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Irene's Closet #2
Accessories to die for
Good old-fashioned murder lurks behind the Old World charm of Santa Fe, New Mexico. And nobody knows that better than former attorney turned consignment-shop owner—and part-time amateur sleuth—Irene Seligman.
When New York assistant DA Irene Seligman moved home to take care of her demanding mother, Adelle, she thought she was leaving a world of corruption and violence behind. But after opening her store, Irene’s Closet, and getting reacquainted with the locals, she learns that something’s rotten in sunny Santa Fe. Even upstanding citizens like her friend Juanita Calabaza, a Native American artisan, can’t seem to escape the decidedly unfashionable surge in crime.
Juanita’s handcrafted jewelry has been known to catch the eye of many a tourist on the plaza in Santa Fe’s historic district. But lately she’s been attracting the wrong kind of attention . . . from the police. With her son missing after falling in with a bad crowd, Juanita foretells the death of one of his associates—which comes back to haunt her when the scumbag actually turns up dead. Now Juanita’s trading in her turquoise beads for an orange jumpsuit, and Irene will need to call upon all her old investigative skills to clear Juanita’s name—before her friend pays the ultimate price.
Paula Paul’s delightful mysteries featuring Irene Seligman can be read together or separately:
A KILLER CLOSET | BROKEN POTTERY
When New York assistant DA Irene Seligman moved home to take care of her demanding mother, Adelle, she thought she was leaving a world of corruption and violence behind. But after opening her store, Irene’s Closet, and getting reacquainted with the locals, she learns that something’s rotten in sunny Santa Fe. Even upstanding citizens like her friend Juanita Calabaza, a Native American artisan, can’t seem to escape the decidedly unfashionable surge in crime.
Juanita’s handcrafted jewelry has been known to catch the eye of many a tourist on the plaza in Santa Fe’s historic district. But lately she’s been attracting the wrong kind of attention . . . from the police. With her son missing after falling in with a bad crowd, Juanita foretells the death of one of his associates—which comes back to haunt her when the scumbag actually turns up dead. Now Juanita’s trading in her turquoise beads for an orange jumpsuit, and Irene will need to call upon all her old investigative skills to clear Juanita’s name—before her friend pays the ultimate price.
Paula Paul’s delightful mysteries featuring Irene Seligman can be read together or separately:
A KILLER CLOSET | BROKEN POTTERY
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
Unknown Binding
Published December 5, 2017
About the author
Paula Paul
28 books43 followersPaula Paul writes novels that touch the heart and challenge the mind. She has published 25 novels, some with major New York publishers and some with small presses. They include historical fiction, mysteries, YA and literary novels.
She is a native of Texas. She wasn't really born in Lubbock, as her profile info states. She was actually born outside of Lubbock on her grandparents' farm. She grew up on a ranch about 80 miles from where she was born and attended a country school where she graduated as valedictorian.
She has a degree in journalism and worked for several years as a print journalist, winning a number of state and national awards. She has also won national awards for her novels.
She is a native of Texas. She wasn't really born in Lubbock, as her profile info states. She was actually born outside of Lubbock on her grandparents' farm. She grew up on a ranch about 80 miles from where she was born and attended a country school where she graduated as valedictorian.
She has a degree in journalism and worked for several years as a print journalist, winning a number of state and national awards. She has also won national awards for her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 16, 2017
It can very well be read as a stand alone. The only thing I missed was a bit more information and background on the protagonist Irene. But this is the second book in Irene's Closet mystery series and I did not read the first installment, there might be more information in that one. I enjoyed that some of the characters are of Native American background, which I haven't encountered in any other cozy mystery so far.
The story was very fast paced and entertaining. The only drawback was that towards the end it became somewhat far fetched.
I am looking forward to read more from this author.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Random House Publishing Group - Alibi and the author provided me with a copy.
The story was very fast paced and entertaining. The only drawback was that towards the end it became somewhat far fetched.
I am looking forward to read more from this author.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Random House Publishing Group - Alibi and the author provided me with a copy.
November 20, 2017
Every once in a while, I do enjoy kicking back with a cozy mystery; there's usually a decent story with enough action to keep me interested while leaving my fingernails intact. The only downside, for me, is that the main character too often is borderline silly - never listening to anyone while she (it's almost always a female) sticks her nose into everybody's business and whines when something she says or does goes wrong. Thankfully, that isn't the case with former New York assistant District Attorney Irene Seligman. She's quite intelligent, sensible and capable of dealing with situations and people.
Except, that is, her mother Adelle; a more truly obnoxious character I haven't come across in a long time and will be content never to see again. She goes miles beyond the quintessential Jewish mother - and to the very end it remains a mystery to me why Irene agreed to leave her big city career and come home to Sante Fe, New Mexico, to "take care of" her. Oy!
But come home Irene did, and now she's operating a consignment shop selling high-end discards, many courtesy of Adelle's snooty friends. The store, called Irene's Closet, is in the historic Native American part of the city; and it is in this arena that much of the story takes root. Local jewelry-maker Juanita Calabaza is beside herself trying to locate her missing son Danny, who's one misstep away from gang life and drug addiction. Juanita fears that Danny stole a sacred tribal necklace, then sold it to a shady French artifacts dealer to finance his drug habit. She'd be happy to see the guy dead, she says - and prophetically, that's exactly what happens. Now she's in the crosshairs of the police, who consider Juanita their No. 1 suspect.
Irene, though, believes otherwise; no way her friend Juanita murdered anyone - her only goal is to find her son before he, too, turns up in the morgue. Meantime (while trying to placate her mother's constant demands - Lordy, what a pain she is), Irene's "friend" P.J. Bailey, a successful criminal lawyer gets into the act because he represents clients who insist they were ripped off by the French guy. I suspect Irene and P.J. are supposed to be in the throes of romantic tension, but I must say nothing either of them said or did made me believe there's any hope whatsoever for any such liaison. P.J. is far more likable than Adelle (but then so are at least half the people in the entire world), but still, I'd never allow his shoes anywhere near the underside of my bed.
There are plenty of false starts, chases and starts as well as very interesting information about local Native American history and customs. Since this is one of a series, I don't think I'll spoil anything by saying that Irene remains relatively unscathed at the end - ready, no doubt, for another adventure. I'm up for it as well - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one.
Except, that is, her mother Adelle; a more truly obnoxious character I haven't come across in a long time and will be content never to see again. She goes miles beyond the quintessential Jewish mother - and to the very end it remains a mystery to me why Irene agreed to leave her big city career and come home to Sante Fe, New Mexico, to "take care of" her. Oy!
But come home Irene did, and now she's operating a consignment shop selling high-end discards, many courtesy of Adelle's snooty friends. The store, called Irene's Closet, is in the historic Native American part of the city; and it is in this arena that much of the story takes root. Local jewelry-maker Juanita Calabaza is beside herself trying to locate her missing son Danny, who's one misstep away from gang life and drug addiction. Juanita fears that Danny stole a sacred tribal necklace, then sold it to a shady French artifacts dealer to finance his drug habit. She'd be happy to see the guy dead, she says - and prophetically, that's exactly what happens. Now she's in the crosshairs of the police, who consider Juanita their No. 1 suspect.
Irene, though, believes otherwise; no way her friend Juanita murdered anyone - her only goal is to find her son before he, too, turns up in the morgue. Meantime (while trying to placate her mother's constant demands - Lordy, what a pain she is), Irene's "friend" P.J. Bailey, a successful criminal lawyer gets into the act because he represents clients who insist they were ripped off by the French guy. I suspect Irene and P.J. are supposed to be in the throes of romantic tension, but I must say nothing either of them said or did made me believe there's any hope whatsoever for any such liaison. P.J. is far more likable than Adelle (but then so are at least half the people in the entire world), but still, I'd never allow his shoes anywhere near the underside of my bed.
There are plenty of false starts, chases and starts as well as very interesting information about local Native American history and customs. Since this is one of a series, I don't think I'll spoil anything by saying that Irene remains relatively unscathed at the end - ready, no doubt, for another adventure. I'm up for it as well - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one.
October 16, 2017
In the third book featuring Irene Seligman, we are again in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Irene's second-hand clothing shop is doing business. Her friend, Juanita Calabaza, Pueblo Indian has been arrested by the sheriff for a murder of drug lord. Juanita escapes from jail and asked Irene to help her find her son, Danny before he is killed for his part in stolen treasure. The story is told from. different viewpoints and is not very cohesive.
This series should be read in order as Adelle character is developed in the book. In the first book, the other characters were fleshed out. Juanita needs more features on her character. She is detracted by only stubbornness and is having hallucinations.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Alibi through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
This series should be read in order as Adelle character is developed in the book. In the first book, the other characters were fleshed out. Juanita needs more features on her character. She is detracted by only stubbornness and is having hallucinations.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Alibi through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 31, 2018
This was my first book by this author and I truly enjoyed it.
A nice little cozy mystery that is sent in one of my favorite places . . . Santa Fe. The scenes on the plaza brought back great memories for me of the five Mother's Days in a row that I spent there for business.
A tale of murder, mystery together with an insight into Pueblo customs. I sped right through this enjoyable read!
Thanks to Random House/Alibi and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
A nice little cozy mystery that is sent in one of my favorite places . . . Santa Fe. The scenes on the plaza brought back great memories for me of the five Mother's Days in a row that I spent there for business.
A tale of murder, mystery together with an insight into Pueblo customs. I sped right through this enjoyable read!
Thanks to Random House/Alibi and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
February 5, 2018
Accessories to Die For by Paula Paul is the 2nd book in the Irene's Closet Mystery series, and my second book by this author. Irene Seligman owns Irene's second-hand clothing shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. When Juanita, Irene's friend gets arrested for murder, Irene sets out to find the truth. This book has a lot of suspects along with many twists and turns, which kept me reading page after page. I found this book to be a quick read with well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 11, 2017
Accessories to Die For is the second book in Irene’s Closet series. Irene Sellgman, previously an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, New York, returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico and opens a second-hand designer clothing store called Irene’s Closet. This was to be a temporary move to pacify her mother, Adelle, who feels very vulnerable since the end of her latest marriage. Irene befriends Juanita Calabaza, a Native American Artisan of handcrafted jewelry, who is concerned about the disappearance of her son Danny. Adelle is afraid her son is dead either from drugs or some shady dealings with Louis Joliet Armaud, who is buying off historic relics of the various Native American tribes only to be sold in auctions in France. When Armaud is found dead with a special made bullet, Adelle is arrested. It is Irene’s determination to prove her friend is not guilty and to attempt to find Juanita’s son with help from P.J. Bailey, a criminal lawyer, and Angel, her shop clerk. This sleuthing group also includes Adelle who is an interesting character in her own way. The book provides historic information of various Native American beliefs that play part in the plot.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. This is the second book in the series which I feel could be read as a stand-alone. Ms. Paul’s writing of the book was well balanced with respect to the use of historic values and the rituals of the Native American.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. This is the second book in the series which I feel could be read as a stand-alone. Ms. Paul’s writing of the book was well balanced with respect to the use of historic values and the rituals of the Native American.
January 12, 2018
A Native American murder mystery with intense vibes, this story started with a deep intense flavor with a dash of tribal mysticism, the storyline is an excellent one and the characters are great. To tell you the truth I thought this would have been another run of the mill murder mystery but this one is unique and quite engaging. Former prosecutor turn boutique entrepreneur Irene and her mom Adelle were on the hunt to find out the truth about what was happening in their neighborhood and trying to help Irene’s friend Juanita. The gangs and drugs were prevalent in the town, and they can see the destruction it leaves in their wake, couple with murder and missing people it leaves room for a lot of shenanigans. A truly mesmerizing and interesting book, I wasn’t disappointed at all, this is a must read, couldn’t put it down until I reached the end.
October 15, 2017
Former district attorney Irene Seligman has returned home to Santa Fe, New Mexico to take care of her mother. After opening her store, Irene’s Closet, her friend, Juanita, is distraught when her son goes missing. Soon, the police and Irene are both looking for Juanita. Can Irene find her friend in time?
When I started reading this book, I hoped to be swept away to New Mexico and meet some interesting characters and enjoy a great adventure. But, I didn’t like any of the main characters. The character of Irene was one-dimensional, and her mother, Adelle, was very annoying and manipulative. The plot was slow and dragged on until a moment where a character was kidnapped. Then, I was appalled at the amount of violence depicted. This was stated to be a cozy mystery, but I disagree. I can’t recommend this book! I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I started reading this book, I hoped to be swept away to New Mexico and meet some interesting characters and enjoy a great adventure. But, I didn’t like any of the main characters. The character of Irene was one-dimensional, and her mother, Adelle, was very annoying and manipulative. The plot was slow and dragged on until a moment where a character was kidnapped. Then, I was appalled at the amount of violence depicted. This was stated to be a cozy mystery, but I disagree. I can’t recommend this book! I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2017
“Accessories to Die For” earns 5/5 Heishi Necklaces…Homicide Included!
This is the second book in Paula Paul’s Irene’s Closet series, and as a newbie I worried about not starting the series at the beginning with “A Killer Closet.” However, I was never out of the loop since subtle references to the background and revisiting character connections provided a delightful experience and made me a fan. I am in love of the setting…Santa Fe is a favorite destination, and the references to Native American beliefs and lore was an additional treat. I was intrigued by the premise of Irene Seligman, an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, buckling under with the pressure of her demanding mother Adele to return to her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico—this family dynamic is endearing and frustrating at the same time. Off the main thoroughfare, she opens up Irene’s Closet, an upscale consignment shop, but it’s not all vintage couture and designer cast offs…it is also murder! Yes, now we get into a very entertaining murder mystery with contemporary issues adding to the realism: drug use, gangs, and the acquiring and selling of stolen artifacts. Irene gets involved when Juanita Calabaza, close friend and Native American artisan, becomes a ‘person of interest’ in murder. Juanita has been deeply worried about the disappearance of her son Danny who has become connected with a bad lot and struggled lately with drug use, and things go from worse to worst when Juanita predicts, well more like proclaims, a man connected to her son ‘must die,’ and then…he does. The twists and turns in the investigation are engaging with more than one suspect to ponder, the characters react reasonably to the circumstances, and the exciting end was one I didn’t expect. I highly recommended the Irene’s Closet series, and you can start here or at the beginning, either way it will be an entertaining journey.
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was selected by me from NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.”
This is the second book in Paula Paul’s Irene’s Closet series, and as a newbie I worried about not starting the series at the beginning with “A Killer Closet.” However, I was never out of the loop since subtle references to the background and revisiting character connections provided a delightful experience and made me a fan. I am in love of the setting…Santa Fe is a favorite destination, and the references to Native American beliefs and lore was an additional treat. I was intrigued by the premise of Irene Seligman, an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, buckling under with the pressure of her demanding mother Adele to return to her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico—this family dynamic is endearing and frustrating at the same time. Off the main thoroughfare, she opens up Irene’s Closet, an upscale consignment shop, but it’s not all vintage couture and designer cast offs…it is also murder! Yes, now we get into a very entertaining murder mystery with contemporary issues adding to the realism: drug use, gangs, and the acquiring and selling of stolen artifacts. Irene gets involved when Juanita Calabaza, close friend and Native American artisan, becomes a ‘person of interest’ in murder. Juanita has been deeply worried about the disappearance of her son Danny who has become connected with a bad lot and struggled lately with drug use, and things go from worse to worst when Juanita predicts, well more like proclaims, a man connected to her son ‘must die,’ and then…he does. The twists and turns in the investigation are engaging with more than one suspect to ponder, the characters react reasonably to the circumstances, and the exciting end was one I didn’t expect. I highly recommended the Irene’s Closet series, and you can start here or at the beginning, either way it will be an entertaining journey.
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was selected by me from NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.”
August 17, 2017
Far Fetched!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Written by Paula Paul and published by Alibi / Random House in 2017, it is a crime story set in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the present. I guess the main protagonist is supposed to be Irene Seligman, a former New York City (Manhattan) prosecutor who returns to her birth place and opens a second-hand consignment store, but it is sometimes difficult to tell because the perspective sometimes changes to Juanita, a member of the Pueblo tribe of native Americans who makes hand-crafted jewelry and sells it to tourists. Juanita is convinced that her drug-addicted son has been murdered, and goes on a search for him. In the meantime, somebody is stealing and selling Pueblo-made artifacts and selling them at auction in France. A Frenchman is murdered, and Juanita becomes the primary suspect. Or is it her son, Danny? Maybe it’s the Capitolistas, a local street gang. Or it could be somebody else. We don’t know for sure (although we have an idea) until the very end of the book, which is abrupt and unsatisfying.
Paula Paul is an experienced author with a dozen writings to her credit, so I expected to read a much more polished work than this one. Unfortunately, this story seems artificial and contrived, something we wouldn’t see even in a comic book. Characters are thinly developed, perhaps because it is one of a series. Irene’s mother, Adelle, for example, is more of a caricature than a character. She often wears inappropriate clothes, including wearing jeans that are too tight, along with 3 inch heels, while running into the desert in order to follow her daughter. She refuses to wear more sensible sneakers into the sand and rocks. She seems to be modeled after “Lovey” Howell from Gilligan’s Island, only in the extreme.
We are told little about other characters, like Harriet, Angel, and P.J., to name a few. In one scene, Irene sees Jaunita at the Green Corn Dance festival, and sets out to catch up. Unfortunately, every time she catches a glimpse of her, she disappears again. It is ludicrous that she can’t seem to catch up to her, even though Irene is running and Juanita seems to be struggling with somebody. Every time Irene really needs to use her cell phone to call the police, at that same instant somebody calls her on the same phone. When she needs to talk to somebody about something important, her phone rings. The timing is uncanny. Then, at another point in the story, Irene takes a panicked phone call from her mother and immediately turns off her phone. Why would she do that? These sorts of things reminded me of the epic poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After the Expulsion of the Acadians, Evangeline roams the country searching for her beloved Gabriel, always arriving sat some place just after he has departed. At about this point, I decided that reading this novel was becoming tedious.
The end of the story is as unlikely as anything you will ever read in a crime novel. It beggars the imagination. Nothing we learn from the descriptions of the various characters in the novel can prepare us for the ending. It is as contrived as it is possible to be. In reminiscence of 1950’s grade-b western movies, for example, somebody literally shoots the gun out of a bad guy’s hand near the end of the story. What? I haven’t heard of that since the old Roy Rogers and Gene Autry movies (black and white, BTW).
I’m sorry. I’d like to recommend this book to other readers, but I just can’t. It seems to me to have been amateurishly-written. It is unfocused and stilted. The story is highly contrived. It is not an easy read. Avoid it.
Paula Paul is an experienced author with a dozen writings to her credit, so I expected to read a much more polished work than this one. Unfortunately, this story seems artificial and contrived, something we wouldn’t see even in a comic book. Characters are thinly developed, perhaps because it is one of a series. Irene’s mother, Adelle, for example, is more of a caricature than a character. She often wears inappropriate clothes, including wearing jeans that are too tight, along with 3 inch heels, while running into the desert in order to follow her daughter. She refuses to wear more sensible sneakers into the sand and rocks. She seems to be modeled after “Lovey” Howell from Gilligan’s Island, only in the extreme.
We are told little about other characters, like Harriet, Angel, and P.J., to name a few. In one scene, Irene sees Jaunita at the Green Corn Dance festival, and sets out to catch up. Unfortunately, every time she catches a glimpse of her, she disappears again. It is ludicrous that she can’t seem to catch up to her, even though Irene is running and Juanita seems to be struggling with somebody. Every time Irene really needs to use her cell phone to call the police, at that same instant somebody calls her on the same phone. When she needs to talk to somebody about something important, her phone rings. The timing is uncanny. Then, at another point in the story, Irene takes a panicked phone call from her mother and immediately turns off her phone. Why would she do that? These sorts of things reminded me of the epic poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After the Expulsion of the Acadians, Evangeline roams the country searching for her beloved Gabriel, always arriving sat some place just after he has departed. At about this point, I decided that reading this novel was becoming tedious.
The end of the story is as unlikely as anything you will ever read in a crime novel. It beggars the imagination. Nothing we learn from the descriptions of the various characters in the novel can prepare us for the ending. It is as contrived as it is possible to be. In reminiscence of 1950’s grade-b western movies, for example, somebody literally shoots the gun out of a bad guy’s hand near the end of the story. What? I haven’t heard of that since the old Roy Rogers and Gene Autry movies (black and white, BTW).
I’m sorry. I’d like to recommend this book to other readers, but I just can’t. It seems to me to have been amateurishly-written. It is unfocused and stilted. The story is highly contrived. It is not an easy read. Avoid it.
December 7, 2017
This is my first time reading anything in the cozy mystery genre and it was a good read! This book is billed as a standalone but I think I would have enjoyed it much better if I read the first book and would have gotten more of a understanding of the characters. This was my first time reading anything by this author and I enjoyed her storytelling and writing style. The plot held my attention and I couldn’t stop reading until the book was over. The author wrote in such a way that I felt I was in Santa Fe and I loved her description to detail throughout the story. I will definitely be checking out more books from this author.
*Review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley*
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
*Review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley*
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
July 18, 2017
This book had an interesting story and I enjoyed reading it.
Irene is a good character and I love her relationship with her mom.
This story goes back generations and sacred items are at the root of this mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Irene is a good character and I love her relationship with her mom.
This story goes back generations and sacred items are at the root of this mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
September 14, 2017
Fast-paced quick read. Lots of fun. Ex-DA Irene Seligman has moved back to New Mexico to help out her mom and open a consignment shop, Irene' Closet. She made friends with a local Indian artisan, Juanita. When Juanita's son is missing and feared dead, Irene gets pulled into the search. The most enjoyable part of the story are the well-drawn cast of characters, especially Irene's mother, Adelle, who is just a hoot.
August 7, 2017
NetGalley and Penguin Random House – Alibi provided me with a prepublication copy of this book in return for an accurate review. The best thing about this quick mystery is the setting: Santa Fe. The descriptions of the town and the surrounding area are lovely and accurate. Characters could have been more developed. The only character who was fully written out was Adelle Daniels, the mother of Irene, the owner of a specialty consignment clothing store. Adelle is spoiled, has run out of money and husbands and has returned to Santa Fe to look for new ones (husband and money). For unexplained reasons, Irene has left her high-paying and high-prestige attorney job in New York to come to Adelle’s rescue. Someone has stolen a precious jeweled Native American artifact from the Kewa people. The prevalent theory is that one of the Native Americans has stolen the artifact to sell for drug money. Many of the characters in this novel take irrational actions - I sat back and wondered why he or she would take such an illogical and, often dangerous, action. This is not a novel for serious mystery readers. It is light, all is explained in the last couple of pages. There are hints of Native American customs and healings, as well as a tiny view of a possible romance.
March 3, 2018
An excellent story.
Rich Native American details.
Detailed sense of Sante Fe and the area.
Characters that the reader can really get involved with.
Definitely a good read.
Rich Native American details.
Detailed sense of Sante Fe and the area.
Characters that the reader can really get involved with.
Definitely a good read.
July 20, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for a voluntary review. I've never read one of Paula Paul's mysteries before, but I plan on making up for lost time. Irene and Adelle's daughter/mother relationship was a breath of fresh air, there were times you could visualize Irene wanting to throttle her mother for her antics. The mystery of the stolen artifacts and the murders were almost secondary to all of the wonderful characters, but were still an amazing part of the story. Can't wait to see what else Angel, PJ and the rest help Irene pull off.
October 11, 2017
Accessories To Die For is the second book in the Irene's Closet series. This is a standalone with no cliffhanger, though it is open-ended for future books in a series. There is violence.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that all of that info here. The author did a good job of describing Santa Fe and both the history and the current culture there. There are a lot of clues in the storyline that keep you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed next. Enough to keep me reading just to see how it ended.
This book was better than the first book in the series, but not by much. The elements are there but my biggest problem with this story is that the characters are flat and need to be more dimensional. And Irene, the main character, should be featured more instead of having so much of the story taken up by her whining mother. For me, that detracted from what could have been a much better story. I did love that Angel, Irene's shop assistant, is back in this book.
l received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House-Alibi and chose to leave a review for other readers.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that all of that info here. The author did a good job of describing Santa Fe and both the history and the current culture there. There are a lot of clues in the storyline that keep you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed next. Enough to keep me reading just to see how it ended.
This book was better than the first book in the series, but not by much. The elements are there but my biggest problem with this story is that the characters are flat and need to be more dimensional. And Irene, the main character, should be featured more instead of having so much of the story taken up by her whining mother. For me, that detracted from what could have been a much better story. I did love that Angel, Irene's shop assistant, is back in this book.
l received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House-Alibi and chose to leave a review for other readers.
November 25, 2017
Accessories to Die For is a mystery novel set in New Mexico. The book includes historical information about various Native American beliefs that play a part in the plot. I was extremely disappointed with the violence and language in this book, which is listed in the cozy mystery genre.
Irene Seligman gave up her job as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, New York and returned to Santa Fe, New Mexico to help her self-centered and demanding mother, Adelle. Irene opened Irene’s Closet, an upscale consignment store, but Adelle is upset that her daughter sells clothes someone else has worn. Irene’s friend, Juanita Calabaza, is a Native American artisan of handcrafted jewelry, who is worried about her son, Danny, who has disappeared. Juanita doesn’t know if her son is dead, being held captive, or hiding. When Louis Joliet Armaud, who is buying historic Native American relics to be sold in auctions in France, is murdered, Juanita is arrested, but escapes. Irene is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to find Juanita’s son. P.J. Bailey, a criminal lawyer, and Angel, her shop clerk, help her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Irene Seligman gave up her job as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, New York and returned to Santa Fe, New Mexico to help her self-centered and demanding mother, Adelle. Irene opened Irene’s Closet, an upscale consignment store, but Adelle is upset that her daughter sells clothes someone else has worn. Irene’s friend, Juanita Calabaza, is a Native American artisan of handcrafted jewelry, who is worried about her son, Danny, who has disappeared. Juanita doesn’t know if her son is dead, being held captive, or hiding. When Louis Joliet Armaud, who is buying historic Native American relics to be sold in auctions in France, is murdered, Juanita is arrested, but escapes. Irene is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to find Juanita’s son. P.J. Bailey, a criminal lawyer, and Angel, her shop clerk, help her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
July 12, 2017
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
The title of the book gives a good indication what it is all about: a very expensive accessory. However, there is more ;-)
This thin volume is nice to finish in one sitting, on a summers' day - which I did. It is not an in-depth story and neither is the plot, but it is very nicely written with some interesting characters.
The title of the book gives a good indication what it is all about: a very expensive accessory. However, there is more ;-)
This thin volume is nice to finish in one sitting, on a summers' day - which I did. It is not an in-depth story and neither is the plot, but it is very nicely written with some interesting characters.
November 26, 2017
Former New York assistant DA Irene Seligman moved home to take care of her aging, demanding mother, Adelle. She thought she was leaving a world of corruption and violence behind. But after opening her store, Irene’s Closet, and getting acquainted with the locals, she learns that violence and corruption aren't indigenous to big cities. Unfortunately, her friend Juanita Calabaza, a Native American artisan, can’t seem to escape the decidedly unfashionable surge in crime.
Juanita’s handcrafted jewelry has been known to catch the eye of many tourists on the plaza in Santa Fe’s historic district. However, lately, she’s been attracting the wrong kind of attention, from the police. Juanita foretells the death of one of her son's associates, which comes back to haunt her when the man actually turns up dead. Now Juanita’s trading in her turquoise beads for an orange jumpsuit. Irene will need to call upon all her old investigative skills to find a killer before it’s too late.
--
Series: A Mystery - Irene’s Closet
Author: Paula Paul
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Alibi
Accessories to Die For is an extremely original story. Ms. Paul writes an intriguing and entertaining story that will get the attention of the reader. Her writing is faultless, with little to no issues transitioning from one scene to another.
Irene Seligman is a well-rounded character with plenty of personality and a few character flaws that make her a wonderful main character that reader will enjoy learning about. She is intelligent with a curious streak that lands her in trouble more often than not. Although someone might wonder about her loyalty to her friends and family due to her legal training. Sometimes she forgets that she is no longer a DA and has trouble convincing herself to stay away from the police investigation side of crime.
Irene’s mother is a study in what a seventy-year-old woman should not be doing. She worries about what people will think, yet goes out of her way to meddle in situations that no proper lady would get involved with. Adelle doesn’t seem to understand that there are limits to what she can get away with at her age. PJ and Angel are fantastic characters play a more prominent part of the overall plot of this story.
The use of the Indian lands as well as Santa Fe and surrounding towns is a great location and setting for this story. The landscape makes for some interesting situations, and it is easy for the reader to imagine the lay of the land as it is described throughout the book.
The plot of this story is unusual for a cozy. There might be a bit too much violence for most readers of this type of material. Accessories to Die For is a good mystery but it is not easy to read. Some of the cultural background needs to be explained to the reader in order to follow the basic plot. This book cannot stand on its own without reading the other books in the series.
Although the story is fundamentally well written the solution to the murder among other issues are not resolved in a believable manner. Vital clues that would help the reader learn of the killer's identity and make the story far more enjoyable are left out of the story and are only brought to the reader's attention after the killer has been revealed. This makes for some frustration and disappointment.
Overall, if the reader has read the previous additions to this series they may well enjoy this book. Unfortunately, the ending leaves too much to be desired to make this a great book.
Juanita’s handcrafted jewelry has been known to catch the eye of many tourists on the plaza in Santa Fe’s historic district. However, lately, she’s been attracting the wrong kind of attention, from the police. Juanita foretells the death of one of her son's associates, which comes back to haunt her when the man actually turns up dead. Now Juanita’s trading in her turquoise beads for an orange jumpsuit. Irene will need to call upon all her old investigative skills to find a killer before it’s too late.
--
Series: A Mystery - Irene’s Closet
Author: Paula Paul
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Alibi
Accessories to Die For is an extremely original story. Ms. Paul writes an intriguing and entertaining story that will get the attention of the reader. Her writing is faultless, with little to no issues transitioning from one scene to another.
Irene Seligman is a well-rounded character with plenty of personality and a few character flaws that make her a wonderful main character that reader will enjoy learning about. She is intelligent with a curious streak that lands her in trouble more often than not. Although someone might wonder about her loyalty to her friends and family due to her legal training. Sometimes she forgets that she is no longer a DA and has trouble convincing herself to stay away from the police investigation side of crime.
Irene’s mother is a study in what a seventy-year-old woman should not be doing. She worries about what people will think, yet goes out of her way to meddle in situations that no proper lady would get involved with. Adelle doesn’t seem to understand that there are limits to what she can get away with at her age. PJ and Angel are fantastic characters play a more prominent part of the overall plot of this story.
The use of the Indian lands as well as Santa Fe and surrounding towns is a great location and setting for this story. The landscape makes for some interesting situations, and it is easy for the reader to imagine the lay of the land as it is described throughout the book.
The plot of this story is unusual for a cozy. There might be a bit too much violence for most readers of this type of material. Accessories to Die For is a good mystery but it is not easy to read. Some of the cultural background needs to be explained to the reader in order to follow the basic plot. This book cannot stand on its own without reading the other books in the series.
Although the story is fundamentally well written the solution to the murder among other issues are not resolved in a believable manner. Vital clues that would help the reader learn of the killer's identity and make the story far more enjoyable are left out of the story and are only brought to the reader's attention after the killer has been revealed. This makes for some frustration and disappointment.
Overall, if the reader has read the previous additions to this series they may well enjoy this book. Unfortunately, the ending leaves too much to be desired to make this a great book.
December 5, 2017
A good, solid second-in-series mystery, I enjoyed Accessories to Die For more than the first one. The characters are stronger and the primary characters are better defined and easier to empathize with. The plot is finely planned and executed, with the bad guy/ gal being a definite surprise. Overall, I like this novel and will be looking for additional books in the series.
Irene’s Closet is Irene’s upscale, designer consignment shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She and her salesperson, Angel, are a great team, and Angel has the charm and gift for sales and helps customers purchase hundreds to thousands of dollars of merchandise they will look gorgeous in. Juanita, a local Native American craftsman, designs and makes traditional jewelry that also bring in hundreds to a thousand dollars or more each. It is with sadness, then, that Juanita shares her concerns about her son, Danny.
Danny has been involved with drugs and possibly the Capitolistas gang. It is further thought that Danny stole the ancient and priceless “sacred necklace” from the Kewa pueblo. She saw him give it to the Frenchman, who steals the past from tribes across the country by purchasing for a song or stealing, then auctioning it in France for a huge profit. If it sounds like it is all about money, that is correct. Danny needs money to support his drug habit. The Frenchman makes a huge profit on the antiquities. When the Frenchman, Louis Armaud, is found murdered, some think Juanita did it, and others think Danny, who hasn’t been seen since the murder, did it. Now Juanita is arrested, Danny is missing, and Irene is hot on the trail to help her friend Juanita.
Adelle, Irene’s formerly pampered mother, is injured while she and Irene are at the Kewa’s Green Corn Dance. Getting help for her outweighs Irene’s search for Juanita. PJ, the local high-profile criminal defense attorney who has befriended Irene since she moved to Santa Fe, helps her through her search for Danny and Juanita.
The characters are well-rounded. To me, Adelle is someone who has changed since Irene’s first return to Santa Fe. While she still enjoys holding court and being the center of attention, she is also less dependent on her daughter and has even been staying out late – playing bridge? Irene, PJ, and Angel are the delightfully in-charge type folks we have come to know them as.
The plot is action-packed, with well-executed twists and turns, right down to the very last moment. The most astounding twist is almost at the end. I would never have anticipated the bad guy/ gal to be revealed in such a way! It was a complete surprise to me! I very much enjoy the Southwest setting, the inclusion of Native American art and challenges. There are many very suspenseful moments that I won’t give away. There is humor, especially in the exchanges between Irene and Adelle, and Irene and PJ. It is an intriguing, at times scary, and exciting read that I highly recommend!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Irene’s Closet is Irene’s upscale, designer consignment shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She and her salesperson, Angel, are a great team, and Angel has the charm and gift for sales and helps customers purchase hundreds to thousands of dollars of merchandise they will look gorgeous in. Juanita, a local Native American craftsman, designs and makes traditional jewelry that also bring in hundreds to a thousand dollars or more each. It is with sadness, then, that Juanita shares her concerns about her son, Danny.
Danny has been involved with drugs and possibly the Capitolistas gang. It is further thought that Danny stole the ancient and priceless “sacred necklace” from the Kewa pueblo. She saw him give it to the Frenchman, who steals the past from tribes across the country by purchasing for a song or stealing, then auctioning it in France for a huge profit. If it sounds like it is all about money, that is correct. Danny needs money to support his drug habit. The Frenchman makes a huge profit on the antiquities. When the Frenchman, Louis Armaud, is found murdered, some think Juanita did it, and others think Danny, who hasn’t been seen since the murder, did it. Now Juanita is arrested, Danny is missing, and Irene is hot on the trail to help her friend Juanita.
Adelle, Irene’s formerly pampered mother, is injured while she and Irene are at the Kewa’s Green Corn Dance. Getting help for her outweighs Irene’s search for Juanita. PJ, the local high-profile criminal defense attorney who has befriended Irene since she moved to Santa Fe, helps her through her search for Danny and Juanita.
The characters are well-rounded. To me, Adelle is someone who has changed since Irene’s first return to Santa Fe. While she still enjoys holding court and being the center of attention, she is also less dependent on her daughter and has even been staying out late – playing bridge? Irene, PJ, and Angel are the delightfully in-charge type folks we have come to know them as.
The plot is action-packed, with well-executed twists and turns, right down to the very last moment. The most astounding twist is almost at the end. I would never have anticipated the bad guy/ gal to be revealed in such a way! It was a complete surprise to me! I very much enjoy the Southwest setting, the inclusion of Native American art and challenges. There are many very suspenseful moments that I won’t give away. There is humor, especially in the exchanges between Irene and Adelle, and Irene and PJ. It is an intriguing, at times scary, and exciting read that I highly recommend!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
September 20, 2017
Irene had been an Assistant D A in Manhattan but leaves NYC and the job at least temporarily supposedly. Irene left NYC and went to Santa Fe to make her mother Adele happy. Adele is spoiled woman but ran out of husbands and money. So Adele came to Sante Fe to find both but was feeling vulnerable and turned to Irene. Irene makes friends with Juanita who is an Native American and makes handcrafted jewelry to sell to the tourist as they like it.Irene thought she had left corruption and violence were behind her but she was wrong. But Juanita is concerned about her son Danny who is a drug addict and has disappeared. Juanita is afraid Danny is dead either from drugs or a man Louis Armand who gets historic relics one way or another. Then Louis goes to auctions to sell the relics. Juanita foretold Of Louis Armand’s murder. Then Louis Armand is found dead and killed by a specially made bullet and Juanita is arrested. Irene is .determined to prove her friend is innocent and also find Danny with help from P T Bailey- a criminal lawyer and Ange Irene’s shop clerk. Prize Native American relics are being stolen also in this time frame.
I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked the way the author gave us some information on some Native American beliefs and rituals. I really liked how the author described Santa Fe and its surroundings. This was a fast paced quick to read mystery. But sometimes it was hard to tell who’s POV was being used as the POV changed from Irene and Juanita and back. I would have liked more background and backstory on the characters. Sometimes this book made no sense to me like when Irene’s mother called her in a panic and the Irene turned her phone off. I didn’t like that I guessed who the killer was before the book was close to ending. But I did love Irene’s and Adele’s relationship and how they interacted with each other. I love the twists and turns of the story. As I said I had mixed feelings some things I liked and others not so much.
I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked the way the author gave us some information on some Native American beliefs and rituals. I really liked how the author described Santa Fe and its surroundings. This was a fast paced quick to read mystery. But sometimes it was hard to tell who’s POV was being used as the POV changed from Irene and Juanita and back. I would have liked more background and backstory on the characters. Sometimes this book made no sense to me like when Irene’s mother called her in a panic and the Irene turned her phone off. I didn’t like that I guessed who the killer was before the book was close to ending. But I did love Irene’s and Adele’s relationship and how they interacted with each other. I love the twists and turns of the story. As I said I had mixed feelings some things I liked and others not so much.
April 22, 2021
Irene Seligman is at it again solving mysteries in Santa Fe while running her designer consignment store. This time she’s helping her friend Juanita Calabaza, a Native American who sells artisan jewelry. Juanita’s son Danny has gotten involved with some unsavory characters, then goes missing. Juanita is worried he’s dead or soon will be and asks Irene to help her track him down. When one of Danny’s associates winds up dead, Juanita gets arrested but escapes to continue searching for Danny. Can Irene figure out what’s going on?
I liked this less than the first book. I felt like Irene became less interesting this time around whereas I really liked her in the first book. There was also a lot less suspense this time. Much of the book felt like the characters were wondering what was actually going on, or trying to find a missing person but continuing to not find them. For instance, there’s a scene at a festival where Irene is trying to spot another character. She sees her across the crowd, elbows her way through, but loses sight of her. Searches around again, spots her, struggles through the crowd, gone again. Several times over several pages. Even the big reveal of the true murderer is not experienced in the narrative but is told secondhand by characters who were there. Irene’s mother, Adelle, was really annoying in the first book but turned out to be the most entertaining character this time while I didn’t particularly care for Irene this time around.
I did appreciate that the author included lots of info about the Native American tribes around Santa Fe. It was cool to learn about their customs and lifestyle. Otherwise, though, not a big fan this time. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.
I liked this less than the first book. I felt like Irene became less interesting this time around whereas I really liked her in the first book. There was also a lot less suspense this time. Much of the book felt like the characters were wondering what was actually going on, or trying to find a missing person but continuing to not find them. For instance, there’s a scene at a festival where Irene is trying to spot another character. She sees her across the crowd, elbows her way through, but loses sight of her. Searches around again, spots her, struggles through the crowd, gone again. Several times over several pages. Even the big reveal of the true murderer is not experienced in the narrative but is told secondhand by characters who were there. Irene’s mother, Adelle, was really annoying in the first book but turned out to be the most entertaining character this time while I didn’t particularly care for Irene this time around.
I did appreciate that the author included lots of info about the Native American tribes around Santa Fe. It was cool to learn about their customs and lifestyle. Otherwise, though, not a big fan this time. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.
December 5, 2017
I was attracted to this book because of the fabulous cover! It’s a beauty. That, along with the title, just seemed like a sweet little goody with my name on it. The cover design, title and blurb were the best this book had to offer, unfortunately.
If you love reading about the vapid women who would spend $1700.00 to buy a used dress just for the designer label you’ll probably think I’m wrong. If you find it entertaining to read about the drug addiction problems among our Native American youth you’ll think I’m wrong. If you think calling attention to the economic and cultural divide between the two groups is a fun read…you will think I’m wrong. I felt it did a disservice to both. Native Americans have a rich and vibrant culture and shouldn’t be depicted as the lowest common denominator of ALL of us. Also, many wealthy women are community champions and DON’T spend their waking hours flitting from house to house to only associate with their wealthy friends.
This book, however, is nicely written and easy to read. The plotting was fairly tight even though the motivations of the characters was a bit thin. The main character, Irene, was likable enough and walks a fine line between her wealthy customers and the friends she makes in the Native American community. Walking that line may have been the motivation for the author to highlight the two differing groups, if so, I think she missed the mark…I found it…difficult. Not knowing the author’s intent plus the quality of the writing is all that kept this book from having 2 stars instead of 3.
2shay (From the blog, Chezshayonline)
If you love reading about the vapid women who would spend $1700.00 to buy a used dress just for the designer label you’ll probably think I’m wrong. If you find it entertaining to read about the drug addiction problems among our Native American youth you’ll think I’m wrong. If you think calling attention to the economic and cultural divide between the two groups is a fun read…you will think I’m wrong. I felt it did a disservice to both. Native Americans have a rich and vibrant culture and shouldn’t be depicted as the lowest common denominator of ALL of us. Also, many wealthy women are community champions and DON’T spend their waking hours flitting from house to house to only associate with their wealthy friends.
This book, however, is nicely written and easy to read. The plotting was fairly tight even though the motivations of the characters was a bit thin. The main character, Irene, was likable enough and walks a fine line between her wealthy customers and the friends she makes in the Native American community. Walking that line may have been the motivation for the author to highlight the two differing groups, if so, I think she missed the mark…I found it…difficult. Not knowing the author’s intent plus the quality of the writing is all that kept this book from having 2 stars instead of 3.
2shay (From the blog, Chezshayonline)
November 19, 2017
Irene and P.J. are back with another mystery to solve. This is book 2 in this series and just as good as the first. In this installment, Juanita’s son Danny has gone missing and a Frenchman has been murdered. It seems that the Frenchman was running a scheme of buying Indian artifacts cheap and selling them at European auctions. Juanita is arrested for the murder, then escapes from jail. Irene, her self-absorbed mother Adelle and P. J., everybody’s favorite lawyer, are hot on her trail. The story takes us into the Pueblo where Juanita lives and out into the desert under the relentless August sun in Santa Fe. Some of the Capitolista gang members get involved and there’s plenty of danger for all concerned.
Ok, so this is a really fun story, set in Santa Fe, NM, in the summer. As usual with this series, there is Indian culture mixed in with designer dresses, and a whole host of delightful characters. I would classify this story as a cozy mystery but it does have a bit more violence than is typical of a cozy. I always look forward to new work from this author because I find her characters to be so original. This would make for a great holiday read, especially if you’re in a cold place. I highly recommend this book or any of the author’s other work.
Ok, so this is a really fun story, set in Santa Fe, NM, in the summer. As usual with this series, there is Indian culture mixed in with designer dresses, and a whole host of delightful characters. I would classify this story as a cozy mystery but it does have a bit more violence than is typical of a cozy. I always look forward to new work from this author because I find her characters to be so original. This would make for a great holiday read, especially if you’re in a cold place. I highly recommend this book or any of the author’s other work.
December 23, 2017
Paula Paul has written a cozy mystery set in Santa Fe and tribal lands near there. As a New Mexican resident for many years, I find her use of this setting well done and effective in Accessories to Die For. She incorporates the drug problems that are all too prevalent there and the Native American culture that binds Catholicism with ancient religious beliefs. Paul showcases the tourist impact and the artisan craftsmanship.
If the author did all of that so well, why am I not excited about this book? I think it is the characters; they are just not very likable. Irene has given up her law career to be with her aging and still self-centered mother Adelle. There is a potential love interest with P.J. an attorney. Both lawyers make bad choices and do stupid (illegal) things along with jewelry artist Juanita who is looking for her druggie son Danny. There is a murder, several assaults, and a major theft. When it is all sorted out, the person who is able to lay out the facts and relationships is realistically the least likely to be able to do so.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Random House (Alibi) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
If the author did all of that so well, why am I not excited about this book? I think it is the characters; they are just not very likable. Irene has given up her law career to be with her aging and still self-centered mother Adelle. There is a potential love interest with P.J. an attorney. Both lawyers make bad choices and do stupid (illegal) things along with jewelry artist Juanita who is looking for her druggie son Danny. There is a murder, several assaults, and a major theft. When it is all sorted out, the person who is able to lay out the facts and relationships is realistically the least likely to be able to do so.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Random House (Alibi) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here:
When Assistant DA Irene Seligman returns to her home town of Santa Fe to take care of her high maintenance mother, she opens a consignment haute couture shop. She becomes friends with a native woman who makes exquisite jewellery. She learns from the woman, Juanita, that there is a French man who is stealing local artifacts and selling them in Paris. Since Juanita has been vocal about her dislike of the man, when he is murdered, she is considered the prime suspect. Juanita knows she is innocent but worries that her missing son might be the killer.
What follows is a harrowing journey as Juanita searches for her son while trying to avoid the real killers and the law who want to put her in jail. It is a nail biter. Irene is aided by local criminal attorney and her mother who is less help and more stress. There are some shady characters both in the local gangs and drug culture as well as the folks trafficking in stolen artifacts. The story is filled with detail that brings the location to life and just a soupçon of humour in the shenanigans of Irene's mother. It is no wonder Irene moved so far away.
All in all, it is an enjoyable read with fascinating characters,
I give it four purrs and two paws up.
When Assistant DA Irene Seligman returns to her home town of Santa Fe to take care of her high maintenance mother, she opens a consignment haute couture shop. She becomes friends with a native woman who makes exquisite jewellery. She learns from the woman, Juanita, that there is a French man who is stealing local artifacts and selling them in Paris. Since Juanita has been vocal about her dislike of the man, when he is murdered, she is considered the prime suspect. Juanita knows she is innocent but worries that her missing son might be the killer.
What follows is a harrowing journey as Juanita searches for her son while trying to avoid the real killers and the law who want to put her in jail. It is a nail biter. Irene is aided by local criminal attorney and her mother who is less help and more stress. There are some shady characters both in the local gangs and drug culture as well as the folks trafficking in stolen artifacts. The story is filled with detail that brings the location to life and just a soupçon of humour in the shenanigans of Irene's mother. It is no wonder Irene moved so far away.
All in all, it is an enjoyable read with fascinating characters,
I give it four purrs and two paws up.
May 13, 2018
When former prosecutor Irene Seligman returns to New Mexico to care for her oft-married, still-flirting, seventy-something mother Adelle, she opens a high-end consignment store, stepping away from her former professional world of crimes and prosecutions. Or so she thinks.
When Irene’s friend, talented Native American jewelry artist Juanita Calabaza’s son falls in with the wrong crowd and then goes missing, along with an important piece of historical jewelry, it’s just the beginning of things going wrong. Juanita predicts the death of someone her son has been linked to – and not in a good way – and finds herself arrested for his murder when the man turns up dead.
In an attempt to save her missing son, Juanita escapes from jail, and it’s up to Irene to figure out what’s going on before anyone else ends up dead.
With a cast of interesting characters, the action moves right along in Accessories to Die For. This one will keep you turning the pages to see how all the pieces click together and how Irene, Adelle and friends solve the mystery. From drug dealers to jewelry thieves to flirting seniors, you won’t be bored for a moment!
When Irene’s friend, talented Native American jewelry artist Juanita Calabaza’s son falls in with the wrong crowd and then goes missing, along with an important piece of historical jewelry, it’s just the beginning of things going wrong. Juanita predicts the death of someone her son has been linked to – and not in a good way – and finds herself arrested for his murder when the man turns up dead.
In an attempt to save her missing son, Juanita escapes from jail, and it’s up to Irene to figure out what’s going on before anyone else ends up dead.
With a cast of interesting characters, the action moves right along in Accessories to Die For. This one will keep you turning the pages to see how all the pieces click together and how Irene, Adelle and friends solve the mystery. From drug dealers to jewelry thieves to flirting seniors, you won’t be bored for a moment!
January 6, 2018
Mother Knows Best
There are some unexpected twists and turns in this mystery despite clues which point you in the right direction, and the final denouement is likely to catch you unaware, delightfully. An interesting cast with an unlikely mix of locals which nonetheless works, combined with absolutely amateur sleuthing (none of these folks will be getting PI licenses, despite ample legal knowledge) of the type most non-professionals would probably attempt, plus tidbits of Santa Fe and native cultures provides a charming story with a sense of humor and characters you come to care about.
This is the second book in the series and I had read and enjoyed the first so was pleased to request it from Netgalley. The fact that it had been long enough since reading the first that I'd forgotten a lot of the details was absolutely no hindrance to following this standalone volume. Publisher Alibi's editing and proofing is excellent (and so far I've enjoyed all the authors they represent).
There are some unexpected twists and turns in this mystery despite clues which point you in the right direction, and the final denouement is likely to catch you unaware, delightfully. An interesting cast with an unlikely mix of locals which nonetheless works, combined with absolutely amateur sleuthing (none of these folks will be getting PI licenses, despite ample legal knowledge) of the type most non-professionals would probably attempt, plus tidbits of Santa Fe and native cultures provides a charming story with a sense of humor and characters you come to care about.
This is the second book in the series and I had read and enjoyed the first so was pleased to request it from Netgalley. The fact that it had been long enough since reading the first that I'd forgotten a lot of the details was absolutely no hindrance to following this standalone volume. Publisher Alibi's editing and proofing is excellent (and so far I've enjoyed all the authors they represent).
December 6, 2017
Accessories to Die For is the second novel in Paula Paul's mystery series featuring former assistant district attorney, now shop owner, Irene Seligman. When one of Irene's acquaintances, Native American jewelry maker Juanita Calabaza, has her son, Danny, go missing, Irene is drawn into the mystery. Trying to help, Irene becomes embroiled in the investigation to find her friend's missing son.
Simultaneously to Danny's disappearance, a French investor is found murdered. The trouble is what he invested in was Native American antiquities and evidence points to Danny as the thief that stole the tribal necklace and also killed the Frenchman. All was not as it seemed, and there were many other things at play.
With the help of attorney P. J. Bailey, whose current big case intersects with the disappearance of Danny, and, unexpectedly, the help of Irene's mother, the true killer is found and the mystery of the disappearance is solved
Once again, Paula Paul has produced a fast paced interwoven mystery. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!
Simultaneously to Danny's disappearance, a French investor is found murdered. The trouble is what he invested in was Native American antiquities and evidence points to Danny as the thief that stole the tribal necklace and also killed the Frenchman. All was not as it seemed, and there were many other things at play.
With the help of attorney P. J. Bailey, whose current big case intersects with the disappearance of Danny, and, unexpectedly, the help of Irene's mother, the true killer is found and the mystery of the disappearance is solved
Once again, Paula Paul has produced a fast paced interwoven mystery. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!
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