What if you discovered your lively new friend wasn’t really…alive?Amanda Tucker is excited about opening her fashion design studio in Shops On Main, a charming old building in historic Abingdon, Virginia. She didn’t realize a ghost came with the property! But soon Maxine “Max” Englebright, a young woman who died in 1930, isn’t the only dead person at the retail complex. Mark Tinsley, a web … complex. Mark Tinsley, a web designer with a know-it-all attitude who also rented space at Shops On Main, is shot in his office.
Amanda is afraid that one of her new “friends” and fellow small business owners is his killer, and Max is encouraging her to solve Mark’s murder a la Nancy Drew. Easy for Max to want to investigate–the ghostly fashionista can’t end up the killer’s next victim!
In DESIGNS ON MURDER, Gayle Leeson sketches a stylish plot accessorized with a spectral fashionista sidekick. This series debut is a delight!” -Diane Vallere, national bestselling author
”As a sucker for a fun ghost story, I can say Gayle Leeson’s DESIGNS ON MURDER scores on many levels including a spunky entrepreneur and a charming setting. Now that I’ve read the first one, I’ll be counting the days until the next in the series arrives.” –Lorna Barrett, author of the New York Times Bestselling Booktown Mysteries
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Designs on Murder is an entertaining cozy mystery. Amanda Tucker and Max Englebright are delightful characters. I like that Amanda has decided to pursue her dreams by opening a unique dress shop. Amanda dreams up and executes beautiful clothes for her clients. She also has the business degree which will aid her in running a successful business. Max is a feisty woman who died too early. She fell down the stairs when Shops on Main was a home and broke her neck. Max is energetic and uses colorful slang from the 1920s. Dave is a kind, thoughtful man who is an exceptional woodworker. He makes Amanda a bookshelf that I envy. It is sweet how supportive he is of Amanda and how he helps her financially as well as with the staging of the shop. The story includes the shop owners who include Janice (jewelry designer) Connie (Delightful Home), Ford (Antiquated Editions) and Ella & Frank Peterson (design stationery and cards). There is also the landlady, Mrs. Meacham along with her husband, George and son, Brett. They are a unique bunch of characters. The murder mystery was appealing, and I liked how the clues were provided. I thought it was cleverly done. There are charming cozy moments that include talking clothes design, meal times and staging the shop. The author’s conversational writing style is appealing, and the story had a nice steady pace. There is humor in the story thanks to Max (she is quite a character) that had me laughing. Designs on Murder is a diverting cozy mystery that I found a pleasure to read. I look forward to the next A Ghostly `Fashionista Mystery.
Great New Paranormal Cozy!
For a first in a new series, this book grabbed me from the beginning! I enjoy reading paranormal cozy mysteries quite often. This one honestly held my interest from the beginning until the end.
A recent college graduate, Amanda Tucker has been living in her parent’s home since they had moved to Florida two years ago. After another job interview, that she really wasn’t interested in, she wanders into a fabulous old building to check it out. As soon as she enters, she meets Max (Maxine). Max questions her about the interview, and asks Amanda what her dream job really was. Amanda tells her she loves fashion design! Amanda and Max hit it off from the moment they meet. With Max’s encouragement she decides to follow her dream, and sign the lease!
Although the other shop keepers would come by to welcome her, no one seemed to realize Max was there. Later, Max discloses she is a ghost. A fashionable ghost at that. When one of the owners in a shop upstairs is murdered, she and Max agree to find out who the murderer is! Along with help from her Grandfather and a new “interest” in her life, Amanda and Max are off to a great start finding clues to aid in their investigation.
This book has all the abundance of what a great paranormal cozy mystery should contain. There are many humous moments as well as the suspense we crave toward the end of the book! Max is a peach! We could all use a friend like her. Be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. I loved the 1920’s history she shared in regards to events and fashion. In my opinion, an easy five stars for this book! I received a free copy of this book. My thoughts/opinions are my own.
“Designs on Murder” earns 4/5 Flapper Frills…Clever & Entertaining!
I am a fan of Gayle Leeson’s (aka Gayle Trent) Down South Café Mystery, so I was eager to read her new series, A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery. As with her other series, she pens a clever mystery with fun-to-follow characters, but this time she’s added a bit of the paranormal….just the right amount for my tastes.
Gayle introduces Amanda Tucker, a delightful young woman who is setting up her own retro-style fashion design studio in an old renovated building, Shops on Main, along with other small businesses: jewelry, web design, antique books, stationary, fragrances, and more. But, she’s surprised to find that the old mansion comes with its own ghost, and Amanda has the inherited “gift” to see her as plain as any more corporeal body. Maxine “Max” Englebright had passed in 1930, the victim of an accidental fall down the stairs of this same building in which she is essentially trapped. Having spurred Amanda on to take a chance on her dream, she’s ecstatic that she has a new friend. But it’s the dead body of one of the other small business owners that seems more disturbing. The murder mystery is compelling with twists, turns, ghostly assistance with limitations, and a satisfying conclusion with just the right amount of peril.
This first book isn’t complicated, but a very entertaining read with vivid descriptions and fun banter in a first-person narrative. Usually these firsts spend time getting through the introductions of all the characters and their connections, but here it wasn’t confusing to follow who is who and how they are related. I greatly enjoyed the BFF nature of the relationship between Amanda and Max, along with a fascinating connection, and the dynamics between Amanda and her “favorite person” Grandpa Dave and the budding romantic with Jason Logan, another small business owner. All of this has made me a more eager fan!
Designs on Murder is the first in the new series by Gayle Leeson, A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery.
This is a clean, easy to read Cozy mystery with a great setting and a great story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.
The main characters are Amanda, her grandfather , and Maxi the resident ghost, who passed in the 1930’s, that only can be seen by Amanda and Grandpa Dave. I love the relationship between Amanda and Dave.
Amanda steps off the curb and decides to open her new fashion design shop in a charming older building that houses an assortment of other shops. She doesn’t even get opened before a business owner is murdered. She starts asking questions and puts herself in danger.
I love all the references to the vintage clothes she is designing and there is a few history references .
You get the mystery, friendship, family values, a budding romance, and even some humor. I am already ready for the next in the series.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and the publisher.
DESIGNS ON MURDER by Gayle Leeson
The First Ghostly Fashionista Mystery
When an opportunity to rent a space in a lovely historic building presents itself, Amanda Tucker takes a chance on a dream. The space is perfect for her fashion design shop and, with the help of her grandfather, Amanda sets up business. Amanda is surprised when she discovers her new friend, Max, is a ghost, but that’s nothing compared to the shock when another tenant is found shot to death in his office! While Max encourages Amanda to solve the murder herself, Amanda is content to leave matters to the police. After all she has a fledgling business to maintain, as well as a budding romance. But Amanda can’t help but notice the suspicious behavior of the other tenants of Shops on Main. Will Amanda uncover the murderer…or will she be the next victim?
A fashion designer who makes custom pieces as well as ready to wear designs, the start of a romance, and a ghost of a 1930s young woman make a unique one of a kind series and this first book got me hooked! I loved the setting, the mystery, and the characters. Max, the ghost, is an absolute hoot! Her commentaries had me giggling more than once. Maxine is more than just a fun side kick, however. There’s a depth to her, and it was wonderful to see Amanda start to uncover the truth about Max’s past…and her death. As for Amanda, she’s a great protagonist. Her general optimism is tempered by her difficult relationship with her parents, making her more real. I also enjoyed her encounters with Jason. I remember similar feelings in my younger days, “Does he like me? No, he couldn’t like me, he’s just being nice.” I look forward to seeing their relationship grow.
DESIGNS ON MURDER is a great start to a charming new series. Wonderfully interesting characters inhabit the historic Shops on Main in Virginia. Fashion, a saucy ghost, and a bit of romance provide a rich backdrop to an intriguing mystery.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
This is the first book in A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery. A wonderful new series written by Gayle Lesson.
Amanda is opening her fashion design shop in an old building in the town of Abington, Virginia. Mad a ghost, that can read, just happens to come with that particular shop in the historic building.
Murder, a ghost, intriguing characters will keep you turning the pages of this well written story.
I loved the book and the interaction between Amanda and Max. Looking forward to more adventures with Amanda and Max.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
I thought this was a charming start to a new series for author Gayle Leeson. I was hooked right from the start and kept turning pages. The characters are terrific. Amanda and her new paranormal best friend are well written, spunky and fun individuals. I loved the relationship between Amanda and her Grandpa Dave. It was warm and loving and added a nice dimension to the story. Max, the resident ghost in Amanda’s new shop is really a fun character. She was enchanting and provided a good bit of humor. The mystery was a bit light and not overly complicated but there were plenty of suspects to choose from among the shop owners.
All in all, I thought this was a delightful read and I will definitely be back for more books in the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher though Netgalley.
This Deserves 10 Stars
I would rate this book 10 stars if that were possible. This cozy mystery has everything! The mystery is delicious and multifaceted. There is tons of history. The fashion portion is interesting but not brain numbing. The personal relationships are fun and intricate. There is a light romance as well. One of the main characters is a ghost from the 1920s. The book is infused with flapper era slang that is so refreshing and cute. There is plenty of action and no slow spots. The book ends like a good movie; while the loose ends are tied up, there leaves plenty of room for the imagination to work out the details. I am on a mission to read more of this author’s work! I received this ARC book from Net Galley and this is my honest review.