Dollycas's Thoughts
The Handcraft Emporium is all ready to open and The Silver Six, Ms. Sherry, Dwight Aloysius Baxter, Maisie Holcomb and her sister Aster Parsons, Eleanor Wainwright and Fred Fishner. With Nixy's help have several classes planned to draw in the customers. The first class is a gourd painting class and they invite Doralee Gordon to show off her talents. Things get a little heated when Doralee's ex shows up with his sister and fiancée, to take the class and try to make Doralee very uncomfortable. When the fiancée is found dead the next day and Doralee becomes a suspect The Silver Six are all excited to solve another crime. This may not be good for Nixy's new relationship with Detective Eric Shoar, but the man seems to have the patience of a saint.
Nancy Haddock has written a wonderful mystery the immediately draws the reader in. I was surprised by the title change. The teaser chapter in the last book, Basket Case, said it was to be GOODBYE GOURDEOUS, while Paint the Town Dead works, I liked the first title better. The cover is GOURDEOUS and the mystery is delightful. Several twists and moments that had me giggle and a couple that has me laughing out loud. This story was a real treat.
I enjoy every one of these characters, they continue to surprise and make us see age is just a number. They are continually on the go. I wish I had half their energy. They do get their noses out of joint when they think Nixy and Eric are investigating without them. But the things are quickly back in place.
As for the new characters, Kim, the fiancée, is a greedy little witch trying to reel in husband #3. The perfect victim and the deeper the Six dug the more suspects they found. I almost felt sorry for Ernie, the ex, almost!. We also have T.C. and Amber, a dog and a cat, that were found in the alley behind the emporium. They quickly worm their way into everyone's hearts, including mine.
This story checks all the cozy boxes, unique small town, colorful characters, an intriguing mystery to solve, a bit of romance and a bunch of humor.
As the temps get cooler, snuggle up in a blanket and get comfy with this cozy.
The Handcraft Emporium is all ready to open and The Silver Six, Ms. Sherry, Dwight Aloysius Baxter, Maisie Holcomb and her sister Aster Parsons, Eleanor Wainwright and Fred Fishner. With Nixy's help have several classes planned to draw in the customers. The first class is a gourd painting class and they invite Doralee Gordon to show off her talents. Things get a little heated when Doralee's ex shows up with his sister and fiancée, to take the class and try to make Doralee very uncomfortable. When the fiancée is found dead the next day and Doralee becomes a suspect The Silver Six are all excited to solve another crime. This may not be good for Nixy's new relationship with Detective Eric Shoar, but the man seems to have the patience of a saint.
Nancy Haddock has written a wonderful mystery the immediately draws the reader in. I was surprised by the title change. The teaser chapter in the last book, Basket Case, said it was to be GOODBYE GOURDEOUS, while Paint the Town Dead works, I liked the first title better. The cover is GOURDEOUS and the mystery is delightful. Several twists and moments that had me giggle and a couple that has me laughing out loud. This story was a real treat.
I enjoy every one of these characters, they continue to surprise and make us see age is just a number. They are continually on the go. I wish I had half their energy. They do get their noses out of joint when they think Nixy and Eric are investigating without them. But the things are quickly back in place.
As for the new characters, Kim, the fiancée, is a greedy little witch trying to reel in husband #3. The perfect victim and the deeper the Six dug the more suspects they found. I almost felt sorry for Ernie, the ex, almost!. We also have T.C. and Amber, a dog and a cat, that were found in the alley behind the emporium. They quickly worm their way into everyone's hearts, including mine.
This story checks all the cozy boxes, unique small town, colorful characters, an intriguing mystery to solve, a bit of romance and a bunch of humor.
As the temps get cooler, snuggle up in a blanket and get comfy with this cozy.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Paint the Town Dead is the second in the Silver Six Crafting series. Leslee Stanton Nix aka "Nixy" has settled into her new life in Lilyvale, Arkansas. Nixy, her Aunt Sherry Mae Stanton and her aunt's Senior roommates; Dab, Maise, Fred, Aster and Eleanor, collectively known as the Silver Six have completed the renovations on their new crafting shop, The Handcraft Emporium.
A week long series of crafting workshops are scheduled in preparation for the grand opening of the new store which will feature the crafts of the Silver Six as well as other local artists. The first artist to present is Doralee Gordon, who specializes in gourd painting, and is a close friend of the Silver Six. Doralee along with her gentlemen friend Zach Dalton, are well into their workshop when the program is disrupted by Doralee's ex-husband Ernie Boudreaux, his fiancée Kimberly and his sister Georgine.
Kimberly is the definition of eye candy on the arm of the elderly Ernie, and she has a reputation for marrying wealthy men who have a habit of dying leaving her with their fortunes. This time Kimberly wants an opal ring that Doralee is in possession of, claiming it rightfully should belong to Ernie. It's no surprise that Kimberly soon ends up dead, and plenty of suspects surface including Doralee, the long suffering Ernie who was getting fed up with her demands, Georgine who couldn't stand the young woman, and the sister of one of her ex husbands, Margot Thomason.
Nixy agrees to help her aunt's friend clear her name at the urging of the Silver six, despite the objections of Detective Eric Shoar. Nixy is in the first stages of her relationship with the hunky detective and she doesn't want to interfere in his investigation but she needs to keep the Seniors from getting into trouble.
Aunt Sherry's ninety three year old neighbor Bernice Gilroy is back in this installment offering up a few laughs. Readers are also introduced to Nixy's new rescue pets, dog Amber and cat T.C. A fast paced fun storyline set in a cozy idyllic town with a great cast of characters, there is the potential for many more adventures with this group and the new pets.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
A week long series of crafting workshops are scheduled in preparation for the grand opening of the new store which will feature the crafts of the Silver Six as well as other local artists. The first artist to present is Doralee Gordon, who specializes in gourd painting, and is a close friend of the Silver Six. Doralee along with her gentlemen friend Zach Dalton, are well into their workshop when the program is disrupted by Doralee's ex-husband Ernie Boudreaux, his fiancée Kimberly and his sister Georgine.
Kimberly is the definition of eye candy on the arm of the elderly Ernie, and she has a reputation for marrying wealthy men who have a habit of dying leaving her with their fortunes. This time Kimberly wants an opal ring that Doralee is in possession of, claiming it rightfully should belong to Ernie. It's no surprise that Kimberly soon ends up dead, and plenty of suspects surface including Doralee, the long suffering Ernie who was getting fed up with her demands, Georgine who couldn't stand the young woman, and the sister of one of her ex husbands, Margot Thomason.
Nixy agrees to help her aunt's friend clear her name at the urging of the Silver six, despite the objections of Detective Eric Shoar. Nixy is in the first stages of her relationship with the hunky detective and she doesn't want to interfere in his investigation but she needs to keep the Seniors from getting into trouble.
Aunt Sherry's ninety three year old neighbor Bernice Gilroy is back in this installment offering up a few laughs. Readers are also introduced to Nixy's new rescue pets, dog Amber and cat T.C. A fast paced fun storyline set in a cozy idyllic town with a great cast of characters, there is the potential for many more adventures with this group and the new pets.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Paint the Town Dead by Nancy Haddock is the second book in A Silver Six Crafting Mystery. Leslie "Nixy" Stanton along with the Silver Six are opening The Handcraft Emporium in Lilyvale, Arkansas. The will be having demonstrations throughout the week, and they will have their very first class. The class is being conducted by Doralee Gordon, gourd artist and instructor. Doralee is teaching the class when it is interrupted by a loud man with two ladies in tow. The man turns out to be Doralee's ex-husband, Ernie Boudreaux. He brought along his new fiancé, Kim and his sister, Georgine. Ernie states that he taught Doralee everything, and he should be teaching the class. He is going to sit in to make sure she is not using his designs on her gourds (anyone else think he should be locked up). Nixy is glad when the class ends and Ernie and his entourage depart. Then Doralee discovers one of her tools (an awl) is missing. Nixy soon forgets it in the hubbub of the grand opening. The next day Nixy notices a little dog and cat sitting outside her shop in the alley. The two little cuties seem intent upon staying and soon Nixy has two new pets (The Silver Six love them). When Nixy accompanies Doralee to her lodgings, they find Kim Thomason, Ernie's fiancé, dead in Doralee's room (along with Doralee's missing tool). The room has been ransacked. What was Kim looking for or did she interrupt someone else? Someone is intent on setting up Doralee. Nixy and the Silver Six spring into action. They need to find the real culprit and clear Doralee's name. Can they find the killer?
Paint the Town Dead was a charming cozy mystery. I like the characters, the adorable animals, and the setting of Lilyvale, Arkansas. The pace was good and the book held my interest throughout. I wish the mystery had been more complicated. I picked out the killer immediately. I did enjoy reading and following the clues to see if I was right. I give Paint the Town Dead 4 out of 5 stars. The one thing I did not like was the constant mention of lavender. Aster Parsons, a Silver Six member, has lavender in bowls around the shop and has a mist that she sprays quite frequently (to calm people). One or two mentions is acceptable, but at least once a chapter is too much (more like two or three times a chapter). I know I would never be able to enter this store with my allergies (I am highly allergic to lavender). Paint the Town Dead can be a stand-alone book, but I recommend reading the first book Basket Case. It will help you to understand the main characters and their history. I appreciated the descriptions of the various crafts (I love crafting projects). Nancy Haddock is a great descriptive writer. Thanks to her words I could envision the shop and the items in it as well the people. I look forward to reading the next book in A Silver Six Crafting Mystery.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Paint the Town Dead was a charming cozy mystery. I like the characters, the adorable animals, and the setting of Lilyvale, Arkansas. The pace was good and the book held my interest throughout. I wish the mystery had been more complicated. I picked out the killer immediately. I did enjoy reading and following the clues to see if I was right. I give Paint the Town Dead 4 out of 5 stars. The one thing I did not like was the constant mention of lavender. Aster Parsons, a Silver Six member, has lavender in bowls around the shop and has a mist that she sprays quite frequently (to calm people). One or two mentions is acceptable, but at least once a chapter is too much (more like two or three times a chapter). I know I would never be able to enter this store with my allergies (I am highly allergic to lavender). Paint the Town Dead can be a stand-alone book, but I recommend reading the first book Basket Case. It will help you to understand the main characters and their history. I appreciated the descriptions of the various crafts (I love crafting projects). Nancy Haddock is a great descriptive writer. Thanks to her words I could envision the shop and the items in it as well the people. I look forward to reading the next book in A Silver Six Crafting Mystery.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
