The Next Ex (Madeline Carter Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Linda L. Richards (Author)

Book Description

Series: Madeline Carter Novels | Publication Date: December 1, 2005

Even by Hollywood standards, five is a big number when you're counting ex-wives.

Teaching an indulged wife to dabble in the stock market is the last thing former stockbroker Madeline Carter wants to do. But she's lived among the Hollywood elite just long enough to recognize the ubiquitous "favor for a favor" when she sees it, so she reluctantly agrees to tutor the current wife of "A" list film producer Maxi Livingston.

Up until a few days ago the only thing Madeline knew about Maxi was what she'd read in the tabloids. But she soon learns a whole lot more, including the fact that the current Mrs. Livingston has plans to build a nest egg for herself -- in the stock market. Interesting.

But "interesting" doesn't begin to cover it when Maxi's ex-wives are killed off one by one and Madeline finds herself in the middle of a scenario worthy of the most imaginative screenwriter -- where she is the prime suspect.

Very interesting, indeed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mad Money is a breezy debut." -- The Seattle Times

"A bracingly intelligent whodunit." -- Laura Lippman author of To the Power of Three

"For unforgettable characters and sheer suspense, remember Linda L. Richards' name." -- Gayle Lynds, author of The Coil

From the Publisher

Like Sunset Boulevard meets Boiler Room, with elements of classic Hollywood -- both old and new -- plus the high-paced, high tech high jinx of the contemporary financial world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Pre-publication edition (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778322408
• ISBN-13: 978-0778322405
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,859,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the editor and co-founder of JanuaryMagazine.com, one of the Web's leading magazines about books and authors. As a journalist, I've written extensively about books, authors, high tech and business for a number of publications. I am the author of five novels, including the widely acclaimed Mad Money, new in e-book formats. I live in the north Pacific, right in the middle of a rain forest, with my partner, the artist and photographer David Middleton and an Australian Kelpie named Jett.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't want it to end!, June 15, 2006

By 

Monica (Tacoma, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Next Ex (Madeline Carter Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't know anymore what I was expecting when I read THE NEXT EX, but this book wasn't it. The book just works on so many levels. First, it's a mystery and the plot is twisty but it satisfies in the end. There is a financial component to the book and I enjoyed reading about day trading and the stock market. It was also interesting reading about how movie stars really live. I know it's fiction, but it's obvious that Richards knows what she's writing about and some of this stuff was pretty scary.

The story opens on the dead wife of a Hollywood producer who ex-stockbroker Madeline Carter stumbles across at a party. Madeline already knew Keesia and had gotten to be friends with her so she's very sad that the other woman is dead and when Madeline is drawn into finding out how Keesia died, the reader understands.

But Madeline keeps finding more dead wives and ex-wives of this same producer and, along the way, discovers another mystery more than 30 years old.

I loved this book! I didn't want it to end and I can hardly wait for the next book in the Madeline Carter series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book..., December 2, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Next Ex (Madeline Carter Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Former stockbroker Madeline Carter is now a daytrader in Los Angeles. She lives in the guesthouse of movie director Tyler Beckett and his wife, the actress Tasya Saranova. Tyler asks Madeline to tudor the current wife of the famous film producer Maxi Livingston in daytrading. Hollywood thrives on doing favors and cashing in on favors. Favors are, in a way, a currency among the elite social set. Madeline teaches Keesia Livingston the basics on stocks. Maxi agrees to do Tyler's film. Tyler updates and expands Madeline's kitchen and bathroom. See how it works?

Madeline knew almost nothing about the Livingstons until she began teaching Keesia about the market. Surprisingly, Keesia is very smart and picks things up quickly. Madeline and Keesia are on the way to becoming very good friends. But the friendship ends when, during on of Maxi's parties, Madeline comes across Keesia's dead body. This is not all, Keesia was Maxi's FIFTH wife. Shortly thereafter, Maxi's previous wives are being murdered - and Madeline is one of the top suspects.

***** When Madeline finds Keesia's body on page one, the author makes sure that she stabs the hook so quickly into her readers' guts that they never even feel it. The story is told in such a way that I, as the reader, felt able to get into Madeline's head. I could actually see the wheels in her mind working. I could tell what path "Mad" was going down and why. All the clues needed to solve the mystery were available to me, but the author never insulted my intelligence. She even gave me the opportunity to figure it out before the main character did. But will you be able to? Keep your eye on this author. She will go far! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The author was too focused on her next book, December 21, 2011

By 

P. Mumme (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Next Ex (Madeline Carter) (Kindle Edition)

While this book had lots of potential, it failed to live up too it. Too many references to the ex husband that is showcased in book 3. By the end, I realized to late that I had wasted my time reading this train wreck. The third book in the series is equally disappointing. Too bad the author lost her mojo after the first book.