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Gretchen Birch #1
Dolled Up for Murder
For Gretchen Birch, her mother Caroline, and her aunt Nina, doll collecting is a family affair. They may disagree on other things, but when it comes to dolls, they share a passion for the most exquisite (and expensive) creations in history. But they have never imagined that doll collecting could inspire foul play.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
67 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Deb Baker
38 books228 followersBestselling, award-winning author Deb Baker writes the hilarious Gertie Johnson mystery series set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 26, 2017
I liked the characters and look forward to reading more of this author. You have to laugh in some parts. You have Gretchen who is called to Arizona by her aunt Nina because her mother is missing after a vagrant fell off a mountain. Nina trains purse dogs, Gretchen at the moment is between jobs and Caroline (Gretchen's mom) repairs dolls.
May 15, 2015
Gretchen Birch mystery # 1 has Gretchen summoned to Phoenix by her Aunt Nina. A homeless former doll-collector has been found dead at the base of a cliff, an antique French doll’s parasol in her pocket, and a note clutched in her hand implicating Gretchen’s mother, Caroline, in her death. Now Caroline is missing and Aunt Nina insists that Gretchen come immediately to help solve the murder and clear her mother’s name.
I found the information on the dolls – given at the beginning of each chapter as excerpts from a book written by Caroline – very interesting. But the mystery plot didn’t really hold up. I realize this is a cozy and, like most of this genre, the amateur sleuth “stumbles” upon clues and hinders the investigation as much as she helps it. However, even a cozy mystery needs a good story arc to set up the mystery and explain the resolution. This seemed to be all filler. I never saw the reason for the purse-dog-training subplot, except to paint Aunt Nina as an eccentric.
And speaking of the characters ... Aunt Gertie was thrown in, played a small role and was promptly forgotten. There was not a normal person among all the doll collectors – every one was a gossip, an hysteric, down-on-his-luck, mentally unstable and/or homeless. Gretchen’s constant whining about her long-term boyfriend was tiresome. And the hunky police detective seemed to have nothing to do but follow Gretchen around. Most annoying to me, Gretchen, Aunt Nina and Caroline behaved in a manner that was just “too stupid to live.”
It’s a fast read and I finished it only because it fulfilled a challenge. Not likely to pick up another.
I found the information on the dolls – given at the beginning of each chapter as excerpts from a book written by Caroline – very interesting. But the mystery plot didn’t really hold up. I realize this is a cozy and, like most of this genre, the amateur sleuth “stumbles” upon clues and hinders the investigation as much as she helps it. However, even a cozy mystery needs a good story arc to set up the mystery and explain the resolution. This seemed to be all filler. I never saw the reason for the purse-dog-training subplot, except to paint Aunt Nina as an eccentric.
And speaking of the characters ... Aunt Gertie was thrown in, played a small role and was promptly forgotten. There was not a normal person among all the doll collectors – every one was a gossip, an hysteric, down-on-his-luck, mentally unstable and/or homeless. Gretchen’s constant whining about her long-term boyfriend was tiresome. And the hunky police detective seemed to have nothing to do but follow Gretchen around. Most annoying to me, Gretchen, Aunt Nina and Caroline behaved in a manner that was just “too stupid to live.”
It’s a fast read and I finished it only because it fulfilled a challenge. Not likely to pick up another.
September 1, 2008
This was a very good debut of a new mystery series. Gretchen Birch comes from a family of very lively women. All of them are crazy, wildly impulsive and very disorganized. Gretchen puts this down to a “renegade gene passed down through generations of Birch women”.
Gretchen gets a call from her Aunt Nina in the wee hours of the morning telling her she has to come home to Phoenix because her Mom is missing. She even went so far as to book her a flight at 7am. Caroline Birch is a doll collector and belongs to the Phoenix Dollers. She often goes off to an auction or the hunt for an antique doll without telling anyone. Gretchen wasn’t really worried but she couldn’t say ‘no’ to her Aunt.
Martha, a homeless drunk, use-to-be doll collector was murdered. That same day Caroline disappears. She takes a flight out of town. The police think she is running away. Why else would she take off right after the murder? At one time Martha owned one of the most prestigious, grandest, antique doll collections in the country. After she lost her home and all her belongings it was a mystery as to what happened to the collection. She hadn’t sold it. Where was it?
While Gretchen is in Phoenix trying to figure out exactly what happened to Martha and where her mother could be, Caroline is off trying to find a doll and win it on an eBay auction. She wants to trap “The Inspector” who has already sold one of the dolls in Martha’s collection. She knows that if she doesn’t succeed she will die.
The clues are leading Gretchen to all kinds of suspects in the doll collecting community. In the meantime Matt Albright, a local detective is convinced that Caroline pushed Martha off the mountain. It’s a race to see who will succeed - Caroline - Matt - Gretchen - the unknown Inspector?
The characters in Dolled Up for Murder are great. They range from the eccentric Aunt Nina to the homeless man Macho Nacho. The story line flows and keeps you turning pages throughout. I am looking forward to the next Doll Collectors/Birch Women mystery.
Gretchen gets a call from her Aunt Nina in the wee hours of the morning telling her she has to come home to Phoenix because her Mom is missing. She even went so far as to book her a flight at 7am. Caroline Birch is a doll collector and belongs to the Phoenix Dollers. She often goes off to an auction or the hunt for an antique doll without telling anyone. Gretchen wasn’t really worried but she couldn’t say ‘no’ to her Aunt.
Martha, a homeless drunk, use-to-be doll collector was murdered. That same day Caroline disappears. She takes a flight out of town. The police think she is running away. Why else would she take off right after the murder? At one time Martha owned one of the most prestigious, grandest, antique doll collections in the country. After she lost her home and all her belongings it was a mystery as to what happened to the collection. She hadn’t sold it. Where was it?
While Gretchen is in Phoenix trying to figure out exactly what happened to Martha and where her mother could be, Caroline is off trying to find a doll and win it on an eBay auction. She wants to trap “The Inspector” who has already sold one of the dolls in Martha’s collection. She knows that if she doesn’t succeed she will die.
The clues are leading Gretchen to all kinds of suspects in the doll collecting community. In the meantime Matt Albright, a local detective is convinced that Caroline pushed Martha off the mountain. It’s a race to see who will succeed - Caroline - Matt - Gretchen - the unknown Inspector?
The characters in Dolled Up for Murder are great. They range from the eccentric Aunt Nina to the homeless man Macho Nacho. The story line flows and keeps you turning pages throughout. I am looking forward to the next Doll Collectors/Birch Women mystery.
September 2, 2007
Not only was this a well-written mystery, the author must either be a doll-colector herself or really did her homework well. My mother and I used to be collectors of the types of dolls mentioned in the book, but the market has gone down hill dramatically the past 5 years or so as the the people who remember those types of dolls are either very up in age, or have passed on. These days, the dolls from about the 1940's onward are now the most collectable types. While there are some well-known (i. e. Barbie) or well-designed vinyl dolls; there were alot of craftmanship in the old Bisque dolls.
November 5, 2014
Gretchen is Related to Gertie from The Gertie Johnson Murder Mysteries... With that said... Deb Baker is a Great Storyteller... I was running around once again in circles trying to figure out who is involved who is The Murderer..All characters are so far fully developed till I read the the next book in the Series... Glad I found Deb Bakers books...She does know her characters so well.. And Yes the Moments that are quirky and funny Are much needed for me and hopefully you as well...
May 9, 2013
Oh boy I love it when I really like the first in a series. It had everything that I love in a cozy- kooks-animals-a good looking man and a mystery. I also love it when I do not know who done it.
October 14, 2014
Good
the way this murder and the mystery surrounding the doll collectors continues to breing more supsion off people.the ending was a surprise.
the way this murder and the mystery surrounding the doll collectors continues to breing more supsion off people.the ending was a surprise.
July 26, 2017
I was skeptical about dolls being the focus of the story; it is a unique premise but I was not sure how engaging it would be. I enjoyed this very much. Steve, a divorce attorney being commitment shy and a cheater was a bit cliche. I was glad when Gretchen finally decided to not go back to him. Not sure how I feel about Matty, he was presented as more of a nuisance than anything so I don't really have any way to gage the possible relationship. I was surprised and upset that Larry was the bad guy. His motives made sense, but I was disappointed. I liked him. I hope that things work out with Daisy working for Nina. I hope something good can happen for Nacho. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2020
Intriguing
I had no idea that doll collecting was such a big business. Gretchen rushed to Arizona when she gets a phone call that her mother is missing. Her mother has a lucrative doll repair business. She has disappeared after one of the doll collectors is murdered, making her the prime suspect. Gretchen and her mother's sister take On the task of solving the murder, since they know Gretchen's mother, Caroline, wouldn't do such a thing. Lots of quirky characters, and a story filled with mystery and intrigue. Great read.
I had no idea that doll collecting was such a big business. Gretchen rushed to Arizona when she gets a phone call that her mother is missing. Her mother has a lucrative doll repair business. She has disappeared after one of the doll collectors is murdered, making her the prime suspect. Gretchen and her mother's sister take On the task of solving the murder, since they know Gretchen's mother, Caroline, wouldn't do such a thing. Lots of quirky characters, and a story filled with mystery and intrigue. Great read.
March 26, 2018
Cover/Title: The title was intriguing. The synopsis clinched it for me.
Characters: The characters were interesting. Gretchen's family is definitely one of a kind.
Plot: Gretchen's mother disappears after a woman is found dead. Gretchen and her crazy aunt try to solve the murder and find her missing mother.
Overall: This is a quaint little mystery. I really enjoyed her two aunts as they both seem to be crazy fun.
Characters: The characters were interesting. Gretchen's family is definitely one of a kind.
Plot: Gretchen's mother disappears after a woman is found dead. Gretchen and her crazy aunt try to solve the murder and find her missing mother.
Overall: This is a quaint little mystery. I really enjoyed her two aunts as they both seem to be crazy fun.
August 1, 2018
An exciting murder mystery set in the world of the antique doll trade.
When Gretchen gets a frantic call from Aunt Nina her mother has been accused of killing another local doll collector Gretchen instantly rushes to Phoenix to try and clear her name.
But in a town FULL of doll enthusiasts and dealers, where does she start as everyone seems to have a motive...
When Gretchen gets a frantic call from Aunt Nina her mother has been accused of killing another local doll collector Gretchen instantly rushes to Phoenix to try and clear her name.
But in a town FULL of doll enthusiasts and dealers, where does she start as everyone seems to have a motive...
April 20, 2019
A nice,Twisty plot!.
Overall written better than the average mystery but suffers slightly from a lack of professional editing to catch errors and ensure quality. Still all in all a good absorbing read to relax 1 in the evening. Characters are created in enough depth to have real emotions.
Overall written better than the average mystery but suffers slightly from a lack of professional editing to catch errors and ensure quality. Still all in all a good absorbing read to relax 1 in the evening. Characters are created in enough depth to have real emotions.
April 15, 2021
Dolls are creepy, IMO. However, the story and mystery were okay as long as I skimmed over the descriptions of what the author at least thinks is so amazing about dolls. Enjoyed some of the characters and the descriptions. Not high on my list of series to continue, but I might eventually.
January 5, 2025
A new series I just started with only 3 books in it. I don't usually read about doll collection , but these are great books, yes I am already on to the 2nd book in the series. Deb is a good writer and really knows how to flesh out her characters and plot.
January 24, 2017
Gretchen Birch
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series which I have purchased.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series which I have purchased.
June 11, 2017
very good
June 20, 2020
A fun read. Laced with humor and mystery
July 11, 2020
was the adventurer of course
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
August 16, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this. The characters were good which made up for the plot being just ok. I would like to read the next book to see if the series gets any better.
August 6, 2014
Gretchen Birch receives a frantic phone call in the early hours of the morning from her aunt in Arizona. She is told that her mother, Caroline, has gone missing and one of the neighbours has been found dead on the hill behind her mother's house. Thinking that her aunt Nina's tendency to exaggerate and be dramatic might be at the bottom of this "crisis" she heads to Arizona anyway, to find out why her aunt is so worried. When she gets to her mother's house, Gretchen soon realises something is really wrong, especially when she finds that the only thing missing out of all of Caroline's personal belongings appears to be her car - even her toothbrush is still in the bathroom.
What follows is a race to find out what really happened to the neighbour, Martha, who police now believe was murdered and as Caroline has become the chief suspect due to what appears to be an incriminating note found in Martha's hand, time is running out.
This story is really interesting in many ways. It takes the reader on a journey into the world of the Doll Trade and provides some great insight into the restoration, buying, selling and collecting of antique dolls of all kinds. The murder victim was obsessed with dolls which were like children to her. She once had a extensive and highly valuable collection, but, due to her inability to stop buying more and more expensive pieces, she got in trouble with the bank and lost her home, her collection and ultimately became an alcoholic vagrant living on the streets with other people down on their luck.
Really, I should rate this book 3 1/2 stars. In spite of the story being quite suspenseful and there being several possible suspects, it lost a lot of ground with me because of the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout. It would have really benefitted from another edit. As far as the quality of the mystery goes, I had the culprit figured out about 60% of the way through but it was an interesting read, none-the-less.
If you like a fairly decent murder mystery and are interested or would like to know more about the world of dolls, then this is the book for you.
What follows is a race to find out what really happened to the neighbour, Martha, who police now believe was murdered and as Caroline has become the chief suspect due to what appears to be an incriminating note found in Martha's hand, time is running out.
This story is really interesting in many ways. It takes the reader on a journey into the world of the Doll Trade and provides some great insight into the restoration, buying, selling and collecting of antique dolls of all kinds. The murder victim was obsessed with dolls which were like children to her. She once had a extensive and highly valuable collection, but, due to her inability to stop buying more and more expensive pieces, she got in trouble with the bank and lost her home, her collection and ultimately became an alcoholic vagrant living on the streets with other people down on their luck.
Really, I should rate this book 3 1/2 stars. In spite of the story being quite suspenseful and there being several possible suspects, it lost a lot of ground with me because of the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout. It would have really benefitted from another edit. As far as the quality of the mystery goes, I had the culprit figured out about 60% of the way through but it was an interesting read, none-the-less.
If you like a fairly decent murder mystery and are interested or would like to know more about the world of dolls, then this is the book for you.
February 7, 2017
Love the authentic Phoenix setting in this cozy mystery that features the doll collecting industry. I bought all 4 books in the series and can't wait for the next. I'm sure I will quickly read through all of them as they are a bit addictive.
March 18, 2012
Dolled Up for Murder offers an engrossing puzzle, a clever and balanced use of the world of doll collection to create the plot, parallel action juxtaposed between Gretchen Birch and her mother – all set in the extreme heat and monsoons of Arizona. I recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries.
The author advances the mystery chapter by chapter, and provides a series of clues that could enable us to guess whodunnit. As a mystery aficionado, I pride myself on my ability to identify the bad guy, and I kicked myself when I realized I had missed it. The author uses her characters to assign idiosyncrasies– some engaging and some annoying – that draw us into the mystery and help create the clues. She builds suspense also through the use of parallel settings and actions of Gretchen and her mother. She uses the monsoons common to Phoenix to compound the problems confronting Gretchen as she tries to solve the murder for which her mother is being blamed.
I truly appreciated this mystery and its puzzle pieces that the author offered us. I look forward to reading more of the Gretchen Birch mysteries.
NOTE TO KINDLE READERS: I encourage you to read this well-written mystery despite the many formatting errors. And I encourage the author to re-format and re-submit the book.
The author advances the mystery chapter by chapter, and provides a series of clues that could enable us to guess whodunnit. As a mystery aficionado, I pride myself on my ability to identify the bad guy, and I kicked myself when I realized I had missed it. The author uses her characters to assign idiosyncrasies– some engaging and some annoying – that draw us into the mystery and help create the clues. She builds suspense also through the use of parallel settings and actions of Gretchen and her mother. She uses the monsoons common to Phoenix to compound the problems confronting Gretchen as she tries to solve the murder for which her mother is being blamed.
I truly appreciated this mystery and its puzzle pieces that the author offered us. I look forward to reading more of the Gretchen Birch mysteries.
NOTE TO KINDLE READERS: I encourage you to read this well-written mystery despite the many formatting errors. And I encourage the author to re-format and re-submit the book.
May 18, 2013
Gretchen lives in Boston, she has just lost her job and her boyfriend of 7 years has a list of priorities that do not necessarily include Gretchen. When her aunt Nina calls to tell her she must come to Phoenix immediately, there is a murder and her mother, Caroline, is missing, after a small amount of resistance, Gretchen flies to an adventure.
This is a good mystery. The police think Gretchen's mother is the murderer. Gretchen and Nina know that is simply not possible.
We meet some homeless people and many doll collectors. Caroline runs a business restoring and repairing dolls.
The business is very competitive but generally does not include murder.
During all the mystery, Gretchen is dealing with an unfaithful "fiancee" who has dragged things out for 7 years. She realizes that her life has become orbital around his center of the universe life.
Gretchen also meets a policeman who strongly believes in Caroline's guilt and has plans to arrest her as soon as she is found. He seems to like Gretchen for herself, not what she can do for him.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
Deb Baker is a talented author who creates interesting plots and characters who are people who keep the plot moving along.
I say get this book and enjoy.
This is a good mystery. The police think Gretchen's mother is the murderer. Gretchen and Nina know that is simply not possible.
We meet some homeless people and many doll collectors. Caroline runs a business restoring and repairing dolls.
The business is very competitive but generally does not include murder.
During all the mystery, Gretchen is dealing with an unfaithful "fiancee" who has dragged things out for 7 years. She realizes that her life has become orbital around his center of the universe life.
Gretchen also meets a policeman who strongly believes in Caroline's guilt and has plans to arrest her as soon as she is found. He seems to like Gretchen for herself, not what she can do for him.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
Deb Baker is a talented author who creates interesting plots and characters who are people who keep the plot moving along.
I say get this book and enjoy.
May 26, 2013
This is the first book in the Gretchen Birch mysteries by Deb Baker, and sees Gretchen return to Phoenix after her Aunt Nina calls her and advises that her mom is missing. She lands in Phoenix and discovers more than just the mystery of her mother's disappearance. Someone has killed homeless Martha, and her mother is the prime suspect.
Being a doll collector I was really interested in seeing what this series was all about. I loved the mention of all the different kinds of dolls, and life as a doll collector and doll repairs and sales. The mystery wrapped me up quickly and I was trying to guess why Gretchen's mom, Caroline, was missing and also who wanted Martha dead.
The author shows the mystery from not just Gretchen's point of view, but also from Caroline. I liked the way Deb Baker did this because you don't usually see the different point of views like that.
I think this series will highly appeal to doll collectors but non-collectors will find it a fun series as well.
Being a doll collector I was really interested in seeing what this series was all about. I loved the mention of all the different kinds of dolls, and life as a doll collector and doll repairs and sales. The mystery wrapped me up quickly and I was trying to guess why Gretchen's mom, Caroline, was missing and also who wanted Martha dead.
The author shows the mystery from not just Gretchen's point of view, but also from Caroline. I liked the way Deb Baker did this because you don't usually see the different point of views like that.
I think this series will highly appeal to doll collectors but non-collectors will find it a fun series as well.
November 1, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 3, 2009
What a treat! I received the four books in Deb Baker's Gretchen Birch series for Christmas, and I thoroughly enjoyed this first one. There were interesting characters and relationships (human, canine and feline), a great setting so wonderfully described (the metro Phoenix area), and an intriguing mystery. Tidbits about the world of doll collecting were a delicious icing on an already tasty cake. I can't wait to move on to the next book in the series, "Good-bye Dolly".
For folks like me who have also read Deb's "Yooper" series, the references to Gretchen's aunt Gertie and cousin Blaze were a fun side note in the book as well.
For folks like me who have also read Deb's "Yooper" series, the references to Gretchen's aunt Gertie and cousin Blaze were a fun side note in the book as well.
November 30, 2013
With no idea what to expect on a Doll Murder Mystery, I started with this book.
Gretchen rushes to Arizona because Martha, a friend of her mother, is murdered and her mother is the main suspect. Nina, Gretchen's aunt and Purse Dog trainer, helps Gretchen in the search for what happened to Martha and prove her mothers innocence.
The book was funny, well written and had a good plot. I sort of had the real murderer in mind, but wasn't 100% sure. I also liked the skipping from Gretchen to her mother's dialogue and adventure at the end of most chapters.
All in all a good book and I will certainly continue reading the other books in this series.
Gretchen rushes to Arizona because Martha, a friend of her mother, is murdered and her mother is the main suspect. Nina, Gretchen's aunt and Purse Dog trainer, helps Gretchen in the search for what happened to Martha and prove her mothers innocence.
The book was funny, well written and had a good plot. I sort of had the real murderer in mind, but wasn't 100% sure. I also liked the skipping from Gretchen to her mother's dialogue and adventure at the end of most chapters.
All in all a good book and I will certainly continue reading the other books in this series.
July 23, 2016
I will admit when I first started reading this book I didn't like it and had a hard time getting into it. I put it aside and decided to revist the book and I am glad I did. I thought the story was well written with very interesting and likable characters. I was kept guessing until the end who the culprit was. I enjoyed the author's attention to detail with the information about doll collecting, I didn't feel it was too much or not enough. I also enjoyed how she brought in the characters from her other series (I enjoy Gertie Johnson very much). I look forward to reading more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews