Sheer Window: A Material Witness Thanksgiving Novella

A Material Witness Mystery #5

by Diane Vallere

In this Thanksgiving twist on Rear Window, a seemingly ordinary holiday gathering takes a dark turn when a squabble across the street turns into something deadly…

When a freak accident sidelines klutzy fabric store owner Polyester Monroe, she’s destined to enjoy her Thanksgiving party from a wheelchair by her window. But when shady actions in the apartment across the street catches her attention, she’s less concerned with mobility than credibility; her friends are quick to write off her fears as folly.

Convinced she witnessed a crime, Poly enlists the help of the local sheriff to investigate, but even he finds nothing suspicious. Her only ally is an unexpected guest. Tensions rise and tempers flare as guests dismiss Poly’s suspicions, but when the scene becomes impossible to explain without reasonable doubt, what started as a parlor game of spying on the neighbors turns into a race to keep a killer in town before the train leaves the station—with the killer on board.

Get ready for a Hitchcockian holiday treat that blends laughter, intrigue, and homage to the master of suspense himself.

Genres: Mystery, Novella, Cozy Mystery

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2024

About the author

I use Goodreads to track my reading and TBR list. For that reason, my rating scale is less important. I don't force myself to finish books, and I don't rate books I DNF. Each year I choose my own BOTY from my have-read list.

AUTHOR BIO: Diane Vallere is the national bestselling author of several mystery series. She edited the Agatha Award-winning essay collection Promophobia: Taking the Mystery out of Promoting Crime Fiction. Diane majored in art history at the College of William and Mary and worked in luxury retailing before reigniting her love of fiction. She currently lives in Pennsylvania. Find out more at: www.dianevallere.com.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/DianeVallere
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3nGyOGZ:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3aVXczm
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2RfiyAE

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Thanksgiving, Poly Monroe is hosting a few friends for the day in the apartment over her fabric store. When she learns that someone has moved into the apartment over the bar across the street, she decides to invite them to join the festivities. However, not only does she not get a response when she goes over there, but she manages to twist her ankle. Now injured in her apartment, she finds herself watching what is happening across the street. She thinks something strange is going on. Is she right? Can she get anyone to believe her?

This is a fun novella to get us in the Thanksgiving mood. Obviously, it is a loving homage to Rear Window, and the story really leans into that with several references and nods to the film. The story is strong and pulled me in. It’s also the perfect length for this novella. We still get to see quite a few of the series regulars, which I enjoyed as well. Since it’s a novella, it will be easier to slip this into a busy holiday season. And when you pick it up, you’ll find it is sheer delight.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun Thanksgiving themed novella in the Material Witness mystery series. This is a nice homage to Hitchcock. It’s a fun, quick, enjoyable story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheer Window is a great holiday read that is the perfect way to start the holiday season. Poly is busy trying to get the inventory ready for her store since Black Friday is a great time to sell. She is also hosting a Thanksgiving celebration upstairs in her apartment which her dear friend is busy preparing. When Poly suffers an accident ending up with a sprained ankle, she is forced to sit down and do nothing to help with the holiday preparations. Poly discovers a mystery while looking out her window and thinks she has witnessed a murder!

Vallere delivers a great entertaining read that has it all even though it is just a novella. I loved seeing all of my favorite characters back for the holidays. The story is well done full of enough twists and turns to keep the reader anxiously turning the pages to see what will happen next. Overall Sheer Window proved to be the perfect holiday read that I would most definitely recommend.

Received a copy of Sheer Window from the author.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent my Thanksgiving reading the latest novella by author Diane Vallere and would highly recommend this homage to Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Rear Window". The story is basically, what if "Rear Window" happened in a fabric shop in the middle of a Thanksgiving dinner party. Are you being paranoid if your boyfriend agrees something is fishy but no one else does? Does the animosity between certain guests matter in light of a possible murder that just happened across the street? Are you obligated to investigate if you are stuck in a wheelchair, and your friend, the head chef for the feast, is mad that you are disturbing the holiday vibes? Unfortunately, yes to all those questions and innuendos. Luckily, the guests are all mostly charming, or at least on their best behavior (looking at you, Charlie!) especially Pins & Needles, the two kittens that live in the fabric shop along with Polyester Monroe. This is a group you want to spend time with during your holiday, and if it involves a detour into solving a mystery before diving into turkey, gravy and stuffing, that just makes the table talk even more exciting. Although this is Thanksgiving themed, it would make a great read for Christmas all well, because what is Christmas but an amped up versus of Thanksgiving, and what is a better gift for your friends than catching a murderer in their midst?

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful mystery. Based on the movie Rear Window Polyester Monroe has sprained her ankle so is stuck in her upstairs apartment when she observes suspicious behavior in the upstairs apartment across the street. Her apartment is full of friends gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. No one believes her or shares her suspicions that the woman may have murdered her husband. Over the course of the day, dinner is prepared and eventually enjoyed while Poly continues to view the saga going on across the street.

If you've ever seen Rear Window you can appreciate the tension building as Poly continues to watch the neighbors. The book is filled with humor as well as the mystery. The author aptly dedicated the novella to Alfred Hitchcock. This is the second book I've read in this series, both were delightful so I've decided to read the whole series and have put #1 on hold at the library.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polly Monroe is bound to a wheelchair due to a slight accident and decides to entertain a few of her friends for Thanksgiving. In the Hitchcock style of his Rear Window, Polly spies what she believes is a crime as she watched out her window. But her friends chalked it up to her imagination. But did she see something? She takes it upon herself to find it out. Was there a crime? Even the Sheriff doesn't find anything suspicious. Is there or isn't there? This is a fun, fast read that you will read in one sitting to find out. I highly recommend this short novella! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun mystery with appreciation for Alfred Hitchcock! I loved Poly's observation and movie recall to figure out what was going on from afar! Most of the main characters of the series were involved throughout the book, so it was easy to slip into that "world" again. I did feel sorry for Polly and how much pain she had to endure!
Short, but never rushed, this is a wonderful mini addition to the series that wets the reader's appetite for the next book in this delightful series! You might want to have some muffins or a piece of pie to enjoy as you read it however...

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Material Girl Poly is back. This time the story is reminiscent of Hitchcock’s Rear Window. Poly is having Thanksgiving for her friends and sees something in the apartment across the street. Her mind starts working. Did she imagine a murder? The story is well written to include some suspense along with a little laughter. Hopefully there will be more tales about Poly, Vaughn, Charlie and the townspeople of San Ladron.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and all of its delightful characters! Polly is hosting Thanksgiving dinner in her apartment above her fabric shop. Having sprained her ankle, she watches the apartment across the street, where she is certain there has been a murder. This novella is just right to read during the busy holiday season. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanksgiving Crime Scare
This novella is a fun addition to the Material Witness series. It more than takes after the Hitchcock film Rear Window. Our heroine sees something suspicious happening across the street and acts on it. This is a fun story with many amusing parts.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sheer delight

Enjoyable cozy featuring Poly who imagines the worst as she spies on her new neighbors across the street during Thanksgiving.

A well-told fun read that pays homage to Hitchcock’s movie Rear Window. Curl up in your favorite chair and spend a few nights reading Sheer Window.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the movie Rear Window, and rewatch it when I see it broadcast.

I loved the cover of this very short novella - set at Thanksgiving.

I am sure my Mom will enjoy reading it as well.

I bought a copy based on the cover and enjoyed reading it.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shear Window

A nice mix of old and new from Diane Vallere. While Polly and friends enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner, Polly sees something suspicious from her window.

[Diane Vallere]

Now available!

This is inspired by the movie Rear Window, the first Hitchcock movie I ever saw. I was living in Texas at the time, and I bought a used DVD at a flea market. My parents were visiting at the time, so we went back to my house and my mom and I watched the movie. Until this point, I'd always loved the idea of Hitchcock movies, but I thought they would be too scary for me to enjoy.

I approached the movie with curiosity and bravado. And I LOVED it. The plot, the way things unfolded, the glamour, the flirtation, it was perfect. I was writing at the time but not published, and I saw the movie like a mystery unfolding. It was a revelation.

This started an interest in Hitchcock and his movies, which led me to The Man Who Knew Too Much, which introduced me to Doris Day. At the time, I moved from Hitchcock movies to Doris Day movies, and from that unique combination, Madison Night was born.

But Sheer Window is not a Madison Night mystery, it is a Material Witness mystery. And it has Poly Monroe, Charlie, Vaughn, Genevieve, and almost every regular character who has appeared in the series--along with a mystery in the apartment across the street from Poly's apartment above her fabric shop.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is perfect when you're in the mood for something light, fun, and holiday-themed.

Poly Monroe, owner of the Material Girl fabric shop, has severely sprained her ankle and has to stay off it. This is bad timing since she's hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends.

As dinner preparations commence, Poly (dressed as Grace Kelly in Rear Window) finds herself stationed at her window, convinced she's watching a crime being committed.

This Thanksgiving tribute to one of my favorite Hitchcock films really hit the spot!