Drop Dead Ornaments by Lois Winston is the seventh book in the “Anastasia Pollack Crafting” mystery series, coming October 22, 2018

Anastasia Pollack’s son Alex is dating Sophie Lambert, the new kid in town. For their community service project, the high school seniors have chosen to raise money for the county food bank. Anastasia taps her craft industry contacts to donate materials for the students to make Christmas ornaments they’ll sell at the town’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair.

At the fair Anastasia meets Sophie’s father, Shane Lambert, who strikes her as a man with secrets. She also notices a woman eavesdropping on their conversation. Later that evening when the woman turns up dead, Sophie’s father is arrested for her murder.

Alex and Sophie beg Anastasia to find the real killer, but Anastasia has had her fill of dead bodies. She’s also not convinced of Shane’s innocence. Besides, she’s promised younger son Nick she’ll stop risking her life. But how can she say no to Alex?

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I always forget how much I love this series until I read the next one and I fall in love all over again. This time Anastasia’s adventures are a bit closer to home when her son’s girlfriend’s father is accused of murder. Of course, after extolling the virtues of his mother’s sleuthing skills, what else can she do but try to help. And that’s when the fun begins in the wickedly humorous whodunit that has Anastasia looking at clues that presents itself while trying to craft a solid alibi for the accused.

This was a well-written and fast-paced tale that quickly became a page-turner. The author has a way with the narrative, keeping me immersed in all that was happening within the pages. I like how the mystery was spun with hints here and there with a few red herrings that kept leading me one way until the killer’s identity was revealed. Of course, what would this story be without appearances from Ira, Flora and Lucille who was off-screen but always present in her escapades. This was one of the best books in this engaging series and I can’t wait for more adventures with Anastasia, Zack and the rest of the gang.

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.