A Holland Reads: Silk Stalkings by Diane Vallere

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: August 2, 2016

Number of pages: 304

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Material Witness #3

Synopsis:

Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe can get tangled up in textiles, but it’s murder that really throws her for a loop in the latest mystery from the national bestselling author of Crushed Velvet.

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…

My thoughts:

This is the first book in this series that I have read and I was able to read it as a stand alone book without being lost. I have since went back and purchased books one and two and hope to get them read in the near future. I liked getting to know Polyester and thought her name was fitting for what she does for a living. I also enjoyed it when Poly and Charlie got together it was like being around old friends. This would be a fun town to live in with all the cute names of the stores - Material Girl, Flowers in the Attic etc. I thought the author did a good job in developing all of the characters as well as keeping you guessing. So much so that I had a lot of fun reading this book and trying to solve the murder along with Poly. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

About the author:

I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries

, the Mad for Mod Mysteries

, Material Witness Mysteries

, and the new Costume Shop Cozy Mysteries

!

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS, will be out in August 2016.

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, will be out in 2016.

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury 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