Death by Diamonds (A Vintage Magic Mystery, #3) by Annette Blair

Death by Diamonds (A Vintage Magic Mystery, #3) Reviews

• 
  Penny Watson

  Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair
  
  I am always on the lookout for a writer who is a little bit different, a little bit quirky, fresh, original, etc. That's why I was so excited to discover Carolyn Crane and Gail Carriger this year. A favorite "quirky" author of mine, who has branched out from romance to mysteries, and whose writing keeps getting better and better (what a breath of fresh air that is!) is Annette Blair. I do believe her new mystery series showcases the very best of her writing ability. She has such a lovely, snappy cadence to her prose, it's a delight to read. Her "voice" is fresh, modern, peppy. Her heroine is adorable....obsessed with vintage clothing and hiding a paranormal secret. She can "read" old clothes when the time is right. This series is told from first person POV, but instead of the heroine being a snarky, irritating bitch, she is actually a smart, caring, creative and fashionable sleuth/shop-owner/vintage clothing aficionado.
  
  There is a delicious love triangle going on in this series. The sexual tension is fabulous...Madeira has not one, but two hunky law enforcement officers lusting for her, and I can't decide who to root for! Werner is the straight laced cop, and Nick is the sexy, alpha FBI agent. Decisions, decisions! (Although I guess I am leaning somewhat towards Werner...I'm thinking of making a T-shirt that says "Team Wiener"--and no, I'm not talking about dachshunds. Get your mind out of the gutter! I'm not talking about that either!).
  
  Throw in a bunch of wonderful settings (mansions, the theatre, a charming small town, etc), gorgeous descriptions of vintage clothes, quirky family members, really cool paranormal stuff, and a snappy mystery. And you've got Death By Diamonds.
  
  For some bizarre reason, I find myself crying a lot when I read Annette's books. First, I cried while reading her dedication page, which is written for her husband. Oh, Jiminy!--"my heart's haven"!!!!!! I love that! Then, I found myself crying at the end of the book. Beneath the vintage clothes and curious mystery, this story is ultimately a love story, which is illuminated in the final pages of the book. It is very sweet and very touching. Blair's writing is an awesome juxtaposition of modern, snappy prose with a very sentimental, old-fashioned heart underneath. I love it!
  
  Another cute thing about this book: Madeira uses hilarious seamstress-inspired fake swear words/expressions all the time...Wooly knobby knits!, Tucking A! and here's a good one: Double scrap with a 'tucking A' thrown in for trim!..hee hee hee! Not since Spongebob got me saying "Oh, Tartar Sauce!" have I been so inspired by new cuss words.
  
  I hope the rest of my summer reading goes this well! Grade: A
  
  Happy Summer Romance Reading,
  Penelope
• 
  Betty

  The third book in this paranormal mystery series. Madeira Culter, a former fashion designer now owns a vintage dress store in Mystic, New York. Maddie touched a vintage garment she will often see a version from the former owner. There are ghosts living in her store. Maddie has an affair with an FBI agent. A local homicide detective is a close friend.
  In this book, Maddie received a package from Dominique, a close friend living in New York City. It contained a note that informs Maddie the owner is dead if she was reading it. How she received the package is strange. Maddie returns to New York City to help her friend's son with the funeral. There aren't secrets emerge and Maddie learned about a missing set of diamonds. Wearing her Dominique 's clothing, Maddie has several versions of her friend's recent life. She needs to finds answers to many questions. Among them are what kill her friend, where are the diamonds, did her friend have a lover, and how did the play her friend was in effect her death? As an answer to these questions soon became apparent, Dominique secret life is revealed. I recommend this book and series.
• 
  Linda

  I enjoy this series. Mad is a good MC, the guys in her life are hot and I love how the vintage clothes speak to her. The mystery was good and I loved how the solution was even vintage. Looking forward to reading more in the series. #readforkimberly
• 
  Ronda

  I a not sure exactly what it is about this series that bugs me. I enjoy it enough to keep going back for the next one. I am getting used to the fashion-based "swears" that struck me as just too cutesy and forced in the first book. Perhaps it is just that the relationships seem so shallow in some ways, but then again, Mad is pretty young. In some ways, watching the relationship between Mad, her FBI beau and her detective-maybe-possible beau feels like a train wreck in the making and it makes me cringe. That said, this installment seems to find Mad becoming more mature, at least in some ways, as she deals with the suspicious death of an old friend. I love the returning characters and hope to see more of Dolly and her ghostly beau in future installments. Am hopeful that, just maybe, a Eve and Kyle might work out too.
• 
  Kristen

  I enjoy most of Annette Blair's books, but am particularly fond of the Vintage Magic series.
  
  I love the main character in this series, Mad, and her love of all things fashion. There are fashions, fashion designers and other fashion-related bits sprinkled throughout the story, which if you are a fan of fashion is a fun extra.
  
  The mystery, in this case who murdered Mad's Broadway star friend, is a fast, easy and light read, although it is a well-constructed mystery, with plenty of clues if you want to try to figure out the culprit before that's revealed.
  
  There's always plenty of humour and snappy repartee in Blair's books, which I also really enjoy. Anything by Blair is a safe bet if you're looking for fun, easy reads, with interesting characters and a bit of mystery.
• 
  Angela

  I almost wish I hadn't given the first two books in this series 5 stars, only because I have nowhere to go when I love the next book so much and they just keep getting better. Bravo, Ms. Blair! I laughed through a lot of this book (especially when Maddie uses phrases like "Tucking A!"). This mystery was engaging, and I'm even more in love with Detective Werner now than I was after Larceny & Lace. I wish Nick and Eve would just get together to leave the way clear for poor Werner. Make sure you've read books 1 and 2 before you pick up this one--you'll appreciate it so much more. This is BY FAR my favorite installment to date.
• 
  Craftnut

  Better than average cozy mystery series, I won't bore you with a recitation of the plot. The 'visions' our heroine, Maddie, has when she handles vintage clothing is entertaining. Add to that the lovely descriptions of vintage treasures and the series becomes a fun read. Recommended as light reading, no great plots here. But there is enough of a mystery to solve, and just a bit of surprise to make this story charming.
• 
  Jeannie and Louis Rigod

  Madeira Cutler, sole proprietor/designer dealing with wonderful vintage clothing comes in to work and receives a box that bears sad news. Her good actress friend has passed away leaving the dress that Madeira had designed for her to Madeira. Next comes a phone call from the actress' son, Kyle and Madeira finds out the dress almost arrived before the death??? What is going on?
  
  Kyle pleads with Mad to come to NY to help him with the funeral and oh by the way...be executrix of the will.
  
  Eve, Nick, and even Werner join in to help Mad on this painful journey. And, are they ever needed to keep Mad safe and sound.
  
  
• 
  Cindi

  I forgot how much I enjoyed the vintage fashion theme of this mystery series. Madeira (Mad, to her friends), becomes determined to solve the question of who murdered her friend, stage actress Dominique DeLong, after Dom sends her a gown that Mad herself designed many years ago. Dom knows Madeira will use her gift of touch, which shows her visions of the object's past, and other clues to solve her murder -a murder she suspected was coming. This was not a terribly new plot line, but then neither are many of my favorite guitar riffs (nothing is new under the sun, I think John Lennon said) but I love them anyway; the same with this one. Nice and easy is good too!
• 
  Ricki

  Death by Diamonds is the third book in the Vintage Magic Series by Annette Blair. Maddie, as Madeira Cutler is called by friends and family, receives a package at her vintage clothing shop. The package is from her good friend actress Dominique DeLong. While is is thrilled to get the dress that she created for back, she is upset by the cryptic message that it comes with. This means that Maddie has to use her unique ability to determine who murdered her friend...and what ever happened to the diamonds she wore on stage for her last stage performance!
  This series keeps improving with each new book..Can;t wait to read the 4th in the series!
• 
  Kirsty

  Another good book in the Vintage series. I have to say I didn't love as much as the first two, but I did still enjoy the well thought out mystery. The book is mainly set in New York this time, and I missed the small town cozyness of the other books, as well as some of the secondary characters, such as Dante. That being said I'm looking forward to the next book, as Annette Blair always writes a nice lighthearted tale that pulls you in. I especially like the quotes from designers at the beginning of the chapters and Mad's version of cursing which are all sewing related. Charming!
• 
  Mersadies

  I loved this book, it was my favorite of the series so far. It had you going from the first page and it also helped that their was some testosterone battles between Nick and Werner, which was amusing and sweet. Mad, of course was playing Nancy Drew as usual and she did so well and managed not to get hurt in the process. Again the characters are awesome as was the storyline. I also loved that Mad's ability was used more in this book than the others and the fact that she is learning how to hone it.
• 
  Cindi (cheesygiraffe)

  I like that Mad can read clothes. It's a neat experience from the reader's standpoint. Although it's too much for Mad sometimes. In this book she is trying to solve a dear friend's murder. Who it is...very convoluted. I also like that there is a spark with her a Werner even though she's still sorta with Nick. I see Mad with Werner and Eve finally admitting she likes Nick and the two of them getting together. I hate love triangles.
  
• 
  Ana

  Finally a kiss between Werner and Maddie. Yay. I waited three whole books for this...God. The tension. The anxiety. Anyway it happened and I loved it. Very well done. Now I'm just waiting for Nick to get a kick in the ass and see Maddie get consoled by Werner with a very hot kiss. And a hug. And a cuddle. And another kiss and..you know where I'm going, don't you?
• 
  Marie J

  I found it to be a great page turner, great chemistry between the characters (love the "tension" between Mad and Wiener). Once more, the plot was easy to deduce as the story unfolded but like the previous books in this series, it didn't bother me nor the pleasure I had reading it.
• 
  Allison

  Loved the descriptions of the vintage clothes. I never guessed "who done it." Well written, enjoyable and two love interests for Maddie.
• 
  Carla

  I would have given one more star, but the author didn't use "Nick and me." She kept using "Nick and I" incorrectly. Otherwise I enjoyed the book.
• 
  Janet

  Another fun installment in this series! Keep 'em coming!
• 
  Sanderella

  What a fun, intriguing, and magical cozy mystery series!! :)
• 
  Skye

  I love a good cozy mystery. They have all the intensity and joy of a good thriller or crime novel. Just none of the horror, can't sleep at night feelings that my other crime novels inspire. Which, thinking about it is a little weird... Death by Diamonds still has a murder, and it should be scary. But mostly it's just enjoyable.
  
  Admittedly I'm not one for fashion. But I do appreciate all of the intricacies that are around for people who are. And, honestly, after reading this, I kind of wish that I was into vintage fashion. There are so many beautiful nuances throughout this book.
  
  Dom is maybe my favourite murder victim ever. Whoch is supremely weird, I know. But from the very beginning, she is manipulating and twisting things in a way that is kind of humorous. I love the gumption of the woman and the pizzaz that she shows, even from beyond the grave. It gives you a hint of the woman that you never get to meet within the storyline. And I loved it.
  
  I have most definitely got a favourite leading man in this series... Weiner. Nick is not bad, per se, just "eh". Which meant that I was incredibly happy to have Weiner take a little more centre stage in Mad's attentions. Hopefully in the next book this relationship will start to develop more!
• 
  Lisa Malmquist

  Fun series about a Madiera, a fashionista who owns a vintage clothing shop.
  Madiera's mother was a witch and so she has an extra ability to be able to read images and past events from the clothing she touches.
  This helps a lot when she is trying to solve mysteries.
  She receives a package from a friend who has been killed.
  That friend is a broadway star, Dominique De Long, and the dress that she receives is one that Madiera designed exclusively for Dominique.
  Along with the dress is a disturbing note from her friend Dominique. Seems she has died under mysterious circumstances.
  Wonderful cozy series and clever, snarky dialogue with a touch of humor, whimsy, 40's glam, and a hot boyfriend.
• 
  Genevieve Bomes

  I love this series. When Dom a friend of Mad dies Mad thinks the death is suspicious. Going between New York and home Mad sets out to work out who did it. The list of suspects is long can she work out who did it before they try to kill her?
  
  The characters in this book are great. I love how they interact with each other. Plus I love the side stories. Mad's dad and Aunt Fiona are they together or not. Her Dad swears no. Plus Mad's love life is geting a little hotter. Come on Mad pick the right guy and stop messing around with both. A great story line and great mystery that will keep you turning the pages.
• 
  Kellene

  Looking back at my review for the last book in the series I read... the irritants still apply. And I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last, maybe because it was very busy. Lots of characters and lots going on. But it was still a good mystery and I kept turning pages because I had to know how it ended.
• 
  Holly Stone

  This is fun and filled with design quotes the third book in this series featuring Madeira "Mad" Cutler and her psychic ability to "read" vintage clothing. I'm going to be looking for more of this series. Big thumbs UP for Miss Blair and her Vintage Magic Mystery series