What do you think?
Rate this book
Ghostly Fashionista Mystery #2
Perils and Lace
A murderer outwitting a quirky flapper ghost? Seams unlikely!
Budding retro fashion designer and entrepreneur Amanda Tucker is thrilled about making costumes for Winter Garden High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast. But when the play’s director Sandra Kelly is poisoned, Amanda realizes there’s a murderer in their midst. She’s determined to keep herself and the students safe, so when her ghostly fashionista friend Max suggests they investigate, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and prepares to follow the deadly pattern…
Budding retro fashion designer and entrepreneur Amanda Tucker is thrilled about making costumes for Winter Garden High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast. But when the play’s director Sandra Kelly is poisoned, Amanda realizes there’s a murderer in their midst. She’s determined to keep herself and the students safe, so when her ghostly fashionista friend Max suggests they investigate, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and prepares to follow the deadly pattern…
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2020
96 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Leeson
30 books502 followersGayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series.
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 30, 2020
This is such a delightful para-cozy mystery! The ghost, Max, is a hoot! I love that the protagonist, Amanda, sketches and sews retro fashions. If y’all haven’t read this series, I recommend you give it a try!
April 25, 2020
Fashion designer Amanda Tucker has her hands full with a murder, costuming a high school production of Beauty and the Beast, a new boyfriend and her fashionista friend Maxine (Max), who just happens to be a ghost!
Amanda is a relatable, smart, kind with a sense of humor that I loved. She is very "down to earth" and I got a kick out of her situation with Jason and Carla. Only Amanda and her grandfather can see Max and I had no problem in believing that Max exists and she is just as interesting as the"living" characters. Her sense of humor enhances the mystery and kept me grinning. The surprise at the end was so sweet. It was fun that this series is set in Abingdon, Virginia as is the author's Down South Cafe mysteres. In fact, the cafe is mentioned a few times in the book. Wonder if the characters will meet?
Settle in and get ready to an entertaining visit with Amanda & Max!
Amanda is a relatable, smart, kind with a sense of humor that I loved. She is very "down to earth" and I got a kick out of her situation with Jason and Carla. Only Amanda and her grandfather can see Max and I had no problem in believing that Max exists and she is just as interesting as the"living" characters. Her sense of humor enhances the mystery and kept me grinning. The surprise at the end was so sweet. It was fun that this series is set in Abingdon, Virginia as is the author's Down South Cafe mysteres. In fact, the cafe is mentioned a few times in the book. Wonder if the characters will meet?
Settle in and get ready to an entertaining visit with Amanda & Max!
May 26, 2020
The second book in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series.
Amanda Tucker, fashion designer, has opened her shop and is getting it moving along.
She is asked to make the costumes for the local high school production of Beauty and the Beast.
The play's director, Sandra Kelly is poisoned and Amanda is once again trying to figure out who did it with the help of her ghostly sidekick, Max.
Max is a lively, funny girl who lives in the building where Amanda has her shop.
Max cannot leave the building but it is entertaining to see her learn how to do things via the internet, live streaming and social media!
There is also a side plot where Max is searching for any relatives she might have, which adds a very touching air to her story.
A quick read with likeable characters and fun story.
Amanda Tucker, fashion designer, has opened her shop and is getting it moving along.
She is asked to make the costumes for the local high school production of Beauty and the Beast.
The play's director, Sandra Kelly is poisoned and Amanda is once again trying to figure out who did it with the help of her ghostly sidekick, Max.
Max is a lively, funny girl who lives in the building where Amanda has her shop.
Max cannot leave the building but it is entertaining to see her learn how to do things via the internet, live streaming and social media!
There is also a side plot where Max is searching for any relatives she might have, which adds a very touching air to her story.
A quick read with likeable characters and fun story.
April 10, 2020
Perils and Lace: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery is the second book in the series by Gayle Leeson. It was the first book in the series and by Gayle Leeson I have read. I am hooked and looking forward to more books both by Gayle and in the series. This is a clean read and very little romance, jut a few kisses here and there. It is not spooky at all even though one of the main characters is a ghost. The book is kind of quirky at times. Shop and the school names do get to be a redundant at times, I mean every time the school or one of the shops is mentioned it is called by the full name of it. Like the main characters store is Designs On You, it is never just called the shop or the store, the same with every other shop name and the High School. I think it is just me though, but by the end I was kind of rolling my eyes about it. This is a mystery, with lots of clues and lots of suspects.
Amanda Tucker is a fashion designer and runs a small shop called Designs On You. She is asked to make costumes for the High school play of Beauty and the Beast. Shortly after she agrees Sandra Kelly the director and teacher at the school is found dead in her home. Amanda and Max the resident ghost at the building where Amanda's shop is decide to look into the murder. There are suspects all over the place and Amanda follows the clues and her instincts to bring down the murder and to keep her and the rest of the town safe as well.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher to read and review. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it.
Amanda Tucker is a fashion designer and runs a small shop called Designs On You. She is asked to make costumes for the High school play of Beauty and the Beast. Shortly after she agrees Sandra Kelly the director and teacher at the school is found dead in her home. Amanda and Max the resident ghost at the building where Amanda's shop is decide to look into the murder. There are suspects all over the place and Amanda follows the clues and her instincts to bring down the murder and to keep her and the rest of the town safe as well.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher to read and review. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it.
June 23, 2020
This is such a fun paranormal cozy mystery. It is a quick enjoyable read that will have the reader chuckling at a number of places throughout the story. Amanda is a kind person and a very relatable cozy mystery protagonist. She is not overly nosy and isn't reckless when she attempts to uncover clues that could lead to the identity of a murder. I really enjoy the relationship between Amanda and her grandfather, Dave. Amanda's shop is inhabited by a ghost, Max, that only Amanda and Dave can see. Max is a hoot. She is colorful and adds a great sense of humor and wittiness to the dialogue and story. She is branching out as well, with Amanda introducing her to social media in this installment.
The mystery is solid and there are plenty of clues to lead the reader astray. Amanda does a bit of sleuthing, but as I said, she is not reckless. In addition to helping to solve the murder, Amanda also helps Max solve the mystery of what happened to her sister Dot after she died and how she lived her life. That is a great part of the story and I won't say any more so I don't spoil the surprise.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and am excited to see what Gayle Leeson has in store for her readers.
The mystery is solid and there are plenty of clues to lead the reader astray. Amanda does a bit of sleuthing, but as I said, she is not reckless. In addition to helping to solve the murder, Amanda also helps Max solve the mystery of what happened to her sister Dot after she died and how she lived her life. That is a great part of the story and I won't say any more so I don't spoil the surprise.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and am excited to see what Gayle Leeson has in store for her readers.
May 1, 2020
PERILS AND LACE by Gayle Leeson
The Second Ghostly Fashionista Mystery
Always ready for a challenge, Amanda Tucker agrees to help design the costumes for the high school's production of Beauty and the Beast. While coming up with creative designs for ottomans and feather dusters, she can't help but hear the rumors about the director having an affair with another teacher and notice that the smart as a whip student stage manager is hiding something. When the director is poisoned, Amanda fears for the students and the well being of her friend Connie, who found the woman. While helping her ghostly friend Max get a social media presence, looking our for the young stage manager, and getting closer to her boyfriend, Amanda will keep her eyes and ears open and see if she can discover just who killed Sandra Kelly.
I really love this series! Max is too much fun and I love how she's now on social media and able to interact with more people. As a theatre person, I'm always happy when books feature a theatrical production and I loved seeing Amanda's concepts come to life for the unusual costumes in Beauty and the Beast. I was thrilled to see Biscuits and Gravy back, running amok and making me laugh out loud!
Relationships are the foundation of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series, from Amanda's bond with her grandfather to her encounters with the other shopkeepers of Shops on Main, to her friendship with a ghost and the developing romance with Jason. It's these relationships that get readers invested in the characters lives and make the story even more meaningful.
PERILS AND LACE is a fun mystery that challenges your perceptions. Warmth, humor, and camaraderie infuse the pages making it a delightful read.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Second Ghostly Fashionista Mystery
Always ready for a challenge, Amanda Tucker agrees to help design the costumes for the high school's production of Beauty and the Beast. While coming up with creative designs for ottomans and feather dusters, she can't help but hear the rumors about the director having an affair with another teacher and notice that the smart as a whip student stage manager is hiding something. When the director is poisoned, Amanda fears for the students and the well being of her friend Connie, who found the woman. While helping her ghostly friend Max get a social media presence, looking our for the young stage manager, and getting closer to her boyfriend, Amanda will keep her eyes and ears open and see if she can discover just who killed Sandra Kelly.
I really love this series! Max is too much fun and I love how she's now on social media and able to interact with more people. As a theatre person, I'm always happy when books feature a theatrical production and I loved seeing Amanda's concepts come to life for the unusual costumes in Beauty and the Beast. I was thrilled to see Biscuits and Gravy back, running amok and making me laugh out loud!
Relationships are the foundation of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series, from Amanda's bond with her grandfather to her encounters with the other shopkeepers of Shops on Main, to her friendship with a ghost and the developing romance with Jason. It's these relationships that get readers invested in the characters lives and make the story even more meaningful.
PERILS AND LACE is a fun mystery that challenges your perceptions. Warmth, humor, and camaraderie infuse the pages making it a delightful read.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
May 26, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery by Gayle Leeson.
Amanda Tucker, sewist and fashionista along with her ghostly counterpart Max (Maxine) from the 1920’s are back with a new mystery!
Amanda and her grandfather get suckered into providing outfits and sets for the new production of Beauty and the Beast. Not long after they are asked to assist the director of the play is found murdered.
I can’t really decide what is better: Max and her ability to adjust to the technology of the twentieth century or the whodunit. I was a little disappointed that the photographer from book one wasn’t featured as strongly as he was in the previous title. But the relationships in the building where Amanda has her business is what makes this series so great. This is definitely a series I want to continue to read., It is just so dang fun!
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.
This is the second book in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery by Gayle Leeson.
Amanda Tucker, sewist and fashionista along with her ghostly counterpart Max (Maxine) from the 1920’s are back with a new mystery!
Amanda and her grandfather get suckered into providing outfits and sets for the new production of Beauty and the Beast. Not long after they are asked to assist the director of the play is found murdered.
I can’t really decide what is better: Max and her ability to adjust to the technology of the twentieth century or the whodunit. I was a little disappointed that the photographer from book one wasn’t featured as strongly as he was in the previous title. But the relationships in the building where Amanda has her business is what makes this series so great. This is definitely a series I want to continue to read., It is just so dang fun!
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.
October 23, 2021
I enjoyed this second in the series. Amanda ends up helping with costumes for the school play when the director is found dead. Of course she is pulled into looking for answers as to who did it.
I love these characters and the side story of helping her ghost friend Max find answers about her family. The characters are fun and likable, Max always gives me a laugh and I adore Amanda's grandfather and their relationship. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I will definitely continue on with this series.
I love these characters and the side story of helping her ghost friend Max find answers about her family. The characters are fun and likable, Max always gives me a laugh and I adore Amanda's grandfather and their relationship. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I will definitely continue on with this series.
February 8, 2025
The story features Amanda Tucker, the main character, and Max the ghost who lives in the building where Amanda and others have their businesses. Amanda gets the job to design and make the costumes for a high school production of Beauty and the Beast. The teacher who was leading the production was killed and Amanda starts asking questions. The book was an easy read.
April 25, 2020
Another great book in the series.
July 10, 2021
I just Love this series!!
September 12, 2020
I couldn't put it down
I absolutely love this book. Amanda is a fun character, and Max, her friend of ghostly proportions, is my favorite character. I loved meeting Zoe and her link to Max was excellent.
I'm hoping to see another book in this series very soon.
I absolutely love this book. Amanda is a fun character, and Max, her friend of ghostly proportions, is my favorite character. I loved meeting Zoe and her link to Max was excellent.
I'm hoping to see another book in this series very soon.
May 4, 2020
Perils and Lace by Gayle Leeson is book two in the A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series. I loved the first in the series and was excited to read book two. I was not disappointed! So ready for the next installment.
Amanda is approached about working on the local high schools production of Beauty and the Beast and wanting to continue to build her clientele at her shop, she agrees. Little did she know, she would be involved is another murder.
She enlists her grandfather to help on the set, another storekeeper for assistance on a customer, and one of the parents also is a storekeeper in Shops on Main.
When they go to rehearsal and the director is late, Amanda asks Connie to check on Sandra on her way to the school. Connie finds her dead.
Of course, rumors are flying "who did it". After all Sandra had had an affair. Then there is missing money.
There are plenty of twists and turns that have you guessing until the end. There is a great side story. I enjoyed the references to the Down South Café. The main characters are likeable and relatable. You also have romance, an adorable cat, family, humor (I laughed out loud a few times), and Max.
Let me tell you about Max! Max is a ghost that can not leave the Shops on Main since she lived and died in the Victorian before it was turned into shops. She can only be seen by Amanda, her grandfather and Amanda's cat. She is ornery and a sweetheart. I want Max as a friend!
I was given a copy for an honest review.
Amanda is approached about working on the local high schools production of Beauty and the Beast and wanting to continue to build her clientele at her shop, she agrees. Little did she know, she would be involved is another murder.
She enlists her grandfather to help on the set, another storekeeper for assistance on a customer, and one of the parents also is a storekeeper in Shops on Main.
When they go to rehearsal and the director is late, Amanda asks Connie to check on Sandra on her way to the school. Connie finds her dead.
Of course, rumors are flying "who did it". After all Sandra had had an affair. Then there is missing money.
There are plenty of twists and turns that have you guessing until the end. There is a great side story. I enjoyed the references to the Down South Café. The main characters are likeable and relatable. You also have romance, an adorable cat, family, humor (I laughed out loud a few times), and Max.
Let me tell you about Max! Max is a ghost that can not leave the Shops on Main since she lived and died in the Victorian before it was turned into shops. She can only be seen by Amanda, her grandfather and Amanda's cat. She is ornery and a sweetheart. I want Max as a friend!
I was given a copy for an honest review.
April 3, 2024
Good
Amanda finds herself volunteering her services for the High School Musical production of Beauty and the Beast.
When the director/English teacher is murdered, Amanda finds herself being drawn into the investigation.
With the help of her ghostly best friend, her grandad, and her photographer boyfriend, Amanda is sure she can find out a little more…
I almost knocked another star off for the formatting issues in my Kindle edition, with this one. In two places it was obvious that a huge chunk of story had been cut out, and we skipped from one scene to the next with no introduction of a character that was suddenly there talking. There were also issues with the page breaks earlier in the book, which was annoying but not as confusing as the missing parts.
I decided not to do so, because the story was actually very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it: especially the side stories involving Zoe and Max.
We do get to see some of Amanda’s time together with Jason, and we even get to meet his little dog too.
The mystery was resolved well, with a little surprise that I actually quite enjoyed, and the secondary mystery with Max had a satisfying resolution too.
All in all, barring the formatting issues, this was an enjoyable read, with wonderful characters, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Amanda finds herself volunteering her services for the High School Musical production of Beauty and the Beast.
When the director/English teacher is murdered, Amanda finds herself being drawn into the investigation.
With the help of her ghostly best friend, her grandad, and her photographer boyfriend, Amanda is sure she can find out a little more…
I almost knocked another star off for the formatting issues in my Kindle edition, with this one. In two places it was obvious that a huge chunk of story had been cut out, and we skipped from one scene to the next with no introduction of a character that was suddenly there talking. There were also issues with the page breaks earlier in the book, which was annoying but not as confusing as the missing parts.
I decided not to do so, because the story was actually very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it: especially the side stories involving Zoe and Max.
We do get to see some of Amanda’s time together with Jason, and we even get to meet his little dog too.
The mystery was resolved well, with a little surprise that I actually quite enjoyed, and the secondary mystery with Max had a satisfying resolution too.
All in all, barring the formatting issues, this was an enjoyable read, with wonderful characters, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 19, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this book.
I enjoyed learning more about Max in this one. Very fast paced story with things happening in every chspter. This is a book for you if you're tired of all the sex and sweating in your books, or those books that just plunk along and nothing is happening except cutting veg to a prescribed size and that the excitement for the whole book.. I actually would love it if the author spend a little bit of time talking about why a certain fabric won't work, what the fabrics are made of and how they work for what you need. The main character would be excited about these thing I think.. So, I you are interested go ahead and find book #1 in the series. Read this offering soon and enjoy yourself. I hope there will be another book very soon⭐ the one or two type errors didn't bother me much. But what did is the main character constantly using the full name of the shops all the time. Some times two or three time in just a half page. It's so weird it almost made me angry a few times. Tell us once maybe twice. After that could she please just hurry back to the shop.
Add some seeing top at the end. I love reading them.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed learning more about Max in this one. Very fast paced story with things happening in every chspter. This is a book for you if you're tired of all the sex and sweating in your books, or those books that just plunk along and nothing is happening except cutting veg to a prescribed size and that the excitement for the whole book.. I actually would love it if the author spend a little bit of time talking about why a certain fabric won't work, what the fabrics are made of and how they work for what you need. The main character would be excited about these thing I think.. So, I you are interested go ahead and find book #1 in the series. Read this offering soon and enjoy yourself. I hope there will be another book very soon⭐ the one or two type errors didn't bother me much. But what did is the main character constantly using the full name of the shops all the time. Some times two or three time in just a half page. It's so weird it almost made me angry a few times. Tell us once maybe twice. After that could she please just hurry back to the shop.
Add some seeing top at the end. I love reading them.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 14, 2021
Feisty Flapper Ghost Max & the HS Play
Another lovely cozy mystery featuring the incomparable Max, a ghost fashionista who can only be seen/heard by fashion designer Amanda & her Grandpa Dave. Amanda is asked to take over costumes & props for the Senior Play production of Beauty & the Beast. When someone involved is murdered, Max & Amy are on the case....at the same time, Amy dates photog Jason, produces amazing costumes, teaches Max about social media & live streaming, and has time to research Max's family/descendants!
Not strictly necessary to have read the 1st novel in the series, but I recommend doing so--it is a pleasure to meet these characters (with some cross/spillover into the author's other series Calamity Cafe) and watch the evolution of their relationships. Highly recommend!!!
Another lovely cozy mystery featuring the incomparable Max, a ghost fashionista who can only be seen/heard by fashion designer Amanda & her Grandpa Dave. Amanda is asked to take over costumes & props for the Senior Play production of Beauty & the Beast. When someone involved is murdered, Max & Amy are on the case....at the same time, Amy dates photog Jason, produces amazing costumes, teaches Max about social media & live streaming, and has time to research Max's family/descendants!
Not strictly necessary to have read the 1st novel in the series, but I recommend doing so--it is a pleasure to meet these characters (with some cross/spillover into the author's other series Calamity Cafe) and watch the evolution of their relationships. Highly recommend!!!
May 12, 2020
Set in a small grouping of storefronts with a neighborly feel, much of the action in this book center around the local high school. Amanda, our main character, is doing the costume design for the musical play. Grandpa Dave is called upon to help with bulding sets and local shop owners begin to get in spirit and contribute their talents.
Not to feel left out, ghost Max, who can't leave the premises, is introduced to live feed social media. This can't possibly go well. She also learns that they can research her geneology via the internet.
There is a murder but it almost takes a back seat to other gossip and speculation. I still rate this book and series a full five stars for enjoyment level. The "secondary" characters are as much fun and I like them as much as Amanda.
Not to feel left out, ghost Max, who can't leave the premises, is introduced to live feed social media. This can't possibly go well. She also learns that they can research her geneology via the internet.
There is a murder but it almost takes a back seat to other gossip and speculation. I still rate this book and series a full five stars for enjoyment level. The "secondary" characters are as much fun and I like them as much as Amanda.
May 10, 2020
I love this series! I'm so glad that Amanda and Maxine are back. Some new characters are introduced and hopefully a few will make it into the next in this series. Hopefully Zoe will be one of them. She's a high school student who has been hired to work at Amanda's dress shop once a week.
Amanda is on the case to help solve a murder while running her business and helping with the costumes for the high school production of Beauty and the Beast. She also helps Maxine (the ghost) get familiar with social media, finding her ancestors, and including her more in her life since she can't leave the shop.
This is such an amazing series! I can't wait for book #3.
Amanda is on the case to help solve a murder while running her business and helping with the costumes for the high school production of Beauty and the Beast. She also helps Maxine (the ghost) get familiar with social media, finding her ancestors, and including her more in her life since she can't leave the shop.
This is such an amazing series! I can't wait for book #3.
July 2, 2024
Each adventure is better than the last, and the first one was a blast! I am really liking the ghost Max and the intrepid Amanda Tucker, as well as her Grandpa Dave. The rest of the supporting characters are coming up with skills that make them very important in the story. The plot is easily followed and straightforward, and the premise is finding out who killed the popular-unpopular teacher and why. The answers are as convoluted as any you will find in a good mystery. I most certainly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
June 27, 2021
Fun read, not usually into ghost stories but it's hard not to get a kick out of Max! Amanda and her grandfather are good characters. The other vendors in the Shops on Main add to the color and now we have a mystery as Amanda is helping to make costumes for the local high school play and the women who got her involved has been murdered. Can Amanda, Grandpa and Max figure it out? Come along for the ride!
May 21, 2024
Amanda whole heartedly embraces a new challenge, costume design, in the second book in the Ghostly Fashionista series. Hired to create the costumes for the local high school’s upcoming Beauty and the Beast play Amanda finds herself embroiled in yet another murder when the woman in charge of the play is found dead. Throw in her research to see what happened to Max’s family and she’s got her hands full. Great world building in an absolutely delightful series.
August 16, 2020
Oh my gosh I could not put book one down let alone this book. Thank you to Gayle Leeson for writing such a great book and giving us such fun characters to connect with. I love Maxine, the flapper ghost. If anyone loves a good ghost cozy mystery I highly recommend this series. I can not wait until book three comes out. I am Gayle Leeson’s new fan.
April 26, 2024
Life can be interesting when your resident ghost wants to help solve murders!
Amanda was living her dream as a designer of period pieces! She had a new best friend who was a ghost, a handsome boyfriend, and a grandfather who was always up for an adventure.
The book was.good, but the printing was wonky., and it aggravated me..
Amanda was living her dream as a designer of period pieces! She had a new best friend who was a ghost, a handsome boyfriend, and a grandfather who was always up for an adventure.
The book was.good, but the printing was wonky., and it aggravated me..
May 14, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I would have given it 5 stars, but the problem was that twice a section must have been missing as a character was alone and suddenly another character is in the room like they were discussing something. I went back to check to see if I missed it. No. This should not happen.
October 28, 2020
This is Gayle Leeson at her best! I could not put this book down, literally. I didn't guess the murderer until the very end, and all the details about the crime and other aspects of the main character's lives were just perfect. I look forward to the next book in this series.
October 24, 2021
Hire a copy editor
The author wrote a fun story. Very enjoyable. The publisher needs to pay a copy editor and proofreader. The book is a hot mess. Entire chunks of text are missing.
The author wrote a fun story. Very enjoyable. The publisher needs to pay a copy editor and proofreader. The book is a hot mess. Entire chunks of text are missing.
November 15, 2024
Great book!
I am enjoying this series. I love how things turned out with Zoe and I am so happy for Max. I can't wait to read more of this series! This series has deepened my love for paranormal cozies.
I am enjoying this series. I love how things turned out with Zoe and I am so happy for Max. I can't wait to read more of this series! This series has deepened my love for paranormal cozies.
January 22, 2025
Pearls and Lace book 2
Loved these two books . Characters were amazing, and the story plot was interesting and different. I laughed out loud and teared up at certain points. Definitely WORTH 5 STARS!
Loved these two books . Characters were amazing, and the story plot was interesting and different. I laughed out loud and teared up at certain points. Definitely WORTH 5 STARS!
June 2, 2020
Perils and Lace
Loved this book!! I could almost see the fashions that Amanda designed. Max is really adjusting to Boeing in the now. Can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
Loved this book!! I could almost see the fashions that Amanda designed. Max is really adjusting to Boeing in the now. Can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
July 25, 2020
Lots of fun!
Beautiful clothes, a ghost, ferrets, murder, a play, teenagers, social media, a lot of fun in a fast read - go!
Beautiful clothes, a ghost, ferrets, murder, a play, teenagers, social media, a lot of fun in a fast read - go!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews