Let me start by saying that when I finished the last lines of this novel, I had to remind myself I was holding my beloved Kindle and NOT a paperback before I winged it across the room with an infuriated shout of
"Oh, NO you DIDN'T just end it like THAT!!!!"

And as infuriated as I was, I had to confess - that emotion was a clear indication of how invested I was in Maggie and her story.

Maggie Killian is a faded country rocker- from Texas who is now an antiques dealer of sorts. She was famous until she wasn't; she's beautiful and sultry and charismatic; stubborn and vulnerable and damaged. She's basically trouble in cowboy boots, but there is something about her that makes you want to root for her.

Hank Sibly broke her heart more than once and because she's stubborn, not over him, and a hot mess, she made the excuse take an antique picking trip to Wyoming in an attempt to hunt him down. Unfortunately, seeing him again makes her do something stupid. (Haven't we all been there?)

For most of us, hopefully, that mistake doesn't end up dead in the parking lot shortly after spending the night together.

While she should be getting out of Wyoming, she decides she hasn't suffered enough (fool men, too much booze, or good sense, apparently) and heads out to look for Hank before she heads home. Instead, she lands herself in one pickle after another; each situation leads to more questions, less answers, and adds to the danger she has found herself in.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins wickedly builds electricity between Maggie and Hank, toys with our emotions, throws in enough bad guys and bad blood to have your head spin with whodunnits and twists, and tops it off with sharp-witted dialogue.

Where Live Wire really shines, however, is both in character development and in voice - the author is a true storyteller, and her story and characters unfold on the page and then grab you by the arms and drag you in. While the mystery in this story IS wrapped up in the end, Maggie's story isn't, not by a long shot, and I'll be impatient until the next book arrives on my doorstep. ( )

This is my first book by Pamela Fagan Hutchins, and I enjoyed getting to experience a new author's writing. Live Wire is a continuation of her "What Doesn't Kill You" series, and though some references are made to previous characters and situations, Live Wire, for the most part, can be read as a stand-alone mystery.

Maggie is a washed-up musician, turned junk picker who is travelling in Wyoming on her way back to her home state of Texas. Her travels have an ulterior motive, though, as she is sort of stalking a former lover, Hank. When she finds out that he is in a new relationship (even though the last time they were together she told him to take a hike), her jealousy leads to to an unfortunate one-night-stand with someone she picks up in a bar. Imagine her shock when said one-night-stand ends up with a bashed-in skull in the hotel parking lot after the encounter!

Instead of facing the music, so to speak, and admitting she was with the victim the night of his murder, Maggie hides out on a ranch with a group of quirky characters who were some of my favorites in the book. Maggie investigates the murder on her own, and there will be more than one dead body before she finds out the who and the why of this mystery.

Maggie Killian is a very unique character, one I didn't necessarily like all that much at first, but one I could appreciate as well-drawn and distinct, with so much personality that I talked to her a bit while I was reading the book! Mainly, things like, "that's fairly immature and selfish, Maggie;" but I recognized the very human emotions that she was experiencing, and could relate to her in that aspect. Normally I feel that using profanity as character-development is lazy on an author's part, but the language does seem to fit with the rest of who Maggie Killian is, in all her complexity as a character. But if you don't care for f-bombs, just be warned there are a number of them in this novel.

The title "Live Wire" is an appropriate moniker for the main character - dangerous to be around, and better to be avoided at all costs. Maggie wants what she wants, but recognizes that she often leaves disaster in her wake. She says near the end of the book: "I am a dangerous person. I hurt everyone;" but ultimately she makes a sacrificial decision that goes against her normal nature. I find myself wanting to know what will happen next in her life.

The pace of the narrative is smooth and there is a welcome lack of editing issues to deal with, which is always a pleasure in a reading experience. I can see recommending this book to someone who who enjoys unique characters and realistic dialogue with their mysteries. There are also two more books in the "Maggie" series coming, so readers will be able to see what she is up to next. Look for Sick Puppy coming next month. ( )

This is my first book by Pamela Fagan Hutchins, and I enjoyed getting to experience a new author's writing. Live Wire is a continuation of her "What Doesn't Kill You" series, and though some references are made to previous characters and situations, Live Wire, for the most part, can be read as a stand-alone mystery.

Maggie is a washed-up musician, turned junk picker who is travelling in Wyoming on her way back to her home state of Texas. Her travels have an ulterior motive, though, as she is sort of stalking a former lover, Hank. When she finds out that he is in a new relationship (even though the last time they were together she told him to take a hike), her jealousy leads to to an unfortunate one-night-stand with someone she picks up in a bar. Imagine her shock when said one-night-stand ends up with a bashed-in skull in the hotel parking lot after the encounter!

Instead of facing the music, so to speak, and admitting she was with the victim the night of his murder, Maggie hides out on a ranch with a group of quirky characters who were some of my favorites in the book. Maggie investigates the murder on her own, and there will be more than one dead body before she finds out the who and the why of this mystery.

Maggie Killian is a very unique character, one I didn't necessarily like all that much at first, but one I could appreciate as well-drawn and distinct, with so much personality that I talked to her a bit while I was reading the book! Mainly, things like, "that's fairly immature and selfish, Maggie;" but I recognized the very human emotions that she was experiencing, and could relate to her in that aspect. Normally I feel that using profanity as character-development is lazy on an author's part, but the language does seem to fit with the rest of who Maggie Killian is, in all her complexity as a character. But if you don't care for f-bombs, just be warned there are a number of them in this novel.

The title "Live Wire" is an appropriate moniker for the main character - dangerous to be around, and better to be avoided at all costs. Maggie wants what she wants, but recognizes that she often leaves disaster in her wake. She says near the end of the book: "I am a dangerous person. I hurt everyone;" but ultimately she makes a sacrificial decision that goes against her normal nature. I find myself wanting to know what will happen next in her life.

The pace of the narrative is smooth and there is a welcome lack of editing issues to deal with, which is always a pleasure in a reading experience. I can see recommending this book to someone who who enjoys unique characters and realistic dialogue with their mysteries. There are also two more books in the "Maggie" series coming, so readers will be able to see what she is up to next. Look for Sick Puppy coming next month. ( )