Glitter Bomb (A Scrapbooking Mystery)
by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran
About the Book
Cozy Mystery
15th in Series
Berkley (October 2, 2018)
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0451489543
ISBN-13: 978-0451489548
Digital ASIN: B078VVDSQT
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.
About The Authors
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries
, Scrapbook Mysteries
, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries
. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries 
- set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
- set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries
– a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
– a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries
- set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
- set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.Laura’s Links:
Webpage - http://www.laurachilds.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31
Short-listed twice for The Best American Mystery Stories, Terrie Farley Moran is delighted to introduce mystery fans to the Read ’Em and Eat café and bookstore, which debuted with Well Read, Then Dead
. followed by Caught Read-Handed
and Read to Death
released in July of this year. The only thing Terrie enjoys more than wrangling mystery plots into submission is playing games and reading stories with any or all of her grandchildren.Terrie’s Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrie.moran.9
Blog: www.womenofmystery.net
You can purchase Glitter Bomb at the following retailers:
My Thoughts
Glitter Bomb by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran is the fifteenth A Scrapbooking Mystery. Carmela Bertrand and Ava Gruiex are watching the Pluvius Parade and are not surprised when they see that Carmela’s ex-husband, Shamus Meechum hitched a ride on the head float. The head float features King Neptune with gold glitter pluming out from his head over the revelers. All the sudden the float starts acting wonky and then—BOOM! An explosion erupted from King Neptune’s head and gold glitter is everywhere as well as the riders of the float. The men start getting up, but one lays unmoving on the ground. Hughes Wilder, the Pluvius Krewe captain, is pronounced dead at the scene and Lt. Edgar Babcock, Carmela’s fiancé (sort of) is on the case (this could be awkward). The next day, Shamus stumbles into Memory Mine seeking Carmela’s help (of course). A bomb had been set in the float right under Hughes Wilder’s seat and Shamus is at the top of the suspect list thanks to an unwise investment. Carmela knows that Shamus does not have the brain power to execute this type of killing. Carmela, with Ava’s eager assistance, begins investigating the other krewe members and investors. They need to proceed carefully, or they could up as confetti on Bourbon Street.
Glitter Bomb is part of the delightful A Scrapbooking Mystery series. While Glitter Bomb can be read alone, I highly recommend reading all the books in the series. I have enjoyed watching Carmela develop over the course of the series as she went from divorcee to savvy business owner and sleuth. I still do not know what she saw in Shamus (it is baffling). Carmela is currently engaged to Lt. Edgar Bertrand. I am on the fence about this relationship. I wish he would quit discouraging her investigations. Bertrand should know by now Carmela will always help those in her circle (even Shamus) and she is just plain curious. I love the scrapbooking projects mentioned in the book. There are some creative ideas that I am looking forward to playing with in my studio. I found Glitter Bomb to be well-written with a fast pace. Carmela and Ava are a hoot. I enjoy their witty repartee. Ava and Carmela do not let grass grow under their feet on this investigation. Of course, you can always count on Ava to spice things up. This time Ava promised to house sit for her boyfriend’s parents and committed the pair to appearing in a fashion show. Laura Childs brought the French Quarter during Mardi Gras alive for me with her word imagery. The mystery had several suspects along with a red herring or two and good clues. Cozy mystery sleuths, though, will find it a snap to identify the guilty party. The ending is exciting, suspenseful, romantic and funny. The last line is amusing which is a great way to end a book. There is a preview of Eggs on Ice at the end along with scrapbooking tips and recipes for New Orleans delicacies. I am giving Glitter Bomb 4.5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). I cannot wait to read Mumbo Jumbo which is the next installment in A Scrapbooking Mystery series.
Thank you for stopping by today. In honor of the tour, the authors are hosting a giveaway. You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below. Tomorrow I am featuring A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep. It is the second book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. I hope you have a glorious day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Thank you for stopping by today. In honor of the tour, the authors are hosting a giveaway. You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below. Tomorrow I am featuring A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep. It is the second book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. I hope you have a glorious day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 1 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
October 1 – Island Confidential – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
October 2 – Valerie's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 3 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
October 3 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
October 4 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
October 4 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 4 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW
October 5 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
October 5 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 6 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
October 6 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
October 7 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
October 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
October 8 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW
October 8 – A Holland Reads - REVIEW
October 9 – Socrates' Book Reviews – REVIEW
October 9 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 10 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW
October 10 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
October 11 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST
October 11 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
October 12 – The Montana Bookaholic – SPOTLIGHT
October 13 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER GUEST POST
Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great review on "Glitter Bomb" by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book which is on my TBR list.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Good morning Kris. Laura and I thank you so much for an awesome review. we are thrilled that you were so happy with GLITTER BOMB.
ReplyDeleteAnything set in NO sounds fun - and spooky. And this sounds like a good one Ill have to read! Congrats Laura & Terrie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris!
DeleteHi, Marlene Ezell here. I just want to say that Terrie Moran and Laura Childs are two of my favorite cozy mystery writers. I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteezellmarlene(at)gmail(dot)com
Marlene, don't forget to enter through rafflecopter.
DeleteI'm dying to read this book--ty for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love the the Scrapbooking books and can't wait to see what Shamus did this time!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the introduction for this book. Good luck with the publication and publicity.
ReplyDeleteLove the New Orleans and Mardi Gras setting of the book. Book sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI read The scrapbooking mysteries that happened in New Orleans and I loved them. Have added this to my TBR list and can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteLaura and I are so excited to see all the enthusiasm for GLITTER BOMB. Thanks you all so much. xo Terrie
ReplyDelete