Skirting The Grave by Annette Blair is the fourth book in the “Vintage Magic” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), July 2011
Even though Maddie is swamped running Vintage Magic and dealing with the consequences of the visions she gets from certain of her fashion treasures, she’s agreed to plan her sister Sherri’s baby shower and mentor a design intern. But when Maddie goes to the Mystic train station to pick up her new student, she finds a murder scene instead. The victim: intern Isobel York. Cause of death: suspicious circumstances.
Later that evening, a woman claiming to be Isobel appears on her doorstep, and Maddie knows it’s not just a case of “whodunit” but “who-is-it.” Luckily a gift of lusciously luxe vintage clothes offers clues, and through the ’50s wardrobe and accessories are to die for, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles before the murderer can return to put an end to a promising fashion career.
A conspiracy is afoot and the gang doesn’t know why someone wants Isobel, Maddie’s intern, dead. Being able to read clothes, gives Maddie inside information that she passes on to the detective and FBI agent handling the case. It will take the efforts of Maddie, Nick and Werner to unravel this mystery and save the life of a young woman who Maddie has taken a liking to. This was a fun and enjoyable read that will have you smiling with all that is Madeira Cutler. With truly lovable characters, great dialogue, and glimpse of vintage fashion apparel, this was the best book yet in this enchanting and fabulous series that gets better with time.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book
previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog