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20th out of 144 books
—
111 voters
Skirting the Grave (A Vintage Magic Mystery #4)
by
Annette Blair (Goodreads Author)
Maddie Cutler thought she was taking on a new design intern for her boutique. But instead she finds her dead at the train station under suspicious circumstances. Now, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles of this mystery.
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
July 5th 2011
by Berkley
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I have read the first 3 books of this series, about Maddie who returns home to Mystic Falls to run her own Vintage clothes shop, called Vintage Magic. In the shop, which was previously a funeral home carriage house, there is a resident ghost, whom she can see and chat to. She can also tell the history of a garment when she touches it.
She has her best friend Eve, her on/off boyfriend Nick (FBI agent) and Detective Sergeant Lytton Werner (because she always finds herself in the middle of trouble)...more
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Apr 11, 2012
Deedee
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What a fun, relaxing read! I needed light stuff, not creepy, scary thrillers to keep me awake longer, but something fun, light, a little mystery, a little boy-girl chemistry, and this one fit the bill to a T. The characters are fun, vaguely reminiscent of Stephanie Plum's dilemma of too many men, not enough girl or willpower. Throw in a ghost, sweet-natured family elderlies, small town quirkiness and you've got a winning combination for a campy little book if you're in the mood for fun. The dial...more
So, if you've read any of my reviews about the other Vintage Magic books, you know how I feel about this series--I utterly, completely love it. These books keep me amused, entertained and engaged. This one was also fabulous--Isobel fit in perfectly to Mystick Falls' crazy-quilt of characters, and she added a lot of fun to the storyline. So, why did I give this installment of the series 4 stars instead of my usual 5? If you really want to know, (view spoiler)...more
I have to say, I wish there was twenty more novels in my TBR in this series. Alas, I'm up to date. I seem to really like the books set in Mystick, CT. I wish there had been more of our Dante in this edition but, honestly, it was filled with so much activity of the mysterious type that there simply wasn't extra room.
Among the deliciously described clothes of vintage 1950's, which I enjoyed due to having only been a baby/child during the time frame, bringing back memories of Car-Hops, and seething...more
Among the deliciously described clothes of vintage 1950's, which I enjoyed due to having only been a baby/child during the time frame, bringing back memories of Car-Hops, and seething...more
The latests in Annette Blair's Vintage Magic series. Humour, a very minor mystery as is normal for a cozy, and of course, the usual collection of interesting characters. One thing that I particularily liked was the creative use of sewing/fashion words in place of profanity.
However, for those who haven't read any of Blair's other series, be warned--the main characters from her Triplet Witch series and the Accidental Witch series (these 2 series are inter-related) all show up in this book with ve...more
However, for those who haven't read any of Blair's other series, be warned--the main characters from her Triplet Witch series and the Accidental Witch series (these 2 series are inter-related) all show up in this book with ve...more
I have been really enjoying this series, which combines cute, cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal and romance. Unfortunately, this was not my favorite of the series. The storyline was okay, but not stellar. I still enjoyed all the vintage clothing descriptions. There were a few totally unbelievable plot moments that popped me out of the story (Isobel finding out her cousin is dead and then joking around with Maddie a few moments later, etc.) that just didn't make sense.
Love triangles are t...more
Love triangles are t...more
I don't know why I keep reading this series. I don't hate the characters or anything, though Maddie does get annoying sometimes because the author tries to make her seem perfect. The chick is crazy. I have nothing against people being into fashion, but come on, what are the odds that everytime she finds a new vintage dress it just happens to fit her. People these days are not the same size as people back in the 50s. And who says 'scrap' instead of 'crap'. Crap is not a bad word lady.
I kind of z...more
I kind of z...more
Great fun. I like Maddie and the way she "sees" into the lives of the women who wore her vintage clothes. She always seems to end up in the middle of a murder mystery. I also really liked Isobel, and hope that she sticks around for more books. The other thing that Maddie is in the middle of, is two men who want her. Nick, the FBI agent, who is her on again, off again boyfriend, and Werner, the local cop, who is new to her fan club (they detested each other as kids). I love AB's books, because th...more
I read the first in this series a few years ago and really didn't like it. The cover on this one really caught my eye, so I caved and bought it. Should have left it alone. Liked it only marginally better than the first one. The psychic part of the story is just my thing, but the fashion part of it just really turns me off. I am not in the least interested in designer names, etc (unless it might be in regard to handbags, as I have a weakness for them), so this book did nothing for me. Found mysel...more
Fun read with snappy dialogue. However the romance aspect is what lets this story down. Maddie has two guys to choose from which is fine. However, if the author really wants us to be pleased about the choice she eventually makes rather than disappointed (as I was) she really needs to make an effort to sell their relationship. Instead we have Maddie exchanging witty repartee with guy 1, solving a crime with guy 1, being appreciated by guy 1, finding things in common with guy 1 while guy 2 (whose...more
This is the 4th book in the Vintage Magic Mystery series.
Maddie's sister is coming home for a fund raiser, and has sent Maddies new hire on ahead of her. Thing is when Maddie goes to pick the new hire up, she's dead, and no obvious reason for it. Later that night a woman claiming to be the deceased turns up on her dad's doorstep... and so the fun begins. This one didn't rely on some of the "magic" that is mentioned in the first two books, but it is a good read. Enjoy.
Maddie's sister is coming home for a fund raiser, and has sent Maddies new hire on ahead of her. Thing is when Maddie goes to pick the new hire up, she's dead, and no obvious reason for it. Later that night a woman claiming to be the deceased turns up on her dad's doorstep... and so the fun begins. This one didn't rely on some of the "magic" that is mentioned in the first two books, but it is a good read. Enjoy.
Well, it seems like there is some resolution to the Werner/Nick debate (for which I'm extremely relieved! I hate interminable triangles where the protag cannot make a decision between two guys). And the story was interesting so overall, I really liked it. There was one part I absolutely hated! At one point, Mad destroys three or four Cuban cigars that Werner has in his desk and that was TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to me! No matter how much you despise smoking, it is still legal (as opposed to heroine o...more
Maddie makes her choice between the two men who are interested in her. I'm glad she chose, but I think the eventual winner was the wrong guy for her for so many reasons. One thing I found annoying was Maddie's adamant refusal to use actual (even mild) curse words like a normal adult, preferring to use cutesy substitute terms like "scrap." It made her sound more like an immature schoolgirl than a financially independent adult woman with a career.
I have read all the books in this series and been mildly entertained.
This installment tried my patience. First 10 pages were redundant comments about a "thermonuclear kiss" - yep I got it the first 5 times you mentioned it. Then comes the description of the intern at the front door - slingback pumps to match the vintage outfit, 2 pages later during the same scene she has $800 Manolo Blahnik boots on. Really? In a book based on fashion? The author, editor, proofreader, advanced readers did not c...more
This installment tried my patience. First 10 pages were redundant comments about a "thermonuclear kiss" - yep I got it the first 5 times you mentioned it. Then comes the description of the intern at the front door - slingback pumps to match the vintage outfit, 2 pages later during the same scene she has $800 Manolo Blahnik boots on. Really? In a book based on fashion? The author, editor, proofreader, advanced readers did not c...more
I have read all the books in this series and while I love this author and series this one was my least favorite. The mystery part was good although convoluted. I think I am most disappointed in the romantic story line and even more disappointed in the ending of that part of the story. I don't like when cool characters make strange decisions in my opinion. That said I'll still be reading the next book out in July. :)
I enjoy this series and liked this book's references to vintage fashion. The plots are always unique and I really enjoy how the author moves the story along. The one complaint I have about the series is the corny and trite dialog of the main character. Maddie continually uses sewing terms like "what the scrap" and it just gets old. She's a smart and talented designer and businesswoman who speaks like a 10 year-old which seems so out of character.
Love this series!! Madiera is running her new shop Vintage Magic. She is psychic in that if she holds vintage clothing she is shown scenes from the past. She has 2 yummy guys fighting over her. In this one her sister foists an intern on her and the intern is supposedly killed on her way to the shop. When is appears she is not dead but it is her twin who was killed, they all try to figure out who did it.
A fun continuation of the series, and at last the main character has made her choice and stopped playing with the affections of various males. Which was getting a little irritating, making both likable was just mean as you felt sorry for both and the protagonist who you should be cheering on just cam across as a bit of a spoiled brat...
I like Madeira Cutler, I like the supporting characters. The mysteries themselves are all right too.
I liked Annette Blair's witchy romance novels.
I read this one on Kindle, and whether it was just general poor editing, or a quirk in the e-version, I don't know. Sometimes, often in a character's description, there would be repetition of a key phrase, like "new woman." It was distracting, as is the love triangle. It seems unnecessary, and likely to have an unsatisfying conclusion.
I will probabl...more
I liked Annette Blair's witchy romance novels.
I read this one on Kindle, and whether it was just general poor editing, or a quirk in the e-version, I don't know. Sometimes, often in a character's description, there would be repetition of a key phrase, like "new woman." It was distracting, as is the love triangle. It seems unnecessary, and likely to have an unsatisfying conclusion.
I will probabl...more
Maddie's sister, Brandy, has talked her into having an intern work with her in her store, Vintage Magic. Isobel York is to arrive in Mystick Falls on the train. When Maddie gets to the station to meet her, Detective Lytton Werner is there, ahead of her, investigating the death of a passenger who arrived on the train.
One man in her life would be easy, but her long time love, Nick has retuned after a long absence with no contact during his absence. Thing have become complicated, Werner is showing...more
One man in her life would be easy, but her long time love, Nick has retuned after a long absence with no contact during his absence. Thing have become complicated, Werner is showing...more
I absolutely loved the first two. I was a bit disappointed in this one but I can't put my finger on why. Perhaps the story wasn't as strong as the others. I will continue to read though -- I'm fully emeshed in the characters lives so I couldn't imagine not continueing on.
Still loving this series but worried it's going to turn into a endless never resolved love triangle. If it does then I will drop it like I've dropped the Hannah Swenson and Stephanie Plum books. But so far these are still fun, entertaining, quick reads.
enh... 2 1/2, I think. Not bad. Cute, lite read. Plot rather convoluted, style rather repetitive and heavy-handed, often forced. But also the only series by Ms. Blair that I can read at all - every time I try another, I give up after - or even part way through - the first book.
Maddie Cutler is back and this time she is getting a new intern. Or is she? She is supposed to meet the intern on the train, but the intern turns up dead. Later, when her intern actually DOES arrive, Maddie is quite confused, as she should be!
This is a delightful series and this one does not disappoint. I really like the characters and the bit of paranormal activity thrown in (in this case, Maddie gets a trunk full of 1950's clothing from the intern's grandmother. Of course, when Maddie touches...more
This is a delightful series and this one does not disappoint. I really like the characters and the bit of paranormal activity thrown in (in this case, Maddie gets a trunk full of 1950's clothing from the intern's grandmother. Of course, when Maddie touches...more
SPOILER
Maddie Cutler gets a new intern, but is she dead or alive? A more serious question than one might think. A good episode in this series, even if the old "twins and mistaken identity" is as old as the hills. See Shakespeare.
Maddie Cutler gets a new intern, but is she dead or alive? A more serious question than one might think. A good episode in this series, even if the old "twins and mistaken identity" is as old as the hills. See Shakespeare.
Loved this book. It's light and the plot was just twisted enough to keep me guessing. It didn't get a 5 stars only because I didn't like how the relationship part of the story ended but that's a personal opinion, naturally, and does not impact the story.
This is one of my favorite new series. For some reason, this book took me a couple of chapters to get her writing style straight in my head, but after that it was an enjoyable read. Lots of fun.
I liked this but not as much as the previous book in the series. Still, it's an enjoyable cozy mystery and I'll keep reading the series.
another series. a mystery. the main character can see the past when she touches clothing. good fun stories.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Book Lovers!: Skirting the Grave (A Vintage Magic Mystery, #4) by Annette Blair | 6 | 5 | Mar 19, 2013 10:46pm |
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 28, 2011 11:38am