Madeira Cutler is busy opening her new vintage clothing store in what was once the town's morgue when she discovers an intruder snooping around a b...
read full description
reviews
Sep 02, 2011
Jeannie
rated it: 
Each new novel in this delightful series makes me enjoy it more. Our sleuth, Maddie is starting her new life as sole-proprietor of a vintage dress store. The store comes with beautiful clothing, antiques, and even its own handsome, and winsome ghost, named Dante.
As Maddie arrives to her store (tired by a non-ending final work day, driving home to Connecticut from New York, and an antique quilt is found by Dante (Yes, our Maddie can talk and see him,) filled with bones and other treasur More...
As Maddie arrives to her store (tired by a non-ending final work day, driving home to Connecticut from New York, and an antique quilt is found by Dante (Yes, our Maddie can talk and see him,) filled with bones and other treasur More...
Mar 06, 2010
Ali
rated it: 
This book was tough. I enjoy reading quick mysteries and light 'romance mystery' type fiction things for down time at work or at home when my husband is watching something crappy on tv. this was not a 'quick mystery' it took me forever to finish.
Not because it was insightful or long, but because it was so poorly written, scattered with bad english and grammar, and full of over the top, unneccary characters. Where there should have been detail there was none, conversly there was WAY t More...
Not because it was insightful or long, but because it was so poorly written, scattered with bad english and grammar, and full of over the top, unneccary characters. Where there should have been detail there was none, conversly there was WAY t More...
Oct 05, 2009
Dorri
rated it:
Once again Madeira (aka Maddie or Mad) Cutler, former New York fashion designer, finds herself smack dab in the middle of a mystery. After purchasing the old Underhill Funeral Chapel, curtesy of her friend and centenarian Dolly Sweet, remodeling it and walking in to prepare it for the grand opening of Vintage Magic, is it any wonder she gets a little cranky when a theif breaks in when she's only been there an hour? Even Dante, the resident ghost, can't help Maddie ID the culpret.
It More...
It More...
Sep 21, 2009
Marlyn
rated it: 
picked up A Veiled Deception, the first of the Vintage Magic mysteries, a few weeks ago and just decided to read it the other day. Just after I finished it, I happened to be at Borders with $5 in Borders Bucks, happened upon the sequel and picked it up.
In the first book, Madeira Cutler goes back to her (fictional) home town of Mystick Falls, Connecticut to help with her sister Sherry's wedding to Justin Vancortland. At a dinner party on her first evening home, Maddie finds an ex-gir More...
In the first book, Madeira Cutler goes back to her (fictional) home town of Mystick Falls, Connecticut to help with her sister Sherry's wedding to Justin Vancortland. At a dinner party on her first evening home, Maddie finds an ex-gir More...
Jan 04, 2012
Yvonne
rated it:
Madeira Cutler is finally leaving her life and job in New York behind as she moves to her family hometown in Mystic, Connecticut. Maddie has huge plans which includes opening a vintage clothing store in a renovated morgue. The building needs much work, but Maddie is determined to have it completed by opening day. Unfortunately, an obstacle gets tossed in her way when an intruder breaks in and old bones are discovered in one of the morgue drawers.
Meanwhile, the building next door goes u More...
Meanwhile, the building next door goes u More...
Feb 16, 2011
Arati
rated it:
Sometimes you just need to be in the right mood to appreciate a book…I remember trying to read Larceny and Lace a couple of months back and failing completely to get into the story. After repeated failures, I decided to leave it in peace and turned to other books and genres…the best decision I could have made, though I admit it didn't feel that way then (I hate leaving a book once I've started on it). Coming back to it after all these months, I found myself engrossed from page 1 (I decided to re
More...
Nov 16, 2009
Hollie
rated it: 
Book synopsis:
Madeira Cutler is busy opening her new vintage clothing store in what was once the town's morgue when she discovers an intruder snooping around a bunch of bones in a body drawer. Now, she'll have to dig up more than the past to solve a crime.
This was one of the most strangest books that I have ever read. This author was way too distracting for me, she was all over the place. She has 5 different charters that did not add to the story, they didn't need More...
Madeira Cutler is busy opening her new vintage clothing store in what was once the town's morgue when she discovers an intruder snooping around a bunch of bones in a body drawer. Now, she'll have to dig up more than the past to solve a crime.
This was one of the most strangest books that I have ever read. This author was way too distracting for me, she was all over the place. She has 5 different charters that did not add to the story, they didn't need More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 23, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
This is the second in the Vintage Magic series. This is a very fun cozy mystery series that marries vintage clothing, cats, witchcraft and humor. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing in the first book - A Veiled Deception - and was not disappointed by the second. The main character is well developed and likable. The plot lines are well conceived, though one must accept that some aspects are far fetched on the basis of it being a cozy mystery and the main character having "sp
More...
Nov 24, 2010
Snap
rated it: 
I'm reading this series out of order. I read Death by Diamonds (#3) first. I enjoyed it, but felt something was lacking. I liked Larceny and Lace better. Perhaps if I'd been reading in order???!!! Madeira Cutler has moved from New York to her childhood home of Mystic Falls where she is opening a vintage clothing boutique in an old mortuary she has remodeled. Her store is inhabited by a good looking ghost named Dante Underhill. Mad has a cat named Chakra. Her Aunt Fiona is a witch as was her moth
More...
Sep 21, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
A charming cozy mystery that works in some very subtle paranormal elements. The romantic story was less significant in this book than it was in the first book, which I welcomed as this author can be overly kitschy, especially when it comes to that topic. Here’s a brief sampling of such sigh-worthy moments: “He wasn’t the first enemy I’d ever made. He would be the last. But he might be the deadliest.” Da, da, da – talk (or write) about some clichéd suspense-building. Nonetheless, the heroi
More...
Aug 29, 2010
Lindsay
rated it:
This is the second book in the series and in this one, Maddie is opening up her Vintage Magic clothing shop, only of course murder follows. First the playhouse across the street burns down killing the owner. Then Maddie and her friends find human bones wrapped up in a quilt they find in the shop, so of course they decide to find out what happened, getting themselves into danger along the way.
I didn't hate the book, but felt like there were to many characters and I got a bit confused. I lik More...
I didn't hate the book, but felt like there were to many characters and I got a bit confused. I lik More...
Oct 04, 2010
Beverley
rated it:
For an escape simple read this book is taking time to plow through. The story line is interesting - buy an old funeral home, renovate and open up a vintage clothing costume shop in a small town. The story comes complete with a resident ghost who keeps the new owner appraised of all the comings and goings in the shop. The author though seems fixated on designer clothing and making sure the reader is fully aware of every nuiance of cloth on the characters in the book, right down to the Jimmy Ch
More...
Jan 02, 2010
Staci
rated it:
I picked both of these books up because I loved the covers and thought they sounded like fun. That is exactly what this series is....fun. The mysteries are not that convincing and the main character has a way of not cussing by using words that sound similar to the swear word that has a way of driving me nuts!! But I can get past that and just enjoy them for what they are. Fast, fun, easy-to-read cozy mysteries. After a while the cast of characters grow on you and now I'm finding that I want to s
More...
Jan 02, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
Vintage clothing shop owner Madeira Cutler has enough to contend with before the grand opening of her store, but finding some old bones leads her to a long ago murder. The killer is still alive, however, and determined that Maddie doesn’t get a clue about what happened. With the help of her psychic abilities and a resident ghost, she follows the threads, weaves the clues together, and gets to the cut of the crime. Cleverly magical.
Dec 24, 2010
Chris
rated it:
This is an okay enough sequel from A Veiled Deception. Light enough to read, though not as engaging as the first novel. The latter parts of the novel though tend to be confusing with so many characters being thrown in as red herrings. Madeira is still an interesting character and the love stories and rivalries brewing around her are something to look forward to.
Jan 16, 2012
Sue
rated it:
I would have thought all the talk about fashion would make reading this series tedious, but it doesn't. The little tid-bits about vintage clothes and materials are interesting. The story reads quickly which is saying something for me. :) The characters are great and there is just enough of the supernatural to make me want more. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with a touch of magic.
Jul 31, 2010
Jan
rated it:
Maddie Cutler is close to opening the dream of her life, a vintage clothing store in her hometown. But when a fire leads to the discovery of a body in the nearby playhouse, and a set of human bones is discovered in her own shop ( well it had been a funeral home), Maddie and her friend, Eve, cannot help but be drawn into the mystery. Using her skill of psychometry and natural curiousity, Maddie finds herself upto her vintage designer hemline in danger.
I really enjoy these books. Blair More...
I really enjoy these books. Blair More...
Jan 22, 2010
Cindi
rated it:
Cozy ghost/psychic mystery. I liked it even though I don't known a thing about fashion. Maddie and the rest of the characters are very likable. I didn't know who done it but Maddie was wrong so I don't feel so bad. ha!
Mar 15, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
This was a book that I had a very hard time putting aside to do other things, like to eat. Annette Blair has a definite winner in Maddie Cutler and freinds.
Oct 16, 2011
Vera
rated it:
This is a very easy to read series. The characters, especially Madeira, are well developed, and the supernatural overtones add to the story.
Jan 07, 2011
Janet
rated it:
Wooly knobby knits! Swear to Gucci, Maddie’s cutesy-poo (though admittedly very creative device on the part of Blair) over indulged habit of “cursing” by stringing together fashion terms is fast become a really scrappy annoyance. I’m sure plenty of fans find it charming, but it could very well drive me to drop this series faster than last season’s Ferragamos.
Sep 12, 2009
Lavendersbluegreen
rated it:
I eagerly awaited this second installment in Madeira’s tale… and now await the third… This series you just have to read!
Oct 24, 2011
Dharma Bum
rated it:
A great sequel which adds layers to the characters instead of just recycling the same old flaws and strengths.
Aug 21, 2009
Vicky
rated it:
Annette did a very god job with this novel. It kept moving and turning and twisting. Looking forward to her next vintage.
Sep 08, 2009
Dru
rated it:
I really enjoyed this light paranormal mystery. Look forward to seeing more of Maddie and her friends.
Nov 15, 2011
Shelle
rated it:
Love Annette Blair! Great cozy mystery and you learn about vintage clothing to boot! Who know my closet was full of wonderful stuff!!! Now If I could only lose the weight to get back into the clothes or find a wonderful shop to sell them too!!! Love the character development and can't wait to read the next book....
