Leading an Elegant Death [Paperback]

Paula Carter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Meet Hillary Scarborough, a domestic artiste with a flair for design, and Jane Ferguson, an ex-law student who can't cook or decorate to save her life. Between the two of them, they solve more crimes--and decorating disasters--than any other belles of the South.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042516733X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425167335
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,516,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give this series a chance!, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Leading an Elegant Death (Paperback)

Frankly, I can't understand the extremely negative and hostile reviews for this debut mystery in a new series. Hillary and Jane are not stereotypical characters; they have completely opposite personalities which allows for some very comical interactions. The characters are interesting and well-defined, and the interactions between Jane and her 10 year old daughter are very credible. The plot is interesting, although not extremely complex, but who says that all mysteries have to have a long convoluted plot line? This book is entertaining and worth the read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun, January 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Leading an Elegant Death (Paperback)

If you like Diane Mott Davidson, you will like Paula Carter. There is the same sense of danger mixed with hilarious repartee. I really enjoy Ms. Carter's sense of humor. The characters were believable and easy to like.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for "Red Wine", May 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Leading an Elegant Death (Paperback)

I've read both of Paula Carter's new mysteries, Leading an Elegant Death and Death Day Party, and I can't wait for the next episode of Hillary and Jane, the most unlikely crime solving duo yet. Ms. Carter has a deft and masterful touch in creating characters whose foibles could quickly make them unsympathetic to the reader. However, both hilarious Martha Stewart take-off, Hillary, and domestically challenged Jane immediately capture our imagination, as do many of the minor characters, such as Billy the burglar, and Jane's young daughter who is sometimes more level-headed than her mother. This is a quick, fun mystery romp in magnolia country. Loved it.