What Are You Wearing to Die?

Thoroughly Southern #10

by Patricia Sprinkle

A Thoroughly Southern Mystery #10

Georgia magistrate MacLaren Yarbrough always laughs at her husband’s threat to handcuff her to her desk to keep her from ‘snooping on the sinister.” But when Starr Knight, the wild and flamboyant taxidermist’s daughter’s death is ruled an accident, MacLaren can’t help but be curious as to why Starr was found wearing an outfit she literally wouldn’t be caught dead in!!

Then another woman is killed wearing atypical clothes, there isn’t a desk or handcuff strong enough to keep Mac for searching their closets…for skeletons!!!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

276 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 5, 2008

About the author

Aka Patricia Houck Sprinkle.

When I met and married Bob, he looked over our budget and demanded, "Why don’t you write a mystery to pay for all the ones you buy?" I immediately knew I wanted to put a body in a building where I’d once worked. However, being over-endowed with the Protestant ethic, I wrote "important" things first and only wrote the mystery in my spare time, so my first mystery, Murder at Markham (reissued by Silver Dagger in 2001), took thirteen years to complete. It took even longer for me to learn that any writing which gives me pleasure is important, whether fiction or non-fiction.

Since 1988 I have written twenty mysteries, four novels, and five non-fiction books. I am grateful to my readers and editors for letting me do what I enjoy most in the world. Bob has concluded that writing is not a profession, it's an obsession--my favorite vacation is to go to a place where somebody else fixes my meals and where I can write more than I do at home, without interruptions. Thanks, if you are one of the readers who keeps my fingers on the keys. I enjoy spending time with you at conferences, book clubs, and signing events.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this up from the library when I was there to borrow my book club choice that I really don't want to read. So obviously read this one first. As a rule, I'm a fan of this author but didn't like several of the scenarios she put in this book. REALLY didn't care for the "handcuff/door locking" antics that everyone seemed to think were OK since they were done by the loving husband. Really???

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the ending of this book, I think it is the last in this series. I have only read one other in the series, although I have another sitting on TBR pile. As cozy mysteries go, it's not bad. The Southern flavor is not as strong as in other series set in the Southern US, but still strong enough to be irritating. I mean, I am pretty sure that even a small town in Georgia has more black people than the two who appear in this book. On the bright side, all the bad people were white. And I do have a legal squabble with one point about halfway through -- even in the South there is no way that two codefendants in a heinous murder would have the same defense attorney (it's unethical!!) and they are unlikely to be tried at the same time (but if they were, then they would definitely have two attorneys).

The mystery in this story is pretty drawn out and complicated, with meth manufacturing and mayhem alongside disappearing wives, the impact of a new superstore in town, potential romances, and children with issues. I figured out most of the answers along the way, but watching Mac get there was interesting. And Joe Riddley would not have lived long enough to pull his dumb stunt a second time if he were my husband, 40 years of marriage or not. All of the loose ends got tied up in a neat package with a bow on top and since this was at the end of a series and not just the end of a single book, I am willing not to fuss too much.

[Pat McGhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Way to End a Series. I have loved this series and the homespun warmth and comradery of a smaller community. This one didn't disappoint, though I thought Joe Ridley's handcuff of his wife extreme, especially the second time. But otherwise, I couldn't finish the book at night because the suspense was getting too great. I didn't want to put it down but I knew I'd never get to sleep if I kept reading. It was a great story. And the series wrapped up in a nice way, not just ending with 5he story but letting readers know the bigger story was done. Great characters! Loved them.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

God not put it downl

I love these stories and hope to find all of them to read. It sometimes hard to find books when one does not go out much. I keep looking online in hopes of finding more books by this author.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always sad to come to the end of a beloved series. Great story. Well-done ending.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery!

[Meredith Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Love her cozies!

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent new series discovery for me! I inadvertently started with #10, so now I'll need to go back and read 1 - 9 in order! Mac and Bo Riddley are an old married couple who have been sweethearts since grade school. Now they're comfortable in their little town of Hopemore, Georgia, with their old friends, kids, grandkids and their beagle, Lulu. It's a rather cozy mystery until a meth lab rears its ugly head. Yes, there's a drug problem that's touched even this picture perfect small town. MacLaren has a disconcerting habit of 'investigating' crimes & murders that inevitably land her in whole heaps of trouble. Suddenly it's not so cozy anymore. Very tangled, twisty and well done!

[JayeL · Rating 3 out of 5]

11/18/2013: Borrowed from SFPL

I am not sure why I added this book to my reading list, but since something sparked interest at some time and I could borrow it from the Library, I borrowed it and read it. It was entertaining. I thought the ending was much better than the beginning, but, because it is the middle of a series, it could be that I was not up on all of the characters. I was definitely more interested in the various characters than I was in the story, though the story was well done and not predictable.

[Ashley FL · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out as a 2, or even a 1.5: not only does it assume you've read the previous books in the series (which I hadn't), but each character has several names, nick-names, etc. Very confusing.

Eventually it sorts itself out. The story is never great, and parts don't make sense, but as a go-along-for-the-ride cozy mystery, it's ok. 2.5 stars.

Edited to move down to 2 stars. When I think of 3 stars, I think of books I like and would recommend. This wasn't awful, but wouldn't be high on a list of books I'd recommend.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brutal murder of a troubled young girl sets off a wave of revelations in the small Georgia town where MacLaren Yarborough, wife, mother, business owner, and magistrate lives. Mac can't resist helping children (one left orphaned by Starr Knight's death) and two more who are orphaned by another murder. Joe Riddley, former magistrate and Mac's husband, cautions his wife against putting herself in danger, but that isn't what happens.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly love this series and the little words of wisdom that are imparted throughout this book, and series. One that really got my attention in this time of financial crisis was in the middle of the book MacLaren said "Have you ever wondered how much better off our society would be if decision makers were all required to take one class in basic accounting?" I believe that says it all.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latest addition to the series. I normally really enjoy this series but this book left me dissatisfied, the parts about the handcuffs and then the store burning down. Just doesn't seem right. The end left me with the impression that it was the last one of the series. I hope not.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of her Thoroughly Southern mysteries featuring MacLaren Yarbrough, a thoroughly Southern lady. I do wish her husband would stop calling her Little Bit. Gets on my nerves... Otherwise, it was a good story; light as the meringue on the chocolate pie at Mrytle's Restaurant.

[Helen L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I object to the attitude the author takes toward the handcuffing and restraint of the main character.
It is treated as a fun joke which she should just accept since her husband is the perpertrator.
I don't find abuse funny, in any situation.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad this is the last in the series! These are thoroughly delightful mysteries.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conversational narration from one of my favorite lady detectives marks every book of this series. Pleasant reading to while away a wintery afternoon.

[Merilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dare I say it? From the way this book ends it sounds like the Maclaren series is over, Joe Riddley and Little Bit have lost their seed and feed business to a fire ....

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery and plan to read more in the series.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This McLaren Yarbrough & Joe Riddley series features a local female judge who gets involved in mysteries. A fun read.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is the last of the series and I loved it. Joe Ridd ley handcuffs Maclaren to her desk and it gets better as the story goes.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little mystery and I'm looking for the others in the series!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in the series with an end I didn't see coming.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good. A predictable mystery - boring

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-read for me. Like the little taste of the south in Patricia Sprinkle's cozy mysteries as well as the clever little insights into daily living.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of mystery, and loved the humor! I might have to read more by this author.

[Susan Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great. A little too country for me.