In Mint Condition

 

 

In Mint Condition: A Me Too Mystery
by M.L. Ortega

About In Mint Condition 

 

 

In Mint Condition: A Me Too Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting: Orange County California
Independently Published (June 3, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 146 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8396902985
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C6WDQCJG

 

Single mom Maggie Chessman finds what might be a valuable Chinese porcelain bowl. When she takes it to be appraised at the local antique store, In Mint Condition, she finds a dead vendor. To her cop boyfriend’s dismay, this isn’t the first body she’s discovered, including a naked corpse in a model home and her dead sister-in-law at a local salon. But, unknown to him, this one is the corpse of a man who abused her as a child.

If the truth comes out, she might be the prime suspect in his murder. Her best friend and her therapist rally around her, discussing other suspects – the victim had a hand in a variety of crimes and sins.

As Maggie discovers, no adult is in mint condition, life takes its toll on everyone.

About M.L. Ortega

M.L. Ortega, a member of Sisters In Crime, is the author of The Conditions Series. Publisher Weekly said of the first book in the series, Turn Key Condition, “the entire production is . . an appealing mystery comedy.”

She lives in Southern California and enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and two cats.

Q&A With the Author:

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

In 2013, my son took a required college course dealing with human sexuality. One day, he told me that he’d read that forty percent of women had experienced sexual harassment/abuse. Wow! That seemed like a lot. That translated to four out of ten of my friends. None of them fit into the portrait of traumatized basket cases the entertainment media had painted. I began to wonder what that might mean for a woman I personally knew. So I wrote a book about Maggie Chessman, "Turn Key Condition". Research along the way gave me details to add about challenges survivors face and coping skills that my character, Maggie, developed.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

The strong friendship between Maggie and Jane.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?

In Mint Condition is the third book in the Condition series. Turn Key Condition and Shampoo & Condition preceded it. I’m working on the fourth book in the series. 

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future? 

I enjoy gardening and a friend of mine is a landscape designer. Perhaps, in the fourth book, I’ll have Maggie discover a body when she digs up a yard to begin a landscaping project. 

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I try to begin each book with an unusual death. And, of course, I need another title using a phrase that includes the word “Condition”. Maybe some of your followers can suggest a title for the upcoming book. 

Since cozies are known for their snappy, pun-ny titles, any title using ‘condition’ and a gardening phrase would be appreciated.

Author Links

Blogsite: mlortega | A fine WordPress.com site

FaceBook: M.L. Ortega

Twitter: @OrtMarlin

Instagram: mlowriter

Bookbub: M.L. Ortega

Purchase Link – Amazon 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 13 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

November 13 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 14 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 14 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

November 15 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 15 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

November 17 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

November 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 19 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

November 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

 

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here