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!