Dolly Departed

Gretchen Birch #3

by Deb Baker

When doll restoration artist Gretchen Birch discovers the owner of the Mini Maize dollhouse shop dead and covered with miniature room boxes, she, with the help of her fellow Phoenix Dollers Club members, must follow the tiny clues to catch a killer who loves setting the stage for murder. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Crime, Childrens, Thriller

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 4, 2008

About the author

Bestselling, award-winning author Deb Baker writes the hilarious Gertie Johnson mystery series set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.

In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.

Reviews

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked this idea, and the focus on dolls. This is the first in the series I've come across, and as with many cozy mystery series, you don't really need to read them in order to get the general idea. It did take me a little longer to fall in with this one, but I think it's because there are many central characters around our main one, as well as animals to remember and keep track of. I did have sneaky suspicions about who the murderer was, so at least my instincts came though!

I do wonder where the romance will go in this one; the love interest is afraid of dolls! How can they be together when that's her job and life time love? Hmmm remains to be seen!

A fun, quirky series that I will probably read more of in the future. Three stars.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a disastrous marriage ends, Gretchen Birch moves in with her mother in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mom Caroline writes books on doll collecting, Gretchen repairs dolls, and all their friends and relatives either have something to do with dolls or small yappy dogs that they carry around in purses. When the owner of a miniatures shop is found dead, of course Gretchen and her friends interfere in the police investigation. And, of course, there is a not-quite-divorced but good looking police detective. Fans of cozy mysteries, like Mary Daheim, might like this book.

[Patricia English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad this was the last one of her books. I really enjoyed it. I am not sure why she stopped writing or if maybe a new one is coming out. I hope so. Anyway This one was just as good as her others and a great storyline. Left so much to be said, so I hope to see another book.

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book loved it. Cant wait to read the whole series.

[Paschalis]

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[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolly Departed was a fun read that captured your attention from the beginning. Dolly Departed was the first book that I have read by Baker, and I don't plan on it being the last. Baker did a great job with creating an intriguing mystery that kept this reader guessing until the end. The author also created a wonderful cast of colorful characters that definitely added to the story. Even the dogs had personalities of their own. I also enjoyed learning some facts about dolls along the way. Gretchen was a great leading character that was well developed in the story as she learns to overcome her own fears about relationships, and her group of friends become a real family as they try to solve Charlie's murder. Overall this was a great read that I had trouble putting down.

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my favorite in the "Dolls to Die For" series so far. Deb Baker has created some very interesting characters. And in this novel, there was a lot about how jealousy can mess with people's minds in big and small ways. Great fun to read, and a mystery that surprised me. Although I did become suspicious of the character before he or she (no spoilers here!) was revealed, I wasn't 100% sure until near the very end. And then, the motivation took me by surprise.

On to #4 - this is an extremely enjoyable series!

[Talia · Rating 2 out of 5]

These "hobby" mystery series' are always interesting with their little nuggets about that hobby. So learning about minitures and doll-making was interesting. The writing tips I learned are delineated in my blog. Oh, but the mystery was cool because she tricked me - I guess the wrong person for the murderer! I'm usually pretty accurate.

[Penny Mcelroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very light weight but interesting and well written mystery - part of a series about doll repair and doll collecting. Never would have expected to be so taken with it.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one a bit better than the first two. The plot was better and the story more believable!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little cozy. I needed a break from heavier reading.

[Mascanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy read with Doll artist Gretchen Birch investigating the death of a miniaturist.

[Barbara McGowan]

deb keeps you attention fron the beginning

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen and her group of old crannies set up finding out who killed her friend "Charlie" and all the fun begins! GREAT READ!!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with interesting tidbits about dolls and doll collecting.

[Wendy Gumera · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book. i liked her tips and info about penny dolls and doll collecting... interesting indeed! and the little touch of romance was nice...

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanting to read the next book in the series, but the frickin' library doesn't have it.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun cozies. The characters are quirky but loveable. I enjoy these stories.

[Joseph Kardos · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Good read. It was excited mysterious and kept you on suspense most of the time . Some of the time it was rambling.


Good book

[Luanne Castle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite Gretchen Birch mystery so far because a lot of threads came together. I'm sad there is only one book left to read.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these cozy mysteries, they're fun