to receive an Advanced Readers Copy of Dead Storage from the publisher via NetGalley. I always review books that I enjoy and I greatly enjoyed Dead Storage

Dead Storage
A Maggie McDonald Mystery, Book #3
Mary Feliz
5 Stars

Synopsis:

As a professional organizer, Maggie McDonald brings order to messy situations. But when a good friend becomes a murder suspect, surviving the chaos is one tall task . . .

Despite a looming deadline, Maggie thinks she has what it takes to help friends Jason and Stephen unclutter their large Victorian in time for its scheduled renovation. But before she can fill a single bin with unused junk, Jason leaves for Texas on an emergency business trip, Stephen’s injured mastiff limps home—and Stephen himself lands in jail for murder. Someone killed the owner of a local Chinese restaurant and stuffed him in the freezer. Stephen, caught at the crime scene covered in blood, is the number one suspect. Now Maggie must devise a strategy to sort through secrets and set him free—before she’s tossed into permanent storage next . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I was happy to see that Maggie’s husband and sons were in this book because that, to me, is one of the things I like best about this series. I really like the fact that Maggie is a mom and has a family to take care of and protect. This makes her seem a lot more realistic to me. Most of the cozies that I read have a protagonist that is single and young and has a group of friends that help her solve the mystery so this is refreshing, being a family affair.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place and listening in on conversations. The author is also very talented in creating suspense and tension with the written word. The mystery was carried on well throughout the book and it was difficult to figure out who the killer was. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing along the way.

I liked the fact that the author took a serious problem, the homeless and wrote about it in such a way as to not be preachy but still bring it to everyone’s attention. I thought that was a great thing.

Another thing I liked was that organizing tips were included at the beginning of each chapter. They were very practical and varied tips that someone could use every day.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. The books in this series just keep getting better and better.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Maggie is the one to go to when family friend Stephen is unjustly jailed for suspicion of murder. Maggie moves so easily between her investigating and family life. I like how her husband Max supports this habit, even joining her as she hits the streets of Orchard View to find out information from the local homeless population.

I almost feel like I need different ratings for different parts of this book. Overall, it is a good book. The mystery, which is the most important part, was very well-written and a bit surprising. The rest of the book was a bit heartbreaking as it talked about PTSD in humans and animals.

Dead Storage: A Maggie McDonald Mystery
By Mary Feliz
Lyrical Underground Kensington
July 18, 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

As the owner of Orchard View, California’s Simplicity Itself Organizing Services, Maggie McDonald prides herself on helping her clients to de-clutter their homes and simplify their lives. That requires the cooperation of everyone in the household, so Maggie is reluctant to begin reorganizing Stephen Laird’s home without the presence of his partner, Jason Mueller. She’s willing to make an exception since Jason has been deployed to Texas to implement his new rapid-response law enforcement project, but Stephen’s absence is more inexplicable. When Maggie discovers their beloved mastiff Munchkin bleeding from a beating and stab wounds, she’s understandably alarmed and desperate for news of what happened.

What Maggie learns is nothing she wanted to hear, as she discovers that Munchkin was covered in blood and Chinese food, the owner of a Chinese restaurant has been murdered, and Stephen is in jail after being discovered cleaning up the crime scene. Maggie knows that the retired Marine would never have committed murder, but that without Munchkin as support Stephen will not be able to cope within the confines of prison. Stephen’s mandate that she not contact Jason dumps a heavy load of guilt upon her shoulders, which doesn’t alleviate any of the pressure Maggie feels. As she questions those in their Silicon Valley neighborhood, Maggie discovers a deep divide between how the homeless are treated. While some storekeepers and police officers do what they can to help out those in need, others see them as a blight discouraging customers and only being a threat to everyone’s safety. Stephen and Munchkin were well known amongst the transient community, and having the friendly mastiff around will do much to lessen their fears as Maggie attempts to question the witnesses. The protective Stephen had his reasons for delaying the police and attempting to cover-up the crime scene, as bureaucracy has made even those who belong in the country wary of the authorities.

The author could never have predicted that her novel would have been so timely. There are no easy answers, and Maggie acknowledges that if there were, there would be no immigration or homeless problem. The novel never becomes preachy or one-sided though, although it does convey the frustration caused by the labyrinth-like regulations of the government. Maggie always has the support of her husband Max and her 13 and 15 year-old sons, the latter of whom have picked up her exasperating habit of issuing rapid-fire, often unanswerable, questions. This is a mystery that delves into complex, topical issues, and while it doesn’t provide answers it will have readers feeling sympathetic and wanting to do more. Maggie’s own golden retriever Belle provides entertainment and support for Munchkin, which will delight animal lovers and leaven the tone. This second in the series perfectly captures the high-tech lifestyle of Silicon Valley as well, as it’s a town populated by Google self-driven cars deeply divided between the haves and have-nots. Deeply rewarding and with organizational hints at the start of every chapter, readers will be inspired to clean up both their homes and their communities.

'Dead Storage' is the latest in Mary Feliz' Maggie McDonald Mystery series, and it has moved the bar. This series is realistic, thoughtful and reinforcing of 'family first'. Maggie's integrity is tested by a request from Stephen to keep his predicament from his husband Jason. While Jason is away, Stephen is put in jail in an effort to protect a young worker who could identify the murderers of the owner of the restaurant where he worked. The story is suspenseful and thorough in its resolution, with a reminder that there really are some good people in this world. Get the whole series, you won't be disappointed.

I like this cozy series, Maggie McDonald Mystery #3. Maggie has a habit of finding dead bodies and this time her client Stephen is found covered in blood standing over a dead body. She wants to help and have the crime solved before his partner Jason returns home. There are always some very useful tips for getting rid of clutter and storage in your home. Dog lovers will also enjoy since Maggie is a dog fanatic and most of her clients have dogs. This book touches on the homeless and brings a little light to the subject.

When a friend become a prime suspect in a murder investigation, Maggie uses her organizational skills for decluttering the situation to clear his name. The mystery in this book was nicely done with enough intrigue and curiosity as to how all will fare at the conclusion of this evenly-paced drama that was hard to put down. The author did a great job in providing a suspect pool that was so varied that it kept me guessing until I had that aha moment and knew who was behind it all. The narrative was visually descriptive keeping me immersed in all that was happening with all the characters who played pivotal roles that would eventually lead to the revelation and apprehension of the killer. I enjoyed the path that was taken to tell this story with an underlying message that added to this tale. Bonus to me was the organization tips at the beginning of each chapter, some of which I follow. This was a good read and I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits Maggie and her friends.

Intriguing Mystery
Dead Storage is the third book in Mary Feliz’s Maggie McDonald Mystery series. This book is well written, with great character development and the story flows smoothly at a steady pace, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Ms. Feliz is talented in creating suspense and tension with her written words.
The author provides helpful organizational tips at the beginning of each chapter. I highly recommend this series and am already looking forward to reading the next installment.

Maggie McDonald, her husband, Max, and their two teenage sons, David and Brian, live in the small town of Orchard View, California located in the hills above Silicon Valley. Maggie is a professional organizer and her latest clients are her friends, Detective Jason Mueller and Stephen Laird who want to organize their possessions prior to renovation their home. Jason has been called out of town with his newly formed rapid-response team to help tornado and flood victims and law enforcement in Texas but has left instructions and agreed to trust Stephen and Maggie to work on the organization project in his absence. Maggie becomes concerned when Stephen doesn’t show up for their meeting and when she discovers his mastiff, Munchkin, limping and bloody, she takes him to the local vet, Dr. Calvert Davidson. Detective Paolo Bianchi, Jason’s law enforcement partner, contacts Maggie and tells her Stephen was picked up by the Mountain Valley Police about the possible murder of the owner of the Golden Dragon, a Chinese restaurant. Following an anonymous telephone tip, the restaurant owner, Mr. Xiang, was found dead in the cold storage room and Stephen was the only person there. A knife was found behind the restaurant, with Stephen’s and an unknown person’s fingerprints on it. Paolo was able to talk to Stephen, who told him no one was to call Jason and that he’d only talk to Maggie. For reasons Jason will only share with Maggie, he’s decided to remain silent regarding the night of the murder and stay in jail. Maggie starts interviewing shop owners, and seeks off-record help from Paolo. She discovers that Orchard View has a homeless problem se was unaware of while searching for a woman who might be able to help them.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This book was not my cup of tea so I will not share review.

Another winner in the Maggie McDonald Organizer series. In this new cozy, Maggie's friend Stephen, is arrested for the murder of a local restaurant owner. He's found at the crime scene, his fingerprints on the murder weapon, and this dog, Munch, is suffering from serious injuries, but Maggie knows he's innocent. As events unfold, a sordid story emerges involving the homeless, gang members/thugs, and possible illegal immigrants. Maggie's own family is threatened because of her involvement, but she perseveres, determined to solve the murder and free her friend. Good solid read!! Thanks for the advanced reading copy, looking forward to the next one.

Dead Storage is the third book in this series by Mary Feliz.
Maggie MacDonald is fun character, she is dedicated to her family, friends and her career.
Family friends Stephen and Jason add an entertaining bit of drama to this story.
Jason is away, Stephen has found himself in a bit of trouble. Knowing Jason would run home in a flash, Stephen begs Maggie to help him. How hard can it be right? Well, Stephen is in jail, facing a murder charge, Maggie faces the homeless situation as she searches for a woman who can help them and she's investigating the murder.
Will Maggie be able to solve the murder and free Stephen before Jason finds out?
She will need more than her organizational skills to get her out this mess.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Maggie McDonald is a strong, intelligent woman. She is a wife, a mother and the owner of her own organizing business. She has an appointment to meet with her friend Stephen Laird to help with an organizing project but when she gets to his home, no one is there. While she waits for him she finds his beloved dog coming home, bloodied and battered. She takes the dog to the vet for treatment and soon finds out from a police officer friend that Stephen, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, has been arrested after being found at the scene of a murder. Stephen will not talk to the police, but only to Maggie, and confides in her that he is staying in jail to avoid the police targeting his young friend Rafi, who is without documentation but who witnessed the thugs who actually beat up and killed Mr. Xiang, the restaurant owner who Stephen is being accused of murdering. When Maggie agrees to look into the situation and help, she has no idea of what she is in for. This is a compelling story with a believable , likeable protaganist and a fast paced, well thought out plot. I highly recommend it.