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Handbags and Homicide: A Fashion Writer Mystery
Wren Chase knows fashion. As a writer for Posh Vogue Magazine, the hottest fashion magazine in Manhattan, every designer wants to impress her. Wren’s taste in fashion is impeccable; if she loves something, so does everyone else. Her life is filled with high fashion, dinner parties, fashion shows and other events. She has a great life! Then, one day, a package in the mail changes Wren’s life. It turns out she has a destiny, one that she can’t quite believe. Then, when a friend and colleague is murdered, Wren finds herself smack in the middle of the investigation. Teamed with an eccentric assistant, a feisty spirit and a handsome detective, Wren sets out to find the killer. In the process, she might just fulfill her destiny.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2020
20 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 29, 2020
Handbags and Homicide is a wonderfully witty tale of a murder and the world of high fashion. Wren has earned her place at the top of the fashion world. With her GBF and her impeccable taste her life is going well. Things start to go awry when she receives a mysterious package and then her friend is murdered and she gets sucked into the investigation. It’s not all bad the lead detective is a hottie that looks fantastic in Armani. The ghost and her atrocious taste is hilarious and makes the book. A truly fun read.
June 27, 2022
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book. It has a paranormal twist to it that makes Wren’s morphing into a crime-fighting badass all the more plausible. Additionally, there is a quirky supporting cast that will make you giggle out loud.
I cannot wait to see where Leg Warmers and Larceny takes Wren and gang as well as what new characters are introduced to us!
I cannot wait to see where Leg Warmers and Larceny takes Wren and gang as well as what new characters are introduced to us!
August 5, 2020
I liked it. It was different. It was well written and made me laugh at the same time. I would like to read more by this author soon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2020
Wren Chase is a fashion expert writing for Posh Vogue Magazine, the hottest fashion magazine in Manhattan. The things she likes are attractive to everyone and she is an acknowledged leader with her impeccable taste in fashion. Her assistant and BFF, Skyler Henry, a flashy diva, brought the mail in for her, spinning around and telling her about the delicious man he met. He saw Wren was distracted and she told her she had a bizarre dream that she can’t stop thinking about. In the dream, Calvin Klein appeared to tell her she has a calling. That it was her birthright to help people and a message would be coming to her soon. She woke in a cold sweat. So Skyler took her to lunch and they also got a facial, so she was feeling better. With three articles due in the next two weeks, perhaps this had just been stress.
When they return to the office, a package is waiting. Skyler tries to open it for her and is thrown across the room! The package then tells Wren to approach! Skyler heard it too, but chooses to stand way back! Inside is an ugly black pleather bejeweled handbag. When she opens it, a puff of blue smoke comes out and a woman is floating in front of them, identifying herself as Elsbeth Leona Sinclair (“Bitty”). She tells Wren to read the letter in the box from her Grandma Cecile. It tells her she was chosen to help humanity and has a new ability to sense evil from one who would harm others, and that she will have a spirit guide to help her when she is intended to step into a situation. When the letter mentions Wren’s real name is Renalda Sue Chastain and she comes from Dirty Ankle, South Carolina! Skyler flings himself onto the sofa in a dramatic faint at the shock.
This is the start of fulfilling Wren’s destiny. So when a friend and colleague is murdered, Wren finds herself smack in the middle of the investigation. Teamed with her eccentric assistant Skyler, a feisty spirit Bitty, and a handsome detective, Wren sets out to find the killer. Will she learn how to use her new skills? Will the killer target her now? Grab your copy and enjoy this off-the-wall mystery. It is definitely different than what you might normally expect, but there are plenty of laughs ahead!
When they return to the office, a package is waiting. Skyler tries to open it for her and is thrown across the room! The package then tells Wren to approach! Skyler heard it too, but chooses to stand way back! Inside is an ugly black pleather bejeweled handbag. When she opens it, a puff of blue smoke comes out and a woman is floating in front of them, identifying herself as Elsbeth Leona Sinclair (“Bitty”). She tells Wren to read the letter in the box from her Grandma Cecile. It tells her she was chosen to help humanity and has a new ability to sense evil from one who would harm others, and that she will have a spirit guide to help her when she is intended to step into a situation. When the letter mentions Wren’s real name is Renalda Sue Chastain and she comes from Dirty Ankle, South Carolina! Skyler flings himself onto the sofa in a dramatic faint at the shock.
This is the start of fulfilling Wren’s destiny. So when a friend and colleague is murdered, Wren finds herself smack in the middle of the investigation. Teamed with her eccentric assistant Skyler, a feisty spirit Bitty, and a handsome detective, Wren sets out to find the killer. Will she learn how to use her new skills? Will the killer target her now? Grab your copy and enjoy this off-the-wall mystery. It is definitely different than what you might normally expect, but there are plenty of laughs ahead!
August 10, 2020
This is possibly the first book in the Fashion Writer Mystery series and the main character is a fashion writer for Posh Vogue Magazine called Wren Chase. She has huge influence over loads of designers in the city and further afield. She is well groomed, always wearing the latest fashions and always coordinated with her make-up, outfit and accessories. She lives for fashion, shows, dinner parties and anything else to do with fashion. She has a number of articles to complete, when she receives a package that shocks her and her assistant/best friend Skylar, who is an over the top drama queen, but deeply loyal to his friend.
The package changes everything! She had a strange dream, the night before it arrived and it seems it was linked. She now has a far different destiny, which has run through her family line for hundreds of years. She will soon have to put this destiny into action when a good friend and rising fashion designer is murdered, just after a somewhat scathing article she wrote on the new line he created in partnership with another designer. Another package arrives from the dead man, with a cryptic message, leaving her to contact the police. A handsome detective turns up and Wren is teased by her eccentric assistant and a very loud and blunt southern spirit, about him and the fact he likes her! They need to team up to find the killer and if she listens to her trigger, she will fulfil her destiny, just like her ancestors.
An unusual and interesting storyline, which was very amusing to read, but far too short. It is, I presume an introduction to a possible new series, by the author, so the length can be forgiven. The spirit may return and Wren may need to fulfil her destiny yet again and I look forward to reading it if that happens. A very light-hearted and fun read, which I would recommend to others. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The package changes everything! She had a strange dream, the night before it arrived and it seems it was linked. She now has a far different destiny, which has run through her family line for hundreds of years. She will soon have to put this destiny into action when a good friend and rising fashion designer is murdered, just after a somewhat scathing article she wrote on the new line he created in partnership with another designer. Another package arrives from the dead man, with a cryptic message, leaving her to contact the police. A handsome detective turns up and Wren is teased by her eccentric assistant and a very loud and blunt southern spirit, about him and the fact he likes her! They need to team up to find the killer and if she listens to her trigger, she will fulfil her destiny, just like her ancestors.
An unusual and interesting storyline, which was very amusing to read, but far too short. It is, I presume an introduction to a possible new series, by the author, so the length can be forgiven. The spirit may return and Wren may need to fulfil her destiny yet again and I look forward to reading it if that happens. A very light-hearted and fun read, which I would recommend to others. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 26, 2025
Wren knows fashion and works for a prestigious fashion and everyone wants to see her wearing their products . Until the day a black bag shows up at her work place let me rephase that a talking black bag. When they open it out pops Bitty just floating there telling Wren to open the letter from her grandmother. Where she finds out she has a power to sense evil When a friend of hers has been murdered Wren, Bitty and her assistant are dropped into the middle of the investigation. While she is figuring out who did it she just might figure out her destiny.
Wren is such a fashionista and has a great life as basically an influencer to all those that read her articles. She comes off as a fashion snob and really doesn't want to embrace her destiny most of the time. She and her assistant are so fun, watching them bumble through the case is so fun . Strong and care free each of them. But I will say Bitty is the best character ever she is hilarious and is so witty . She has the best one liners ever . All the characters are well written and complex.
This is a fun fast read, the author has created such a fun cozy mystery with a paranormal twist to it . The characters are fun and the story is a good read . This would be a great book to read on a lazy day . It is the first book in the series and can't wait to see where the characters go in book two .
Wren is such a fashionista and has a great life as basically an influencer to all those that read her articles. She comes off as a fashion snob and really doesn't want to embrace her destiny most of the time. She and her assistant are so fun, watching them bumble through the case is so fun . Strong and care free each of them. But I will say Bitty is the best character ever she is hilarious and is so witty . She has the best one liners ever . All the characters are well written and complex.
This is a fun fast read, the author has created such a fun cozy mystery with a paranormal twist to it . The characters are fun and the story is a good read . This would be a great book to read on a lazy day . It is the first book in the series and can't wait to see where the characters go in book two .
August 9, 2020
First let me say I have never read anything by this author. Although there were a few errors in the book, the story was great. I just overlooked them. Bitty the ghost was hilarious and her attachment to her purse had me laughing. Wren is kind of a fashion snob, which is unexpected since she basically came from the wrong side of the tracks. Wren's friend Skylar is way out there, but you can't help liking him. The story centers around Wren getting powers and a helper in the form of Bitty the ghost, who arrives in a purse that is inside a box. Wren's power is that she can sense evil in a person and she hiccups whenever near them, which Bitty finds funny. Wren, the hot detective on the case, Bitty and Skylar all help in solving the case. You will love this book unless you are super picky about the errors.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2020
Fashion, Fabulous-ness and Murder in Manhattan
Set in upscale Manhattan where the fashion elite reside, and style is everything, the murder of fashion designer Chaz Ames leaves fashion writer Wren struggling to understand why she's been sent a package by the murdered designer.
A package also arrives from her deceased Grandma Cecile, containing a letter and a black pleather bejewelled handbag that binds the ghost of the very eccentric Elbeth Leona Sinclair "my friends call me Bitty."
When Bitty informs Wren she must be the one to help solve Chaz's murder, Wren tries to ignore the summons.
Wren, along with her fabulous BFF Skyler, and Bitty, seek the truth of Chaz's demise.
This is a fun and fabulous tale of murder, fashion, suspicion and even a little romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Set in upscale Manhattan where the fashion elite reside, and style is everything, the murder of fashion designer Chaz Ames leaves fashion writer Wren struggling to understand why she's been sent a package by the murdered designer.
A package also arrives from her deceased Grandma Cecile, containing a letter and a black pleather bejewelled handbag that binds the ghost of the very eccentric Elbeth Leona Sinclair "my friends call me Bitty."
When Bitty informs Wren she must be the one to help solve Chaz's murder, Wren tries to ignore the summons.
Wren, along with her fabulous BFF Skyler, and Bitty, seek the truth of Chaz's demise.
This is a fun and fabulous tale of murder, fashion, suspicion and even a little romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2022
First off, stunning cover! Second, I loved this cozy mystery. I haven't read one quite like it and loved the main character, Wren the Fashion Writer. Bitty was my favorite character though! She made me laugh every other page and her frankness was refreshing. Lastly, I thought the paranormal elements were unique and I liked how they came into play throughout the story. How Wren received and used her gift was very cool AND hilarious. I couldn't help, but giggle every time she would discover a new skill or have to carry that darn purse.
March 2, 2025
Wren is a writer for a hot fashion magazine. Many designers want her praise. She loves fashion and everyone loves what she loves. Her life is filled with shows, parties, clothes, and more. Nothing could go wrong until it does. A package containing her new destiny knocks her off her Jimmy Choos. Then some terrible news comes her way. A friend of hers is murdered and she must work with a police detective, her crazy assistant/BFF, and a ghost who's way too southern for her tastes. Can they hope to solve the case together, or will another victim exist?
April 9, 2025
I did not expect to like this. At all!
But i picked it up for free at the stuff-your-ereader-day and i want to read them all.
Anyways, it starts off kinda pretentious and full of filler words and every noun gets an adjective.
But then the twists and turns start happening!
Like i said, i did not expect to like this but in the end i finished it while smiling. Not because it was done, but because the book proved me wrong.
The banter was quick and fun, and while the southern phonetic spelling was kinda annoying, it got the point across.
Good job!
But i picked it up for free at the stuff-your-ereader-day and i want to read them all.
Anyways, it starts off kinda pretentious and full of filler words and every noun gets an adjective.
But then the twists and turns start happening!
Like i said, i did not expect to like this but in the end i finished it while smiling. Not because it was done, but because the book proved me wrong.
The banter was quick and fun, and while the southern phonetic spelling was kinda annoying, it got the point across.
Good job!
December 3, 2020
Very enjoyable! A nice quick read that was funny and kept your interest right from the beginning. Great characters! Really enjoyed them all but I really loved Skyler! He was hilarious! Had a little bit of all the feels and some action, danger, adventure, and a little romance and let’s not forget the quirky spirit! Very good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2020
The storyline was different than what you might expect from the title. Although centered around the fashion industry, Bitty a ghost appears to surprise Wren with the news of her family power to be able to sniff out evil around her. This comes in handy when a murder is committed but not sure how believable it was that the police welcomes her "psychic" ability to help him solve his case.
August 1, 2020
A short, quick read - details, depth and complexity are not there. As this is the first in a series, maybe things will develop? Otherwise enjoyable due to the quirkiness of her paranormal ability and her ghost sidekick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2020
Wren is a star in the fashion world, setting and unsettling trends, designs and designers
Friendships, family and romance get tangled up with deadly drama
Throw in some wild and wacky paranormal elements and helpers, this is an absolutely fabulous and butt kicking adventure
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Friendships, family and romance get tangled up with deadly drama
Throw in some wild and wacky paranormal elements and helpers, this is an absolutely fabulous and butt kicking adventure
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2020
This is the 1st book I've read written by J.C. Layne; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2020
Wren is a successful fashion writer who receives a package, a letter, and a new friend which lead her to a drastic change in her reality and the truth behind a murder. I especially enjoyed the character of Bitty and her antics.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2020
Handbags and Homicide: A Fashion Writer Mystery is the first book in what I hope will be a long line of cozy mysteries coming to us. This book is short but very entertaining with quirky characters, spirits, murder, mystery, and mayhem. It will have you laughing out loud and looking forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2021
Such an original storyline! I fell in love with these characters so quickly. It was a laugh a minute with the way Bitty and Skyler were bickering back and forth. Poor Wren was totally stuck in the middle. And the hiccups, seriously! Got to read the book to find out what that means!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2025
This was a laugh out loud read!! Paranormal meets murder meets fashion. From the first page I didn’t want to put it down. The author is very descriptive and you get a great feel for characters. With a hilarious BFF, funny ghost sidekick and hot cop and it’s a must read!! I hope this isn’t the last of them.
August 6, 2020
Great read. The author really draws the reader into the story. Will definitely read another book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2020
This book was well written and the characters were awesome. I enjoyed reading this book. I laughed and cried throughout the book. I can not wait until I can read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2020
Oh my goodness, this book is hilarious. That bittie is a hoot. The banter between the characters is witty and funny. I loved everything about this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 17, 2020
Entertaining whodunit with interesting characters. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2025
A quirky fast-paced story with mystery, mayhem, madness, fashion, and lots of drama and a sprinkle of paranormal.
This is perfect for those looking for an entertaining amateur sleuth with lots of drama and fashionistas.
This is perfect for those looking for an entertaining amateur sleuth with lots of drama and fashionistas.
March 5, 2025
This was such a nice, fun read. I am a lover of cozy mystery and even better when it is paranormal cozy mystery! A crime in the high fashion world solved by a witch and masterfully delivered. Loved it a lot
July 8, 2020
Amazing as always,a little different but great story love it
November 7, 2020
Fun, different mystery/romance
I admit it took me a minute to get into the flow of this book. But it was fun and quirky. The characters made me laugh. Worth the read!
I admit it took me a minute to get into the flow of this book. But it was fun and quirky. The characters made me laugh. Worth the read!
December 29, 2024
funny paranormal cozy
March 1, 2025
Who doesn't love a good murder mystery with a kickbutt Fashionista, a drama queen BFF, and a Southern slob of a ghost stuck in the 80's! Absolutely hilarious and well worth reading!!!;
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews