The author of Crushed Velvet is back with another Material Witness Mystery!
The Blurb
Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe
can get tangled up in textiles, but it’s murder
that really throws her for a loop...
The time has come for San Ladrón, California’s annual Miss Tangorli beauty pageant, and Poly has agreed to use Material Girl’s inventory of shimmery silks to create embellished gowns fit for a crown. But when millionaire Harvey Halliwell — the man who revived the city’s citrus trade with his imported tangorli tree — is found dead days before the pageant contestants are announced, something sour takes over the town.
To make matters worse, her friend, mechanic Charlie Brooks, is soon caught up in the crime, having been seen in the company of the case’s prime suspect. Now Poly’s on a mission to squeeze out the truth. But as she searches for a pattern, the killer seems intent on cutting up the evidence…
To make matters worse, her friend, mechanic Charlie Brooks, is soon caught up in the crime, having been seen in the company of the case’s prime suspect. Now Poly’s on a mission to squeeze out the truth. But as she searches for a pattern, the killer seems intent on cutting up the evidence…
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PRAISE FOR THE MATERIAL WITNESS MYSTERIES
“An engaging new series with
an intelligent, resourceful heroine.”
—SOFIE KELLY, New York Times bestselling author
of the Magical Cats Mysteries
“Vallere weaves a tapestry of finely knit
characters, luxurious fabrics, and…murder.”
—JANET BOLIN, national bestselling author
of the Threadville Mysteries
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INCLUDES A CRAFT PROJECT
Silk Stalkings by Diane Vallere
Series: A Material Witness Mystery, #3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime / Penguin
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0425270599
ISBN-13: 978-0425270592
Series: A Material Witness Mystery, #3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime / Penguin
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0425270599
ISBN-13: 978-0425270592
e-Book File Size: 2279 KB
ASIN: B01839Q47C
ASIN: B01839Q47C
The Review
Silk Stalkings is the third book in the Material Witness Mysteries starring Polyester (Poly) Monroe, and can be read as a standalone. Author Diane Vallere adds enough backstory from Suede to Rest (#1) and Crushed Velvet (#2) so that readers new to the series can keep up. (In my opinion, you will enjoy Silk Stalkings even more if you read the series in order, although I may be biased.)
I was glad to see that all of the cast members from the previous books are present in Silk Stalkings, because they are such a part of the fabric of San Ladrón. There are a plethora of new characters introduced also. The new characters are connected with the pageant in one way or another — as contestants, Giovanni's "girls," or Tangorli / Halliwell employees. (This gives an additional pool of potential suspects for the sheriff to pin the murder on.) My favorite characters are Poly, her special friend Vaughn, and his mother Adelaide. All of the characters, those featured in the forefront of the story and those on the fringes, are well-written, well-rounded, and realistic.
Silk Stalkings (almost known as Satin Worship) is lively and fun. I found myself zipping along as I read it, to find out whodunit. Author Diane Vallere has included clues to the identity of the perpetrator. (I didn't notice one clue, and didn't realize the significance of another clue. Sigh.) Poly and I figured out whodunit at the same time. Can you decipher the clues and solve the mystery? Your work is cut out for you.
Author Diane Vallere had me in stitches many times, between the witty dialogue and humorous situations in her book. I like the final scene, with the women dressed to kill in their pageant finery. Silk Stalkings ends with juicy hints about the next book, since certain characters have patched up their relationships and improved their patterns of behavior with each other. I can't wait to read Book #4 in Author Diane Vallere's Material Witness Mystery series!
I really enjoyed Silk Stalkings, and bestow upon it Four Kitties!
Four out of five kitties
Note: I received a complimentary copy of Silk Stalkings from the author,in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions shared are 100% my own.
Click here, to read other reviews and spotlights!
The Author
About Diane Vallere
The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST, CRUSHED VELVET, and SILK STALKINGS.
The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY; BUYER, BEWARE; THE BRIM REAPER; and SOME LIKE IT HAUTE. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor). Book 5, GRAND THEFT RETRO, was just released in May 2016.
The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in mid-century design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK, THAT TOUCH OF INK, and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL. A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE.
The new Costume Shop Cozy Mysteries feature former magician’s assistant Margo Tamblyn who has come home to run her family’s costume chop. A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR was released February 2, 2016. MASKING FOR TROUBLE will be released October 4, 2016.
The Giveaway
A Kindle Fire pre-loaded with Diane Vallere’s four first in series books,
awarded to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
awarded to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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