Saturday, June 7, 2014

Deadly Décor-Karen Rose Smith


Deadly Décor

Karen Rose Smith

Kensington, Jun 3 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780758284860

 

In Kismet, Pennsylvania, thirtyish home stager Caprice De Luca feels her life is good as her business is thriving and she even is dating.  However, as Caprice works with Eliza Cornwell on her mansion, she is concerned with her sister Bella Santini whose marriage to Joe appears dead due to a nasty squabble over an unwanted pregnancy.  Distraught Bella accepts an invitation for coffee from her former boyfriend Bob Preston, who Caprice employs to paint her staged homes.

 

Not long after Bella steps out with Bob, someone adds blood red to his light green paint by murdering him.  Police Detective Jones suspects an angry jealous Joe killed his wife’s lover or Bella who was found by the corpse killed her lover.  Disagreeing with the cops, Caprice investigates as she believes Joe would not murder anyone even if he is angry with his spouse and that her sister would not cheat or kill her alleged paramour even if she is angry with her spouse as her hormones run wild.

 

The second Caprice De Luca Pennsylvania cozy (see Staged to Death) is an enjoyable amateur sleuth as the queen of family dramas, Karen Rose Smith, once again brings her upbeat uniqueness to the mystery genre.  Character-driven with two suspects who are the heroine’s relatives, fans will appreciate Caprice's investigation to prove their innocence and find the killer.

 

Harriet Klausner

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