Misty Dawn, a former Hollywood psychic to the stars, knows the dark and sometimes glamorous streets of Los Angeles are full of secrets, broken promises, and dashed hopes. When a young woman comes to her door because she’s lost her engagement ring and is afraid to tell her fiancé (the son of one of the world’s biggest cosmetics empires), Misty senses it’s no accident. Together Misty Dawn and her … Misty Dawn and her psychic charge, Wilson Thorne, must not only sneak behind the walls of the Conroy Estate (aka The House That Vanity Built), but go beyond the veil where the luminaries have laid plans to seek revenge.
Murder, lust, and a quest for a fountain of youth are hidden inside a family’s secret, one that threatens to upend the young woman’s life, and quite possibly, Misty’s as well.
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THE HOUSE THAT VANITY BUILT by Nancy Cole Silverman | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Hollywood psychic Misty Dawn meets a young woman upset because she has lost her engagement ring but Misty thinks there is more to the story. When the groom dies at his bachelor party she knows it was no accident. She has a lot of questions regarding the death of the son of the world’s biggest cosmetics empire. With her “shade” Wilson’s help, she is determined to find answers and the killer.
This second book in the Misty Dawn trilogy takes us to the House that Vanity Built current owed by Doctor Conroy who hasn’t always seen eye to eye with his son Jared but he thinks his son will settle down when he marries Amy. Again, the author takes time to develop these new characters throughout the entire book and allows the original cast to grow as well. Wilson makes some interesting new friends while Misty digs into those still living. The dialogue is crisp and at times will have you chuckling out loud.
The mystery is so well written and plotted out. She has created a real tangled mystery with twists, conflicts, and secrets. The lengths some people will go to for greed and vanity.
The author’s descriptive writing style really draws the reader into the story. While the book does have a serious tone, there is also plenty of humor within these pages, imagine the ethereal Wilson as Misty’s chauffeur and him flitting around unseen.
The vanity house does sound like an incredible estate making it a wonderful setting. It gives the book a real old-time cinema feel.
I found The House that Vanity Built to be captivating and entertaining. I am excited to read the third book in the trilogy to see where the author takes these characters and wraps up this very entertaining series.
“The House That Vanity Built” is book two in the “Misty Dawn Mystery” series, but new readers will easily get up to speed on Dawn’s adventures and outlook on life, death, and life after death. She is the leading “Psychic to the Stars” with a clientele that has included the elite of Hollywood and sometimes even the FBI. She lives in a nice quiet house with the recently deceased former owner, Wilson Thorne, Hollywood set designer. Dawn’s adventures unfold in her first person narrative filled with conversations and personal reflections so readers know what she hears, sees, and thinks.
Dawn’s new client, Carlene Muller, has lost her engagement ring the week before the wedding. Dawn normally just wants to help people help themselves, but she knows this girl is in trouble, and not just about the ring. When the girl’s rich fiancé shows up dead, she is set to inherit “The Estate” and the accompanying cosmetics fortune, and then things get complicated. Dawn tries to manage relationships, both in life and on the other side of the veil, but finds both love and vengeance complicate everything. Clues are uncovered, but the detectives on the case are only interested in information that can be taken to a jury.
“The House That Vanity Built” is entertaining and easy to read. It has suspense, excitement, and some danger but without blood and gore. The characters are likeable and funny. The plot moves purposefully and systematically to a satisfying end. I received a review copy of “The House That Vanity Built” from Nancy Cole Silverman, and Henery Press. For those who read the first book in the series, the “Academy Award” doorstop is still there.
Misty Dawn isn’t what you might expect when you think of a psychic. She is a matter of fact and doesn’t hold anything back when sharing what she learns or what she thinks about people, situations, or cases. She gets around town with her shade, Winston, that has a flair for the dramatic and doesn’t seem to understand that he has some limitations as to what he can or should do as a shade. Misty is always telling him he shouldn’t do certain things or that other spirit beings can be harmful to his progression if he ever wants to leave this world.
In this second in the series, Misty is helping Amy with what seems to be an innocent task – what happened to her engagement ring. While Misty can’t tell her exactly where it is, she knows it isn’t lost forever. She never expects to receive a call a day or two later with the news that Amy’s fiance is dead. His father doesn’t believe it was an accident and pushes the police to investigate. Of course with Misty’s minor ties to the case, she inserts herself to help discover the true cause of Jared’s death.
The case is laid out for the reader with multiple suspects, misdirection, and shenanigans by some luminaries – namely Dr. Conroy’s deceased wife and mistress. The story kept me engaged and just when I thought I might have solved the mystery, a new clue was introduced or my reasonings were proven incorrect. I was quite surprised at the reveal and how the story ended.
Another great cozy with a paranormal twist. We give this book 5 paws up.
Synopsis:
Misty Dawn, a former Hollywood psychic to the stars, knows the dark and sometimes glamorous streets of Los Angeles are full of secrets, broken promises, and dashed hopes.
When a young woman comes to her door because she’s lost her engagement ring and is afraid to tell her fiancé (the son of one of the world’s biggest cosmetics empires), Misty senses it’s no accident.
Together Misty Dawn and her psychic charge, Wilson Thorne, must not only sneak behind the walls of the Conroy Estate (aka The House That Vanity Built), but go beyond the veil where the luminaries have laid plans to seek revenge.
Murder, lust, and a quest for a fountain of youth are hidden inside a family’s secret, one that threatens to upend the young woman’s life, and quite possibly, Misty’s as well. (less)
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Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Misty is a psychic who used to cater to Hollywood. She has a shade that she is in charge of, Wilson. He is not really a ghost, but he is a spirit that only she can see. She is trying to help him navigate the spirit world in the hopes that eventually he will move on. While doing that, she has a murder to solve. She is going to have to use all of her psychic abilities to figure out this mystery.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery had a lot of twists and turns and was not easily solved. There were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through and I did not figure it out until it was revealed at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you like your cozy with a paranormal twist, give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Henery Press , and Edelweiss, which I greatly appreciate.
Another wonderful cover that draws you right in. The cover reflects the mysterious feel of the book of an older time in very rich Hollywood. So no wonder a couple of luminaries (dead wife and dead mistress) are still hanging out at the Conroy Estate, with their mischief leading on a path to revenge. Great mystery had me totally hooked and I couldn’t put the book down. Misty is once again a great strong smart character. You can’t beat a partner like Wilson. Love how his character is developing and their friendship is so amazing. Lots of twists. Lots of surprises. And the ending….WOW!
The House That Vanity Built is book two in the Misty Dawn series and whilst this is a good stand alone read I do advise you read book to get a better understanding on the relationship dynamics between her and Wilson.
Bride to be Amy visits Misty whose engagement ring has gone missing before her wedding, in the hopes that she is able to help find it. Misty feels there is more to it and when Amy’s husband to be Jared dies she knows it wasn’t an accident and tries to get to the bottom of the truth.
With the help of Wilson who is a shade the story begins to unravel, and we discover that Amy was set up to marry Jared but he wasn’t banking on actually falling in love with her! There are a few twists and turns in this book but i felt it was more serious and less funny than book one (the humour is what I loved the most in the first book) and with more than a handful of suspects from the bride to be herself to even Jared’s father I was busy piecing it all together right along side Misty and I was fully invested in solving this murder with her.
This was another great book in the series and I can wait to see what our psychic and shade get into to next!
4 stars
The House That Vanity Built is Nancy Cole Silverman’s second Misty Dawn Mystery. Misty knows there really are real things going bump in the dark of night in the City of Angels.
Misty’s latest client has lost something of such value, she’s desperate to locate it before she’s found out. But helping this young woman takes her behind the walls of the biggest cosmetics mogul around, and behind the veil where whispers of a revenge plot drags her into secrets in this families past that just might lead to murder.
Wonderful 4-star read.
The House that Vanity Built is a humorous cozy mystery filled with great characters and a puzzling murder. This is the second book in the Misty Dawn Mystery Series, but though I wasn’t acquainted with the main characters, I quickly developed a fondness for them. Misty is a psychic in her late 60s or early 70s (I can’t remember if they say!), who used to mingle with Hollywood’s elite.
Since I didn’t read the first book, I’m not exactly sure how she came to live in her current home. But, Misty lives in the home with the former owner. He’s dead. His name is Wilson, and he’s what’s called a shade. Wilson isn’t quite a ghost, and he’s Misty’s constant companion. Since no one else can see him, he comes in handy when Misty’s on a case. He can get into rooms she can’t, and in this case, he also befriends two luminaries (sort of like shades but with more nefarious tendencies).
Misty and Wilson’s interactions are absolutely my favorite part of the book. Wilson drives the cars because they were his! The blacked out windows help Misty since no one can see that she’s not actually driving! The two are best friends, yet Misty knows someday he’ll have to leave her. I just hope that’s not for a long time yet! In this mystery, there are quite a few side characters, so though you may know whodunit, watch out. You probably don’t.
The House that Vanity Built is fast paced and easy to read. I love that even though “things” (I won’t spoil the things) may have begun with ulterior motives, those things developed into pure intentions. If you’re a fan of cozy mystery books with a paranormal flair, this is a series you should read!
This series has earned its place on my must read book list. Misty Dawn and her sleuthing partner, Wilson Thorne, are a great pair. She is a Hollywood psychic with a long career catering to the Stars. Wilson is what is known as a shade, not a ghost and he came with the house. He was a set designer and his flair for decorating the house makes for a great setting. While Misty tries to teach him the ropes, so to speak, he does his own thing and may never cross over to the other side.
One afternoon there is a knock on the door with Amy and Carlene asking for her help. Amy is due to be married within the week and she has lost her very valuable engagement ring. She is afraid to tell her husband to be about the loss because it had belonged to his deceased mother. Amy begs Misty to find it. Turns out there is much more for Amy to be worried about when, during his bachelor party, Jared, the soon to be groom, dies.His very, very rich father demands that the police investigate it as a murder. Dr.Conroy is Jared’s father, head of a very large and profitable cosmetic company and Jared was set to inherit – if he could shape up and get his act together. Marrying Amy, a very wholesome small town girl, would help show his father that he was ready to settle down. So who decided that he needed to die?
I won’t say more because I don’t want to give up any spoilers. If you like your cozy mysteries with a side of paranormal then this is a series that should be on your TBR list. It has enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep you guessing to the very last page. The characters are well developed and Wilson is a hoot. I’m ready for the next investigation.
My thanks to the publisher, Henery Press and to Edelweiss for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
THE HOUSE THAT VANITY BUILT by Nancy Cole Silverman
The Second Misty Dawn Mystery
When two young women come to Misty Dawn’s door, the psychic knows there’s more going on than a lost engagement ring. Amy, a wholesome girl new to town, is engaged to the rich son from a beauty product empire, but her companion has a more worldly edge. Although Misty reassures her the ring is merely misplaced, she knows something much darker is at play. When Amy calls the next day, devastated that her fiance has died, Misty knows she has to help the naive young woman. What she finds are lots of secrets behind a rich barricade.
All that glitters is not gold and beauty products can hide a multitude of sins. Such is the case in the second Misty Dawn Mystery. Once a decadent playboy, Doctor Conroy has little faith that his son can take over the business, but would he actually kill him, now that there’s an heir on the way? If a reaction to bee venom is the cause of death, could the beekeeper be guilty, especially if you take into account his past with Amy? A hired henchman and the doctor’s deceased wife and mistress make Misty’s investigation even more challenging… and dangerous.
I really like the themes at play in THE HOUSE THAT VANITY BUILT and the title really does say it all. Greed, glory, self involvement, and vanity can destroy everything. I love how Misty plays the old lady card and love her interactions with Wilson. I also appreciate that Wilson may be going down a dangerous path. It’s concerning, but realistic. Not everything can go well, temptation may be too great. The options are ominous and captivating leaving me eager to see what happens next.
THE HOUSE THAT VANITY BUILT is a compelling mystery. While there is no doubt that this second Misty Dawn Mystery is a cozy, it has a darker edge to it, and I really like that.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through Edelweiss, in the hopes I would review it.
The House That Vanity Built by Nancy Cole Silverman is a humorous mystery, filled with spirits and hope.
Will Misty figure out who murdered Jared or be the killer’s next victim?
Misty and Wilson are on the case again. Misty has accepted Amy’s request for help, but the living people around this death aren’t open for reading, and the spirit of Jared is staying away. I love this due. They play off each other quite well.
Wilson isn’t letting the traditional rules limit him. He is determined to be himself and deal with whatever the consequences. Oh, and I love his relationship with his sister. If she only knew the things that Misty doesn’t say to her. I do love the way that he drives Misty around in his antique cars. Seriously, who wants to drive in Los Angeles?
Amy Hendersen
Amy is engaged to Jared. She is sweet and down to earth, not the type of girl you would generally meet in Los Angels. Amy recently lost her parents and moved from her small town to Los Angeles to start anew. However, her naivete could end getting her locked up. You see, Amy is pregnant and is carrying the heir to the Conroy Cosmetics dynasty.
The Mystery
Misty and Wilson are trying to figure out who killed Jared before anyone else is murdered. But, this time, they need more proof than just Misty’s premotions and hunches. Wilson isn’t able to connect with Jared, but he does find Jared’s mother and Christina, their former housekeeper (and Doctor Conroy’s mistress). They aren’t ghosts, but shades still on this plane to mess with the person they both accuse of killing them. Since they are shades, they have different rules than ghosts. Misty and Wilson are narrowing in on the culprit, but they are hard-pressed to find actual proof.
Five Stars
I love this cross between old Hollywood rumors, the here-and-natural, and our current time. Ms. Silverman does a fabulous job of adding humor to the story, and I enjoy this series immensely. Therefore, my rating for The House That Vanity Built by Nancy Cole Silverman is five stars. I highly recommend this book and the first book in the 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 The House That Vanity Built by Nancy Cole Silverman.
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.
I was fortunate to obtain an ARC of Nancy Cole Silverman’s new release in her Misty Dawn Mystery series. I’m so glad I did and this is my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had already read the first book in the series and was looking forward to the next one. It didn’t disappoint. The story begins with Amy asking for Misty’s help in finding her engagement ring. Then her fiancé dies accidentally or was it murder? Misty and Wilson try to figure it out. Again, Nancy Cole Silverman does a superb job. It’s a very well written plot that has you wondering how it will end. After two books, I’m becoming attached to Wilson as much as Misty is. Definitely looking forward to more.