Monday, August 29, 2016

Dressed for Death

GIVEAWAY

DEERING, JULIANNA
DRESSED FOR DEATH

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she had taken the drug intentionally, and the dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or a murder.

The police have their own information, though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he has trusted since his childhood -- someone who has been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover -- or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

My Review:

I've been binge watching BBC period dramas and I can totally see Drew Farthering as the next heartthrob in his own mini-series. Sort of an Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey. It would be a runaway hit.

Drew has a flare for solving murders and he's long thought of his talent as God given but his confidence is shaken in Dressed for Death and he finds himself struggling to come to terms with some hard truths.

This is the fourth Drew Farthering mystery and while it is still filled with witty dialogue and droll humour, it isn't as lighthearted as the first three books. There's  a more serious tone to this novel as Drew turns introspective, second guessing his life's purpose. He must learn not to lean on his own understanding, choosing instead to follow where God leads.

Drew and Madeline are now newlyweds. I love the dynamics between this very proper English Aristocrat and his Yankee wife. He's completely besotted -- always ready with the most cliché lines which are actually endearing since he means every outrageous declaration. Madeline has him wrapped around her little finger and he doesn't mind at all.

An intense mystery with plenty of twists and turns and a number of surprises kept me guessing right to the very end. And most of my guesses were wrong! No armchair sleuthing award for me this round. I didn't even make the finals! I found Dressed for Death to be witty and intriguing and delightfully captivating.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Dressed for Death please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 4 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

29 comments:

  1. Kav,
    We have this series in the church library and our readers love this author. Thanks for entering me in your latest giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a great series -- pretty unique for a cozy mystery. Good luck, Janet.

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  2. I am looking forward to reading this series. The mystery sounds interesting. I love a challenge when I read mysteries. Thanks for the giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It's really like watching a BBC mystery! Good luck, Loraine.

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  3. I've been hearing a lot about this book, and I'd love to read it. Who doesn't go for a good mystery?
    Amber Schamel
    visionwriter2 at gmail dot com

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    1. And the British angle is such a delightful twist. Good luck, Amber.

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  4. I haven't read any of these mysteries! Sounds like they are fun books and more books I need to look for!!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I love a good mystery and I enjoy finding ones that are a little different from the norm. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  5. I love mystery/suspense books! This series sounds like a great one to add to my TBR stack of books. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. It's definitely worth the read. Good luck, Donna.

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  6. This series is new for me! I'll have to check out the first 3...
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I've only read the first one so I have to catch up as well. So many books, so little time. Good luck, Nicole.

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  7. New to me! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  8. This sounds like it's not really a stand alone so of course I'd have to find the other books in the series! Fortunately, I have these in my Overdrive system at the library (digital copy) :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I'd call it a standalone as far as the mystery goes. It's the relationships that overlap in the books but those dynamics are easy to pick up, I think. Good luck, Trixi.

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  9. I happen to have the first book in this series but haven't read it yet. I do love a good British mystery so it's going to be my next read. Thanks for the review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. There's something about the combination of British and mystery that is sooooo much fun. Good luck, Pam.

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  10. I have all the books in this series except for this newest one. These books remind me of one of my favorite movie series - The Thin Man with William Powell and Myrna Loy. The movies are more rom-com/mystery, but Nick and Nora are just as proper and in love. Kav, if you haven't seen these movies, I think you would love them. The first movie, The Thin Man, is the best. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. After I wrote this comment, it made me wonder if the author was familiar with these classic movies and maybe inspired.

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    2. Oooohhh....thanks for the movie recommend. I'll check it out for sure. Haven't heard of it before. And you never know -- authors find inspiration everywhere so why not classic movies? Good luck, Terrill.

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  11. My husband and I love to watch BBC period dramas! Our recent favorite was Poldark. LOVE LOVE LOVE
    Dianna

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    1. I haven't watched Poldark yet...I've seen snippets and when it looked like he was going to lose the love of his life, marry someone else and then be tempted by the love of his life I couldn't bear watching the whole thing. LOL That's too much angst for me. Good luck, Dianna.

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  12. Another author who I'm sure is very good, but I haven't had a chance to read yet. I'm almost positive I have at least one of this series on my TBR shelf

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. "Sort of an Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey."
    I AM SOLD.

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I know -- it would be an awesome mini-series. Good luck, Janka.

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