Death by Proxy: A DIY Diva Mystery

A DIY Diva Mystery #3

by Paula Darnell

With preparations for her upcoming wedding to handsome Wes Wesson, a Center City police lieutenant, on track and her DIY Bridal Crafts class at Hawkeye Haven's community center wrapped up, DIY Diva Laurel McMillan looks forward to a calm pre-nuptial week to finalize her wedding plans. There's only one the week turns out to be anything but calm. Laurel and Wes narrowly escape being run down in the parking lot of their favorite restaurant. Laurel's bridal shower is interrupted by a mysterious stranger who sends Laurel's lovable chocolate Labrador retriever Bear into a frenzy, and when Laurel and Wes go to meet Lisa, their real estate agent, at a house she promised to show them, they discover Lisa's sister's body floating in the pool. Strangely, Lisa seems more concerned with selling houses than she does with her sister's death. After Lisa's mother inadvertently reveals family secrets, Laurel wonders whether Lisa could have killed her own sister. Will the mayhem and murder stop before Laurel discovers the key to the killer's game plan?

230 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2021

About the author

An instructor at five colleges over the years, Paula Darnell most often taught the dreaded first-year English composition classes, but she's also been happy to teach some fun classes, such as fashion design, sewing, and jewelry making. Paula has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and a Master's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Like Laurel, the main character in Death by Association, Paula enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts. Some of her memorable projects include making a hat and a cape to wear to Royal Ascot, sewing wedding gowns for both her daughters, exhibiting her textile and mixed-media artwork in juried art shows, and having one of her jewelry projects accepted for inclusion in Leather Jewelry, published by Lark Books. She sells some of her jewelry and hair accessories in her Etsy shop.

Paula's interest in DIY craft projects and fashion led to her writing hundreds of articles for print and online national publications.

Paula lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Gary and their 110-pound dog Rocky, whose favorite pastime is lurking in the kitchen, hoping for a handout.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear, a chocolate Labrador retriever
owned by Lauren McMillian is going
to be in her wedding to Wes Wesson,
a Center City police lieutenant.
Lauren McMillian does DIY craft
classes at the Hawkeye Haven
Community Center located in Center
City, Iowa. She is doing a bridal series.
With all the wedding preparations, she
is not prepared to be nearly run down
in a parking lot, to have dead black roses
delivered during her bridal shower or a
dead body in the pool of a house their
real estate going to show them.
What is happening??? Who is responsible
for these deeds???
The story keeps a steady stream of intrigue
and suspense flowing while the plot moves
along at a fast past with many twists, turns,
and diversions.
The characters are intricately designed.
They are colorful, quirky, well fleshed out
making several suspects among them.
Add romance, humor, a special event to
make this an entertaining read.
This is book # 3 in the DIY Diva Mysteries
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
The reader is provided recipes and how to
crafts for dogs following the end of the story.
A Highly Recommended Read!!!
I volunteered to read Death by Design .
Thanks to the Review Crew for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and
is my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third DIY Diva Mystery, but it can be read as a standalone story. In this book, Laurel is planning her own wedding with the help of her friends. Not only is she still working and teaching her classes, but her and Wes are looking for a house. At one of the homes they are planning to look at, they find a body in the pool. It turns out that Laurel knows her, and finds out that she is the sister of their real estate agent. Previous to this, they had a narrow escape when the driver of a large truck tries to run them down in a parking lot. Wes checks out all the people he has arrested and had put in jail, with no luck. As more strange things happen, Laurel uses her network of friends in Haven Harbor to do a bit of sleuthing. Just as Laurel figures out what is going on, it might be too late. Will Laurel be able to talk her way out of the danger she is in?

Laura and her friends are all very likable characters. They are kind, loyal and willing to help each other out as often as they can. Then there is Wes. He is the handsome police detective that she met in the first book and they are now getting married. There are times that I think he is a bit of a workaholic, but the do spend a lot of time together. Bear, Laurel's dog, is an important part of her life and the story. He has his part in solving the string of crimes. The mystery was well-paced with just enough red herrings and suspects to keep me guessing. I enjoy the DIY projects that Laurel teaches in the book, they do not take up too much of the story, but add a different storyline besides the murder. This is a fun cozy with great characters, a good mystery, and an interesting story. I will watch for the next DIY Diva story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Proxy by Paula Darnell is a cozy mystery with real people in it. They are not young and beautiful, they do not have exotic jobs, the crimes are not exotic. Laurel is a middle aged widow who has climbed out of her grief to eventually start her own crafting business, DIY Diva, and is currently experimenting with, and writing a book about DIY for weddings. Part of the research is her own forthcoming wedding to Detective Duane Wesson, Wes, who she met during a murder investigation. This is the week. Also they are house hunting. Not in a big hurry, Wes will move into Laurel's house until they find their own. As they are waiting to meet the realtor at their latest possibility (not a great possibility but they can't seem to communicate with their realtor) they discover a body in the pool. Wes jumps in and pulls her out, rendering CPR until the ambulance arrives. She makes it to the hospital alive, but passes during the night. Odd things are happening, beyond the mysterious death, but Laurel and Wes can't seem to get a handle on them: they narrowly miss getting run over by a truck, twice; black flowers are delivered to her wedding shower, etc.

I like Laurel. She is sensible and clever. She has a fabulous Lab named Bear and she has lost of friends. She deserves the happiness this second marriage will bring. Although she is worried about being married to a cop, she doesn't let it consume her. She has a nice life. Wes is a good guy, who loves Laurel and is ready for his second chance. He loves Bear, too, which is a requirement, and Bear loves him so life is good. When the mastermind is caught, it is a surprise to everyone, including this reader. It was a pretty good story and pretty plausible. It was all about timing as usual, it all came together at the end, somewhat accidentally, and the wedding came off without a hitch. I enjoyed the read. I recommend it.

I received a free ARC of Death by Proxy from Cozy Mystery Revew Crew. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Proxy is the third installment in the DIY Diva Mystery series. It takes place in Iowa and can be read as a stand-alone book, as the right amount of backstory has been provided by Paula Darnell. Once again, Laurel is caught up in a mystery. The story begins with her police detective boyfriend, Wes, proposing marriage. She accepts and while preparing for the wedding, bizarre events start happening. Wes and Laurel are targeted by a pick-up truck driver in a parking lot, dead black roses are delivered to Laurel’s cousin, and a woman is a victim of a suspicious pool accident. Are these incidents related? Who is the target? More than one person is a viable suspect. Will Laurel figure it out before her wedding day?

Darnell has written a lighthearted and delightful cozy mystery that is a quick read. She does a good job of portraying characters with real-life problems. As a dog owner, I appreciate how much Bear, Laurel’s Labrador retriever, plays a part in her life. The bridal crafts wonderfully tie into the wedding preparations. Interesting and engaging subplots, which are skillfully woven into the main plot, provides an added bit of conflict and tension to this mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining story that includes twists and turns, multiple suspects, a tension-filled climax, and a satisfying ending. Each of the books in the DIY Diva Mystery series tends to keep my attention from the beginning until the very last page. I read them in one sitting, and an added bonus to my reading experience is the sharing by Darnell at the end of the book of the recipes and projects that are woven into the storyline.

[Andra Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Proxy is the third book in the DIY Diva Mystery series. It is also the third book I have read by Paula Darnell and rivals my enjoyment of the first book in the series. When reading, I felt as if I had come home. The neighbourhood felt real, as did Laurel and the gang.

Favourite quote:

“Then he looked up at me with his big brown eyes, and cocked his head to the side. I could almost hear him saying ‘please, I want some more,’ like Oliver Twist in the Dickens novel”.

Laurel is to marry the Centre City police lieutenant, Wes Wesson, and while preparations are underway for this event and they are looking for a place to live together - a body is found floating in the pool of a house they are being shown. And the body is the sister of the real estate agent Lisa!!! There are other mysterious events that happen before and after this event, but I leave those for the reader to discover.

What I can say is that the story-line is interesting and engaging (or at least I thought so) with enough red herrings, twists and turns to keep my interest throughout. I like cozy mysteries generally and I really enjoy cozy mysteries that keep me guessing until the end, which Death by Proxy did.

The reader also gets some good story-line with Bear, Laurel’s chocolate Labrador retriever. And who doesn’t like to read about a HEA (happily ever after), if the mystery gets solved before the wedding day!

My only beef with the story-line is who really tries to solve a mystery so close to their wedding? I was amazed that Laurel could figure out “whodunit” and “get to the church on time” - so to speak :) .

I like having the recipes and DIY Diva projects spelled out for me at the end of the book. I hope to try them myself as time permits, especially the dog treats (a Christmas gift perhaps for all my puppy/dog friends!)

If you are fan of the cozy mystery genre, then I highly suggest this series (A DIY Diva Mystery) and title Death by Proxy specifically by Paula Darnell. I for one cannot wait to crack the spine of the next book in the series, if there is to be one… and this reader is sure hoping so!

*I would like to thank Cozy Mystery Review Crew for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Melanie Mckinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren McMillian does DIY craft classes at the Hawkeye Haven
Community Center located in Center City, Iowa. In the book she is doing a bridal series. With all the wedding preparations she is not prepared to be nearly run down in a parking lot, to have dead black roses delivered during her bridal shower or a dead body in the pool of a house their real estate agent is going to show them. What is going on and how is responsible for everything that is happening? The author does a great job of keeping the story moving and keeping you on your toes. It is a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you have figured out the case it takes a turn that you are not expecting. This book provides, a mystery, comedy, and a romance all in one.

Death by Proxy is the third book in the DIY Diva series by Paula Darnell. I was concerned about reading the third book in a series without reading book #1 and #2 but you can read this book and not be lost with the characters. The author does a great job of bringing you up to speed on all of the characters. Being a dog lover and owning two black labradors I loved how there was a chocolate lab incorporated into the book named Bear. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this book today and start reading it. You won’t be disappointed with it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them. In the latest installment Laurel is planning her wedding and teaching a DIY bridal series to the residents of Hawkeye Haven. Laurel and Wes are also looking for a new house for after the wedding, but unfortunately they find a woman floating in the pool at one of the houses that they go to tour and she doesn't make it. No one else is there and so they are involved in another mystery. I loved the birdcage hat idea that was part of the DIY bridal crafts that were discussed in the book, but also that other things were happening in the book other than the wedding planning. Bear is also always entertaining and adds to the coziness of the book. This is a very good series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Donna Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third of DIY Diva series and all are great cozy mysteries that anyone would enjoy.
This is such a delightful mystery. The DIY Diva, Laurel, is DIYing her own wedding, and teaching others how to do it also.
In addition to that she and the rest of the board for FFF are working thru a crisis. Laurel and Wes are also looking for a home to begin their married life. And if that is not enough, they become the target of a would-be hit and run less than a week before their wedding. Of course Wes searches all of the criminals and those he has put in jail but he is not having any real luck finding out who tried to kill them.
The would-be hit and run was just the beginning of the mystery and it takes until the day before the wedding for the puzzle to fall into place. When the suspect reveals themselves Wes is surprised by who it is but not Laurel. She has it figured out first but does not have a chance to tell Wes who she believes is the bad guy.
While all of this is going on Laurel even has time to attend her shower and to make a tux for her dog, Bear, so he can wear it as the ring bearer of their wedding. The wedding turns out beautiful and Laurel and Wes get leave on their honeymoon with no unfinished business for their return except finding the house of their dreams.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute read. This is the third of DIY Diva and I am going to go back and read the first two while I wait for number four.
Laura is very likable and is teaching DIY classes on wedding preparations while getting ready for her own marriage to Wes, a hunky local police detective. Her friends are very likable and have interesting backstories.
The wedding is lest than a week away when they are almost victims of a hit and run. All of the focus is on Wes and who he might have angered. Laura always finds time to work on the crafts and help out neighbors even while being the victim of several unfortunate events. Wes and Laura are looking for a home until they find a dead body in a pool at one of the prospects.
Laura figures out who the suspect is but just at the last moment. Plan on being on the edge of your seat during the last few chapters.
I received an advance copy of this book; the opinions of this review are my own.

[Marsha Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent this e-book to review.
This is the third in the series of the DIY Diva Mystery Books by Paula Darnell and it was a great stand alone book. I have not yet read the previous two books in the series and actually didn't realize they existed until after I had begun to read this one. The characters are nicely presented and Laurel is a fun main character. Her DIY arts and crafts continued to impress me throughout the book.
I was beginning to wonder if Wes and Laurel would make it to their wedding day with the devious activities all around them. Lots of potential persons of interest and it keeps you guessing until the last chapter.
Enjoyable cozy.

[Andrea Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Proxy the third in the DIY Diva series by Paula Darnell turned out to be an incredibly fun mystery. The attention to detail in the book is a crafter's dream, if you are into those things like I am. I also really loved the relationship between Wes and Laurel, and let us not forget her lovable dog, Bear, which provided a bit of comical relief to the story. If you are looking for a light-hearted mystery that will make you wonder who the culprit is right up to the last few chapters, then this story is for you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

P.S.- the crafting and recipe extras at the end are a great extra for the reader. I'll definitely have to try them out...

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best book in the series so far with unforgettable characters and a great must-solve mystery with interesting suspects, twists and turns that I couldn't put down and really didn't want it to end when I got to the last page. I really like DIY Diva Laurel McMillan and her dynamic with everyone in Center City, Iowa, especially her fiance police lieutenant Wes Wesson. Ms. Darnell has knocked another cozy out of the park and I can't wait to find out what's next for Laurel, Wes and the rest of the gang in book four. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kitty]

This is the third book in the DIY mystery series. Laurel is a crafter who teaches classes and writes books. She is preparing for her wedding to Wes, a police detective. When a body turns up unexpectedly, Laurel and Wes have to figure out who the killer is.

This book is an quick read. I did feel that too much of the story was spent on Laurel's fear of gaining weight before her wedding and her diet meals. But it is a good book to read on a winter afternoon.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Proxy is the third book in the DIY Diva Mystery Books by Paula Darnell .

This was a new series to me and I was able to read it as a standalone book.

I really enjoyed this book. Laurel and Wes are likable, relatable main characters. Laurel has a great group of friends that help her with her wedding preparations.

The mystery was good I was surprised by the ending, but it made sense.

I like crafting and I will try the recipes and projects at the end of the book.

I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable cozy! I love the DIY aspect of it and the characters are wonderful. Just real, ordinary people living their lives and getting drawn in to all kinds of situations. I haven't read the others in this series but didn't have any trouble following along. I will go back and read the earlier books though. Have to check out the projects!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Darnell writes books that draw you in and keep you turning pages until you realise hours have gone by and the book is finished!

Laurel is all tangled up in wedding preparations as Wes has popped the question and they plan to marry soon, because of this her DIY Diva classes are based around weddings, such as making head dresses and so forth, she has made her dress (which means not gaining an ounce if at all possible as any extra will show up!), she has made her cousin/BFF Tracey's dress and now it is the last few bits and pieces ... she isn't expecting one of them to be Wes and herself nearly run over as they left a restaurant mind you! Then Tracey receives an odd parcel and that is then topped by Wes and Laurel finding a body in the house they were looking at maybe buying.

With Wes off the case (otherwise he may NEVER get to go on his honeymoon) Laurel ends up trying to stitch the clues together, is it someone trying to rattle Wes and using Laurel to do so? Is it their Realtor who seems uninterested in the dead body ... even though it is her sister who died!? Or maybe the woman who had embezzled from the charity then ran away and is now back? Can Laurel and Wes sort it all out and still get married on time?

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With preparations for her upcoming wedding to handsome Wes Wesson, a Center City police lieutenant, on track and her DIY Bridal Crafts class at Hawkeye Haven's community center wrapped up, DIY Diva Laurel McMillan looks forward to a calm pre-nuptial week to finalize her wedding plans. There's only one problem: the week turns out to be anything but calm. Laurel and Wes narrowly escape being run down in the parking lot of their favorite restaurant. Laurel's bridal shower is interrupted by a mysterious stranger who sends Laurel's lovable chocolate Labrador retriever Bear into a frenzy, and when Laurel and Wes go to meet Lisa, their real estate agent, at a house she promised to show them, they discover Lisa's sister's body floating in the pool. Strangely, Lisa seems more concerned with selling houses than she does with her sister's death. After Lisa's mother inadvertently reveals family secrets, Laurel wonders whether Lisa could have killed her own sister. Will the mayhem and murder stop before Laurel discovers the key to the killer's game plan?

What a wonderful cozy mystery.
Well written plot and story line that I found engaging from the start.
Well fleshed out characters that I had fun reading about.
Humorous moments, few twists and turns with a whodunnit to be solved all before a wedding in a week!!!
Recommend reading!!!

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good read can give you enjoyment ,but a feel good read romance with death on the side gives you shivers that's what happens when reading this mystery. The caracters are vibrant, some secretive ,some down right nasty but through it all we have one clueless groom to be with a bride on a mission and I'ts not just about the I do's I'ts about what's happening on the side. I received this gift of mystery to review and I am soooo glad for the privilege,I enjoyed the humor, romance and the deadly mystery. Now I'm hoping you aquier "Death by Proxy " so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😏🤔🙄 KAT

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Proxy by Paula Darnell is a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. It has wonderful characters, a dog, a great plot and recipes! The story is mixed with craft ideas and wedding plans along with Laurel and Wes getting married. Can they solve the murder mystery and still have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon without being victims themselves?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story that I won from a contest and I always review every book that I read. I highly recommend this book especially if you love cozy mysteries.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Proxy by Paula Darnell is a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. It has wonderful characters, a dog, a great plot and recipes! The story is mixed with craft ideas and wedding plans along with Laurel and Wes getting married. Can they solve the murder mystery and still have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon without being victims themselves?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story that I won from a contest and I always review every book that I read. I highly recommend this book especially if you love cozy mysteries.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Proxy is A DIY Diva Mystery. I loved this cozy mystery and can't wait for the next one. The characters are likable and relatable, although some have their little quirks. The storyline engaged my interest from the start and kept it throughout this well-written story. This story has humour, murder, twists, danger, and a wedding.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Katie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Laurel is a smart, talented woman with the best dog, her chocolate lab, Bear. The story held my attention all the way through with twisty turns and red herrings. The characters are interesting and the the pacing steady. I look forward to the next in the series.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving my honest review.

[Mary Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I enjoyed. Laurel and Wes made the story. A lot of twists and turns. You will enjoy it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.