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A Vintage Magic Mystery #4

Skirting The Grave

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Not just a matter of who done it, but who is it?

Even though Maddie has her hands full running Vintage Magic and dealing with the visions she gets from the garments, she’s agreed to plan her sister Sherri’s baby shower and take on a new fashion design intern. But when Maddie goes to the Mystic train station to pick her up, she finds a murder scene instead. The victim: intern Isobel York. Cause of Death: Unknown.

But when a woman appears on her doorstep claiming to be Isobel, Maddie has to figure out the real identity of the victim at the train station. Gathering clues from a trunk full of vintage clothes, Maddie sets out to help Isobel, before the murderer can return to put an end to a promising fashion career…

270 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

19 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read

About the author

Annette Blair

43 books1,007 followers
Annette Blair's romantic comedies owe their beginnings to a root canal and a reluctant trip to Salem Massachusetts. Though she had once proclaimed she'd never write a contemporary, she stumbled into the serendipitous role of Accidental Witch Writer on that trip. Funny how she managed to eat her words even with an aching jaw. Magic or destiny; Annette's Bewitching Romantic Comedies became her first National Bestsellers.

Her August '07 release, SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH, the first in her Triplet Witch Trilogy, hit the #1 bestselling spot for contemporary romance-humorous on Barnes & Noble. It also hit B & N's overall bestseller lists for mass market and fiction mass market and #7 for romance mass market, topping Nielsen BookScan and Borders Bestseller lists as well.

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5 stars
680 (35%)
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760 (39%)
3 stars
399 (20%)
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48 (2%)
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20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
Profile Image for Lizbeth.
46 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2011
You know....I liked Werner more.
Profile Image for Penny Watson.
Author 12 books511 followers
July 29, 2011
I have been really enjoying this series, which combines cute, cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal and romance. Unfortunately, this was not my favorite of the series. The storyline was okay, but not stellar. I still enjoyed all the vintage clothing descriptions. There were a few totally unbelievable plot moments that popped me out of the story (Isobel finding out her cousin is dead and then joking around with Maddie a few moments later, etc.) that just didn't make sense.

Love triangles are tricky things. They can add sexual tension, but they can also make the heroine look like a fickle tease. The love triangle between Madeira, Werner and Nick was a great addition to the former books in this series. But in this story her waffling really got on my nerves. I'm not going to spoil the end of the book, but she went from struggling with her attraction for both men (and leading them both on) to making a split second decision, which, in my oh so humble opinion, was totally freakin' wrong! She picked the wrong damned guy! Ugh!

Overall, a cute story but not as sparkling as her other books. And the love triangle was a big downer and made the heroine look bad.

Grade: B
Profile Image for Sandra.
3,353 reviews12 followers
March 1, 2012
Fun read with snappy dialogue. However the romance aspect is what lets this story down. Maddie has two guys to choose from which is fine. However, if the author really wants us to be pleased about the choice she eventually makes rather than disappointed (as I was) she really needs to make an effort to sell their relationship. Instead we have Maddie exchanging witty repartee with guy 1, solving a crime with guy 1, being appreciated by guy 1, finding things in common with guy 1 while guy 2 (whose only real claim to Maddie seems to be historical - they used to have a realtionship in which he always took her for granted)glowers jealously in the background occaisionally. Maddie tells guy 1 to meet her at the hosptial (where her sister is giving birth) on the third last page then he turns up there only to be told that Maddie has inexplicably chosen guy 2. It is not that I object to guy 2 so much as the author has really given there relationship very little substance - all they seem to have is some history. If she always intended it to be guy 2 then she should have devoted more of the story to giving them a relationship we could get behind.
Profile Image for Ana.
1,247 reviews35 followers
September 16, 2013
Here I was silently cheering Maddie on about Werner while they traded some kisses and dances and then she goes and ends up with Nick again. Seriously? I mean, I like him a lot but he only seems to remember her when he wants sex between FBI assignments while Werner seems to always be there for her when she needs him. Literally. One call away and he's there. The man even took vacation time to follow her to NY for protection. Nick visited 3 times in seven years. I say it again, seriously? Also Maddie only seems to remember 3/4 characteristics about Nick: Italian hunk, hot, steamy and/or mouthwatering. Why? Oh wait...I know. Because they know each other since high school but they don't really know each other perhaps? In the mean time...Werner went from frenemy to seriously hot detective ready to either grab her hair while she pukes, help her solve a crime or kiss her 'till she can't breathe. Yes. Difficult choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carole at From My Carolina Home.
364 reviews
March 17, 2019
Fourth installment of the series, and just OK. I got a little tired of the constant innuendos and the interminable back and forth between the two men in her life. The mystery itself was just OK, but missed the mark of what it could have been. The idea was intriguing, but not fully plotted. The majority of the book seems to be more about Maddie trying to decide which boyfriend she wants, while the end of the book has to wrap up all the loose ends and introduce more plot in the final few conversations. However, the fashion was fun and it is the only reason I give this two stars instead of one.
Profile Image for Lindsay .
1,025 reviews44 followers
April 9, 2016
I don't know why I keep reading this series. I don't hate the characters or anything, though Maddie does get annoying sometimes because the author tries to make her seem perfect. The chick is crazy. I have nothing against people being into fashion, but come on, what are the odds that everytime she finds a new vintage dress it just happens to fit her. People these days are not the same size as people back in the 50s. And who says 'scrap' instead of 'crap'. Crap is not a bad word lady.
I kind of zoned out during this one, there were just to many characters. Kind of had a hard time keeping them in track and the storyline really wasn't that exciting. So unless you are a huge fan of the series, you can probably just go ahead and skip this one.
654 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2024
This would have been four stars but I didn’t like how she treating the relationships in this book. The main character blows off her longtime on/off boyfriend to suck face with her prior nemesis until boyfriend hugs her and it ‘felt so tight’ she dumped ex-nemesis. What a flake.
Profile Image for C.  (Comment, don't blank click reviews)..
1,563 reviews206 followers
November 5, 2014
I like “Skirting The Grave” better than “Death By Diamonds” but still short of the five stars I awarded the first two novels. We return to Madeira’s base, where her house has spirits we haven’t met and her boutique, one. Psychometry and her bizarre, cosmic reaction to it are the highlight of this novel more than ever but the most exciting elements were on the backburner again. Along with spirits and witches, learning about Madeira’s Mom automatically lends a strong emotional vibrancy. Learning about one’s self is the most heartrending unveiling of the unknown. However we don’t touch on that subject either and I was absolutely dismayed that the very best character, her Wicca aunt, was reduced to one line in the entire story.

Compounded with a muted appearance of my most highly anticipated parts, is irritation that so much is made of a kiss Madeira & Lytton shared - by accident - in the former story. Who cares? If she is not attached to Nick, she is free to choose other options and I hoped she would. I liked that she explored Lytton but Annette Blair shouldn’t have focused on it. I give four stars because this mystery is exceptionally good. An enchanting sense of drama and fantasy accompany it; in the acting out of private moments of the past that other readers will enjoy. I shouldn’t have read Annette’s afterward about her story source because I wonder if I would guess that information about the victim of this mystery.

An arrival I very much like is Isobel. Her personality, composure, and humour are far more endearing than those of Madeira’s cutting best friend; whom I hope Isobel eases out. Isobel’s complex family background provided a fantastic mystery plot this time. The use of mind games was wonderfully creative.
Profile Image for Kristen.
2,608 reviews88 followers
July 16, 2014
This is part of what I like to call "cotton-candy reads" it's light, it's sweet, and it's fluffy but there's not a whole lotta substance to it even though it's fun for what it is.

I love the fashion aspect of the character of Madeira and I like the supporting characters in her world. They are fun, interesting people and add an enjoyable dimension to the books.

I run a bit hot and cold on Mad because she is a bit of a flip-flopper. Sometimes she's sharp and smart and on the mark, and other times she becomes a dithering flake of epic proportions. I'm not a fan of dithering flakes, so when she goes there she irritates me. In the end she does manage to pull herself together, but I can't say she is one of my favourite literary characters ever.

As to the murder investigation in this book, it was a bit over-the-top for me, which is all I can really say to avoid spoilers. It felt like trying too hard and I rolled my eyes a little once all was revealed.

Still, if you like light, fluffy, easy reads with plots and characters that won't make you work too hard to be occupied, and if you are interested in all things fashionista this might be a good series to check out. FYI - the first book is A Veiled Deception.
Profile Image for Marge.
470 reviews5 followers
September 28, 2011
I have read all the books in this series and been mildly entertained.

This installment tried my patience. First 10 pages were redundant comments about a "thermonuclear kiss" - yep I got it the first 5 times you mentioned it. Then comes the description of the intern at the front door - slingback pumps to match the vintage outfit, 2 pages later during the same scene she has $800 Manolo Blahnik boots on. Really? In a book based on fashion? The author, editor, proofreader, advanced readers did not catch this glaring error?

I will not continue this series.
Profile Image for Caroline.
213 reviews
August 15, 2011
Well, it seems like there is some resolution to the Werner/Nick debate (for which I'm extremely relieved! I hate interminable triangles where the protag cannot make a decision between two guys). And the story was interesting so overall, I really liked it. There was one part I absolutely hated! At one point, Mad destroys three or four Cuban cigars that Werner has in his desk and that was TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to me! No matter how much you despise smoking, it is still legal (as opposed to heroine or crack cocaine!) and it is WRONG to destroy someone else's property for which they paid. It is not your right to determine if someone else should or should not do something that is legal, however un-pc it might be nowdays. I'm sick of authors putting their "political" viewpoints on others. I read for entertainment, not lectures by holier than thou leftists, thank you.
Profile Image for Dee.
78 reviews3 followers
Read
April 11, 2012
What a fun, relaxing read! I needed light stuff, not creepy, scary thrillers to keep me awake longer, but something fun, light, a little mystery, a little boy-girl chemistry, and this one fit the bill to a T. The characters are fun, vaguely reminiscent of Stephanie Plum's dilemma of too many men, not enough girl or willpower. Throw in a ghost, sweet-natured family elderlies, small town quirkiness and you've got a winning combination for a campy little book if you're in the mood for fun. The dialogue is snarky, sarcastic, adult, no profanities to throw off your reading pace, no heavy breathing sex scenes to bring on a hot flash, but a well thought out story line, good pacing, excellent character and scene development. Annette Blair is one of the best at this genre and I'll keep reading her books for as long as possible.
Profile Image for Genevieve.
1,362 reviews14 followers
May 26, 2019
SPOILER ALERT



This book was slow to start with and I had problems getting into the story line to begin with but I soon became involved in the mystery and Mad and her on and off relationship with her two guys. The story line seemed a little reaching this time but it was interesting and definetly had its twists and turns.I do like this series but this wasn't my favorite in the series. That being said I do love all the characters and her fantastic descriptions of people and the clothes.
How could Mad choose FBI idiot over Werner. I mean all Nick does is say we are on again and want hot sex with her and then disappears. That is not a relationship Mad go with the guy who holds your hair up when you throw up. Who thinks you are smart,sexy and a fantastic girl. The one who treats you as a treasure than a "lay".
Profile Image for Shirley.
Author 2 books11 followers
September 6, 2013
Maddie, owner of a vintage clothing boutique, offers to plan her sister's baby shower and mentor a new design intern, one whom she has never met, as a big favor to her sister. The intern had sent a trunk of family heirloom vintage clothing prior to her arrival and Maddie can't wait to discover what treasures lay inside. When Maddie arrives at the train station to pick up the intern, she finds the girl dead. Later that night the 'real' intern, a carbon copy of the dead girl, shows up and throws everyone for a loop. Mattie's special gift, that of seeing the past when she touches certain vintage clothing, will help solve the mystery of who is who. and who done it. During the investigation, the rivalry between Nick and Werner comes out into the open and Mattie makes a decision.
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
January 16, 2015

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Profile Image for Susan.
4,809 reviews126 followers
July 15, 2011
Great fun. I like Maddie and the way she "sees" into the lives of the women who wore her vintage clothes. She always seems to end up in the middle of a murder mystery. I also really liked Isobel, and hope that she sticks around for more books. The other thing that Maddie is in the middle of, is two men who want her. Nick, the FBI agent, who is her on again, off again boyfriend, and Werner, the local cop, who is new to her fan club (they detested each other as kids). I love AB's books, because things are never as simple as they appear. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something happened to change my mind. Can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Mary Wenner.
15 reviews22 followers
May 30, 2012
I have read all the books in this series and while I love this author and series this one was my least favorite. The mystery part was good although convoluted. I think I am most disappointed in the romantic story line and even more disappointed in the ending of that part of the story. I don't like when cool characters make strange decisions in my opinion. That said I'll still be reading the next book out in July. :)
1,217 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2020
I picked this up at a used bookshop without much research. I was in the market for some fluffy, easy reading, and this seemed to fit the bill.
When I picked it up out of the pile o' doom to read, I grew a little anxious. Crime and vintage clothing? Good! This is relevant to my interests, sign me up. Magic and psychic visions? Hmmm. I can't recall a single book I've read that mixes magic and murder in ways that I've enjoyed. And these are two things I love separately! But I've always thought about it like spaghetti and ice cream. Great separately, but blended together.....?
But, to my amusement and delight, I found that everything here to work! Now, mind you, this is all rather silly, but that's not a criticism. Sometimes I want a gritty, Nordic style mystery, and sometimes I'd rather have a pastel fluffy pile of silliness and humor. This is firmly in the second camp.
I won't say this is a perfect book. I found the mystery to be lacking, coming together in the eleventh hour with no real sleuthing required, and the psychic visions seem a little too convenient, but still. It has a lot of fun doing what it's doing, and it's easy to get caught up in it.
I found myself wanting to read more, partially for the silly fun, and partially because our heroine, Maddie, made a decision in the end that I think was the wrong one, and would like to see if that changes!
I finished this book willing to read more, so that's a success!
26 reviews
Read
December 29, 2021
A fun read with a quick dialogue. But the romance element is what makes this book fall down. Maddie has two men to pick from, which is good. But, if the author truly wants us to be happy with her final choice instead of unhappy (as the case was for me) she has to put forth the effort to present their relationship as something worth talking about. Instead, we get Maddie engaging in witty conversation with guy 1 in the course of finding the solution to a criminal with him. Being loved by guy 1, having things in common with guy 1, while guy 2 (whose only claim to Maddie appears to be an historical one - they were once to be in a relationship that the latter took her for granted)glowers at her often. Maddie is telling guy 1 to go to the hospital (where she is expecting her daughter is having her baby) in the third page. He then arrives there only to find out that Maddie has inexplicably selected the second guy. The reason is not that I'm opposed to the guy 2 as much because the author has provided them with the bare minimum - all they appear to have is some background. If she had always planned it to be a guy 2, then she could have spent more of the narrative to providing them with a relationship that we could get behind. Also, I would like to thank micro skirt store for gifting me this book.
50 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2017
Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair was a bit different than what I expected. Romance, a design intern, some guy calling you and saying that said intern is dead, being able to see ghosts. Oh! Not to mention being able to go back in time when you put something on! Wait, what? In this particular series of Vintage Magic Mystery, we get Maddie Cutler who runs a boutique shop in New York. During this story, Maddie goes to the train station to pick up her intern - only to find that she's dead as a doornail and has been apparently murdered. Not to mention the love triangle hovering around every few chapters.

Plenty of humor and romance. The book was very intriguing and became my aid to help pass time and boredom. Not to mention that it had a couple of well detailed and planned outfits and designs. It had my attention the entire time and kept me wanting to read more the entire time!
Profile Image for Bonnie Drummond.
921 reviews19 followers
October 22, 2018
Annette Blair has got a go thing going in this series. Poor Mags has her hands full with helping her sister with a Fundraiser a new intern and if that wasn't enough theres her on again off again boyfriend and the hunky sexy detective who shared a thermolnucular kiss with her that every one can't stop talking about. And then theres a murder that has Mags and everyone else on edge because it all comes back to her new interns family. Will Mags be able to solve the murder and try to put her heart to one of the two hunky sexy men in her life to rest once and for all or will she end up dead or alone. Grab a copy and fined put.
Profile Image for Lisa Malmquist.
772 reviews24 followers
July 21, 2022
Maddie agrees to take on a fashion intern in her shop.
She also agrees to host a high end fundraiser.
Maddie goes to the train station to pick up her new assistant but finds that she has been murdered at the train station.
But, later that night another woman who is the spitting image of the woman killed shows up at her door, claiming to be the new intern.
Is it the new intern? Or someone who looks like her?
This mystery lands her smack in the middle of a new dangerous case to sort out.
As usual her psychic abilities come in handy but how to prove what she suspects?
Great dialogue, charming characters and a real old detective flair with lots of glam!
Profile Image for Nancy H.
3,133 reviews
June 30, 2025
In this entry in the Vintage Magic Mystery series, Maddie has to try to juggle her sister's baby shower, her other sister Brandy's fund-raiser, the new intern that has been sent to her along with a trunk of vintage clothes, as well as her own paranormal visions. She also has to figure out her attraction to two different men. What she does not expect is to find her intern dead on a bench at the train station when she goes to pick her up, or the confusing events that follow. Despite danger to herself, she eventually figures things out and her life might return to normal. Maybe.
Profile Image for Catsalive.
2,642 reviews40 followers
December 31, 2025
I enjoyed the clothes but not the people, except Werner seems like a nice guy. Madeira, Brandy & Sherri are mildly amusing but they lack character. More romance than mystery, & the romance was unsatisfactory. I'm probably at a disadvantage because I haven't read any of the previous books. Perhaps, if I had read the history of Nick & Maddie's relationship I'd have been more sympathetic to her choices, or perhaps not.

Mildly amusing, but it hasn't made me want to rush into reading the rest of the series. I love the cover.
Profile Image for Kellene.
1,154 reviews17 followers
October 8, 2021
I'm still really, really not thrilled with these books. Maddy and her jumping back and forth between the two guys annoyed me to no end. I've never read an MC so excited about having two guys fighting over her (literally), and it's not appealing. The mystery, however, grabbed me and didn't let go. In fact, when the end was revealed, I was still looking for another twist, another reveal. Not sure what I'll do about the next one....
Profile Image for Janet York.
205 reviews
April 20, 2025
Second book I’ve read in the series, but not the second book in the series. Lots of fun characters. Have to check out the website. Makes me want to run to the nearest vintage shop. A bit convoluted which had me reading a few pages again. Annoying, but I got it in the end. Will read more in the series.
2,498 reviews17 followers
December 9, 2018
This was a bit of a mess. Plot all over the place, rushed ending, and a very poor job setting up the guy she chooses. Plus Maddie spent the entire time passing out or throwing up. Still stuff to enjoy, but it was a big step back from the previous book.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,329 reviews59 followers
March 19, 2024
It's been a while but I enjoyed being back at Vintage Magic. The characters are a lot of fun and while I don't know anything about vintage fashion it's fun reading about it. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. #readforkimberly
Profile Image for Lacey.
392 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2025
Annette Blair stepped outside the normal parameters for cozy mystery stories. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Family dynamics can be deadly. Follow along as Maddy Cutler unravels a new mystery and watch her attempt to untangle her personal life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews

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