Crushed Velvet
by Diane Vallere
Crushed Velvet (A Material Witness Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
Series: A Material Witness Mystery (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425270585
E-Book ASIN: B00QH832E0
“Diane Vallere has stitched up an engaging new series.”—Sofie Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Cats Mysteries
Synopsis
Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe is back in business—this time getting wrapped up in a diabolical but crafty case of murder.
Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe is back in business—this time getting wrapped up in a diabolical but crafty case of murder.
With opening day of Material Girl approaching, Poly is stocking up on lush fabrics, colorful notions, and best of all, a proprietary weave of velvet. But upon delivery, it’s not quite the blend she expected, being ninety-percent silk and ten-percent corpse. Crushed under a dozen bolts of fabric is Phil Girard. His wife, Genevieve, local tea shop owner and close friend of Poly, is the prime suspect.
Granted, Phil may not have been the perfect husband, but surely Genevieve had no reason to kill him! There’s just the small matter of Genevieve’s own incriminating confession: I’m afraid I killed my husband. Now, as Material Girl’s grand opening looms, Poly is torn between a friendship pulling apart at the seams—and finding a smooth killer with a velvet touch…
INCLUDES A CRAFT PROJECT
About the Author
After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. SUEDE TO REST, the first book in the bestselling Material Witness Cozy Mystery Series, was a Lefty/ Best Humorous Mystery nominee. CRUSHED VELVET, book two, comes out August 4. Diane is the current president of Sisters in Crime Los Angeles, and was co-chair of the 2015 California Crime Writers Conference. She also writes the Madison Night and Style & Error Mystery Series. Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.
Interview:
Where are you from?
Originally, Pennsylvania. Took a
9 year layover in Dallas, TX, and now I’m in Los Angeles, CA.
Tell us your latest news?
Just got back from the dentist.
No cavities!
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve liked writing on and off my
whole life, but the first time I started telling a written story was in the
early 90s. It was a Batman/Catwoman mystery, and I started it while at a
retreat where we had enforced quiet time.
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
Even though
I’d written three manuscripts on weekends and while flying for work, it wasn’t
until I left my career and changed my priorities in order to focus on writing
that I started to see myself as “a writer.”
What inspired you to write your first book?
Once I discovered authors like
Janet Evanovich, Sarah Strohmeyer, and Lawrence Block, I knew I wanted to
attempt a mystery for adults that had a humorous voice. At the time I was a
fashion buyer, so I made my character a fashion buyer. In her case, her new
boss turns up dead, which never happened to me.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I think my writing style is
naturally clean (very little swearing) and humorous.
How did you come up with the title?
My working title for CRUSHED
VELVET was THE VELVET UNDERGROUND. I liked the nod to Andy Warhol’s factory
days, although that has nothing to do with the book. CRUSHED VELVET was an
alternate suggestion, which works because the mystery surrounds a shipment of
velvet.
Is there a message in your novel that you
want readers to grasp?
I think every book I write
includes a message about not being afraid to start over. In this case, a newly
widowed woman discovers that her husband wasn’t a prince. Her early fear over
being alone shifts as she acknowledges her own identity and dreams.
What would you like my readers to know?
That I am very thankful and
appreciative of everybody who reads!
Author Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere
My Review
Wow, I really liked the new series called , "A Material Witness" by author Diane Vallere. "Crushed Velvet" is the second book in this series. The first was called "Suede to Rest".I have not read the first one yet, but I read the second. I will be reading the first as soon as I can. Polyester Monroe, yes that's her real name, is getting ready to open up her new store called Material Girl. She is almost ready when her shipment of velvet arrives. Too bad it has a dead body with it. The dead man is the husband of Genevieve, who happens to be a friend of Poly. Now, Genevieve is a suspect in his murder. Now Poly has to find the time to help her friend, open her shop, and find the real killer. It won't be easy. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for the purpose of a review and all opinions are my own.
The Prize is:
2 yards of custom fabric printed with the covers of SUEDE TO REST and CRUSHED VELVET. The author is setting up a Pinterest board with 4 possible choices and the winner can take their pick. I have attached images if you wish to use them in any way.
Looks great, thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deal Sharing Aunt!
ReplyDeleteOMG, look that fabric!!! I'd love to sew a bag with it!! Thanks for the chance
ReplyDelete