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The Ladies Smythe & Westin #1
Cardiac Arrest
A clueless twentysomething party girl and a feisty senior form a most unlikely sleuthing duo in the first book of a quirky mystery series from Lisa Q. Mathews.When a man falls at your feet, you'd better hope he's not dead.Twentysomething party girl Summer Smythe is starting over in the unlikeliest of places; Hibiscus Pointe, a kitschy retirement community inÿupscale Milano, Florida. Her new gig? Working for Dr. A, Milano's much-loved cardiologist. But being in over her head is the least of Summer's worries when her new boss drops dead…right in front of her.Longtime resident Dorothy Westin prefers to mind her own business. But when the young blonde already causing ripples throughout Hibiscus Pointe becomes a person of interest in Dr. A's murder, Dorothy springs into action. Not only because the real killer is still on the loose, but because there's simply no way her clueless-but-kind new friend could have poisoned someone.Dorothy and Summer soon discover that despite his chosen specialty, Dr. A had quite a reputation for breaking hearts. And if the Ladies Smythe and Westin don't identify the guilty party fast, Summerÿwillÿend up in handcuffs…and Dorothy in a body bag.Book One of The Ladies Smythe & Westin72,000 wordsSmythe & Westin are back on the case in PERMANENTLY BOOKED!
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
229 pages, ebook
First published November 2, 2015
About the author
Lisa Q. Mathews
7 books419 followersLisa Q. Mathews began her career in publishing as an editor of Nancy Drew books. She also wrote for other popular kids’ series, including Mary-Kate and Ashley, Sweet Dreams, and the Lizzie McGuire Mysteries.
After raising her family and working in New York, Lisa returned home to New England to write mysteries for adults. Her books in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries and the Ladies Smythe & Westin series feature strong female sleuths and plenty of family. Lisa’s short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist.
A fan of stone walls, the Red Sox and Dunks iced tea, Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her family, including a crazy golden retriever and a wily black cat from her old Brooklyn neighborhood. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”
After raising her family and working in New York, Lisa returned home to New England to write mysteries for adults. Her books in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries and the Ladies Smythe & Westin series feature strong female sleuths and plenty of family. Lisa’s short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist.
A fan of stone walls, the Red Sox and Dunks iced tea, Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her family, including a crazy golden retriever and a wily black cat from her old Brooklyn neighborhood. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 22, 2018
When Milano, Florida, cardiologist Dr. Anthony Amoretto, aka Dr. A, dies in his office one morning, it brings Summer Smythe and Dorothy Westin together. Summer is a twenty-something working her first day for Dr. A, and she becomes the prime suspect since she handed him his morning shake. Meanwhile, Dorothy is a woman of a certain age who was Dr. A’s first appointment. The unlikely friends set out to find out what happened to Dr. A to clear Summer’s name. What will they uncover?
This book was a delight from start to finish. Dorothy and Summer are true partners, even acting as our third person point of view characters at various times, and both uncovering key pieces of the puzzle. Dr. A had plenty of secrets, and I had no clue where things were going until we reached the logical end. A few of the characters are a bit over the top, but they work for the comedic tone of the book. Summer would annoy me at times, but then she’s show a hidden depth that would make me rethink her. I hope she matures as the series progresses. Dorothy, on the other hand, was a pure delight. I can’t wait to visit this duo again.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This book was a delight from start to finish. Dorothy and Summer are true partners, even acting as our third person point of view characters at various times, and both uncovering key pieces of the puzzle. Dr. A had plenty of secrets, and I had no clue where things were going until we reached the logical end. A few of the characters are a bit over the top, but they work for the comedic tone of the book. Summer would annoy me at times, but then she’s show a hidden depth that would make me rethink her. I hope she matures as the series progresses. Dorothy, on the other hand, was a pure delight. I can’t wait to visit this duo again.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 29, 2015
What a fun read! Cardiac Arrest gives you two sleuths for the price of one: twentysomething Summer and super-senior Dorothy, both residents of a retirement center in Milano, Florida. When a prominent local heart doctor drops dead, this intergenerational odd-couple is determined to find out what happened. I love the fact that they actively investigate instead of wandering around stumbling into trouble, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. This is perfect reading for sitting by the pool—or at least dreaming of sitting by the pool in sunny Florida, sipping on a fruity drink. Looking forward to the next in this entertaining series!
December 28, 2018
An utterly engaging crime-solving caper set in a Floridian Retirement Community, involving two mismatched sleuths and a flood of sleazy secrets.
February 25, 2017
Just finished this book via my eBook application on my iPad. Wish this book was also in print form so I could give the book as gifts.
One of my favorite scenes was when a character pretended to be a disabled person in order to get the role of a disabled character in the stage play and got a bad review!
One of my favorite scenes was when a character pretended to be a disabled person in order to get the role of a disabled character in the stage play and got a bad review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
Super fun read! Loved the age difference between the two main characters and the way they became fast friends. Really fun, quick read!
October 21, 2015
This was a fun cozy little mystery wherein a senior citizen and a twenty something take it upon themselves to solve the mystery. It's actually pretty funny and I'm still wondering about that twenty something. She's hiding something, but not in an evil way.
They make a fun team as they try to sort out just who killed everybody's favorite cardiologist. There's all your typical car chases, poisonings, and lots of stalking and some surprise surveillance methods that these two come up with of their own accord.
This definitely kept me laughing and guessing just who the murderer was. Lots of quirky characters and a good story make this a very entertaining read.
Thanks Carina Press and Net Galley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. If your into cozy, this one's pretty comfy!
They make a fun team as they try to sort out just who killed everybody's favorite cardiologist. There's all your typical car chases, poisonings, and lots of stalking and some surprise surveillance methods that these two come up with of their own accord.
This definitely kept me laughing and guessing just who the murderer was. Lots of quirky characters and a good story make this a very entertaining read.
Thanks Carina Press and Net Galley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. If your into cozy, this one's pretty comfy!
February 1, 2021
This in one case where I loved the pun names: Smythe and Westin. It's so cute, and since Summer usually goes by Ms. Sloan (after her late grandmother in a passive-aggressive gesture for the community management) or Ms. Smythe-Sloan, the pun isn't always being shoved in our faces.
Dorothy, as you'd expect with a senior character in a retirement community, is all about patterns. It's never directly addressed in the book, but she has a routine down that she doesn't seem to notice herself following despite it coming up (shows up for certain weekly classes, gets take-out instead of going to supper at 5, in bed with a book at 9, etc.). The closest she comes to acknowledging it is when she reminisces of going out to clubs with her husband when they'd first moved in. She takes Summer under her wing automatically and never notices that either. For all her smooth charm and quick thinking she's not terribly observant about herself. Naturally Summer plucks her out of her pattern just as Dorothy protects her from hers.
I see a lot of my little sister in Summer, so I think I enjoyed the character even more than I would have otherwise. Adventurous, athletic, energetic, fashionable, and sharing her interests in yoga, swimming, etc. Unlike my sis Summer is terrible with time and money, and treats avoiding adult responsibilities like a game. She's terrible at lying on the spot and Dorothy always has to take over, but she's always quick with a sassy comeback. While I adore her character and how easily she slips into Dorothy's life, her partnership with the older woman does start falling apart as the case picks up, culminating in her being the one who inevitably nearly gets killed. I can understand her desire to catch up with the plot but it turns out that Dorothy isn't a terribly interesting character on her own, and with how kind and thoughtful Summer usually is it feels rather out of character for her to start ignoring Dorothy's concerns and guidance (such as her pleas to call the police instead of breaking into the crime scene).
There is a possible love interest in Detective Donovan for Summer, but aside for her commenting on how cute he is and how hopeful Dorothy believes him to look once she tells him Summer isn't seeing anyone, nothing develops in this book. As it shouldn't; she's a person of interest in a possible homicide (appropriately to real life and for the first time I've seen in a mystery novel, the toxicology report takes so long the killer is exposed without it ever arriving). He's a fairly quite character - he stays in the background doing surveillance for the most part. I quite liked him. He'll make a good, grounding yin for Summer's yang.
The writing is very good and Mathews did a great job at creating a plot that was complex without being complicated. Every time the pair checked a lead they were given another direction to go, and another suspect to investigate, yet the author still managed to create a solution that was clever and exciting. My only issue is that it often felt like each new clue was leading to another distinct new clue instead of adding to what they already discovered. It all came together in the end.
CHARACTERS:
I adored everyone in the book, no one was over the top or a caricature, and even the one character that acted more theatrical than the others was a still a believable retirement community busybody. The only reason I dropped the half star was for when the two started to split apart.
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
I was worried at first that the extent of the world building would be kept within the confines of the retirement community, big as it is (it's only one section of a larger gated community), but the book develops a great deal of Milano, including details about what it was like when Dorothy and her other senior friends first moved to the area, establishing some history for the city as well as for the characters (i.e. Dorothy being a former party girl who reminisces about the old night club circuit).
PLOT/SOLUTION:
Clever, interesting, and the solution was a surprise. I am deducting a half star for the way each clue led to another and another and so forth. It felt like we weren't making any progress, like instead of putting together a puzzle we were drawing lines in a connect-the-dot.
OTHER ASPECTS:
I almost forgot to throw this on, but I'll always give a star for the Insanity Defense Done Right (i.e. madness was foreshadowed and not dropped in out of nowhere to replace a proper motive). I was on the fence at first, but I realized after thinking it over that their previous interactions did have a suggestion of paranoia to it.
THE VERDICT?
I had decided not to pick up this book despite enjoying the preview because it's only available as an ebook. I've very pleased that I took the time to try and find it again once I started getting more into reading on my iPod because it's an excellent book and one I'll be picking up the sequel to.
Dorothy, as you'd expect with a senior character in a retirement community, is all about patterns. It's never directly addressed in the book, but she has a routine down that she doesn't seem to notice herself following despite it coming up (shows up for certain weekly classes, gets take-out instead of going to supper at 5, in bed with a book at 9, etc.). The closest she comes to acknowledging it is when she reminisces of going out to clubs with her husband when they'd first moved in. She takes Summer under her wing automatically and never notices that either. For all her smooth charm and quick thinking she's not terribly observant about herself. Naturally Summer plucks her out of her pattern just as Dorothy protects her from hers.
I see a lot of my little sister in Summer, so I think I enjoyed the character even more than I would have otherwise. Adventurous, athletic, energetic, fashionable, and sharing her interests in yoga, swimming, etc. Unlike my sis Summer is terrible with time and money, and treats avoiding adult responsibilities like a game. She's terrible at lying on the spot and Dorothy always has to take over, but she's always quick with a sassy comeback. While I adore her character and how easily she slips into Dorothy's life, her partnership with the older woman does start falling apart as the case picks up, culminating in her being the one who inevitably nearly gets killed. I can understand her desire to catch up with the plot but it turns out that Dorothy isn't a terribly interesting character on her own, and with how kind and thoughtful Summer usually is it feels rather out of character for her to start ignoring Dorothy's concerns and guidance (such as her pleas to call the police instead of breaking into the crime scene).
There is a possible love interest in Detective Donovan for Summer, but aside for her commenting on how cute he is and how hopeful Dorothy believes him to look once she tells him Summer isn't seeing anyone, nothing develops in this book. As it shouldn't; she's a person of interest in a possible homicide (appropriately to real life and for the first time I've seen in a mystery novel, the toxicology report takes so long the killer is exposed without it ever arriving). He's a fairly quite character - he stays in the background doing surveillance for the most part. I quite liked him. He'll make a good, grounding yin for Summer's yang.
The writing is very good and Mathews did a great job at creating a plot that was complex without being complicated. Every time the pair checked a lead they were given another direction to go, and another suspect to investigate, yet the author still managed to create a solution that was clever and exciting. My only issue is that it often felt like each new clue was leading to another distinct new clue instead of adding to what they already discovered. It all came together in the end.
CHARACTERS:
I adored everyone in the book, no one was over the top or a caricature, and even the one character that acted more theatrical than the others was a still a believable retirement community busybody. The only reason I dropped the half star was for when the two started to split apart.
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
I was worried at first that the extent of the world building would be kept within the confines of the retirement community, big as it is (it's only one section of a larger gated community), but the book develops a great deal of Milano, including details about what it was like when Dorothy and her other senior friends first moved to the area, establishing some history for the city as well as for the characters (i.e. Dorothy being a former party girl who reminisces about the old night club circuit).
PLOT/SOLUTION:
Clever, interesting, and the solution was a surprise. I am deducting a half star for the way each clue led to another and another and so forth. It felt like we weren't making any progress, like instead of putting together a puzzle we were drawing lines in a connect-the-dot.
OTHER ASPECTS:
I almost forgot to throw this on, but I'll always give a star for the Insanity Defense Done Right (i.e. madness was foreshadowed and not dropped in out of nowhere to replace a proper motive). I was on the fence at first, but I realized after thinking it over that their previous interactions did have a suggestion of paranoia to it.
THE VERDICT?
I had decided not to pick up this book despite enjoying the preview because it's only available as an ebook. I've very pleased that I took the time to try and find it again once I started getting more into reading on my iPod because it's an excellent book and one I'll be picking up the sequel to.
July 7, 2017
A fast, fun read with quirky characters
This was a fast read. Interesting characters. Didn't understand why Westin was so conservative with her opinion considering her age, would have liked a bit more backstory explaining that. Loved Smythe's antics, she felt real. Dash was new. The gay character is becoming more popular, but to see a committed one is fresh.
I liked the twists and turns in the story. I wonder if a bit of conflict between the two mains was missing, since they just met.
But overall a delight.
This was a fast read. Interesting characters. Didn't understand why Westin was so conservative with her opinion considering her age, would have liked a bit more backstory explaining that. Loved Smythe's antics, she felt real. Dash was new. The gay character is becoming more popular, but to see a committed one is fresh.
I liked the twists and turns in the story. I wonder if a bit of conflict between the two mains was missing, since they just met.
But overall a delight.
March 11, 2021
Retirement communities can be hazardous to your health !
When retiree Dorothy Westin meets young, definitely not retired Summer Smythe, the adventures begin. The zany residents of a retirement community provide an entertaining background for romp through a murder investigation. Summer is named a “person of interest” in the incident. The Ladies Smythe and Westin combine their skills to clear Summer’s name. Can they get to the killer before the killer gets to them? Grab a poolside chair and watch the drama unfold. Enjoy!
When retiree Dorothy Westin meets young, definitely not retired Summer Smythe, the adventures begin. The zany residents of a retirement community provide an entertaining background for romp through a murder investigation. Summer is named a “person of interest” in the incident. The Ladies Smythe and Westin combine their skills to clear Summer’s name. Can they get to the killer before the killer gets to them? Grab a poolside chair and watch the drama unfold. Enjoy!
December 29, 2016
Summer gives the appearance as a clueless party girl and at 20 years old, she's happy with that. Dorothy is a senior living at Hibiscus Pointe, retirement community in Milano, Florida. Summer becomes the prime suspect when her boss, Dr. Milano drops dead. I love stories with different generations adding to the story line. this is book one of the Ladies Smythe and Westin series and hopefully there will be many more.
August 11, 2018
CARDIAC ARREST is a wonderful start to a new series. I loved the quirky cast of characters featured in this darling book, especially the two heroines who could not be more different but make for a good team. The mystery kept me guessing, the retirement community setting provides a cute backdrop, and Mathews's humor kept me laughing as I turned the pages. Fans of light, fun mysteries will find a lot to like in this entertaining book.
February 7, 2021
What a delightful detective duo I just discovered in Dorothy and Summer! The relationship between the elderly buy spry woman and the just-finding-her-way twenty something is fresh and hopeful. I'm just now finding this series, and I'm so glad I did. It's fast-paced and funny with a well-plotted mystery. Can't wait to start Permanently Booked!
April 6, 2020
Fun! The two heroines are an unusual mix. The practical Dorothy Westin reminds me of M. C. Beaton's Mrs. Bloxby in the Agatha Raisin series. If you like cozies, you'll like this one.
September 2, 2024
Funny, quick to read, and left me ready for the next book!
October 8, 2015
Young and old team up in this tale of murder, intrigue and gossip in a retirement community.
The Hibiscus Pointe retirement community in Milano, FL is a far cry from Summer Smythe's LA roots, but she finds herself living in her deceased grandmother's condo anyway, with a new job working for cardiologist Anthony Amoretto. When he drops dead on day one, Summer is suspect número uno. Hibiscus Pointe senior Dorothy Westin was on the scene and just knows Summer isn't Dr. A's killer. The two team up to find out who would off the very popular doc, but get more than they bargained for when suspects just keep popping up, giving them more questions than answers.
CARDIAC ARREST is the first book in The Ladies Smythe and Westin Series and was a cute who-dun-it novel appropriate for any age. The character development was fun, Summer's slightly ditzy yet tenacious persona meshing well with Dorothy's more subdued yet spirited attitude. I expected some romance in CARDIAC ARREST (as I'm writing this review for The Romance Reviews), but the only sweet sweet lovin' in this book was generically implied by the dead doc's many lovers. I had hoped for some sort of connection between Summer and Detective Donovan, and perhaps that's the goal in future The Ladies Smythe and Westin books, but in this one the two barely spoke. This cozy mystery wasn't a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, though I don't know that I'll be first in line for future books in this series, as I like a little more spice in my reads.
Bottom Line: Cute and cozy 110% vanilla mystery, appropriate for your teenage daughter and your grandma. - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
The Hibiscus Pointe retirement community in Milano, FL is a far cry from Summer Smythe's LA roots, but she finds herself living in her deceased grandmother's condo anyway, with a new job working for cardiologist Anthony Amoretto. When he drops dead on day one, Summer is suspect número uno. Hibiscus Pointe senior Dorothy Westin was on the scene and just knows Summer isn't Dr. A's killer. The two team up to find out who would off the very popular doc, but get more than they bargained for when suspects just keep popping up, giving them more questions than answers.
CARDIAC ARREST is the first book in The Ladies Smythe and Westin Series and was a cute who-dun-it novel appropriate for any age. The character development was fun, Summer's slightly ditzy yet tenacious persona meshing well with Dorothy's more subdued yet spirited attitude. I expected some romance in CARDIAC ARREST (as I'm writing this review for The Romance Reviews), but the only sweet sweet lovin' in this book was generically implied by the dead doc's many lovers. I had hoped for some sort of connection between Summer and Detective Donovan, and perhaps that's the goal in future The Ladies Smythe and Westin books, but in this one the two barely spoke. This cozy mystery wasn't a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, though I don't know that I'll be first in line for future books in this series, as I like a little more spice in my reads.
Bottom Line: Cute and cozy 110% vanilla mystery, appropriate for your teenage daughter and your grandma. - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
November 29, 2015
Cardiac Arrest by Lisa Q. Mathews is the first book in The Ladies Smythe and Westin series. Dorothy Westin is a seventy-eight year old woman living in Hibiscus Pointe in Milano, Florida. It is a community for people over the age of fifty-five (we have a lot of them in Florida). Dorothy is getting ready for her morning swim when she notices Summer Sloan-Smythe. She is considerably younger than the rest of the residents (twenty-nine and not very bright). Summer’s grandmother passed away recently and Summer is staying in her apartment (courtesy of her father). Summer has a new job at Dr. Anthony Amoretto’s office. Dr. Amoretto is a popular cardiologist in Milano (the ladies love him). Unfortunately, Dr. Amoretto dies shortly after Summer arrives at work. Dorothy was also in the office for her checkup.
Dorothy and Summer team up to find out who killed Dr. Amoretto when Summer is deemed a person of interest. This unlikely duo will have to look into Dr. Amoretto’s life to find out who wanted him dead (turns out the list is longer than they thought).
Cardiac Arrest is an average novel. I did not hate it nor did I love it. Dorothy is the main character but we received very few details on her (except where she lived). The mystery was extremely simple and it was child’s play to solve (the killer was so obvious as well as how he was killed). I found Summer to be a very annoying character. I give Cardiac Arrest 2.5 out of 5 stars. It was just a mediocre book (and I am glad that I did not pay for it). I do not believe I will read any other books in The Ladies Smythe and Westin series.
I received a complimentary copy of Cardiac Arrest from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...
Dorothy and Summer team up to find out who killed Dr. Amoretto when Summer is deemed a person of interest. This unlikely duo will have to look into Dr. Amoretto’s life to find out who wanted him dead (turns out the list is longer than they thought).
Cardiac Arrest is an average novel. I did not hate it nor did I love it. Dorothy is the main character but we received very few details on her (except where she lived). The mystery was extremely simple and it was child’s play to solve (the killer was so obvious as well as how he was killed). I found Summer to be a very annoying character. I give Cardiac Arrest 2.5 out of 5 stars. It was just a mediocre book (and I am glad that I did not pay for it). I do not believe I will read any other books in The Ladies Smythe and Westin series.
I received a complimentary copy of Cardiac Arrest from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...
November 4, 2015
Great Book!
This is a great book; it is part of The Ladies Smythe & Westin series by Lisa Mathews. Summer Smythe is starting over in Hibiscus Pointe, a kitschy retirement community in Milano, Florida working for a cardiologist. She is not having a good day when the doctor drops dead in front of her. When she becomes the number one suspect it is up to her and Dorothy a longtime resident of the facility to find the real killer. If you are looking for a great mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
This is a great book; it is part of The Ladies Smythe & Westin series by Lisa Mathews. Summer Smythe is starting over in Hibiscus Pointe, a kitschy retirement community in Milano, Florida working for a cardiologist. She is not having a good day when the doctor drops dead in front of her. When she becomes the number one suspect it is up to her and Dorothy a longtime resident of the facility to find the real killer. If you are looking for a great mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
February 17, 2016
Lighthearted Cozy!
I enjoyed this first book in a new series by Lisa Matthews. Main character Summer is young, basically carefree, & impulsive. Dorothy is older, mature, & very cautious. Together they balance each other. Add in some very oddball characters, a hunky police detective, & a murder & you have a thoroughly enjoyable read! I especially liked little pretentious Juliette-Margot. It may be an easy mystery but I enjoyed it & am looking forward to reading the second installment.
I enjoyed this first book in a new series by Lisa Matthews. Main character Summer is young, basically carefree, & impulsive. Dorothy is older, mature, & very cautious. Together they balance each other. Add in some very oddball characters, a hunky police detective, & a murder & you have a thoroughly enjoyable read! I especially liked little pretentious Juliette-Margot. It may be an easy mystery but I enjoyed it & am looking forward to reading the second installment.
November 4, 2015
This book was a great mystery read. The characters are sharply written, the writing is witty, and the mystery engaging. I'm looking forward to more Ladies Smythe and Westin mysteries. I'm totally hooked!
May 2, 2016
Wonderful read and a great premise. Summer and Dorothy match quite well and the supporting cast are delightful. The mystery part of the story is a challenge until you know all the details. I didn't guess who it was until the end.
December 29, 2021
Fun read melds two amateur sleuths, one a resident of a Senior living center in Florida and the other in her 20's occupying a family condo in that same senior center, who join together to solve a murder.
February 11, 2016
Loved it!
Read
August 20, 2017If anyone is looking for a great book, try "Cardiac Arrest" by Lisa Q. Mathews! First in the Smythe and Westin series. I just finished it and I THOUGHT I knew who did it and was totally thrown for a loop when the real killer was revealed!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews