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A Scrapbooking Mystery #8
Fiber & Brimstone
With its history of spooky folklore, New Orleans offers the perfect atmosphere for Halloween. Scrappy sleuth Carmela Bertrand is getting into the spirit by building a giant puppet for the French Quarter's Halloween Monsters and Mayhem parade. But things get terrifying earlier than expected when she overhears an argument between Jekyll Hardy and Brett Fowler-and minutes later, finds Fowler's lifeless body.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 5, 2010
10 people are currently reading
942 people want to read
About the author
Laura Childs
93 books2,253 followersLaura Childs is a pseudonym for Gerry Schmitt and she is the best-selling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbook Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.
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 fund raising 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.
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!
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.
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 fund raising 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.
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!
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 6, 2011
Oh Carmela, you of the eyes the color of the Gulf of Mexico, what happened to you? You started out this series as a nice and thoughtful protagonist, frustrated by your soon to be ex-husband and his antics, and you've turned into a downright stuck up snob. Tell me, Carmela, is there really a mystery here that you're "trying" to solve, or has this series just become a vehicle for you and Ava to go from party to party? You're even nasty to your seemingly perfect and thankfully (for you) designer-clad boyfriend, Edgar Babcock. You leave a lot unresolved in this book, Carmela, especially the why and how regarding at least one of the murders. In addition, even though you've already proven your brilliance with design, if you keep ditching Gabby to run the store while you head out for one delicious meal after another she might strike out and start her own store. Get your act together, Carmela.
August 22, 2011
I have enjoyed this whole series, and I enjoyed this book just about as much, although I was completely mistified by the murdered! I had no idea, it caught me completely off guard!
Now, I have to say that Carmela was a little, well many a bit more than a little snarky this whole book, in fact she seemed really off, maybe PMS or something, but she started out so sweet and this book she was anything but sweet.
Also, Ava was really off this book too. She is normally the height of fashion, so confident and sure of herself, and in this book, she was clingly and so afraid. It was so not like her.
Not sure what happened, don't know if this is suppose to be growth of character's but I did not like the unconfident and whiney Ava, or the snarky and mean Carmela. I'm also getting a little tired of Quigg always taking advantage of Carmela. She is a good person, does good work, but he is a little too much. Maybe Babcock calling him a sleazy slimeball is almost on target.
I loved the southern charm, the holiday spirit and the New Orleans flavor of the book, but I felt abandoned by the characters I had come to enjoy so much throughout the series, almost as if I was reading a different series altogether.
So, if you didn't like the previous books in the series, you might enjoy this one, but if you did like the previous books, be forewarned.
Now, I have to say that Carmela was a little, well many a bit more than a little snarky this whole book, in fact she seemed really off, maybe PMS or something, but she started out so sweet and this book she was anything but sweet.
Also, Ava was really off this book too. She is normally the height of fashion, so confident and sure of herself, and in this book, she was clingly and so afraid. It was so not like her.
Not sure what happened, don't know if this is suppose to be growth of character's but I did not like the unconfident and whiney Ava, or the snarky and mean Carmela. I'm also getting a little tired of Quigg always taking advantage of Carmela. She is a good person, does good work, but he is a little too much. Maybe Babcock calling him a sleazy slimeball is almost on target.
I loved the southern charm, the holiday spirit and the New Orleans flavor of the book, but I felt abandoned by the characters I had come to enjoy so much throughout the series, almost as if I was reading a different series altogether.
So, if you didn't like the previous books in the series, you might enjoy this one, but if you did like the previous books, be forewarned.
December 23, 2013
Fiber & Brimstone by Laura Childs shows why the best place to be on Halloween is in New Orleans. I love the references to New Orleans food specialties, history that is full ghosts and creatures, and fun celebrations. There were too many parties for me. But it was interesting to see a different side to Carmela and Ava. It must have been Halloween that brought out their dark side.
The murder was secondary to the characters. I like the murder weapon for the first one. The scrapbooking tips were in keeping with the Halloween theme and I would like to try the Neon Voodoo Cocktail. I got a little irritated that Carmela and her boyfriend didn’t try to understand each other.
I think that what I like the best about this series is the theme about the uniqueness of New Orleans. The story kept me reading but how do they have energy for all those parties?
The murder was secondary to the characters. I like the murder weapon for the first one. The scrapbooking tips were in keeping with the Halloween theme and I would like to try the Neon Voodoo Cocktail. I got a little irritated that Carmela and her boyfriend didn’t try to understand each other.
I think that what I like the best about this series is the theme about the uniqueness of New Orleans. The story kept me reading but how do they have energy for all those parties?
August 3, 2011
A perfunctory rendition of what seems to be the standard outline for American craft-themed mysteries... fight with perfect boyfriend... tips on hostessing and theme craft... fabulous gay friend and Holly Golightly BFF... and so on.
I did have to give it one star because it made me laugh so hard. The author clearly knows so little about wine making and grape growing that I nearly fell over giggling when I read her descriptions. Cabernet and Beaujolais and Chardonnay and Shiraz and Syrah all growing near New Orleans? And the winery went from planting to serving in a restaurant in year or so? Hilarious!
Won't be reading any more books from this series or this author.
I did have to give it one star because it made me laugh so hard. The author clearly knows so little about wine making and grape growing that I nearly fell over giggling when I read her descriptions. Cabernet and Beaujolais and Chardonnay and Shiraz and Syrah all growing near New Orleans? And the winery went from planting to serving in a restaurant in year or so? Hilarious!
Won't be reading any more books from this series or this author.
March 5, 2020
This is a great series and this was a great read. I love that it takes place near home. Great characters and plot. I am sorry about who did it but glad that Carmela and Babcock get back together.
May 26, 2011
This book was more of the same - the heroine who is too good looking with her gorgeous friend who do nothing but eat and drink and solve mysteries while handsome rich men fall all over them. Perhaps I'm in a bad mood, but this wasn't my favourite in the series nor was it much of a mystery.
I really enjoy the tea shop mysteries of this author, more of a cozy style, and a better variety of characters.
Honestly, couldn't the heroine ever get a zit, gain 5 pounds, have a pregnancy scare, or break a 4 inch stiletto heel while chasing down the bad guy?
Some of the scenes in this book seemed Scooby Doo-ish. How did the bad guy follow them to the winery, get a boat (know they were getting on a boat?) and then attack them? How did the fake Mr Bones find them? How did the psycho ex-sister-in-law know she was thinking about selling the house? Where the heck did the clues to the treasure go to and who found it? Don't any of these people spend any time at their jobs? In the entire book she fed her dogs a few times and walked them once - bad pet owner!
Even the recipes at the back of this book didn't interest me enough to try any, whereas the last tea shop one had 3 that I tried.
I think I'll take a break from this author for a while.
I really enjoy the tea shop mysteries of this author, more of a cozy style, and a better variety of characters.
Honestly, couldn't the heroine ever get a zit, gain 5 pounds, have a pregnancy scare, or break a 4 inch stiletto heel while chasing down the bad guy?
Some of the scenes in this book seemed Scooby Doo-ish. How did the bad guy follow them to the winery, get a boat (know they were getting on a boat?) and then attack them? How did the fake Mr Bones find them? How did the psycho ex-sister-in-law know she was thinking about selling the house? Where the heck did the clues to the treasure go to and who found it? Don't any of these people spend any time at their jobs? In the entire book she fed her dogs a few times and walked them once - bad pet owner!
Even the recipes at the back of this book didn't interest me enough to try any, whereas the last tea shop one had 3 that I tried.
I think I'll take a break from this author for a while.
November 7, 2015
A globulous giant head, evil grin stretched wide across its glowing orange face, teeth jagged as a buzz saw, bobbed and pecked at the air above Carmela Bertrand's head.
Carmela and Ava are building a monster puppet for the Halloween Monsters and Mayhem parade when krewe member is murdered. Their friend Jekyl is considered a suspect. Carmela's boyfriend, homicide detective Edgar Babcock, asks her to stay out of the investigation. Of course that does not happen when a friend is involved. We soon learn that the murder victim was involved in shady dealings and any number of people wanted him dead.
I'm not quite sure why I don't connect with these characters. I adore other series by the author. It annoys me that everyone refers to Carmela's beau by his first and last name. I just don't feel the click between them or any of the others in the storyline. I'm not a scrapbooker but that really should not take away from the story. In fact, I enjoy the tips and tidbits provided. Carmela and Ava seem to get into situations that just make me want to smack them. I have also read this series out of order which is something I rarely do. However I don't believe that I will continue.
Carmela and Ava are building a monster puppet for the Halloween Monsters and Mayhem parade when krewe member is murdered. Their friend Jekyl is considered a suspect. Carmela's boyfriend, homicide detective Edgar Babcock, asks her to stay out of the investigation. Of course that does not happen when a friend is involved. We soon learn that the murder victim was involved in shady dealings and any number of people wanted him dead.
I'm not quite sure why I don't connect with these characters. I adore other series by the author. It annoys me that everyone refers to Carmela's beau by his first and last name. I just don't feel the click between them or any of the others in the storyline. I'm not a scrapbooker but that really should not take away from the story. In fact, I enjoy the tips and tidbits provided. Carmela and Ava seem to get into situations that just make me want to smack them. I have also read this series out of order which is something I rarely do. However I don't believe that I will continue.
November 27, 2010
I usually enjoy each new book from Laura Child's three series, but this one seemed to wander around New Orleans aimlessly while Carmella and Ava neglected their shops. I had solved the "who" of the mystery well before the end, but not the "why." Some of the fun characters in this series, Tandy and Baby, barely got a mention and there wasn't much scrapbooking either. Definitely not this author's best effort.
December 24, 2010
Don't know why I keep getting these books out of the library. The woman who thinks she smarter than the police and gets insulted because they don't appreciate her butting into a murder investigation because she's 'bored'.
Seems to be a standard fare for all the 'theme' mysteries.
Seems to be a standard fare for all the 'theme' mysteries.
July 13, 2022
The 8th book in A Scrapbooking Mystery series. Fun cozy mystery set in New Orleans. Light and charming.
September 24, 2023
I love Cozy Mysteries! Especially Laura Childs Scrapbook Mysteries and most especially her characters Carmella Bertrand the owner of a scrapbook shop called 'Memory Mine' and the trouble she and her best friend Ava Gruiex could get into... deep in the New Orlean's French Quarter. In between all of the crafts, scrapbooking and the love of her life, Detective Edgar Babcock. There is always something exciting dining out in all of the fancy Cajun Restaurants and neighborhood cafe's or there was terrifying happenings of all kinds going on...mysteries, murders, friends being killed, Ex-family members, or not so much her friends, (after all that were trying to kill her.) Carmella always seems to be on call by businesses all over town and beyond, because of her many talents in so many things. With her main squeeze forbidding her from getting too involved in his murder cases, or to become involved at all! Which seemed to be out of her control as she was always in the wrong place at the wrong time... which gets her in trouble with Edgar Babcock, and him in trouble with the NOPD. So, it comes down to Carmella, she would have to protect herself and Ava from being found out while she tries too single-handedly solve the murders by herself. and prove she wasn't involved in these crimes or get herself killed while trying.
November 8, 2017
As Halloween approaches, New Orleans scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand and her best friend Ava Gruiex seem to be stumbling across dead bodies wherever they go, which puts a strain on the relationship between Carmela and her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock, who would prefer that Carmela leave the investigating to him. As Carmela and Ava work on their puppet for the Monsters and Mayhem Parade, attend Halloween parties and lead a vampire tour of the city, they always seem to be in the middle of all the action, whether they intend to or not.
This is a great book to read if you're looking to get into the Halloween spirit. The author does a wonderful job describing New Orleans, making you feel as if you are right there along with Carmela and Ava, celebrating the spooky season of Halloween. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I will definitely be reading more. It was a lot of fun!
This is a great book to read if you're looking to get into the Halloween spirit. The author does a wonderful job describing New Orleans, making you feel as if you are right there along with Carmela and Ava, celebrating the spooky season of Halloween. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I will definitely be reading more. It was a lot of fun!
March 3, 2022
#8 in the Scrapbooking series, and really just more of the same. I bought several of these in the series for a book challenge, and I am happy to say I have read the last of them. As Poe said in The Raven; NEVERMORE!
Ava continues to wear revealing clothing and call Camila 'cher' a billion times through the book...Camela continues to bungle her way through investigating and almost once again gets herself killed. Later, rinse, repeat.
The best characters in this book are the two dogs.
Childs does introduce wine to the series, which had my attention. She mentions Camela and Ava taste a blend of Shiraz and Syrah. Bah. The lady does not know her wine. The most basic difference between Syrah and Shiraz is where they're from. Syrah is from France, and Shiraz is from Australia. France is both the spiritual and literal homeland of the Syrah grape.
I did figure out who the murderer was because he was really our only choice.
1 1/2 stars at the most.
Ava continues to wear revealing clothing and call Camila 'cher' a billion times through the book...Camela continues to bungle her way through investigating and almost once again gets herself killed. Later, rinse, repeat.
The best characters in this book are the two dogs.
Childs does introduce wine to the series, which had my attention. She mentions Camela and Ava taste a blend of Shiraz and Syrah. Bah. The lady does not know her wine. The most basic difference between Syrah and Shiraz is where they're from. Syrah is from France, and Shiraz is from Australia. France is both the spiritual and literal homeland of the Syrah grape.
I did figure out who the murderer was because he was really our only choice.
1 1/2 stars at the most.
March 25, 2020
Another exciting adventure from Carmela & Ava....
With the help of her best friend Ava, Carmela Bertrand is building a giant monster puppet for the Halloween Monsters & Mayhem parade. Things get terrifying earlier than expected when they overhear an argument between Jekyl Hardy and Brett Fowler- and just minutes later they find Fowler's dead body.
Carmela has known Jekyl for years and can't believe he'd ever resort to murder, despite the fact that Fowler owed him money. But when another victim is discovered-who also had an unfriendly relationship with Jekyl-Carmela is convinced someone is framing her friend and now must find a way to unmask the real killer.
With the help of her best friend Ava, Carmela Bertrand is building a giant monster puppet for the Halloween Monsters & Mayhem parade. Things get terrifying earlier than expected when they overhear an argument between Jekyl Hardy and Brett Fowler- and just minutes later they find Fowler's dead body.
Carmela has known Jekyl for years and can't believe he'd ever resort to murder, despite the fact that Fowler owed him money. But when another victim is discovered-who also had an unfriendly relationship with Jekyl-Carmela is convinced someone is framing her friend and now must find a way to unmask the real killer.
June 22, 2023
A good book for a mediocre reader (preferably one who doesn't bristle at the term "the little woman"). I think I might have read this before as the first few pages seemed very familiar (or maybe that's as far as I got the first time, I'm not sure, LOL). At any rate, I'm taking credit for it now so I don't pick it up again. Hey, it was a quarter at a church booksale. I do have some confusion as to how someone can possibly write so many inane books and keep writing them, and keep getting them published; but then I don't read Dr. Seuss either. Someone has to do it I suppose. Not bad writing, just maybe aimed at the under high school reading level crowd. At least they are reading.
June 20, 2020
Challenges: RRRCs September 2019 (belated) - Published in 2010 (3); Steeped in Books/Stacking the Series - Level 7d/Book 8. The glamour and glitter of Halloween celebrations in New Orleans eclipse the plot of this mystery, but the descriptive ambiance of the city coupled with a plethora of events attended by Carmela and Ava make this a great read for All Hallow's Eve. Creativity and romance also move to the back burner due to all the festivities and the frenetic energy of a somewhat unresolved treasure hunt.
June 29, 2020
Carmela Bertrand and her friend, Ava Grieux have designed a monster for the Halloween Monsters and Mayhem Parade for the Art Institute. One night while at the Pluvius krewe den they discover Brett Fowler, the head of the Pluvius krewe murdered in the parking lot. How Carmela and Ava discover the killer of Brett Fowler and the answer to the mystery makes for an fascinating read. I am really enjoying this series.
January 26, 2023
With its history of spooky folklore, New Orleans offers the perfect atmosphere for Halloween. Scrappy sleuth Carmela Bertrand is getting into the spirit by building a giant puppet for the French Quarter's Halloween Monsters and Mayhem parade. But things get terrifying earlier than expected when she overhears an argument between Jekyll Hardy and Brett Fowler-and minutes later, finds Fowler's lifeless body.
June 1, 2017
Although I generally love Laura Childs' writing, this installment of the Scrapbooking Mystery series left a lot to be desired. Repetitive wording and descriptions abound, and the plot floundered. The mystery took a back seat to talk of events, ballets, and Carmela's over dramatized, juvenile relationship. Hoping the next book will be better.
October 8, 2018
The atmosphere and colour and fun that New Orleans has at Halloween sparkle out of this story, I enjoyed that more than the mystery but that added to it all. Carmella wasn’t her usual sweet self but everyone has off days. Glad she got back with Babcock at the end as she was really silly in her falling out with him. I really enjoyed the story.
June 22, 2021
It's been over 9 years since I read the last one in this series, but all the characters easily came back to me. Nice, light reads with a lot of interesting facts on New Orleans, and I love descriptions, not lacking, not overdone.
June 21, 2022
Book number 8 in this series and not one of my favorites. There is way too much going on at once. Once again, the murderer (thief) was dating Ava. It seems that all you have to do is see who is sniffing around Ava and you will know who did it. Hope that stops as I enter book 8.
March 18, 2018
A favorite series, finished reading this while I was in New Orleans
May 27, 2018
i don't know why it took me so long to find this series. Such fun and this was just another solid addition to the body of work.
December 19, 2018
A real page turner right up until the end!
June 24, 2019
Fun New Orleans setting
November 30, 2019
Love this author and her New Orleans series
February 11, 2020
Fun characters with many adventures. Enjoy the mysteries.
October 4, 2021
Great mystery set in New Orleans at Halloween
July 24, 2022
Loved it couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews