Crushed Velvet (A Material Witness Mystery) by Diane Vallere
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Blog Tour
Description: With opening day of Material Girl approaching, Polyester Monroe is stocking up on lush fabrics, colorful notions, and best of all, a proprietary weave of velvet. Upon delivery, it's not quite the blend she expected, being ninety percent silk and ten percent corpse. Crushed under a dozen bolts of fabric is Phil Girard. His wife, Genevieve, local tea shop owner and close friend of Poly, is the prime suspect.
Granted, Phil may not have been the perfect husband, but surely Genevieve had no reason to kill him! There's just the small matter of Genevieve's own incriminating confession: I'm afraid I killed my husband. Now, as Material Girl's grand opening looms, Poly is torn between a friendship pulling apart at the seams - and finding a smooth killer with a velvet touch... (from Goodreads)
Genre: Mystery
Why I Picked This Book:I had read an enjoyed a book by this author in a previous series and this cozy about a fabric store had me intrigued.
My Impression: If I had a fabric store like Material Girl near me I think I'd stop procrastinating on learning to sew! Poly feels the same way about fabric that I feel about books and her knowledge about using fabric is really interesting. I love the idea of room makeovers using fabric and it was fun watching Poly redo the tea shop. This was the 2nd mystery in the series but it can be read easily as a stand alone. However, the hints dropped about the 1st book have me really looking forward to starting at the beginning of the series. I can't wait to learn more about the history of the fabric store.
The mystery in Crushed Velvet is interesting. There are bunches of red herrings and lots of new discoveries and the mystery goes along. When the solution was finally revealed it made sense but was also a surprise which is always fun. I always looked forward to seeing what Poly was doing whether it was questioning suspects, negotiating with her somewhat shady ex-boss, plotting with Charlie, or trying to figure out just what was going on between her and Vaughn. I wish her relationship with the sheriff was a little more civil but he's not portrayed as incompetent, he's just not willing to involve a civilian in a murder investigation which isn't unreasonable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and am really looking forward to reading more of this series! I can't wait to see what Poly's up to next.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely! You can bet I'll be hunting down the first book ASAP!
Would I Recommend this Book?: Definitely! Any cozy mystery lover would enjoy this one - especially if you have any interest in fabric.
Challenges Met?
What a clever name for a fabric store, Material Girl, that's cute. Sounds like this has everything from romance to mystery!
ReplyDeleteI regret not learning to sew when I was growing up. I still struggle with replacing buttons--but at least I can, right? That's something. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun read. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Sounds like a good book. I am learning to quilt and love just walking around fabric stores, Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThanks....can't wait to read!
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew in 4-H club and have continued to sew throughout my life. It is a great stress reliever for me.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds really good.
Love the fabric
jwisley8(at)me(dot)com
What a delightful book, great feature and wonderful giveaway. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good and I do love cozies but there are so many that I want to read and not enough time:) Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a seamstress, yet I have a sewing machine that I don't know how to use, shame on me ! I'd love to learn too. Looks like a nice read, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a delightful read! My mother was a fabulous seamstress...I merely plodded along...LOL.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
I went and looked up the first book as this sounds like a great series. :)
ReplyDeleteI love sewing and fabric stores. This looks like a great series!
ReplyDeleteSewing is not something I particularly care for. But I do envy those that do sew. You want to make me a scarf? LOL. :D
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric store, and red herrings. It is always a delight when I end up surprised at the end. Wonderful review Katherine.
ReplyDeleteSounds fun and I love the reveal surprised you, that is always a winner for me. And the sewing theme is cute.
ReplyDeleteI love Vallere's other books and can't wait to catch up with Poly. Thanks for sharing the nice review!
ReplyDeletethank you for this awesome & fun giveaway I loved the first book in the seriesCrushed velvet corner sofa UK
ReplyDelete