Postcards from the Dead

August 27, 2012
At the start of Childsâs flat 10th Scrapbooking mystery set in New Orleans (after 2011âs Skeleton Letters), craft store owner Carmela Bertrand is waiting to be interviewed by Kimber Breeze, âthe perky, Botoxed reporter from KBEZ-TVâ whoâs covering Mardi Gras from the wrought-iron balcony of her French Quarter hotel. Suddenly, Kimber disappears from the TV cameras. Carmela rushes onto the balcony, where she finds a thick cord tied to the railingâand Kimberâs lifeless body dangling ten feet below. Carmela once again turns sleuth, encouraged by best friend Ava Gruiex, though Carmelaâs love interest, Det. Edgar Babcock, attempts to discourage her, especially after he learns sheâs receiving mysterious postcards purportedly from Kimber. Only devoted series fans are likely to struggle through the less-than-compelling prose, as Carmela jumps to conclusions while recklessly disregarding her own safety as well as her boyfriendâs professional concerns. Agent: Philologus Procurator, Inc.

September 1, 2012
The death of a television reporter provides the newest case for a scrapbooking amateur sleuth. New Orleans entrepreneur Carmela Bertrand, of the French Quarter scrapbooking shop Memory Mine, may be a great designer, but it's sleuthing that provides the excitement in her life, much to the displeasure of her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock. In the midst of Mardi Gras madness, Carmela's waiting her turn to be interviewed by Kimber Breeze. When she steps out onto the balcony, she finds Kimber hanging from the railing. Although as usual, Babcock warns her off, Carmela and her fashionista sidekick, Ava, start to investigate, looking for a clue in Kimber's life that led to her death. She starts to find postcards of cemeteries with cryptic warnings and even has her apartment smoke bombed. Furious, she keeps investigating Kimber's boyfriend, her boss, the assistant who's thrilled to take her place, and the subjects of some of the stories Kimber had proposed. Deeply connected to the New Orleans social scene through her wealthy ex-husband, Carmela is invited to all the best parties. She eats and drinks her away around town as she digs for motives. Carmela's eighth (Skelton Letters, 2011, etc.) delves deeply into the Big Easy's food, culture and fashion scene. The mystery is upstaged by the appended recipes and scrapbooking tips.

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October 1, 2012

Once again, New Orleans's Mardi Gras turns deadly for scrapbooker Carmela Bertrand when a local newscaster dies while working the parade. Aided by her BFF, Ava, Carmela hunts for answers in their tenth cozy adventure (after Skeleton Letters).

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2012
French Quarter scrapbook store owner Carmela is getting ready for a festive, busy Mardi Gras when a TV reporter is killed at a party she is attending. Carmela finds the victim, Kimber Breeze, dangling off a balcony, with a roomful of suspects. Carmela's boyfriend, Detective Babcock, does not want her involved, but when Carmela starts receiving postcards of cemeteries signed by the victim, she searches for answers. Her research involves looking into the lives of her own ex-husband, who is Kimber's brother, and many other potential suspects. The characters take the spotlight here in an appealing fashion, but details of the Mardi Gras celebration are mixed in with scrapbooking tidbits and recipes for a well-blended mix of mystery and fun. Fans of Childs' tea-shop and dinner-club series will enjoy this, too, as will scrapbooking fans of Joanna Campbell Slan.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)