Postcards from the Dead

A Scrapbooking Mystery #10

by Laura Childs

New Orleans is in the throes of another fantastic Mardi Gras celebration when the party gets crashed by a murderer…

Kimber Breeze of KBEZ-TV is broadcasting live from a hotel balcony in the French Quarter, interviewing locals and capturing the spectacle in the streets. But as Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop, waits to be interviewed next, someone sneaks onto the balcony and strangles Kimber with a cord, leaving her body dangling above the parade.

Soon after the murder, Carmela begins receiving strange postcards at her shop—signed by the late reporter. Now she and her friend Ava must risk their own necks to find out who’s posing as a ghost and expose a killer…

Scrapbooking Tips and Recipes Included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crafts

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Laura 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.

Reviews

[Marge · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read this entire series and enjoyed it. This one let me down. The characters do the same exact thing in every book. Go to a funeral, go to a party at Baby's, drive out of town to a scary location, confront Glory, roll over for Shamus etc.

The selling of the garden district house will continue for books, just like the divorce did. Carmela and Babcock only talk about the case. They have limited time together, never go on a date and when they do meet for a drink Carmela pumps him for info on the murder. She does not trust him, he is always mad at her, how is this a growing relationship. Poor Ava tries to have fun and loosen up Carmela, but when Carmela is done at an event its time to go, no respect for her friend's feelings.

Both this series and the tea shop series are disappointing lately. Owner of business states these will be busy days for the shop then proceeds to run all over town investigating leaving her staff to handle all the work. How about fulfilling your owner roll during business days and investigating on off hours.

The proof this book was lacking, it took a week to read, normally its 2 days.

[Julie P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, this book was better than some of the previous ones, but suspense? Zilch. There was more mystery and anticipation with the creepy postcards than there was with Carmela solving the actual murder. All-in-all, there was about one entire page towards the end where I thought Carmela might be in danger, but in her cozy mystery damsel in distress style, all was saved. We get it, Carmela, it helps when everyone loves you and you're pretty. We do go to a lot of parties in this book, and we do get to hear from everyone how hot Carmela is when she wears tight pants courtesy of that minx, Ava, and we do spend a lot more time working in Memory Mine, but one thing became quite clear in this book: I certainly wouldn't want to work for Carmela. She routinely takes time away from her shop, she randomly schedules appointments and leaves her store at all times throughout the day, she shows up whenever she wants and leaves Gabby running the ship, and she's really not a good shop owner. Take this quote for example, "Because Gabby seemed to be handling the onslaught of customers just fine, Carmela sat down with Tandy and decided to do a scrapbook page herself." (227) Carmela, you'd better stop phoning it in and keep your eye on Gabby because she's turning out to be a bit wacky, and you sure don't treat her very well. In addition, Carmela, it's time for some introspection and lifestyle changes. When your reader starts to sympathize with your crazy ex-sister-in-law, Glory over you, and is mentally encouraging your boyfriend, Babcock, to dump you because you really are a crappy girlfriend, then I think there's a problem with you, and not with them.

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few notes on the audio version...marble-mouthed narrator combined with strangely timed & unnecessary pauses. I thought it would be white noise as I worked, but it didn’t work.

This is the 2nd of the series I’ve read and perhaps not knowing the back story has colored my opinion of the story & the characters, but the story is weak & I do not like Carmela. She lacks most qualities heroines tend to have, except for impetuousness and lack of consideration for others.

I characterized the previous book as “Lucy & Ethel Solve Crime”. It’s unfair to Lucy & Ethel, but accurate. Carmela has no deductive skills that help her solve the crime. Everyone is suspected. Readers are repeatedly told Carmela is under 30. This is necessary because she and her friends converse as if they’re 187. What under-30 individual in the 21st century has never heard of “rufies”?

Additionally, there’s no chemistry between her and her supposed boyfriend, Detective Ed Babcock. The dating status must be qualified as “supposed” because Carmela spends more time with her ex-husband than with Babcock, whom she meets sporadically for drinks or coffee. She uses time with him to try to pry information out of him, while sharing none of her own information with him, in this case her receipt of several postcards referencing the crimes. Lucy ruined Desi’s performances, but Carmela blows a drug bust & is contrite because she may never go on another date with Babcock, not because she interfered with his job.

Weak story, unbelievable main character.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again, Carmela, the owner of a scrapbook shop in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and her very annoying friend, Ava, investigate a murder. I couldn't decide what bothered me most about this book. Was it the way Carmela leaves poor, long-suffering Gabby to run the scrapbook shop? Or the frequent mention that Carmela was still under 30? Maybe it was how modest Carmela is in terms of dress when compared to Ava? The really inane way Carmela handles her investigation at the end of the book? How about the general lack of growth in these characters?

[Brenda at MyShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live through Carmela and Ava... New Orleans, French Quarter, Mardi Gras, parties, dress-up crafts, and mayhem... The ladies give Detective Babcock, a run for his badge as they play detectives on their own...

I'm not a scrapbooker and it doesn't matter, I enjoy following this series...

[Dottie Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read.

[Susan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Carmela and Ava!! Not a fan of Babcock the detective and I think Carmela's assistant in her Memory Mine scrapbooking store is annoying, but I love reading about New Orleans and Mardi Gras and seeing what kind of trouble Ava and Carmela can get into while trying to solve a murder.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Orleans and Mardi Gras have long since been the setting for murder mysteries, but author Laura Childs puts a different spin on the concept with amateur sleuth Carmela Bertrand and POSTCARDS FROM THE DEAD.

Carmela, owner of Memory Mine Scrapbooking, is awaiting her turn in the camera spotlight when something goes terrible wrong. KBEZ-TV reporter Kimber Breeze is conducting interviews on the fourth floor balcony of a hotel in the French Quarter overlooking the Mardi Gras parade below.

Just as she’s about to be interviewed, Carmela sees Kimber’s terrified face in the waiting room’s live feed monitor. When she rushes out onto the tiny balcony, Carmela finds Kimber’s lifeless body dangling by a cord over the floats below.

Although her boyfriend, Homicide Detective Edgar Babcock, tells her not to get involved, Carmela can’t help herself. When she begins receiving unnerving postcards apparently from the dead reporter, Carmela enlists the help of her best friend Ava Gruiex to uncover the truth.

As Carmela and Ava search for the killer, they take the reader on a journey through New Orleans, its culture and its landscape. There is a nice blend of mystery, murder, mayhem, humor, a dabble of romance and even a second crime to solve. In addition, Childs incorporates friendship, loyalty and a bit of gossip involving the Scrapbooking gang.

With each new installment in this series, Childs continues to develop and enrich her characters. Following along with their progress enhances the reading experience making the characters more realistic.

Childs slowly pulls you in with each line. As she paints a picture with her words, she places the reader in the heart of the action with her characters. Before the reader realizes it, they’re spellbound unable to put the book down not wanting to leave the scene for fear of what will happen next.

POSTCARDS FROM THE DEAD is the 10th installment in the Scrapbook Mystery series, but can be read alone. There are subtle references to prior events, but they are done in such a way as not to confuse or lose new readers. The book also offers delicious New Orleans recipes, Scrapbooking tips and a preview of the next installment in Childs’ Cackleberry Club Mystery series, STAKE & EGGS, slated for release in December.

Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be in your blood to enjoy this story, only the love of a good mystery.

Postcards From The Dead by Laura Childs, A Scrapbooking Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425252758, Hardcover, 336 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author and publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copies did not influence my review.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Orleans is in the throes of another fantactic. Mardi Gras celebrates when the party gets crashed by a murderer. Now a scrapbooking sleuth is going to have to stop the partying to catch the killer.
There's a parade rolling through the historic French Quarter, with gigantic floats, and dizzying lights--and capturing the spectacle down below. Her next subject will be Carmela Bertrand, owner and of memory mine scrapbooking shop. Carmela has never been a fan of Kimber Breeze of KBEZ-TV, but she isn't about to turn down the chance of good publicity for her shop.

But before Carmela's shop gets its five minutes of fame a killer slips onto the balcony and strangles kimber with a cord leaving her body dangling above the parade. Carmela is beautiful, but she quickly discovers the nightmare isn't over. Now Carmela and her friend Ava will have to risk their own necks to find out who's posing as a ghost--and to expose a killer. Includes scrapbooking tips. Good book, and its an enjoyable fun read. Enjoy!!!!

I love reading LauraChilds books . I have read many, she's a good writer, I am amazed how she writes these stories are the places real, I can picture Carmela and Ava in New Orleans it seems so real. She's a wonderful writer. Hers books pull you into them, it's quick reading and never boring. Her books always have good plots.
Very enjoyable.

New Orleans is in the throes of another fantastic Mardi Gras celebration when the party gets crashed by a murderer . . .Kimber Breeze of KBEZ-TV is broadcasting live from a hotel balcony in the French Quarter, interviewing locals and capturing the spectacle in the streets. But as Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop, waits to be interviewed next, someone sneaks onto the balcony and strangles Kimber with a cord, leaving her body dangling above the parade.Soon after the murder, Carmela begins receiving strange postcards at her shop—signed by the late reporter. Now she and her friend Ava must risk their own necks to find out who's posing as a ghost and expose a killer . . . Scrapbooking Tips and Recipes Included!

[Danielle Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story involved the murder of Kimber Breeze, the obnoxious reporter mentioned in earlier stories. Kimber is conducting interviews on the small 4th story balcony of a hotel. As Carmela is waiting for her interview, she senses something is not right, and goes out on the balcony to find Kimber dead hanging from the railing. Shortly following, Carmela starts to receive cryptic postcards signed by Kimber. As usual, there is a long list of suspects, but Carmela chips away at the names and finally discovers the killer. Carmela and her beau go through some difficulties, since he, as usual, is bothered with her meddling. I enjoyed the story and trying to figure out the killer as well as the motive.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I like murder mysteries. I also enjoy scrapbooking. I think this is the tenth or so book in a series, but it's the first one I've read, and I had no desire to read any of the others. The story dragged, the romance between the protagonist and one of the officers...it wasn't there and not realistic at all. Additionally, while reading, I was disappointed with the dated scrapbooking material. The author must have written the book in 2006, because that's when the techniques she described in detail were really popular. Will not be looking for more, and that's kind of harsh from me. Two stars only because I was able to finish it and didn't want to toss it across the room.

[Susan Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carmella Bertrand has been my favorite character of Laura Child's. I read all three of her series. But the last few books in this series have brought a change in Carmella that I don't like. She is not as sweet and nice as she used to be. She goes to the parties and clubs with Ava all the time now, even though she is supposed to be a homebody. She treats her boyfriend badly. I don't know if I want to continue reading the series because I am disappointed in the direction the character is going. I hope the following books bring Carmella back to the heroine I admire.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this very quickly, almost skimming. The whole cast of Carmela's friends and the NOLA aspects are quirky and I'm bored with them. I didn't care about the victim or who killed her. I am more interested in Carmela's relationship with Babcock. Since it is not a romance series, but mystery, I doubt it will ever be satisfying to me.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 10th book in A Scrapbooking Mystery series. Fun cozy mystery set in New Orleans. Light and charming.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite in this series. Sadly, I think I am losing interest in this author's series. The last tea mystery had me struggling to finish, and this scrapbooking mystery felt the same way.

[della · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Carmela and Ava adventure. Can't wait for the next one!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read . . .better then some of her other books.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eh. Too much scrapbook crap. Too much Mardi Gras.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy her novels and this was no expection.

[JayeL]

Thos book was disappointing. The potential was great: New Orleans at Mardi Gras, a single woman living in the French Quarter as a main character, but the author couldn't deliver.

Carmela is attending a pre-Mardi Gras party when one of the attendees is murdered. She is warned off, but decides to investigate anyway. This is the first problem for me. Why did she decide to investigate? The police were doing their job and she even respected the officers who arrived to solve the crime?

Carmela begins to receive postcards from the victim. Second problem: she doesn't let the police know even though the investigating officer is her boyfriend, Babcock. Again, the author provides no good explanation why Carmela doesn't tell Babcock. She also doesn't consider she and the police might be able to get fingerprints or forensics and solve the crime.

Third, Carmela doesn't report a break-in to her shop when she finds the.lock has been picked to put a postcard on her desk. This was almost when I abandoned the book completely. Didn't she trust her boyfriend? Did all she care about was investigating? Clearly, their communication wasn't that good.

At this point I skipped to about and hour from the end and listened to the ending. I was surprised at the murderer, but since I didn't listen to the middle I can't say if there were clues to his identity.

I thought this was more of a nearly finished draft than a complete book.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't usually rate books and all authors do their best to write. But, for me this book just felt very one dimensional. The characters were one dimensional and the relationships between characters were one dimensional. The writing style just seems quite basic and the story just drags on where characters just move from location to location with little depth. I also found the detail about characters scrapbooking so bizarre against the backdrop of a brutal murder that's taken place. I actually just finished the book for the sake of it but it really lost me as the story went on, to the point I was just glad when it finished without caring who committed the murder. I'm not sure what the age group the book is aimed at, maybe older kids and teenagers? That might explain the scrapbook tips at the end? I feel abit mean writing this review but definitely not my cup of tea

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenges: SeriesSeptember/Books and Jams - Series not touched for a year (1); Reading Goal Post/Stacking the Series 2021 - Priority Two/Tier Six. I am fascinated by this series even though the main character is a bit flippant at times, and does not share information when appropriate and necessary with the authorities. Also, the murderer is usually not discoverable by the reader from clues in most cases, only by instinctual guess by how the author writes. Set in New Orleans, this is one of many books in the series that takes place at Mardi Gras time, but this one really illustrates the madcap energy of the celebrations. The murder is bizarre, right in front of everyone, so a bit unbelievable that there were no witnesses, but the road to the solution and the creative interludes in the scrapbooking shop still make it a fun read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting adventure. Still haven't figured out who kills whom.... On to the next.....

New Orleans is in the throes of another fantastic Mardi Gras celebration when the party gets crashed by a murderer…

Kimber Breeze of KBEZ-TV is broadcasting live from a hotel balcony in the French Quarter, interviewing locals and capturing the spectacle in the streets. But as Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop, waits to be interviewed next, someone sneaks onto the balcony and strangles Kimber with a cord, leaving her body dangling above the parade.

Soon after the murder, Carmela begins receiving strange postcards at her shop—signed by the late reporter. Now she and her friend Ava must risk their own necks to find out who’s posing as a ghost and expose a killer…

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in the series. When a TV reporter, Kimber Breeze, is murdered while covering a Mardi Gras parade from a balcony, Carmela is the unlucky person to discover the body. As the investigation goes forward, she is sent a series of postcards, purportedly from Kimber asking her to solve the crime. Carmela and her friend Ava begin to search for clues. Was it one of the guests at the party or did someone manage to slip across from an adjacent balcony? With the events of Mardi Gras and her business at the shop, Carmela must figure out who might want Kimber dead. Was it her ambitious assistant, her brother who was at risk of losing his property, or was it someone that Kimber was investigating. She and Ava must find the clues before the murderer decides they are trouble.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this did feel a bit different than her tea shop series. I’m note sure why, but maybe the characters were more vocal in this one than in Charleston. At one point, though, everyone in the story was using the same exclamations and euphemisms..so that got annoying. And her friend owned a voodoo shop, which is not my forte. There were no witchy things happening in the book just a fortune teller scene..Characters did curse in this book, too, but nothing super awful.

I will say that anyone wanting to experience a murder mystery among the Mardi Gras season would enjoy this book. I kinda liked it, but don’t see myself reading more from this author on purpose. ( except for the random paperback still left on my TBR)

[Karen Hufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly used to like this series but I'm not feeling to warm and fuzzy towards it. Carmela and Ava do not strike me as nice people (unless I'm buying a paper products). Everyone says how brilliant she is when investigating but she often just stumbles onto the truth. Her boyfriend is a detective but he listens to whatever she says without background investigating. I could go on and on. In this one, she finds Kimber Breeze dead - I realize they were never friends but she doesn't experience one once of regret that she died.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun southern mystery that takes place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I like the eclectic mix of characters. A scrapbook shop owner that is a divorced almost thirty Nancy Drew type, her voodoo shop owner sexy side kick that makes me think of the scary movie character, pain in the.. exe, handsome cop, creepy odds and ends collector, crooked businessmen and the fun loving crème de la cream of society. The not so easy crime to solve amid the festivities. A whole lot of action packed in one book. A keeper.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Postcards from the Dead is the tenth book in the Scrapbooking Mystery series. Carmela Bertrand, who owns Memory Mine, is waiting her turn to be interviewed by Kimber Breeze, a reporter from the local tv station. When Kimber is murdered before she can interview Carmela all heck breaks loose. Of course Carmela, and her best friend Ava stick their noses into the investigation. With ever changing suspects and a few twists and turns this is a great cozy mystery. Definitely recommend this book and the whole series!

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the reason I like this series is not only does the author add scrapbooking tips but she also includes recipes. Carmela is once again in the middle of a murder when she is attending a parade party and a reporter Kimber Breeze gets herself strangled almost right in front of Carmela....But things might not be as they seem since Carmela's sweetie Edgar Babcock in also in the middle of a big drug bust Carmela and her side kick Ava get into a lot of shenanigans like always a cute read and the recipes and scrapbooking tips are awesome