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221st out of 660 books
—
636 voters
Death by Diamonds (A Vintage Magic Mystery #3)
by
Annette Blair (Goodreads Author)
Madeira Cutler loves her Vintage Magic boutique, but the 'visions' she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the owner. At first she's thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejeweled dress she designed for actress and old friend Dominique Delong while in fashion school. But the dress comes with a disturbing message from...more
Paperback, 270 pages
Published
July 6th 2010
by Berkley
(first published January 1st 2010)
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Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair
I am always on the lookout for a writer who is a little bit different, a little bit quirky, fresh, original, etc. That's why I was so excited to discover Carolyn Crane and Gail Carriger this year. A favorite "quirky" author of mine, who has branched out from romance to mysteries, and whose writing keeps getting better and better (what a breath of fresh air that is!) is Annette Blair. I do believe her new mystery series showcases the very best of her writing abil...more
I am always on the lookout for a writer who is a little bit different, a little bit quirky, fresh, original, etc. That's why I was so excited to discover Carolyn Crane and Gail Carriger this year. A favorite "quirky" author of mine, who has branched out from romance to mysteries, and whose writing keeps getting better and better (what a breath of fresh air that is!) is Annette Blair. I do believe her new mystery series showcases the very best of her writing abil...more
This is the fourth in the Vintage Magic Series and I had forgotten how much I loved these books, Madeira (or Mad) owns a vintage clothing shop and also has a psychic ability to have visions when she touches old clothes, which helps her solve murders.
One morning she is sent a dress she designed for a broadway star and friend, Dom, with a note saying that she is dead and that Mad should use her talents to solve her murder. Next thing that she knows, she is on her way to New York with her FBI boyfr...more
One morning she is sent a dress she designed for a broadway star and friend, Dom, with a note saying that she is dead and that Mad should use her talents to solve her murder. Next thing that she knows, she is on her way to New York with her FBI boyfr...more
I'd like to give this a two and a half. I like the characters, and the premise is reasonable...
But there are a couple of features of this series that really irritate me. One is Ms. Blair's apparent inability ot check back to previous titles and see where she left off in relationships between characters.
The other is worse. In order to shoe horn in a variety of sewing-based wooden swears and exclamations, Ms. Blair tramples all over her own dialogue and narrative flow, repeatedly. Because she thi...more
But there are a couple of features of this series that really irritate me. One is Ms. Blair's apparent inability ot check back to previous titles and see where she left off in relationships between characters.
The other is worse. In order to shoe horn in a variety of sewing-based wooden swears and exclamations, Ms. Blair tramples all over her own dialogue and narrative flow, repeatedly. Because she thi...more
I enjoy most of Annette Blair's books, but am particularly fond of the Vintage Magic series.
I love the main character in this series, Mad, and her love of all things fashion. There are fashions, fashion designers and other fashion-related bits sprinkled throughout the story, which if you are a fan of fashion is a fun extra.
The mystery, in this case who murdered Mad's Broadway star friend, is a fast, easy and light read, although it is a well-constructed mystery, with plenty of clues if you want...more
I love the main character in this series, Mad, and her love of all things fashion. There are fashions, fashion designers and other fashion-related bits sprinkled throughout the story, which if you are a fan of fashion is a fun extra.
The mystery, in this case who murdered Mad's Broadway star friend, is a fast, easy and light read, although it is a well-constructed mystery, with plenty of clues if you want...more
I haven't read any of the other Vintage Magic Mysteries. Madeira has a vintage clothing store and some very quirky friends, including a ghost who inhabits her shop. She get visions from the clothing in her store - especially when she knew the garment's owner. Mad receives a package from her friend (and actress) Dominique DeLong -- the beautiful bejeweled dress Mad designed for her while she was in fashion school. But the dress comes with a note that sounds like Dominique was expecting her time o...more
Vintage Magic Mystery. Maddie uses her "touch visions" of vintage clothing to solve the mysteries she get involved in. Lytton Werner, local police detective and FBI agent Nick both try to keep her out of trouble.
Madeira Cutler loves her Vintage Magic boutique, but the 'visions' she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the owner. At first she's thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejeweled dress she designed for actress and old friend Domini...more
Madeira Cutler loves her Vintage Magic boutique, but the 'visions' she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the owner. At first she's thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejeweled dress she designed for actress and old friend Domini...more
Madeira Cutler, sole proprietor/designer dealing with wonderful vintage clothing comes in to work and receives a box that bears sad news. Her good actress friend has passed away leaving the dress that Madeira had designed for her to Madeira. Next comes a phone call from the actress' son, Kyle and Madeira finds out the dress almost arrived before the death??? What is going on?
Kyle pleads with Mad to come to NY to help him with the funeral and oh by the way...be executrix of the will.
Eve, Nick, an...more
Kyle pleads with Mad to come to NY to help him with the funeral and oh by the way...be executrix of the will.
Eve, Nick, an...more
Another good book in the Vintage series. I have to say I didn't love as much as the first two, but I did still enjoy the well thought out mystery. The book is mainly set in New York this time, and I missed the small town cozyness of the other books, as well as some of the secondary characters, such as Dante. That being said I'm looking forward to the next book, as Annette Blair always writes a nice lighthearted tale that pulls you in. I especially like the quotes from designers at the beginning...more
I almost wish I hadn't given the first two books in this series 5 stars, only because I have nowhere to go when I love the next book so much and they just keep getting better. Bravo, Ms. Blair! I laughed through a lot of this book (especially when Maddie uses phrases like "Tucking A!"). This mystery was engaging, and I'm even more in love with Detective Werner now than I was after Larceny & Lace. I wish Nick and Eve would just get together to leave the way clear for poor Werner. Make sure yo...more
Third in the Vintage Magic mystery series. A fun, quick read with a hint of the supernatural. Maddie tries to find out who killed her actress friend when, after her death, a special gown is delivered to her at her vintage clothing shop that was sent by the deceased. This will help her solve the mysterious circumstances surrounding her friend's death as she uses her psychic ability to see visions when she touches vintage clothing and get clues to what happened to their owners when they were weari...more
I loved this book, it was my favorite of the series so far. It had you going from the first page and it also helped that their was some testosterone battles between Nick and Werner, which was amusing and sweet. Mad, of course was playing Nancy Drew as usual and she did so well and managed not to get hurt in the process. Again the characters are awesome as was the storyline. I also loved that Mad's ability was used more in this book than the others and the fact that she is learning how to hone it...more
It's a quick simple read about a lady who can touch a piece of clothing and see the story behind it, using that info to help her solve mysteries. It was easy to follow, except when she was touch the clothes, then things got a little confusing. It kind of seemed like she was in the past and the present at the same time, and I never really understood what was going on.
But other than that, I liked it enough that I'd read other books in the series.
But other than that, I liked it enough that I'd read other books in the series.
Fun easy quick read. This is the third book in the Vintage Magic Mystery series. The main character, Madeira Cutler, has the ability to see visions when touching vintage clothes. In this book, she is caught between her on & off lover, Nick - FBI, and Werner - local Mystic police. She is not sure of her emotions or feelings in regard to the men. Love all the vintage clothes.
I liked this third outing better of the Vintage Mystery series than the second one. It's a breezier and funnier read. It's also more tightly-written. Although there's not much surprise on who were responsible for the murder, it's a more straight-forward mystery and the cozy banter between Madeira and the two guys jostling for her attention makes it for a cozy read, indeed.
It was actually a pretty good book haha! :D i could've done w/out some of the sensual contents though. but other than that, it was pretty good~! fun to read. but i would also like to address the lack of a surprise ending, do you guys know what i mean? like the madeira could've thought it was one person and it turned out to be the other who was the murderer. this would've helped the story alot. but overall, a really good read!
Honestly, I was disappointed. This was my first Annette Blair mystery, and it was just written badly. I do understand this is the third in the series, but her characters were so annoying, I don't think I want to go back and read the first two or the books after 3 to see if they're any better. Her main character uses a lot of slang that is probably supposed to be "clever" but it just makes her look like an idiot, and the so called romantic triangle is just annoying - and it makes the main charact...more
This one was kind of slow for me to read. But once I read passed 150 pages that is when it got interesting. I don't know why but she took a while to make the book interesting. The first two of her books she didn't take as long. In my opinion one of the characters needs to grow up ok two of the characters. I am hating the love triangle, that needs to stop.
Next in line for this fun series. Madiera's friend is murdered for her diamonds. Up to Madiera to figure out who before they kill her. Since handling the clothing gives her visions, it is funny how she tries to figure out the killer without having too many visions. Fun to read!
Blair’s books are an excellent example of books I read in spite of themselves. I don’t like her style, the plots are rather weak, and some of Madeira’s personality quirks make me want to shoot her with a staple gun. And yet…the characters are so damned appealing I’m willing to put up with all the other lousy stuff.
This series is getting weirder and going more in the love-triangle way (which I hate when long term). Very strange resolution. I don't really understand Mad (she can't seem to make up her mind if she wants to have the visions or not) and she is gung-ho to investigate a murder.
A different way of murder this time, and Maddie is pulled into it by her murdered friend. Trying to help her friend's son cope with his mother's murder, Maddie learns what really happened.
Picked this up at the airport because I did not have anything to read on my return flight. It was ok but pretty typical of a quick read. Don't plan to read any of her other books.
I guess you would call it a "sexy cozy"- but it was pretty good. I was a bit annoyed at the protagonist's use of clothing related euphemisms for swear words. It was strange.
A fun mystery, and I liked the vintage mixed with a bit of paranormal (visions from touching the clothes.) I didn't really care for her relationship with the FBI agent.
My only complaint is that there wasn't enough Dante! But this is a great cozy mystery series and the third entry definitely keeps it going well.
3.5, actually. I would rate higher but was bothered by a detail in the ending. This particular heroine and stories are very enjoyable and fun for me.
I found it to be a great page turner, great chemistry between the characters (love the "tension" between Mad and Wiener). Once more, the plot was easy to deduce as the story unfolded but like the previous books in this series, it didn't bother me nor the pleasure I had reading it.
Liked the previous installments better, but willing to try the next. Still a fun premise and quirky characters.
I like this series. Very appealing characters, and it even makes me (a non-fashion person) appreciate fashion.
I love all 3 books in this series. Just read them consecutively and found them to be enjoyable and quick reads - can't wait for the next one. . .
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Fashion Book Lovers!: Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair | 5 | 12 | Jul 23, 2012 02:07pm |
Annette Blair's romantic comedies owe their beginnings to a root canal and a reluctant trip to Salem Massachusetts. Though she had once proclaimed she'd never write a contemporary, she stumbled into the serendipitous role of Accidental Witch Writer on that trip. Funny how she managed to eat her words even with an aching jaw. Magic or destiny; Annette's Bewitching Romantic Comedies became her first...more
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Jul 06, 2010 03:39pm
Jul 07, 2010 05:51am