| Blair, Annette - LARCENY AND LACE |
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LARCENY AND LACE Annette Blair Berkley Prime Crime ISBN: 0-425-22911-8 August 2009 Mystery
In LARCENY AND LACE, Annette Blair’s second novel in the Vintage Magic Mystery series, Madeira Cutler returns to Mystic, Connecticut, with intentions of setting up a vintage clothing shop sure to lure in collectors. With updates on the old town morgue complete, transforming it into an unusual showplace for her ever-growing collection, Madeira is ready to set up shop and draw in customers. When the quilt-wrapped bones of an unknown individual turns up in Madeira’s renovated building, she knows she'll need to use her special gifts in order to crack the case. Using her unusual talent of psychometry to “feel” fabric allows Madeira to figure out that the individual was murdered—but the person’s identity is unknown. Manipulating Werner and childhood friend and nemesis, without revealing the basis for her facts is difficult, but with the help of her friend Eve, her Aunt Fiona, and the unexpected help of her father, Madeira may be up to the task. As she gets closer to the truth, however, a set of fires, prowlers, and vandalism may close Madeira’s shop and the investigation for good.
LARCENY AND LACE delivers a follow-up tale that is every bit as satisfying as the first Vintage Magic novel, or perhaps may even be better than the original! Maddie’s knowledge of fashion is amazing and beyond this reader’s knowledge, but readers/collectors and fashion mavens will enjoy the effective employment of fashion terminology, clothing lines, designers, and more. Romance is hinted at, but never quite occurs in LARCENY AND LACE, and readers may start rooting for the “favorite” male to pair up with Maddie—my money is on Werner, who is both adorable and challenging to Maddie, instead of Nick, who appears to be comfortable with the way thing are in his on-again-off-again relationship with Maddie. Friendship and magic are essential to Maddie’s tale, and we see her slowly start to embrace the magical side of life…albeit a bit cautiously! Overall, LARCEY AND LACE is a fun whodunit that keeps readers guessing and ensnared…waiting (impatiently) for the next Vintage Magic tale.
Reviewed by Angela Etheridge Rating: 4
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