Designs on Murder: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Grace Abraham Publishing
26 March 2019
Print Length: 229 pages
ASIN: B07MYCQJHB
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Grace Abraham Publishing
26 March 2019
Print Length: 229 pages
ASIN: B07MYCQJHB
Synopsis:
Amanda Tucker is excited about opening her fashion design studio in Shops On Main, a charming old building in historic Abingdon, Virginia. She didn't realize a ghost came with the property! But soon Maxine "Max" Englebright, a young woman who died in 1930, isn't the only dead person at the retail complex. Mark Tinsley, a web designer with a know-it-all attitude who also rented space at Shops On Main, is shot in his office.
Amanda is afraid that one of her new "friends" and fellow small business owners is his killer, and Max is encouraging her to solve Mark's murder a la Nancy Drew. Easy for Max to want to investigate--the ghostly fashionista can't end up the killer's next victim!
Book Review by Nadaness In Motion
Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is the first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series. Amanda decides to go on a hunch and start her fashion business in Shops on Main, a building housing several other small businesses. There she discovers her ability to see the place's resident ghost, Maxine "Max" Englebright.
Soon after she settles in, Amanda is confronted by the death of one of the shop owners in the building, Mark the web designer. Meanwhile, Max decides that she and Amanda should take up the task of solving Mark's murder. Despite thinking that this is a crazy idea, the reader can see that Amanda has already been curiously asking questions to uncover more about Mark and possibly his killer.
"I heard [Mark] on the phone a day or two before he was killed telling someone that he was about to get an influx of cash."
We also learn that Mark had a mystery girlfriend. Soon after the murder, one of the shop owners, Janice, claims her shop was broken into, adding to the mystery and the possibility that Mark's killer was still looking for something he couldn't find with Mark.
"Gee, that was awkward," she said. "I was sure you knew."
"Knew?"
"That I'm a ghost."
I loved the cast of characters. Max is smart and hilarious; she constantly lightens the mood and puts Amanda in embarrassing situations. With Max's presence, Amanda finds a friend and becomes attached to the place. Amanda teaches Max how to use her tablet and downloads books and movies for her to read while the shop is closed. I loved their relationship.
"The big difference between you, me, and the old lady in the book is that fictional characters don't get killed for sticking their noses into other peoples' business."
I also liked Amanda's friendly and loving grandfather, who, when Max was not around, brainstormed with her about suspects and ideas. There are lots of other likeable characters in Shops on Main, many of which I expect to appear in later books.
Designs on Murder is narrated from Amanda's first person perspective. There is also lots of conversation, making the pace quite quick and enjoyable.
"Max fanned her face with both hands. 'That man was looking at the small of your back the way a child looks at a chocolate cake.'"
We also get some mystery around Max's death in the 1930's as well as a possible relation between Max's family and Amanda's. Later, a psychic, brought in by Mark's mother, says she could feel Max's presence in Shops on Main, noting that the person – that is Max – may have fallen ill or have been poisoned.
"I can tell you one thing. Your son died because of someone else's secret. But that secret will soon be revealed."
I disliked that Amanda had to often repeat herself when she retelling certain events to her grandfather or other characters. I thought these could just be mentioned in narration rather than half long quotes in the book.
Apart from that, I think Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is a five-star humour-filled read with loveable characters. I'd definitely pick up the following books in the series.
Overall rating: 5 stars
Overall rating: 5 stars
Keep up with the rest of the tour via Escape with Dolly Cas.
Update: This post originally included giveaways, which have ended have been removed for space (and to avoid endless scrolling!)
Update 2: Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson has made it to Nadaness In Motion's Top Books of 2019!
Update 2: Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson has made it to Nadaness In Motion's Top Books of 2019!
About the Author
Going forward, Gayle intends to keep her writing until the Gayle Leeson name. She has a series of women's fiction novellas set in a shopping mall that has been converted to include micro-apartments (the Kinsey Falls series) and has just begun this new cozy series, the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series.
Another Down South Cafe novel is slated for release in August with book two in the Ghostly Fashionista series scheduled for October.
Connect with the Author by signing up for her Newsletter or via her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon.
Keep up with the rest of the blog tour for Designs on Murder below through more book reviews, author and character interviews, guest posts, spotlights, and giveaways.
27 March – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY & Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Thank you for your review on "Designs On Murder" by Gayle Trent and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteLove this author's books and can't wait for the opportunity to read this one. Adorable cover!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thank you, Kay!💕
DeleteThanks for reading the review and commenting, Kay. It was my first read for Gayle - but definitely not my last.
DeleteThanks for entering the giveaway :)
Thank you so much, Nada, for hosting me on your blog today and for your wonderful review!🌹🙂
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome Gayle. It was a lovely book to read. Hope I can pick up the rest of the series as it comes out :)
DeleteThanks so much for your review ad also for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete