Matthew Paine Mysteries Reviewed
Common review themes
Across the series of books common review themes include:
- The series is reminiscent of Agatha Christie, Louise Penny, and Margaret Maron
- The books stand alone, but the series is ultimately bingeable
- The books get the point across minus gory details and smut -- they're clean
See the following excerpts from some of the comments across multiple review platforms, from multiple reviewers.
The Matthew Paine classic mysteries collection of southern murder mysteries
Dead Spots
Great mystery!
“Hats off to Lee Clark for a great debut novel! The book is well-paced and the dialogue between the characters held my attention. Recommended for anyone who likes a good mystery / crime drama without the gore.”
Great mystery with lots of unexpected twists!
“What a great read with so many unexpected turns! Lee Clark does an amazing job introducing and intertwining the characters in such a way that I could hardly put the book down. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!”
Great read!
“I loved reading Dead Spots and I look forward to the next book in the series! It was fun to try to figure out who committed the crime. There was lots of action, with a good twist at the end that I didn't see coming.”
A very exciting mystery!!
“Dead Spots was well written! I couldn't put it down! I look forward to reading more books by Lee Clark!”
Entertaining and Fun Read
“This was the perfect book for my beach vacation. It was fun and entertaining, and had very interesting characters. I'm not ready to leave this group behind so I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!”
Incredible book!
“I was hooked until the very end!”
Best book
“Dead Spots by Lee Clark was the best book I have read in a long time! Lee is a talented writer. Can't wait to read her next book!”
Totally enjoyed
“I was captured from the first page. Anxiously awaiting the next book!”
It was wonderful!
“Exciting surprises, unexpected ending and I am reading it all over again!”
Prefer Death
So much fun!
“Unexpected thrills throughout this book!”
A mystery hard to put down
“I have enjoyed both of Lee Clark's books about Matthew Paine. Her style reminds me of Agatha Christie's novels. Would highly recommend her books if you enjoy an old-fashioned murder mystery.”
Enjoyable, clean mystery
“The second in the Matthew Paine Mystery series, I would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries without graphic gore and excessive violence. I enjoyed the first book, Dead Spots, and it made me want to follow this new author, so I was glad to pick this one up.”
Exciting & a fast read
“Another great read by a brilliant author, Lee Clark. This mystery keeps you turning pages! It's fun to recognize the characters from the first book. Can't wait for book 3!!”
It is a real page-turner!
“The book was full of action, insightful, and well written. Anxious to read the next in this series.”
Page turner
“Very enjoyable read. Keeps you wondering what's the next twist. I particularly enjoy the way the author develops the personality of the characters. Now waiting to see what happened to Ariel.”
Prefer Death, second in the Matthew Paine classic southern murder mystery series
MIA
Excellent!
“Matthew Paine returns in MIA, the third installment in the Matthew Paine Mysteries series. This time Dr. Paine (lol) is helping his colleague, Dr. Rob, locate his daughter, who has gone missing while on a mission trip in Miami.Matthew immediately heads to Miami with Detective Danbury to chase any and all leads. But, with each clue he discovers, another person close to him goes missing.What is happening in Miami and will Matthew be able to find his friends before it’s too late?I really enjoyed the third installment of this series. I appreciate that Lee Clark writes murder mysteries that keep you guessing and that she does so without using blood and gore or graphic scenes.”
It is a real page-turner!
“Great book! It was the quality of the best books by Baldacci, Patterson, Grisham, Vince Flinn, and Daniel Silva! A must read!”
This is number 3 however, it could also be a stand alone read. BUT you want to read the first two!
“The author develops the main characters in this third book in the event you have not read the first two books in this series. Even if you have read the first two books, it's a memory refresher. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and the suspense made you keep turning the pages. Highly recommend!!”
Great third book in the series, or as a stand-alone
“I recently completed MIA, the third book in the Matthew Paine mystery series. The subject matter made for an interesting page turner. I was very pleased with the consistency of main characters - Dr. Matthew Paine and Detective Danbury from the previous two books and with the introduction of some new characters. Clark's depiction of the setting is realistic - every time someone steps out into Miami's heat and humidity my hair starts to frizz!If you have read the previous books you will enjoy Matthew's latest investigative adventure. However, if you are just poking around for something new to read this summer you will not be disappointed or lost by jumping into book #3. Clark gives just enough background, providing sufficient foundation of Matthew and his companions for someone new to the series.Enjoy!”
Five stars
“I have enjoyed all of the Matthew Paine Mysteries, but I really loved this 3rd one.”
An exciting adventure of Dr Matthew Paine
“It keeps you on your toes as you follow his adventures to discover the reason Ariel was kidnapped and his attempt to rescue her.”
It's Good!
“Thoroughly enjoy her books about Dr. Paine!”
Christmas Punch
Great mystery
I didn't figure it out till the end which is always a sign of a well written mystery.
Matthew Paine mysteries continue
I was excited to see this new book by Lee Clark. Although this is part of a series, Christmas Punch could easily be read as a stand-alone. It’s a good clean mystery somewhat like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories. The book is well paced and kept my attention for the entirety. I look forward to Dr. Paine’s next adventure. This book would be a great Christmas mystery read or a gift for friends who like mysteries!
Matthew Paine is solving mysteries again, a fun book!!
Just when Dr Matthew Paine had decided that he would no longer consult for the police department, a murder takes place that gets him involved. After several attempts on his life because he was getting too close, he realizes that he has to solve the murder in order to survive! The conclusion keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has a stunning ending! This is a book that you can't put down!
A well-developed, clean mystery!
I read this story without reading the other books in the series. There is some reference to prior events, but I didn't feel I needed to go back to the others in order to enjoy this story. The characters and plot were interesting, and I felt curious to know who committed the crime…like any good mystery, some other mysterious events occurred to keep the reader engaged. By the end, one surprise event had made it difficult for me to put the book down, and I was happy with the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, clean mystery!
The Matthew Paine series gets better with each book
Christmas Punch follows Matthew as he attempts to help Detective Danbury solve the murder of one of the senior partners at Cici’s law firm. Is the murderer the most obvious suspect or is there something a little more sinister going on? What I appreciate most about Lee Clark’s writing is that the mystery is there but it’s not gory or scary. It has just the right amount of suspense.
This is book 4 of the Matthew Paine series
I hadn’t read any of the previous books but it holds up really well as a standalone read, which really surprised me. I am going to have to order the first 3 now as I think I just found my latest series to binge. I really loved Matthew. He is a solid character with a lot of good qualities. Really great whodunnit read so if you love mystery books that keep you guessing, then you have to add this series to your list. Well worth the read!
Murder She Writes
I know that's a take on Agatha Christie's books but quite appropriate here. Lee did a good job bringing the reader into the story. Once in I couldn't leave until I found out who 'dunnit.' I was surprised with the ending...didn't expect it at all! She did a lot of research on all the professions of the main characters, which made everything very realistic.
Christmas Punch is a good mystery
The mystery is not easy to figure out and kept my interest until the end. For those that like romance, there is a good love story between the 2 main characters to keep your interest as well. This would make a wonderful Christmas present.
Christmas Punch, fourth in the Matthew Paine classic southern murder mystery series
Iced
Goodreads Five Star recommendation
“Lee Clark has hit her stride with this book. Iced: A Matthew Paine Mystery is the fifth book in the Matthew Paine Mysteries and is the best yet. This novel brings in all the favorite characters from her earlier books, has a great plot, good pacing, tension in all the right places, and kept me guessing. Just what I want in a good mystery.
Love the friendship between Matthew Paine, the physician, and Danbury the Detective. They make a good crime-solving team with each of them bringing special skills to the table to solve murder investigations. There are multiple murders in this one, but common threads are found. The setting at the strip club was interesting, as well as the interactions with the homeless and the way both Matthew and Danbury reach out to help those in need. I liked getting to know more about Penn, Danbury's girlfriend.
I've followed this series from the start and watched the author grow and become more confident. The writing as well as the characters have grown and this book showcases the maturity. I look forward to the next Matthew Paine adventure."
BookBub 5 Star recommendation
“Iced is the latest in Lee Clark’s Matthew Paine series. Iced takes you in all kinds of directions as Mathew, a small town family doctor, and Detective Danbury attempt to solve their latest crime mystery together. But it’s never just one crime. And it’s never just one mystery! Each book in the series has further developed the main characters and their relationships with each other. With Iced, it feels as if you are right there in the fictional town of Peak, NC, eating at the Peak’s Eats Diner.
When a body, a frozen body, is found floating in the pool of a house while the family is away on a long vacation, Matthew and Danbury begin the search for the killer and they take you along for the ride. How did the body get there, why is it frozen, and how can the victim’s strikingly blue eyes still be so vibrant that long after her death?
Another well written story that you will have trouble putting down.”
Bookfunnel 5 star recommendation
“I'm a sucker for a cat and mouse thriller but this one has a twist. Well written, fast paced. and characters are so well developed, you'll feel as though you were part of the book. Loved every twist, held my breath throughout. Well worth reading again.”
Goodreads 5 star recommendation
"I was really excited to read this next installment in the Matthew Paine series. I had gotten to love the characters in the previous book, so it was fun to see their next steps. The story is about a woman who is found frozen, but the detective can't figure out who, how, and why. These questions remain until the surprise ending. Along the way there are many unexpected paths that lead to the killer. It's exciting, interesting, and I got to use some of my Spanish knowledge with the inclusion of a wide variety of characters including one who speaks Spanish. The book is very well written. I like how even the minor characters are important. I would highly recommend this book to those who like mysteries."
Forbidden Relics
Goodreads Recommendation
“I loved this one! It’s my favorite book of Lee’s so far. She writes with such detail that you feel like you’re right there with the characters. This one feels more thriller than murder mystery although there is a murder or two to solve. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t know who the guilty party was. I can’t wait for her next book!
I highly recommend reading this book or any of the books in the series, which are all interconnected stand-alone novels.”
Instagram Review
“I love this series and I loved this book. It’s fast-paced with lots of action happening. Your head will be spinning as you read this one — that’s a promise.”
Barnes & Noble 5 star Recommendation
“I'm a sucker for a cat and mouse thriller but this one has a twist. Well written, fast paced. and characters are so well developed, you'll feel as though you were part of the book. Loved every twist, held my breath throughout. Well worth reading again.”
Goodreads 5 star Recommendations
"Matthew and Detective Danbury try to find a group of missing Ukrainian missionaries but find themselves embroiled in something much more sinister. This thriller continues the Matthew Paine series and although I had not read any previously I did not feel it was necessary to enjoy this fast paced book. There was a satisfying conclusion so no cliffhangers. The author explains what influenced her to write this book and that was as interesting as the novel itself.."
“Lee Clark continues to delight with Forbidden Relics, the sixth novel in her Mathew Paine series. Although Mathew has sworn off his position as Medical Consultant to the local police department, he and Danbury are drawn into a thrilling case to find the missing Ukrainian missionaries. Set in 2020, in Forbidden Relics, Clark weaves modern day alarms regarding relations between Russia and the Ukraine, an unknown virus, and concerns regarding the church’s relevance throughout this stirring tale of the search for the missing missionaries. Once I started Forbidden Relics, I could not put it down!”
Get social with us
