Helpful Score: 1
Silence of the Lamps by Karen Rose Smith is the fifth book in the Caprice De Luca series. Caprice's sister, Nikki owns Nikki's Catered Capers. She has been having trouble with Drew Pierson. Drew used to work with Nikki until she spurned his advances and did not want him to become her partner. He is now out to make her life miserable and shut down her business. Nikki and Drew had a heated exchange at an open house that Caprice was staging. Then another incident at the local wedding expo. Nikki goes over to Drew's house (actually he lives with his grandmother, Rowena) to talk to him with Caprice and they find Drew dead on the floor. A beautiful Tiffany lampshade is nearby and the base is missing (I wonder what killed him). Nikki ends up being at the top of the suspect list (of course). Caprice will do anything she can to clear her sister's name (as expected). Caprice (despite warnings from loved one's) is determined to find the real killer. Join us is Kismet for another Caprice investigation and her intriguing vintage fashions.
Silence of the Lamps was my least favorite book in the series (which I have really enjoyed up to this point). The novel contained very little mystery. The clues were not provided until before the killer was revealed (not that you really need the clues to solve the crime). The focus of this book seemed to be on Caprice and her relationship with Grant, the animals (a cat that needed rescued, Lady and Patches), Uncle Dom becoming a pet sitter, and Caprice's constant need for someone to watch her dog (which I really do not understand). I read cozy mysteries for the (you are going to be shocked) the mystery! Silence of the Lamps is nicely written and easy to read (it had a good flow as well). The characters are interesting, and I enjoy Caprice's unique style of dress and decorating (vintage). I give Silence of the Lamps 3 out of 5 stars. If this novel just had more mystery (clues, investigation) and less about finding pet sitters, I would love it.
I received a complimentary copy of Silence of the Lamps from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Silence of the Lamps was my least favorite book in the series (which I have really enjoyed up to this point). The novel contained very little mystery. The clues were not provided until before the killer was revealed (not that you really need the clues to solve the crime). The focus of this book seemed to be on Caprice and her relationship with Grant, the animals (a cat that needed rescued, Lady and Patches), Uncle Dom becoming a pet sitter, and Caprice's constant need for someone to watch her dog (which I really do not understand). I read cozy mysteries for the (you are going to be shocked) the mystery! Silence of the Lamps is nicely written and easy to read (it had a good flow as well). The characters are interesting, and I enjoy Caprice's unique style of dress and decorating (vintage). I give Silence of the Lamps 3 out of 5 stars. If this novel just had more mystery (clues, investigation) and less about finding pet sitters, I would love it.
I received a complimentary copy of Silence of the Lamps from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Silence of the Lamps (Caprice De Luca, Bk 5) on + 157 more book reviews
The Caprice De Luca Home Staging series is perfect for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, and no explicit scenes or profanity will be found. Although Silence of the Lamps can stand alone, I recommend reading the series in order for a better sense of character development. Familiar characters put in an appearance, Caprice's sister, Nikki, is linked to the murder victim, and there's an unexpected wrinkle in Caprice's relationship with Grant, from which she learns some important lessons in trust.
I look for character depth in what I read and that is one of my favorite things about this series because that's not always something you find in mysteries. Caprice is a totally loveable character, aptly described by the term "free spirit" ... She's extremely knowledgeable and talented at interior design and staging high-end homes, her dress is colorfully retro, she has a deep love and nurturing spirit for animals, and family means the world to her. I got a kick when she told a friend that dressing in her retro style gave her lots more from which to choose, and she's right!
The mystery plot is well developed and, rather than being filled with suspenseful action, involves the logical, step-by-step questioning of potential suspects a style that I enjoy very much. I've come to know Caprice, her Italian family, love interests, and pets more with each book, which makes me eagerly anticipate beginning a new story. Karen gives occasional descriptions of home staging and tidbits about pets, all of which I found interesting and enriching to the story. Karen is a rescuer of cats herself, and I love how that passion shines through in all that she writes.
Silence of the Lamps is a true "comfort" read for me and I highly recommend it, as well as the whole series, to all who enjoy cozy mysteries. Within the cozy mystery genre, 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Karen and Kensington Publishing for providing a electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I look for character depth in what I read and that is one of my favorite things about this series because that's not always something you find in mysteries. Caprice is a totally loveable character, aptly described by the term "free spirit" ... She's extremely knowledgeable and talented at interior design and staging high-end homes, her dress is colorfully retro, she has a deep love and nurturing spirit for animals, and family means the world to her. I got a kick when she told a friend that dressing in her retro style gave her lots more from which to choose, and she's right!
The mystery plot is well developed and, rather than being filled with suspenseful action, involves the logical, step-by-step questioning of potential suspects a style that I enjoy very much. I've come to know Caprice, her Italian family, love interests, and pets more with each book, which makes me eagerly anticipate beginning a new story. Karen gives occasional descriptions of home staging and tidbits about pets, all of which I found interesting and enriching to the story. Karen is a rescuer of cats herself, and I love how that passion shines through in all that she writes.
Silence of the Lamps is a true "comfort" read for me and I highly recommend it, as well as the whole series, to all who enjoy cozy mysteries. Within the cozy mystery genre, 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Karen and Kensington Publishing for providing a electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Silence of the Lamps is the fifth installment in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series. Main character Caprice De Luca is an interior designer turned home stager in the small town of Kismet, PA.
Caprice's staging business is thriving thanks in part to the food served at the open houses by her sister Nikki's Catered Caper's and her relationship with lawyer Grant Weatherford has blossomed into one of comfortable companionship. Her pets, cocker spaniel Lady and cats Mirabelle and Sophia have settled into a happy co-existence.
When Nikki's pesky nemesis Drew Pierson shows up at her open house and again at the local wedding expo making threats and bragging about his recent BBQ sauce sale to local chain Rack O' Ribs, Caprice is once again convinced Drew is out to ruin her sister because Nikki rejected the mans unwanted advances. After tasting the food Drew prepared at the wedding expo and the BBQ sauce it becomes apparent that Drew has stolen the recipes now making him successful.
Determined to confront the man about his shady behavior Nikki asks Caprice to go with her to his Grandmother Rowena's house where he has been living. Unfortunately, when the sisters arrive they find Drew dead and due to the volatile relationship between the two Nikki becomes a prime suspect in his murder.
Nikki wasn't the only one who despised Drew. He had stolen recipes from other people and passed them off as his own, his sister Jeanie appears to be annoyed that he's living in their grandmother's house full of antiques including two prized Tiffany lamps which he stands to inherit, and his relationship with his two best friends, Bronson Chronister and Larry Penya seems to have dark undertones.
In addition to a juicy murder investigation this edition to the series also focuses on the lives of Caprice's friends and family. Grant's ex wife Naomi has come to town and Caprice is heartbroken, neighbor and pet-sitter Dulcina is involved in a new relationship with a man whose children aren't very welcoming, Uncle Dom has moved out of the De Luca family home and opened his own pet sitting/house sitting business, Caprice's other sister Bella and husband Joe are in the process of selling their house and buying a larger one, and Nikki appears to be falling for hunky Detective Carstead.
This series is sure to put a smile on your face. While probably not necessary, I recommend readers start at the beginning of the series in order to grow with Caprice and her family (both human and pets). I can not wait for the next story Shades of Wrath to be released.
Caprice's staging business is thriving thanks in part to the food served at the open houses by her sister Nikki's Catered Caper's and her relationship with lawyer Grant Weatherford has blossomed into one of comfortable companionship. Her pets, cocker spaniel Lady and cats Mirabelle and Sophia have settled into a happy co-existence.
When Nikki's pesky nemesis Drew Pierson shows up at her open house and again at the local wedding expo making threats and bragging about his recent BBQ sauce sale to local chain Rack O' Ribs, Caprice is once again convinced Drew is out to ruin her sister because Nikki rejected the mans unwanted advances. After tasting the food Drew prepared at the wedding expo and the BBQ sauce it becomes apparent that Drew has stolen the recipes now making him successful.
Determined to confront the man about his shady behavior Nikki asks Caprice to go with her to his Grandmother Rowena's house where he has been living. Unfortunately, when the sisters arrive they find Drew dead and due to the volatile relationship between the two Nikki becomes a prime suspect in his murder.
Nikki wasn't the only one who despised Drew. He had stolen recipes from other people and passed them off as his own, his sister Jeanie appears to be annoyed that he's living in their grandmother's house full of antiques including two prized Tiffany lamps which he stands to inherit, and his relationship with his two best friends, Bronson Chronister and Larry Penya seems to have dark undertones.
In addition to a juicy murder investigation this edition to the series also focuses on the lives of Caprice's friends and family. Grant's ex wife Naomi has come to town and Caprice is heartbroken, neighbor and pet-sitter Dulcina is involved in a new relationship with a man whose children aren't very welcoming, Uncle Dom has moved out of the De Luca family home and opened his own pet sitting/house sitting business, Caprice's other sister Bella and husband Joe are in the process of selling their house and buying a larger one, and Nikki appears to be falling for hunky Detective Carstead.
This series is sure to put a smile on your face. While probably not necessary, I recommend readers start at the beginning of the series in order to grow with Caprice and her family (both human and pets). I can not wait for the next story Shades of Wrath to be released.
