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A Scrapbooking Mystery #12
Gossamer Ghost
Carmela Bertrand knows that Halloween in New Orleans means a week of rabble-rousing, costumed craziness—and she can’t wait to get the party started. But when a local antiques dealer turns up dead, Carmela suddenly finds herself in a real-life danse macabre…
An evening’s work deciding on the class schedule for her scrapbooking shop has put Carmela in the mood to kick up her heels. But after some strange noises draw her into Oddities, the neighboring antiques shop, Carmela’s night is abruptly put on hold when a bloody body falls out of a curio cabinet—and into her arms.
While shop owner Marcus Joubert was known for being an eccentric with a penchant for eclectic merchandise, Carmela never thought he was the kind of man who could inspire the passion required to kill. But when Marcus’s assistant—and fiancée—Mavis reveals that a priceless death mask was also stolen, it becomes clear that murder wasn’t the culprit’s sole intention.
Carmela can’t resist the urge to investigate the growing mystery, but as the list of suspects increases, she realizes it’ll take every trick in the book to unmask the killer thief before there’s another night of murderous mischief…
An evening’s work deciding on the class schedule for her scrapbooking shop has put Carmela in the mood to kick up her heels. But after some strange noises draw her into Oddities, the neighboring antiques shop, Carmela’s night is abruptly put on hold when a bloody body falls out of a curio cabinet—and into her arms.
While shop owner Marcus Joubert was known for being an eccentric with a penchant for eclectic merchandise, Carmela never thought he was the kind of man who could inspire the passion required to kill. But when Marcus’s assistant—and fiancée—Mavis reveals that a priceless death mask was also stolen, it becomes clear that murder wasn’t the culprit’s sole intention.
Carmela can’t resist the urge to investigate the growing mystery, but as the list of suspects increases, she realizes it’ll take every trick in the book to unmask the killer thief before there’s another night of murderous mischief…
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2014
124 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
Laura Childs
93 books2,255 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 160 reviews
January 28, 2019
Breezy and fun cozy set in New Orleans during the Halloween season. Lots of insights about scrapbooking hobby.
October 6, 2015
When it comes to mystery, author Laura Childs is a master storyteller. GOSSAMER GHOST, book twelve in the Scrapbooking Mysteries is a perfect installment to a wonderful series. With an exceptional plot packed full of mystery and intrigue, plus the infectious personality of main character Carmela Bertrand, Ms. Childs has crafted a book impossible to put down.
The setting of New Orleans during Halloween was a perfect backdrop for this story. Ms. Childs managed to really creep me out during the discovery of the body. Page after page pulled me in deeper until I felt I was a part of this story all the way to the reveal where the who in the whodunit took me by surprise.
This was only my third book in this series, but I am now a solid fan, and I plan to go back and get myself caught up. (My poor TBR!) If the books that came before are even half as good, they’ll be awesome! If you haven’t read any of these books, you can feel confident that you can read GOSSAMER GHOST as a standalone.
At the back of the book you’ll find scrapbooking, stamping, and crafting tips, delicious recipes, and an excerpt from PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE, the newest book in this series.
The setting of New Orleans during Halloween was a perfect backdrop for this story. Ms. Childs managed to really creep me out during the discovery of the body. Page after page pulled me in deeper until I felt I was a part of this story all the way to the reveal where the who in the whodunit took me by surprise.
This was only my third book in this series, but I am now a solid fan, and I plan to go back and get myself caught up. (My poor TBR!) If the books that came before are even half as good, they’ll be awesome! If you haven’t read any of these books, you can feel confident that you can read GOSSAMER GHOST as a standalone.
At the back of the book you’ll find scrapbooking, stamping, and crafting tips, delicious recipes, and an excerpt from PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE, the newest book in this series.
February 9, 2015
Laura Childs always writes a good mystery in all of her series. This one is just as good. Carmela, the main character is leaving her scrapbook store Memory Mine when she hears odd noises coming from the neighboring antique shop called the Oddities. Since she had a key for emergencies, she goes in and looking around. She trips on the edge of a carpet and grabs a nearby curio cabinet, rocking it and causing the door to open and dislodging a body right into her arms. It is the owner of the shop, Marcus Joubert, very bloody and very dead. This is the start of a rollicking story that takes place around Halloween so New Orleans is full of revelers. Art, antiques and priceless artifacts are all part of the story. Regular characters, Ava, her best friend, Carmella's love interest, homicide detective Babcock are involved in solving this murder. Lots of details make for a very interesting and exciting story.
February 4, 2018
All I can say, is if you enjoy a good mystery, then read this series. You won't be disappointed. I have only read two, and out of order and still was able to understand the connection between characters. Just read for yourself.
March 7, 2021
Always a fun read! Laura Childs is one of my favourite cosy authors
October 29, 2017
4 stelle e mezza
È sempre un piacere tornare a New Orleans da Carmela e amici. Anche se trovo che a volte è un po' troppo sopra le righe, soprattutto Ava, l'amica del cuore. Bella la storia gialla, con tanti possibili colpevoli veramente odiosi, tanto che spero abbiamo in futuro quello che si meritano. Il vero colpevole mi era subito risultato sospetto in quanto lo sentivo falso e non per veri e propri indizi contro di lui.
È sempre un piacere tornare a New Orleans da Carmela e amici. Anche se trovo che a volte è un po' troppo sopra le righe, soprattutto Ava, l'amica del cuore. Bella la storia gialla, con tanti possibili colpevoli veramente odiosi, tanto che spero abbiamo in futuro quello che si meritano. Il vero colpevole mi era subito risultato sospetto in quanto lo sentivo falso e non per veri e propri indizi contro di lui.
April 22, 2015
Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs is the 12th book in the Scrapbooking Mystery series. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand hears strange noises from the antique shop next door, Oddities and investigates only to find owner Marcus Joubert dead and a valuable Napolean Death Mask missing. It was nice to catch up with Carmela and her friends once again. She does seem to take too many silly risks and takes on too much of the investigation on her own though, and did not solve the case but rather only found the murderer when she was herself attacked for her meddling. Not one of the better books in the series. A bit repetitive. Carmela seems to have developed an exagerated view of her abilities.
December 2, 2014
Originally posted on Smitten by Books Blog
For fans of: Leslie Meier
When New Orleans scrapbook-store owner Carmela Bertrand finds Marcus Joubert dead in his shabby old antiques shop, she assumes he’s the victim of a random act of violence; it’s not like the man stocked anything worth killing for. But when she learns that Joubert recently came into possession of one only four masks cast of Napoleon at the time of his death, and that the mask has now gone missing, she starts to wonder if the antiques dealer’s death was an act of premeditated murder.
If you’ve ever read any of Laura Childs’ books, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect from Gossamer Ghost, the twelfth in her Scrapbooking Mystery series. Gossamer Ghost has the potential to be a high-stakes, action-packed tale; the book’s setup is intriguing and efficiently managed, and Napoleon’s death mask makes for a grand MacGuffin. Unfortunately, though, Childs never capitalizes on either, instead pushing the mystery to the background and focusing almost entirely on the trappings (Halloween in New Orleans, y’all).
The sense of place is strong (Childs’ New Orleans is decidedly Disney-fied, but still comes to life on the page) and the book is bursting at the seams with Halloween-themed craft and costume tips (most of which are actually quite clever and creative), but the pace is languid, the prose is purple, and the characters are vapid and two-dimensional. Childs fails to provide Carmela with a legitimate motive to investigate either the mask’s theft or Joubert’s murder, resulting in a total lack of narrative drive, and her attempts to create tension and suspense are half-hearted, at best. If you’re looking for a light and fluffy yarn that’ll get you in the Halloween spirit and will help you embrace your inner Martha Stewart, go out and get yourself a copy of Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs; if you prefer books with a bit more substance, though, you should continue your search.
Reviewed by Kat
For fans of: Leslie Meier
When New Orleans scrapbook-store owner Carmela Bertrand finds Marcus Joubert dead in his shabby old antiques shop, she assumes he’s the victim of a random act of violence; it’s not like the man stocked anything worth killing for. But when she learns that Joubert recently came into possession of one only four masks cast of Napoleon at the time of his death, and that the mask has now gone missing, she starts to wonder if the antiques dealer’s death was an act of premeditated murder.
If you’ve ever read any of Laura Childs’ books, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect from Gossamer Ghost, the twelfth in her Scrapbooking Mystery series. Gossamer Ghost has the potential to be a high-stakes, action-packed tale; the book’s setup is intriguing and efficiently managed, and Napoleon’s death mask makes for a grand MacGuffin. Unfortunately, though, Childs never capitalizes on either, instead pushing the mystery to the background and focusing almost entirely on the trappings (Halloween in New Orleans, y’all).
The sense of place is strong (Childs’ New Orleans is decidedly Disney-fied, but still comes to life on the page) and the book is bursting at the seams with Halloween-themed craft and costume tips (most of which are actually quite clever and creative), but the pace is languid, the prose is purple, and the characters are vapid and two-dimensional. Childs fails to provide Carmela with a legitimate motive to investigate either the mask’s theft or Joubert’s murder, resulting in a total lack of narrative drive, and her attempts to create tension and suspense are half-hearted, at best. If you’re looking for a light and fluffy yarn that’ll get you in the Halloween spirit and will help you embrace your inner Martha Stewart, go out and get yourself a copy of Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs; if you prefer books with a bit more substance, though, you should continue your search.
Reviewed by Kat
October 15, 2017
this book kind of lagged in the middle. I looooved all of the Halloween details - I'm usually complaining that there isn't enough Halloween, but this time, there was a ton of Halloween and almost no mystery. the characters were constantly doing things that seemed unreal and unbelievable, from breaking into some wealthy guy's house (not wealthy enough for a security system) to showing up at a funeral in a red motorcycle jacket and acting surprised that you're the only one not wearing black. the villain seemed obvious, but Carmela was oblivious... I didn't really connect to/like any of the characters except Jekyll, who barely appeared.
someone pointed out the trope of the amateur sleuth with the cop boyfriend who's her "in," and it really irked me in this story. 1. why is Carmela dating this guy, when he has no interest in the things she enjoys and never spends time with her? (which might be why he's "NOPD Babcock" in her phone) and 2. why is this guy dating Carmela, when she habitually breaks the law and/or lies to him? who leaves halfway through a play????
I'm really just giving this three stars because I am a sucker for Halloween stuff.
someone pointed out the trope of the amateur sleuth with the cop boyfriend who's her "in," and it really irked me in this story. 1. why is Carmela dating this guy, when he has no interest in the things she enjoys and never spends time with her? (which might be why he's "NOPD Babcock" in her phone) and 2. why is this guy dating Carmela, when she habitually breaks the law and/or lies to him? who leaves halfway through a play????
I'm really just giving this three stars because I am a sucker for Halloween stuff.
January 14, 2020
In this installment in the scrapbooking series, Camella leaves her shop and idles at her neighbor's window. She thinks she hears a noise, and tries the door, which opens, and she finds her neighbor's body in his shop. Oddities has a eclectic mix of 'stuff', and it appears that the owner Marcus may have dabbled in stolen goods; and the death mask he may have stolen may have been the impetus for his murder.
These books are starting to border on the ridiculous. Camella and friend Ava find themselves smack dab in the middle of investigations, and they don't have a shred of common sense between them. While I figured out towards the end who the perp had to be, the actual ending was a farce. What police department in the world would turn over evidence to a couple of lame brains.
The scrapping concepts throughout the book are thorough and detailed. There are also recipes at the end of the book, along with some further scrapping hints.
These books are starting to border on the ridiculous. Camella and friend Ava find themselves smack dab in the middle of investigations, and they don't have a shred of common sense between them. While I figured out towards the end who the perp had to be, the actual ending was a farce. What police department in the world would turn over evidence to a couple of lame brains.
The scrapping concepts throughout the book are thorough and detailed. There are also recipes at the end of the book, along with some further scrapping hints.
October 2, 2025
I don't usually start series in the middle, but I was in the mood for a Halloween tale, and I enjoy Childs' other series, A Tea Shop Mystery. Overall, I liked it. I never got into scrapbooking, even when it was really popular, but I did find all of the crafts to be fun to read about. I also enjoyed getting to see how New Orleans celebrates the spookiest of holidays. The mystery was good; the romance was just okay. Overall, I had fun and would read more in this series.
October 14, 2014
Cozy mystery fans, scrap-booking fans and even fans of voodoo will enjoy Laura Childs latest book. Book twelve in the Scrap-booking mystery series, Gossamer Ghost finds heroine Carmela and her sidekick Ava in the middle of mystery with the Day of the Dead right around the corner. The New Orleans setting at Halloween is the perfect backdrop for a diabolical murder and some stolen property. Fans of the series will love Carmela's antics and relish in her latest adventure in the "Big Easy!"
What I liked:
As many of you know Laura Childs is one of my favorite cozy writers. She has such a knack for setting the scene and bringing it to life. Her descriptions of New Orleans at this wonderful time of year were riveting. There is so much history and mystery surrounding the city and Childs uses it to her advantage in every book in this series. If you never wanted to visit the "Big Easy" before, you will after you read this book! I can just see myself visiting Carmela's scrap-booking shop and puttering around in Ava's voodoo store. I might even visit Joubert's antique shop. I think readers will find the setting exceptional as always with Childs books and having themselves wishing it was all real.
The mystery in each of the scrap-booking mysteries is always realistic and well thought out. In Gossamer Ghost readers are treated to a murder that may stem from a French mask that is worth a ton of money. The questions are... who murdered Joubert to get it? Did Joubert obtain it by illegal means? Was it worth killing over? I love it when Childs keeps me guessing and she certainly did with this one. The setting is always amazing but nitty-gritty of the mystery is what keeps readers coming back to this series and Gossamer Ghost does not disappoint in the least. I loved it when Joubert's body came flying into Carmela's arms, that was a nice touch! Having the mystery take place during Halloween was also a great plot device. Not much scarier than a murder in New Orleans, close to the Day of the Dead. *shivers*
Carmela and Ava make such a good team as well. Carmela tends to be a little on the more sedate side. She is controlled, although a bit snoopy. But Ava is spontaneous and vibrant. They compliment each other so well and their friendship is both dynamic and strong. Carmela's relationship with Babcock is also one of those relationship's that bring out the good things in each of the people. Edgar brings stability and strength to the table and Carmela tends to make him think outside the box. I love all of the personal drama, just much as the mystery in this series.
What I didn't like:
There were a few things in this one that didn't make a whole lot of sense in the overall story. That doesn't happen too often with one of Childs' books, but in this case it did pop up a couple of times. I like for each significant thing that happens in the book to have a rhyme and reason to it and there were a couple of things that didn't. It was still an excellent book and deserves the five apple rating!
Bottom Line:
I loved this one just as much as any other book in the series and I know that fans of Laura Childs will as well. The mystery was engaging and took a clear path. The setting mas magical. New Orleans at Halloween... simply perfect! Gossamer Ghost is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next one. Carmela is one my favorite heroine's!
What I liked:
As many of you know Laura Childs is one of my favorite cozy writers. She has such a knack for setting the scene and bringing it to life. Her descriptions of New Orleans at this wonderful time of year were riveting. There is so much history and mystery surrounding the city and Childs uses it to her advantage in every book in this series. If you never wanted to visit the "Big Easy" before, you will after you read this book! I can just see myself visiting Carmela's scrap-booking shop and puttering around in Ava's voodoo store. I might even visit Joubert's antique shop. I think readers will find the setting exceptional as always with Childs books and having themselves wishing it was all real.
The mystery in each of the scrap-booking mysteries is always realistic and well thought out. In Gossamer Ghost readers are treated to a murder that may stem from a French mask that is worth a ton of money. The questions are... who murdered Joubert to get it? Did Joubert obtain it by illegal means? Was it worth killing over? I love it when Childs keeps me guessing and she certainly did with this one. The setting is always amazing but nitty-gritty of the mystery is what keeps readers coming back to this series and Gossamer Ghost does not disappoint in the least. I loved it when Joubert's body came flying into Carmela's arms, that was a nice touch! Having the mystery take place during Halloween was also a great plot device. Not much scarier than a murder in New Orleans, close to the Day of the Dead. *shivers*
Carmela and Ava make such a good team as well. Carmela tends to be a little on the more sedate side. She is controlled, although a bit snoopy. But Ava is spontaneous and vibrant. They compliment each other so well and their friendship is both dynamic and strong. Carmela's relationship with Babcock is also one of those relationship's that bring out the good things in each of the people. Edgar brings stability and strength to the table and Carmela tends to make him think outside the box. I love all of the personal drama, just much as the mystery in this series.
What I didn't like:
There were a few things in this one that didn't make a whole lot of sense in the overall story. That doesn't happen too often with one of Childs' books, but in this case it did pop up a couple of times. I like for each significant thing that happens in the book to have a rhyme and reason to it and there were a couple of things that didn't. It was still an excellent book and deserves the five apple rating!
Bottom Line:
I loved this one just as much as any other book in the series and I know that fans of Laura Childs will as well. The mystery was engaging and took a clear path. The setting mas magical. New Orleans at Halloween... simply perfect! Gossamer Ghost is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next one. Carmela is one my favorite heroine's!
October 30, 2014
Carmela is one of those protagonists who appeal to me even while they sometimes make me gnash my teeth. In an earlier book, she plucked my last nerve with her reckless snoopiness but I continued to follow her adventures and became a bit more accustomed to her ways somewhere along the line. So, yes, she’s snoopy when she thinks something might be wrong in Marcus’ shop but I just rode along with all her excuses and thought nothing of it. And, don’t you know it, her nosiness turns out to be justified. I also enjoyed the thought of the body falling into her arms and I LOVE this—
And still Carmela continued to scream.
When nobody showed up to help, when nothing seemed to be accomplished by her loud screeches of protest, she let out a garbled cough and closed her mouth with a snap.
That is Carmela—scenestealing, loud, annoying, and then she pulls herself together for the job at hand. And with that, she calls her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock, who just happens to be on the scrumptious side as well as eternally patient with his girlfriend, and then immediately dials her friend and sleuthing partner, Ava Gruiex.
So, why would anyone want to kill Marcus? Granted, he was kind of weird but was that enough, along with the theft of a priceless artifact, to make someone want him dead? Carmela being Carmela, this clearly calls for a little sniffing around and, next thing you know, she and Ava are mixed up with Carmela’s least favorite countess, an antiques dealer with a fake British accent and a shady pawn shop operator, not to mention the Zombie Crawl and the Witches Run.
Fans of Ms. Childs—and they are legion—will love this return to Carmela’s exploits. Besides a cracking good mystery and a lot of engaging characters, one thing I’ve always loved about this series is the setting in New Orleans and Gossamer Ghost is no exception. Ms. Childs has a deft and colorful hand with her descriptions and she transported me right to Halloween with all its festivities and joie de vivre. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful city just once, many years before Katrina, and Gossamer Ghost reminds me of that time. Ms. Childs makes me want to go back and I think a Halloween trip might be in my future travel plans. I just wish Oddities, my kind of shop, really existed ;-)
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2014.
And still Carmela continued to scream.
When nobody showed up to help, when nothing seemed to be accomplished by her loud screeches of protest, she let out a garbled cough and closed her mouth with a snap.
That is Carmela—scenestealing, loud, annoying, and then she pulls herself together for the job at hand. And with that, she calls her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock, who just happens to be on the scrumptious side as well as eternally patient with his girlfriend, and then immediately dials her friend and sleuthing partner, Ava Gruiex.
So, why would anyone want to kill Marcus? Granted, he was kind of weird but was that enough, along with the theft of a priceless artifact, to make someone want him dead? Carmela being Carmela, this clearly calls for a little sniffing around and, next thing you know, she and Ava are mixed up with Carmela’s least favorite countess, an antiques dealer with a fake British accent and a shady pawn shop operator, not to mention the Zombie Crawl and the Witches Run.
Fans of Ms. Childs—and they are legion—will love this return to Carmela’s exploits. Besides a cracking good mystery and a lot of engaging characters, one thing I’ve always loved about this series is the setting in New Orleans and Gossamer Ghost is no exception. Ms. Childs has a deft and colorful hand with her descriptions and she transported me right to Halloween with all its festivities and joie de vivre. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful city just once, many years before Katrina, and Gossamer Ghost reminds me of that time. Ms. Childs makes me want to go back and I think a Halloween trip might be in my future travel plans. I just wish Oddities, my kind of shop, really existed ;-)
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2014.
February 26, 2015
Very light - helium like.
How can these women party every night, own small craft shops, never worry about payroll, bills, or rent. The eat in a glutinous manned, only exercise when running from bad guys (usually in high heels), feel free to break and enter suspects homes, have any time to solve a murder?
Also, regarding the boyfriend/cop - he looks good, dresses in designer clothes, hires limos, puts up with a girlfriend who ignores him or flaunts laws, how dumb is he? And, where does he get his money?
I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series - when I want to read fantasy, I'll read books about fairies, dragons and trolls, not crime busting women who are generally busting out of their clothes. I like to have clear lines between fantasy and mysteries. Honestly, why don't these characters ever have to worry about taxes, zits, or gaining weight?
How can these women party every night, own small craft shops, never worry about payroll, bills, or rent. The eat in a glutinous manned, only exercise when running from bad guys (usually in high heels), feel free to break and enter suspects homes, have any time to solve a murder?
Also, regarding the boyfriend/cop - he looks good, dresses in designer clothes, hires limos, puts up with a girlfriend who ignores him or flaunts laws, how dumb is he? And, where does he get his money?
I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series - when I want to read fantasy, I'll read books about fairies, dragons and trolls, not crime busting women who are generally busting out of their clothes. I like to have clear lines between fantasy and mysteries. Honestly, why don't these characters ever have to worry about taxes, zits, or gaining weight?
January 23, 2017
If you like cozy mysteries, you can’t go wrong with Laura Childs and her various series. Gossamer Ghost, part of the Scrapbook series, is set in New Orleans. Carmela, the main character hears a noise in the shop next door and ends up getting involved with solving the murder of the shopkeeper. Childs follows a formula for all of her mysteries – there’s the primary protagonist and their friends, they own a business and there are recipes and resources at the end of the book. Quick reading and comfortable, the reader knows what they are getting – that’s why they’re called cozies! Recommend her Tea Shop series which are set in Charleston, S. C.
Get Gossamer Ghost from the Denver Public Library
- Lisa B
Get Gossamer Ghost from the Denver Public Library
- Lisa B
December 16, 2014
A new book in this series is like seeing a friend you haven't seen for a long, long time....It is very satisfying and fun! Carmela, the books main character and the owner of a scrapbooking shop, can't resist the urge to get involved in the murder of a neighboring shop owner. She and her crazy friend Ava have quite a time unraveling the details while in the middle of the Halloween festivities in New Orleans. Fun to read, with recipes and scrapbooking tips included.
November 29, 2014
What could be better than Halloween in New Orleans?? Solving a murder with scrapbook shop owner Carmela and her Voodoo shop owner friend Ava, that's what!! This 12th book in the scrapbook mystery series didn't disappoint this reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could almost believe that I was back in NOLA, eating beignets and gumbo.
May 10, 2015
Carmella finds her neighboring shop owner dead. It throws her for a loop, which seems a bit odd given how often she has encountered dead bodies before. It is Halloween week in the Big Easy. The book is more about all the events she and Ava attend than solving the murder. I was a bit surprised by who the villain turned out to be.
April 23, 2023
I love cozy mysteries, and I love Childs' cozy mystery series, so picking this one to complete a category for the Popsugar Reading Challenge worked out perfectly! This is another great entry in the scrapbooking mystery series. Childs makes New Orleans come alive, as well as making me want to take up scrapbooking again, and the mystery is a good one, with a really surprising twist at the end.
July 13, 2022
The 12th book in A Scrapbooking Mystery series. Fun cozy mystery set in New Orleans. Light and charming.
April 7, 2023
I hate-read this book. I really liked the Scrapbooking mysteries up until #11 and then I thought I'd give this one a try. I don't know what's happened to the characters but I don't recall them being this air-headed and stupid. And who was this written for? No one talks like this in real life, the dialogue was so cringy. Nothing in here was "trendy".
I know there is usually very detailed descriptions of scrapbooking and food and time of the year events, but most of the book is just that and very, very little mystery. The murderer was obvious from the first mention of their name.
Also do Carmela and Ava not sleep? How many hours in a single day exist in this universe? And will Shamus just get on already? Why are Babcock and Carmela even a thing?
So much more I can go on about but I'd be here for a few months.
I gave it 2 stars. More than this deserves only because I still really like Carmela and Ava and hope that the later books don't portray them as ditzy idiots and they get their smarts back like in the previous books.
I know there is usually very detailed descriptions of scrapbooking and food and time of the year events, but most of the book is just that and very, very little mystery. The murderer was obvious from the first mention of their name.
Also do Carmela and Ava not sleep? How many hours in a single day exist in this universe? And will Shamus just get on already? Why are Babcock and Carmela even a thing?
So much more I can go on about but I'd be here for a few months.
I gave it 2 stars. More than this deserves only because I still really like Carmela and Ava and hope that the later books don't portray them as ditzy idiots and they get their smarts back like in the previous books.
October 7, 2019
It's the week before Halloween in New Orleans and Carmela Bertrand's scrapbook shop in the French Quarter is crazy busy, along with the rest of the city. When Carmela enters the neighboring antique shop after hearing strange sounds, she finds the shopkeeper dead, and it's definitely not by natural causes. When the murdered shopkeeper's tearful assistant begs Carmela for her help in solving the crime, she can't say no. This does not go over well with Carmela's detective boyfriend, but as usual, Carmela and her best friend, Ava, don't let that stop them from getting involved and putting themselves in harm's way.
As always, I love the New Orleans setting for this series, especially during Halloween. You feel as if you are there, right along beside them, as Carmela and Ava prepare for and participate in many Halloween themed events throughout the storyline. They have a fun and supportive friendship, and get into lots of crazy, ridiculous situations together. :-)
As always, I love the New Orleans setting for this series, especially during Halloween. You feel as if you are there, right along beside them, as Carmela and Ava prepare for and participate in many Halloween themed events throughout the storyline. They have a fun and supportive friendship, and get into lots of crazy, ridiculous situations together. :-)
April 4, 2020
A Halloween adventure....
An evening’s work deciding on the class schedule for her scrapbooking shop has put Carmela in the mood to kick up her heels. But after some strange noises draw her into Oddities, the neighboring antiques shop, Carmela’s night is abruptly put on hold when a bloody body falls out of a curio cabinet—and into her arms.
While shop owner Marcus Joubert was known for being an eccentric with a penchant for eclectic merchandise, Carmela never thought he was the kind of man who could inspire the passion required to kill. But when Marcus’s assistant—and fiancée—Mavis reveals that a priceless death mask was also stolen, it becomes clear that murder wasn’t the culprit’s sole intention.
Carmela can’t resist the urge to investigate the growing mystery, but as the list of suspects increases, she realizes it’ll take every trick in the book to unmask the killer thief before there’s another night of murderous mischief…
An evening’s work deciding on the class schedule for her scrapbooking shop has put Carmela in the mood to kick up her heels. But after some strange noises draw her into Oddities, the neighboring antiques shop, Carmela’s night is abruptly put on hold when a bloody body falls out of a curio cabinet—and into her arms.
While shop owner Marcus Joubert was known for being an eccentric with a penchant for eclectic merchandise, Carmela never thought he was the kind of man who could inspire the passion required to kill. But when Marcus’s assistant—and fiancée—Mavis reveals that a priceless death mask was also stolen, it becomes clear that murder wasn’t the culprit’s sole intention.
Carmela can’t resist the urge to investigate the growing mystery, but as the list of suspects increases, she realizes it’ll take every trick in the book to unmask the killer thief before there’s another night of murderous mischief…
October 20, 2023
I am a fan of Laura Child's books and I enjoyed reading Gossamer Ghost. It is October, so it was especially fun to read a Halloween themed cozy now. In New Orleans, Carmela Betrand owns a scrap booking shop-- Memory Mine and her best friend Ava Gruiex owns Juju Voodoo. One evening, Carmela discovers the owner of the antique shop-- Oddities, Marcus Joubert, dead in his shop. Her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock, is on the case, but Carmela has a list of suspects in mind. While doing some sleuthing, she and Ava are kept busy by an endless amount of Halloween social engagements. This book has a good flow, with interesting characters, scary situations, and it kept me engaged from start to finish.
May 10, 2019
This is the first book of this series I have read, and as it is the 12th I may be a bit off out of the loop on the story line. It was good and most of the characters were interesting, but it seemed to be the typical pretty shopkeeper, her detective boyfriend, the overbearing landlord and quirky best friend. The detective in this book is a bit condescending and I did not particularly care for the book.
It takes place during Halloween, so you think you are in for some interesting times, but it doesn't really delve into Halloween as much as seem like a travel guide, superficially describing the area and some attractions, restaurants, etc.
It takes place during Halloween, so you think you are in for some interesting times, but it doesn't really delve into Halloween as much as seem like a travel guide, superficially describing the area and some attractions, restaurants, etc.
October 23, 2019
A cute cozy mystery set in New Orleans around Halloween. Ava and Carmela are very funny and enjoy eating and planning their outfits. As owners of a voodoo and scrapbooking stores they seem to have a lot of time to enjoy the local festivities along with investigating a local merchant who is found dead in his shop of oddities. His death is tied into a missing Napoleon death mask.
I really had no idea who did it until it was revealed, and I was surprised. I enjoy the quirkiness of these two sleuths who make their adventures fun along with some creative craft ideas and in the back recipes for local food.
I really had no idea who did it until it was revealed, and I was surprised. I enjoy the quirkiness of these two sleuths who make their adventures fun along with some creative craft ideas and in the back recipes for local food.
February 23, 2021
When Marcus Joubert is found dead by Carmela Bertrand very close to Halloween, she is asked by his shop assistant and fiance to find out who killed Mr. Joubert. How Carmela uncovers clues she doesn't even realize she has uncovered and finds the killer makes this a very entertaining read. I really enjoyed reading about different crafts like ghost dresses, and death masks. The book could have been edited a little bit better because I did find a few places where there were incorrect words used and other errors. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
July 13, 2017
I'm being a bit generous. Should be 2.5?! Maybe. For an American cosy it's not too bad. Almost readable in fact. A bit sassy a bit funny Lots of silly stuff of course Ridiculous plot lines. But not awful. Interesting location in New Orleans. Fun to read about the hallowe'en festivities. The murder is by the by and the murderer pretty obvious from the get go.
January 18, 2018
Ick. The reader has a good voice but inserts a long pause at every comma. It makes the sentences disjointed. Worse: I have no interest in reading a book about a woman who doesn't even have the sense to call 911, and flees a crime scene on top of it. Nope. This woman was trying my patience before I even got halfway through the first cd. I'm calling it quits.
February 10, 2018
Suspend your disbelief, if not all your critical faculties, if you want to enjoy this overblown romp of romanticized New Orleans, scrapbooking, and Halloween.
I don't think a Scarlet O'Hara ballroom gown is a good choice for burglarizing a somehow unguarded mansion filled with art treasures. But why let that stand in the way of nonstop action?
There are even recipes.
I don't think a Scarlet O'Hara ballroom gown is a good choice for burglarizing a somehow unguarded mansion filled with art treasures. But why let that stand in the way of nonstop action?
There are even recipes.
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