A fun cozy. I'm looking forward to the rest in this series. ( )

Having read several of the Tea Shop Mysteries by this author I was looking forward to this new series. However, I had a hard time with the start since the character, I feel, were not completely defined but by the end I thoroughly enjoyed this Cozy Mystery. I don't feel that there were all the necessary clues for the solution as in the author's other books but I am looking forward to continuing the series and hope for improvement. ( )

Keepsake Crimes is the 1st in the scrapbooking mystery series by Laura Childs. While attending a Mardi Gras parade, Carmela Bertrand witnesses the public death of one of the participants, a well known New Orleans businessman. Unfortunately, her estranged husband is quickly identified as a suspect of the murder and Carmela finds herself trying to prove his innocence (or guilt).

I very much like the idea of a scrapbooking themed cozy mystery, but this first book was a little lacking. The author spends much of the book describing New Orleans & scrapbooking and very little on the actual mystery. The ending was very hurried and somewhat predictable. All that said, I would like to give the next book in the series a try to see how the author progresses and if she develops a stronger story. ( )