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A Domestic Bliss Mystery #7
Holly and Homicide
It’s Christmastime in sleepy Snowcap, Colorado, and the town is up in arms. The venerable Goodwin Estate has been sold to enterprising out of towners and is getting a major makeover just in time for the holidays. Interior designers Erin Gilbert and Steve Sullivan walked smack into a storm of the estate’s new owners, including one whose idea of holiday decor involves inflatable elves and a gingerbread facade, are battling among themselves. Erin’s big-talking ex-boyfriend shows up just in time to make Sullivan crazy jealous, and when a local building inspector is found strangled with a strand of Christmas lights, Gilbert and Sullivan begin to suspect it might be time to leave this psychodrama of a project behind.
But after an incompetent sheriff accuses Erin of murder and there’s another gruesome killing, the only way out is to turn detective. Her new solve a mystery with too many clues…and far too many guilty parties….
FEATURING DOMESTIC BLISS HOME DECORATING TIPS!
But after an incompetent sheriff accuses Erin of murder and there’s another gruesome killing, the only way out is to turn detective. Her new solve a mystery with too many clues…and far too many guilty parties….
FEATURING DOMESTIC BLISS HOME DECORATING TIPS!
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Caine
13 books52 followersAka Leslie O'Kane
(about the photo from author's own webpage)
"This is an old photo of my daughter and me in front of our house in Colorado. She is now in college and looks quite different, but amazingly, I haven't changed one bit!"
(from author's own webpage--abbreviated)
As the opening for my "Meet Leslie" page, here's a touch of biographical information: I have been married for more than two decades and have two not-so-young children. My daughter is in college and my son is in high school. I have a bachelor in journalism, a degree as an electrical-engineering technician (I repaired computers for IBM for three years), and am a certified interior decorator, though I only rarely work as a decorator.
DEATH BY INFERIOR DESIGN is Leslie Caine's first book, but is actually my eleventh published mystery novel. I've dropped a syllable from last name, and it's my hope that I'll be writing the "Domestic Bliss" series for many years to come so that I won't continue this name-shortening strategy. (I don't see myself writing books as: "L," though that would come in handy for quick signatures.) One of the first questions I'm asked at signings is why I chose to use a penname for this series, and the answer is that, while I'm proud of my previous works, I wanted a fresh start. To use a designer analogy, my penname is like emptying the room to enable the fabulous "makeover."
(about the photo from author's own webpage)
"This is an old photo of my daughter and me in front of our house in Colorado. She is now in college and looks quite different, but amazingly, I haven't changed one bit!"
(from author's own webpage--abbreviated)
As the opening for my "Meet Leslie" page, here's a touch of biographical information: I have been married for more than two decades and have two not-so-young children. My daughter is in college and my son is in high school. I have a bachelor in journalism, a degree as an electrical-engineering technician (I repaired computers for IBM for three years), and am a certified interior decorator, though I only rarely work as a decorator.
DEATH BY INFERIOR DESIGN is Leslie Caine's first book, but is actually my eleventh published mystery novel. I've dropped a syllable from last name, and it's my hope that I'll be writing the "Domestic Bliss" series for many years to come so that I won't continue this name-shortening strategy. (I don't see myself writing books as: "L," though that would come in handy for quick signatures.) One of the first questions I'm asked at signings is why I chose to use a penname for this series, and the answer is that, while I'm proud of my previous works, I wanted a fresh start. To use a designer analogy, my penname is like emptying the room to enable the fabulous "makeover."
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 25, 2016
Good end to the series.
November 30, 2019
This one had been sitting on my bookshelf for awhile, and it seemed like a good time of year for a light, Christmasy read.
Big Business is buying out the history from a small Colorado town and turning it into the next Vail. Gilbert and Sullivan designs are helping to convert an old estate just in time for Christmas - complete with very classy Christmas decor. Meanwhile, something nefarious is trying to shut them down, between the inspector failing them just before opening...and then turning up dead. There's tacky Christmas decor fighting with tacky displays, there's an old ex-boyfriend that shows up unexpectedly, and an incompetent sheriff to top it all off. Can she figure it all out so they can just open the place and she can go home?
While a fairly light read, I enjoyed this one. I feel like I had read another from this series - the main characters seemed vaguely familiar, but if I did, it was pre-blog. So not having read the first 6 books in the series didn't affect me reading this now.
This book had enough of a Christmas theme to feel warm and cozy without going overboard. I do agree with several reviews that the sections of the book with decorating or party hosting tips randomly at the beginning of chapters was a little weird. But overall, the story was decent, the theme was nice, and the ending was satisfactory.
Not an amazing read, but a decent, light, Christmas cozy mystery, if that's what you are looking for! I'll go 7 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. I probably won't seek out more from the series but I did enjoy this one.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
Big Business is buying out the history from a small Colorado town and turning it into the next Vail. Gilbert and Sullivan designs are helping to convert an old estate just in time for Christmas - complete with very classy Christmas decor. Meanwhile, something nefarious is trying to shut them down, between the inspector failing them just before opening...and then turning up dead. There's tacky Christmas decor fighting with tacky displays, there's an old ex-boyfriend that shows up unexpectedly, and an incompetent sheriff to top it all off. Can she figure it all out so they can just open the place and she can go home?
While a fairly light read, I enjoyed this one. I feel like I had read another from this series - the main characters seemed vaguely familiar, but if I did, it was pre-blog. So not having read the first 6 books in the series didn't affect me reading this now.
This book had enough of a Christmas theme to feel warm and cozy without going overboard. I do agree with several reviews that the sections of the book with decorating or party hosting tips randomly at the beginning of chapters was a little weird. But overall, the story was decent, the theme was nice, and the ending was satisfactory.
Not an amazing read, but a decent, light, Christmas cozy mystery, if that's what you are looking for! I'll go 7 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. I probably won't seek out more from the series but I did enjoy this one.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
January 2, 2019
I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, but I feel like that was not an issue.
Erin Gilbert and Steve Sullivan are business partners in a decorating company. They are in Colorado, helping to restore a house that will become a B&B in a ski town whose residents are less than supportive. The B&B is schedule to open on Christmas Eve, and Erin and Steve are hoping to not just put the finishing touches on things, but make it all extremely festive as well.
The problems begin when the body of the real estate inspector is found on the property, and the local police chief feels that Erin is somehow involved, and does not seem overly invested in a professional investigation. Add to that infighting among the owners, suspicious happenings around the house, and Erin's former boyfriend arriving and then being murdered, and a lot is happening.
this was interesting, and I was surprised to learn who the killer was. I'm not exactly sure why this series is called "Domestic Bliss" though I guess maybe because they are interior decorators?
Anyway, it was a good enough holiday read.
Erin Gilbert and Steve Sullivan are business partners in a decorating company. They are in Colorado, helping to restore a house that will become a B&B in a ski town whose residents are less than supportive. The B&B is schedule to open on Christmas Eve, and Erin and Steve are hoping to not just put the finishing touches on things, but make it all extremely festive as well.
The problems begin when the body of the real estate inspector is found on the property, and the local police chief feels that Erin is somehow involved, and does not seem overly invested in a professional investigation. Add to that infighting among the owners, suspicious happenings around the house, and Erin's former boyfriend arriving and then being murdered, and a lot is happening.
this was interesting, and I was surprised to learn who the killer was. I'm not exactly sure why this series is called "Domestic Bliss" though I guess maybe because they are interior decorators?
Anyway, it was a good enough holiday read.
December 26, 2022
Holly and Homicide is a good mystery, with surprises along the way. While I enjoyed the suspense, I found many of the characters to be unlikeable. The main character, Erin, is often whiny, stubborn, and misguided in her opinions. In contrast, Steve, her boyfriend, is insightful and sees beyond the surface and Erin's snide attitude. Some of the other characters are pretty outrageous and very self-centered.
The book definitely needed a good editor as there were so many misspelled words, extra words, or incorrectly used words. I would have given this a rating of 3 1/2 because of this, the characters, and the fact the story kept going on and on, but the mystery part was well done so rounded up to 4.
The book definitely needed a good editor as there were so many misspelled words, extra words, or incorrectly used words. I would have given this a rating of 3 1/2 because of this, the characters, and the fact the story kept going on and on, but the mystery part was well done so rounded up to 4.
August 13, 2020
Good story but full of mistaked
I enjoyed the premise of the storyline. However, there were so many mistakes--mispellings, incomplete sentences, one guy's Mercedes became a beamer in the next few chapters. It became increasingly frustrating to read the story.
It's a shame that neither the author or the publisher used an editor to find and correct all the errors.
I enjoyed the premise of the storyline. However, there were so many mistakes--mispellings, incomplete sentences, one guy's Mercedes became a beamer in the next few chapters. It became increasingly frustrating to read the story.
It's a shame that neither the author or the publisher used an editor to find and correct all the errors.
March 3, 2018
Not quite at the level of my beloved Penguin cozies, but a fun read.
December 8, 2018
Loved the series
December 1, 2019
Nice holiday cozy mystery story!
December 17, 2020
Fast read. Read for a book discussion. 2.5 stars. Not my normal type of read. I normally do not focus on typos but this book had way too many in a 238 page book.
December 18, 2020
It was a great book for this time of the year. Loved all of the decorating in the Twelve Days of Christmas theme and the recipe of eggnog and so what there are a few murders along the way.
May 13, 2022
really enjoyed the story...
January 11, 2022
This book started out pretty slow. I was a bit confused and struggled to read at the beginning but when it really got into the mystery I was hooked. The author did a good job of giving everyone enough of a motive that I had no idea who was guilty in the end
October 17, 2010
Sullivan and Gilbert Designs has been hired to decorate a B&B opening up in Snow Cap, Colo. The town has been riddled with controversy with a local developer systematically turning town's idyllic landscape into rows of high-priced condos for wealthy tourists and skiers.
The Goodwin Estate, previously owned by the town's mayor, Henry Goodwin, is in danger of being razed in favor of more profitable condos. To keep this from happening, he sells the estate to three investors, with the caveat that it remains in its original form as a B&B. Developer Wendell Barton (guilty of modernizing the town with condos), along with Erin Gilbert's friend and mentor, Audrey Monroe, and actress Chiffon Walters purchase the property.
Everything is going relatively smoothly until the inspector, Angie, shows up. After giving the home a failing grade, with instructions to repair the home's water system (among other things), the inspector meets a grim fate one night on the B&B's property. Then, Erin's ex, Cameron, shows up and after making some waves, is also found dead. There are more inspection failures that threaten the inn's grand opening date, set for Christmas Eve. When Erin and Steve become prime suspects in both murders, thanks to the hapless Sherriff's shoddy investigation, Erin sets to work to clear their names. It seems like everyone (from the carpenter and contractor Ben Olin to Angie's sister, Mikara who is managing the inn) has something to hide...will Erin find the culprit before its too late?
This delightful mystery includes holiday recipes and decorating ideas. I quite enjoyed reading this book, and now I have plans to go back and read her other "Domestic Bliss" mysteries!
The Goodwin Estate, previously owned by the town's mayor, Henry Goodwin, is in danger of being razed in favor of more profitable condos. To keep this from happening, he sells the estate to three investors, with the caveat that it remains in its original form as a B&B. Developer Wendell Barton (guilty of modernizing the town with condos), along with Erin Gilbert's friend and mentor, Audrey Monroe, and actress Chiffon Walters purchase the property.
Everything is going relatively smoothly until the inspector, Angie, shows up. After giving the home a failing grade, with instructions to repair the home's water system (among other things), the inspector meets a grim fate one night on the B&B's property. Then, Erin's ex, Cameron, shows up and after making some waves, is also found dead. There are more inspection failures that threaten the inn's grand opening date, set for Christmas Eve. When Erin and Steve become prime suspects in both murders, thanks to the hapless Sherriff's shoddy investigation, Erin sets to work to clear their names. It seems like everyone (from the carpenter and contractor Ben Olin to Angie's sister, Mikara who is managing the inn) has something to hide...will Erin find the culprit before its too late?
This delightful mystery includes holiday recipes and decorating ideas. I quite enjoyed reading this book, and now I have plans to go back and read her other "Domestic Bliss" mysteries!
August 7, 2016
This is one of my favorites of the series. The mystery was good and the secondary and personal stories were also good. They held my interest throughout the book. I loved hearing about decorating and baking for Christmas. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Henry Goodwin recently sold his family's estate to mogul Wendell Barton and his partners, current it-girl Chiffon Walters, and Audrey. The estate is being renovated into a bed-and-breakfast, which is slated to open over the Christmas holidays, and Gilber (Erin) and Sullivan (Steve) have been hired to design the interiors. The townspeople are not happy about their quiet town becoming loud and overpopulated with outsiders. This makes the business of renovating harder since locals refuse to work on the estate, the local building inspector, Angie, keeps nitpicking violations, and someone is vandalizing the property. Then, Henry, trying to please everyone has suggests that Chiffon design the outdoor Christmas decorations while Audrey does the interiors. Chiffon's plan is the antithesis to Sullivan and Gilbert's elegant interiors.
When Wendell's right-hand man arrives to facilitate things with the inspector and the townspeople, Erin is surprised to find he's Cameron Baker, her college ex. Now She has to deal with a jealous Steve as well as a seemingly still interested Cameron.
Then, Angie is found dead and the sheriff, who won't listen to reason, accuses Erin of murder. His accusations are only reinforced when another person connected to the B&B is killed. Erin has to investigate because the local police aren't.
Henry Goodwin recently sold his family's estate to mogul Wendell Barton and his partners, current it-girl Chiffon Walters, and Audrey. The estate is being renovated into a bed-and-breakfast, which is slated to open over the Christmas holidays, and Gilber (Erin) and Sullivan (Steve) have been hired to design the interiors. The townspeople are not happy about their quiet town becoming loud and overpopulated with outsiders. This makes the business of renovating harder since locals refuse to work on the estate, the local building inspector, Angie, keeps nitpicking violations, and someone is vandalizing the property. Then, Henry, trying to please everyone has suggests that Chiffon design the outdoor Christmas decorations while Audrey does the interiors. Chiffon's plan is the antithesis to Sullivan and Gilbert's elegant interiors.
When Wendell's right-hand man arrives to facilitate things with the inspector and the townspeople, Erin is surprised to find he's Cameron Baker, her college ex. Now She has to deal with a jealous Steve as well as a seemingly still interested Cameron.
Then, Angie is found dead and the sheriff, who won't listen to reason, accuses Erin of murder. His accusations are only reinforced when another person connected to the B&B is killed. Erin has to investigate because the local police aren't.
December 30, 2014
This book apparently is part of a series; a series I had not read. In retrospect, jumping into the middle of a series is always a risk; in this case, characters are unknown to the new reader without a lot of introduction. Secondly, the author has chapters interspersed throughout the book titled 'Domestic Bliss' which apparently are supposed to be decorating tips. I felt it distracted from the main story. You're reading and all of a sudden you start a new chapter, in totally new type face, called Domestic Bliss and you ask yourself what the heck happened.
The mystery was interesting enough, but it was hard for me to care too much about the characters since all their development took place in prior books.
The mystery was interesting enough, but it was hard for me to care too much about the characters since all their development took place in prior books.
April 15, 2012
This was the first time I ever read one of Leslie's books and it's going to be the last. The book was set around Christmas time so it had some wonderful holiday decorating ideas, but that's the only thing I liked about the book. The plot of the book was very slow, boring and the characters very stiff and their conversation flow even stiffer. I kept putting the book down to read other books until I finally gave up and skipped the last 1/4 of the book to get to the end. The end didn't come soon enough and turned out to be a disappointing one. The book is not worth it and since I bought it before Christmas, I couldn't take it back so I just donated it to the library.
March 22, 2010
Designers and romantic partners Steve Sullivan and Erin Gilbert are turning an historic mansion into a bed and breakfast. But the residents of Snowcap hate the developer who owns 40% of the project for bringing tourists into their small, charming town. It seems like some of them would do anything to stop the project, and that's before a body is discovered. Unfortunately, the sheriff is not the smartest guy around, and is possibly in the pay of the developer. He's stupid enough to suspect Erin of the crime, so she and her landlady, Colorado's own Martha Stewart, decide to investigate.
November 27, 2013
The decorators Sullivan and Gilbert (Steve and Erin) are partners who have taken the job of designing the interiors for a lovely old home that is being turned into a bed-and-breakfast in a sleepy Colorado ski town. The soon find themselves in the middle of a firestorm caused by problems with the building inspector and the arrival of Erin's ex-boyfriend. Then things take a turn for the worse when the inspector is found murdered in the snow and Erin finds both herself and Steve as suspects.
November 23, 2009
One of the tricks to writing a good cozy is making the characters likable. Unfortunately, I found Erin, the main character, a bit too fussy. Plus, there was a lot more romance in the mix than I like in a good mystery. I probably won't be reading the rest of the series.
January 29, 2012
fun read - enjoy the crafting decorator tips. A book doesn't have to be believable to be enjoyed or entertaining.
Is it believable that Nancy Drew would get involved with so-o-o many mysteries? The list could go on....
Is it believable that Nancy Drew would get involved with so-o-o many mysteries? The list could go on....
December 4, 2010
Not really my kind of mystery, but I read it for a book group. It was much better than I expected, but not very believable.
September 6, 2013
I started with this one (bought at a garage sale) and it was charming enough for me to seek out the series.
January 6, 2016
Read my review for the last book...to follow.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews