"Well-written cozy"

Tucked away on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans is a cute little scrapbooking store called Memory Mine owned by Carmela Bertrand, an astute business person but unlucky in love. Her husband Shamus dumped her six months ago, claiming he had to find himself. Carmela moved from their fancy home to a funky apartment located on top of a voodoo store.

Carmela and friends are taking in one of the Mardi Gras parades when a float stops in front of them. Powerful Jimmy Early Clayton is dead and an autopsy reveals he died from an overdose of ketamine. Shamus was seen having an argument with him and had access to the float and Jimmy Lee's stash of liquor. A vicious rumor campaign starts stating that Shamus is the killer. Although Carmela is estranged from him, she doesn't think her husband is a murderer. She sets out to prove it, but places her life in danger from the killer who doesn't want Carmela putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

Laura Childs, the author of the Teashop mysteries, has written the first book in what looks to be a great new series. The descriptions of the food and sights of New Orleans make the readers feel as if they were visiting and enjoying Mardi Gras. The heroine is plucky and likable, enjoying her crafts store and her many friends instead of pining away for the husband she still loves. KEEPSAKE CRIMES is a well-written cozy with enough possible suspects to prevent the audience from guessing who the killer really is.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted April 10, 2003