A Madeline Dawkins Mystery (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1)

Cynthia is my new favorite author. This book captured my attention from the moment I started to read it and I was sorry to finish it because it was such an enjoyable read. Another can't put it down experience.

I loved Spouse Trap. The first few chapters were a little slow, but by the time I got to Chapter 10 I couldn't put it down. Now reading the next Madeline Dawkins sequel ~ A High Price to Pay. Amazing so far.

I literally couldn't put Spouse Trap down - reading 50% in bed on my iPad and the other 50% on my iPhone on the subway (it was worth the squinting!). What a crazy and wild story. Totally shocking - yet sadly believable - what this woman is put through and to be so blind sighted by it. Something tells me her next business venture may in fact be far more lucrative than party planning - especially in well heeled town like Santa Barbara. I greatly look forward to part two!

Madeline Dawkins Ridley has been framed. Determined to find out the who and why of what has happened, Madeline sets off on a journey to find the answers. En route, she also finds herself. At the beginning of the book, Cynthia Hamilton's character is a spoiled Montecito maven who thinks nothing of dropping a few thousand dollars on "retail therapy" at Saks. Fortunately, Madeline evolves into a very self reliant woman who can take care of business without assistance. The plot has some interesting twists and turns, but is mostly predictable. It is the self-actualization of the main character that is the highlight.

Book was written well. Sometimes repetitive in respect to information that was previously given. Main character "Madeline" was multifaceted with a multitude of layers and persevered through being set up as an adulterer. Instead of laying down and taking a bearing from her unscrupulous husband she fight back and took back control of her life. I wished her relationship with friend "mike" developed into something more but overall I was satisfied with the ending.

The husband is cruel!!!!! I hated his character and he made you route for the wife. The whole time I'm thinking, I hope this lady catches a break. The story got drug out toward the end and I was ready for it to be over. A little far fetched if you ask me but it was well written for the price without many typo's.

A terrifying and terrific ride through the upper echelons of Santa Barbara society. Madeline is a survivor. Just have to say that I'm sorry that... well, we'll just say I liked Burt. Great characters and a great read.

Disclaimer: won this book through Goodreads.com.

Pros: This is a very good, pretty quick read; maybe quick because it’s hard to put down. I even tried reading it at work before everyone else got in, with the book on my lap under the desk just to see where this was going and ultimately winds up! I don’t take that chance with too many books.

The plot is written kind of like an episode of “Columbo” in the sense that you know at least one of the antagonists pretty early on, and that the immensely wronged Madeline Ridley (Dawkins) will probably ultimately prevail. But you still go along for the ride to see how she’ll prove it.

Unfortunately, there are a few cons. But as you can tell from the pros, they’re certainly not deal breakers. And let me say up front, some readers may not find these cons, reading a book is partially subjective. First there – again for me – was just too much designer name-dropping. I understand initially it helps define Madeline – and the life she had before it all fell apart. But it needlessly goes on throughout the whole novel. Second, we get a description of every meal she orders over the course of 291 pages. We get it: she was used to the best clothes, accessories and foods life had to offer. No need to carry this through the whole book.

Lastly and this is the biggest flaw. Madeline vacillates – often within the same paragraph! – between a resigned-to-be-strong, independent, newly-single woman – out to avenge being unjustly wronged - and a whiny, blubbering mess. No one will question that what happened to her is totally unjustified and I’m not discounting the seriousness of her initial ordeal, nor that her husband is a total sleaze-bag. And to her credit – and that of the author – you get the feeling she really did love this guy – it was not about money – and she did all she could to help his career along. But you should get those shocked and feeling-sorry-for-yourself feelings out of the way relatively early on and then move into the anger/revenge phases for the rest of her journey. Maybe I’m being unreasonable; emotions are tricky things. But this kind of stood out more than it probably should have, and it got tiring.

I haven’t read any of the other novels in the series, and I plan to. Maybe it’s not so personal for Madeline next time out, and she kicks more butt and sheds less tears. And oh yeah, lose Mike.

Good read with lots of twists and turns. The relationship between Mike and Madeline was not developed well enough to be plausible as the only one she could turn to. The evil husband was done very well. However, it was very distracting to see the author gushing over the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It would have been just as interesting without the constant spending sprees.

If you ever thought your spouse messed over you in your divorce, read this, and I guarantee you'll never complain again. This poor, rich lady went through hell and back, but does get revenge. What her husband did will make you cringe at what he is possible of doing. From beginning to end he is the villain you will hate.
Fun, fun book, and the author is one to watch.

Good read with lots of twists and turns. The relationship between Mike and Madeline was not developed well enough to be plausible as the only one she could turn to. The evil husband was done very well. However, it was very distracting to see the author gushing over the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It would have been just as interesting without the constant spending sprees.

If you ever thought your spouse messed over you in your divorce, read this, and I guarantee you'll never complain again. This poor, rich lady went through hell and back, but does get revenge. What her husband did will make you cringe at what he is possible of doing. From beginning to end he is the villain you will hate.
Fun, fun book, and the author is one to watch.

After reading Lucky at Love I was eagerly awaiting Cynthia Hamilton's next novel. Being born and raised in Santa Barbara it was exciting to follow Madeline's adventures and take a virtual tour picturing all the locations in Santa Barbara that Madeline frequented that are so familiar to me. What a mystery filled with suspense! Pick up your copy today as I just purchased the second installment "A High Price To Pay" for Mad Dog PI's latest adventure.

THOROUGHLY enjoyed this story. The main character Madeline was fascinating in her nightmare of reality. The husband Steven was such a cruel villain. Wish it had not ended until Steven was in jail. Looking forward to reading another tale of Madeline.

The step by step psychological profile of Madeline's unraveling life was an interesting aspect of this book for me. There were many twists and turns to the plot which kept the pages turning. I appreciated Madeline's capacity to to navigate her life as it fell apart. A great book to read for anyone interested in the journey of life and how quickly it can change without warning...

Not my first read of Cynthia Hamilton's writing - I have enjoyed all of them - all different and equal on their own. Cynthia Hamilton is so creative and keeps the readers interest as to what is on the next page. So looking forward to reading its sequel "A High Price to Pay".

Riveting...I took Spouse Trap on a weekend getaway. I felt as if I had my "Best Friend" along for the ride. I had to force myself at 1:30 AM to close the pages on Madeline Dawkins and go to bed!
Incredible Read....
Thank You Cynthia

Spouse Trap takes you on Madeline Ridley's journey in search of the truth after a life changing event. And quite a journey it is!! The fine writing in this book draws you in immediately. It is a real talent to etch emotion into words so skillfully. I found Spouse Trap to be a fantastic read. Great entertainment! I am looking forward to reading the sequels!