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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As a sucker for a fun ghost story, 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.
I love ghost stories — and Max is a hoot! I love the setting and the fact that Amanda is an entrepreneur. I’m looking for more in this series.
Excellent story! Amanda Tucker designs retro-style fashion clothing. With her newly opened boutique, Designs On You taking custom orders, Amanda is ecstatic her dream is coming true. She’s amazed to discover a ghost inhabits the space she’s leasing in the Shops On Main building. Fun and friendly Max (Maxine) is happy Amanda and her Grandpa Dave can see and talk to her, as can Amanda’s cat, Jazzy! When another renter in the building is murdered, Max makes an excellent spy as she disappears through walls and eavesdrops on conversations. Great mystery, and a great cast make this a very enjoyable new cozy!
I was so excited to be able to read the first book in a new series by Gayle Leeson. Designs on Murder is part of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series. If the series is going to be anything like this first book, you are going to fall in love with it. Amanda has opened up her new fashion studio in historic Abingdon, Virginia. The shop she leases comes with one of the most loveable characters, Max. She just so happens to be a ghost and becomes Amanda’s best friend. Gayle brought all these characters to life for me very well. I love a book that makes me feel like I am watching everything that is happening. I cannot wait to read the next book in this delightful series, and yes, I would highly recommend this series to everyone who enjoys this genre.
I want to thank Gayle, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
You could tell author Gayle Leeson had the spirt while she was writing this book, and that spirit was Max!
DESIGNS ON MURDER starts right off with very likeable characters. Protagonist Amanda Tucker is a young, bright woman with a passion for fashion designing. Her Grandpa Dave is a hoot, and he’s real supporter of his granddaughter. Then there resident spirit Max. Fun and sassy, every scene with her is simply entertaining! Ghost cozies aren’t normally my go to reads, with the exception of a few authors, but if they were all like Max, I’d be searching them out!
This book had it all. Wonderful writing. A first class mystery. Humor, excitement, murder and mayhem. I never knew from page to page what to expect. I was clueless as to whodunit and why, all the way to surprising the reveal. Kudos, Ms. Leeson.
I was sold on DESIGNS ON MURDER because of the author. I’m a fan of all of Gayle Leeson’s series. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and I’m thrilled that I finally did!
This was the first time I had read one of Gayle’s books and I thoroughly enjoyed it “A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery” series is off to a great start. This series also has a nice hint of the paranormal with the ghost of Max. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I finished in a couple nights.
The mystery was well written and carries through the entire story. There were a couple of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but I did guess the killer halfway through. The author brought all the characters to life for me and I really love a book that makes me feel like I can see everything in my minds eye. I enjoyed the relationship between Amanda and her Grandpa Dave and even the blossoming romance between Amanda and Jason.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this charming series, and I highly recommend this series to all my cozy mystery loving friends.
My Rating 5*
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Fashion, Murder, and a Ghost, Oh, My!
Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is fantastic. I absolutely adored everything! I was so gone after “the elephant’s eyebrows.” The characters are smart, witty and so funny. The setting is perfect, from the small town atmosphere to the diners, and the Shops On Main.
The Characters
Amanda Tucker
Amanda is so talented, with her designing gown to fit the individual, sewing and creating the finished dresses. She is smart with her degrees and actual use of them. Amanda has that modest beauty, grace, and Southern charm. Oh, her manners. She is just marvelous. Did I mention that she can see ghosts? Well, Amanda has that gift of sight. She is such a wonderfully positive character.
Amanda’s one flaw would be self-confidence. I feel part of that has to do with her mother. But the men in her family make up for that.
Maxine “Max” Englebright
Max is just so pure; she has such sophistication and grace. Yet, she is also a little snarky, and oh, her expressions are to die for. Max seems so tough and worldly, but she has a heart of gold. Amanda is teaching Max how to use technology, but in turn, she is giving Amanda the courage to make her design business shine.
Max’s flaw would be that she is a ghost and can’t leave the house.
I would consider Amanda and Max to both be the sleuths in this mystery as they are both of the curious nature. Max a bit more, but she can’t go around asking questions now can she? I feel like these two will be the best of friends, Amanda since she likes her fashions from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s and Max who is one of the original fighters for women’s rights in the 20s.
Dave Tucker
I felt like he has to be mentioned. Dave also is known as “Grandpa” to Amanda and “Silver Fox” to Max, is such a gracious and loving man. He takes care of his granddaughter, with love and encouragement. Dave cooks, make bookshelves, but most importantly he is there to spend time with Amanda and now Max. Oh, and Dave also has the sight as his grandmother did. So, that trait must skip a generation.
Mystery
The mystery is well plotted with a few red herrings here and there. I enjoyed the dynamics of the recent murder, and the explanation of Max’s death is combined with a little history thrown in was well done.
5 Stars for Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson
My rating for Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is five stars. This story is so wonderfully written and filled with humor, drama, mystery, history, and fashions. I think its lovely and recommend it all the cozy mystery and ghost lovers out there.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
I loved this first in the series. Amanda decides to open design studio in a huge old building that holds other shop owners. When she is realizes that her new friend is a ghost from the 1930’s and a dead body is found, you know that this is going to be an interesting read.
I loved the characters in this story, they are diverse and mostly likable. The mystery has plenty of twists to it and you don’t know who to trust or believe. I loved Max the ghost, she’s spunky and fun. I also love the relationship Amanda has with her grandfather. This story grabbed me from the first page and kept things moving.
I will continue on with this series. I also enjoyed the notes is the back of some historical facts that were in the story.
Designs On Murder is the first book in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series and is a delightful start to this series.
I loved this book and cannot wait to read more books in this series. The characters are well depicted, interesting, and likable. The story flows smoothly from start to finish and is very entertaining, with a resident ghost, murder, mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and intrigue.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
This book was a first from this author but Definitely not the last. I really enjoyed the way the author wrote the characters because they really come alive. I would love to meet Max just like grandpa Dave because she is such a hoot and the way she talks is awesome I like her little sayings. I will recommend this book to all my friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an enjoyable story about a young woman who wants to open her own business. She finds a building that seems to draw her’ to it and gets it. Then she meets “Max”, who is a ghost. Together they create a close relationship. But Max isn’t the only ghost in this story. There is Mark who is recently murdered. Can Amanda find the killer? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A new friend who might be lively, turns out is not alive
A new shop that is part dream come true, part nightmare
Can she resolve the mystery of her business neighbor’s death and keep her shop and herself alive?
Lightheartedly deadly serious
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Amanda is getting ready to open her design studio in a charming building
in VA. What she didn’t plan one, however, was the ghost tha comes with
the building. Amanda finds a dead body and isn’t sure if the killer is
one of her new friends, either living or ghostly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a fun book. Amanda leases a shop that comes with a ghost. There is a murder in of one of the other shop owners, and Max her resident ghost talks Amanda into investigating his death. With Max at her side filling her in on the other shop owners what could possibly go wrong. Great murder mystery with a few laughs and some great people. I loved the clothing aspect and Grandpa Dave was very supportive of her dreams. Well worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an entertaining mystery including retro fashion, stolen jewelry, ghost and a start up business. Amanda Tucker, with encouragement from her new friend Max and her Grandpa Dave opens her own niche boutique. Her new business starts with the murder of a web designer who rents an office in the building. Amanda, Grandpa Dave and Max work to get the boutique setup and hunt clues to who killed. A romantic relationship with professional photographer Jason.
Amanda and friends go on a roller coaster ride with clues, suspicion of other shop owners and Max whose a ghost catching up with 21st century technology. Just when you think you know who done it, a big twist in the plot.
This was a fun read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked it. I liked the ghostly friend and living friendship. I thought it was unique. I was entertained.
I received this as an arc from Booksprout and freely left this review.
When space became available in the charming old mansion, which had been a private home in the late 1800s and was now Shops on Main in a historic town in Virginia. Amanda Tucker could not resist stopping in to check it out as the new home for her fashion design studio. Her first new “friend”, however, was a ghost! The enthusiastic Maxine “Max” Englebright, died in 1930, and she was the first to welcome Amanda before she had even decided to move in. She also urged her to talk to the landlady now since a guy who sold cigars was checking it out earlier. She got an application, did some research, then drove to see Grandpa Dave. After a brief discussion, he gave her a check to get started. She insisted it was only a loan, but he had confidence in her and she wouldn’t let him down.
Amanda moves in and there is a murder at the retail complex as Mark Tinsley, a web designer, is shot in his office upstairs. Amanda starts to wonder if one of the other business owners here became Mark’s murderer? Her ghostly friend, Max wants her to step in and investigate. And with the help of a ghost who knows the other residents, she might spot something unusual. Is she putting herself in danger? Can Amanda solve the crime? If one of the shop owners did kill Mark, she is definitely at risk to become another victim!
Grab your copy and follow along in the investigation. The characters are quirky and likable, and if Amanda survives, this seems like a fun place to work!
I had the best time reading this charming cozy. As a lover of ghosts, vintage fashion and murder mysteries this was the perfect book for me. Well written, with interesting characters and humor this is a must read cozy in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Designs On Murder
Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series, Book #1
Gayle Leeson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
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 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!
“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
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 (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Amanda is hardworking, trustworthy and very talented in fashion design. It is no wonder that she decides to open a fashion design studio. Max is a ghost who happens to reside where Amanda opened her shop. Max is funny, quirky and sweet and she added so much to this story. I really like paranormal cozies so Max makes the book extra special. And I thought that Grandpa Dave was wonderful and I thought the relationship between him and Amanda was very special.
The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough clues to sift through and a couple of very questionable suspects. There were also some surprising twists and turns that I really enjoyed.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through her words I could picture the clothing being designed and the stores in Shops on Main. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like a bit of paranormal with your cozies, like I do, then you have to check this book out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Grace Abraham Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
I will start by saying I have been a fan of this author under various pseudonyms for many, many books. I am also a fan of ghost stories, or light paranormal mysteries, and have read other series with vintage style clothing boutiques and spirits attached to something fashionable. That either makes this a perfect series for me or makes me a tough critic.
However you look at it, I was very well satisfied by time spent with entrepreneur, shop keeper, Amanda Tucker and her mysterious new friend, Max.
Opening a new business is risky enough. Being tasked with discovering the motive behind a murder and unmasking a killer might bring upon the demise of a new business as well.
Max and Amanda have a nice balance and the addition of Grampa Dave was a twist on the typical adored aunt or Grandmother trope.
For a first in series this book has everything I could want.