Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 272
ISBN-10: 0425251934
ISBN-13: 978-0425251935
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound
Annette Blair on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Books in the series:
A Veiled Deception (2008), Larceny and Lace (2009), Death by Diamonds (2010), Skirting the Grave (2011), Cloaked in Malice (2012), Tulle Death Do Us Part (2013)
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from Tulle Death Do Us Part, courtesy of the author's website.
Synopsis:
National bestselling author Annette Blair’s “fast-paced, fascinating” (Fresh Fiction) Vintage Magic series continues as clothing boutique owner Madeira Cutler takes on a murder from the past that won’t stay dead...
Maddie’s love of classic fashion has made her Vintage Magic boutique a success—even if the visions she experiences when touching certain items often lead her into trouble. Decades ago, at a Mystic Country Club costume ball, a secret scavenger hunt ended in an unexplained death, hastily concealed.
Now, Maddie's invited to participate in a similar anniversary event: but one touch of the vintage petticoat used to hide evidence of the original crime hurtles Maddie into a scavenger hunt of her own. She must find missing petticoat pieces and re-stitch the clues it reveals...to expose a killer!
Thoughts:
Annette Blair brings readers the sixth book in the Vintage Magic Mystery series, Tulle Death Do Us Part. Once again vintage dress shop owner, Maddie Cutler and her friends find themselves knee deep in a mystery, as a vintage petticoat sends Maddie 40 years in the past to a scavenger hunt gone bad. Blair's use of the paranormal only gets better in her latest book and readers of the series are in for a few surprises in both Maddie's personal and professional life. Blair's knack for using the past to figure out the clues in this mystery is both entertaining and enlightening.
I have enjoyed the Vintage Magic series since I started reading it in 2011. I loved the idea of mixing a good old fashioned cozy mystery with the paranormal. Not the vampire and werewolf kind of paranormal but the tried and true ghostly kind. The whole idea of a heroine with psychometic abilities had a lot of potential and couldn't wait to see where Annette Blair would lead with this series. Her latest book, Tulle Death Do Us Part, continues to use that special mix of cozy and paranormal and a touch of history added in and I'll have to say I am still very invested in this series.
Maddie Cutler is such an interesting character. Not only is her gift intriguing and something that adds a lot of interest to the story, but her personal relationships and the people she comes in contact with draw the reader in and help them to become invested. In her latest book, Blair makes some changes to Maddie's personal life that will thrill some readers and leave others with their mouths hanging open. I was on the fence about this new development. I'm not quite sure Blair sold it. But I'm intrigued to see where things go with it and can't wait to see what happens next.
The mystery aspect of this one was quite well written. I liked the idealism behind it. A murder happened forty years ago among a group of spoiled debutantes and their friends who have now become pillars of the community. When Maddie touches a petticoat belonging to one of the witnesses to what really happened, the mystery is on. I liked the way that resident ghost Dante helped solve the crime by knowing who these people were. I liked the way that Maddie and Eve had the perfect opportunity to investigate by being a part of an event at the same country club where the murder occurred. But I wasn't too keen on the big reveal. The way Blair went about it was a bit inconsistent with what I would expect from a law enforcement professional. But that didn't spoil the chase, the clues, the inventive motives or the juicy list of suspects. I liked it a lot.
Readers of the series will love this one and it will certainly draw in a new crowd as well. Blair does an amazing job with her characters and her mysteries are really fun to read. I love Maddie has a heroine and I hope this won't be the last in the series.
Tulle Death Do Us Part is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Tulle Death Do Us Part by Annette Blair.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, August 6th.
1. Please leave a comment describing a vintage piece of clothing or jewelry you have in your collection or would like to have.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
18 comments:
It sounds almost spooky/eerie. I'd love to read this.
I love the covers of these books, thank you for the chance to win the new one.
I have some vintage jewelry I got after my grandmother died. One piece was a necklace from the Naval Academy. Apparently before she dated my grandfather she dated a young man from who was attending the Academy and kept the necklace they gave their girlfriends. I had never heard the story when she was alive. The other is an Honors award watch fob my grandfather got from the college most of our family also attended. I wear it on a necklace. Great family history pieces.
I don't have any vintage jewelry, I wish I did, I absolutely love it.
Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I have some vintage jewelry and a dress.
CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net
I did have a ring with the date 1919 on it, I have not looked to see if it is still there.
rblerner@ptd.net
My maternal grandmother was very active in the real estate business until the day she died. I attended many Realtor Board dinners with her. When she died I received the fake diamond tiara she used to wear to formal affairs. I also have her wedding veil. That veil is over 100 years old now and we've had it preserved for future family brides.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I have a Vintage ring that was my Grandmothers and I treasure it! =)
I love mysteries and the covers on these books are gorgeous . I do have some vintage jewelry .would love to win . thanks
I have some jewelry that was my grandparents. I particularly like a pocket watch that belonged to my grandfather--even though it is very plain, I like the heavy feel of it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I have a vintage brooch that my grandfather gave my mother when she was very young. I cherish it.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
maybe want a vintage book
maybe want a vintage book
Would love to own TENNIS CAMEO BROOCHES/PENDANTS (1900s)
Thanks for the chance to win a "vintage" mystery.
I have a vintage bracelet and ring that belonged to my Grandma Lizzie, who died in 1953. Both the ring and bracelet are set with a blue stones that resembles blue topaz and the design is filigree. I had them appraised by the Antiques Roadshow in 2008, the set was worth $250.
i wear my Dad's wedding ring, so does that count as a vintage piece of jewelry?!?!?
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I have a pin that is unique and unusual from my mother which I am saving for my granddaughter. Small and delicate with tiny stones. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Pearls that were my mom's (I am 93)
gmapeony@yahoo.com
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