DIY Diva Laurel McMillan rejoices when her student Jennifer's peacock pillow wins a design contest; that is, until Jennifer's husband Matt is smothered with the very same pillow. When the police confiscate her prize-winning pillow, Jennifer freaks out, and Laurel fears that Jennifer may be more upset about losing the pillow than about Matt's death. But the police arrest disgraced nurse Edna Elkins, not Jennifer. Begging Laurel to find the real killer, Edna insists she's innocent, but Laurel's not so sure, and when Laurel encounters Jennifer while walking her lovable Labrador retriever, Bear, she's left with more questions than answers. Should the crafty DIY Diva play DIY Detective or does Edna really belong in jail?
Phew! Book 2 lives up to the high expectations I had after book 1, with murder and mayhem in the gated community happening again! 6 out of 5 stars.
We start with one of Laurel's classes (this time she is focusing on cushions/pillows) with a small class, including one man, we then move swiftly to a fund raiser where Laurel and her police detective boyfriend, Wes, realise that not everything is hunky dory in the lives of some of the people Laurel spends her time with, luckily one person she only needs to see once a month normally, only their next book club meeting is to be held at his house (well his and his wife, she is the book club member) and he will be home, apparently though not around as he will be only just home from surgery. Everything seems to be going well until his wife pops in to see him and finds him dead! (although she doesn't seem to comprehend this), when the police make a quick arrest the person insists they are innocent (mind you Laurel isn't so sure as they have been proven to be a liar in the past), but then they ask her to help them prove their innocence! Whilst all this is happening Wes has had to quickly head to see his parents as his father had a heart attack and so the DIY Diva Detective is working this on her own, oh and there seem to be other problems that may, or may not be related.
I will confess that I didn't guess the culprit until near the end, I first thought it was person A for most of the book, then person B took precedence and I wasn't expecting it to be person C in the end!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An Interview With A Character
What is your full name?
My name is Laurel McMillan, and I'm also known as the DIY Diva.
What is your Profession?
I have a wonderful job as an independent craft designer, teacher, and writer. I've always loved all kinds of crafts, but the idea of turning my love of crafts and designing into a career didn't occur to me until several years after I graduated from college. I started with a blog, so that I could share how to make the DIY craft, fashion, and home dec projects that I loved. A book editor noticed my blog, and my career as a writer took off with a series of books, each with a different DIY theme. I also design projects for crafts' manufacturers, and I teach DIY classes for residents of Hawkeye Haven at our community center. I especially like making jewelry, and I sell some of my jewelry in boutiques. I love the variety of what I do and the fact that my schedule is flexible, which gives me the time to do some DIY detective work whenever the need arises.
What is your current favourite book or movie?
Of course, I'd have to say my favourite books are Death by Association and Death by Design, in which I relate my adventures!
What is your go to comfort book or movie?
I really like The Best Years of Our Lives, a 1946 movie filmed in black and white. It's the story of three veterans who return home to the same town in America after World War II and their struggles to adjust to life back home. I've watched it several times, and the fact that they manage to make a new life in a changed society is always heart-warming.
If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?
I'd like Jessica Chastain to play me in a movie; she has red hair, just like I do.
What is your ideal evening?
My ideal evening is any evening when my new husband Wes doesn't have to work late and he can be home with me and our Labrador retriever Bear.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
August 19 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
August 19 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT
August 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
August 20 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
August 21 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
August 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – RECIPE
August 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
August 23 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
August 23 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 24 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 25 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 25 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
Thank you for being part of this tour :)
Posted by: LORI CASWELL | 08/25/2019 at 03:51 PM
Thank you for the great review and for featuring my book Death by Design. I really appreciate it!
Paula Darnell, Author
Posted by: Paula Darnell | 08/26/2019 at 01:22 AM