Search - Larceny and Lace (Vintage Magic, Bk 2)

This was a fun read, but only if you're not tired of women putting themselves in danger just because they need to figure everything out on their own. The main character's tendency to use sewing related words as exclamations in place of say, a real expletive seems entirely affected and hugely annoying.

So. Painful.

The main character misses blatant clues to the half-hearted "mystery", the fashion puns are far too plentiful, and the plot is loose and silly. I honestly can't believe I kept on reading to the end, and now I wish I hadn't.

I typically love books by Annette Blair, but I found this one very disappointing. Although the basic premise is interesting and the writing is entertaining, the 'mystery' was so transparent that I figured out who did what and why much too early. Good for a light beach read, but not if you want a book that's more mystery than character study.

Book 2 is even better than book 1; If you've read "A Veiled Deception" and enjoyed it, hold on to your Louis Vuitton, because you will LOVE the next installment. Maddie is just as funny and irreverent this time around, and I had even more laugh-out-loud moments. I also enjoyed the solution to the mystery, but those of you who like to have all the clues handed to you as well as to the sleuth as you go along be warned--you won't hold all the cards until the very end when Maddie gives you the denouement. A round of applause for Annette Blair--this series is fantastic.

Not much to this story and it does not stand alone well.