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Staging Wars
(A Laura Bishop Mystery #2)
by
Laura Bishop's new home staging business is growing in popularity, though not with her nemesis. Laura has long suspected established interior designer Monica Heller of sabotaging her fledgling company--and having an affair with her late husband.
When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell ...more
When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell ...more
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Paperback, First edition, 252 pages
Published
April 28th 2020
by Henery Press
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An engaging read! Good mystery, interesting occupation, humor, and a cat! I will continue reading this cozy series!

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Laura Bishop’s new business, staging homes is really taking off, but it seems interior designer Monica Heller would like to stop that, going so far as doing a little sabotage. Then Monica has other concerns on her hands when Laura and 3 other witnesses walk in on her killing her new client. She claims she didn’t do it, it’s all a mistake but the woman is spending some quality time behind bars while a mutual friend begs Laura to clear Monica of the crime.
Grace Topping continues ...more
Laura Bishop’s new business, staging homes is really taking off, but it seems interior designer Monica Heller would like to stop that, going so far as doing a little sabotage. Then Monica has other concerns on her hands when Laura and 3 other witnesses walk in on her killing her new client. She claims she didn’t do it, it’s all a mistake but the woman is spending some quality time behind bars while a mutual friend begs Laura to clear Monica of the crime.
Grace Topping continues ...more

Staging Wars by Grace Topping is charming and smartly written, with layered characters you’ll want as friends. A dash of romantic potential, a town full of suspects, the cutthroat world of home staging… each of these elements serves to bring the mystery together as readers follow the clues – and Laura – through the book. References to fictional detectives & classic mystery novels are the icing on the cake. Fun read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading I ...more
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading I ...more

Laura Bishop’s home staging business is finally taking off, no thanks to a few crises that sure feel like someone’s attempt at sabotage. While she doesn’t have any definitive proof, she suspects the culprit might be her longtime nemesis Monica Heller. However, after she discovers Monica in a compromising position at the scene of a murder, Laura must put her ill feelings behind her in order to unmask the real killer. Monica might be a nightmare, but she’s not a murderer … right?
Grace Topping is b ...more
Grace Topping is b ...more

May 05, 2020
Debra Jo (Room of Required Reading Book Reviews)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
cozies
In this second installment, Laura Bishop's home staging business is really growing even with the competition of her long time frenemy, Monica Heller. When a series of murders seem to be taking place, Monica looks to be holding the knife and caught red handed. Sister Madeline asks Laura to put aside her differences and help Monica out, as she believes she is not a cold blooded killer. Laura and her bff, Nita, decide to sleuth it up with the help of Mrs. Webster and Aunt Kit. Can they figure out t
...more

I'm in love with this series. Staging Wars starts off fast with a body drop in the first chapter and continues at a lively pace right to the wonderfully satisfying ending.
Grace Topping is a master of character and plot. This particular book showcases Laura's sidekick Nita's quirky yet adorable side and introduces Aunt Kit. I feel as if I know these women! Each character is unique, necessary, and give the book a wonderful flavor. The plot is multi-faceted and intricately drawn but never overwhel ...more
Grace Topping is a master of character and plot. This particular book showcases Laura's sidekick Nita's quirky yet adorable side and introduces Aunt Kit. I feel as if I know these women! Each character is unique, necessary, and give the book a wonderful flavor. The plot is multi-faceted and intricately drawn but never overwhel ...more

Another masterpiece by my favourite author, Grace Topping. The title Staging Wars is perfect for this story. Laura is at war - with her emotions; she also has some competition in her Staging business.
The story begins with Nita finding a dead body in the funeral home. Okay, since it is a 'funeral home', one would find dead bodies, right? But his one's had a knife to its back. Ouch! With an art exhibition in town, Nita and Laura get busy; Laura's aunt Kit's come over to visit. Next, a renowned ar ...more
The story begins with Nita finding a dead body in the funeral home. Okay, since it is a 'funeral home', one would find dead bodies, right? But his one's had a knife to its back. Ouch! With an art exhibition in town, Nita and Laura get busy; Laura's aunt Kit's come over to visit. Next, a renowned ar ...more

Laura Bishop is a widow who's been trying to make a new life for herself with a home staging business. She's with her employees at the town square for the Louiston Small Business Fair. They have their booth in front of a funeral home, and the owner has allowed them to use the restroom when necessary. When her employee Nita runs to her telling Laura there's a body inside, she laughs and tells her it is a funeral home. But then Nita tells her it's a man with a knife in his back and everything chan
...more

May 17, 2020
Jeanie Jackson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
x-2020-read,
cozy-amateur
I loved Grace Topping’s newest addition to her Laura Bishop Mystery series, Staging Wars. As much as I enjoyed Staging Is Murder, the second book in the series is even better. From the flow of writing that had me falling into the story to the murder plot that left me completely puzzled, I enjoyed every minute. I appreciate dynamic characters and seeing Laura realize, with a little help from a special teacher, that the anger she has been clinging to is only hurting her gave me goosebumps. Her fri
...more

STAGING WARS by Grace Topping
The Second Laura Bishop Mystery
A dead body in a funeral home generally isn't cause for alarm. It is, however, when the dead body is lying on the hallway floor with a knife sticking out of his back! While Mrs. Webster seems intrigued by another murder and Nita is freaking out after originally finding the dead man, Laura Bishop maintains she will not get involved in another murder investigation. Even when Laura and her friends find Laura's nemesis holding a bloody kni ...more
The Second Laura Bishop Mystery
A dead body in a funeral home generally isn't cause for alarm. It is, however, when the dead body is lying on the hallway floor with a knife sticking out of his back! While Mrs. Webster seems intrigued by another murder and Nita is freaking out after originally finding the dead man, Laura Bishop maintains she will not get involved in another murder investigation. Even when Laura and her friends find Laura's nemesis holding a bloody kni ...more

4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the Laura Bishop mystery series by Grace Topping.
Basic premise: Laura’s home staging business is going well but she fears a rival is sabotaging her success. Then said rival, Monica, finds herself in jail after being found holding the murder weapon while standing over a dead body.
I am not sure I would have put myself on the line as much as Laura did trying to prove Monica’s innocence. The two had been at war with each other since second grade and the woman even ...more
This is the second book in the Laura Bishop mystery series by Grace Topping.
Basic premise: Laura’s home staging business is going well but she fears a rival is sabotaging her success. Then said rival, Monica, finds herself in jail after being found holding the murder weapon while standing over a dead body.
I am not sure I would have put myself on the line as much as Laura did trying to prove Monica’s innocence. The two had been at war with each other since second grade and the woman even ...more

Perfectly delightful!
I’m so happy to have been introduced to this series! Staging Wars is the second book in the Laura Bishop mystery series. If you didn’t read Staging is Murder, you can start there, but you don’t have to. You’ll quickly catch up with and warm up to the characters in the series.
Laura and Nita have been friends since grade school. Knowing that Laura’s situation at home was pretty lonely, Sister Madeline encouraged the friendship. Nita’s big family welcomed Laura as one of their ...more
I’m so happy to have been introduced to this series! Staging Wars is the second book in the Laura Bishop mystery series. If you didn’t read Staging is Murder, you can start there, but you don’t have to. You’ll quickly catch up with and warm up to the characters in the series.
Laura and Nita have been friends since grade school. Knowing that Laura’s situation at home was pretty lonely, Sister Madeline encouraged the friendship. Nita’s big family welcomed Laura as one of their ...more

Another fun book in an entertaining series. Laura’s journey to success in a new career is inspiring and you can’t help but root for her to succeed. The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed reading about the struggle Laura went through helping someone who isn’t her favorite person. Two thumbs up!
https://cozyexperience.com/staging-wa... ...more
https://cozyexperience.com/staging-wa... ...more

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Staging Wars by Grace Topping is a well-developed mystery with these great tips for staging your home.
Two murders in Louiston, but are they connected?
Laura Bishop
Our sleuth is the main character, and she is out to figure out who is committing these murderers. Laura doesn't want to get involved with finding the killer or killers. However, whe ...more
Two murders in Louiston, but are they connected?
Laura Bishop
Our sleuth is the main character, and she is out to figure out who is committing these murderers. Laura doesn't want to get involved with finding the killer or killers. However, whe ...more

Laura Bishop has almost too much to juggle in her life these days. She and her best friend, Nita, are working hard with their home staging business while having to deal with Laura's long time nemesis (way back in grade school) Monica. Laura is sure that the woman in trying to sabotage her staging business to get rid of the competition plus she had an affair with Laura's ex husband (now deceased).
Why would she want to have anything at all to do with her? Well, when Monica is found standing over a ...more
Why would she want to have anything at all to do with her? Well, when Monica is found standing over a ...more

Grace Topping has created another inviting cozy mystery staring house staging master Laura Bishop. This time the corpse shows up at the small town funeral parlor - except the corpse is found on the floor with a knife sticking out of his back and fresh blood on the floor.
Each chapter begins with one or two sentences providing hints on preparing a house for viewing prior to sale - the same format was used in the first book in the series. Collecting the 100 or so hints found in these two books woul ...more
Each chapter begins with one or two sentences providing hints on preparing a house for viewing prior to sale - the same format was used in the first book in the series. Collecting the 100 or so hints found in these two books woul ...more

I absolutely loved the second book in the Laura Bishop Mystery Series, Staging Wars by Grace Topping. The author bought all the great characters back from book one including:
Nita - Laura’s best friend.
Tyrone - Laura’s assistant and his grandmother, Mrs. Webster.
Monica - Laura’s nemesis.
Detective Alex Sprangler
And joining the party, Laura’s Aunt Kit.
The story had a great mystery, the plot was cleverly filled with clues as to who the murderer was, and there were several humorous moments that had ...more
Nita - Laura’s best friend.
Tyrone - Laura’s assistant and his grandmother, Mrs. Webster.
Monica - Laura’s nemesis.
Detective Alex Sprangler
And joining the party, Laura’s Aunt Kit.
The story had a great mystery, the plot was cleverly filled with clues as to who the murderer was, and there were several humorous moments that had ...more

This was the second in the Laura Bishop mystery series, and I think it will have to be the last for me. I want to like cozy mysteries--I do like cozy mysteries, but this one was so shallow and light and cutesey and quick...I dunno. The only part I really enjoyed was near the end when the heroine had to extract herself from a peculiar situation, shall I say. That was fun to read, but it didn't carry the whole book.
Her little trick to make this cozy series unique is placing a short "home staging" ...more
Her little trick to make this cozy series unique is placing a short "home staging" ...more

With all staging tips, I'm so anxious to put my house up for sale. Great information along with a good mystery. Are the two murders related? Laura and friends do a great job putting the clues together to get the answer which will lead to the killer or killers. I love the visiting Aunt Kit and hopefully so will show up in future books. The mystery of Laura's father has me excited to see where that will lead, hopefully in future books. The family and friends are so wonderfully helpful and supporti
...more

Surprise Ending
The story starts with a murder in the funeral home and kept my interest all the way through. In this second book in the series, Laura's business is growing and she has developed a great partnership with her best friend. After an art competition, Laura and her friends find her rival standing over the body of a famous artist with a bloody knife. There is a lot of action and well developed characters with an ending I didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait fo ...more
The story starts with a murder in the funeral home and kept my interest all the way through. In this second book in the series, Laura's business is growing and she has developed a great partnership with her best friend. After an art competition, Laura and her friends find her rival standing over the body of a famous artist with a bloody knife. There is a lot of action and well developed characters with an ending I didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait fo ...more

A series that is becoming a favorite and improves with each instalment.
There's a likeable and well thought cast of characters, a solid mystery, humour, a plot that keeps you hook.
These elements made me love this story and wish to read the next book soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine. ...more
There's a likeable and well thought cast of characters, a solid mystery, humour, a plot that keeps you hook.
These elements made me love this story and wish to read the next book soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine. ...more

Another outstanding book from Grace Topping! The writer has a wonderful technique in words by making the reader feel as if they are right beside the protagonist. I love the actual real estate staging tips at the beginning of each chapter. I can hardly wait for the continuation of this top notch series.

I think the second book was even better than the. first! This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The more I read, the better it got. The characters continue to evolve and grow. As a bonus, there are staging tips headlining each chapter. This book was engaging from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the next book!

Although it seems I'm in the minority, I had to suspend too much to enjoy this one. Sadly, some of the dialogue, characterization and commentary was cliche or lame. I just could not bring myself to care.
...more
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