The murder of a prominent Savannah citizen in his own home has the residents on edge...especially when fingers get pointed toward hunky attorney, Walker Boone, as the killer. Very few people believe that a former gang member turned successful attorney is responsible. Everyone knows that he could orchestrate a hit on someone and walk away without as much as a piece of dust that could point toward him. The murder and it's setting smells of a set up but who did the deed and why blame Boone?
After leaving Reagan a dopey mess after giving her the toe curling kiss of a lifetime, Boone hits the bricks - and Reagan commandeers his Chevy and takes it for a joy ride. You know things are bad when Reagan is trusted behind the wheel of Boone's vintage beauty. Now Reagan and her sidekick du jour (sometimes Aunt Kiki, sometimes not) have to find the real murderer before Boone is found and convicted.
The laundry list of potential suspects continues to grow as Reagan begins meddling into the affairs of several people in town; residents or not. What is the reason behind setting up Boone to take the fall? Could it be the deceased man's son? The out-of-towner wanting to purchase historical buildings for nefarious goings on? The jealous member of the Plantation Club that's been wanting the Presidential position that has been held by the dead man? This is just the beginning and as Reagan continues her hunt for clues and killers, she may just get more than she bargained for.
Plus, the sneaky gold-digger twins are up to no good. Their geriatric husbands are suspiciously absent, causing Reagan to suspect foul play. And then the women do the unthinkable...as if Reagan wasn't already struggling....
The Consignment Shop Mysteries by Duffy Brown are spectacular and always keep me anticipating the next book. Demise in Denim does not disappoint. The story lines are always well thought out and perfectly executed. There is humor tossed in for good measure - I love Reagan's one liners and Aunt Kiki's melodramatic episodes. She always has Reagan's back, however, and they make a great duo. Reagan is snarky, funny, and very enjoyable. Her love/hate relationship with Walker Boone is written so well. Their banter is witty, flirty, and in Demise in Denim, evolves into something else.
Duffy is an excellent writer and I've loved everything she's written. Her cozy mystery novels (the Consignment Shop Mysteries and the Cycle Path Mysteries) are completely engaging from the first page. The character development is well paced and really, by book 2 we get to know Boone and Blondie so well. Reading about them is like being right there in Savannah with them.
I'm a big fan of cozy mysteries - they are one of my favorite genres, in fact - and all of Duffy's books fit into this genre quite nicely. No sex, no language issues, no gory details, very little violence.
Just a note: Dead Man Walker, book 3.5 is only available as an e-version. It's pretty important to make sure you read this installment prior to starting Demise in Denim. Dead Man Walker sets the stage for book 4.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review.