Hi. I’m Kelly Quinn and I am the new owner of a consignment shop in my hometown of Lucky Cove, New York. Never in a million years did I think my grandmother would leave me her shop. But she did. Granny had a saying, “things work out as they should.” I hope she’s right.
I heard you’re interested in what my days look like. First, let me tell you, being a shop owner isn’t glamorous. It’s a lot of hard work. I thought fashion week in New York City was brutal. It’s nothing compared to being a shop owner.
After I woke this morning I grabbed my phone and checked the website I created to sell clothing. Foot traffic can be unpredictable and that’s why I added an online component to the business. Sales aren’t off-the-charts, but it’s steady thanks to my constant posting on Facebook and Instagram. After I caught up on the website’s stats and I did a quick check of Facebook and Instagram from the shop, I nudged Howard off of my legs. I inherited the cat when my granny died, and lately he has taken to sleeping on my body during the night. Not sure why or how to stop him. After a dirty look, he jumped off and I headed to the bathroom to shower and get ready.
After I dressed, I fed Howard, made coffee and toasted a bagel. I had some time before opening the shop (which is downstairs) so I opened my laptop computer and finished an article that’s due next week. A couple of months ago I landed a writing gig on a website geared toward budget-minded fashionistas. I’m hoping to become a regular contributor and expand my writing portfolio. I dove back into the article and before I know it, I’ve finished my breakfast and it’s time to head downstairs.
Seated at my desk in the staff room, aka the kitchen/storeroom/office, I then checked work emails. Nothing of much importance. So I turned my attention to steaming three dresses that were consigned yesterday and tagged them. Once they were ready, I took them to the sales floor and hung them. I checked my smart watch and saw I had a few minutes before opening so I tidied up the clothing racks a little and did a quick vacuum of the shop. After I put the vacuum away, I noticed the window display needed to be freshened up. Window displays draw people into shops and the windows here at the Lucky Cove Consignment shop needed a lot of help. One of the new dresses I just tagged would look perfect in the window along with a Birkin-inspired bag we acquired a few days ago. I immediately began dressing the mannequin her new outfit and in the midst of adding a chunky necklace, Pepper Donovan arrived. She’d been working here since granny opened the shop. She’s not on board with all the changes I’m making but she’ll come around. With the new window display finished and the cash drawer all set for the day, Pepper flipped over the open sign and unlocked the front door.
Business was steady for most of the day. We had a mix of shoppers and ladies who consigned merchandise. Throughout the day, I helped customers with their purchases, mopped up a juice spill from a toddler, dodged my uncle’s phone call (he never calls with good news and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him), had lunch with my bestie, Liv, and then mailed two packages to online customers before closing out the cash drawer and shutting off the lights. I headed upstairs to change for a quick dinner with Pepper’s son, Gabe. We grew up together and he’s like a brother to me. If it weren’t for him and his mom, I’d be lost and more overwhelmed than I already am. After I opened my apartment door, I was unexpectedly greeted by Howard. I’d like to think he was happy to see me arrive home after a long day but he probably just wanted to be fed. I scratched the little guy’s head. He’s cute and I’ve gotten used to his purring. Okay, I admit it’s nice to have someone to come home to…even if he’s just looking for a meal.
I need to pick out a dress for dinner so I’ll leave off here. I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into my day. Of course, this was a day when there was no murder. Gosh, I never thought I’d say that. Then again, I never thought I’d be living back in Lucky Cove.
Giveaway: Tell us what your favorite fashion accessory is and why for your chance to win a digital advance reader copy of Murder Wears a Little Black Dress. The giveaway ends January 22, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Kelly in Murder Wears a Little Black Dress, the first book in the NEW “Resale Boutique” cozy mystery series, coming January 22, 2019.
Every woman would kill for one . . .
Manhattan fashionista Kelly Quinn thought she’d left her upstate New York town far behind . . . until the Seventh Avenue expat returns home to revamp her grandmother’s consignment shop into an upscale boutique—and unwittingly sets a trend for murder . . .
After her rising career as a Manhattan buyer is derailed, Kelly has mixed feelings about relocating back to Lucky Cove, in spite of her big plans for the soon-to-be-renamed Curated by Kelly Resale Boutique. What’s left of her luck starts running out when a customer puts on a black lace dress that triggers visions of someone being murdered. As if the haunted “Murder Dress” isn’t enough to kill business, the psychic’s doppelganger cousin has just been found bludgeoned to death.
Was Maxine LeMoyne the real target or was it a case of mistaken murder? With some creepy pre-Halloween bargain hunters walking the night and Kelly suddenly a person of interest, a second murder rocks the close-knit town. Now Kelly could be the one who ends up talking to dead people when she’s stalked by a killer determined to take her out in high style . . .
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About the author
Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.
Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers. She can be reached at debrasennefelder.com and on Facebook.
All comments are welcomed.
My favorite would be shoes. I have so many, and I’m one that goes for comfort and style.👟👠👡👢 Love my shoes!!!
My fav accessory is long necklaces with “quirky” pendants. I have so many with owls, magnifying glass, and handbag pendants.
This series sounds delightful and I cannot wait to start it. Winning a digital version would be fantastic! Thank you for the giveaway!
Jewelry is my go to accessory! Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and lately I have loved scarves! There are so many choices with using jewelry as an accessory and it is easier to store than shoes! Plus, it seems that jewelry does not go out of style so soon.
This new series sounds like one I will enjoy!
Rothys flats in numerous colors – these fun and comfortable shoes have made me a shoeaholic!
My go-to accessory changes with the seasons, In fall and winter it is hand painted silk scarves. Sometimes tied, sometimes pinned with one of my dozens of antique broaches or vintage pins. In the warmer weather I choose pins or long necklaces.
Murder Wears a Little Black Dress sounds delightful and I am looking forward to reading it. Winning an ARC copy would be awesome! Thanks for the opportunity.
I wear large fashion earrings and a large or long coordinating necklace to draw the eye up and pretend it all makes me look taller, more slender, and younger.
I love scarves, but tend to only wear them in the winter. I also have a favorite bracelet I wear every chance I get. I’m definitely not a fashionista though.
I love scarves and have tons of them. I usually only wear them when it’s really cold out, but I have a variety of fun ones when it is!
I love jewelry! I like accessorizing with earrings and bracelets and necklaces.
This sounds like good fun.
Hi Libby, I had a lot of fun writing the book. If you do decide to pick it up, I hope you enjoy it. Have a great day!
My favorite accessories, after my wedding rings, are the pieces jewelry that belonged to my grandmothers and great aunt. They weren’t wealthy, but they had exquisite taste in jewelry, Wearing it makes me think of them.
My favorite accessories are scarves. You can wear them all year long and they dress up any outfit. They are also very easy to pack and can be purchased anywhere. They’re the first item I look for when I’m at a consignment or thrift store.
My favorite items for special occasions are a few pieces of jewelry and some very beautiful scarfs that I bought in Europe or received for gifts. I also have very special watch that my husband gave me 45 years ago on our 10th wedding anniversary and it looks as beautiful now as it did then. Timeless items.
Congratulations on your upcoming release!
Cynthia.
This sounds like such a fun mystery. My favorite fashion accessory is a red leather crossbody pouch that holds keys, lipstick, cash, credit card, mirror. hankie and comb and is 6 inches by 4 inches. It can dress up anything and look cute…and it is something I can leave on when I eat, walk, shop or go out. It gives just that touch of bold color…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Hi Marilyn, I had so much fun writing the book. The characters were great to hang out with during those months. If you do decide to pick up the book, I hope you enjoy it. Have a great day!
P.S. I love a good crossbody bag!
My favorite fashion accessory is a pendant I received from my parents.
I’m not much of a fashionista but when I do go out for my birthday or just to hang out with friends I tend to go for bracelets and necklaces thanks for the chance
My favorite accessory is a good handbag–I bought a Kelly-inspired bag in Florence a few years ago, and I saved up and splurged on a Burberry bag at a local consignment sale here. I can’t get enough of them.
Mine is my diamond bracelet. I am rarely in anything but blue jeans. I do find when I put my bracelet on it makes my trips to the library and the grocery store feel special.
I love scarves they come in many colors and styles and you can wear them many different ways
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**** WINNER ****
Murder Wears a Little Black Dress is Shelly
Congratulations!