A murderer outwitting a quirky flapper ghost? Seams unlikely!Budding retro fashion designer and entrepreneur Amanda Tucker is thrilled about making costumes for Winter Garden High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast. But when the play’s director Sandra Kelly is poisoned, Amanda realizes there’s a murderer in their midst. She’s determined to keep herself and the students safe, so when her … safe, so when her ghostly fashionista friend Max suggests they investigate, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and prepares to follow the deadly pattern…
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This is such a fun paranormal cozy mystery. It is a quick enjoyable read that will have the reader chuckling at a number of places throughout the story. Amanda is a kind person and a very relatable cozy mystery protagonist. She is not overly nosy and isn’t reckless when she attempts to uncover clues that could lead to the identity of a murderer. I really enjoy the relationship between Amanda and her grandfather, Dave. Amanda’s shop is inhabited by a ghost, Max, that only Amanda and Dave can see. Max is a hoot. She is colorful and adds a great sense of humor and wittiness to the dialogue and story. She is branching out as well, with Amanda introducing her to social media in this installment.
The mystery is solid and there are plenty of clues to lead the reader astray. Amanda does a bit of sleuthing, but as I said, she is not reckless. In addition to helping to solve the murder, Amanda also helps Max solve the mystery of what happened to her sister Dot after Max had died and how she lived her life. That is a great part of the story and I won’t say any more so I don’t spoil the surprise.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and am excited to see what Gayle Leeson has in store for her readers.
I enjoyed this second in the series. Amanda ends up helping with costumes for the school play when the director is found dead. Of course she is pulled into looking for answers as to who did it.
I love these characters and the side story of helping her ghost friend Max find answers about her family. The characters are fun and likable, Max always gives me a laugh and I adore Amanda’s grandfather and their relationship. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Perils and Lace by Gayle Leeson is book two in the A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series. I loved the first in the series and was excited to read book two. I was not disappointed! So ready for the next installment.
Amanda is approached about working on the local high schools production of Beauty and the Beast and wanting to continue to build her clientele at her shop, she agrees. Little did she know, she would be involved is another murder.
She enlists her grandfather to help on the set, another storekeeper for assistance on a customer, and one of the parents also is a storekeeper in Shops on Main.
When they go to rehearsal and the director is late, Amanda asks Connie to check on Sandra on her way to the school. Connie finds her dead.
Of course, rumors are flying “who did it”. After all Sandra had had an affair. Then there is missing money.
There are plenty of twists and turns that have you guessing until the end. There is a great side story. I enjoyed the references to the Down South Café. The main characters are likeable and relatable. You also have romance, an adorable cat, family, humor (I laughed out loud a few times), and Max.
Let me tell you about Max! Max is a ghost that can not leave the Shops on Main since she lived and died in the Victorian before it was turned into shops. She can only be seen by Amanda, her grandfather and Amanda’s cat. She is ornery and a sweetheart. I want Max as a friend!
I was given a copy for an honest review.
PERILS AND LACE by Gayle Leeson
The Second Ghostly Fashionista Mystery
Always ready for a challenge, Amanda Tucker agrees to help design the costumes for the high school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. While coming up with creative designs for ottomans and feather dusters, she can’t help but hear the rumors about the director having an affair with another teacher and notice that the smart as a whip student stage manager is hiding something. When the director is poisoned, Amanda fears for the students and the well being of her friend Connie, who found the woman. While helping her ghostly friend Max get a social media presence, looking our for the young stage manager, and getting closer to her boyfriend, Amanda will keep her eyes and ears open and see if she can discover just who killed Sandra Kelly.
I really love this series! Max is too much fun and I love how she’s now on social media and able to interact with more people. As a theatre person, I’m always happy when books feature a theatrical production and I loved seeing Amanda’s concepts come to life for the unusual costumes in Beauty and the Beast. I was thrilled to see Biscuits and Gravy back, running amok and making me laugh out loud!
Relationships are the foundation of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series, from Amanda’s bond with her grandfather to her encounters with the other shopkeepers of Shops on Main, to her friendship with a ghost and the developing romance with Jason. It’s these relationships that get readers invested in the characters lives and make the story even more meaningful.
PERILS AND LACE is a fun mystery that challenges your perceptions. Warmth, humor, and camaraderie infuse the pages making it a delightful read.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.