Review: Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery

Hoooooooray!!!!! I've been (im)patiently waiting for Diana Orgain's next installment of her Maternal Instincts Mystery series, and it's finally here!!! If you recall, I've already read and reviewed the first two books in the series: Bundle of Trouble and Motherhood is Murder, and loved them both. When I got the email from Ms. Orgain letting me know that the third novel was out, I (of course!!) asked quite politely if I might have the opportunity to read it and review it for my blog.

Actually, it was more like "OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!! I can't WAIT TO READ IT!!!! GIMME GIMME GIMME!!! WHOOOOOOOOT WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!" And I'm not even really exaggerating.

Yeah, I'm what we like to call a 'professional.'

Anyway, back to the important issue at hand. Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery was just as good - if not better!! - than the previous two!!

Kate has been known to get herself (and her now 3 month old baby, Laurie) into some...interesting situations. At the beginning of this novel, she is involved in a hit and run with Laurie in the car!!! This causes the Lioness mother that she is to track down the driver of the SUV and brings her and her husband to the French Consulate. There she is met with some stiff resistance to their questions about the accident. While at the French Consulate, Kate sees a couple local news reporters. Later, when one of the reporters ends up dead, Kate wonders if there is a connection between the French Consulate, the death of the reporter, and her accident.

All the regular players are back, including Paula, Kate's (very pregnant!) best friend and Kate's mom, both witty and interesting characters that add lots of entertainment. Inspector McNearny is also back, though his annoyance with Kate butting into his crime fighting seems to be lessening!! They all pitch in to help Kate find the murderer. As she gets closer to finding the truth, the more dangerous the situations she finds herself in.

As with the other novels, this one is peppered with To-Do lists and poor Kate worrying about what kind of mother she is. Kate is stubborn and is always managing to stir things up - but one thing you never wonder about is her love for her child and her family.

Way to go, Diana!! Thanks for giving us another fun installment to the Maternal Instincts Mystery series!! It was a fast, fun, page-turning read, and I can't wait for the next one!!!