A Deadly Business (A Mia Quinn Mystery) by Wiehl - Lis (2015) Paperback

While this is the second book featuring detective Mia Quinn (the first is A Matter of Truth), it can easily be read as a standalone. Mia Quinn is a single parent and a prosecutor who works on high profile violent crimes. As if caring for her children and prosecuting some truly difficult cases is not enough, she recently lost her husband in a car accident, which homicide detective Charlie Carlson has come to believe was not an accident after all. As they delve into this new possibility, a string of hard-to-swallow scandal and chaos ensues making Mia question if she really knew her husband at all. This book is a fast-paced page turner with action and (some predictable) surprises at each turn of the page. Additionally, the scenarios in this book beg the question: Do you really want the truth, no matter the cost?
Over the Summer I read the book A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl. I found myself flying through it with little effort. The story line is easy to follow and attention-grabbing to keep you turning those pages. The chapters are short in length, so I found that I would persuade myself that "of course I had time for one more chapter", which may have turned into TEN more chapters. It flows beautifully, so you never have to second-guess your reading or go back to make sure you understood correctly. These kinds of books are perfect for the beach, or now that it is officially Fall, great to pair with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something engaging and entertaining without making you over think and analyze every sentence.
Disclosure: As a member of the BookLook Blogger Network, I received an electronic copy of this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are honest, and my own.

Three teenage boys were goofing around when their fun turned to tragedy. On a walkway above a busy shopping center, the boys dropped a shopping cart onto the pedestrians below critically injuring the shopper. As the boys are arrested, violent crimes prosecutor, Mia Quinn, is assigned the case and must decided if the suspects should be tried as juveniles or adults. While Mia is working through the challenges of this case, Homicide Detective Charlie Carlson gives her some surprising news about her husband. It’s possible he didn’t die from an accident, but rather was murdered. As Mia’s life continues to become more and more complicated, she must face difficult truths about her husband while trying to make the right decision about her current cases. In the second book of the Mia Quinn series, Deadly Business is a fun story, but an easy mystery to figure out.

I am really enjoying the Mia Quinn series. She’s a fun, sympathetic character that I want to give her a hug. Her vulnerability combined with her remarkable strength makes for a flawed individual that’s easy to love. However, it’s her life like actions, thoughts, and decisions that really brings alive her personality.

Wiehl and Henry do a very nice job with this book. Deadly Business has two main story lines, the first one being Scott’s death and the second one being the three teenage boys. There is little mystery surrounding who dropped the shopping cart, but instead, what is the best way to punish the boys. Should they be tried as juveniles or adults? The authors present a very compelling case for both options and highlight the difficult decisions facing prosecutors. In addition to the legal aspect of this crime, there is also the social implication of their background and family life. It would have been nice to spend a little bit more time with this issue, but the authors show good restraint and keep the story moving rather than more deeply exploring this topic.

While the mystery surrounding Scott’s death is very easy to solve, the story that is told is quite entertaining. There are still a lot of lose ends that hopefully subsequent books will tidy up, but at this point, I really like the direction it’s heading. It’s possible readers will never fully know Scott, but the complicated mess that he got himself into makes for a very good story.

Overall I’m very pleased with Deadly Business. It’s a fun, easy read with an enjoyable story line and loveable characters. With lots of dangling plot lines, it’ll be interesting to see where Mia’s life goes from here.

Review copy provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A DEADLY BUSINESS (Mia Quinn Mystery Series #2) by Lis Wiehl continues the suspense, after A MATTER OF TRUST (Mia Quinn Mystery #1) with Mia, a prosecutor in Seattle’s King County Violent Crimes Unit, while juggling the demands of single parenthood.

Mia and her children, 14 yr-old Gabe and 3 yr-old Brooke, are still adjusting to the loss of her husband, Scott, an accountant who died in a car accident seven months ago. However, Detective Charlie Carlson wants to re-open the case, as he has reason to believe Scott’s death was not an accident.

A compelling crime mystery---as the book opens, there is much drama, as a 22 yr-old convict walks into the courtroom, and knocks Mia to the ground, holding a razor blade to her throat (he blames her for his conviction).

Her next order of business is to decide if three, 15 yr old boys, whose actions in a shopping cart case, resulted in severe injuries to a young mother-- should be charged as adults or juveniles. (all in a day’s work).

As Mia becomes personally involved with this mother, and the case she faces, she is also dealing with the secrets of her husband, Scott. Did she even know this man?

She and Charlie begin an investigation of their own. Piece by piece she is faced with his betrayal which involves the IRS, another woman, his clients, unethical accounting practices, jewelry store, and more colorful characters.

As the truth becomes more shocking and the case grows more complex, her husband's killers are focused on Mia and her children. How far will this prosecutor go to learn the truth about her husband—and how far will she have to go to protect her family?

I enjoyed reading the inspiration behind this story---the 2011 incident of two teens who threw a shopping cart from a walkway at a NYC shopping center, where a woman was shopping with her teen son (crushed by the cart dropped from four stories). When all was said and done, after weeks fighting for her life, the mother of two lost the use of her left eye and would require daily physical therapy. One of the most miraculous things about this story was that Marion found a way to forgive the two boys who changed her life with a senseless crime. In this case the two boys who dropped the shopping cart were charged as juveniles. This meant that the goal in sentencing was less about punishment and more about rehabilitating the two boys so that they could rejoin their community, make better decisions, and be more mindful of their actions.

DEADLY BUSINESS, was a suspense thriller with well-developed characters. I look forward to reading the first book in the series to learn more about Mia-- She was a likable yet flawed character, who balances her work and family with humor and love, while juggling numerous obstacles and challenges.

Her high profile career as a public prosecutor does not come easy, as is extremely demanding. The justice system is the arena for Mia’s work, yet she is often asking what justice is supposed to look, as she has to review punishment for wrongdoing, rehabilitation for criminals, and preventing future crimes.

Also included at the end, an excerpt from SNAPSHOT, set in Fort Worth, Texas -- What if a single photograph, unearthed after fifty years, is the key to solving a murder? Inspired by actual historical events, and featuring a personal photo and research by Lis Wiehl's retired FBI agent father, SNAPSHOT is set to be her most poignant work to date. Sounds like a winner!

This was my first book by Lis Wiehl, and look forward to reading more from this talented author! An ideal book for book clubs and discussions.

Lis Weihl is one of my favorite authors and with “A Deadly Business” once again she didn’t disappoint. A Deadly Business is the second book in the Mia Quinn Mystery series. Mia is a prosecutor whose husband has recently died. She pairs up with Detective Charlie Carlson to work on a case together when he suggests maybe her husband’s death may have not been an accident.
It would probably be best if you read the first book in the series, A Matter of Trust, before this one but even if you didn’t there is background information included to catch you up to speed. The characters were developed in the first book but Ms. Weihl has introduced new characters in this book. The story is full of twists and turns. The characters seem real and the story line believable. There are a couple of different cases going on at the same time but they are easily followed.
In this book I did feel like the secondary story of the case she was working on kind of got left out a little and maybe wasn’t a real important part of the book. It made good points and showed how we could and probably should look at things differently. I think the secondary story could have made a good storyline on its own if it had been the focus. And I suppose it is how she introduced some new characters.
Over all if you like a good, clean mystery you will like this series. Again I recommend reading A Matter of Trust first but it isn’t completely necessary. I’ve really enjoyed both of these books and am looking forward to more books in this series.
I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by BookLook Bloggers for my review. I was not asked to write a positive review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl is actually #2 in the Mia Quinn series. I actually didn't know it was a sequel when I started reading it. However, it seemed like it had its own storyline so that was okay, I felt like I wasn't missing anything and I was able to catch on to everything easily.

Mia Quinn is a prosecutor for the state. She's trying to keep her family on track after her husbands death, keep the piling bills paid and if that isn't enough her boss hands her one of the more worrisome and detailed cases in the current news. Mia has to determine if she should charge three fifteen year old boys as adults. Because the kids joking around turned into dropping a shopping cart onto a woman almost killing her, but possibly giving her brain damage and the inability to walk for the rest of her life.

Mia's having a hard time juggling it all, and nothing seems to be easy for her. If it isn't one thing it is another. To top it off, just as she thinks she can't handle anymore, a good friend who is also a detective comes at her with some unsettling news. Her husband whom she and everyone believed died in a drunk driving accident of his own fault. Evidence comes into play, that not only suggests but may prove that her husband was actually murdered. Not only that, but information surfaces that her husband was leading a different life than she believed. Mia then becomes part detective in her own husbands case, while the same time working the high profile case on the boys for the state.

A Deadly Business is full of suspense and quite a bit of mystery. Things will have you wondering at each turn of events. Pretty soon all Mia's investigation and poking her nose into places that others would like her to stay out, proves to be more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Before long you'll be wondering if Mia's children will be losing a second parent.

This is an adult mystery, and pretty fast paced and quite a good read! The only thing I didn't like about it, was a few loose ends, but not the ones that I actually thought would be. Obviously, this was done to leave room for another book in the series. Which I look forward to reading as soon as it comes out!

The second of Lis Wiehl's Mia Quinn mysteries picks up shortly after the first novel left off. Mia is still struggling to find a balance in her life as her workload becomes more and more stressful. As she is given a very difficult case involving juveniles, secrets about her late husband’s life begin to surface. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she begins to wish she hadn't started looking.

I was looking forward to reading A Deadly Business, because I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the first book in the series a while back. I will say I enjoyed reading this book, although I don’t think it quite stood up to the first one. In the first book, it is apparent that she has garnered interest from two different possible suitors, and part of me hoped for a little more development in this area. That particular theme was revisited, but just didn't seem to move forward. Although the plot was suspenseful and kept me from wanting to set the book down, there were a few parts that were just too much of a stretch to be that realistic.

Overall I liked A Deadly Catch, and look forward to the next installment. It was an easy read and I am definitely hooked. If you like reading mystery novels that don’t require too much thinking, this book is for you.

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

Book description: "If the hours don't kill you, the accused just might.
Mia Quinn is a Seattle prosecutor working on high profile cases in the Violent Crimes unit while juggling the impossible demands of single parenthood. Her husband, Scott, was killed in a car crash that homicide detective Charlie Carlson now believes was no accident. Charlie's instincts and professional record make it impossible for Mia to refute the evidence she'd rather not believe.
When the powers that be refuse to reopen the case, it's up to Mia and Charlie to investigate, all the while trying to deny a growing attraction between them. Was her accountant husband really in league with nefarious criminals? And who is the young woman whose photo they find on his computer?
Uncovering the truth may hurt Mia in more ways than one."
My review: "A Deadly Business" is another book that kept me up late at night. Great characters, unexpected twists, and a page-turning plot are all included this book. This is the second book in the Mia Quinn mystery series. Although you don't have to read the first one to enjoy this one, you won't want to miss either book. If you love a good suspense novel, this one will fit the bill perfectly. The author, Lis Wiehl, will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read. I look forward to the next book in this series. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

You already know I love, love, love anything from Lis Wiehl. She's my favorite modern thriller author, and this new book doesn't displease. A Deadly Business picks up where A Matter of Trust left off. Right from the beginning, Mia Quinn is physically attacked in the courtroom, making your heart pound. She is then thrust into a new case involving minors, in which she spends countless hours deliberating if they should be charged as juveniles or adults. The pros and cons of both sides, will keep you guessing. In the midst of all of this, sidekick detective Charlie Carlson brings to light that Mia's dead husband may have been murdered. There is scandal, mayhem and intrigue, in true Wiehl style.
I love all of her books, and this one is no different. She left a good cliffhanger on where Mia's love interest will go in the next installment. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, as her books always do. I recommend this book for 14 years old and up, as there is violence, attempted murder, euthanasia, murder, and prostitution mentioned. It's a quick and easy read for the mystery-lover in all of us.

(I received this book free from BookLook Blog Network as part of their blogging program. 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.")

A Deadly Business: A Mia Quinn Mystery by Liz Wiehl with April Henry
Liz Wiehl, TV legal commentator, has written, with April Henry, another great novel, A Deadly Business: A Mia Quinn Mystery. Mia, a Seattle county prosecutor, has her hands full with the case of juveniles who pushed a shopping cart from a second story balcony onto an unsuspecting woman below. As the victim lies comatose with severe brain damage, Mia must decide how to prosecute the teens. Then, Detective Charlie Carlson decides to reopen the accident case of Mia’s husband’s death, and Mia is thrown into a world of deceit, betrayal and murder. As a single mom to a preschooler and a teen, Mia must juggle parenting concerns with her demanding career. Romance is introduced also as two men vie for her attentions. This novel contains fast paced action. From the first chapter in which Mia is attacked in the courtroom to the final life and death scene, the book, never boring, is hard to put down. The events seem taken from current headlines. The characters are human and authentic. Mia is the gentle mom and also the hard-nosed attorney. I was briefly disappointed with the conclusion; it seemed to wrap up too quickly and too tightly. I wanted to know more of the characters’ feeling after all was said and done. However, I anticipate a third novel in this series. I sincerely hope for one. I highly recommend this novel. It has all the elements of a memorable mystery. Now, if it could become a TV series… I received a complimentary e-book copy of this novel. I was not required to write a complimentary review, and the words expressed here are my own.

This novel starts out with intense action. Mia Quinn, a prosecutor with King County, is in the courtroom for a sentencing when the killer manages to attack her and nearly slice her throat with a razor.

While she manages to survive the attack, her trouble is just beginning. Charlie Carlson, a detective with the Seattle PD, is convinced Mia's husband did not die accidentally several months ago. When Mia and Charlie look into her husband's auto accident, they begin to uncover actions that puzzle Mia. Her husband had been involved in illegal activities. The suspense increases when Mia's life is in danger.

This is another great suspense novel from this writing duo. We are treated to the difficult life of a prosecutor as Mia is assigned to prosecute young teens for their nearly deadly actions. We get to see some of the action behind the scenes concerning the strategy in bringing them to trial. Mia is also a mom and a woman saddled with debt from her husband's dishonest accounting work. Mia is an adjunct professor at the U of W so we learn some about courtroom strategy too.

I really liked the novel. The action is continuous and suspenseful. There is a twist at the end that surprised me. Mia is a well crafted character - a combination of mom and prosecutor. Those who like courtroom suspense will enjoy it. While this is the second in the Mia Quinn Mysteries, it reads very well on its own.

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

This is the second book in the Mia Quinn Mysteries. I enjoyed it very much. We learn more about how Mia's husband died and what he was up to before he died.

Charlie Carlson suggests to Mia that her husbands death was not an accident. Trying to balance her job and her home Mia now must also help Charlie investigate her husbands murder.

Mia is also feeling pressure from her boss who is running for re-election. When 3 teens dump a grocery cart off a bridge onto a woman's head Mia must decide whether they should be tried as juveniles or as adults. Her decision could ultimately lose the race for her boss.

Mia is under so much pressure with all of the situations going on that I found myself wondering how she didn't just break down.

The pace of the book moved along quickly. I was invested in the characters. I did find myself a little irritated at Mia's son Gabe. He has a bit of a rant at one point and I wanted to reach through the pages and shake him, but then had to realize that he too is going through a lot of stuff since his father died. I loved the suspense leading up to the conclusion of the book, I was definitely on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens. There is a bit of attraction going on between Charlie and Mia and another lawyer and Mia. I'm hoping that those will develop in future books. My vote is for Charlie even though he has been married 3 times before!

Lis Wiehl writes another thrilling crime drama that kept me turning pages! A Deadly Business is the second installment in the Mia Quinn Series. I couldn't put it down! The plot is fast moving and kept me up reading late into the night! With twists and turns, Lis Wiehl will keep you guessing until the very end.

It was nice catching up with Mia, Charlie, Eli, and Mia's children. As Mia struggles to find ground in her newly single life, shocking revelations about her past knock the ground out from under her. Charlie and Eli would love to pick up the pieces, but Mia's not ready yet. I'll be interested to see what comes from that "love triangle"!

Mia is struggling to find her faith in this new reality she's been thrust into and she's finding it hard to trust. The aspect of the Christian faith was there, lurking in the background of Mia's choices and decisions, but I don't think she's come to terms with it yet.

Overall, I was highly satisfied with this book and I can't wait to read the next one as the Mia story continues!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookLook blogging program in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

"A Deadly Business" is the second Mia Quinn novel, after "A Matter of Trust." Mia is adjusting to being a single mother after the death of her husband in a car accident. She's overworked as a prosecutor and depends too much on her young teenaged son to watch her younger daughter. She also teaches an evening class to try to make ends meet, so she is harried most of the time.

After she is attacked in the courtroom by an inmate with a razor blade, she is rattled, and rushes home to find her home in chaos. Her son has come home from school to find the house open and the alarm blaring. Unable to contact her, he contacts a family friend, Detective Charlie Carlson.

In the process of sorting this all out, Carlson tells Mia that he has some suspicions about her husband's death. She doesn't want to believe that it was anything other than an accident, but he has turned up evidence that indicates there was more to it than a simple accident.

A subplot imvolves three young teenage boys who are being prosecuted for dropping a shopping cart off an overpass, injuring a young mother who is now in a coma.

The book was very suspenseful and enjoyable. I look forward to the next book in the series.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Once again Lis Wiehl gives a fast-paced action packed thriller. Mia Quinn is attacked by a defendant, handed a high profile case involving juveniles, and a break in at her home while her children are home. When she thinks it can't get much worse Detective Charlie Carlson drops another bomb in her life. He has reason to believe her husband's death was not an accident.

I really like Mia. She's smart, hard working, and caring parent. Yet she is struggling with life as a widow and there are many times she just doesn't know how she will handle the next day. Detective Charlie Carlson is a great counterpart for Mia. He's the brawn to her brains, but he's no dummy. It's also fun to watch the interaction between Charlie and Mia's fellow teacher, Eli.

The story captured me from the opening pages and never slowed down. The author did a great job of giving subtle clues but also some misdirection that kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to seeing what is next for Mia, Charlie, and Eli.

Even though this a book 2 in a series, I think you could read it without reading book one and not feel lost. Of course, I'm a big fan of reading a series in order.

Disclaimer: Thomas Nelson provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

A DEADLEY BUSINESS: A Mia Quinn Mystery by Lis Wiehl & April Henry is the second book in series. Mia is a prosecuting attorney, a widow and the mother of two. She is teamed with a homicide detective, Charlie Carlson, on a case. Eli Hall a public defender lawyer is new to the Seattle and has been quite taken by Mia.
When Mia and Charles meet to discuss the case the tells her he has looked into her husband, Scotts, death and has some questions and concerns. They get involved in trying to find what they can about Scotts death on their own. They also are investigating the case Mia's boss Frank D'Amato, the District Attorney who also happens to be up for reelection.
This is not the first of the novels by Lis for me and I love the intrigue that she intertwines through her narratives. She teases and tantalizes you as she weaves a story that keeps you on the edge of your chair.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Deadly Business and highly recommend it.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing for a fair and honest review.

Violent crimes prosecutor, Mia Quinn, recently widowed, has her hands full, while working on some disturbing cases, teaching a law class, caring for 2 children, while questions arise as to her husband’s death may not have been an accident.
The mystery surrounding her husband’s death deepens as friend; Detective Charlie Carlson steps in to find out the truth. A tangled web of deception follows.
The story opens up with an intense courtroom confrontation, and it doesn’t stop. Twists and turns accurate courtroom and law dialogue- not surprising that the author is a Harvard Law School graduate and former federal prosecutor.
This novel is slightly graphic in details; certainly not a “cozy” mystery, but if you like courtroom dramas, legal mysteries, crime mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book. I really enjoyed reading it myself, and at times, could not put it down. I would be interested in reading some of the author’s other works as well. I’d rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion.