Book Review: Mad Money

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

Mad Money Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Linda L. Richards
Class/Genre: Mystery Romance Romantic Suspense Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth
Series: Madeline Carter # 1
Mira, Dec 2004, $6.50, 384 pp

In Manhattan, a failed investor who rejected his broker’s advice, enters the offices of Merriweather Bailey and kills thirty-five years old Jackson Shoenberger. Jackson’s best friend, fellow broker, Madeline Carter witnessed the murder. Madeline takes a leave of absence and at Jackson’s funeral, Madeline offers her condolences to her friend’s wife and children, but blames herself unfairly for his death as her decision on a promotion opportunity influenced his.

Unable to cope, Madeline quits her job; her former boss Sal gets her a place to stay in Malibu, California at a friend’s home. The friend turns out to be Hollywood director Tyler Beckett, his young wife, and his teenage daughter. To earn money, Madeline becomes a successful day trader until she meets former boyfriend Ernest Billings, who gives her insider information that he has been named as CEO of Langton Regional Group. Though questionable and perhaps illegal, Madeline invests in LRG and inadvertently persuades her mom to do so too only to see the price of the stock collapse and Ernest vanishes. As she searches for what happe ned she meets Steve Rundel, but her fiscal fiasco seems to keep the duo apart though they are attracted to one another.

MAD MONEY is an enjoyable financial contemporary romantic suspense starring a beleaguered heroine struggling with grief while trying to start over. The tale has several subplots besides the Billings deal that are well written such as a teen runaway, but take the reader away from the prime theme of Madeline’s drowning in her professional life while flopping in her personal life. Readers will enjoy this madcap fiscal adventure starring a likeable cast especially the protagonist.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner