JDCMustReadBooks

By Lis Wiehl

ISBN: 9781595549051

Series: A Mia Quinn Mystery Book 3 

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson--FICTION

Publication Date: 3/3/2015 

Format:  Hardcover

My Rating:  4 Stars

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 ofJohn 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.