Photo Finished

A Scrapbooking Mystery #2

by Laura Childs

The second Scrapbooking Mystery from the  New York Times bestselling author of the popular Tea Shop Mysteries .Carmela Bertrand is hosting a late-night “Crop Till You Drop” session at her quaint French Quarter scrapbooking shop, Memory Mine. All the usual suspects have turned up to trim, decorate, color, and gossip.But their all-night crop comes to a screeching halt when a neighboring antiques-shop owner winds up murdered in the alley behind the cozy store. And when Carmela and her customers become the focus of the police investigation, the scrapbooking expert realizes it’s her responsibility to rearrange the jumble of clues and pick out the real killer—before he strikes again…Scrapbook tips included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Chick Lit

260 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 6, 2004

About the author

Laura Childs is a pseudonym for Gerry Schmitt and she is the best-selling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbook Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She's also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries - a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans' spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe's undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Reviews

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3-3.5 stars. A cozy mystery set in New Orleans where Carmella Bertrand runs a scrapbook shop, which perhaps is a bit dated at this point, but it's still fun to read about her latest creative projects. One evening just before Halloween, she holds a 'crop till you drop' overnight event that ends when the antiques store owner next door is found dead in the dark alley behind their stores. Was the murderer his young assistant? One of the women at the class? Or perhaps his soon to ex-wife, who was in and out during the evening? Carmella can't help but want to stick her nose into the investigation since it happened on her doorstep!

Interesting plot, fun New Orleans setting plus quirky characters make for a quick, enjoyable read. But I come here for the recipes, hehe. Can't wait to try 'Big Easy Shrimp!'

[Lain · Rating 2 out of 5]

One problem I've noticed with prolific, successful writers is it seems like their editors take a break. No one is catching the little errors (and the big plot boo-boos) because they're not giving the same level of scrutiny they would to a greener writer's work. And that is the case in "Photo Finished."

I really enjoy Carmela and her friends. But hearing about her "tawny hair" multiple times in the first few pages was a little annoying. And the absolutely inane things she does in the name of chasing down the murderer are just too much (going to an abandoned warehouse at night? messing around the dead man's store, unaccompanied??). And why in the heck did Bobby, the police's number-one suspect, drop in on Carmela? He says nothing of real import, then drops out of sight once again. It was merely a way of furthering the plot that made absolutely no sense. The same with the way Shamus is urging Carmela to attend "family" functions when the entire Meechum clan -- including Shamus himself -- has made it clear that she's no longer "one of them."

One final thing -- the yo-yoing with Shamus is getting old. And he is such a cad (flirting with other women in front of her, giving her a hard time about keeping her company when she was afraid, etc.), that if Carmela actually gets together with him, I am DONE with this series. Or should I say, "photo finished" with it??

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been tearing up my TBR shelves. With almost 300 books I OWN that I HAVEN'T read, it's not like I don't have options and in the last month alone I read 8. This is my 9th from my TBR and I'm actually enjoying this catch-up.

In Keepsake Crimes, I found the characters to be extremely flat, and the overdescription of Mardi Gras to be annoying. However, this book remedied both! With vivid characters and an absolutely wonderful setting, Photo Finished was a great, light read for a rainy day!

As I said above, in the last book the characters were flat; however they all rounded out in this book. Carmela, Ava, Shamus, Baby, and Tandy were all wonderful and I hope they reappear in the next book. Gabby's husband, Stuart, was incredibly annoying, but he was supposed to be that way so it didn't hurt the book any.

The setting and descriptions both make your mouth water and almost convince you to move to New Orleans now. They're both filled with local charm and I enjoyed reading about New Orleans live.

The only thing that really fell flat for me was the mystery. It was okay but it really lacked the "wow" factor and the ending scene was so over the top with Carmela and the murderer that I almost found it humorous.

Overall a very solid second book! I will not be waiting as long to read the third one as I did to read this one. Recommend!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good , fun mystery !

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I think about this book the more I wonder whether just because readers like light frothy entertainment, editors assume they can drop the ball. On page 32, our heroine and friend are having an expensive restaurant meal, (which in itself is odd fifteen hours after a murder outside her shop, but we'll let that go by in the spirit of cozy fantasy) and said heroine declines dessert "nothing for me", emphasised by an aside on how hard it is for the poor darling to stay a size eight. Turn the page and "their bread pudding is delivered to their table", and "more than once she had to put down her fork and indulge in a good belly laugh". Did the editor think nobody would notice?
There were also lots of loose ends, and suspicious characters whose very guilty behaviour is never explained away when we find out who the murderer actually was...

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries are not for me, and the sooner I realize that the less time, I will spend with books that aren't my style.

Here are the biggest mysteries in the book: How can Carmela afford a Scrapbooking Shop in the high rent French Quarter when she doesn't even show up for work half the time? Why does she spend so much time with stereotypical southern caricatures with names like Tandy, Quigg, Babe, JadeElla, Sweetmomma, Glory, and Ava. And why is she wandering around on a dark, rainy night in an old manufacturing plant by herself?

Anyway, the recipes in the back of the book look pretty good, so I just need to read a cookbook instead of a mystery next time I get nostalgic about New Orleans. After all, there are plenty of cookbooks to choose from.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The scrap booking aspects of the book made it fun but the rest was just so-so. It seemed very wordy, lots of name brands mentioned and a heroine who keeps being drawn back to her loser almost ex-husband for no apparent reason. It the story could be tightened up a bit & the heroine's IQ raised a few points Id give it 4 stars instead of 3.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmela's cranky antiques dealer neighbor is murdered while she is hosting an all night scrapbooking event in her shop, and the police seem to be running down dead end alleys looking for the murderer. Along with running Memory Mine, her scrapbooking store, Carmela has her hands full working on other projects in preparation for Halloween. Can she find the killer, too, before it is too late and an innocent man goes to jail for a crime he didn't commit?

Another enjoyable cozy read!

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pegged the killer when "they" where first introduced! Lucky guess.

I love these cozy mysteries. The setting in New Orleans along with the the setting details and all the food makes me want to jump on a plane and head for the Big EZ!

Another reviewer had pointed out that after discovering the body of Barty Hayward in her back ally, with in hours Carmela and Ava were out at a fancy resturant. True. But there is no sex and violence in these series...(well, graphic violence. O'le Barty did get killed)what else is there to do but scrapbook and eat. And anyone that has amassed more paper and rubberstamps that she has the overflow in her cartrunk, and goes to bed with glitter in her hair can atest, there is a lot of snacking and munching at these all night crops!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series very much! I like all the details specific to New Orleans! It gives you the feel of being there, especially with all of the details about food, events, various districts, and the creative aspect. As an "A-D-D" crafter (I have a shelf full of supplies for most crafting projects), I love all the various ideas that Carmela uses throughout the story.

My one complaint, is that having accidently read a later book, I am a little irritated with her relationship with her estranged husband... I keep waiting for something to happen!

Over all- can't wait to start the next book- which is waiting at home!!

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not like this series nearly as much as the Tea Shop series.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carmela is hosting an all-night “Crop Till You Drop” event at Memory Mine, but the night comes to an abrupt end when a neighboring shopkeeper is found in the alley behind their shops, dead via stabbing. When certain clues point to the possibility that one of Carmela’s customers may have done the deed, she is determined to discover the truth and clear the names of her dear friends. In the meantime, she’s busy helping with the upcoming Old Masters & Monsters Ball, running her business, and thinking about filing the divorce papers from her estranged husband, Shamus. Carmela realizes she’s closing in on a killer when she starts getting threats.

The story was interesting, and Carmela is a compelling character. There was a nice mix of working, sleuthing, and socializing. The main sticking point, in my opinion, is that Carmela won’t shit or get off the pot where Shamus is concerned. He did her dirty, and his family has been vile to her ever since they separated, but she won’t file the damned divorce. Worst of all is when Carmela was offered an amazing opportunity, one which Shamus had been gunning for, and he was an utter ass to her about it. Is she supposed to hide her light under a basket? It won’t make his shine any brighter. Tell him to suck it, Carmela. It’s not your job to protect his fragile ego nor spare his fee-fees from being hurt. Guh. He even had the gall to take a date to the Old Masters & Monsters Ball...while still married to Carmela!

Fun story, headed for a solid four, but I’m dropping it to a three because Carmela can’t find her spine when it comes to shithead Shamus.

[Cresta McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photo Finished by Laura Childs is book two in the scrapbook mysteries. This is a fun series about a woman named Carmela who owns a scrapbooking supply store - and just happens to dabble in some side sleuthing. When her business neighbor Barty is murdered one night in the alley behind the shop, Carmela starts the hunt to find the killer. Weaving through red tape, lost romance, and possible new beginnings, she seeks to find the guilty party and put them in their place.



The Scrapbook Mysteries is entertaining and delightful - an easy read, especially if you find yourself immersed in something pretty serious. There's just enough suspense balanced with humor against the beautiful setting of New Orleans to bring a smile to any mystery lover's face. ☕☕☕☕

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 in this fun cozy mystery series set in New Orleans at Carmela's scrapbooking store. Scrapbooking/crafting ideas and recipes are included at the end!

"Carmela Bertrand is hosting a late-night “Crop Till You Drop” session at her quaint French Quarter scrapbooking shop, Memory Mine. All the usual suspects have turned up to trim, decorate, color, and gossip.But their all-night crop comes to a screeching halt when a neighboring antiques-shop owner winds up murdered in the alley behind the cozy store. And when Carmela and her customers become the focus of the police investigation, the scrapbooking expert realizes it’s her responsibility to rearrange the jumble of clues and pick out the real killer—before he strikes again"

[Sara Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like this series as well as I like Childs' Tea Shop mysteries, but this is a nice, easy read. Carmela does have a nice scrapbook store. I often wish we had one in my town, but I have to drive to a major craft store or plan a gathering with a demonstrater. If I ate like Carmela and Ava do, I'd be fat as a little pig, but the food they eat sounds wonderful. If only I could put my hands on a beignet just now, I'd be happy. Nice story. Having just given Family Tree by Susan Wiggs only four stars, it's difficult to give this book more than three stars, but it's probably better than just 3, maybe 3 1/2.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd entry in the Scrapbooking mystery series and I think the author started to hit her stride with this book.

MC Carmela, owner of Memory Mine scrapbook shop, is hosting an all-night "Crop 'til You Drop" for customers. A murder victim is discovered nearby and is the owner of the antiques store next to Memory Mine. Carmela is asked to investigate by one of her loyal customers, whose relative is a suspect.

I'm rather taken with two of the secondary characters, Ava Grieux (Carmela's BFF and owner of a tourist trap "voodoo" shop) and Jekyl Hardy, Mardi Gras float designer extraordinaire. They are definitely colorful and provide comic relief.

[Anna Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fool’s gold

Carmela’s business is booming, with many new and regular customers enjoying the creative atmosphere in her shop; her next door business neighbor is less pleased, especially since it means increased demand for limited parking spaces. Her worries over potential conflicts are removed when he’s found dead in the alley behind their businesses, a pair of scissors sticking out of his neck. The list of potential suspects is long, including his brash wife, a few disgruntled customers, and a chef whose restaurant closed because of the man. Carmela pieces the clues together, but will she see the full picture in time?

[Allison Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely better than the first book, but I'm still not wholly on board with this series. It never grabbed my interest until the last few pages and still took almost two months to finish. Bad sign. I'm not a big fan of the characters and while I'm not a scrapbooker, I wish there was more info about the process. I read crafting cozies for at least a bit of info about the craft. And Seamus (who I refuse to call Shamus) is a jerk. And Carmela is a terrible name. And the only person I really like is Baby and a grown woman called Baby. Come on. I'm just too Canadian for all this southerness.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like reading Laura Child's mysteries but I have one gripe. Proper spelling of words and grammar. You don't say, I used a scissors to cut the paper. You say, I used a pair of scissors to cut the paper. It's not a tree bow, it's a tree bough. I mean seriously, is proof reading not a thing anymore? One more thing, when writing a book lay off the ridiculously fancy words. I have an extensive vocabulary and she uses words so fancy even I have to look them up. You lose readers when they can't understand a word you say.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series and love hearing about scrapbooking. I really like Carmela and Ava. I hope Carmela just gets rid of her ex once and for all. I am really hoping there are not getting back together. As for her other love interest Quinn I am not warming up to him. I think I will go for the Lieutenant.
The story line was quick moving and kept me glued to the book even though I kind of guessed who had done it a while before the end. A very good read.

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but is Carmela the only adult in the room? Everyone comes to her to handle everything? From Billy going to Carmela instead of his relative which really didn’t add anything to the plot. To Carmela having to handle Glory when she drinks while taking medication. While Gabby goes to Carmela to handle her husband’s low blood sugar. It also made no sense when all those men jumped in Carmela’s car. Only the chef added something to the story. But I continue to read the series.

[Gisela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book read for #BookSpinBingo & #20in4 (Litsy)

Second book in the Keepsake Crimes. An okey story but I like to do scrapbook and the plot is around Carmela‘s scrapbook store which is in the French Quarter, New Orleans😍Again Carmela will help to resolve a murder that occurred in a store next to her. This story is during Halloween season which was fun. But it is a slow read. I don‘t like much the co-dependent relationship between Carmela and Shamus. Let‘s see how it ends. I have already book 3⭐️

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmela Bertrand, owner of a Scrapbooking Shop, Memory Mine, is hosting a late-night "Crop Till You Drop" session at her shop when her neighbor Bartholomew Hayward, is discovered by her assistant murdered in the alley behind her shop. How Carmela discovers the murderer while trying to help a friend and customer's nephew makes for a great story. The ending was a complete surprise and a really good ending to the book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the first book so didn't have all the facts. Based on their dialog etc, I assumed these ladies were middle aged...not nearly thirtyish. Book has FAR too many descriptive details, so muchvthat it gets boring. Main character seems a bit of a doormat to estranged husband and family. Soom scenes lend nothing to the story and seem pointless.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoying the series now. guess just have to get into the characters.... On to the next....

New Orleans scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand is hosting a late-night "Crop Till You Drop" session-when a neighboring antique-shop owner winds up murdered in the alley. Now, the scrapbooking expert must rearrange the jumble of clues and pick out the killer.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was just okay, not really a serious mystery. Carmela, owner of a scrapbooking shop, apparently likes to investigate crimes, but some of her actions are questionable. She doesn’t inform police of a potentially important clue she found, and she goes alone into a dark warehouse at night. Not too smart. Rated a 6 out of 10.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Laura Child's first book in this series, I wasn't going to read the second. The first was a little slow and in parts a little boring. The second was a lot faster to read and concentrated more on the murder than scrapbooking. I enjoyed the reference to the traditions of New Orleans and Mardi Gras.

[Sharon Coles · Rating 3 out of 5]

carry on Murder

Not my favourite Child’s murder mystery. This one didn’t seem to go anywhere. Repetitive, slow, prosaic and nothing happened until after 3/4 of the book had been read. I did enjoy learning about flora and fauna plus a few creative and good ideas which saved the novel from being a complete waste of time. 3/5

[Kimberley Cornwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad that I found this series, in addition to the Tea shop series. Carmela is a very appealing main protagonist and her surrounding cast of interesting characters. I do hope that the author provides resolution soon about her martial status.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever little cozy mystery. The real fun in this series are the characters and their development through the stories. The setting of New Orleans and its environs adds to the fun. It certainly was a pleasant interlude.