Customer Reviews

Death Swatch (A Scrapbooking Mystery)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Three years has past since The Hurricane placed New Orleans on life support but the city is returning as symbolized by the Mardi Gras. At least that is the opinion of Memory Mine scrapbook store owner Carmela Bertrand. Accompanied by her friend Ava, owner of a voodoo shop, they attend a party tossed by Jekyl Hardy who introduces them to float designer Archie Baudier. When Carmela goes to leave she finds Archie dead with barbed wire wrapped around his neck.

Jekyl asks Carmela to investigate Archie's murder as she has done successfully before (see FRILL KILL). She agrees and shows him a coin she found on his balcony where Archie died. With Ava's help she begins the inquiries at the apartments of Jekyl and Archie where she finds their hidden compartment containing the deceased's coin collection. Carmela is stunned when she finds out that Archie was an absinthe drinker which is illegal. As she follows the clues, someone is watching her just in case she gets too close to the truth.

Three years since Katrina wiped out the city leaves the story line with a gothic background that enhances the riveting cerebral amateur sleuth while also asking where the Marshal Plan is to rebuild New Orleans and the nearby parishes. Carmela is terrific as she has come a long way baby from the wimp she once was whose spouse abused her emotionally and mentally; in fact she demands a fair settlement from him as they divorce. The case proves how independent and courageous she has become as even a Russian mobster fails to scare her off. Although why she took on the investigation even for a friend is never adequately explained, readers will appreciate the latest scrapbooking cozy with a great final twist and tips and recipes.

Harriet Klausner

Party time in New Orleans! Mardi Gras in the Big Easy, and part-Cajun Carmela Bertrand is right there sipping a Purple Haze at her friend Jekyl Hardy's elegant digs in the French Quarter--where else?

Carmela belongs to the French Quarter, and the French Quarter belongs to her. It's where she works at her scrapbook shop, Memory Mine, where she lives, and where she plays--often with her best pal, the flirtatious Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo Shop just across the way. Now Ava introduces her to Jeykl's handsome next-door neighbor Archie. Ava is angling for a Saturday night date with him, but it's not to be. Faster than a vampire's fang, he lies dead, garroted with knotted strands of barbed wire.

The next day, when Carmela is busy giving creative tips to her crafting customers, a distressed Jeykl drops by Memory Mine. Will Carmela do a little sleuthing, find out more about Archie and his death? (This should be no surprise to either Carmela or the reader. Death Swatch is the sixth in author Laura Childs' "Scrapbooking Mysteries" series.) How can Carmela turn down her friend? She and Ava are off on an adventure that takes them, and us, through the glamour of old New Orleans, the building of Mardi Gras floats, and some scary times in a lonely bayou in search not only of the murderer but also of long-hidden treasure.

Childs has a great eye for place and captures the Big Easy well. She manages to throw in a nice (and palatable) dose of American history and some good New Awlins cooking. The final treat is an appendix with craft hints and recipes, including the infamous Purple Haze. Try the bread pudding and "Laissez les bon temps rouler." Let the good times roll!

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

I always enjoy the description of one of my favorite cities. The female lead is funny,yet smart. It is good, relaxing reading.

Laura Childs comes up with yet another great mystery, set in New Orleans, around the scrapbooking shop of her heroine. The book is an easy read, with lots of interesting information about the city of New Orleans, and there are great recipes and scrapbooking tips in the back of the book. I give two thumbs up for this excellent, exciting book!

As a young girl I used to devour mystery books. I loved spending time reading Nancy Drew and The Three Investigators books. Laura Child's Scrapbooking Mysteries are sort of like my grown-up version of the books I loved as a youth. Her mysteries are engaging and interesting and they keep you guessing. I love how the author includes her love of scrapbooking and altered crafts into the storyline. It is fun to read the scrapbooking tips and ideas that often become an important part of the plot line. I also love that she includes recipes for the food she mentions within the novel. I have even made a few of them and have each been delicious!

Death Swatch was another great mystery, set against the backdrop of Mardi Gras in a post-Katrina New Orleans. A great story and fun characters made this an easy and pleasurable read.

Laura Childs' DEATH SWATCH will also prove a popular pick, blending scrapbooking crafts, Louisiana recipes, and New Orleans intrigue under one cover. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand fears for her own life on a wild night which includes murder, especially as theories to the murder are wild. Throw in a stalking and a handsome detective's investigation of odd clues and you have a fast-paced mystery indeed.

This author clearly does not know New Orleans and neither does her editor. Not even 1/3 way into the book and we already have two buildings with basements? this in a city that can not bury its dead six feet under, I also love the women who drive into the quarter to do their scrapbooking, in real life they would still be driving around looking for a place to park. Make up a city, but using real places may not be the best idea.

This is the sixth book in Laura Childs' Scrapbooking cozy mystery series. This one takes place at Mardi Gras as Carmela and her friend Ava attend a party by friend Jekyl Hardy. Ava is interested in the float designer, Archie, but they are shocked to find him garroted by a piece of barbed wire on the balcony. Carmela agrees to help investigate the death. She and Ava find out that Archie was on the hunt for a legendary treasure and begin following the clues. The hunt leads them to illegal absinthe, shadowy Russian arms dealers and clues to the treasure and possibly the murderers. They travel around the New Orleans area, visiting an old plantation, an island, and other historic sites. Amongst it all, they are working on a women's organized float, keeping their shops open and Carmela opens herself up to a possible relationship with detective Edgar Babcock. This was a fun, light mystery.

I enjoyed this book by Laura Childs and will look for other books written by her. Thanks much.

As usual the service was better than expected and books were new. Laura's books are a great read.