Off the Charts – the questionable behavior of dahlia moss (Max Wirestone)

Ahoy there me mateys!  Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi, fantasy, and young adult, this Captain does have broader reading tastes.  So occasionally I will share some novels that I enjoyed that are off the charts (a non sci-fi, fantasy, or young adult novel), as it were.  Here is:

the questionable behavior of dahlia moss (Max Wirestone)

I received this silly, goofy contemporary murder mystery eARC from Goodreads Giveaways. Arrrrr!  I was so excited to read this third book in the dahlia moss mysteries series.  If ye haven’t read the first book, the unfortunate decisions of dahlia moss, then ye might want to skip this post and go read me review of the first book.  No spoilers ahead but if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

So me hearties, I had absently said “I wonder what I should next read” when standing in me hold within the hearing of the first mate.  And he exclaimed, “Something fun, that makes ye happy!”  And I immediately knew that it was this book.  This wonderful delightful book.  When I showed the first mate me pick, his response was ” [chuckle] I like when ye read those Dahlia books.  Ye heartily laugh out loud and then tell me about ’em.”

Yes, that is just what I did.  Laughed and laughed.  This was the zaniest, silliest book yet.  After (barely) surviving her last two adventures, Dahlia is hired as a corporate spy on a mission to catch another corporate spy bent on espionage.  Dahlia has to pose as a temp in order to go undercover and solve the case.  The company – an app developer!

Seriously I didn’t think that Dahlia could up the ante on the last mission but this one was both absurd and delightful.  The sheer number of people and intertwined problems in this one were ridiculously awesome.  Dahlia is a mess but a fun one.  It was a delight to see her put her questionable charming personality and skills to the test.  If it hasn’t been clear, I loved it!!

The only sad part was that the ending of the book felt like an ending to the series.  A fond, happy farewell.  But a farewell nonetheless.  I could read many more books about Dahlia.  I would love the author to write oodles and gobs more.  Heed me words, Matey Wirestone!  If not, then I will read whatever this author writes next!

So lastly . . .

Thank ye kindly Redhook Books and Goodreads Giveways!

The author’s website has this to say about the novel:

“Working for a games development company is my dream job. So, when a slightly sketchy lawyer offered me the opportunity, I had to take it!  Who cares that the company has some quirks? No job is perfect. Some questionable, but probably totally normal issues:

A mysterious whistle-blower is posting the industry’s dirty laundry on Reddit.
An unidentified corpse is in the staff room.
The game under development is for filthy casuals, and unwisely involves matching talking peppermints.
My job, technically speaking, is “Industry Spy.”

It’s all just a typical day at the office. Right?

To visit the author’s website go to:

Max Wirestone – Author

To buy the novel please visit:

the questionable behavior of dahlia moss – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

the unfortunate decisions of dahlia moss – book 1 (Off the Charts – Contemporary Humor)

the astonishing mistakes of dahlia moss – book 2 (Off the Charts – Contemporary Humor)