Glitter Bomb
A Scrapbooking Mystery #15
By Laura Childs, Terrie Farley Moran
ISBN13: 9780451489548
Author websites: laurachilds.com and terriefarleymoran.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
An exploding Mardi Gras float has got to be the strangest murder weapon scrappy sleuth Carmela Bertrand has ever encountered in this latest Scrapbooking Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author.
It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand is excited to be attending the Pluvius Parade along with her best friend Ava. Carmela’s ex-husband Shamus rides by the duo on his float at the head of the parade, when suddenly the revelry turns to disaster. Shamus’ float crashes and explodes, and although Shamus escapes unhurt, a member of his krewe is killed.
Carmela and Ava plunge into an investigation of the krewe-member’s death, but as they dig deeper it starts to look less like an accident and more like a murder….and Shamus seems less like a victim, and more like a suspect.
Review:
Laura Childs and Terrie Farley Moran are a wonderful writing team. The detail and storyline driven writing of Childs mixes so well with the fun and humorous style of Moran. Glitter Bomb is another hit in this fun cozy series. Laura Childs is a truly prolific writer with her series all being long-running and extremely enjoyable. They definitely have something for everyone. With the addition of Moran, there is a lilt that brings even more entertainment to each book. This installment is the 15th in the “Scrapbooking Mystery” series. Now I am not a scrapbooker, nor crafty at all. Somehow these authors are able to pull me in with action, excitement, humor, and intrigue. And hey, I get a free trip to NOLA every time I read one.
I do not think I have ever read a book where the murder was carried out by an exploding Mardi Gras float in a hail of glitter. Well, that is how this one happens. Yes, Glitter Bomb explodes on the page and draws you in and never lets you go. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand is even more shocked when her ex-husband Shamus is on that exploding float. Carmela and her bestie Ava are there to see the horrific event. Shamus lives, but another member on his krewe is dead and gone. Was it just a tragic accident or was it murder. And who was the intended victim? Was it Hughes Wilder, who had some pretty upset enemies or Shamus?
The fun of Mardi Gras is the background to this intriguing mystery and the ladies, Carmela and Ava are on the hunt for that fun and also answers to this mystery. Will Detective Babcock, Carmela’s flame, find the answers or will it be up to the ladies to get to the bottom of this “Neptune Bomber” as they are calling the murdered now? I love the New Orleans flavor, color and excitement. These authors really know how to drop you right in the middle of all the entertainment and mystery. I can almost smell the scents, (not all good), see the sights (tons of glitter and color) and feel the need to find out who did this terrible deed.
Although Glitter Bomb is the 15th book in this fun series, it can be read as a standalone. I have to admit I have not read all of the books in this series. It is so well written, the characters are so well developed and full of life, the mystery is exciting and full of action and intrigue. You cannot get much better than these two fabulous authors. They send the reader on a jaunt in NOLA that will keep the pages turning and the good times rolling. Another hit for sure for both of them!
Laura and I are delighted with you review. Thanks so much for featuring GLITTER BOMB! Terrie