SLEIGHT OF HAND BY TONYA KAPPES 

Maisie Doss knew the weight of secrets all too well. Once a troublemaker in her small Kentucky town near Cincinnati, she struck a dangerous bargain to become a confidential informant for the police. But when betrayal led her to send a family member behind bars, the lines between right and wrong blurred. Unable to bear the weight of her actions, she fled into the secluded heart of Appalachia, praying her past wouldn't catch up.

For a time, the hills kept her secrets. Determined to atone, she tried to lead a quiet life, but old habits die hard. When Maisie stumbles upon a mystery that begs her attention, she can't resist diving in. Yet, this isn't just any crime; it's tangled with threads from her concealed past. And as fate would have it, a detective from her old life discovers her hidden refuge.

Now, he presents her with a chilling ultimatum: Return to her role as a CI and face the ghosts of her past or find herself behind bars.
In a game of cat and mouse, where trust is a luxury Maisie can't afford, she must use every sleight of hand she knows to outwit the law, uncover the truth, and keep her freedom.

MY REVIEW

I love this new series and am excited to follow Maisie  on her adventures. Fans of the  author know her for her wonderful cozy mysteries, but this series is much different. It has a little more suspense and danger that for me was intriguing. I love how the author moved a bit away  from the usual fun and quirky characters. This series dives deep into crimes that find  Maisie in over her heads, 

At first I didn’t know why  she had been hiding  out but slowly her past is revealed. Can you imagine being a confidential informant? There is no sense of security as Maisie is always having to keep her identity a secret. It sends shivers down my spine as I think about the things she has witnessed. I’m not sure that I could do what she does. 

A puppy ring is at the core of this story where Maisie is placed to help nap the people behind it. There are more twists than expected and I cheered for the writing that has made me love this author even more. The author still has a quaint little town in this story, but there is a more serious undertone that highlights the dynamics of a talented author. I am a huge fan of the new series and am excited to read  the next book n this very promising series. 

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.