Lethal Beauty (A Mia Quinn Mystery Book 3)

Lethal Beauty" the latest installment in the Mia Quinn Mystery series by Lis Wiehl. In this novel Mia is prosecuting a man who is accused of killing a Chinese immigrant working in a "massage parlor". Following the hung jury verdict, Mia's not taking no for an answer. She continues to try and find a way of bringing the murderer to justice. She stumbles into an evil web the Chinese undocumented immigration, and the underground world of slavery, prostitution, and drugs.
I found this book brought to mind many things that I know to be true, yet had not put together. "Lethal" is probably the best book of the series. Wiehl didn't include the football player in this one, so he was sorely missed; however, I liked that the series took a turn to focus more on Mia. The reader became more involved with her children and work place. The women in this book became more of the heroes as well. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.booklookbloggers.com.

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lis Wiehl returns with (Mia Quinn #3) LETHAL BEAUTY, a single mom, Mia lands an intense case –her legal career crosses over to her complicated personal life, for a suspenseful mystery crime/legal action-packed thriller!

Mia has lost her husband Scott and she is busy with the demands of her time and balancing her personal and professional- Seattle high stress life. The mother of a nursery school daughter, Brooke, and a teenage son, Gabe. In addition, their apartment is getting a little crowded with Kali, and her son Eldon currently living with them due to Kali’s cancer. Of course, there is also two men, Eli and Charlie.

As the novel opens, Mia is involved in a high profile case of a wealthy business, as a prosecutor accusing the man of murdering Dandan, a young Chinese woman who is an illegal immigrant. Mia suspects something is up when one juror which may keep them from winning this case and putting this guy away. However, this case may be even more complex.

Not only is there one case, but several cases, which may be connected. An unidentified body is found washed up on Puget Sound, and Charlie, homicide detective is on the case helping her gain more evidence about Dandan’s death, and help the mother prove her innocence. Then Mia runs into a former client of Scotts – Kenny, owner of a Chinese restaurant employing illegal immigrants, plus Gabe may be involved in some dangerous stuff which Mia has to deal with. How are all these cases connected?

Wiehl, a former federal prosecutor giving her first hand expertise, and well-equipped to handle these highly-charged topics covered in LETHAL BEAUTY like the pro she is..fans of John Grisham will certainly be engrossed in this legal/crime mystery thriller.

From complex twists and turns, to modern day slaves and human sex trafficking – innocent immigrants, misled with hopes of a better life in America. The bad guys have full control, and no means for the victims to ever repay the debt. The victims are scared of going to the authorities, with threats of killing their families.

Controversial subjects of using drugs obtained illegally; a popular topic of teens, athletes, and professionals using steroids promising a certain image, body, from unreliable sources in China, not knowing the contents and dangers on the black market. A good example of peer pressure in high school. Another subject of healthy eating versus junk food and the issues with additives and preservatives (a big fan of this as a vegan and push this with my grandchildren)… it was also fun catching up with her dad, his new church, and new friend.

I fell in love with Mia Quinn, and Lis Wiehl an instant fan, when reading A Deadly Business (Mia Quinn, #2) last year (2014); immediately afterwards read Snapshot (2014), which made my top 30 books of 2014! I still need to go back and read (Mia Quinn #1) A Matter of Trust (2013).

Legal and crime thrillers are my favorite genre and Wiehl never disappoints-- with award winning courtroom scenes and as always, able to incorporate just enough personal human dynamics and emotion for an engaging read. Looking forward to #4 to see what lies ahead for tenacious, Mia Quinn-- Highly recommend this series.

Seattle prosecutor and single mom Mia Quinn is back in LETHAL BEAUTY, the latest in Lis Wiehl and April Henry’s mystery series.

Mia is still reeling over her husband’s death a year ago. When Scott died, he left her with a mound of debt and shocking revelations about who he really was. Now Mia is trying to muddle through the emotional fallout, while juggling a heavy workload and being both mother and father to her two children. This is a task that is more than Mia bargained for, but what choice does she have?

Young Chinese prostitute Dandan Yee’s body has washed up on shore. Ten days later, Mia is in the middle of jury selection to prosecute the man who admittedly killed her. The man was Dandan’s last client in the “massage parlor” where she worked. He claims self-defense, which Mia and homicide detective Charlie Carlson believe is ridiculous, seeing how the defendant is a large man and Dandan barely a hundred pounds. The trial begins, along with a few details about the events surrounding Dandan’s death.

Mia thinks she has a solid case, so she can’t believe the trial ends in a hung jury, due to one juror’s refusal to convict. She thinks it’s a no-brainer to re-file, but District Attorney Frank D’Amato doesn’t share her opinion. He gives her a small window of time to come up with new evidence to warrant re-trying the case. Frustrated and more than a little suspicious of Frank’s motives, Mia sets out in search of more evidence. She teams up with Charlie to find the truth and is immersed in the dangerous world of organized crime.

Meanwhile, at home, Mia is thrown a couple of personal curveballs when she discovers her son has been taking steroids, and her father is dating a much younger woman. Needless to say, Mia has more on her plate than she sometimes feels she can handle. But she is determined to do whatever it takes to strike a healthy balance between her career and family. In the thrilling final pages, career and family collide when her son becomes directly involved in the outcome of the case.

As far as legal thrillers go, authors Lis Wiehl and April Henry are at the top of their game. LETHAL BEAUTY is an exciting page-turner, with a solid plot and strong characters. The theme of human trafficking is timely and powerful, displaying the authors’ knowledge, experience and/or research abilities. Wiehl and Henry have crafted a wonderful combination of crime solving, courtroom drama and character development --- all necessary ingredients in a successful suspense novel. The romance factor is threaded throughout as well between Mia and two potential suitors. Though they couldn’t be more opposite in looks and character, detective Charlie Carlson and university professor Eli Hall are each worth rooting for. Mia is attracted to Charlie and Eli for different reasons, and the chemistry with each is undeniable. However, for the moment, Mia still insists on suppressing any emerging feelings, despite the fact that both men are definitely interested in her.

While the book can stand alone, it’s probably best to go back and read A MATTER OF TRUST and A DEADLY BUSINESS first in order to get the complete story. Mothers (single and married) will relate to the challenges Mia faces as a mom, and legal thriller fans will enjoy this series and likely find it difficult to wait for the next installment.

Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab

Lis Wiehl continues her Mia Quinn series with an installment that does not disappoint! Mia Quinn, a county prosecutor and single mother, is attempting to get a conviction for the murder of an undocumented immigrant. As other cases surface, they all seem to start connecting to the same location. Mia and her detective friend Charlie attempt to uncover the truth, but as they get closer, the situation becomes more dangerous for everyone involved.

I definitely enjoyed this book as much as the previous two in the series. As Lethal Beauty takes place shortly after the previous books, elements not yet resolved between the characters continue. Although the plot progresses quickly and is an enjoyable read, certain personal interactions continue to move gradually. We have seen previously that Mia has the interest of two men close to her, although she seems largely oblivious to how much she could mean to them. This theme is likely to continue throughout the series, so we’ll have to wait for more books to be released to see what comes of it. Other character development is ongoing as well, including Mia’s relationship with God and feelings about Church.

I appreciate how Mia’s human struggles are presented realistically. She faces failure and disappointment just like the rest of us do, and sometimes responds in a less than appropriate manner. We can learn from her mistakes and connect with her trials as she navigates her personal and professional lives.

If you liked the first two books in the series, you will enjoy this one as well. I would recommend this book for more mature readers based on some of the adult themes present in the story.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Lethal Beauty is the third Mia Quinn mystery by Lis Wiehl, and it does not disappoint. The novel is filled with danger, mystery, murder, and secrets. It starts with the court case for the killing of a prostitute, and the book slowly builds from there to the real culprits behind the murder and the organization responsible for seemingly unlinked circumstances. I found Lethal Beauty to be a little slow and hard to get engaged in initially because there was a lot of hopping from one perspective to another as the background to the story was being built. However, once more events began to unfold, the story became intensely more interesting. There was less court action in this novel than in the previous Mia Quinn mysteries, which was disappointing but appropriate for the storyline. There was also less focus on the Eli-Mia-Charlie interactions as Eli was only in the first few chapters of the book, which was something I missed.

The characters in this novel were decently well developed. I learned more about Gabe, Mia's son, as well as her late husband. I thought both Mia and Charlie could have had more development in this novel as this was the third novel, and yet I still do not feel like I know them any better. There is also still a missing link between Mia's husband and everything else that has been happening in the books, and I am very intrigued to discover what that is in future books.

Overall, I enjoyed Lethal Beauty. I found the mystery plot to be exciting and eventually very engaging, but I did wish there was more character development since this is a series. However, I also really appreciated the careful research and message that the author portrayed about the horrors of illegal immigrant smuggling, forced prostitution/sex trafficking, and the forced labor many immigrants face when they reach the United States through the 'good graces' of labor/trafficking rings. I thought it was a great reminder that not everything is as it seems and that many people are still suffering in slavery even today.

I received this novel from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

This was a pretty amazing read! I was so shocked at how I was drawn in by this author's writing. I was confused at first because of the many stories going on at one time. There was also quite a bit of Chinese characters' names that was a bit confusing as well but as the story progressed it got better.

I haven't really had a chance to read a good mystery novel in a while so it was refreshing to read a different genre for a change.

The mystery kept me in suspense the whole way even though it wasn't the kind of suspense that will keep a person on the edge of their seat, it was still entertaining to read. I still prefer reading mysteries that have guns and bombs going off at every turn.

It would have been nice to read the first book in this series because even though I was at lost with some of the plot that had been building up from the previous books, it's not necessary to read the first books in my opinion. It would help though to keep up with background plot.

A Lethal Beauty brought up the issue that has always been an interesting concern to me and that is slavery in modern America. The novel did a really good job portraying the lives of people who are searching for a better life but in the end are bitterly deceived.

All the characters from Lethal Beauty whether it was the major or minor characters, I enjoyed reading about them because they were absolutely amazing!

The writing was consistent and the plot was heartfelt. I really enjoyed reading this novel and I can't wait to read more books from this author.

I highly recommend this book!

I like suspenseful legal fiction and this one fits the bill.

Mia Quinn is called to prosecute the case of a murdered Asian prostitute. We readers are made privy to a whole world of human trafficking and forced prostitution and other slavery – right here in the U.S. A star witness disappears and one juror is adamant on his view and will not change. Quinn suspects something much bigger at stake than this one case.

Parallel to the court case is the experiences of Gabe, Quinn's fifteen year old son. He's a skinny kid and wants to bulk up. He finds someone selling steroids and starts using. He has no idea he has just entered into the world of a very complex and dangerous Asian underworld.

The suspense in this novel builds as the two issues in Quinn's life come crashing together. There is good action throughout the novel as the nefarious actions of the Asian underground are revealed. Their lies promise Asians a wonderful life in the U.S. but make them slaves instead. The issue is very real on the west coast and this novel brings it to the forefront.

I really liked this combination of murder mystery and legal fiction. Quinn's character is great. After the death of her heavily indebted husband, she has had to go back to work for the Seattle Prosecutor's office. I really felt for her trying to do the best she can as a mother and as a prosecutor. She's a gutsy woman, willing to stand up to her weak willed boss who will be up for re-election soon. I like Charlie too, a Seattle police detective who has eyes for Quinn but keeps it to himself. He does a good job of protecting her.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a legal thriller with mystery and suspense. It is the third in the Mia Quinn series. It reads well on its own but the story will offer more enjoyment if the previous books in the series have been read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

A Lethal Beauty is the third installment of Lis Wiehl's Mia Quinn series. This series is very thought-provoking and timely. To recap, Mia is a suddenly single mom whose husband died in a car crash. In order to care for her family she returns to the hectic career of being a prosecuting attorney. Mia struggles with the demands of her job and the needs of her children throughout the series. But what I like about Mia Quinn is that she's very real -- there's no moralizing or ridiculous/over the top solutions to her cases or her domestic life. She gets both jobs done through sheer determination, wit and good friends and family.

In this story, Mia begins with a murder case that leads Mia into the shadowy world of modern day slavery in America. On the home front Mia's son, Gabe, explores the world of steroids and what it means to be a man into today's society. The author does an excellent job of casting light on these difficult subjects without being mawkish. The characters are well defined and their motivations are just as muddled as ours. These are people to whom I can relate to on different levels.

Oh and to answer one of the discussion questions in the back of the book "Who do you think Mi should end up with? Charlie? Eli? or Neither?" I vote for Charlie. I think that he is a good and solid guy. He has already proven multiple times that he has what it takes to help Gabe become a good man. Throughout the series he has proven to have Mia's back, he understands her job and its demands so that won't be an issue.

I look forward to stepping into Mia's world again in her next book. Write faster Lis!

Mia Quinn is prosecuting a wealthy man accused of murdering Dandan, a Chineese prostitute who is an illegal immigrant. Mia is sure the man is guilty, but she has an uncomfortable feeling that the jury won't agree. When a single holdout results in a hung jury, Mia is devastated, particularly since her boss, Frank, isn't sure he'll let her retry the case.

Charlie, a police detective, is in her corner. As a team they search for more evidence that Dandan was murdered and did not attack the man, as he claims. In the process of investigating the case, they run into a former client of Scott's, Kenny Zong, who owns a Chineese restaurant. Kenny appears to be deeply involved with a number of illegal Chineese immigrants, but it won't be easy to prove.

In addition to her caseload. Mia's home life is out of control. Her teenage son, Gabe, is experimenting with steroids. Mia has invited Kali and her son Eldon to live with them, but Kali has cancer and her role in taking care of Brooke, Mia's daughter, is putting strain on both her and Mia's family.

As usual with a Lis Wiehl's thriller, the suspense runs through the whole book making you want to continue reading. The court scenes and the legal background are believable and easy for a layman to follow.

The characters of Mia and Charlie are likable. They work well together. I do feel that Mia's character is a bit too over wrought. However, with things going wrong at home as well as at the office that is to be expected.

The background of the plight of people coming to the US illegally, being promised great things, and then made virtual slaves is interesting and informative. The plight of these people draws you into the story and makes you want to help them.

If you enjoy legal thrillers, this is a good one. I recommend it.

I reviewed this book for BookLook Bloggers.

Mia Quinn is trying desperately to get a man convicted of murder. Unfortunately she has not been able to convince all 12 jurors that the man is guilty. The one holdout in the jury refuses to be moved by anything Mia says or anything the fellow jurors say. In an attempt to come up with more evidence to retry a man who may get away with murder, Mia and Charlie work side by side to prove they cannot let this killer go free.

PROS:

I'm certainly a fan of Lis Wiehl's writing. The suspense is carried out throughout the story, the subject is interesting, the characters are engaging. I really like Charlie and Mia together and am hoping that another character doesn't come between them. I like Mia's desire to see justice. Even though I like Charlie and Mia as a couple I also like the fact that the story isn't more romance than suspense/mystery.

CONS:

A certain "bad guy" always quoting Chinese proverbs was annoying. Mia's family life is still spiraling out of control. Her relying on the woman(who has cancer) and son who are living with them to babysit her 4 year old daughter and her naivety with what was going on with Gabe were unrealistic. And lastly the absurdity of a conversation that Mia had when interviewing a witness she stated that slavery wasn't real in the United States. I found it hard to believe that this woman who is supposedly one of the best lawyers around hadn't heard about human trafficking or people brought into the country and made to work off their fees for pittance. It turned into sounding more like a preaching moment to the reader, a "let me educate you" kind of thing.

For the most part Lethal Beauty kept me engaged in the story and definitely had it's moments of suspense that kept me glued to the pages. If you are a fan of mysteries and suspense then definitely pick up the Mia Quinn series. I would suggest reading them in order.

Mia Quinn had said it, "I know that everything is connected ... I just don't know how. … Mia imagined the head of this operation as a spider sitting in a web. Profiting from every base instinct. He had most of the seven deadly sins covered: lust, sloth, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, and even pride. He had found a way to make an enormous amount of money.” And those sentences defines this gripping story of slavery, drug abuse, and murder.

And it would put her, her family, and her friends, in danger before the needed answers would come into place for this single mother trying to raise both a teen boy and a pre-schooler in the 21st century. Along with dealing with murder and crime on a daily basis, as a District Attorney, she must also fit the decisions (some good and some bad) of her children into her busy life.

As a believer, it did not always make sense - in fact, life sometimes did not make sense - but she was determined to make her way and to guide her children as best she could.

Though the book is not smothered in spirituality, faith does play a role in the lives of many the books characters. It is the simple life of faith that stands out as Mia Quinn seeks to solve the riddles that are put in front of her. Not all of them will be resolved - at least not in this book, leaving room for at least one more story from Lis Wiehl surrounding the character of Mia Quinn. I will eagerly be waiting for another book in the series.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Another installment in the Mia Quinn mystery series is here! I was so excited when this book came out. Were you? You should be, since Lis Wiehl doesn't disappoint. This book continues to expand the story behind Kenny Zhong who we met before in the series. Kenny has become involved in the snakeheads, who organize human trafficking from China. A string of murder and crime unfold for Mia Quinn, and it's her job to find out what connects to Zhong and what does not.
In true Lis Wiehl fashion, the story is deftly crafted from the perspective of a prosecutor and homicide detective. I learn so much about crime and the legal system within each of her books, that I'm always kept fascinated. It's a regular Wiehl thriller with plenty of twists and surprises. Spoiler: Bo Yee's character is pretty cool. I would recommend this book to older teens and up. There is mention of brothel's, rape, murder, human trafficking, seduction and other adult topics. All of the topics are issues our country faces daily, and are written in a matter-of-fact way. But proceed with caution if these issues are upsetting to you. On the other hand, this book is another top-notch mystery from Lis Wiehl that I am glad I didn't miss.

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Lethal Beauty, by Lis Wiehl with April Henry, is a legal thriller that is part of the Mia Quinn Mysteries. Mia Quinn was introduced as the protagonist in the first book of the series, A Matter of Trust. Mia returned to work as a prosecutor after her husband died leaving her with two children and a mountain of debt.
In Lethal Beauty, Mia Quinn is the prosecuting attorney in the trial of a wealthy man accused of murdering Dandan Yee, a young Chinese prostitute. Mia's life is complicated enough, both professionally and personally and things get even worse. Her key witness vanished and one juror causes a mistrial. Mia is determined to obtain justice for Dandan. She's not alone in her mission. Dandan's mother comes up with her own bizarre plan to seek justice for her daughter. Meanwhile, Mia's teenage son seems to be rapidly changing emotionally and physically before her eyes. More people die and then Mia and her family are threatened.
I found this to be a fast moving and well written mystery with a variety of interesting characters. The story deals with many social issues including modern day slavery and drugs. The twists and turns keep the reader engaged in the story right up to the surprising conclusion.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This is a story about human trafficking, illegal drugs and murder. It’s one, in a series of “Mia Quinn” mysteries. Mia Quinn, county prosecutor, takes on a case of a murdered Chinese prostitute and finds out more than she bargained for. While trying to convict the accused rich American of this crime, a string of murders occur, all that seemed to be linked to the case of the murdered prostitute, but a crucial piece of the puzzle is missing.
Mia tries to solve the crimes with the help of homicide detective, Charlie Carlson. In the meantime, the dead girl’s mother wants to bring her own kind of justice for her murdered daughter. If that’s not enough, Mia’s son gets involved doing illegal drugs, steroids, and somehow gets caught in the same web of criminal activity.
I liked this story of crime and court room drama. Although, this being the second book I have read by the author, I tend to favor the last Mia Quinn mystery, “A deadly business”, just a bit more that this one. Lethal Beauty did not have me on the edge of my seat. It has some slow spots in the middle, but had a good ending, even though it seemed to come together fast and pull all the facts cohesively. Overall, a good read if you like court room drama, crime, and or murder mysteries.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion from BooklookBloggers.com.

Seattle prosecutor Mia Quinn is back! In this new book by Lis Wiehl, Mia has to determine the cause of Dandan Yee's death. It appears that it is an open and shut case of the murder of a prostitute by her rich client, but is it? Come explore the case with Mia and Detective Charlie Carlson.

A young Chinese prostitute is murdered. The suspect, her wealthy American client. But, there is so much more to this case than meets the eye. Mia Quinn and Charlie Carlson are on the case to find the truth and give the victim some justice. Along the way, facts are unearthed that put Mia and her son in danger, a juror appears to have been influenced, and Dandan's mother takes on the situation herself. Will the true killers be brought to justice? Will Mia and her family be safe? What will happen to Dandan's mother? There is so much to discover in this book both in the courtroom and in the investigation.

I love to read Lis Wiehl's books because I feel pulled into the story right away. Mia Quinn is one of my favorite characters. Because of Ms. Wiehl's extensive legal experience, the situations and courtroom scenes are very realistic. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good legal thriller. You won't be disappointed. I received my review copy from the Book Look program in exchange for an honest review.

Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl
Lis Wiehl, with April Henry, scores a hit with her novel, Lethal Beauty, another in the Mia Quinn mystery series. The novel contains colorful characters, non-stop action and a fast-paced plot. The subject matter can be raw at times, however, and may disturb some readers. Mia, a widow with a problematic teenager and a four year old, is trying to hold things together after the curious death of her husband who might have been involved in illegal activities. As a prosecutor and busy mom, Mia also has two men in her life who would like to be more than friends. Then, her court trial results in a hung jury, a body washes up on a beach and her son becomes an overnight body builder, and Mia finds herself involved in the immigrant slave trade and real danger. The author weaves these details into a compelling story that keeps you reading and reading. The twists and turns are exciting; for example, a masked gunman enters a church and shoots the pianist—but why? How does this seemingly isolated event fit into the plot? But it does. I recommend this novel with a gentle warning: it deals with the topics of prostitution and abuse and contains occasional graphic language. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the words here are my own.

Mia Quinn, prosecutor for King County finds herself and her family embroiled in a string of seemingly unrelated murders. Mia is convinced someone further up the chain of command knows what is going on, but how can she prove it? The case she is trying seems to be an open and shut case, but results in a hung jury. The young girl who was murdered was dubbed “Lethal Beauty” by the tabloids. Will Mia and Charlie, a Seattle homicide detective, be able to tie the murders together before more people have to die?

Although this work is Christian fiction it is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Its plot will take you into the world of modern-day slavery, human trafficking, prostitution and drugs, all without the use of profanity. There are so many suspense-filled twists and turns it will keep you holding your breath and your fingers turning the pages. Although it is filled with faith, forgiveness and second chances, it is not a “preachy” type book. It will appeal to the Christian as well as the secular reader.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Thomas Nelson-Fiction, through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

Lethal Beauty is a Mia Quinn mystery. So, if your familiar with the other stories containing Mia Quinn then this book shouldn’t seem so foreign. The story is about a crime that happened towards a prostitute and somehow everyone is tied to the fact whether justice is served for this crime or not and Mia Quinn is the one who is going to serve justice even if it means putting everything else in her life on hold.

I had high hopes for this book and honestly, I wasn’t into it as I thought I would be. It wasn’t the characters and it wasn’t the story line. I honestly tried to be interested but it wasn’t met for me. It was a quick and simple read and I think others would also enjoy it but because I lack interested along the way, I would give the book 3 stars out of 5. Maybe others would find it more exciting and I dare you to try it for yourself.

This book was given to me by booklook bloggers and everything written here is solely my opinion.