Please Don't Push Up the Daisies by Diane Vallere

 

First Line: "This is the last of it," Tex said from behind the wheel of a moving truck.

 

Meeting her boyfriend's family for the first time is stressful enough, but interior decorator Madison Night doesn't know the half of it. Tex Allen's sister Lily has been trying to finalize her divorce from her botanist husband for years. Left alone to raise four high-energy boys on her own, Lily is more than happy to accept a move-in ready house as part of her divorce settlement. There's just a little matter of picking up the signed papers, and Madison is more than happy to go along as moral support. 

 

Instead of completed paperwork, Madison finds the ex's body lying in a corner of the arboretum where he works. And with Tex sidelined, it's up to Madison to find the killer. 

~

Please Don't Push Up the Daisies is an essential new chapter in the life of intrepid interior decorator Madison Night, and I have enjoyed watching one of my favorite fictional characters rising to each and every occasion as this series progresses.

This newest installment is all about relationships and family. Past events in Madison's life have always made her feel like the person on the outside looking in, but meeting boyfriend Tex Allen's sister and four nephews begins to change all that. (And while I'm on the subject of those nephews, let me just say that I was not amused by their "antics". There's a difference between high-spirited and "Call 9-1-1!") 

One of the departures in this book is the sidelining of Tex Allen. Madison is effectively cut off from her investigative mainstays, and she has to look elsewhere for help. The help she receives often surprises her, further highlighting the importance of relationships and family. 

Please Don't Push Up the Daisies is another enjoyable entry in one of my favorite series. Whodunit surprised me, which I always love, and there's a bonus epilogue available which I heartily recommend reading. If you enjoy strong female characters, intriguing mysteries, humor, and a strong dash of creativity, this series is the one for you. Begin at the beginning with Pillow Stalk so you don't miss a single step of Madison's journey.

Please Don't Push Up the Daisies by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781954579743-

Polyester Press © 2023

eBook, 236 pages

Cozy Mystery, #11 Madison Night mystery

Rating A-

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

Love Me or Grieve Me by Diane Vallere

 

First Line: There were forty-seven people at my funeral.

 

Canceled lines of credit and flowers and cards of condolence to her loved ones are just the tip of the iceberg for interior decorator Madison Night when a junior copy editor at a Dallas newspaper uses her life story in the obituary of a deceased woman with a similar name.  

Addison Nigh was once a popular jazz vocalist, but she'd fallen into obscurity, and her obituary surprises many who thought she'd been dead for decades. This identity mix-up gives Madison backstage access into the singer's life, and it soon becomes apparent that Nigh played a part in an unsolved murder-- a murder that Madison can't resist trying to solve.

 

 

~

It's good to know what I have to do in case I'm mistakenly declared dead, but that's not the only reason to read this latest installment in Diane Vallere's excellent Madison Night series.  The entire series has shown readers Madison's journey to self-realization and how she has changed through her experiences and the people who've come into her life along the way. Madison isn't a one-note wonder; she's changed and grown over the course of the series, and she finally realizes this in Love Me or Grieve Me. She even shows us why Doris Day is the perfect role model for her transformation. (Never fear-- being familiar with Doris Day and with mid-century modern interior design are not necessary to enjoy these books but don't be surprised if your interest is piqued.)

The mystery is a good one, but as always, my delight is in the details. How nepotism doesn't work in the newsroom. How it pays to be very careful in reading the details of a real estate listing. How having a reliable dog sitter is crucial. And how one of Madison's favorite pastimes ("letting someone from a different generation share their stories") and how her line of work shapes how she sees others ("It's impossible for me not to profile people based on their living spaces") make her even more special. (And since I just completed a kitchen renovation, it makes me wonder how Madison would profile me.)

Diane Vallere's Madison Night is one of the best cozy mystery heroines in the business, and I'd never miss a book in this fun (yet grown-up) series. More, please!

 

Love Me or Grieve Me by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781954579408

Polyester Press © 2022

eBook, 263 pages

Cozy Mystery, #10 Madison Night mystery

Rating: B+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

The Kill of It All by Diane Vallere

 

First Line: The pitch made it sound glamorous.

 

After legal troubles that dragged on far too long, Madison Night and her Mad for Mod interior design firm are back in business. She's busier than ever thanks to some TV spots she made, and the police commissioner wants her to replace the original actress in his feel-good campaign for local law enforcement. But when the first woman's body is found on the set, the last thing the police need is publicity.

At first, Madison steers clear of the investigation by focusing on Mad for Mod's relaunch, but when gossip links the victim to someone special in her life, she finds herself getting involved.

~

I walked into this series with the fourth book, The Decorator Who Knew Too Much, which I loved so much that I went back and snapped up the first three books to read. Since then I haven't looked back. This series is one that I keep up with, gobbling up each new book when it's released. With all the series mysteries that I read, that's saying something: Madison Night is very special.

The wait to get Madison back to work in her design firm seemed to drag on forever, but The Kill of It All shows readers that her creative mojo is just as strong as ever. Diane Vallere has led me to a better appreciation of both the actress Doris Day and of mid-century modern furniture and design, and when she shows Madison deep in her creative process, I'm totally absorbed.

There are so many pieces the author puts together to make The Kill of It All such a satisfying read. The work Tex is putting into making his police force better. How reading obituaries leads Madison to estate sales that add to her inventory (and what those purchased inventories say about the people they belonged to). Readers even get to see some of what goes into the making of television commercials. And there's one scene in particular that brought a very wet James Garner to mind.

If there's anything I'd want to change in this book, it's the fact that Madison never gets a chance to go back to that old furniture warehouse; it sounded as though it was filled with treasures. But I suppose I can always hope that Madison can get back to it in the next book.

If you're a reader who's come across these books and decided not to give them a try because the covers look too "cute," think again. Madison Night is fiftysomething,  a strong, intelligent woman with plenty of life experience, common sense, and talent. It is altogether possible to get a great deal of enjoyment from reading these books even if you don't care for Doris Day movies or mid-century modern furniture and design. This is some fine storytelling that should not be missed. You can start at book one (Pillow Stalk) or do what I did and jump in midstream. Whatever you do, just give this series a try. I'm pretty sure you're going to turn into a fan just like me.

The Kill of It All by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781954579286

Polyester Press © 2022

eBook, 235 pages

Cozy Mystery, #9 Madison Night/Mad for Mod mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

Teacher's Threat by Diane Vallere

 

First Line:"I'm sorry, Madison. You're just not good on paper."

 

When Madison steps out from yet another rejection at yet another bank, she looks across the street and sees a college, so she immediately goes over and signs up for the classes she needs to get an MBA. That MBA on her resume and applications should make a difference, right? 

Most of her classes are a yawn; she's already learned everything from running her Mad for Mod decorating business. There's only one that really holds her interest, and Madison is right on the scene when the professor of that class dies. Rumors are thick on campus, but both the police and Madison are sure the professor was murdered. Is the Why? going to help them find the Who?

~

Tastes can change as a person ages. When I was young, the Doris Day movies when she starred with Rock Hudson or James Garner were okay and good for a laugh or two, and I certainly remember those mid-century modern clothes and interior design (even if I didn't care for them very much). Years passed, and Doris Day was no longer on my radar. Then I read the talented Diane Vallere's "Material Witness" cozy series and thought I'd give another of hers a try. I dove into The Decorator Who Knew Too Much, even though, up to that point, I'd been ignoring the Madison Night/Mad for Mod books because of their "too cute" covers. Now I love the covers that remind me of the McCall's and Simplicity patterns my grandmother used when she made all my clothes. I think Doris Day is an actress who had an amazing range and that she makes a perfect role model. What about the mid-century modern interior design? Well, you're never going to find it in my house, but I now have an appreciation for it, and I can absolutely love it when reading the books in this series.

 

I enjoyed Teacher's Threat a lot. It takes a good book to make me forget that I'm sitting in an Emergency Room waiting room, and this book did the trick. I didn't find the mystery aspect of the book overly taxing-- there were two secondary characters who stuck out like sore thumbs to me so I knew they were up to something-- but it was more than good enough to hold ER Funk at bay. The mystery also introduced me to two police officers named Ling Tsu and Sue Niedermeyer whose 99% rating on suspect confessions has led to a new saying at the Lakewood Police Department: You've been Sued. I definitely want to see more of these two in future books!

 

The cast of characters is far from static, and the character who's changed the most is Donna "Nasty" Nast. Well, that's not quite accurate. Nasty hasn't changed, it's just that readers have learned more about her as Madison has. Nasty may be abrasive. She may say exactly what's on her mind. Her conversation may not be littered with please's and thank you's, but that's not what really matters. This is one intelligent woman who's made a life and a successful business all by herself, and when your chips are down, this is one person you want on your side. Neither Nasty or Madison would ever want to admit how similar they are, but readers can just smile at them and feel indulgent.

What can really make me fall in love with these Madison Night mysteries is when Madison's creative juices start flowing. When her natural talents for design, for pulling things together start to percolate, these books can sing. The simple act of creation fires them up, and it doesn't make one molecule's difference that I don't care for mid-century modern design. Madison has the power to make her passion my passion, and that takes the kind of talent that will keep me coming back for more. I was thrilled when things began-- finally!-- to look up for Madison and her business!

Do you think the book covers are too cute? Get over it. Do you think Doris Day is a crazy choice for a role model? Get over it. Do you think mid-century modern clothing and interior design are ugly? Get over it. Because if you don't, you'll be missing out on an excellent, unique cozy mystery series with an intelligent heroine who will never go out of style. Hurry up and write the next one, please!

Teacher's Threat by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781954579132

Polyester Press © 2021

eBook, 276 pages

Cozy Mystery, #8 Madison Night mystery

Rating: A-

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

Apprehend Me No Flowers by Diane Vallere

 

First Line: The flowers were a nice touch. 

Madison Night's interior decorating business is on hold due to a lawsuit. Warned away from doing the slightest thing that could possibly pertain to her business, she's at her wit's end. It's just not normal for her to have nothing to do. That changes when she and police captain Tex Allen have a picnic in the park and Madison finds a body. Then Allen gets word that there's a second body on the other side of the park.

The bodies are unidentifiable and bad weather ruined both crime scenes. Now Madison definitely has something to keep her busy, but when the case is solved, will she have a business to go back to?

~

Apprehend Me No Flowers lacks the punch and sparkle of previous books in this series that I love, but it's still an enjoyable read. It introduces a new character, Imogene, the new receptionist (and wannabe mystery writer) at the police station, and I hope to see more of her. 

With Madison's interior decorating business Mad for Mod out of commission, I did find that I missed the creativity it always brings to the series, even though mid-century modern furnishings aren't my favorite. Vallere has a knack for writing about this style that draws me right in-- reminding me of some of the furniture my mother had as well as the movies of Madison Night's hero Doris Day.

One thing that Apprehend Me No Flowers used to very good effect is how so many police stations are fighting to deal with big budget cuts while all the rich folk are still demanding them to be at their beck and call. Some of the difficulties Allen's station was experiencing kept me from putting all my little grey cells to work on the identity of the killer, and that's a good thing.

This seventh book in the Madison Night series may not have the pizzazz of previous entries, but that doesn't keep me from looking forward to book number eight. I love the character of Madison Night, and I think many of you will, too. In fact, if you haven't tried this series, start with the first book, Pillow Stalk, so you don't miss a thing in character development. Don't let the covers mislead you: Madison Night isn't all froth and fun; she can be a bit edgy, too. There's a lot more to the series that meets the eye. Give it a try and find out for yourself.

Apprehend Me No Flowers by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781939197863

Polyester Press © 2020

eBook, 252 pages

Cozy Mystery, #7 Madison Night mystery

Rating: B

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

Lover Come Hack by Diane Vallere

First Line: I should have expected the letter.

Strong, independent women don't always have a lot of close friends; therefore, spending so much time with fellow mid-century modern designer Jane Strong during the past six months has been heaven for Madison Night. Jane and Madison had put in a lot of work on a collaborative design for an upcoming prestigious competition but when Jane abruptly ends their friendship, Madison decides to go solo.

When Madison personally turns in her entry, she discovers Jane dying in the public restroom, and it takes police very little time to put her at the top of the suspect list. However, Jane's death almost takes a backseat in Madison's mind. Her computer is among several that have been hacked, making Jane's death seem targeted instead of random. With the competition deadline looming, Madison must partner with a very unlikely ally to prevent everything coming to a crashing halt.

Diane Vallere's Doris Day-inspired Madison Night cozy series keeps going strong with this sixth entry, Lover Come Hack. Vallere provides good insights into the emotions and thought processes of her fifty-year-old main character, and I had to laugh at the result of Madison telling the other two sides of her romantic triangle to leave her alone for six months: It's been "the most productive six months of my life."

Once again, the author provides an intriguing mystery laced with computer viruses and excellent misdirection. One thing that I was very happy to discover (and others may not) was the fact that there was a bit more emphasis on interior design in this book. After all, it is one of the reasons why I like this series so much. Another reason to enjoy Lover Come Hack is that it seriously channels Doris Day, even more than previous series books. Vallere has probably caused an upsurge in readers viewing this remarkable actress/singer's movies-- by both the curious and by those who do remember her.

While Madison is the main draw in this series, I have to say that I am enjoying the evolution of another character-- another strong, independent businesswoman-- everyone calls "Nasty," and it is this evolution that really makes me look forward to the next book. Bring it on!

Lover Come Hack by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781635114164

Henery Press © 2018

eBook, 208 pages

Cozy Mystery, #6 Madison Night mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

The Pajama Frame by Diane Vallere

First Line: "Alice Sweet left me a pajama factory?" I asked in disbelief.

People just seem to love leaving interior decorator Madison Night strange inheritances. This time octogenarian Alice Sweet has died and left Madison a pajama factory. Sweet Dreams was once a thriving business that employed many Dallas area women, but it closed decades ago when a tragic accident took the life of a young model.

Madison is in no mood to deal with drama, but when the old lady's family members and even special interest groups don't want to wait to get inside the old factory, Madison finds herself investigating a tangled mess of secrets and lies-- whether she wants to or not.

In The Pajama Frame, Madison is at a crossroads in her life, and with Hudson in Hollywood, she's thrown together with Tex Allen in trying to solve this mystery. Her reasons for feeling out-of-kilter are very real, and when her emotions begin to waver between the present Tex and the absent Hudson, it's much more a case of mind and heart than just mere hormones. As a reader who really doesn't care for romance in her mysteries, I appreciate this series' emotional depth.

Vallere keeps readers guessing at what's really going on in that old pajama factory, and since I was much more interested in looking at all the sleepwear, fabrics, and machinery, I was thrown for a loop when the nefarious goings-on were uncovered. The author threw in some top-notch misdirection, that's for sure! (And before I forget it, I'd like to say how much I liked the fact that the owner of Sweet Dreams was a businessman with true integrity.)

But as good as the mystery is in The Pajama Frame, it's the character of Madison Night that I love. When someone tries to intimidate her into taking over the arrangements for something, Madison does not cave in. The would-be intimidator is met with silence... and he suddenly changes his mind. There are also touches of humor throughout the book, one of my favorites being when Donna Nast claims that Madison is a goody-goody.

I'll be honest and admit that one of the reasons why I like Madison so much is that I identify with her a bit. She's staring fifty in the face and took a long, long time to commit to a romantic relationship. She's got a bum knee. She likes to swim. Those who try to intimidate her only make her angry. And when she's in real danger, she makes sure her dog is safe first.

There is depth and there is soul in Diane Vallere's Madison Night series. Not to mention humor and a whole lot of other good stuff. If you have yet to sample this series, by all means, start with Pillow Stalk. I'm willing to bet you'll find out that having Doris Day as a role model is a very good thing indeed. This is now my favorite cozy series, and I'm hoping it will be yours, too.

The Pajama Frame  by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781635113020

Henery Press © 2018

eBook, 254 pages

Cozy Mystery, #5 Madison Night/Mad for Mod mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley


 

With Vics You Get Eggroll by Diane Vallere

First Line: The flashing red and blue lights remained visible in my rearview mirror far longer than I would have liked.

Interior decorator Madison Night has her hands full. Although a demanding client keeps pulling her away from a product endorsement she's working on, it's almost impossible for Madison to get her mind off the Lakewood Abductor. Someone is abducting women in Night's neighborhood, and now the body of one of the missing women has turned up. Suspect #1? Madison's friend, Lieutenant Tex Allen. She knows someone is setting him up, and she's determined to do what she can to prove his innocence-- even though she risks putting herself right in the path of a killer.

Diane Vallere's Madison Night books continue to be my favorite cozy mystery series. Having read the fourth book first, I bought the first three and am happy to say that I'm all caught up and ready for book five, The Pajama Frame, which will be released at the end of February. These books have given me a new respect for Doris Day, the actress Madison Night models herself after. If that sounds too cute for words (along with the book covers), think again. Most people, if they are aware of Doris Day at all, think of the frothy romantic comedies she starred in with Rock Hudson, but there's much more to Doris than that. She was a trail blazer in her own right, and her movies run the full spectrum from musicals to Alfred Hitchcock. She portrayed an independent woman who didn't need anyone's protection, and if you think about it, she's the perfect role model for someone like Madison Night. (And I hope you've noticed that the book titles use Day's movies as inspiration.)

In With Vics You Get Eggroll, the spotlight is on Tex Allen, the other man in Madison's life. Yes, she's been dealing with one of fiction's favorite dilemmas for female characters: two men circling around her with bright eyes and hope in their hearts. We've already had a book focusing on Madison's contractor Hudson James, so now it's Tex's turn, and I have to admit that accusing someone of murder is a good way to find out what kind of person they are. Thus, in three books, Vallere solves Madison's man dilemma, and that's good news for readers like me who don't care for that particular plot device. (And no, the series doesn't weaken once Madison has made her choice.)

The mystery surrounding the Lakewood Abductor is very well-constructed and creates some lovely thrills and chills. My brain whispered to me whom the abductor had to be, but I ignored it, choosing instead to snuggle down and enjoy the book. One of the things I enjoy the most about this series is that this cast of characters is intelligent and caring-- and they don't do stupid things or run off half-cocked. Madison is forty-eight, has a bum knee, and knows she's not Wonder Woman. Throw in her adorable Shih Tzu named Rocky, and this series pretty much has it all-- including humor. In With Vics You Get Eggroll, there's a scene in which Tex vents his frustration out on an oak tree and gets taken to task by the elderly lady next-door. I loved it.

Strong mysteries, an excellent cast, chills, thrills and laughter, and an adorable dog... if you haven't read a Madison Night mystery, what are you waiting for?

With Vics You Get Eggroll by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781941962459 

Henery Press © 2014

eBook, 266 pages

Cozy Mystery, #3 Madison Night mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

That Touch of Ink by Diane Vallere

First Line: The money arrived on a Tuesday.

When a rare $5,000 dollar bill arrives in the mail, interior decorator Madison Night knows it's a message from her past. Suspecting the bill means trouble, she makes an appointment with a specialist, but when she arrives all she finds is an abandoned office, a scared dog, and a dead body-- and he's not the specialist.

Lt. Tex Allen and his team on the Dallas Police Force are on the case, but it's Madison who discovers the dead man's identity. And that's not all she finds. Throw in a kidnapping plot, a counterfeit operation, and the true value of Madison's independence.

Diane Vallere's Madison Night series continues to be my Find of the Year. Normally I do not let myself read more than one book in a series per year. This works well because there are dozens of series that I follow closely. But when I fall for a series as hard as I did this one, that rule can go out the window. I began by reading the most recent book, The Decorator Who Knew Too Much, then I bought the rest of the books. I've only got one left to be completely caught up, and the question is-- will I be able to hold off reading it until next year? 

The main reason why I kept ignoring these books is due to the covers, even though they do remind me of all the patterns my grandmother the seamstress had when I was growing up. These covers have a tendency to make the books appear to be-- there's really no nice way to put it-- nothing but fluff. If you go so far as to read the synopses and realize the titles are based on old Doris Day movies and that Doris Day is the main character's role model, you might be excused for shaking your head and walking away. Except-- you're reading this review, and now you know better.

Like the other books in the series, That Touch of Ink has a strong mystery, full of twists and turns and suspense galore. They have Style, just like Madison's clothes and interior design business. The cliffhanger from Madison's personal life is resolved from book one (Pillow Stalk), and there are three men attracted to this woman, which may (or may not) shock younger readers because Madison is forty-seven, single, has never been engaged or married, and has a bum knee (so she knows she's not Wonder Woman). I was very pleasantly surprised at how well Doris Day translates into twenty-first-century life. 

Even if you're not familiar with Doris Day, you're going to like Madison and sympathize with how hard she's had to work to live the life she wants. If you are familiar with the versatile actress/singer, like I am, you just might find yourself watching some of her films. Whether you do or not, the one thing you must do is read these books! They are a delight.
 

That Touch of Ink by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781940976112

Henery Press © 2014

eBook, 240 pages

Cozy Mystery, #2 Madison Night mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

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.

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much by Diane Vallere

First Line: Tex Allen wasn't the sort of guy who spent Saturday nights alone.

Expecting designing days and romantic nights when she and main squeeze Hudson James accept an assignment in Palm Springs, interior decorator Madison Night has to adapt to reality very quickly. 

Madison causes a rift in the team when she spots a body in the river near the job site. She's also having recurring nightmares and fighting what could be a developing dependency on sleeping pills. She's finally convinced that she needs to seek professional help. 

Before her first appointment, Madison learns more about the crime than she'd like. Even dressed in her vintage 1960s clothing, she looks like just the sort of person anyone could confide in. But when Madison finds out that the dead body belongs to the doctor she's made an appointment with, she wonders if her knowledge can help catch a killer. 

I'd seen earlier books in this series-- which is also called Mad for Mod-- and thought they might be too cute for my taste. After reading Vallere's Material Witness series, I decided that I'd give The Decorator Who Knew Too Much a try. I'm certainly glad I did. Madison Night might dress in 1960s clothing and be wild about the interior design of that era. Doris Day may even be her role model and hero. But there's a surprising depth to this seemingly superficial cuteness that soon made me a believer.

I'm of an age where, as a child, I remember watching Doris Day movies when she was starring in films like Pillow Talk and Move Over, Darling. When I grew older and started watching the Late, Late Show on television, I learned that Doris Day had a varied and prolific career, and as the character of Madison Night would occasionally give her reasons for making Day her role model, it made perfect sense. 

Madison quickly became a fascinating character that I could like and admire. With her Shih Tzu named Rocky, her love interest named Hudson James (Rock Hudson? James Garner?), and a vintage wardrobe complete with the pattern numbers for each ensemble, I had a big smile on my face as I read the book. Could be all those Doris Day movies I've seen, or the fact that I had a grandmother who made most of my clothes back then using patterns like the ones Madison mentioned. Who knows?

Palm Springs is probably the world capital of mid-century modern architecture, and readers do get to visit an example while Madison is trying to solve the murder. Vallere not only provides excellent backstory for her characters, she's created a fast-paced, addictive mystery with multiple suspects and plenty of different motives.

I loved The Decorator Who Knew Too Much, and I've already purchased the earlier books in the series. I found this book to be an absolute delight!
  

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much by Diane Vallere

eISBN: 9781635111972

Henery Press © 2017

eBook, 264 pages

Cozy Mystery, #4 Madison Night mystery

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley