IN THE DRINK is the third book in Allyson K. Abbott's Mack's Bar mystery series. I think that you should read it only after reading the previous two books in the series, not only because they are great mysteries, but because there are numerous complex relationships and things that are referred to from the other books. Reading the previous books will give you a better understanding of the characters, which works out well because IN THE DRINK is the best book in the series so far, as well as delightfully maddening.

There are two mysteries in this novel and both are equally complex and fascinating. The first is a cold case that Mack and her fellow members of the Capone Club are working on. I love cold case mysteries, so this one interested me. This is a little personal for the members of the Capone Club because it involves the murdered sister of one of the members, Tiny, and her friend when both girls were teenagers. This case takes many twists and turns and is definitely not as cut and dry as first thought. Allyson K. Abbott provides many believable suspects. I like that the suspects are complex characters and how some of them are sympathetic.

The second mystery in IN THE DRINK is extremely personal for Mackenzie "Mack" Dalton since it involves a crazy letter writer threatening her, her friends, loved ones, and employees. The drama is heightened because Mack's crew is such a tight-knit group. The paranoia over whom and where the madman could be add a huge jolt of danger and excitement to this otherwise cozy mystery series. The sometimes elaborate clues sent by the villain and the teamwork of the good guys to decipher them present a great puzzle for the reader as well. A new character is introduced to the series because of this storyline. Mack's love interest, Detective Albright, brings in undercover cop Malachi "Mal" O'Reilly to watch over Mack under the guise of being her new man. The immediate and sometimes uncomfortable attraction between Mal and Mack add some wonderful romantic tension to the already heady mix. Even though I like the pairing of Mack and Duncan Albright, I like Mal a lot as well, so I ended up being just as conflicted as Mack.

IN THE DRINK has so many layers and is such a great mix of wonderful characters, mind-bending puzzles, with a dash of romance. IN THE DRINK is full of surprises and the momentum never lets up. It will be agony waiting for the next installment of this amazing Mack's Bar series by Allyson K. Abbott.