Embellished to Death

Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery #3

by Christina Freeburn

When Faith Hunter agrees to help PI Bob Roget find an identity thief at a local scrapbook retreat, her friendly croppers’ weekend quickly morphs into a dangerous one. As croppers share their own memories, a killer collects them for her new identity, and doesn’t appreciate Faith in the picture.

Faith struggles to balance her professional, detecting and personal lives as threats and secrets keep her off-balance. Things turn deadly when a woman is killed and Faith is blackmailed. Truth and lies collide when Faith discovers croppers aren’t the only ones embellishing, and the results might end her life.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Whodunit, Murder Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Fiction

266 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2014

About the author

Christina Freeburn started jotting down stories on her thirty-minute bus commute to middle school and still hasn't stopped (though the bus commuting has).

The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series is a mix of crafty and crime, bringing together Christina's love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia.

The New Beginnings series is an inspirational romantic suspense featuring heroines and heroes willing to risk their lives in order to find hope, promise and a future for those struggling in a world that seems set against them.

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

What could go wrong at a friendly scrapbooker's weekend? Well, Private Investigator Bob Roget is trying to catch an identity thief, and Faith agrees to help him. But before they can even check in to the hotel a woman is hit by a car in the parking lot and killed. Good thing Faith brought Steve along to help with the Scrap This Store because he was just in time to pull her out of the way of the speeding car, but sustained a serious injury of his own.

That incident and an abandoned car kick off a whole bunch of crazy events. Events that may have Faith revealing a secret she has been keeping from almost everyone. Events that may cost Faith her life.

_____

Faith Hunter is a strong protagonist with a secret. In Embellished to Death we start to get some details about her life prior to returning to Eden and her grandmothers. Her relationship with Steve is moving along but hits some bumps. He drove the truck and trailer filled with product for the Scrap This booth at the retreat and will be staying to help Faith in any way he can. Faith's grandmothers don't make the trip but Darlene and Gussie are attending the event and will be able to step in to help when needed, and oh boy, are they needed. With Faith helping Bob find the identity thief, Steve being hurt, inept retreat organizers, an upset hotel manager, an "undercover FBI agent" with an ax to grind, and a murderer to catch, Faith doesn't have much time to man the store. I do enjoy the strong friendships that have been built between all the core characters. They all have huge hearts and are there for each other through thick and thin, even when bullets are flying.

The mysteries were complicated. Is the identity thief a murderer or are their two criminals hanging out at the scrapbook retreat? Drama, twists, turns, surprises, and more drama with a little bit of crafting, really kept the pages flying. Faith found herself in so many scary situations. The way the strings of the subplots tangled with the main plot was done with an expert hand because the story had an excellent flow. It was very hard to put the book down when my eyes just wouldn't stay open any longer.

I am mad at myself for getting behind on this fun series. I plan to rectify that in 2024 and read the final three books.

Embellished to Death kept me on my toes. It was so well-written that I was completely entertained. It is a great crafty mystery for cozy readers especially those that enjoy scrapbooking. I do recommend the series be read in order to meet Faith, her grandmas, and their friends from the start.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

During this quarantine period, I have decided to try and clear my kindle of older books as to why not a better time than now when we are in lockdown and can't leave the house. The perfect time for a bookworm like myself. Embellished to Death is one of those cozy mysteries from Henery Press. This book introduces us to Faith Hunter who is one of the workers of Scrap This - a scrapbooking shop in their smalltown of Eden. Faith Hunter is working on trying to be a better person and keep out of trouble as she has a good relationship with Steve but she is keeping her past a secret from Steve as she thinks if he was to find out, he would leave her. On the way to the scrapbooking convention, Faith is checked up from her friend police officer Ted as a car has been found on the side of the road and her information is in the car. It turns out the car belongs to one of the main organizers of the Scrapbooking convention Marsha Smith. This is the first of many incidents and though everything did match up in the end, I found the book quite busy with all it's different twists and turns. At the convention, Faith is about to have the ride of a lifetime with trying to help keep the convention afloat and hunt down an identity theft and a nasty PI who has it out for Faith. In Embellished to Death, we get a bit more of a clearer idea of what happened in Faith's past when she was in the military and married to Adam. I have to admit I did not see the Steve twist coming in the end, that was surprising. If you love scrapbooking and cozy mysteries, then Christina Freeburn's Faith Hunter Scrap This series is the perfect read for you and another great addition to the Henery Press publishing family.

[Mary Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Faith Hunter agrees to be a vendor at a scrapbooking conference, she just thinks that she is helping her grandmother, who owns a scrapbooking store. She does not expect to be involved in a murder investigation, but that is exactly where she finds herself. She decides that she needs to investigate the murder and with the help of her boyfriend that is what she does. But with so many people attending the conference, there are more suspects than she knows what to do with. Who knew that scrapbooking could be so deadly?

The characters are decently developed and three dimensional but in my opinion, they could have been even better developed. One problem I had with the characters is that there are so many of them. I had a hard time keeping everyone straight in my mind. I have not read either of the two previous books in the series, so that may have helped with my confusion. But I just wish there would have been a little more of a backstory with the characters.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout most of the book and there were many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I really liked the fact that this book revolved around scrapbooking, which I really enjoy doing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted, well plotted cozy mystery. If you enjoy scrapbooking, then this book is a must read. But I would advise reading the books in order because, I suspect, the character growth and development will be much more obvious. I will definitely be reading the first two books in the series to see if I am right.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Embellished to death was good. I was guessing all over the place on whom to trust. Had some twists I did not see coming. I really like Faith and her Grandmas. Though the Grandmas just had a cameo in this book. Most of the other characters were back.

Faith and Steve were going to a scrapbook retreat. Her Grandma's store Scrap This was the major vendor. They were pulling a trailer with supplies in it. When Detective Ted called up asking why she abandoned a car on the road. Bob his brother found car off freeway with papers with her name on them.

Faith was almost run over in the parking lot, but Steve got her out of the path but knocked out himself, then another lady was run over twice before the car disappeared.

Faith has secrets about her past. She moved back home to West Virginia to be close to her grandmas and help in their store. She likes Steve her neighbor.

Steve is a prosecutor in Eden, West VA. He has liked Faith since the first time he met her. Her Grandmas like him too.

Bob Roget is a PI he is looking for a Identity thief he has tracked to the retreat. He asks Faith to help him and his boyfriend Garrison get into find her. Ted is his brother.

Ted Roget is police detective in Eden. He knows Faith's secrets. He also tries to keep her from doing his job. He comes to the retreat when Faith texts him about his brother being in trouble. He likes Faith and had competed with Steve in the past.

Lots of drama, surprises, scrapbooking, mysteries, murder all surround a weekend Scrapbooking retreat. It keeps you guessing.

I have like all three books in this series and plan to keep reading Faith Hunter Scrap This Mysteries.

I was given this ebook by Net Galley and Henery Press. In return agreed to give honest review of Embellished to Death.

[HENERY PRESS PUBLISHING]

“A fast-paced crafting cozy that will keep you turning pages as you try to figure out which one of the attendees is an identity thief and which one is a murderer.” — Lois Winston, Award-Winning Author of the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series

[Renee Renico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great scrapbooking mystery

This was a fun quick read. I enjoy the characters in this series and can't wait to see what happens in the next book--and who Faith ends up with!

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: EMBELLISHED TO DEATH - Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Book 3
Author: Christina Freeburn
Published: 9-23-2014
Publisher: Henery Press
Pages: 276
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women Sleuths; Cozy Mystery; Amateur Sleuths
ISBN: 13: 9781940976273
ASIN: B00N1ADXA0
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25 Stars



I received a copy of "Embellished to Death" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.


Description

“A delightful mystery no person who loves crafts should miss. A little town, a little romance, a little intrigue and a little murder. Join heroine Faith and find out exactly who is doing the embellishing—the kind that doesn't involve scrapbooking.” – Leann Sweeney, Author of the New York Times Bestselling Cats in Trouble Mysteries


When Faith Hunter agrees to help PI Bob Roget find an identity thief at a local scrapbook retreat, her friendly croppers’ weekend quickly morphs into a dangerous one. As croppers share their own memories, a killer collects them for her new identity, and doesn’t appreciate Faith in the picture.


Faith struggles to balance her professional, detecting and personal lives as threats and secrets keep her off-balance. Things turn deadly when a woman is killed and Faith is blackmailed. Truth and lies collide when Faith discovers croppers aren’t the only ones embellishing, and the results might end her life.



Books in the Faith Hunter Scrap This Cozy Mystery Series:

CROPPED TO DEATH (#1)
DESIGNED TO DEATH (#2)
EMBELLISHED TO DEATH (#3)



My Review of "Embellished to Death":

Faith is a woman after my own heart. She is involved with those she cares about. She can be counted on to help a friend in need and she is intelligent and crafty in a good way. The confusion over the hit and run's intended victim. Who stole Faith's personal information, how and why. Who else was affected by the thief. Was the missing owner of the abandoned car the thief? If not why did she have her secure information? Did she have anything to do with the woman that was killed in the hit and run. There are numerous characters to keep the story lively. Most are well rounded and likable.


There are two books prior to "Embellished to Death" and you may have a touch of trouble understanding how the characters interact with each other. If the back story can be overlooked, you will find this a story that draws you in from the first word and keeps you guessing as to whodunit until the last.


This is a great cozy for scrappers with a pension towards light mysteries with strong witty characters and plots with plenty of twists and turns then pick up a copy of "Embellished to Death". My rating is 4.25 out of 5 stars.




Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1ADXA0/...


Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embel...


GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...


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[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Embellished to Death is my first introduction to the Faith Hunter Scrap This mystery series. I'm afraid that fact put me at a disadvantage. Embellished is the third book of the series and, in reading, I found myself with more and more questions about characters, their connections to one another, and the circumstances that brought everyone to where they are now.

Embellished to Death by Christina FreeburnHowever, that said, Embellished to Death is an intriguing read. Set at a scrapbooker's retreat in West Virginia, the action begins almost immediately with a parking lot hit and run. Finding herself a witness by virtue of a near miss, our heroine and narrator, Faith Hunter, immediately inserts herself in the investigation. (As any and all self-respecting cozy sleuths do!) An already confusing situation becomes even more muddled for everyone - readers included - by the addition of an identity thief and a rogue private investigator. I admit having a little trouble keeping the various plot threads and suspect characters straight.

The blessing in this book is an abundance of richly drawn characters who are relateable and very human. What Embellished to Death may lack in polish and keenly-appointed detail, it more than makes up in heart and depth of character connections.

Perhaps the best indicator of success for a story is if a seed of curiosity to continue reading the series is planted. In this case, I can readily answer yes. I'm curious to go back to the start of the series, not to mention eager to see what is in store for Christina Freeburn's characters moving forward.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a minute to get into it because I had not read the first two books in the Faith Hunter series. But if you want to read this book first, the author does a good job at making sure you know who everyone is and giving enough back story to keep you informed.

The murder happens right at the beginning which is good because I have had books where I wonder "when is the death going to happen" and you lose half the story by busy writing up to the death. I did think the author did not spend a whole heck of a lot of time focusing on the person who actually died. I know she probably did that purposely since a lot of the mystery could have been solved if the focus was more on her than all the other shenanigans happening. Although, I am not completely sure why the lady from Cropportunity abandoned her car at the beginning of the story (which is what drew Faith into the mystery to start with).

I am not sure if the whole "Adam" issue was brought up in previous books but I thought that section where Faith confronted Steve about betraying her could have happened earlier. Since it was so close to the end, I am hoping there is a book four that will put to bed this issue between the two.

Other than those niggles I completely enjoyed this novel and the characters. I am sad that I did not get to see the Faith Scrapbooking Tips since they were not included in the ARC copy but I'll bet they were truly interesting.

I received this book as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review and I thank Net Galley, Henery Press and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Edythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attending the Cropportunity National Scrapbook Day in West Virginia, Faith and Steve stop along the way to inquire about an abandoned car with personal information about Faith found inside. The vehicle is registered to Marsha Smith co-owner of Cropportunity and she is immediately nowhere to be located and has problems of her own that eventually come to the surface.

The Scrapbook faire opening begins with chaos and confusion as Faith scrambles to find the identity thief who stole her information along with that of others before another person comes up missing. Faith‘s past history with the police come to haunt her complicating the chance of a hopeful relationship with Steve and brings more complex situations into the already drama ridden book faire event when it is discovered Steve is not the person who he seems to be.

Embellished to Death is full of mystery and suspense as the main character Faith, an amateur sleuth, investigates to reveal an identity thief amongst the vendors at a scrapbooking event. This novel will appeal to amateur sleuths who love to solve a good crime drama with plenty thrills in this whodunit entertaining detective novel.

I received this book free from Henery Press through the Net Galley reviewer program in exchange for an honest opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

[Anam Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina Freeburn does it again. It was perfect with the exception of a a couple places where it seemed like a word was left out (example: "She's been tailing you? And from those photos, it looks like for a few months. Your grandmothers, Steve, nor I noticed it. ..." I think there should have been "Neither" at the beginning of the sentence "your grandmothers...."

I loved this. I do wish that Faith had just a little more sense - sometimes she seems like such a hothead and must do things NOW! as opposed to thinking for a minute the consequences of her actions. But I really do love the way Christina Freeburn tells a tale. The tension between Faith and Steve vs.Ted seems to be resolved, but...... maybe not.....

As far as who the bad guys are, she had me guessing until almost the very end. It wasn't that we didn't have the information to figure it out, it was that it was so carefully plotted that it made things difficult to discern the actual motives of various people. It was nice to see Darlene back and that they are friends.

I read the first two last fall. It has taken far too long for the third book to appear. I wish Ms. Freeburn would write faster. I need another Faith Hunter book FAST!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books were written as funny, fast-paced, fun reads with some romance tossed in for good measure and this one does not disappoint. The writer keeps getting better with each book. This was my favorite book so far in the Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Series.

Don’t expect the Grandmas back on scene but the rest of the cast in present. Steve, the current boyfriend and prosecutor, Detective Ted Roget & his PI brother, Bob, are present and accounted for. New to the scene is Bob’s boyfriend, Garrison, and a VERY arrogant cop (well portrayed – I wanted to slap him up the side of the head).

Wish the author would have played up the identity thief a little more.

After reading this book, I really want to attend a weekend crop at a hotel and I am looking forward to the next book.

Additional ideas for the author: men do scrapbooking to show off their businesses and there are historians in fraternal organizations as well as the widower who wants to scrap his son's wedding (love triangle for the Grandmas).

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This good cozy mystery is the third one in the scrapbooking series. Faith and Steve are bring the store to a craft fair. Steve is during a truck and pulling a van. Arriving at the Cropportunity site, Faith is in the path of a speeding car and Steve her and the car continues and runs over a woman killing her. Steve falls and hits his head on the sidewalk and he must take it was. Faith learns from Bob Roget that he is hunting a woman stealing identities. He has learn that she will be at the show. A stranger accosts Faith and threaten her that he had proof she framed her ex husband for the murders. Faith has not told anyone about this matter. Bob is arrested for murder. Faith must find the answers to these questions. This the first time I have read this author and I will read others.

Full Disclosure I received a free copy from Henery Press through for an honest review. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embellished To Death is the third book in the Faith Hunter Scrap This mystery series. It is a well written and decently edited novel.

Faith volunteers to represent her grandmothers' scrap booking store as a vendor at a scrap booking conference. She is accompanied by her boyfriend and soon they witness a murder and become embroiled in a homicide investigation. This is a complicated and fast paced plot that kept me interested throughout the entire book.

Even though I had read the first two books in the story I found myself confused when faced with so many characters in the first chapters of this book. A bit more recapping of the characters and their history would have made Embellished to Death more of a standalone novel. As it is you would have to have read the entire series to fully understand the nuances in this book.

I enjoyed reading Embellished to Death and look forward to the next book in this series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Faith Hunter finds out that someone is stealing her identity and want's to know why? Faith and her boyfriend Steve are off to a scrapbooking retreat where early on murder is on the croppers. Someone killed a woman and it turns out she is Marsha Smith but there already is a Marsha Smith so what is going on?

It's up to Faith and her associates to figure out what is going on and why there is a PI acting like a FBI Agent strongarming Faith? What does he hope to accomplish? And what is Faith's hidden secret she hasn't told anyone? Will it come back and bite her big time?

This book was good and quick the story pulls you in and has you wondering who committed this horrible crime and why? I enjoyed this story so much there are great characters that do come together to help Faith, only one thing wasn't answered but hopefully it will be in the next book!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Henery Press and Net Gallery for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was my first book by Christina Freeburn and it won't be my last. The characters were very likeable, well, of course, not the bad guys and the story was well written.

There were many suspects and no way you could the ending coming. I also liked the fact that the mystery took place during a scrapbooking retreat. As this was my first book by this author, the fact that I read it out of sequence did not take away from my enjoyment and I had no problems following it.

I would definitely recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won this book from Goodreads.

I had never heard of this mystery series before, but I now want to read them all. The characters are quirky and interesting, and the plot was twisty. Despite not having read the first two books in the series, I had no trouble following the characters and the ongoing story. I did want to slap the lead character for her tendency to keep secrets from her friends and the police, but maybe that is just her way. I also learned more about scrapbooking then I thought I wanted to know.

Note: The advance copy I read had some spelling errors. I hope they were corrected before the book went to press.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I really want to attend a weekend crop at a hotel. I DO NOT want there to be dead bodies like at the one that Faith and friends attend in this book. Each book in this series brings fuller development to the tried and true characters. I also love to relationship ins and outs between Faith and Steve & Ted. She's with Steve, but I'm firmly rooting for her and Ted to end up together. The murder plot has many twists and turns. Each time I thought I had a handle on who the murderer was going to be and why, the story would go off in a different direction. I would highly recommend this book and series to anyone.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because first, it was set in my home state of West Virginia, and second it kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't know anything about scrap booking, and I found that information interesting. This book is full of twists and turns, just like our lovely state, and it also is filled with more that just one "mystery". There is a big cast of characters in this book. That means there were a lot of suspects. This book kept me guessing to the very end. It was well written and flowed really well, making it a fast read. Great job Christina, looking forward to more Faith Hunter Scrap This Mysteries.



I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read the first two books in this series and didn't have too hard a time sorting out the characters. Faith and Steve are heading to a scrap booking convention to sell materials to the students for the grandmothers. When they arrive, they witness a hit and run murder in the parking lot. Detective Bob is on the trail of an identity thief and arrives in time to save our hero and heroine. A good mystery with well liked characters. Will look for book 4.

[Katherina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received the book as an ARC and I’m honestly not sure if I would have read the book otherwise; the main reason being that I really, really dislike stories written in first person. Besides the first person writing, the story line is good, so I would still recommend the book if you don’t mind the first person part.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!! I loved this book and I'm not even a scrapbooker. I got so involved with the characters when the book ended I wanted more and to know what happens with Faith now. There's mystery, romance tension, and it was light reading. I can't wait for the next book in the series. This is a cozy mystery I received a ARC of for an honest review

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I was pulled into the lives of Faith, Steve, Ted and Faith's grandmothers. By the end of the book I was crying and talking to the characters, a sign of a wonderful book. Extremely well written, with a great plot. It has everything - mystery, humor, suspense and romance.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book in this series does not disappoint! It is non-stop from page 1 (well maybe 3 or 4) and doesn't stop until it ends. Several mysteries happening but they all tie together nicely. Several "evil" characters that no one likes and we see what happens with Faith and Steve's relationship...can it endure a scrapbooking retreat?!

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith may be the main vendor at the scrapbook retreat, but she quickly becomes the crafting queen of murder. Entertaining with two mysteries to solve to keep you guessing.

[Sharleen Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story and the characters. Even though I had not read the previous books, it was still enjoyable. Love a good book with mystery and romance. Plan to read her other books now.

[Christi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Fast-paced who-done-it that keeps you guessing all the way through. So glad I got the chance to preview it!!!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "keep-you-guessing" cozy mystery which surprised me at the end. I won't give any spoilers but the most shocking thing wasn't the "whodunit" but the story-line instead!

[Marisa Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky characters in a cozy mystery - a scrapbook retreat turns into a hunt for an identity thief and a killer.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to follow.