On My Radar: Diane Vallere's Love Me or Grieve Me!

 

I was first tempted to read the talented Diane Vallere's "Material Witness" cozy mysteries and enjoyed every one of the too-short series. Consequently, when I came across one of her Madison Night books, The Decorator Who Knew Too Much, on Net Galley, I decided to give it a try even though I'd previously been put off by the "too cute" covers. Well, The Decorator Who Knew Too Much turned out to be one of my Best Reads of that year, and I rapidly bought all the previous books in the series to catch up. Now whenever I see a new Madison Night mystery, I pre-order it immediately (after doing a little Happy Dance, of course).

 

I know some of you are now fellow fans (thankyouthankyouthankyou), and I'm hoping to persuade even more, so let me tell you about the next book in Vallere's Madison Night series! 

 

 

Available October 25, 2022!

 

 

 

Synopsis: 

 

"Reports of Madison Night’s death have been greatly exaggerated…

When a junior copy editor at the local newspaper mistakenly uses interior decorator Madison Night’s life story in the obituary of a recently deceased woman with a similar name, Madison’s live turns upside down. Addison Nigh, a once in-demand jazz vocalist, had fallen into obscurity, and her death notice surprises only those who thought she died decades ago.

Canceled lines of credit and a swarm of condolences to Madison’s loved ones are just the tip of the iceberg, but when the decorator discovers evidence that the real dead woman played a part in an unsolved murder, their identity mix-up gives Madison backstage access to a life of secrets. As parallels between the singer’s life and her own become impossible to ignore, Madison questions the true price of fame. But Madison isn’t the only one to discover the singer’s buried secrets, and if she’s not careful, the next obituary might be her own.

Can Madison protect a mysterious past with similar notes to her own, or will exposing the truth be her swan song?" 

 

I'm really looking forward to Love Me or Grieve Me-- what an interesting premise! I've never thought much about what all it would entail if you were mistakenly reported to be dead. Just from the synopsis of the book, I can tell that I hope it never happens to me! 

 

And as for those "too cute" covers? Now I look forward to them because I know the enjoyment that's lurking inside each book. Also, they remind me of all the Butterick, Simplicity, and McCall's patterns that my grandmother had because, for years, she sewed most of her own clothes as well as my mother's and mine. In fact, the siren call of Memory Lane is so strong that I could almost be persuaded to collect those patterns. Almost. Perhaps I can just collect the graphics in a folder on my computer...

 

If you haven't already added Love Me or Grieve Me to your wish lists, I hope I've given you a little nudge in the right direction. This is a wonderful series that should not be missed.