Silk Stalkings

I dove right in to this new mystery by Vallere. The Miss Tangorli pageant has a long history in San Ladron, California. Named for the tangerine/orange/lime hybrid that made Harvey Halliwell very rich, the pageant boasts twenty young women, all vying for the top prize. Poly Monroe, owner of the local fabric store, is personally asked by Halliwell to provide dress fabric and design guidance for all of the contestants. I enjoyed learning more about the history of San Ladron, the cultivating of the Tangorli, and how these local store owners try to capitalize on the pageant business. I liked that Poly is still somewhat of a newcomer to town, and learning the ropes about small town news. Being the one to find the body puts her right in the show more middle of the action, plus her best friend Charlie Brooks is acting very strange. There are a lot of characters and stories going on here, but no one gets short shrift. The murder naturally pulls some story lines together and others resolve on their own. It wasn’t easy to figure out, as there were plenty of motives and opportunities for several suspects, which kept the story moving along. Vallere is a great writer and I look forward to reading more about Poly, Vaughn and the other inhabitants of San Ladron. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. show less

Diane Vallere's Material Witness cozy series continues to be one of my very favorites, due in part to Poly's ability to look at a bolt of fabric, find divine inspiration, and then whip up something fabulous. Poly is also strong, intelligent, funny, and kind, and she needs all the help she can get from her friends since her relationship with Vaughan isn't working out. (What can I say? Their backgrounds are just too dissimilar. Aren't they?)

As Poly tries to solve the crime, she learns even more about her friends and other residents there in San Ladrón-- especially the fact that several of them seem to have hidden agendas.

Vallere has a good cast of characters as well as a good mystery, but there's always something more. This time readers show more get an inside look at beauty pageants; at how divisive they usually are, and what they really could be with some know-how and determination from the right people. Also... remember how I told you that Poly is incredibly talented at the bolt-of-cloth-to-brilliant-designer-outfit thing? She's also great at thinking up great ideas for drumming up business-- especially in tandem with other business owners.

Poly not only has an excellent head for solving mysteries, she's got a good head for business and for friendship, and that's why I'll keep coming back to her shop Material Girl over and over again. show less

Silk Stalkings by Diane Vallere is the third book in a Material Witness Mystery series. Polyester Monroe (aka Poly) owns Material Girl in San Ladron, California. The town is getting ready for the Miss Tangorli pageant. It is an annual beauty pageant sponsored by Harvey Halliwell and his company, Halliwell Industries. Poly has agreed to help the twenty finalist design and create their gowns (level the playing field). Poly has contacted her former boss, Giovanni for assistance with the sewing. He has agreed to bring his ladies to town to sew the gowns. Harvey Halliwell came by Material Girl to work out the details with Poly (instead of his assistant, Nolene Kelly). Poly had seen Harvey having a disagreement the night before with a man at show more the Midnight in Paris event. Poly tried to talk to him about it, but Harvey brushed it aside. Poly is out later and notices something under a tree. She finds Harvey Halliwell dead with a knife in his side. Why would someone kill Harvey? Poly sets out to find the person responsible. In addition, Poly is worried about her friend, Charlie Brooks. Poly noticed the man who was arguing with Harvey go into Charlie’s Automotive, and Charlie has been acting strangely. What is she up to? Poly wants to make sure that Charlie is safe and does not get caught up in the murder investigation. So much for a quiet life in a small town. Can Poly find the killer before the new Miss Tangorli is crowned? You will have to read Silk Stalkings to find out!

Silk Stalkings was a wonderful novel. The novel has likeable characters (that you want to know and be friends with) and a great close-knit community in a small town. I found Silk Stalking to be well-written and easy to read (good pace or flow). The mystery is intricate with lots of twists making it difficult to solve (I loved it). I truly enjoy a mystery that puzzles me and makes me think (keeps the brain cells active). The subplot with Charlie was equally interesting. There are also beautiful descriptions of the fabric in Poly’s store especially the silk satin that the ladies are using for their gowns. While Silk Stalkings is the third book in a Material Witness Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author brings the reader up-to-date on what happened in the prior novels and the character’s background (though I highly suggest reading the first two books as they are just as delightful). I give Silk Stalkings 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). I will definitely be reading future novels in a Material Witness Mystery series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own. show less

I love a good murder mystery and this one kept my attention as I read it straight through. Author Diane Vallere had several plots in this engaging story. She did a very skillful job of bringing all the clues, plots, and characters together. With Poly and Vaughn dancing around each other, the mystery of her friend Charlie's life, the murder of the pageant founder, and many suspects that have motives for the murder, this book will keep you reading and wishing the story had not ended.

The secondary characters in this story are necessary to the structure of the town and the story-line and skillfully developed by Ms. Vallere. Each adds elements to the story. You will come to love or hate them as each one's history is revealed as the story show more progresses.

Ms. Vallere weaves an intriguing mystery full of clues and action. Each revelation was a surprise to me, as I had not put the pieces together correctly. Add in two adorable cats, Pins and Needles, and Poly's knowledge of fabrics, the fashion industry, her talent for investigation, the author's descriptive writing style, and you are ready for several hours of entertainment. Ms. Vallere added in touches of humor which had me chuckling as I read.

This is a solid, well-written, and developed book. I found the pace on target for the length of the book. Her characters are portrayed with realism and San Ladron is small town U.S.A. with all its faults, secrets, and quirky residents.

RECOMMENDATION: 4 STARS

If you are looking for a solid story that is well written and will hold you interest, this book is for you. It is a clean mystery that I enjoyed from start to finish. Although, part of a series, this book is a standalone.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest book review. Book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; all book reviews on line under my name and on my blog, are my opinion. show less

This is a good series, with really well done characterisations and a nice cozy small-town setting, but the editors blew it with this one and the story wasn't strong enough to compensate.

The story was interesting enough and the murder well-plotted but the sloppy editing not only had characters talking face-to-face and then suddenly hanging up the phone, only to continue chatting face-to-face, but vague references are never followed up on, hints are left dangling and logic trails left from previous edits are left as shadowy dead-ends. There were quite a few moments where I felt like I didn't have a handle on what was going on, and ultimately that cost this book 1 star.

I'll still happily order and read the next one in the series; perhaps show more the editor will find his/her mojo by then. show less

Have a tissue handy and set aside an entire LONG day for this family-friendly cozy mystery set in San Ladron, California which starts with Midnight in Paris and moves on to the planning for the Miss Tangorli beauty pageant in June. Mostly mild chuckles, so it should be safe to read in public. I had an ARC via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary review.

Another great book by Ms. Vallere