Laura Bishop’s new home staging business is growing in popularity, though not with her nemesis. Laura has long suspected established interior designer Monica Heller of sabotaging her fledgling company—and having an affair with her late husband. When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell with bedsheets far from … far from her normal 600-thread Egyptian cotton. But her delight is short-lived.
When Laura’s friends land on the police’s radar, Laura must overcome her dislike of Monica to help solve the crime. Not an easy task since Laura and Monica have been at war since the second grade.
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STAGING WARS by Grace Topping | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Laura Bishop’s new business, staging homes is really taking off, but it seems interior designer Monica Heller would like to stop that, going so far as doing a little sabotage. Then Monica has other concerns on her hands when Laura and 3 other witnesses walk in on her killing her new client. She claims she didn’t do it, it’s all a mistake but the woman is spending some quality time behind bars while a mutual friend begs Laura to clear Monica of the crime.
Grace Topping continues to bring strong characters to her mysteries. Laura, Nita, and all their friends continue to evolve. One has a great amount of power over this certain group of people and knows how to use it to their advantage. I love the real teamwork feel of these amateur sleuths. Even Aunt Kit helps out and takes a new look at her niece’s choices.
The mystery gets off fast with first one body and then another, both killed in the same manner but no other apparent connection. I was surprised by how much time and effort Laura puts into not only helping Monica regarding the murders but in keeping her business afloat too. Laura is a much better person than me. I would have held a grudge. These women have been foes FOREVER!
The romantic aspect of this book is kinda cute. Laura is completely oblivious that Detective Spangler has feelings for her. I am happy that the author is taking the time to lay a firm foundation for this relationship. I think it will make it so much stronger in the long run.
I really enjoy the home staging theme of this series. It is creative and feels very fulfilling to help homeowners sell their homes faster and usually for a better price. It is like playing with full-size dollhouses. I love that Laura is building her wares enough to have more choices and the need for a large warehouse storage space. Each chapter starts with a staging tip. They could be useful for more than just staging a home. The tips are great to give your own home a little freshening.
Staging Wars is filled with great characters and a substantial mystery that kept me engaged and entertained from beginning to end. I am excited to see what Laura stages next.
I loved Grace Topping’s newest addition to her Laura Bishop Mystery series, Staging Wars. As much as I enjoyed Staging Is Murder, the second book in the series is even better. From the flow of writing that had me falling into the story to the murder plot that left me completely puzzled, I enjoyed every minute. I appreciate dynamic characters and seeing Laura realize, with a little help from a special teacher, that the anger she has been clinging to is only hurting her gave me goosebumps. Her friend and business partner Nita added a delightful quirk as well as giving Laura someone to bounce idea around with. In that regard, the rest of the ensemble made up of Tyrone, the part time worker with great taste, and Mrs. Webster, his grandmother a retired nurse, who both added great character and dimension to the story and provided just the voices Laura needed to see a broader picture in the business and in her investigation. I did not expect to enjoy her aunt Kit’s visit, but Laura and I were both surprised at how well that turned out. Probably the biggest surprise for everyone was that the person Laura ended up helping was her long-time nemesis, Monica.
Grace Topping incorporated Laura’s staging into the story so well that I felt as if I could see her work, but the mystery always remained the focus of the book. That was one place that I think Staging Wars held my attention better that the first book. The Laura Bishop Mystery have an avid fan in this reader who cannot wait for the next book.
Another fun book in an entertaining series. Laura’s journey to success in a new career is inspiring and you can’t help but root for her to succeed. The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed reading about the struggle Laura went through helping someone who isn’t her favorite person. Two thumbs up!
https://cozyexperience.com/staging-wars-book-review/
Staging Wars by Grace Topping is a well-developed mystery with these great tips for staging your home.
Two murders in Louiston, but are they connected?
Laura Bishop
Our sleuth is the main character, and she is out to figure out who is committing these murderers. Laura doesn’t want to get involved with finding the killer or killers. However, when her former teacher and friend ask her to cover for her high school nemesis’ business, Laura is pulled into the mystery.
I liked that Laura grows in this second installment. She is forced to confront some personal things, and she tries to figure out how to get over the hurt. Laura is a class act, but she needs to remember to take her cell phone with her.
Detective Alex Spangler
Alex seems to want to do his job well, but Laura is usually a step or two ahead of him. Although, he does save her from some clumsy moves throughout the book. There is a definite attraction between these two, but will it take off? I can’t wait to see if Laura can move forward with all of her life.
Mystery
The mystery has some funny parts, Laura and Nita could be another Lucy and Ethel. They certainly get into some tight spots. Laura, however, figures out what’s going on and helps Spangler with the case.
Four Stars
Staging Wars by Grace Topping is a beautiful read. The characters come to life, and the setting is superb. I love these small-town mysteries. I am rating Staging Wars with four stars. If you like cozy mysteries with a decorating flair, then check out this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Virtual 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 Staging Wars by Grace Topping.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Another outstanding book from Grace Topping! The writer has a wonderful technique in words by making the reader feel as if they are right beside the protagonist. I love the actual real estate staging tips at the beginning of each chapter. I can hardly wait for the continuation of this top notch series.
STAGING WARS by Grace Topping
The Second Laura Bishop Mystery
A dead body in a funeral home generally isn’t cause for alarm. It is, however, when the dead body is lying on the hallway floor with a knife sticking out of his back! While Mrs. Webster seems intrigued by another murder and Nita is freaking out after originally finding the dead man, Laura Bishop maintains she will not get involved in another murder investigation. Even when Laura and her friends find Laura’s nemesis holding a bloody knife over yet another dead body, she doesn’t want to get involved. Perhaps karma has finally caught up with the woman who not only tormented her growing up, but might have had an affair with her husband, and may be sabotaging her business. Laura balks when Sister Madeleine urges her to not only help prove Monica’s innocence, but also make sure her business, her competing business, stays on track. Laura, giving in to the guilt trip, eventually agrees to help out. After all, how can one say no to a nun?
Two murders, both men stabbed in the back, but seemingly no other connection. A conundrum that makes for an interesting mystery. I appreciate how the connection is made and the “a-ha” moments when I remembered the clues the author left for observant readers. I’m enjoying how Laura is clueless about Detective Spangler’s feelings for her, though admittedly the clues are subtle. I adore Mrs. Webster, with her no nonsense attitude and sense of adventure. The little details and well developed characters give this series an added zing.
I was a little annoyed by Laura’s attitude towards horses and the author certainly needed to do a little more research in that regard. Though she knew the horse needed to be cooled down, how it was done was incorrect and I gasped aloud when the horse was given lots of water to drink after a hard workout in the heat! Although I felt that some suspects where given short shrift and could have been fleshed out more, it would have made for a very long, perhaps too long, book. These are minor complaints, however, as I did thoroughly enjoy this second Laura Bishop Mystery.
STAGING WARS is an intriguing, well plotted mystery that includes characters with chemistry, humor, and hints of things to come.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through Edelweiss, in the hopes I would review it.
I think the second book was even better than the. first! This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The more I read, the better it got. The characters continue to evolve and grow. As a bonus, there are staging tips headlining each chapter. This book was engaging from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the next book!
With all staging tips, I’m so anxious to put my house up for sale. Great information along with a good mystery. Are the two murders related? Laura and friends do a great job putting the clues together to get the answer which will lead to the killer or killers. I love the visiting Aunt Kit and hopefully so will show up in future books. The mystery of Laura’s father has me excited to see where that will lead, hopefully in future books. The family and friends are so wonderfully helpful and supportive. I did figure out the culprit early on but lots of great twists on how it was all put together. Bring on book 3!
I absolutely loved the second book in the Laura Bishop Mystery Series, Staging Wars by Grace Topping. The author bought all the great characters back from book one including:
Nita – Laura’s best friend.
Tyrone – Laura’s assistant and his grandmother, Mrs. Webster.
Monica – Laura’s nemesis.
Detective Alex Sprangler
And joining the party, Laura’s Aunt Kit.
The story had a great mystery, the plot was cleverly filled with clues as to who the murderer was, and there were several humorous moments that had me laughing out loud such as the use of authors names, historical figures, and etc. being used in place of cuss words by Nita. The author touched upon the subject of Laura’s father, and I hope she continues down that road in future books. And as a nice bonus, Ms. Topping gave the reader the recipe to the scones Laura had at the local tea shop and Aunt Kit’s favorite chicken dish; Chicken with Mushrooms and Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry Sauce.
Without a doubt, I can recommend this 5 star book to anyone who loves a good mystery that is difficult to put down. I can hardly wait for book number 3 in the series.
Staging Wars by Grace Topping is charming and smartly written, with layered characters you’ll want as friends. A dash of romantic potential, a town full of suspects, the cutthroat world of home staging… each of these elements serves to bring the mystery together as readers follow the clues – and Laura – through the book. References to fictional detectives & classic mystery novels are the icing on the cake. Fun read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Laura Bishop has almost too much to juggle in her life these days. She and her best friend, Nita, are working hard with their home staging business while having to deal with Laura’s long time nemesis (way back in grade school) Monica. Laura is sure that the woman in trying to sabotage her staging business to get rid of the competition plus she had an affair with Laura’s ex husband (now deceased).
Why would she want to have anything at all to do with her? Well, when Monica is found standing over a very dead body and she’s holding the murder weapon, yes, she wins the prime spot on the police list of suspects. Laura is fine staying out of it…all of it, no more investigating murders for her. Or so she says until Sister Madeline asks her to find the killer and get Monica out of jail. Now she’s in the thick of it and, with Nita, the investigating begins.
This is the second in the series and works well as a stand alone. However, I’ll bet you finish this one and just must get your hands on a copy of the first book, Staging is Murder. The mystery in each is very well crafted, the writing style flows smoothly and the characters are well fleshed out. There is even a good dose of humor and a bit of a budding romance between Laura and Det. Spangler. I’m saving a spot on my TBR list for the next book.
Perfectly delightful!
I’m so happy to have been introduced to this series! Staging Wars is the second book in the Laura Bishop mystery series. If you didn’t read Staging is Murder, you can start there, but you don’t have to. You’ll quickly catch up with and warm up to the characters in the series.
Laura and Nita have been friends since grade school. Knowing that Laura’s situation at home was pretty lonely, Sister Madeline encouraged the friendship. Nita’s big family welcomed Laura as one of their own, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now, many years later, Nita’s joined Laura’s new staging business, and they make the perfect team. Detective team that is! Okay, they make a great staging business team too, but they do seem to stumble upon a number of bodies in their business much to the dismay of Detective Spangler.
In Staging Wars, Nita stumbles upon a body; then she stumbles upon another! This time with the murderer (?) standing above the body with a bloody knife! Poor Nita! Well, Sister Madeline, being the gentle, kind, manipulating soul she is, guilts Laura into helping the suspect of the second murder (again, much to the dismay of Detective Spangler!).
Speaking of Detective Spangler, he’s just one of the well written secondary (sorta primary) characters in Staging Wars. One of the characters I adore is Mrs. Webster. Mrs. Webster speaks her mind! I was cracking up during several scenes where she appears. Tyrone Webster works part time for Laura and Nita, and, yes, he’s related to Mrs. Webster. He’s her grandson, so you know he’s a good kid.
Another of my favorite characters is Laura’s visiting Aunt Kit. Kit is much like her sister, Laura’s mother, was in that she has a personality that is a bit harsh and hard to warm up to. But as she spends more time with Laura, some of her icy shell starts to break off. I think that she and Laura’s mom were probably raised in a cold home, so they learned to be cold. I do hope that Aunt Kit decides to make her visit permanent!
Staging Wars fits my definition of the perfect cozy mystery book. It’s not gruesome; doesn’t have strong language; has a well-plotted mystery that’s not easy to solve; doesn’t have sexual situations; and leaves you with a good, cozy feeling.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what Laura and friends get up to next!