Dressed for Death - A Review

Dressed for Death

by

Julianna Deering

A Review

It was three years ago that I was privileged to read Julianna Deering’s first book in this series. I remember writing, that it “was reading the most boring book that I could not put down.“ As I look back, I felt as if I eating chunky peanut butter. Now, I like chunky peanut butter; but something, the chunks, kept getting in the way of really enjoying the book. This newest book (of four in the series) is no longer chunky peanut butter, but is better compared to creamy peanut butter. The story starts out nicely and continues to roll along without any bumps or hindrances to get in the way. Thank you Julianna Deering.

It was scheduled to be a week long party celebrating the works of Jane Austen and the late 19th century of which she wrote. This would include the menus, the entertainment, and the wardrobes the guests were expected to wear. Most of the guests were long time friends of Drew Farthering and his family and friends (his new wife, Madeline and his friend/butler Nick Dennison and his girlfriend) - the major exception was Monsieur Laurent, the Frenchman who was a bit too friendly with the ladies.

The party had barely gotten started when the crimes began to be the major events of the week - murders, drug rings, smuggling, kidnapping would define the rest of the week. Because Scotland Yard had been following an active case at the time, they were involved, along with the local constabulary, Chief Inspector Birdsong, a close and personal (if not quite so professional) friend of Drew Farthering.

Of course one murder would not do. Bodies kept adding up - and it would take Drew and his family and friends most of the week and a bit further to put all the pieces together. A puzzle that almost ended in more lost lives - till … well, the reader will need to read to the final pages to find how the puzzle was solved.

Like that first book, three years ago, I could not put the book down. I literally found myself falling asleep in bed trying to make an extra chapter or two before closing its covers for the night. I did not always make it, but I tried. Relationships were made and grown during the week. Emotions were stirred (both for the characters and for the reader) as the book was read during the past week. Likewise, the faith of both the story’s characters and the reader were challenged - topics such as finding God’s will, saving faith, and obedience are addressed as the story moves through its telling. Julianna Deering has produced a story worthy of the telling for the believer the simple lover of cozy mysteries.    

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.