Notorious (Max Revere, #1) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Aug 13, 2021 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, nc-br-digital-library, audiobook, 2021-audiobook-challenge, 5000-2021, mystery-suspense-thriller, 2021-in-2021, 2021-beat-the-backlist-challenge, 2021-library-love

Investigative reporter and cable show host Maxine (Max) Revere returns home to Atherton, California for the first time in years. The occasion is the funeral of her estranged friend Kevin O’Neal who committed suicide. They were close friends through high school until a tragedy divided them. At the airport, an elderly couple approaches her and asks if she would look into the murder of their grandson who died on the campus of her high school alma mater, Atherton Prep. She agrees to do so solely bec Investigative reporter and cable show host Maxine (Max) Revere returns home to Atherton, California for the first time in years. The occasion is the funeral of her estranged friend Kevin O’Neal who committed suicide. They were close friends through high school until a tragedy divided them. At the airport, an elderly couple approaches her and asks if she would look into the murder of their grandson who died on the campus of her high school alma mater, Atherton Prep. She agrees to do so solely because of where he was killed. When she meets with Kevin’s sister, she also asks her to look into his suicide. As Max explores both, she’s drawn back into the mystery of who killed her best friend, Lindy Ames, in their senior year of high school, which deepens the wedge between her and her family.

If it appears as if there’s a lot going on here you’re absolutely correct. While Max had every intention of only attending the funeral and immediately returning to New York, her investigation of Jason Hoffman’s murder led down paths that put her squarely into those of family and acquaintances. Her probing of Kevin’s suicide just reopened old wounds that needed to be re-examined. It was tough at times keeping track of three cases but I kept up. They were each interesting in their own right so I was highly engaged. I figured out the resolution to one of them really early on so I spent most of the book trying to disprove my theory, which had the effect of me being even more immersed in the story.

I’m glad the subject of this story took us back to Max’s home town and dealt with the murder that separated her and her family. It gave insight into what drives her and the reason for the family rifts. She’s a complicated woman who was raised by an equally complex grandmother. I went back and forth in forming an opinion of her. Max has lots of flaws but has more admirable qualities. I like her fearlessness and independence though she can be rather ruthless in her delivery. I enjoyed all of the mysteries and thought there were sufficient clues to solve each case. I got some parts of it right but completely missed on one of them. It was also my first experience with the narrator and felt like she gave strong voice to Max, capturing the essence of her personality. I hope she continues the rest of the series, which I definitely plan to continue.

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Aug 20, 2021 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021, suspense

Investigative Reporter Maxine Revere returns to her hometown to attend the funeral of a former friend. Back in high school, Kevin was a close friend to Max when he was accused of killing her best friend. Max defended him against everyone else, even her family. Now Kevin has committed suicide, but Max finds the people in this town are still upset with her. Many know of her investigative skills and believe that she has returned to try to clear Kevin's name. As Max sees how many people have jumped ...more

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Aug 25, 2021 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Max Revere heads back to her hometown to attend the funeral of a high school friend. Kevin was charged, but not sentenced, for the murder of another high school friend of Max’s, Lindy. Kevin’s sister does not believe that Kevin killed himself and asks Max to look into it. When she does she starts looking into Lindy’s murder as well and uncovers secrets and lies that may destroy her own family.

Max Revere has some serious family issues. She comes from money and they aren’t happy that she got part ...more

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Sep 27, 2021 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime, adult-themes, law-enforcement, public-library, rated-not-reviewed, romantic-suspense, group-author-book, series-by-author, suspect-in-family, follow-this-series

This first book in the new series grabbed my attention in the first chapter; by the end of the second chapter, I knew I was in for a long night of reading!

It seems to me that this book is more in the mystery end of the spectrum of romantic suspense, which was absolutely fine for me. I did relate in some ways to Maxine (Max), even in the uncomfortable parts of her obsession with absolute honesty [I have gotten myself in trouble sometimes on both ends of the truth-telling situations].

Allison Brenn ...more

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Mar 02, 2014 Dianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: strong-female-characters, arc-read, 1-in-series, netgalley, thriller, own, murder-mystery, adult-fiction, mystery

Brace yourself for the forces of the past and present as they collide with the firestorm that is Max Revere! Notorious by Allison Brennan is one action and intrigue packed moment after another as we are introduced to one of the strongest, and smartest female heroines ever! Max returns home to attend the funeral of a man she once turned her back on when he needed her most. The world she left behind holds no warm memories. Older, wiser and more independent than ever, Maxine is now an investigative Brace yourself for the forces of the past and present as they collide with the firestorm that is Max Revere! Notorious by Allison Brennan is one action and intrigue packed moment after another as we are introduced to one of the strongest, and smartest female heroines ever! Max returns home to attend the funeral of a man she once turned her back on when he needed her most. The world she left behind holds no warm memories. Older, wiser and more independent than ever, Maxine is now an investigative reporter who has tasted danger, exposed the underbelly of life and lived to tell about it.

Max promises the sister of her late best friend she will look into his suicide death, because something just does not sit right, there is more to the story and she is determined to get to the bottom of it, no matter who or what tries to get in her way. Kevin was accused of murder, a crime he swears he did not commit and he was acquitted in the eyes of the law, but branded in his own town. Obsessed with finding the real killer, he spirals into drug and alcohol abuse, until he takes his own life, but not before leaving scattered breadcrumbs for Max to follow. What she discovers has far more impact and uncovers other unsolved crimes and the trail is leading too close to home for her comfort. Few of the local authorities will cooperate, most do all they can to thwart her investigation, but obviously they do not know Max. A fascinating and riveting mystery thriller with one heck of a heroine, Notorious is a twisted ride through the dark tunnels of secrets, danger and the brutal glare of truths revealed!

Allison Brennan knows how to bring life to her characters and lead them down into the world she has created for them like the consummate puppeteer. Max is tough, but feminine, smart and edgy, yet vulnerable to her own mistakes and regrets. She has heart, a conscience and a grit that makes her larger-than-life! The supporting characters keep you guessing, who can she trust, who is hiding something, are they good, evil or just mean-spirited? With each changing page and emotional tension, Ms. Brennan’s style makes this smooth sailing at warp speed. Mystery lovers, here’s your next great read, Mystery newbies, here’s the perfect introduction to a contemporary who-dun-it!

I received this ARC edition from Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Max Revere - Book 1
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN: 9781250035059
Genre: Adult Fiction | Mystery/Thrillers
Number of pages: 337
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Aug 28, 2021 Anita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, kindle-libby-city, mystery

If you like your heroine with baggage, Max is the girl for you. I found her to be a bit on the reckless side and it seems that every time she takes a chance, she ends up in trouble. I really killed the book and this series is going to be great. Allison Brennan writes a great mystery.

Maxine Revere left home for college and never looked back. Except for the occasional visit, she dusted the dirt of Atherton, CA off her shoes and just kept on walking. The death of a high school friend and the reque ...more

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Aug 12, 2021 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it really liked it

Shelves: love-heroine, audio-whispersync, buddy-read, mystery, favorites, series, series-in-progress

After a long self-imposed exile, Max comes home for a funeral of an old friend. She is reminded why she left California when events stir up many old memories. The police rule Kevin’s death a suicide, but his sister doesn’t buy it. She begs Max to use her investigative skills and talk show soap box to expose her brother’s killers. Max is also approached by the Hoffmans to investigate the murder of their grandson, Jason who has a link to Max’s alma mater.

Notorious is a fast-paced story that elabo ...more

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Jun 11, 2018 Christina T rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, 3-stars, ebook, library-find, 1-in-the-series, 2018-book-challenge

An alright book with a hard to connect to heroine but an interesting murder mystery.

The Good: While I might not have enjoyed the ultra rich people and their surroundings I did think the actual mysteries involving the old murder case and the new one were quite intriguing. I liked learning about both murders and Kevin's suicide but honestly this was just about it for the good things in this book.

The Bad: This book was pretty tedious to read. It seemed to take forever because of all the details tha ...more

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