I’m a lucky woman. Less than a year ago I worked in a job with no advancement for a misogynist boss who was so cheap he once asked me if I could use the free floss he got from the dentist instead of thread on a line of dresses. I shared a 500-square-foot apartment in a crummy part of Los Angeles with my college boyfriend even though the only thing we seemed to share was a mutual desire to pay only half of the rent. But look at me now! I reopened the family fabric shop a few months ago and, well, we’re not setting any sales records, but I haven’t closed our doors yet, either. I adopted two kittens, Pins and Needles, who “help” me run the store, and my VW Bug is running better than ever thanks to my friend Charlie, the auto mechanic who lives across the street. Heck, being her friend has toughened me up a bit too. I used to trust everybody; she doesn’t trust anybody! I like to think I’m a good influence on her, but it’s hard to say because she’s a pretty private person.
I guess some of that comes from having been given up for adoption and spending most of her life in foster homes. And then tracking her biological parents here, only to learn that they’re two of the richest people in town. She never told them that she knows who they are. I only discovered it when I first moved here and thought she was connected to some of the bad stuff that was happening around the fabric store. I think the only other person who knows is Vaughn McMichael, her brother. He grew up rich while she grew up poor. It’s a testament to the kind of guy Vaughn is that she doesn’t hate him.
I know her background is her own business, but it’s hard for me to watch her keep all that anger bottled up inside. I wish she would tell Vic and Adelaide who she is and try to make amends, but she won’t even talk about it. (I’m a little intimidated by Vic McMichael myself so I get that part, but Adelaide is a wonderful woman!) I can’t help thinking that if Charlie doesn’t do something about this herself, it’s all going to come out in a very public way—which would be the worst possible scenario for a private person like her.
I sure hope I’m not right. . .
Silk Stalkings is the third book in the Material Witness mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, August 2016.
Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe can get tangled up in textiles, but it’s murder that really throws her for a loop in the latest mystery from the national bestselling author of Crushed Velvet.
The time has come for San Ladrón, California’s annual Miss Tangorli beauty pageant, and Poly has agreed to use Material Girl’s inventory of shimmery silks to create embellished gowns fit for a crown. But when millionaire Harvey Halliwell—the man who revived the city’s citrus trade with his imported tangorli tree—is found dead days before the pageant contestants are announced, something sour takes over the town.
To make matters worse, her friend, mechanic Charlie Brooks, is soon caught up in the crime, having been seen in the company of the case’s prime suspect. Now Poly’s on a mission to squeeze out the truth. But as she searches for a pattern, the killer seems intent on cutting up the evidence. . .
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About the author
After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. Silk Stalkings, #3 in her national bestselling and Lefty-Award nominated Material Witness Mystery Series, comes out in August 2016. Diane is the vice president/president elect of Sisters in Crime. She also writes the Madison Night, Costume Shop, and Style & Error Mysteries. She started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Connect with Diane at dianevallere.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a kindle copy of Silk Stalkings. The giveaway will end August 22, 2016 at 12 AM (midnight) EST. Good luck everyone!
Love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you, Doward!
love the cover and sounds like an interesting book
Thanks, Ellen! I love the cover they gave me, too!
Any series with cats grabs my attention. I’d be happy to win this book. Thanks for the contest.
Thank you, Marilyn! I love writing the antics of Pins and Needles in this series.
Sounds like another great addition to the series. Thanks for the chance.
Thank you, Mari!
Sounds like a book that I would enjoy.
Thanks, Lois!
This sounds like a good cozy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thank you, Wendy!
This is a wonderful series! I love Diane’s books! 🙂 <3 Thanks Dru Ann for today's feature, and thanks to Diane for the chance to win a copy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Barbara! 🙂
I love this series , and I’m a huge fan of kindle books ! Thank you for a chance to win !
Thanks, Kathy! I’ve tried to do giveaways for other formats of ebooks and the winner always has problems claiming their prize. I don’t want to make people have to work too hard when they win!
Love these books. Thanks for the chance.
Thank you, Mary Jane!
How great to work within the field of fashion and then work it into such great books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thank you, Robeader! It was fun to let Poly have a degree in fashion but end up with a less-than-glamorous job after she graduated.
What a cute premise for a fun sounding mystery. The characters also sound like fun to get to know. Love the idea of learning about fabrics and sewing and solve a mystery!
Thanks, Cheltgirl609! Writing about the fabrics was more fun than I expected. Took me back to my childhood when my mom used to take me to fabric shops with her!
I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the series.I love Poly and the shop. . I’m not much of a sewer but boy my Mom was and shopping for material with her brings back sweet memories.
Thanks, Ruth! That’s exactly how I feel about my memories of shopping for fabric with my mom!
The story sounds great. Love the cover.
Thank you, Rita! I agree, the cover artist did a wonderful job!
I’ve enjoyed the first 2 books in the series and am looking forward to this one.
Thank you, Elaine!
I love this series and am anxious to read this one!
Thanks, CJ!
Great author, terrific series.
Thank you, Annette!
Great series. Can’t wait to read “Silk Stalkings”.
Thanks, Dianne!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I’m looking forward to reading the series!
Thank you, Jan!
Oooooo! I love fabric and all things related. Sound like fun.
Thanks, Amy!
Looking forward to reading the latest in the Material Witness series.
Thank you, Mary!
Silk Stalkings sounds wonderful. Thank you for this chance!
Thanks, Peggy! It was a lot of fun to write!
Oh, this sounds like a great series. I need to read the first two books in the series and then Silk Stalkings – would love to win a copy!
Thanks, Mary! I’m sure Poly will appreciate you getting caught up on the series! 🙂
I love all of Diane Vallere books. Thanks for a chance to win a copy, book looks great.
Thank you, Patty! xo
Ooh I love this whole plot it sounds great and the boss who is so cheap as to try and make her use dental floss sounds like a great character and is hilarious.. Plus I love ebooks too. Thank you for this contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you, Marilyn! Giovanni the boss surprised me by being such a fun character!
Great plot – something new and different. Sounds like humor thrown in too and what could be better than fabric. Definitely adding this one to my TBR list.
New to me Author Looks like a great read Thanks for the chance to win a copy iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com
How interesting this sounds. I would love to read it.
Wow pins and needles Awesome great characters names.Would love to read this book ! Thank you for a chance to win 🙂
It sounds like a winner.
A must-read for me….
Thank you for the giveaway….
I like the cover of the book.