Manor of Death

A Domestic Bliss Mystery #3

by Leslie Caine

Erin Gilbert is paid to bring spaces to new life–not to uncover murder. But from the beginning of her job in a Victorian manor, things are totally out of control. It starts with the sighting of a ghost and leads to the discovery of a decades-old secret, a hidden dead space in the attic, and the shocking death of a beautiful young woman. Teamed with her insufferably self-confident competitor, Steve Sullivan, Erin finds herself up against the neighbors, a troubled teen, a woman communing with the dead, and one very unnerved client. The more Erin works on the house, the more manners of death she seems to find until, like peeling off layers of wallpaper,
she suddenly sees it revealed all too the perfect blueprint for murder….

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

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Aka 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."

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of A Domestic Bliss Mystery series. This book was far better than the previous novel. That has neighbors with secrets. Designers Gilbert and Sullivan thrust into each other's path. And a couple of murders. A very enjoyable read.

[Lark37 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book description is more exciting than the book itself. Erin Gilbert is a know it all, something I just cannot tolerate, so for me it was hard to care about her. The mystery itself wasn't too bad and had a minor twist I hadn't expected. However, it was the supernatural element that drew me to this one in the first place, and although it began with a bang, the ghost element was an afterthought throughout most of the book. I don't think I will read more of this series.

[Grey853 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can we say poorly written narrative and awkward dialogue? I thought we could. Not to mention, this books has some very annoying characters and a silly plot. Luckily, I got it from the library, so I didn't lose any money on buying it.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is almost exactly what I think of when I think of the term "cozy mystery". All it's missing is the Northeastern beach town locale, but it does have a Colorado mountain town locale so it's a fair trade. Girl who is not a detective finds herself in mystery with murder elements. Girl feels compelled to try and solve murder while continuing to do day job. Girl solves murder and helps arrest bad guy. There's also a bunch of wealthy people running around. Oh, and there's a cat! I thought that this book was good. It didn't do anything revolutionary with the concept of the cozy mystery but I didn't want it to. It was an enjoyable read. I didn't read any of the previous novels in the series, and I don't plan on continuing with the series. But if I'm ever in the mood for another book like this, I'll definitely check to see if my library has any other Leslie Caine's novels in their ebook collection.
I read this to fulfill the cats and murder square of the Murderino Reading Challenge 2018.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost interest about 1/3 of the way through. I think if the writing had been better, and the characters had been more likable, I might have kept going. I'm not a fan of ghost stories, but it didn't seem like there was a "real" ghost. I usually finish most books I begin, but I'm glad I'm learning to DNF them when they just aren't working for me.

[Poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the mystery! I was bouncing back and forth between suspects for the killer like a tennis ball at Wimbledon. My only issue was that Erin a little too gung-ho to insert herself as a detective and that stretched the realm of belief foe me (excluding the ghost bit).

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the book, lots of twists...

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about a turnaround, the author seriously tamed her main protagonist's overblown ego and frequent unnecessary tantrums, going so far as to have the character realize that most of her outbursts were brought on by her own raging ego rather than things others had done. The character was so pleasant for the first 200 pages that for the first time in the history of the series I wasn't distracted by an infuriating character and found the read rather enjoyable, however the new human Erin is obviously going to need more than one book to banish all of her unappealing and barely readable demons. Fortunately, the story was so intriguing and the writing so crisp that I persevered, luckily the tantrums and outbursts while appearing were sparse. The writing in this series has always been crisp but the writer needs to find descriptive words outside of sexy, sensuous, and luxurious to describe furniture and room designs, while she's at it she might want to reconsider including four and five pages of decorating descriptions that add nothing to or forward the plot in any way. It's interesting to note that the character hasn't once in the three books of this series I've read been correct in solving the murder and that reality mars her conviction in her own superiority. The mystery and writing was an absolute four to five and that makes me happy since I've committed to a buddy read of the entire series. The characters outside of the main were also enjoyable and while the main character was better this time around and I hope it lasts and she grows as the series ages and ripens she did still annoy beginning at the 200 page mark but this book was a triumph compared to the dismal failure of the previous outing. It can only get better, right?

[Shiela · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Erin Gilbert accepts a new project remodeling her neighbour’s Victorian manor, she quickly realizes she gets more than she bargains for. The sighting of a ghostly apparition sets up a chain of events resulting in two murders and the unearthing of a decades-old secret that involves the entire neighborhood.

This is Leslie Caine’s third novel in the Domestic Bliss series featuring interior designer Erin Gilbert. As I was reading, I got the distinct impression that I should have started at the beginning of the series and worked my way through (Caine mentions a murderer’s identity from her previous books). Regardless, this title was a quick, enjoyable read featuring a cast of “Desperate Housewivish” characters and a plethora interior decorating tips you’ll probably never use.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erin Gilbert's remodel of a neighbor's home is running into some rather haunting issues. Specifically, the ghost of a 40 year dead teenager keeps appearing on the roof or in the windows. The home owner insists it's either her daughter or her daughter's babysitter. When the babysitter is found dead it doesn't end the hauntings. And the deaths don't stop either. It becomes clear to Steve Sullivan that Erin may be next on the "ghost"'s most wanted list. The main characters were more likable in this book, though the mystery was very dark and sad. I would not want to live in this neighborhood. I'm not sure Erin is good luck. Although it took me a few days to get into the story, it definitely got more interesting.

[Chana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is an interior decorator and she may know her wallpaper, but she does not succeed in writing a good mystery. In fact, this book is inane, twittering twaddle. Only one character shows brief glimpses of intelligence and he is always angry. In my imaginings this is because he has been cast in this book and has to spend his free time painting portraits of a girl who has been dead for 40 years and then hiding them. Worse than silly, I'm afraid I lost IQ points reading this one.

[Allison Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mystery

I love these books. The interior designs are lovely, the characters likable, the plots interesting, and the mysteries engrossing. I, again, recommend the Domestic Bliss books to everyone who likes a good, well written mystery.

[Diann · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was, again, just okay. Yet, I keep reading them. There must be something - characters, story line, method of story telling - something that keeps me coming back for more, but I could not tell you what it is. Just know these are a quick easy read and I just finished the third one.

[Alicia V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great continuation in the series and awesome Decor tips through out.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy read. Crime novel with humor.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the mystery but in my opinion it goes a little overboard on the decorating information.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun series. This particular book seemed to drag a little toward the middle. I really enjoy Erin and her landlady Audrey. I'll definitely pick up more in this series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in the series. Some good twists and turns to an ending I didn't see coming.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. Intricate plot twists. Still enjoying her series.