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Murder By Design: ...dreams of haute couture!
Gillianne Wilder, twenty-one, a girl from the sticks of western Washington, struggles to bring her dream to reality as a fashion designer.
Lack of money is a high hurdle. Living with her grandfather, and working as a casino barmaid, she saves her tips to take classes in Seattle. With her eye to one day having her own clothing label, the redhead, keeps her eye on the prize, leaving men smitten with her beauty in her wake—a preacher, an American Indian law student, and a NY fashion designer. It isn’t until a newspaper reporter appears on her door step that she pauses to take a second look.
But reporter Skip Hunter has no time for women. He is driven to become a N.Y. Times best-selling mystery writer using his reporting of crime on the streets of Seattle as fodder.
Will the New York designer who borrows Gillianne’s sketches end her dream? Will a heist of a billion dollars worth of gold bullion give the reporter his big break? Will the intersection of their lives drive the pair into each other’s arms? Or, will their life plans, force them apart?
Lack of money is a high hurdle. Living with her grandfather, and working as a casino barmaid, she saves her tips to take classes in Seattle. With her eye to one day having her own clothing label, the redhead, keeps her eye on the prize, leaving men smitten with her beauty in her wake—a preacher, an American Indian law student, and a NY fashion designer. It isn’t until a newspaper reporter appears on her door step that she pauses to take a second look.
But reporter Skip Hunter has no time for women. He is driven to become a N.Y. Times best-selling mystery writer using his reporting of crime on the streets of Seattle as fodder.
Will the New York designer who borrows Gillianne’s sketches end her dream? Will a heist of a billion dollars worth of gold bullion give the reporter his big break? Will the intersection of their lives drive the pair into each other’s arms? Or, will their life plans, force them apart?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2014
286 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 20, 2020
An excellent read that lasts much longer than the usual 'read in an hour' type cosy mystery. There are interesting and well described characters, a new part of the USA (for me) to explore and even a cute cat and a dog to laugh with.
The main character is a girl who aspires to make it in the tough world of fashion. She determined and hard working and grateful that her family is giving her a chance to make it in the demanding world she has chosen. Along the way, Gilliane meets good looking guys and wonderful supportive women plus a villain or two for added spice. It's also nice to see the reporter treated with more sympathy than the heartless newshound persona the press often gets in books.
Yes I will be buying book 2
The main character is a girl who aspires to make it in the tough world of fashion. She determined and hard working and grateful that her family is giving her a chance to make it in the demanding world she has chosen. Along the way, Gilliane meets good looking guys and wonderful supportive women plus a villain or two for added spice. It's also nice to see the reporter treated with more sympathy than the heartless newshound persona the press often gets in books.
Yes I will be buying book 2
July 4, 2023
What an amazing book, the first in a mystery series I can't wait to continue. So many things I loved about it:
. the setting, Seattle and the surrounding islands (I just returned from a week there, and it was great fun recognizing places, including Ivar's Salmon Bar).
. the mystery, actually there were two, the mysterious death of a young man, and the million dollar heist of gold bullion that remarkably came together at the end.
. the characters: Gillianne, the eager young aspiring fashion designer, her friend, Maria, her family, Gramps & her parents, Hawk, the Native American casino operator, Skip, the hotshot young reporter, focused on the story (stories) and making connections. Best of all Agatha, the Basset Hound!
.the inside look at the fashion industry, the design school, the competitions, the hard work to fulfill one's dreams.
I really loved the book and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
. the setting, Seattle and the surrounding islands (I just returned from a week there, and it was great fun recognizing places, including Ivar's Salmon Bar).
. the mystery, actually there were two, the mysterious death of a young man, and the million dollar heist of gold bullion that remarkably came together at the end.
. the characters: Gillianne, the eager young aspiring fashion designer, her friend, Maria, her family, Gramps & her parents, Hawk, the Native American casino operator, Skip, the hotshot young reporter, focused on the story (stories) and making connections. Best of all Agatha, the Basset Hound!
.the inside look at the fashion industry, the design school, the competitions, the hard work to fulfill one's dreams.
I really loved the book and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
February 17, 2020
Cute little read. Enjoyed it, although I was appalled by the insensitivity of Gillianne to her family's monetary plight. It is all about her. She must save enough money to go to design school, family be damned. So, she continues to freeload on Mom and Dad and Gramps because when she becomes famous she can take care of them, ignoring the fact that they might not survive financially until that time. The fact that she can go to design at a later date, when things in the family are financially better, is superfluous to her. The money she makes is for her and her alone. Talk about being selfish and self-absorbed, she tops the list.
Good story, lousy heroine. I'll pass on any future books.
Good story, lousy heroine. I'll pass on any future books.
February 25, 2022
See it girl!!
Coming from a sewing background, I really enjoyed this book.
I also demonized of the local. A friend (who was building a retirement home with her husband in Orcas Island) and I took many vacations there once they had electricity and running water. We would pack up her truck with our machines, glue guns along with fabrics and various other supplies. We would ferry to other islands in search of fabric, craft and book stores. This was over 40 years ago, but still have very fond memories of these trips . Sadly my friend past past year.
Coming from a sewing background, I really enjoyed this book.
I also demonized of the local. A friend (who was building a retirement home with her husband in Orcas Island) and I took many vacations there once they had electricity and running water. We would pack up her truck with our machines, glue guns along with fabrics and various other supplies. We would ferry to other islands in search of fabric, craft and book stores. This was over 40 years ago, but still have very fond memories of these trips . Sadly my friend past past year.
March 24, 2020
Lately I seem to be gravitating towards simple books that are a fun read. I am a seamstress so this book appealed to me. It did not disappoint.
The characters were fun and interesting and it was not bogged down with lots of extraneous narrative. The author developed the characters and told the story which was a quick read but still interesting enough to hold my interest. It was just a cute book with an appealing story.
The characters were fun and interesting and it was not bogged down with lots of extraneous narrative. The author developed the characters and told the story which was a quick read but still interesting enough to hold my interest. It was just a cute book with an appealing story.
August 29, 2020
Quite good
I have enjoyed reading this murder mystery book. Based around family and friends each with their own challenges of employment, I found it to be unique. It has a great setting, is well described, the characters are well written so are easy to imagine. It’s also fun, a little thrilling, has some ‘don’t open the door’ moments, all in all very enjoyable and entertaining.
I have enjoyed reading this murder mystery book. Based around family and friends each with their own challenges of employment, I found it to be unique. It has a great setting, is well described, the characters are well written so are easy to imagine. It’s also fun, a little thrilling, has some ‘don’t open the door’ moments, all in all very enjoyable and entertaining.
February 22, 2018
Fun easy read
Wonderfully light with a little danger and mystery and a bit of romance thrown in. Nothing heavy in this story of a young woman and her friends on their way to their dream careers on Puget Sound. Definitely needs spelling edits but otherwise o fun easy read.
Wonderfully light with a little danger and mystery and a bit of romance thrown in. Nothing heavy in this story of a young woman and her friends on their way to their dream careers on Puget Sound. Definitely needs spelling edits but otherwise o fun easy read.
February 23, 2020
Insight into fashion design with a mystery
I liked that the story is set in Puget Sound with links to Bainbridge and other towns. The mystery wasn't finished as I would have liked but overall the characters were well developed and the story kept me involved.
I liked that the story is set in Puget Sound with links to Bainbridge and other towns. The mystery wasn't finished as I would have liked but overall the characters were well developed and the story kept me involved.
June 7, 2020
Awesome
I choose the four 🌟 rating because the characters were well developed, Gilly, Marie, Hawk, Skip all have contributed to making this book work. The plot was genius mixing fashion with an robbery. Give this book a chance .
I choose the four 🌟 rating because the characters were well developed, Gilly, Marie, Hawk, Skip all have contributed to making this book work. The plot was genius mixing fashion with an robbery. Give this book a chance .
September 18, 2021
Cute mystery
This story gave you some insight e the fashion industry. A little drama and suspense. Loved the cliff hanger at the end. Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens to Gilliane.
This story gave you some insight e the fashion industry. A little drama and suspense. Loved the cliff hanger at the end. Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens to Gilliane.
October 30, 2017
Loved this mystery! Girl minding her own business, following her own dream, then... You'll understand when you read it too.
June 22, 2018
Wow that's all I can say!
Keep on going with more. The book was so good it got me hooked from the beginning to end. Thanks so much.
Keep on going with more. The book was so good it got me hooked from the beginning to end. Thanks so much.
January 19, 2019
Great read.
Twists and turns to keep you interested. Not a flat story, lots of angles. Developed characters and relationships very well
Twists and turns to keep you interested. Not a flat story, lots of angles. Developed characters and relationships very well
March 24, 2019
Loved it!
Stories within a story. Drama, romance and suspense. Everything you want in a story. It was lots of fun to read.
Stories within a story. Drama, romance and suspense. Everything you want in a story. It was lots of fun to read.
August 13, 2019
Entertaining
If you enjoy reading of mystery, murder, romance and fashion, this is a perfect book for you. The plot and its characters are well developed. Enjoy!
If you enjoy reading of mystery, murder, romance and fashion, this is a perfect book for you. The plot and its characters are well developed. Enjoy!
February 28, 2020
A story about a want to be dress designer that accidentally gets involved with a murder and a gold theft.
June 15, 2020
This book grabbed my interest right away and kept me interested throughout! It has a good plot and great characters, as well as well described settings and scenarios.
October 24, 2020
Excellent well written
It's well written and intriguing the story unfolded and brought me into the world of fashion. Billy is getting her wish
It's well written and intriguing the story unfolded and brought me into the world of fashion. Billy is getting her wish
December 5, 2022
Great resd
This is a great read and keeps the suspense going throughout. Great as a holiday read, or indeed at anytime.
This is a great read and keeps the suspense going throughout. Great as a holiday read, or indeed at anytime.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews