Review and Giveaway: Gossamer Ghost

Gossamer Ghost (Scrapbooking Mystery - Book 12) by Laura Childs

Publication Date: 10/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 04252666643
ISBN-13: 978-04252666643

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Laura Childs on the WEB: website, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Scrapbooking Mysteries

  1. Keepsake Crimes
  2. Photo Finished
  3. Bound for Murder
  4. Motif for Murder
  5. Frill Kill
  6. Death Swatch
  7. Tragic Magic 
  8. Fiber & Brimestone
  9. Skeleton Letters
10. Postcards From the Dead
11. Gilt Trip
12. Gossamer Ghost

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, Gossamer Ghost, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Carmela Bertrand knows that Halloween in New Orleans means a week of rabble-rousing, costumed craziness—and she can’t wait to get the party started. But when a local antiques dealer turns up dead, Carmela suddenly finds herself in a real-life danse macabre…

An evening’s work deciding on the class schedule for her scrapbooking shop has put Carmela in the mood to kick up her heels. But after some strange noises draw her into Oddities, the neighboring antiques shop, Carmela’s night is abruptly put on hold when a bloody body falls out of a curio cabinet—and into her arms.

While shop owner Marcus Joubert was known for being an eccentric with a penchant for eclectic merchandise, Carmela never thought he was the kind of man who could inspire the passion required to kill. But when Marcus’s assistant—and fiancée—Mavis reveals that a priceless death mask was also stolen, it becomes clear that murder wasn’t the culprit’s sole intention.

Carmela can’t resist the urge to investigate the growing mystery, but as the list of suspects increases, she realizes it’ll take every trick in the book to unmask the killer thief before there’s another night of murderous mischief…

Thoughts:

Cozy mystery fans, scrap-booking fans and even fans of voodoo will enjoy Laura Childs latest book. Book twelve in the Scrap-booking mystery series, Gossamer Ghost finds heroine Carmela and her sidekick Ava in the middle of mystery with the Day of the Dead right around the corner. The New Orleans setting at Halloween is the perfect backdrop for a diabolical murder and some stolen property. Fans of the series will love Carmela's antics and relish in her latest adventure in the "Big Easy!"

What I liked:

As many of you know Laura Childs is one of my favorite cozy writers. She has such a knack for setting the scene and bringing it to life. Her descriptions of New Orleans at this wonderful time of year were riveting. There is so much history and mystery surrounding the city and Childs uses it to her advantage in every book in this series. If you never wanted to visit the "Big Easy" before, you will after you read this book! I can just see myself visiting Carmela's scrap-booking shop and puttering around in Ava's voodoo store. I might even visit Joubert's antique shop. I think readers will find the setting exceptional as always with Childs books and having themselves wishing it was all real.

The mystery in each of the scrap-booking mysteries is always realistic and well thought out. In Gossamer Ghost readers are treated to a murder that may stem from a French mask that is worth a ton of money. The questions are... who murdered Joubert to get it? Did Joubert obtain it by illegal means? Was it worth killing over? I love it when Childs keeps me guessing and she certainly did with this one. The setting is always amazing but nitty-gritty of the mystery is what keeps readers coming back to this series and Gossamer Ghost does not disappoint in the least. I loved it when Joubert's body came flying into Carmela's arms, that was a nice touch! Having the mystery take place during Halloween was also a great plot device. Not much scarier than a murder in New Orleans, close to the Day of the Dead. *shivers*

Carmela and Ava make such a good team as well. Carmela tends to be a little on the more sedate side. She is controlled, although a bit snoopy. But Ava is spontaneous and vibrant. They compliment each other so well and their friendship is both dynamic and strong. Carmela's relationship with Babcock is also one of those relationship's that bring out the good things in each of the people. Edgar brings stability and strength to the table and Carmela tends to make him think outside the box. I love all of the personal drama, just much as the mystery in this series. 

What I didn't like:

There were a few things in this one that didn't make a whole lot of sense in the overall story. That doesn't happen too often with one of Childs' books, but in this case it did pop up a couple of times. I like for each significant thing that happens in the book to have a rhyme and reason to it and there were a couple of things that didn't. It was still an excellent book and deserves the five apple rating!

Bottom Line:

I loved this one just as much as any other book in the series and I know that fans of Laura Childs will as well. The mystery was engaging and took a clear path. The setting mas magical. New Orleans at Halloween... simply perfect! Gossamer Ghost is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next one. Carmela is one my favorite heroine's!

Gossamer Ghost is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbooking Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries. She is a consummate tea drinker, scrapbooker, and dog lover, and travels frequently to China and Japan with Dr. Bob, her professor husband. In her past life she was a Clio Award–winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, October 28th.

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