Silenced in Sequins (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Lyrical Press (January 7, 2020)
Print Length 256 Pages

Synopsis

Former Manhattan fashion buyer Kelly Quinn is turning her grandmother’s outdated consignment shop into her quaint hometown’s hot spot for upscale style—until her second-hand couture makes the scene of an ice-cold crime . . .

With her bottom line looking a little threadbare, Kelly is going all out to promote the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique. She’s counting on Black Friday to recover her start-up expenses—including a website and an advertising blitz. But the publicity is overkill when two warring divas, and one sparkly evening dress, thrust Kelly and her fledgling business into a scandal she can’t afford.

The gorgeous garment came to Kelly from the walk-in closets of Wendy Johnson, one of reality TV’s Long Island Ladies. When Wendy’s former co-star, Diana Delacourte, graces a Christmas gala in the dress that was once her rival’s, a very public catfight ensues. But is Wendy to blame when sequin-clad Diana turns up dead? Dodging the show’s ever-present cameras—and a detective’s stern warnings—Kelly hunts for a killer before the powerful celebrity-suspect makes good on her threats and rips her to shreds . . .

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Review

This is the second in this series and had a lot to live up to in my mind because I really enjoyed the first book.  This book does not disappoint, from the holiday party to the reality show divas to high fashion couture to Kelly trying to solve the case of who killed Diana Delacourte (but not without some danger to herself).

Kelly has a lot of baggage to overcome but she has managed to find some peace turning her grandmother’s thrift store into more of a boutique that grabs the attention of those looking for nice outfits at a lower price.  Good thing Kelly’s background in fashion helps her know what is fashionable and what should be shelved elsewhere.  She has rekindled a friendship with Ariel, who is someone I would like to see featured a bit more as this series moves along.  I think she can bring a dimension to the series.  There is a potential love interest with Mark Wolman, who is a local attorney.  Unfortunately, his sister is a police detective and does not like Kelly one bit.  There are many other characters that I would like to see expanded upon.

The twist of the reality tv show and its divas was interesting for me to read about.  I do not watch reality shows and wonder how much of this is real life and how much is a show.  And why would anyone want to be on a show like that?  Oh yeah, the 15 minutes of fame and notoriety, maybe even the money?

The mystery itself kept me guessing until the end.  Looking back there were maybe one or two clues to point you to the killer, so keep your eyes peeled for those clues!  Kelly manages to find herself in the thick of things until the bitter end and is lucky that she didn’t end up dead herself…but not for lack of trying on the killer’s part.

Overall I am enjoying this series so far and look forward to the next installment.  We give this 5 paws up.

About the Author

Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America.

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