Sealed with a Kill

A Decoupage Mystery #3

by Lucy Lawrence

Autumn in New England brings out the changing leaves, and the leaves bring out the tourists. When Brenna Miller gets stuck as the tour guide for a group of leaf peepers, she tries to make the best of it. But it's hard to stay enthusiastic after the trial leads them straight to a dead body.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Adult, Murder Mystery, Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2011

About the author

Lucy Lawrence is a pen name for Jenn McKinlay.

Lucy Lawrence (a pseudonym for Jenn McKinlay) took her first decoupage class when she was twelve years old. Since then, cutting and pasting have become a way of life. With two small children at home, she finds decoupage a fun craft as well as a very handy tool, especially when used to cover up doodles made in permanent marker on otherwise lovely furniture. And yes, they know her by name at her local Michael's Craft Store. She is the author of three previous novels under the name Jennifer McKinlay and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her musician husband Chris, their two sons, two cats, one dog and one fish.

Reviews

[Jackie]

Fun series! You can tell it’s an early series for this author but still a fun and entertaining read

[Sarah]

I feel like this is the end of the line for the characters of Morse Point! I love this series and this setting. I want to read more!!

I facebooked the author - this is the last decoupage mystery. She did say that the characters might appear in other books but their storyline as main characters is completed.

I'd love to see them in Arizona, on vacation, buying cupcakes from our favorite duo down there!!!

[Gale Penton]

Great read and great series. I am sorry to see it end. Loved reading it.

[L.M.]

I’m sorry to see this series end! I love the setting with the cabins on the lake and there are some exciting things beginning as this book ends. Unlikely that the series would be revived since this was written about 13 years ago but I would love to see what might become of Brenna and Nate and with Tenley and her family. The mystery in this book was not much of a mystery. There really weren’t any suspects and there was one clue fairly early on that was a dead giveaway. That didn’t detract from the story for me, there was still so much going on. That’s something I’ve really enjoyed in this series, it’s mainly dialogue and all action. The books are short but packed with activity and investigation.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy]

Sealed with a Kill is the 3rd and final wonderful book in Lucy Lawrence / Jenn McKinlay's A Decoupage Mystery series. The characters are wonderful and the mystery kept me guessing. Brenna Miller works at her best friend Tenley's paper shop doing decoupage classes. Brenna's landlord and romantic interest Nate is renting one of his cabins to Sioban and Brenna isn't happy about it. A group of tourists is in town and Brenna is talked into taking them on a hike and doing a decoupage class with them. On the hike they find a dead body and it is Tenley's father's business partner. Brenna and Tenley and friends need to help clear her father and sort through the motives of the suspects. The romantic and family relationships progress nicely and everything is nicely wrapped up. This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery book and series. The audiobook is very well done. #SealedWithAKill #ADecoupageMystery #LucyLawrence #JennMcKinlay #BerkleyPrimeCrime #BerkleyPublishing

[Jenn C]

The mystery was decent (though really, there were only two obvious "suspects" from the beginning, and it's never the in-your-face one (unless the author is really devious ;)

The "love triangle" wrapped up nicely (cue sarcasm). It was too neat for me - I liked Dom and it would have been nice to have him actually give Nate a run for his money (which he really didn't). I actually liked both boys better than Brenna herself.

My other problem was that we were introduced to characters in the first book, they made singular appearances in #1 and #2 and nothing in #3. Even Ed the nosy newspaper reporter (obviously Dom didn't close the paper) made his presence known. Instead we have yet another "P" named character introduced (Paul, Portia, and now Paula).

And if Brenna didn't have an inkling that Tenley was pregnant, then she is a ditz.

[Kimberly]

I guess this is the last book in this series. With Nate and Breanna finally resolving their issues, Dom and "evil" Julie, LOL, appearing, and Tenley dealing with all her family issues, everything came together quite nicely. 
The mystery was well crafted. There were some things that were left open and will make me wonder what is going on in Morse Point. But I think that doesn't matter because the best books for me are the ones that resolve things realistically, yet make me wonder what has happened to the characters in a positive way. 

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod]

This was a nicely quiet read. It also comes with some decoupage suggestions at the end for crafters. The characters were clearly crafted and the story moved forward in a predictable formula.

[Cassie]

A reliably comforting, a little predictable, but still totally satisfying addition to the series, Sealed With a Kill leans into its formula, but in that cozy‑mystery way where you know the beats, you enjoy the beats, and you’re not mad about it. The mystery unfolds smoothly with familiar small‑town chaos, steady pacing, and just enough danger to keep things lively.

The real charm, though, is Brenna and Nate. Their slow burn continues to simmer in the background, and every book gives them a little more spark, a little more tension, and a lot of “oh, we’re definitely going somewhere… eventually.” It’s subtle but addictive, and it’s honestly what keeps me turning pages as much as the mystery itself.

Another great book that's comforting, engaging, and exactly what I wanted from this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[meghann]

I really enjoyed this last book in this series. I was just getting to the point where I was ready for the 'who will she pick' relationship drama to come to an end, and then it did. I was happy with how all of that worked out, but I do think there was some unfinished business there. I loved getting to see Tenley's dysfunctional family and how she and Brenna handled them. Standing up to others was definitely the theme of this book, which was much needed. Ella and Marie stole the show in this one, and the story about John Henry broke my heart. So tragic. This was a fun trio of books, and I can't wait to do a reread.

[Melmo2610]

I loved this series and I am so sad to see it end. This was a fun set with lovely characters, great mysteries, a beautiful setting, and lots of humor. This story was a fun read set in the fall and a good mystery of who killed the man found when Brenna's leading a group on a leaf hunt. When the body is identified as the longtime business partner of Brenna's best friends father, Brenna and Tenly go on the hunt. This story had several twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. This is a fun series and a must read for cozy mystery lovers.

[Cathy]

This was somewhere between three and four stars. I liked it more as I read further along, but I probably wouldn't re-read it now that I know whodunit.

I enjoyed reading about the fall colors, the fall leaves, the pumpkins, the hiking, the paper & stationery store, and the crafting classes. So many good things in there.

I did not guess whodunit, nor did I figure out about the law-enforcement. I did figure out about Tenley.

The twins just didn't read realistically to me. I have known several pairs of loving, elderly sisters, but these characters just seemed juvenile and silly.

[Jeanie Harper]

Breena is asked by the B&B owner to conduct the fall tour around the lake where she lives, and on the tour, they come across a dead body. Breena is started to get a little paranoid as this makes the 3rd body in 2 years that she has come across.

It is soon discovered that the deceased is the partner of Tenely's father, and, that Tenely's Dad is main suspect in the murder of his partner.

This was another good read, with comical pieces in between.

[Lorraine]

I assume this is the final book in the series, and despite some misgivings, I gave it four stars, as I grew attached to these characters.
But, again, the murder plot was pretty convoluted, and the story of Brenna's snooty neighbor was a bit much.
But, the author tied up the endings for the major characters up in a bow, so off we go to another series.

[Terri King]

Another good read

I really enjoyed this entry in the Decoupage Mystery series. I really felt like the characters were starting to develop. Disappointed, however, to find that this is the last entry. The author left too many unanswered questions and too many cliffhanger scenarios for us. If this was the last entry she should have wrapped things up a bit better.

[Brandi Moriarty]

I really enjoy this series! So sad that this series has been wrapped up, but it was wrapped up so well. I loved these characters and the mysteries they had. In this book the fall setting made me want PSL and cozy sweaters. The murder was interesting, the twists and turns were great, the telling off of family members was GREAT and I loved the ending.

[Grace]

I must say, this series really made me curious about decoupage.

The story started with going on a hike and finding fallen leaves to be used in a project then they found a body.

Also, finally the landlord stopped giving Brenna the sexy eyes and actually asked her out.

This is the last in the series.

[Alicia Peacock]

I may never decoupage but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this cozy series. This was the last one and it nicely wrapped up the three book series. I loved the writing style, the romance, the main characters and the side characters. The mystery was a little over the top but it was still fun. Just a fun cozy series.

[Linda Haring]

I enjoyed this 3 book cozy mystery series. This book wraps things up nicely. Brenna is asked by her friend Tenley to solve the murder of his father's business partner and 'uncle'. If you are looking for a comfortable, fun series to read, select this one.

[SurfsideSallie]

I enjoy a fun cozy mystery - started this one and wasn’t really sure how I felt about it… But hang in there it’s a nice cast of characters! The mysteries are fun and a nice read when the world around you is a heavy place and I need to shut off the news!

[Suzanne]

3.5 stars - wish there were more books in this series!

[Jan]

Third in the decoupage series. Quite like these characters.

[Rachel]

This was a fabulous series. I loved the mystery, characters, and resolutions. Highly recommend!

[Penny Wise]

I really liked all three of the books in this series and I wish Lucy Lawrence (Jenn McKinlay - who is one of my favorite authors!) would write more of them.

[Susan Moxley]

A great crafting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing to the very end of the Book.

[Amy Supple]

Loved this series.

[Deborah Almada]

Cute, quick easy read. An early Jenn McKinlay written under the name Lucy Lawrence. Crafting, friends and murder!

[Judy Lackner]

After reading this 3 book series I completely understand why Jenn’s books are so well loved! However, I do think there should be a 4 the book in this series!

[Bert]

Nice end to the series. The narration REALLY added to the experience.

I listened to them all through chirpbooks.com

[Claire]

I need to go back and start at the beginning now