"Second addition to scapbooking mysteries."

Carmela Bertrand is hosting 20 scrapbook fanatics at her scrapbooking shop for an all-night scrapbook party. It's the first one she's held and it promises to be exciting. Unfortunately, the excitement isn't exactly what she planned. Her next-door business owner is found dead in the back alley by one of her customers.

Thus begins Carmela's adventure - and don't forget her friends who are always willing to help! - which is intertwined with scrapbooking hints and ideas. It's also filled with numerous small-town characters (yes, it's in the French Quarter in New Orleans, but it just feels wonderfully small town), including Sweetmomma Pam, Jade Ella and Ava. When Carmela isn't sleuthing or getting cooked at the spa or eating (this book includes fabulous recipes), she's deciding whether to try again with her estranged husband, Shamus, or check out the new guy, Quigg.

I must admit that I started this book dreading another small-town, folksy sleuth story. I ended it loving these characters. Childs has a gift with characterization and they were a lot of fun. I'm also a scrapbook fan, so that added to the interest in the story. I have only one criticism - I did not like Shamus. He's not at all likable. Coming from a strong romance genre background, it's hard for me to deal with him as the romance element in this mystery series. Other than that, this was a fun read.

Reviewed by Morgan Chilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted December 26, 2003

Summary

New Orleans scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand is hosting a late-night "Crop Till You Drop" session-when a neighboring antique-shop owner winds up murdered in the alley. Now, the scrapbooking expert must rearrange the jumble of clues and pick out the killer.