A Deadly Fundraiser is the fourth book in the Talk Radio Mystery series.

It was really enjoyable spending some time with Dr. Maggie and Vera Mae.

Dr. Maggie continues to give help to the folks of Cypress Grove and is enjoying her talk radio job at WYME, but everyone deserves some personal time and that is what Maggie is doing in this novella.

The Historical Society and the Preservation Committee have combined efforts and are holding a gala fundraiser to support renovations to Mayfair House. WYME has purchased a block of tickets and Maggie and Vera Mae will be attending the party. One of the first things Vera Mae notices is that the architect for the project, Greg Towner is there with his girlfriend, Sherry Phillips. Also in attendance is his soon to be ex, Lily.

After a while, Molly Sanders, the head of the Preservation Society, announces that there will be a scavenger hunt for those interested and that each room would have a clue as to what the item is and to record the find and the room. Along the way, Maggie and Vera Mae run into Nick Harrison, a reporter and good friend of Maggie’s, and he invites himself along on the scavenger hunt. He convinces his friends that the basement should be next as he heard that there was a speakeasy during Prohibition in the basement. But they find more than a speakeasy. They hear a muffled noise and soon find a hidden room off the speakeasy. In the hidden room, they find racks of vintage wine and the lifeless body of Greg Towner.

So, Maggie and Vera Mae, never ones to pass up a good mystery set off to learn who wanted Towner out of the picture.

I love the characters in this enjoyable series. Maggie is determined young lady not to let much stand in her way as she searches for the killer. But my favorite characters are Vera Mae. Vera Mae is the director/producer of Maggie’s show. You can always count on Vera Mae coming up with a good ol’ down home saying and is always busy keeping Maggie centered. Lola, Maggie’s mother has got to be my favorite. Lola has always been a B-movie star, but to hear her tell it she was the star, not in a snooty way, but just puffing up her roles. It’s really humorous to read how she is planning her next “starring” role.

If you’re looking for an interesting, quick read with a nice dose of humor, give this story a try.

I’ll be watching for the next book in this series. ( )

This short story is part of the Talk Radio Mysteries series by Mary Kennedy. It isn't necessary to have read any of the previous books in this series to fully enjoy this one. Maggie is a radio talk show host in Florida but just like Frasier Crane, she used to be a psychiatrist. She gave up her practice for an easier life but has found that she's also pretty good at sleuthing. While participating in a scavenger hunt at a local mansion during a high society fundraiser, she and a few other friends stumble across a dead body in a secret passageway. Maggie could just let the police handle the investigation, but as a local radio host, she has an awful lot of connections and people are good at opening up to talk when she's around. It doesn't hurt that she's dating someone in the police department either. The radio show angle is fun, and I love a good scavenger hunt, especially one that takes place in a mansion with secret rooms. If you are looking for a quick mystery with fun characters, try this one. ( )