A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette
Series Name: Hollywood Treasures Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: August 9, 2022
Stardom fades fast when you’re on the line for murder, in this debut cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Jenn McKinlay.
Jay Allan and Cindy Cooper were soap opera stars in the late ’90s, a wholesome young husband-and-wife duo who combined musical talent with humor and charisma. When the truth about their sexual orientations came to light, their marriage and TV careers ended, but decades later they have remained friends. Together, they open Palm Springs’ chicest movie memorabilia store, Hooray for Hollywood–but no customers and dwindling finances spell trouble.
A Hail Mary arrives in the form of Yana Tosh, a ninety-year-old diva of the silver screen who has amassed a valuable collection of costumes and props and is looking to sell. But first, Jay and Cindy have to beat their competition, a vice president from a mega-auction house with ten times their resources. And when he winds up dead, they become prime suspects in the murder.
With their freedom and livelihoods on the line, Jay and Cindy desperately need to clear their names. There are plenty of other potential suspects, but they’ll have to solve it soon before they’re forced to trade in their vintage costume collection for two orange jumpsuits.
Dru’s Short Musing:
Mischief, mayhem, murder, and nostalgic mementos take center stage in this fast-paced and well-written mystery.
The author set the stage in this multi-plot drama where what you see is not truly what you see. With a comfortable tone, protagonists Cindy and Jay are aptly suitable to this story that takes these Hollywood memorabilia dealer to famed actress Yana Tosh and her collection of costumes. Who knew selling these items would lead to murder? Who knew because of their interest in said items, they would become a suspect? The only thing left to do is solve the case and save their business and reputation, and that they did with great aplomb thanks to the author’s visually descriptive narrative, engaging and witty repartee, and bonus to this reader, snippets of movies and music from days gone by.
I loved how the author told this story keeping me intrigued and immersed throughout with bits and pieces here and there and a few red herring thrown in that kept me in the game. When I thought I had figured it out, the author changed direction all to enhance my reading pleasure and boy did I not see that one twist coming, especially when the killer’s identity was revealed. Good job! Good job! This was a delightfully entertaining tale and I look forward to more actions with Cindy, Jay, and their friends in this great debut cozy.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.