Cozy Review: Crepe Factor (A Scrapbooking Mystery)

I've finished "Crepe Factor" the 14th book in her Scrapbooking Mystery series by Laura Childs.

Product Description

The Winter Market in the French Quarter is in full swing, but murder isn’t taking a holiday in the latest from the New York Times bestselling author of Parchment and Old Lace.

The holidays are a busy time for scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand — but not so hectic that she doesn’t have time to enjoy browsing the booths at the Winter Market with her best friend Ava.

The last thing the ladies expect to see is a lurching man stabbed by a serving fork, dying in front of them.

The victim is loathed restaurant critic Martin Lash, who posted his scathing reviews on the Glutton for Punishment website. And the prime suspect is New Orleans restauranteur Quigg Brevard — who was seen giving the critic a tongue-lashing minutes before someone stuck a fork in him. An old flame of Carmela, Quigg asks for her help, which does not please her current beau, Detective Edgar Babcock, to say the least.

Before her relationship is the next victim, Carmela needs to find a murderer who had no reservations about punishing the culinary curmudgeon.

Scrapbooking tips and recipes included!

About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbooking Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, enjoys travel, and has two Shar-Peis.

Product Details
Series: A Scrapbooking Mystery (Book 14)
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 4, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425266702
ISBN-13: 978-0425266700

My Review:


It's really obvious that Quigg hasn't gotten over Carmela and it's quite hilarious when Quigg puts the moves on Carmela and she can't seem to reject his advances!

I believe Martin Lash was too harsh in his criticism in his restaurant reviews and someone took it personally!

3/5

Fiber & Brimstone (A Scrapbooking Mystery) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Fiber and Brimstone" the 8th book in her Scrapbooking series by Laura Childs.

Product Description

It's Halloween in New Orleans-and the festivities are going to be killer.

With the help of her best friend Ava, Carmela Bertrand is building a giant monster puppet for the Halloween Monsters & Mayhem parade. Things get terrifying earlier than expected when they overhear an argument between Jekyl Hardy and Brett Fowler - and just minutes later they find Fowler's dead body.

Carmela has known Jekyl for years and can't believe he'd ever resort to murder, despite the fact that Fowler owed him money. But when another victim is discovered - who also had an unfriendly relationship with Jekyl - Carmela is convinced someone is framing her friend and now must find a way to unmask the real killer.

Product Details
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (October 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425236749
ISBN-13: 978-0425236741

My Review:
 
Storyline:  To find out who killed Brett Fowler by using a Minotaur mask and why! 

Characters:  I really like Carmela because she's always finding a dead body and is determined to intrude in her boyfriend's Edger Babcock cases. He always warns her to stay out of it because she's always getting into danger!  She tries to convince Babcock that Jekyl is innocent!

Romance:  The romance between Carmela and Babcock is very sweet!  They are on the outs in this case because he believes Jekyl is one of the guilty parties!  Ava happens to be starting a new romance herself.

Killer:  I wish we knew more about the killer!

4.5/5

Death Swatch: A Scrapbooking Mystery (Berkley Prime Crime Mysteries) (Paperback)

I've just finished reading "Death Swatch" the 6th book in her Scrapbooking series by Laura Childs.

From Publishers Weekly

A murder in the midst of Mardi Gras propels Childs's enjoyable sixth Scrapbooking mystery (after 2007's Frill Kill). Carmela Bertrand, the owner of the New Orleans scrapbook shop Memory Mine, and her best friend, Ava Gruiex, are eager to begin the festivities with a party hosted by their float designer pal, Jekyl Hardy. But the discovery of the garroted Archie Baudier, Jekyl's assistant, puts a damper on the fun. In their efforts to solve the murder, Carmela and Ava encounter a host of eccentric characters, including a sullen Russian, a rare coin dealer, a meek curator of the local historical society and all manner of costumed party-goers. Carmela, in the process of a divorce, also meets dapper police lieutenant Edgar Babcock, who might be unappreciative of her investigative efforts but provides some romantic heat.

From Booklist

Scrapbooking store owner Carmela Bertrand and her good friend Ava find float designer Archie Baudier as he lies dying, strangled with barbed wire at a Mardi Gras party. A friend of the victim's asks Carmela to find the murderer, so she begins an investigation into who would want Baudier dead. Is it a rival float designer or someone who wants his coin collection? The investigation quickly becomes a treasure hunt when Carmela learns that Baudier was searching for pirate Jean Lafitte’s legendary buried treasure. As the investigation proceeds, and as the soon-to-be-divorced Carmela deals with the romantic feelings she has for New Orleans police lieutenant Edgar Babcock, the city gears up for and then attempts to enjoy Mardi Gras in the wake of Katrina. 

Product Description

Amid Zydeco rhythms and popping champagne corks, scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand is having a wild night at a Mardi Gras party-until she finds a float designer murdered on a balcony.

About the Author

Laura Childs is the bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mystery series and the Scrapbook mystery series, and a pseudonym for a Clio Award-winning advertising writer and marketing firm CEO. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 
My Review:
 
Loving the development of Carmela's and Edgar's relationship!  Glad she is giving Shamus the boot and always fun to read about Ava her best friend!
 
I really enjoyed reading this one because I've always been fascinated by pirates.

Tragic Magic (A Scrapbooking Mystery) (Hardcover)

I've just finished reading "Tragic Magic" the 7th book in her Scrapbooking Mystery series by Laura Childs.

Product Description

The next Scrapbooking mystery takes readers back to New Orleans, where there are spookies, foodies-and crafty killers.

Carmela, owner of Memory Mine scrapbook shop, and her best friend, owner of Juju Voodoo, have a big project. Melody Mayfeldt is converting an old mansion in the Faubourg - Marigny district into an unforgettable haunted house for those who flock to New Orleans for a creepy fix. She needs Carmela's crafty touch to make the Medusa Manor come to life in time for the upcoming horror convention.

But Melody takes her house haunting too seriously-especially when her flaming body comes crashing through a tower window to 'welcome' them to the job. Sure there's been an increased trend in murder lately, but someone specifically wanted Carmela's client very dead. Carmela's in some deep gumbo again and needs to crop out a killer from the throngs of people flocking to New Orleans. Then maybe it won't be so hard living in the Big Easy.

My Review:

Storyline: I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and the storyline was believable.

Characters: The characters were well written and I thought Carmela & Ava reminds me of Columbo because they seem to

Romance: I enjoyed the romance between Carmela & her Detective boyfriend Edgar.  It was sweet and it's true that he can't really tell her much about the case.

Killer(s): The killer was a complete surprise never would have suspected that person.

5/5

Motif for Murder (A Scrapbooking Mystery) (Paperback)

I've finished reading "Motif for Murder" a book in her scrapbooking series by Laura Childs.

From Publishers Weekly

Childs's fourth scrapbooking mystery (after 2004's Bound for Murder), her first in hardcover, offers plenty of action even if it doesn't take full advantage of its setting, post-Katrina New Orleans. Just when series heroine Carmela Bertrand decides that reuniting with Shamus Meechum, her bad-boy ex-husband, might be a mistake, Shamus is kidnapped. Carmela rushes across the alley to seek help from Shamus's elderly uncle Henry, only to find Henry murdered. Det. Edgar Babcock isn't thrilled to have another case involving the meddling Carmela, and his irritation increases when Carmela and her best friend, Ava, rescue Shamus from the kidnappers themselves. Once Shamus is safe, he reverts to his old ways, adding to Carmela's woes. Mix in the usual scrapbooking and craft tips, and you have another engaging read from this reliable cozy author.

Product Description

After Hurricane Katrina, scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand has her hands full getting Memory Mine back in business-and her relationship with her ex-husband, Shamus, back on its feet. But then Shamus is kidnapped, and Carmela discovers Shamus's Uncle Henry, murdered.

Carmela puts together a sentimental scrapbook of memories and keepsakes of Henry. But her project holds a clue that could identify the killer and kidnapper-and the murderer is going to try to close the book on Carmela once and for all.