Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere


First Line: "Mr. Johnson, I'm calling to discuss the disposition of your mother's estate," I said into the yellow donut phone.

Interior decorator and landlord Madison Night dresses in vintage style in homage to her favorite actress (and life coach) Doris Day. Her estate sale wardrobe even highlights her resemblance to the actress. But when a killer begins targeting other women who also look like Day, what makes Madison unique could also make her very dead.

Police detective Tex Allen connects these current murders to a twenty-year-old cold case, and this puts Madison's contractor right at the top of the suspect list. Not trusting the police detective, Madison decides that she's going to do whatever it takes to clear her contractor's name-- and get herself out of a killer's crosshairs.

I came at this series backward, beginning with the fourth (and to date the current book) The Decorator Who Knew Too Much. I loved that book so much that I gathered up the first three to read them, too. After reading this first book, my enthusiasm for this series has only increased. The covers and the talk of Doris Day make this series sound much cuter than it is. Yes, there is charm to be found in the pages, but Diane Vallere's Madison Night series has unexpected depth and an edge to it that really appeals.

I like the main character-- and not just because we both have bum knees. Madison is in her late forties. She's independent and intelligent. This woman also has a very strong sense of empathy. When her contractor Hudson James becomes Suspect #1, she puts herself in his shoes to try to understand his behavior. And-- although she doesn't like the police detective at all-- when she learns something surprising about Tex Allen, she does the same thing... puts herself in his shoes to understand him better. I like this facet of her personality.

Animal lovers should know that dogs and cats are well-represented as they should be since Doris Day has always been an animal rights activist. Madison's Shih Tzu puppy, Rocky, never met a lamp he didn't like. To pieces. And I have no fondness at all for Hudson's cat Mortiboy-- but that's just me. 

This series is giving me an even greater appreciation of Doris Day, and the double-pronged "hooks" of the actress and Madison's mid-century modern decorating business blend into the story very, very well. How about Pillow Stalk's story? It's not often that a mystery stuns me, but this one had me gasping and thinking, "Whoa! I didn't see that coming!" (And not once, but twice.)

The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the ending. I thought it strained credulity a bit, but I did really like the fact that the "bad guy" was hiding in plain sight. Diane Vallere's Madison Night series has, within the space of two books, become one of my favorites. I'm wanting to speed through the remaining two books, but I will pace myself. Honest!


Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere
eISBN: 9781940976082
Henery Press © 2014
eBook, 272 pages

Cozy Mystery, #1 Madison Night mystery
Rating: A
Source: Purchased from Amazon.


6 comments:

  1. I remember seeing Diane Vallere at LCC and I also saw her again at Malice in the 'author speed dating' event. Do you remember that she wears the most vivid clothes - like the covers of her books. Anyway, when she was telling us about this series and the Doris Day connection, I told her that fact alone would cause me to pick them up. I love Doris Day movies. :-)

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    1. Diane's wardrobe is distinctive and unforgettable. :-)

      I liked Doris Day's more serious films and thought the romantic comedies were a bit silly when I first saw them all. I've learned to appreciate them all more now that I'm older.

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  2. What an interesting context for a series, Cathy. And the Doris Day thing makes it all the more so. Glad you liked this.

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    1. I'm really enjoying the entire series so far, Margot.

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  3. I am glad you liked it. I purchased Pillow Stalk after you liked The Decorator Who Knew Too Much. I haven't read it yet. I think you like Diane Vallere's writing. I remember you were a fan also of the material witness series too. I know you tried the costume series by her also.

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    1. I didn't like the costume series so much, but you're right-- I love the Material Witness and Madison Night series.

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