Girl Trap (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 3) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Angela Hayes

Girl Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Girl Trap is the third book in the Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. WOW- Cynthia Hamilton certainly puts Madeline and Mike through their paces (and the wringer) in this book and has once again produced a clever and engrossing mystery for us to enjoy. Cynthia Hamilton and the Madeline Dawkins series have quickly become my go-to reads as I can always count on her to deliver an exciting story. The Madeline Dawkins books would make a fantastic television series, and in fact, they remind me a lot of the old Moonlighting series with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis- but with more danger, excitement, and a more modern ‘feel’.
This story takes place three months after the ending of the previous book. Madeline and Mike take on two missing person cases that turn out to be anything but simple. They split the cases and begin their investigation, being drawn out of Santa Barbara in the process. For Madeline, a simple inquiry in an old missing persons case quickly turns deadly. Things are definitely not as they seem. Mike’s missing persons case quickly turns into a very dangerous sex/human trafficking investigation.
With missing women, suspicious circumstances, a spate of murders, two investigations, challenges, riddles, danger, sinister adversaries, and plenty of action- this story really took off. I found it to be a little more intense than the previous two, with more emotion and depth than I had expected. I was on the edge of my seat, with bated breath for parts of the book, while in other parts my heart ached for what the character/s were going through. Ms. Hamilton certainly didn’t hold back, putting her characters (and me) through the wringer. Poor Madeline can’t seem to catch a break, and I was left wondering how much more she can take. But she is one tough, and resilient cookie- who always finds her way through these difficult situations. She’s classy, sexy, intelligent, determined, and skilful- a perfect character for this series.
This is another cleverly crafted story in the Madeline Dawkins series. I have already read book four as I could not wait to find out what Maddie and Mike would get up to next- especially after the way this book ended! So, bring on Book #5!!! I cannot wait!!!
Wonderfully gripping reading!!!!

Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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