Mildred Aces and Eights

by Toni Kief

In the two weeks Mildred was away, her world came to a halt. Sent home while the Ivory Winds Casino works to reopen. Mildred Petrie discovers she can’t sit and wait.
Luckily, she finds the Little Free Library, soon followed by Opal Best and her little dog, Jimmy Olsen. They develop an immediate friendship as they walk the hidden path to the cemetery. No telling what Jimmy will dig up and all the questions of a possible murder.

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2021

About the author

Toni Kief, a small town Midwestern nomad from a family of high spirits and laughter. Presently in the Northwest, she plans to stay for the view, trees and friends. Her life story includes years in Insurance as an adjuster in Florida and Washington state. A longtime civil rights activist, she shares stories about lunches with politicians, leaders, and artists. Toni’s defines her genre as OA –older adult. She continues to gathers stories prime for embellishment in unlikely situations. Toni is one of the founding directors of The Writers Cooperative of the Pacific Northwest. Sharing more information and short stories at www.tonikief.com.

Reviews

[Eva Pasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mildred in True Form

A fan of Mildred Petrie, the undercover detective of many disguises who patrols the Ivory Winds Casino and answers to G-Ma, the author’s latest in the series did not disappoint. This time, Mildred is on a hiatus from the casino for a couple of weeks until a hacking issue is dealt with.

This time, the septuagenarian’s sleuthing takes her even closer to home in the nearby cemetery where her late husband is interred. Leave it to a dog hell-bent on uncovering a human finger, paving the way for a close friendship with its owner, Opal Best, a resident at the assisted living facility of Mildred’s condo complex.

From thereon, Mildred’s independence, stubbornness, and persistence—traits her fans have grown to appreciate—enable her to dig deeper than Jimmy Olsen into the mystery.

I admire how the author ties clues and characters together, while infusing danger and plenty of humor along the way. It was nice to touch base with Mildred’s family who are on her wavelength when it comes to surveillance. I highly recommend this warm, gratifying read. Mildred won’t sell you short.

[Janice Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mildred is hard-pressed to fill her time. There is an epidemic and the casino is closed. Being in the right place at the wrong time solves her problem and she is soon tangled in a mystery, along with her new BFF. I didn't see the ending coming, which made for an even better read.

[Joni Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review

Basic Details:
Book Title: Mildred Aces and Eights
Subtitle: (Mildred Unchained #5)
Author: Toni Kief
Genre: Crime/Women’s Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 5
Best read after earlier books in series? Can be read as stand-alone
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Mildred returns to her job at the casino after a 2-week cruise, only to find it closed after being hacked. Boredom awaits her. Or does it? Knowing Mildred, something will turn up to keep her occupied.
What I liked about the book:
The book is action-packed.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I loved the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
How Mildred makes friends with people.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the fifth book in the series. I couldn’t stop myself and had to get this one soon after it was published.
What books could this be compared to and why?
I’ve not read any books like this before other than the first two in the series. Very enjoyable.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes

If you like mysteries with humour, this book may be the book for you.
I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
In the two weeks Mildred was away, her world came to a halt. Sent home while the Ivory Winds Casino works to reopen. Mildred Petrie discovers she can’t sit and wait.
Luckily, she finds the Little Free Library, soon followed by Opal Best and her little dog, Jimmy Olsen. They develop an immediate friendship as they walk the hidden path to the cemetery. No telling what Jimmy will dig up and all the questions of a possible murder.
About the Author:
Toni Kief, a small town Midwestern nomad from a family of high spirits and laughter. Presently in the Northwest, she plans to stay for the view, trees and friends. Her life story includes years in Insurance as an adjuster in Florida and Washington state. A longtime civil rights activist, she shares stories about lunches with politicians, leaders, and artists. Toni’s defines her genre as OA –older adult. She continues to gathers stories prime for embellishment in unlikely situations. Toni is one of the founding directors of The Writers Cooperative of the Pacific Northwest. Sharing more information and short stories at www.tonikief.com.

[Jess Frankel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm no stranger to Ms. Kief's style of writing or her Mildred series, and #5 doesn't disappoint. Fast-moving, fun, and with references to Superman, it is a delight from start to finish.

When a pandemic closes down the casino where Mildred works in her G-Ma guise, Mildred finds herself with time on her hands. Anyone over the age of sixty-five would be bored. Not her, and soon she's solving yet another problem with her trademark sharp wit.

Excellent characters, solid dialogue, humor...if you haven't picked up a Toni Kief 'Mildred' book, then shame on you, shame on your house, your cat, and the fork you shovel food into your pie-hole with. Totally worth reading.

[Chloe Holiday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! While it features an older woman, she's vibrant, funny, alive, and proactive, handling age and loss with humor and grace. I loved the buddy aspect of it, the mystery, and the depictions of family, both assigned and found.

It's part of a series, but can be read as a standalone story without confusion. Mildred rocks!

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book

I have read all five of these books now. Mildred may be old but she observes things the police don't. I love her character and her family interaction. I hope there will be many more books.