Dressed for Success…Turned Out for Murder: A Women of Wynton's Mystery

by Donna Mumma

Mary Jo’s Dreams for Her Family Are Murdered
 
Mid-century glam meets murder mayhem in a series of cozy mysteries at Wynton’s Department Store.
 
It is Mother’s Day of 1957 in Levi City, Florida, and Mary Jo Johnson is supposed to be celebrating her return to fulltime homemaker after her time spent working at Wynton’s Department Store. But her entire world turns upside down when her husband, Kenny, is accused of murdering his boss at the local hardware store he was planning to purchase. Mary Jo—along with her friends (and fellow Wynton’s employees) Audrey, Vivien, and Gigi—must come together to find the truth about what really happened. . .before all hopes for the Johnsons’ future vanish forever.
 
Be sure to also read The Women of Wynton’s and First Comes Marriage. . .Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma

Genres: Fiction

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 1, 2026

About the author

Donna Mumma is an award-winning author who was blessed with two wonderful parents who taught her how stories enable readers to learn, escape, connect, and be inspired.
A native Floridian, she weaves her experiences of growing up in rural Florida into her works of southern fiction.
Before she started writing, she honed her story-telling skills as a first-grade teacher working to keep antsy six-year-olds enthralled. She believes the best stories grab a reader’s heart and mind and nudge them into discovering something about themselves.

Reviews

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “God works things out regardless of how much we worry about them.” **

Donna Mumma continues the story of the fabulous women of Wynton’s Department Store in “Dressed for Success … Turned Out for Murder.”

Audrey Penault is continuing in her position as senior buyer of ladies fashion. Along with her assistant Mirette, Vivien Sheffield is still running her busier-than-ever bridal salon in the store. Gigi Woodard is doing well in the cosmetics department, and Mary Jo Johnson is still enjoying her job in the ladies accessories department. Life is going great for everyone … until Mary Jo’s husband is accused of a horrific crime.

The ladies once again come together, utilizing their strengths and moxie, to figure out what really happened that fateful night. Will they save Mary Jo’s husband and figured out who the real killer is?

Once again, Mumma does an incredible job of reflecting a 1950s department store era while creating a fun and intriguing murder mystery, and also developing great characters — ones to root for and ones to loathe. She also fills her novel with some great themes, like we can always try to make bad into better; it doesn’t matter how much we worry, God will work things out and provide our strength; ignored trouble never goes away; and the power of friendship and loyalty.

This could be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading the first two books in the series. Fans of cozy mysteries and group mystery series like Robert Thorogood’s “Marlow Murder Club” series, or even Katherine Woodfine’s “Sinclair’s Mysteries” will love “Dressed for Success … Turned Out for Murder,” which is due out Nov. 1.

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Grace R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read a mystery in a while, and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Set in the 1950's 4 friends must prove the innocence of one of their own husbands. Add in two feuding gangs, loan sharks, and a lost ledger and you have a recipe for a book that keeps you guessing till the very end. This book does have Christian themes, which I love, but does have one short description of a murder scene (it is not too descriptive). I did not realize this was the third in a series, so characters were hard to keep track of, but you can read on its' own. Thanks to Netgalley and Barbour publishing for an ARC of this book!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dressed For Success... Turned out for Murder is historical mystery that is in 1950s, which takes place in the south Florida to be exact. Mary Jo Johnson has been an employee at Wynton's Department Store and is ready to be a full time home maker now. Her husband Kenny is accused of murdering his boss who owns the Hardware store. Mary Jo's friends from work offer to help prove Kenny's innocence. Each friend has her own chapter with great character development.

At first I did not like that I found it confusing, this is partly because I did not read the first two books. It is full of very engaging dialogue and extremely witty ,funny I liked it. Going forward I will definitely read the books I missed. I really enjoyed the time period and how the women dressed and behaved. I liked how her friends Audrey, Vivien, Gigi work together to find out information and share what they have learned. I liked how the faith was present in the difficult situations they found themselves in. I would recommend this book if you like mysteries historical . If you like quirky funny southern humor this one should be on your list.

[Joy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book that I have read in this series. While I enjoyed reading the previous book, this one had my entire attention since I already knew the characters and understood more about the author's writing style. If you haven't read any of this series, I would most certainly start with the first and continue in order. Then you will be invested in each of the characters. This story revolves around a murder of a businessman and the arrest of a family man. Mary Jo is devasted that her husband Kenny has been arrested for murder. Can the other ladies that she works with at Wynton's be able to solve who actually committed the crime? I couldn't read fast enough, I needed to find out whether or not Kenny was innocent. With the addition to a new employee that thinks the sun rises when he does, this made for more of an intriguing plot. I also enjoyed the phrases throughout the book like this one "Vivien, what bee buzzed in your bonnet today? You've been in a mood since you met me at my front door." I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and the author but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are what I thought of the story.

[Jane Weaver · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Five women with varying backgrounds all work at Wynton's Department Store in Florida in 1957. I read the 2nd book in this series and really enjoyed it. Mary Jo Johnson's life takes an unexpected turn after her husband loses an arm through an accident. Things start looking up until her husband is accused of murdering her boss. Her four friends come together to help her solve this murder while keeping their own jobs. Ms. Vivien runs the Bridal Salon for Wynton's and has extensive knowledge of their town and various people. This will come in handy while the ladies work to solve the murder themselves, especially since the sheriff's office believe they have the murderer and aren't really looking for anyone else. The least expected person comes in contact with these women a lot and they don't suspect her until things start adding up. A fellow Wynton worker is murdered, and the clues lead to the least likely person. I highly recommend this book. I was given an advance copy by the author, but these are my own thoughts and words.

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I did not really like reading 4 people POV, i do feel is too much.

Hey, this book took time to get my attention, but it did, and I love the way these women came together to solve mystery of their boss's death. How their faith develops, what and what that made this fun and humor. Mary Jo, Gigi, Audrey and Vivien loud and good even doe their mothers think they know best not allowing them make mistakes or learning. Too much of cover sha.

This is my honest review of this book, I got this book on NetGalley through Barbour Publishing. This is my saying a big thank you for this wonderful storyline.


Thank you, Donna Mumma.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Mumma’s characters matured between Book 2 and Book 3. The bond between them intensified as evidenced by their dogged efforts to prove Mary Jo’s husband’s innocence.

Mary Jo’s mother is a despicable woman whose constant interference created moments of grace from Mary Jo which revealed her true nature.

I particularly related to Miss Vivien’s aches and pains. Mumma inserts comic relief with her references to her pains.

If you’ve not read the first two books, go ahead and get them and fall in love with the Women of Wynton’s! You’ll be glad you did.

I was provided an advance copy through NetGalley. The comments are my honest opinions of the book.

[Joni Truex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in this series, so far. Hoping for many more. The characters are fun, quirky and good friends. The plot is intriguing. Love the setting - 1950's Wynton's Department Store. Definitely worth the read. This book was provided through NetGalley for me to read. The opinions expressed here are my own thoughts.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Barbour publishing for an ARC of this book. Another light mystery set in the 1950's revolving around best friends who work in a department store. Very nostalgic and a fun book to read. This is part of a series but I think it can be read as a stand alone.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting and left me enthralled the entire time.