Dressed for Death

Drew Farthering Mystery #4

by Julianna Deering, DeAnna Julie Dodson

This Traditional British Cozy Mystery
Gets a Regency Twist

Drew and Madeline Farthering celebrate their six-month anniversary by attending a fancy Regency era costume party. Drew is glad to see Talbot Cummins, an Oxford classmate, and his fiancée, Alice Henley, though many present seem worried about the couple. Everyone's concerns are realized when, at the concluding grand ball, Alice dies of an overdose of cocaine. Tal refuses to believe she took the stuff intentionally, and Drew is determined to find out if her death was an accident or murder.

Drew is shocked and disillusioned when the police arrest Tal's father and reveal that the man has been smuggling drugs into the country for the past twenty years. Reeling from the death of his fiancée and the revelation about his father, Tal begs Drew to find out what's going on. Drew, now questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, does so reluctantly, not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, Spring 2014) and Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).


AKA http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid addition to the Farthering mysteries. I loved how the story began with a regency house party. All the Jane Austen references intermixed with Drew, his wife Madeline, and old chums were a charming delight. For some reason though, this mystery didn’t quite enthrall me like the previous three. It was still a fun read though and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deering does it again! I mean, the only thing better than a Drew Farthering book? : A DREW FARTHERING BOOK with a Regency flair!

I love the cozy, throw-back world with large, rambling estates and an Agatha Christie meets Dorothy L Sayers timbre.

I also really appreciate the development between Drew and the other characters populating his life: especially Madeleine.

A smart, classy, high read with the manners of Downton with the clever turn of a Conan Doyle yarn.

Long live Drew!

(and these super awesome covers!

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well done historical mystery in the Drew Farthering Mystery Series.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

DRESSED FOR DEATH
(Drew Farthering Mysteries: #4)
Written by Julianna Deering
(aka: DeAnna Julie Dodson)
2016, 336 Pages
Genre: mystery, historical, fiction, romance

★★★★

Madeline is finally Drew Farthering's wife and for their first adventure as a married couple they attend a fancy Regency era costume party. Along with them is Nick and Madeline's friend from America, Carrie and her younger brother, Will. Talbot Cummin's parents are hosting the party at their home and will also be attended by his fiancee, Alice. Drew and Tal attended school together and their fathers were also good friends. Just as everyone is getting into the Regency Era, Alice dies of cocaine overdose and Tal's father is arrested for transporting cocaine. Tal begs Drew to look into Alice's death because he does not believe that his father killed her. Drew and his gang look into the murder but when someone close to them is murdered he is not sure if he can solve this one.

Regency era? Jane Austen quotes? Dressing and dancing in the time period? Sign me up! Well, if I was of that class. When the police show up, one copper snickers and notes that it must be nice to not have to work and prance around. I have to applaud Deering in marrying her characters in a reasonable time rather than dragging it out. I like Drew and Madeline as a couple as they are realistic for the time and present day. The mystery had me scratching my head for a bit - which I love! In this book we see more of Nick and Carrie's courtship as well. We meet Carrie's seventeen year old brother, Will who is eager to be a detective and keep his sister in America. Will is another character I liked immediately. I was not a huge fan of the Cummins as they all seem a bit off, as does their cook who cannot have anyone in her kitchen. This novel had a bit more religious overtones in it, but nothing that really bothered me. Deering uses reference to God as a way of coping with what is going on but not in a preachy way. This was a more emotional book for me. I had to stop reading for a bit just to gather myself again. I think this just shows how well Deering writes her characters and story. I hope there is more Drew and his gang!

k (My Novelesque Life)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dressed for Death (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #4) by [Deering, Julianna]Dressed for Death is the fourth book in the Drew Farthering Mystery Books. The Fartherings went to a Regency era costume party to celebrate being married for 6 months. While there they come upon Talbot Cummins and Alice, his fiancee, who seem less that happy. During the ball, Alice dies from overdosing on cocaine. The question is did she take it herself or was it murder.

I found the characters to be fun to read and share the adventure with plus I loved the Christian message behind the entire story. There were sections that were slow but by sticking with it, I found the twists and turns to make this a good mystery.

[Rissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Julianna Deering released Murder at the Mikado , I was certain we’d see the last of proper English gentleman Drew Farthering. Sad as this is, I was fine with this because the story ends in a wonderful kind of way. Much happiness is mine when the author made the not one additional novel, but two more, announcement.

STORY: Married life is treating Drew Farthering and his American bride, Madeline, well. For their sixth-month anniversary, Madeline ropes Drew into attending a regency house party hosted by the parents of Drew’s school chum. Needless to say, the idea of dressing in frills and 100-year-old costumes doesn’t appeal to Drew, but for Madeline he’ll do anything. With his best friend, Nick at his side, Drew’s knack for mystery again flairs up when the fiancée of his friend, Talbot Cummins, dies under mysterious circumstances.

Was it an accident or murder?

Further complicating things is the arrest of Tal’s father, Mr. Cummins, a man Drew once respected now accused of dabbling in the drug trade, which leads Drew into a mystery that tangles deeper than he’d ever imagined.

Dressed for Death, by Julianna Deering | Book Review

As always, revisiting the world of the dashing Drew Farthering is a rare delight. It's not secret that Drew is one of my fictional crushes, and I have no intention to conceal this anytime soon. (I don’t mind saying the #WeHeartDrew hashtag should be a trending thing.) Set in the 1930s England, these novels are about as period authentic as I’d ever be able to imagine this era being. From the crisp, elegant language (including Drew calling Madeline “darling” *insert all the heart eye emojis*) to the settings, and afternoon tea, everything is spot-on lovely.

If you enjoy visits to yesteryear, no one does historical escapism quite like Julianna Deering. If you worry that a fourth book may get caught in a rut (because of the same setting/characters), never fear. Everything is new because of the Regency trip into playacting. Plus, there are lots of Jane Austen references, which is always a bonus, right? In short, this novel is a delight from beginning to end. It does take its time in setting up the mystery (meaning there's a lot of purposeful and conversational sleuthing for clues rather than "action"), but it's never a boring journey.

If you like Marple, Grantchester or any cozy British mystery series, this one is dripping with snazzy British charm. From the accents (which you can totally "hear" because this is that good) to the perfect art deco cover design, you're sure to enjoy Drew's latest adventure. It's one no reader will want to miss!  

Sincere thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of Dressed for Death for reviewing purposes. My apologies to the author, and the publisher (sorry, Amy!) for the delay in publishing this review.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. I grew up on Hercule, Miss Marple, and Lord Peter and reading a Deering mystery is like coming home.

In this installment of the ongoing adventures of Farthering, Drew and Madeline are invited to spend a week at the Cummins' estate. Drew has known the family for years. The son, Tal, is a good friend. The week is one of entertainment, the wearing of regency clothing, and finale of regency dancing. Nick and Carrie join them. At the end of the celebratory week, death visits the mansion. Tal's girlfriend is dead, poisoned by cocaine. It becomes apparent all is not as it seems at the Cummins home.

I really like Drew. He feels called by God to solve mysteries like this death. But he is puzzled and can't seem to figure out what is going on. Then there is another death, and another. He is dismayed that his bumbling ways seemed to have caused more deaths rather than prevented them. He is just like so many of us, wondering if we have really heard God in our calling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The characters are well done and the plot is a good one. There are a few twists in the story, one of which I absolutely did not see coming. I highly recommend this book to those who like British historical mysteries. Great characters, great dialog, authentic setting of 1930s England – another wonderful addition to a favorite series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the previous Drew Farthering mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that a fourth book would be coming in this series.

The classic mystery setting of the 1930s English Countryside is always fun to return to, and the Regency twist, although only prominent in the beginning, was an interesting addition (although I admit some disbelief at the way the men [and even women] were able to quote so much Jane Austen...something tells me that might be a little unrealistic ;)

However, I did feel that this mystery wasn't as strong as the others--I guessed the culprit almost immediately (actually, I had a "hunch" about who the murderer was going to be even before the murder happened...). That being said, there were plenty of times that I felt doubt about my choice and thought I might be wrong. I did find this mystery surprisingly disturbing (I say "surprisingly" because I do read a lot of mysteries, so I'm not exactly a stranger to murder in that context.) Perhaps this was because one of the victims was a young teenage boy my brother's age. Yet, I've read other books where teenage boys have died, so I really don't know what it was about this instance, but it just threw me off

Anyway, while it did take me about half the book to really "get into" it, by the last few chapters I was twisted in knots wondering if I had guessed right or not. I do warn the reader that I found Dressed For Death more depressing than its preceding books, but for anyone who wants to spend more time with Drew and Madeline Farthering, it's one to add to the to-read list.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Married six blissful -- and mercifully murder-free -- months, Drew and Madeline have the luxury of indulging in a little match-making, hoping Nick and Madeline's long-time friend Carrie will finally realize the potential of their long-simmering attraction. The perfect setting to foster a bit of romance is a week-long Regency house party at Winteroak, the family home of Drew's old school pal Tal Cummins. Though he's loathe to dress as Mr. Darcy for a week, Drew is happy for the chance to please his bride and introduce her to the scene of so many of treasured memories of his youth, having always considered Tal and his parents a second family. Joined by Carrie's younger brother Will as an overly enthusiastic chaperone, a well-intentioned roadblock to their matchmaking efforts for Nick, Drew and Madeline throw themselves into the week-long affair of Regency clothes, food, and -- to the horror of all men attending the party -- dancing lessons.

But in spite of the fanciful trappings of the wholly immersive, historically-themed party, it becomes quickly obvious to Drew that all is not well in his old friend Tal's life. His fiancee, Alice, is wary and fearful, hiding secrets she is loathe to reveal. Alice becomes increasingly erratic, until on the night of the ball her simmering fear erupts, resulting in her collapse and death. To Drew's horror, he recognizes her behavior as symptomatic of cocaine use, an overdose of the lethal drug resulting in her death.

In a shocking twist, Tal's father is arrested as the source of the cocaine that killed Alice, revealed as the subject of a long-term, covert police investigation into drug smuggling, shattering Tal and rocking Drew's once stable belief in everything he thought he knew to be true. For if he could so misjudge the man he viewed as a second father, how can he ever hope to ascertain right from wrong, to discover the truth behind the cases he increasingly cannot seem to avoid?

Drew and company agree to stay at Winteroak to help Tal and his mother through the immediate aftermath of the arrest and investigation, little suspecting that a far deeper danger lurks in their midst. Though Tal's father remains imprisoned -- and maintains his innocence in Alice's death -- he refuses to give up the workings of his smuggling operation. As Drew investigates, other, less-seasoned "detectives" like Will attempt to help -- and when Will is brutally murdered, Drew is faced with a choice -- to continue fighting for truth and risk all whom he holds dear, or give up his investigative calling as a failed endeavor.

With each successive installment of the Drew Farthering mysteries, Julianna Deering gets better, proving over and over her facility for the tropes of golden age mystery-style storytelling in the vein of masters like Christie and Sayers. This is Drew's most engaging, thrilling adventure yet, sure to leave readers eager for the next installment which -- if it follows the pattern of its predecessors -- is sure to provide even more thrills. I absolutely ADORE the Regency house party set up of this installment. It's a unique and colorful premise which allows Deering to blend two of British inspiration's most enduring literary themes -- the murder mystery colored with an Jane Austen-esque sensibility.

I've loved Nick, Drew's best friend and estate agent-in-training since his introduction in Rules of Murder, and it is a long-awaited delight to to his own romantic possibilities take center stage here, now that Drew and Madeline are at long-last wed. Not only does Deering begin to develop the promise of the sparks that flew between Nick and Carrie when they first met three books ago, but she uses Nick's budding romance as a springboard for touching on issues of class and social position (similar to how the character of Branson was incorporated into the Crawley family on Downton Abbey). Drew has never treated Nick as anything less than a brother, but given the time period and the social mores associated with Drew's position, its interesting to see Nick grapple with his hopes versus social expectations.

One of the aspects I most appreciate about Deering's period mysteries is her fearless willingness to take on darker subjects like marital affairs and here, drug use and its ramifications, all while blending in a thread of faith that realistically shines a light of hope and redemption in one's darkest hours. Drew is a believer, yes, but faith is never an easy cure-all fix for the problems he encounters in his investigations. In less skilled hands Drew's struggles to reconcile the fallen world he lives in with his faith would result in pat answers -- but here, Deering explores a faith that is big enough to handle the tough questions, to help those grappling with the devastating affects of sin, violence, and addiction in such a way that never denies the often overwhelming sense of hopelessness such events can foster, if left unchecked..

In previous reviews I've mentioned some frustration with Madeline's character, but post-marriage she possesses more of the flavor of a spunky, Myrna Loy-esque sleuth I'd always hoped she'd be. Here, she is far more confident, more of an equal partner in her husband's investigative efforts. And joined by Nick and Carrie, the result is an unstoppable crime-solving quartet. I loved seeing both Madeline and Carrie more involved in the resolution of this mystery, and while they are in peril -- they are never damsels in distress. Deering has a knack for crafting characters that are fully-fleshed, relatable, and best of all, wholly of the time in which they lived, true to the manners and expectations of their social sphere.

Dressed for Death is the most ambitious and enjoyable Drew Farthering mystery yet. It possesses all of the trademarks I've come to appreciate in Deering's fiction -- well-crafted characters, in-depth relational arcs, and enough red herrings and plot twists to keep one's head spinning. I absolutely love the fact that the series has followed Drew into marriage -- where most novels (or series) may stop at the wedding, Deering proves that there are plenty of sparks and room for adventure post-wedding. This series continues to shine with each successive release, a continued welcome addition to the cozy period mystery genre. Sparkling with wit, warmth, and style, Dressed for Death is an unmissable treat for fans of all things mysterious and British. I can't wait for Drew's next book!

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it happens, readers have been waiting for the 4th Drew Farthering Mystery much, much longer than I first supposed! I was sure the 3rd novel, Murder at the Mikado, was published last year, but no, it was 2014. So fans have been loooooooong overdue for this latest release and I am pleased to announce that Dressed for Death is well worth the wait!

Look at the cover. Is anything different about it? What era is this series set in? If you're guessing the 1930s because you know the series then yes, you are 100% correct and win the gold Cupie doll! But the book cover is most absolutely a Regency cover! You should have seen my double take when I pulled the book from its package from Bethany House. If you're guessing I should have known by the synopsis, realize that I rarely read synopses in full. I like it when a book surprises me. In fact, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So the realization that Drew, Madeline, and Nick are attending a week long Regency themed house party where appropriate Regency garb is required at all times just made my little anglophile heart leap. It made for an absolutely charming change of pacing and setting and I'm so glad Ms. Deering thought up such a clever idea.

If you've read any of this series before then you already know that the novels are high-spirited and comedic in nature. But the series also involves quite a bit of death and the ruination of lives, and so the mystery in the 4th novel is a depressing one. It reveals, quite painfully, how drug dealers operate within a rather limited morality, caring only for their own loved ones and not for anyone else. It's very much like The Godfather, and I assume that is because the theme is true. If it weren't, we wouldn't have drug dealers to contend with because they would care about the people they hurt. I applaud the originality of a theme rarely presented in historic Christian fiction.

The little things I liked are . . . Eddie the cat (so ADORABLE!), the Regency era reenactment (it's now given me quite a few ideas for a potential house party someday), and Drew and Madeline as a married couple (YAY!). I felt the mystery was solid and left only one loose thread in the maid, Jacqueline's, mysterious illness that was never addressed. But seeing as that is a very small, unimportant thread, I'm not one to quibble.

One thing I've noticed about myself is that I rarely finish reading a series. I'll go so far and thank kaput. But with the success of Ms. Deering's last two books, and their ability to hold me spellbound, I will follow Drew Farthering and his darling bride on their adventures until their final publication. I love the growth of the characters from one book to the next and my fondness for Nick continues to expand, which is good since he's Drew's best friend. This particular set of characters is endearing to me and I can't help wishing the series would continue forever.

I also hope *hint, hint* that other Christian authors may try their hand at historic mysteries that are high on adventure and less focused on romance. The balance Ms. Deering has found for her Drew Farthering Mysteries is just perfect. And look at those incredible book covers! ❤

* I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

You can find all my reviews and much more at my blog Bookshelves & Daydreams.

[Jennay Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first review for Bethany House – I received a complimentary copy of the book for review.

The book I received was Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering. It is actually the first book of hers that I have read (I discovered after signing up for this book that it is the fourth instalment in the Drew Farthering Mystery Series). Not to be deterred by this, I made the decision to not read up on anything pertaining to her previous titles – I wanted to experience it with no prior knowledge interfering. I will do my best to review without spoilers.

As the book began, I must admit, I struggled to ‘believe’ the back and forth between Drew and Madeleine. I’m not sure if this is because, as I had mentioned, I was completely new to the series and so took a few pages to ‘find my feet’ – it could easily have been that – but whatever the reason, it stands that I did struggle for the first few pages. However, it did not last long – soon I was quite happily transported to the 1930’s…whilst pretending to be in the 1800’s. [observation: there was a lot of Austen quoting happening throughout the book, I don’t know if this is something Drew and Madeleine have always done – remember, this is our first encounter – or if it had something to do with the whole “Regency era” thing. I can see, however, that it may come across as a little odd. I, myself, am a Janeite and quote Austen in my everyday life, and hence this did not bother me.]

Back to the book. Dressed for Death follows Drew and Madeleine as they head to a country manor owned by the parents of one of Drew’s school friends. They, along with a few other guests, have been invited to attend a week of “Regency living.” The book being a part of a murder mystery series, there is a murder, and the mystery unfolds. [This may seem a very short sort of synopsis, but I really do not wish to give anything away – the slightest bit of insight can lead to figuring out the story too early and, hence, missing the thrill of the mystery.]

And now for the verdict…I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The writing is excellent, truly capturing the essence of the time period portrayed. The phrasing and vocabulary were thoroughly enjoyable and really told the story well . Most importantly, the ‘mystery’ was incredibly strong and, at least to me, unpredictable. Quite early on, I thought I had ‘figured it out’ and was quite disappointed that the excitement was so short-lived. However, I quickly learned I had been wrong – which was delightful and allowed me to continue enjoying the ‘unravel.’ A slight negative, I don’t think I expected quite the number of murders – one in particular left me quite shocked – but at least, on the plus side, this means the story is not predictable? I also found that the conversations between the characters were very true-to-life. This is especially true when the characters are at emotional low-points. Very importantly, Christian’s beliefs and struggles were realistically portrayed and conveyed – never feeling forced or false. The book offered great insight into understanding more about Who God is, His character, as well as how we view ourselves in relation to Who He is, and the talents and gifts He has given each one of us. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone wishing to enjoy a good mystery with a lot of heart. I intend to find Julianna Deering’s other titles to enjoy.

[Tammy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Another Drew Fathering Mystery! After reading each of the Drew Fathering mysteries I have found that although each book is a stand alone story it is a wise reader who reads these Drew Farthing mysteries in order.
In this story Drew and Madeline are married and celebrating six months by attending a Regency era costume party. Oh, What a party this turns out to be!
At the party Drew sees an Oxford college classmate, Talbot (Tal) Cummins and his fiancee, Alice Henley.
As the party comes to the grand ball Alice keels over, she dies. Evidence points out that Alice took cocaine. This is where the mystery begins for Drew. Tal's dad is arrested for drug trafficking. Tal is in shock about the whole picture...his dead fiancee and a dad who is into drugs. Tal begs Drew to investigate.
As Drew begins to investigate secret up on secret is revealed. Funny how truth brings secrets to light.
All of the Drew Farthering mysteries are wonderful! But this British cozy mystery is one of Juliana Deering's best! What a read!

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full week long Regency party?!
I am pleased to find the author's considerable awareness of Jane Austen influence being played out in quotes and conversation throughout the opening Regency era house party Drew attends.
Well played Julianna!

Review will soon follow. . .




Delighted there's a fourth upcoming ! Thank you, Julianna and Bethany House!
but, oh, that year of waiting... Now completed and I'm revelling in the enjoyment of a new Drew Farthering read!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more!!!

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by the Book by Julianna Deering
Year: 1933, six month anniversary of Drew and Madeline's marriage
Location: Hampshire, England
Main Characters:
Drew Farthering: Known for solving mysteries
Madeline Farthering: Drew's wife of 6 months
Nick Dennison: Drew's best friend
Carrie Holland: American Nick is in love with, here for a visit
Will Holland: Carrie's teenage brother, fascinated by investigations
Chief Inspector Birdsong: In charge of murder investigations
Tal Cummins: Drew and Nick's friend from Oxford
Alice Henley: Tal's fiancée, clearly bothered by something
Laurent: Tal's fathers business partner, sleazy sort of character

Another murder mystery, and boy, all the murders. People you wouldn't have believed would end up dead!

The setting was at the Cummins estate, and the event was a Regency house party. Everyone dressed in Regency attire. Nothing in the house could be dated later than that era, nor could any form of entertainment during the party have been used post 1820. It was a grand event, beginning with a game Drew and Madeline made up mostly to entertain Carrie's younger brother. He idolized Drew's sleuthing abilities, so the game was to find the pearl necklace hidden in the house, "The Mystery of the Bride's Pearls". Will figured out how to get in and out of parts of the house without being seen and it was indeed diverting for him. But when one person was found dead of an overdose and Tal's father was arrested on suspicion of importing cocaine, the party broke up and the family was now in mourning. Drew and Nick stayed to comfort his Tal and mother. This left a number of people in the house who came with Drew, and the mystery and deaths did not stop. Why was Tal's father involved in drugs? Was he involved in the death of the overdose victim? He's in jail so who's committing the other murders and why?

Knowing now that the murderer had to be about the least likely person, as is usually the case, I had two people in mind right from the start. Yep, it was definitely one of them. But it was still a surprise, because we don't know until the end why! But the other one was suspected until the last chapter when it was finally revealed how he looked guilty, but wasn't.

Another fun Julianna Deering book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tell me again why I let you talk me into this?"

Newlyweds Drew and Madeline Farthering have arrived at Winteroak House, invited by Mr. and Mrs. Cummins to a lavish Regency themed house party, where reuniting with life long acquaintances brings great pleasure, until the lovely Alice Henley is found dead from a suspected drug overdose. It appears that Drew does not know his friends as well as he once thought, and upon his college mate's request, hesitantly agrees to sleuth alongside a slew of law enforcement agencies to determine exactly what happened to his mate's fiance.

"The plot thickens", as another young innocent is brutally murdered, and while one crime appears to be solved, another incident unleashes a series of curious events. Drugs are being smuggled through-out England and Winteroak House appears to be at the very epicenter, but how?

Join Drew and Madeline, accompanied by best friends Carrie and Nick, as they put life and love on the line to solve another intriguing mystery.

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of suspects in this mystery. I was glad to visit with my favorite hero sleuth, Drew Farthering. These murders, and there are a few, even some shocking ones, have Drew questioning his mystery solving abilities. I felt so sorry for him and the others who lost loved ones. Full Review at my website.

[Fiction Aficionado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about British mysteries set in the first half of the 20th century, but I have loved them since I was a teenager. Of course, most of the ones I have read were contemporary, not historical, when they were written. My favourite authors in this genre - Dame Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Georgette Heyer (yes, she wrote mysteries as well as Regency romances) - were all born in the UK between 1890 and 1902, which gives their stories a natural authenticity for the time period. One might be forgiven for questioning whether a fifth-generation Texan could recreate this period with the same authenticity almost a century later, and yet that is exactly what drew me into the Drew Fathering Mystery series from the moment I picked up the first book.

Drew is the quintessential English gentleman, both in manner and situation, and I love the understated way in which Julianna Deering portrays his wit and charm. I also love that we are continuing with Drew and Madeline beyond their marriage and that Deering portrays their affection and regard for one another with a subtlety that eschews cheesy displays of affection.

The opening of the book is light-hearted as Drew and Madeline arrive at Winteroak House for a Regency-themed house party, hosted by the parents of Drew’s former Oxford classmate, Tal Cummins. Also among those attending are Drew’s friend Nick, and Madeline’s American cousins, Carrie and Will. Julianna Deering captures the atmosphere of the house party perfectly, and uses this time to draw attention to the underlying tensions.

After the murder occurs, the novel begins to take on a more sombre tone. Drew is shocked by the arrest that takes place immediately following the murder, and when a second death occurs he begins to question whether he is doing more harm than good in his role as amateur detective. But the snide Inspector Endicott from Scotland Yard is more concerned with finally closing in on a drug smuggling ring than he is with the deaths that have occurred, and Chief Inspector Birdsong isn’t convinced the second death is a murder at all. Finding out what really happened is the least Drew can do under the circumstances, but a fistful of airtight alibis and a few obscure, and possibly meaningless anomalies, doesn't give him much to go on.

In the tradition of the cozy mystery, Drew relies on good old-fashioned detective work and deductive reasoning to piece things together, but there is heartache and danger in store before the answers come to light. Julianna Deering gets the mood, the language - everything, in fact - just right. Rather than fast-paced action and suspense, the mystery unfolds with a steady-paced gravitas that is perfectly suited to the setting and characters, and there is a surprising emotional depth as Drew struggles to come to terms with his sense of uselessness and whether he has misunderstood what he felt was God's call on his life.

I'm hoping this will not be the last we see of Drew and Madeline.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

[Riya Biswas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering is the first book I read in the Drew Farthering series and to be true the 1st from the author as well. I am a big Agatha Christie fan and loves the setting of her books, after a long time, I found such a setting in a murder mystery book, which was rather a nice surprise. I was not aware about the author’s background and if I did not read it later I would have thought that she was from Europe, as her writing style and language used did 100% justice to the setting and the backdrop.
The book starts with Drew and Madeline, going for a week long Regency-themed party arrives at Winteroak House, and the party was hosted by one of Drew’s former Oxford classmate’s parents, the Cummins. The story is set around the early 1930’s and the author did great justice while writing the dialogues and setting the tone of the book. The love between the newlywed couple Drew and Madeline was portrayed very well as well. Until the 1st death the book has a light tone to it, it captures the essence of the house party building up each character and showing that there may just be an underlying tension.
Once the death of Alice Henley (Tal’s Fiancé) happens the book become more engaging and page turning, to be true till the murder it was a little slow to my liking, but it was required to get the full feel of the characters. Drew’s character as an amateur detective was portrayed very well and when Inspector Endicott from Scotland yard makes his 1st arrest Drew was rather very shocked and started questioning his ability to know and judge a person, the person arrested was one he looked upon and had admired since he was a kid.
Then takes place another death and the story becomes a little more serious and Drew furthermore stars thinking if his amateur sleuthing is any useful. Meanwhile Inspector Endicott believes he is closing in on a drug smuggling ring hence not too concerned about the deaths and finding the truth becomes Drew’s ultimate motive. Drew goes ahead with his investigation in an old-fashioned way, like solving out the missing pieces of a puzzle. The mystery opens up at a steady pace, not too fast and the language used by Julianna Deering is suits just right for the 1930’s setting. Without going into much details and spoiling the story for others, I would say I liked reading the book, especially after the 1st death till there it was a little slow and too detailed for my liking, other than that I loved the book. I am thinking about reading the previous books of the series as well.

DISCLAIMER: I received a paperback copy from the publisher to read and give my unbiased and honest opinion. I received no other compensation for my review and was not required or bound to provide my review or any specific rating. I am in no way connected or related to the seller. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna Deering in her new book, “Dressed For Death” Book Four in the Drew Farthering Mystery series published by Bethany House Publishers gives us another adventure with Drew Farthering.

From the Back Cover: A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, But it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery–and Murder–Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew’s former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she’d taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he’s trusted and admired since his childhood–someone who’s been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn’t know whom to trust, and he’s not ready for the secrets he’s about to uncover–or the danger he’ll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

I regret to admit that I have no clue of what a Regency-era house party is. I really missed the meaning of this against the end of the year 1932. It is during the party that the lady dies. It looks like a regular death until the investigation begins. Then a suspect a arrested, blame is cast and Drew is asked to investigate and find the real murderer. This one has it all and then some. Cocaine, drug dealers, treachery, deceit, betrayal and, of course, murder. “Dressed For Death” progresses at a nice, steady pace as Drew sets off to find out who the murderer really is with the help of his friends before the body count rises. Drew is not at his best in this adventure as he simply cannot figure out just what is going on even though he feels called by God to be an investigator. He needs all the support from Madeline that he can get. “Dressed For Death” is a page-turner, action, suspense thriller. Don’t start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down. I recommend this book highly and am greatly looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not actually watched one of those old black-and-white detective shows but I’ve seen several clips over the years. The one of a work-hardened detective sitting behind his desk when a woman walks in needing his help. Julianna Deering’s Drew Farthering Mysteries bring these types of shows to mind. Not because of the detective or the woman, but because of the time-period and the dialogue.

Book number four, Dressed for Death (available everywhere March 1, 2016), finds Drew and Madeline, his bride of six months, heading to the home of one of Drew’s former classmates for a week of Regency role playing. As a lover of all things Austen, this opening had me hooked immediately.

But a week of fun turns deadly when at the grand ball at the end of the week, Talbot’s (Drew’s friend) fiancée dies of a cocaine overdose. When Talbot’s father is arrested, Drew doubts himself. How could he have been so wrong about the man? He’d respected him all these years, never guessing what lie hidden in secret.

Despite his misgivings, Drew promises Tal that he’ll find out the truth about Alice’s death. Was it an accident or did someone want her out of the way? When another murder occurs, another loss of a loved one of someone close to Drew, he questions his calling as a detective. Surely, if this was what God intended him to do, he could have stopped a murder. With time running out and suspects thinning out, can Drew, Madeline, Nick and Carrie figure out who is behind it all before it’s too late?

Deering pulled me into Drew’s world immediately with Drew and Madeline’s arrival at the Cummins home and pushed me along through the world of English society. This cozy mystery series has quickly become one of my favorites as I’ve gotten to know the key players in Deering’s world of suspense, mystery, and intrigue.

One of the great things about Dressed for Death is the further development of Drew’s relationships. He’s married to Madeline now, so readers get to experience that with him. His best friend Nick is courting Madeline’s friend and the four of them make an enjoyable team to hang about with. Drew’s laid back, often teasing, way is a delight, making him a flawed but perfect hero for this series.

Here’s hoping we’ll be seeing more of Drew Farthering and friends in the future.

***Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dressed for Death" is another great mystery from the talented pen of Julianna Deering. This fourth installment in the Drew Farthering Mystery series is filled with great twists and turns, and though I found the story to start a bit slowly, I greatly enjoyed reconnecting with the characters that starred in the first 3 novels of the series. Drew and Madeline are a fun couple to read about, and now that they are married, readers are treated to a fun whole new dimension of their relationship as well. I quite enjoyed the historical setting of this novel, and how the characters dress up for the regency-era costume party, allowing readers to get a taste of that time period as well. Deering cleverly puts a couple of red herrings in this novel that had me considering the wrong character as a suspect, so I quite enjoyed how cleverly crafted this plot is. The pacing is spot-on and the ending is of course oh so satisfying. Now I will say that though you could read this novel as a stand-alone book, you will appreciate this story all the more if you first have read the first three novels in the series, because then you will have been able to really connect with who these characters are, and appreciate the way that they've developed over the course of the series. So, if you haven't yet read any of the novels in this series, well then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and pick up these books and get sleuthing right now!

Although the murder mystery that is the focus of this story wraps up nicely by the end, there is much left hanging about the future of these characters (especially in terms of what comes next for characters Nick and Carrie in their relationship). So I am definitely hoping that a fifth book is on the way, because I just can't get enough of Drew and the rest of these delightful characters. I award this book a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Doreen]

Set in England in 1932, this mystery gives a nod to the 1820s when Drew and Madeline are invited to the Cummins estate for a week long Regency party. While creating a mystery to satisfy a young guest, a real mystery…a murder…takes center stage. Chief Inspector Birdsong is called in and says to Drew, “I’m not the least bit surprised to find you here. Is there any mischief about that you’re not in the middle of?” (location 1165). If you’ve read the earlier books in the series, you know that’s a fitting statement.

Drew promises to help find the murderer but when things go drastically wrong, he doubts God’s call on his life to do so. His new wife, Madeline, reminds him that outcomes are up to God, that “Doing what you’re made to do the best you can do it, even if it’s not the usual thing, glorifies God more than pushing yourself into a role you’re not suited for” (location 1267).

It’s very refreshing to read a book where the main love and romance is between a married couple. That’s pretty rare. They often quoted Jane Austen to each other which was delightful. Pride and Prejudice fans will particularly enjoy the references.

The mystery was full of twists. I “walked” with the characters as they searched for clues and thought I had it figured out but was surprised a time or two. I loved it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I’d highly recommend it and Deering’s earlier books. All opinions are my own.

Drew Farthering Mystery Books:
Book 1: Rules of Murder
Book 2: Death by the Book - https://markdoreenstewart.wordpress.c...
Book 3: Murder at the Mikado - markdoreenstewart.wordpress.com/2014/...
Book 4: Dressed for Death

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newly-weds Drew and Madeline Farthering are celebrating their six-month anniversary at the home of a long-time friend, Talbot Cummins parents. The only hitch for Drew was they had to attend in Regency era costumes and had to remain so dressed for the week. Talbot’s fiancée, Alice Henley, tries to tell Talbot she is concerned about something important, but never seems to find the right time. At the end of the grand ball, Alice dies of an overdose of cocaine. Everyone thinks she took the cocaine on purpose because two of her friends were partaking of it, but Talbot refuses to believe it and enlists the help of Drew to find out if it was a murder or an accident.

Drew is reeling from shock when the police arrest Tal’s father because he has been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Drew begins to doubt that he is a good judge of character but because of his friend’s request for help, he begins to unravel the mystery behind the deaths in spite of the danger to everyone he loves.

I loved the setting of this book. I have always been fascinated with early era British Mysteries and I was not disappointed with this one. It captured my attention from the beginning. It was fast-paced and well developed. The twists and turns will keep you turning the pages, with an ending you probably won’t see coming. I highly recommend this book if you like murder, suspense, mystery and a little romance.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Bethany House, through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each Drew Farthering adventure gets better and better, which means yes, this was the best one yet.

I had wondered how the feel of the book would be with Drew and Madeline married this time out, instead of getting to know each other or courting. I needn't have been even slightly concerned - being married just made them all the more adorable! Add in a healthy dose of Nick and Carrie and I was squealing several times.

I'd say this one feels a lot more like Murder at the Mikado than either of the first two. It's definitely darker in tone, and tackles a LOT of tough issues. The body count is higher, too, and I have to admit some of them hit me pretty hard. But all these things just make the book even better - it's intense, it's emotional, and it's incredible.

Drew hits a pretty low point in this one, too. He's had his ups and downs in the past 3 books, but nothing compared to this one. Dressed for Death was a great step in Drew's journey - growing stronger in his relationship with Madeline, in his faith in God, and his abilities as a detective.

All the characters are vivid and so real, even the minor ones. It was always great to see Nick and Carrie again, of course, and Chief Inspector Birdsong is always a delight. Also, it was fun seeing some people from Drew and Nick's past, old friends who were throwing a house party.

Five full stars for this newest (and best so far!) adventure in the series, and I eagerly look forward to Drew's next mystery!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dressed for Death" is a historical mystery set in 1933 in England. It's the fourth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the previous books.

The characters were engaging, had depth, and reacted realistically to events. Most mysteries kill off the unlikable or unknown characters, but it's the young, innocent people who die in this story. Due to their grief, the main characters weren't clear-headed about solving the mystery.

It was a clue-based puzzle. By two-thirds of the way in, I had a good idea of how the smuggling was done and had my whodunit suspects narrowed down to two people. In contrast, Drew and friends were still getting nowhere. They'd stumble upon clues yet wouldn't follow up on odd happenings. This worked okay because of how it was written, but it meant that most of their tracking down the answers happened in the last third of the book.

The characters were Christian, and this was shown in how they treated people. Drew debated whether God really had called him to solve crimes or if that was his own ego talking. There were no sex scenes. There was no bad language. I'd recommend this interesting mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew and Madeline return with another mystery! It appears that just because they're married, it doesn't mean they've quit solving murders.

It was fun catching references to Jane Austen's works; some I was more familiar with than others, but I know I recognized quite a few! I enjoyed the return of Carrie as a love interest for Nick. And meeting an adorable tuxedo cat that's worth keeping an eye on.

No matter how fun the mystery may be, or how clever the references to the theme, the murders in these books are never taken lightly. Murder truly is serious, no matter how it's often treated in cozy mysteries. I thought this one had an exceptionally tough death to deal with, along with the serious matter of drugs. And when people turn out to be different than one had always thought . . . it can be heart-breaking. This book was a bit heavier than I had anticipated, but the difficult subjects were treated well.

There are plenty of twists and turns to this mystery! The 1930's setting is interesting as always, with lots of little period details to ground it. Highly enjoyable.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free book in exchange for review; I was not required to make the review positive, and all opinions are my own.

[Debora Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a WONDERFUL cozy mystery!

This is part of a “true” series. You should read the books in this series in order. There are definite references to things that happen in the previous books in this one.

I really love the depth of development for the characters in this story. Their backgrounds and personalities are so clear and easy to relate to. The main characters have a deep belief in God which I thoroughly enjoyed. At the same time they do at times question their understanding of what is going on and why God is allowing it. This is just part of human nature in my mind and it makes the story more realistic.

This is a time period that I haven’t read very many books set in so I did have to take my time to understand some of the terms and words used. I did find it very interesting to take some time in a new era for me.

The scene was set beautifully from the very beginning of the book and then the mystery slowly developed. As Drew and his friends tried to unravel what was going on and who was behind it there were a lot of fascinating twists and turns. It really kept me guessing right up to the end of the book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drew and Madeline Farthering are invited to a week long Regency-era house party at Winteroak House. Drew and Madeline were excited to be reunited with old friends and meet new friends. Drew's former classmate, Talbot Cummins is excited to introduce Drew to his fiancee, Alice Henley. However, during the party Alice acts erratically and dies from an overdose. Tal is convinced it is murder and asks Drew to investigate. Is anyone safe? Who can be trusted?

This was my first book in this series, I have not read the previous book and it doesn't seem like each book is connected. I consider this mystery book a bit tame and would go so far as calling it a cozy mystery. The book was interesting but a bit boring and the conversation between characters felt forced and unauthentic. The way Drew carried on the "investigation", seemed more like the obvious and he seemed oblivious during a good part of the novel. The ending was also a bit predictable as there was a lot of clues through out the novel. After reading this, I am not really sure I am interested in reading the other books in this series.

**Disclosure - I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

[A Holland Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable mystery to me. I liked the time period in which is was set and enjoyed the Regency era costume party. The characters were fun and I am glad I got to "visit" them again. Tal had many shocks in this story from the death of his fiancee to learning that his soon to be father in law was a drug smuggler. You will learn more about this story as you read the book. I thought there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end of the story. You will also find yourself not wanting to put the book down so that you can see what happens next. I think the author does a good job with descriptions so much so you can really feel as if you are a part of this story. The characters are also well developed and likeable. This book is number four in the series and I do suggest you read them in order so as to not miss out on Drew's journeys in his personal lfe in the order in which they happen. This is a fun series that I will be watching for the next one to come out to continue to visit Drew and his new wife along their adventures.