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Resale Boutique Mystery #4
Beauty and the Deceased
Kelly Quinn’s Long Island consignment shop offers high style at secondhand prices—but when a body is found on the beach, she needs to start hunting for a wolf in sheep’s clothing . . .
Kelly is thrilled when she gets a visit from a cousin she hasn’t seen in years. Becky’s cosmetics company is taking off, and she just might have laid the foundation for a big-money buyout. It’s a time to celebrate—but Kelly is heartbroken when a killer puts an end to their happy reunion during a mysterious midnight meeting near the shore.
Despite multiple warnings to steer clear, Kelly starts shadowing a variety of suspects both inside and outside the beauty business—when she isn’t busy filling the racks of the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique with lots of new inventory from a local shopaholic. Gossip and accusations are flying, but there’s no glossing over this ugly crime, and she’s going to make sure the culprit faces justice…
Kelly is thrilled when she gets a visit from a cousin she hasn’t seen in years. Becky’s cosmetics company is taking off, and she just might have laid the foundation for a big-money buyout. It’s a time to celebrate—but Kelly is heartbroken when a killer puts an end to their happy reunion during a mysterious midnight meeting near the shore.
Despite multiple warnings to steer clear, Kelly starts shadowing a variety of suspects both inside and outside the beauty business—when she isn’t busy filling the racks of the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique with lots of new inventory from a local shopaholic. Gossip and accusations are flying, but there’s no glossing over this ugly crime, and she’s going to make sure the culprit faces justice…
191 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2021
13 people are currently reading
844 people want to read
About the author
Debra Sennefelder
15 books628 followersDebra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.
Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.
She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com
Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.
She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 29, 2022
Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder is a 2021 Kensington publication.
Kelly is thrilled when her cousin, Becky, comes to visit for the summer. Becky’s beauty business is on the verge of a big buyout worth a lot of money.
Before the deal can be sealed, though, Becky’s body is found on the beach. While Kelly has inserted herself into police investigations before, much to the chagrin of the local authorities, this time it’s personal, and she’s not going to back down until she discovers who the murderer is…
This fourth installment in the Resale Boutique series is a real puzzler! Kelly encounters several viable, potentially dangerous suspects along the way, while she also copes with her uncle and his connection to her best friend.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning, but I thought this episode was especially well-done. The pacing is still very brisk, but the plot is very tight, and it was hard to decide on who the killer was. I was surprised, to be honest. Kelly also shows some backbone and maturity here in her confrontation with her uncle. I’m very curious to see how that thread plays out in the next installment.
Overall, this is a very good addition to this light-hearted cozy mystery series. I’m looking forward to touching base with Kelly and the gang again-hopefully soon!
Kelly is thrilled when her cousin, Becky, comes to visit for the summer. Becky’s beauty business is on the verge of a big buyout worth a lot of money.
Before the deal can be sealed, though, Becky’s body is found on the beach. While Kelly has inserted herself into police investigations before, much to the chagrin of the local authorities, this time it’s personal, and she’s not going to back down until she discovers who the murderer is…
This fourth installment in the Resale Boutique series is a real puzzler! Kelly encounters several viable, potentially dangerous suspects along the way, while she also copes with her uncle and his connection to her best friend.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning, but I thought this episode was especially well-done. The pacing is still very brisk, but the plot is very tight, and it was hard to decide on who the killer was. I was surprised, to be honest. Kelly also shows some backbone and maturity here in her confrontation with her uncle. I’m very curious to see how that thread plays out in the next installment.
Overall, this is a very good addition to this light-hearted cozy mystery series. I’m looking forward to touching base with Kelly and the gang again-hopefully soon!
October 7, 2021
Author Debra Sennefelder presents an excellent multi-layered mystery with roots in the cut-throat world of the beauty industry and the roots you discover with DNA test results.
Fans of this cozy series know and love Kelly Quinn, owner of the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique in a charming coastal town in Georgia. Kelly’s cousin, Becky Quinn, owns a very successful cosmetics company, Define Beauty, and is on vacation in Lucky Cove at a beach house along with her business partner, Jessica.
This intriguing story begins to unfold as Kelly makes a horrible discovery on the beach that means many changes for many people. Becky’s visit seems to have brought her and Jessica’s enemies out of the woodwork. There is also a mini-mystery concerning DNA results that will cause pain and heartache for more family members. The author blends both mysteries together seamlessly, and accomplishes the feat of an action packed, intriguing story with the ease of a seasoned writer. My heart was sad for some of these characters.
I’m definitely #TeamNate as the love interest for Kelly; however, I did make note of another male character who could give him some competition. I enjoyed the humor inserted into the plot, plus the energetic pace of the story. At approximately 78%, I was totally confused as to who the main perpetrator could be. I suspected several characters! The last fourth of the story really revs up as answers began to unravel. Some things certainly weren’t what they seemed! I was satisfied at the conclusions.
I honestly reviewed an un-edited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
Fans of this cozy series know and love Kelly Quinn, owner of the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique in a charming coastal town in Georgia. Kelly’s cousin, Becky Quinn, owns a very successful cosmetics company, Define Beauty, and is on vacation in Lucky Cove at a beach house along with her business partner, Jessica.
This intriguing story begins to unfold as Kelly makes a horrible discovery on the beach that means many changes for many people. Becky’s visit seems to have brought her and Jessica’s enemies out of the woodwork. There is also a mini-mystery concerning DNA results that will cause pain and heartache for more family members. The author blends both mysteries together seamlessly, and accomplishes the feat of an action packed, intriguing story with the ease of a seasoned writer. My heart was sad for some of these characters.
I’m definitely #TeamNate as the love interest for Kelly; however, I did make note of another male character who could give him some competition. I enjoyed the humor inserted into the plot, plus the energetic pace of the story. At approximately 78%, I was totally confused as to who the main perpetrator could be. I suspected several characters! The last fourth of the story really revs up as answers began to unravel. Some things certainly weren’t what they seemed! I was satisfied at the conclusions.
I honestly reviewed an un-edited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
December 2, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Things are hopping at the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique. A local shopaholic has decided to purge her purchases and Kelly is thrilled to help her do it.
Kelly is also excited about her cousin coming to visit. She hasn’t seen Becky in years but like Kelly, she has been building her business. Becky’s is on a much grander scale. Her cosmetic company may even get bought out by a huge company meaning Becky could receive some serious money.
The girls get together with some family and friends to celebrate. After a fun evening, Becky and Kelly make plans for the next morning but Becky fails to arrive. Kelly heads to the beach house Becky is renting and she makes a heartbreaking discovery. Her cousin is dead and it wasn’t an accident. Kelly immediately starts forming a list of suspects and asking questions. Even several warnings can’t get her to stop investigating. She will not stop until the person that killed her cousin is behind bars. Hopefully, she lives to see the day.
I love Kelly. She is a fun protagonist but she was hit with a lot this time. Losing her cousin and a reveal that could mean losing a true friend. She is surrounded by a lot of good people and I enjoy the way they have continued to develop over the course of this series. Pepper really stepped in to take care of the shop and provided a shoulder for Kelly to lean on. Pepper was Kelly’s grandmother’s friend and right hand at the shop and now she is that for Kelly. Liv is Kelly’s best friend but with her relationship with the police chief growing by the minute, she isn’t the best sleuthing partner. Ariel is usually up for anything Kelly needs but she is out of town. Her cat, Howard is a good listener but his backup skills may be a little lacking.
I really felt for Kelly as she tried to unravel the mystery of who killed her cousin. There are several viable suspects and I appreciated the way Kelly goes the extra mile to track down every possible clue and theory. I had a couple of people in my sights and went back and forth until the very end.
There are some mental health issues that play into the story. I was a little put off by the way some of these issues were handled but I think that made me more invested in the story and sad at the end.
Beauty and the Deceased featured an intriguing mystery and interesting characters. I am excited to get reading the next book in the series, Sleuthing in Stilettos because there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book foreshadowing some drama ahead.
Things are hopping at the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique. A local shopaholic has decided to purge her purchases and Kelly is thrilled to help her do it.
Kelly is also excited about her cousin coming to visit. She hasn’t seen Becky in years but like Kelly, she has been building her business. Becky’s is on a much grander scale. Her cosmetic company may even get bought out by a huge company meaning Becky could receive some serious money.
The girls get together with some family and friends to celebrate. After a fun evening, Becky and Kelly make plans for the next morning but Becky fails to arrive. Kelly heads to the beach house Becky is renting and she makes a heartbreaking discovery. Her cousin is dead and it wasn’t an accident. Kelly immediately starts forming a list of suspects and asking questions. Even several warnings can’t get her to stop investigating. She will not stop until the person that killed her cousin is behind bars. Hopefully, she lives to see the day.
I love Kelly. She is a fun protagonist but she was hit with a lot this time. Losing her cousin and a reveal that could mean losing a true friend. She is surrounded by a lot of good people and I enjoy the way they have continued to develop over the course of this series. Pepper really stepped in to take care of the shop and provided a shoulder for Kelly to lean on. Pepper was Kelly’s grandmother’s friend and right hand at the shop and now she is that for Kelly. Liv is Kelly’s best friend but with her relationship with the police chief growing by the minute, she isn’t the best sleuthing partner. Ariel is usually up for anything Kelly needs but she is out of town. Her cat, Howard is a good listener but his backup skills may be a little lacking.
I really felt for Kelly as she tried to unravel the mystery of who killed her cousin. There are several viable suspects and I appreciated the way Kelly goes the extra mile to track down every possible clue and theory. I had a couple of people in my sights and went back and forth until the very end.
There are some mental health issues that play into the story. I was a little put off by the way some of these issues were handled but I think that made me more invested in the story and sad at the end.
Beauty and the Deceased featured an intriguing mystery and interesting characters. I am excited to get reading the next book in the series, Sleuthing in Stilettos because there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book foreshadowing some drama ahead.
October 21, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Kelly's cousin is in town. She started a growing makeup company, and is thinking about selling it to a conglomerate.
Soon enough, she is dead on the beach, and Kelly investigates, despite the warnings of the cops. There's plenty of suspects, and some other sub-plots going on.
Nice and breezy.
Kelly's cousin is in town. She started a growing makeup company, and is thinking about selling it to a conglomerate.
Soon enough, she is dead on the beach, and Kelly investigates, despite the warnings of the cops. There's plenty of suspects, and some other sub-plots going on.
Nice and breezy.
December 6, 2021
A fast paced page turner from the very beginning, BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED had my head spinning faster than one of Kelly’s sale racks!
Since the first book in this series, MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS, I can’t get enough of the Resale Boutique Mysteries. BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED was a prime example of why.
BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED was everything, and more, than I expect from this series. As always, author Debra Sennefelder transported me back to Luck Cove and all that I love about it. The characters, Lucky Cove Resale Boutique, and all of the fun and drama that comes with this series were all ramped up, making this the best book in the series so far.
Protagonist Kelly was as on point as ever, both in her business and her sleuthing. Investigating along with her, I was enthralled with how this mystery was playing out. However, even though I was enthralled, I had no idea who the killer was! From one chapter to the next, clues that were adding up for Kelly, were only becoming a light bulb over my head pages after Kelly had them figured out. Needless to say, I had no idea whodunit until the reveal. All I can say is, Wow!
BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED, is the cozy you’ve been waiting all year to read. And Debra Sennefelder is the author you’ll most look forward to reading in 2022.
Since the first book in this series, MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS, I can’t get enough of the Resale Boutique Mysteries. BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED was a prime example of why.
BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED was everything, and more, than I expect from this series. As always, author Debra Sennefelder transported me back to Luck Cove and all that I love about it. The characters, Lucky Cove Resale Boutique, and all of the fun and drama that comes with this series were all ramped up, making this the best book in the series so far.
Protagonist Kelly was as on point as ever, both in her business and her sleuthing. Investigating along with her, I was enthralled with how this mystery was playing out. However, even though I was enthralled, I had no idea who the killer was! From one chapter to the next, clues that were adding up for Kelly, were only becoming a light bulb over my head pages after Kelly had them figured out. Needless to say, I had no idea whodunit until the reveal. All I can say is, Wow!
BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED, is the cozy you’ve been waiting all year to read. And Debra Sennefelder is the author you’ll most look forward to reading in 2022.
January 10, 2022
The pace of this book could have been a little quicker, but that's just me. It was still an enjoyable read, and the author did a great job of catching me up on what happened in the last few books, since it's been a while since I read this series. Now that the secret about Ariel is out, I'm anxious to see how that plays out. To me the murder was kind of secondary. The family drama came first. But the murder story was fast paced and interesting to read. I'm excited to see what's next for Kelly.
December 14, 2021
Murder hit a little closer to home this time for Kelly, so she was beyond determined to figure out whodunit even despite a couple of threats. If that wasn't enough, a secret that was eating at Kelly came to light, and she had to deal with those repercussions. On a bright note, she met a couple of cute guys she didn't appear opposed to getting to know better. (Keeping fingers crossed this won't be a triangle, lol).
Pepper's always been my favorite character, and she came through especially well this time around as a mom figure. Kelly really needs a dedicated snooping partner although she seems to prefer being a loner. Liv's great as a bestie and support system, but she's kinda-sorta dating Gabe the police chief, so of course, she's going to discourage Kelly's investigating. Kelly just needs a sidekick of some kind, and Howard the cat doesn't quite fit that bill. He's great for her as a sounding board when she's home.
I'm super eager now to read the next book with how an ongoing side story turned out. I'd purposely gotten caught up in the series prior to reading this installment which is out today, so if you're a fan, don't miss this one which releases today! The usual advice of reading in order stands with this series. I can't really think of exact spoilers, but part of the storyline is progressive and some things are mentioned that make me think it's best to go in order with this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Pepper's always been my favorite character, and she came through especially well this time around as a mom figure. Kelly really needs a dedicated snooping partner although she seems to prefer being a loner. Liv's great as a bestie and support system, but she's kinda-sorta dating Gabe the police chief, so of course, she's going to discourage Kelly's investigating. Kelly just needs a sidekick of some kind, and Howard the cat doesn't quite fit that bill. He's great for her as a sounding board when she's home.
I'm super eager now to read the next book with how an ongoing side story turned out. I'd purposely gotten caught up in the series prior to reading this installment which is out today, so if you're a fan, don't miss this one which releases today! The usual advice of reading in order stands with this series. I can't really think of exact spoilers, but part of the storyline is progressive and some things are mentioned that make me think it's best to go in order with this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
July 8, 2022
Beauty and the Deceased
Debra Sennefelder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness! I am totally hooked to this series. Please let there be more!!! Kelly & her consignment shop make me want to go through all my clothes. I love seeing how much she has grown through the series so far. This time the victim was someone close to Kelly, but the writing was done well. I highly recommend this series & I definitely recommend reading in order. Some secrets are revealed and it helps to have background info.
Debra Sennefelder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness! I am totally hooked to this series. Please let there be more!!! Kelly & her consignment shop make me want to go through all my clothes. I love seeing how much she has grown through the series so far. This time the victim was someone close to Kelly, but the writing was done well. I highly recommend this series & I definitely recommend reading in order. Some secrets are revealed and it helps to have background info.
September 9, 2021
Beauty and the Deceased is a winner!
I quite enjoyed reading about Kelly Quinn and her Long Island consignment shop. As she finds a body on the beach and is warned to stay away she cannot. Her amateur sleuthing skills come in very handy in this story.
Great storyline and very well-crafted characters.
Such a pleasure to read!
I quite enjoyed reading about Kelly Quinn and her Long Island consignment shop. As she finds a body on the beach and is warned to stay away she cannot. Her amateur sleuthing skills come in very handy in this story.
Great storyline and very well-crafted characters.
Such a pleasure to read!
December 22, 2021
This is the 4th instalment in Debra Sennefelder's Resale Boutique series. Kelly Quinn is back in her hometown and trying to make some cash from second-hand shopping. After inheriting the business from her gran she is updating it with current trends and styles. Expecting a visit from her cousin, Becky who has her own cosmetics company, Kelly is looking forward to celebrating her cousin's and Jessica's (Becky's business partner) success with Define Beauty. They agree to meet for lunch at the Gull Café and discuss a problem over their salads. But later Kelly discovers Becky lain dead on the beach...
The story was very intriguing and there were enough suspects to make the identification of the killer rather challenging. Debra Sennefelder's seemingly simple plot was layered with subterfuge as Kelly got ever more involved in the murder investigation despite repeated warnings. The author has done an excellent job of developing the main character's personality and Kelly has an unwavering need to help others, making it easy for me to continue to bond with her even though I am certainly no fashionista! I loved that I got a little fashion advice, but the highlight of the story was definitely the mystery. I can't wait to see what happens next in Kelly's adventures. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The story was very intriguing and there were enough suspects to make the identification of the killer rather challenging. Debra Sennefelder's seemingly simple plot was layered with subterfuge as Kelly got ever more involved in the murder investigation despite repeated warnings. The author has done an excellent job of developing the main character's personality and Kelly has an unwavering need to help others, making it easy for me to continue to bond with her even though I am certainly no fashionista! I loved that I got a little fashion advice, but the highlight of the story was definitely the mystery. I can't wait to see what happens next in Kelly's adventures. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 4, 2022
Make-up, misdeeds and murder are all on the menu in this installment of the Resale Boutique Mystery series! This is the 4th book in the series and our main inquisitive main character finds herself once again embroiled in sleuthing for clues in a murder which leads to her being the next in line to be attacked! I absolutely love this series as the plots are intriguing with great red herrings to keep you guessing. I also love the characters in this series! The author has fleshed out realistic characters that you can't help but connect with and cheer for. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book as things in our heroine's personal life seem to be heating up as well!
September 1, 2021
Beauty and the Deceased, the 4th book in the A Resale Boutique Mystery by Debra Sennefeder, left me ambivalent. It has the warmth and realism of the interpersonal relationships that makes the series stand out and the fun of the resale shop. I would love to spend more time with both but the much of the book takes place inside the MC’s head. Kelly really needs a counterbalance to point out when her thinking is too narrow or just plain off and we don’t get that in this series very often and not at all in this book when I think it is really needed.
What bothers me most is the fact that when Kelly’s cousin’s business partner verbally attacks a new but bright employee and claims that she had a breakdown therefore she is dangerous, Kelly buys all of it. We have no way to judge at that point whether or not Terry, the one-time internet fashion influencer did indeed have a breakdown other than that she ended her on-line career with a rant about major influencers bully rising stars in the field and sabotaging their sponsorships. The rant was over the top but not proof of a breakdown. Even more disturbing was the assumption that someone who had a breakdown was dangerous. The only evidence of anything I saw was that the partner was a bully; Kelly was not impressed with her at all which I did appreciate.
The heart of the story was strong and touched me greatly but I couldn’t forget that prejudiced towards mental health issues.
I got enough pleasure out of the book overall that I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read the ARC for Beauty and the Deceased and to share my feelings about it with my friends and followers.
#NetGalley #Kensington #BeautyandtheDeceased #DebraSannefelder
What bothers me most is the fact that when Kelly’s cousin’s business partner verbally attacks a new but bright employee and claims that she had a breakdown therefore she is dangerous, Kelly buys all of it. We have no way to judge at that point whether or not Terry, the one-time internet fashion influencer did indeed have a breakdown other than that she ended her on-line career with a rant about major influencers bully rising stars in the field and sabotaging their sponsorships. The rant was over the top but not proof of a breakdown. Even more disturbing was the assumption that someone who had a breakdown was dangerous. The only evidence of anything I saw was that the partner was a bully; Kelly was not impressed with her at all which I did appreciate.
The heart of the story was strong and touched me greatly but I couldn’t forget that prejudiced towards mental health issues.
I got enough pleasure out of the book overall that I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read the ARC for Beauty and the Deceased and to share my feelings about it with my friends and followers.
#NetGalley #Kensington #BeautyandtheDeceased #DebraSannefelder
December 7, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder is a perfect read to get away from wherever you are at to a summer beach mystery.
Can Kelly figure out who killed Becky Quinn?
Kelly Quinn
Kelly Quinn is our sleuth extraordinaire, who runs the Resale Boutique that she inherited from her grandma. I love Kelly as a character, and everything that she does in each of the books is hilarious. Or at least of the two that I have read so far. Kelly tries to do as much as possible to run a successful business. She doesn't mean to find the dead bodies that keep popping up around her. Sadly, this time it is personal. Kelly is trying to figure out what happened to her cousin. The way Kelly sleuths is pretty funny, and I love reading how she figures things out.
Mystery
Kelly had her cousin back in their little seaside hometown for the summer, and they had plans for the next day to meet up for some coffee. Poor Kelly had to find her cousin dead on the beach and was told to stay out of it. Well, for Kelly Quinn, she couldn't do that because it's family for her this time. The victim is her cousin, and she wants justice for Becky. I figured out who the killer was at first, even though I kept jumping between who actually did it and a red herring, but that's because they both had excellent motives.
Five Stars
I loved Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder so much that I'm giving it five stars and a massive recommendation for anyone that likes cozy mysteries. Plus, who wouldn't want a good summer mystery read while being stuck inside while the snow is falling?
The Resale Boutique Mystery Series
Prize: (1) Digital Copy plus Winner's Choice of a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card and (2) Signed Copy - The Corpse in the Gazebo (U.S. Only)
Can Kelly figure out who killed Becky Quinn?
Kelly Quinn
Kelly Quinn is our sleuth extraordinaire, who runs the Resale Boutique that she inherited from her grandma. I love Kelly as a character, and everything that she does in each of the books is hilarious. Or at least of the two that I have read so far. Kelly tries to do as much as possible to run a successful business. She doesn't mean to find the dead bodies that keep popping up around her. Sadly, this time it is personal. Kelly is trying to figure out what happened to her cousin. The way Kelly sleuths is pretty funny, and I love reading how she figures things out.
Mystery Kelly had her cousin back in their little seaside hometown for the summer, and they had plans for the next day to meet up for some coffee. Poor Kelly had to find her cousin dead on the beach and was told to stay out of it. Well, for Kelly Quinn, she couldn't do that because it's family for her this time. The victim is her cousin, and she wants justice for Becky. I figured out who the killer was at first, even though I kept jumping between who actually did it and a red herring, but that's because they both had excellent motives.
Five Stars
I loved Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder so much that I'm giving it five stars and a massive recommendation for anyone that likes cozy mysteries. Plus, who wouldn't want a good summer mystery read while being stuck inside while the snow is falling?
The Resale Boutique Mystery Series
Prize: (1) Digital Copy plus Winner's Choice of a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card and (2) Signed Copy - The Corpse in the Gazebo (U.S. Only)
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Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
Victim/Toe Tag: Becky Quinn (U)
Beachcomber Weapons: hand
Beachcomber Crime Scene: beach
Detectives: Kelly Quinn (Q)
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
September 5, 2021
Excellent addition to the Resale Boutique Mystery series. You'll be kept guessing with all the twists and turns. The characters are intriguing. Strong story plot that moves at a fast pace. Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
#BeautyandtheDeceased
#DebraSennefelder
#Keningston
#BeautyandtheDeceased
#DebraSennefelder
#Keningston
September 7, 2021
This is the fourth in a series about resale shop owner Kelly Quinn. Kelly has given up a high powered fashion career in Manhattan and moved to tiny Lucky Cove to take over her grandmother’s shop. Of course she’s updated the shop, four books in, and dragged it into the future. As the book opens she’s off to pick up some clothes on consignment from a woman whose house is stuffed with clothes. As she arrives, the woman is receiving another box from a clothing subscription service.
This aspect of the book is fascinating. I always like specific details of, really, anything, and Sennefelder’s feel for retail seems completely authentic. There’s also a nice inclusion of clothing Kelly wears and as this book involves her cousin, Becky, who owns a make up company, there are makeup details as well. This is the background for the story, where unfortunately Kelly discovers her cousin’s body on the beach the morning after they’ve had a kind of reunion dinner with another cousin.
Kelly, while being told NOT TO INVESTIGATE by every police officer in town presses on anyway, and she unravels a skein of possible reasons for her cousin’s murder, all tied to her cosmetics company. There’s a love interest (or two) in the offing, and a secondary plot line about her best friend, who was crippled by a car accident in high school.
This was a brisk, well told and pleasant tale with an excellent and unexpected villain, and a bit of a hanging thread to be unraveled in the next book. Kelly is appealing and relatable, and makes a great series heroine.
This aspect of the book is fascinating. I always like specific details of, really, anything, and Sennefelder’s feel for retail seems completely authentic. There’s also a nice inclusion of clothing Kelly wears and as this book involves her cousin, Becky, who owns a make up company, there are makeup details as well. This is the background for the story, where unfortunately Kelly discovers her cousin’s body on the beach the morning after they’ve had a kind of reunion dinner with another cousin.
Kelly, while being told NOT TO INVESTIGATE by every police officer in town presses on anyway, and she unravels a skein of possible reasons for her cousin’s murder, all tied to her cosmetics company. There’s a love interest (or two) in the offing, and a secondary plot line about her best friend, who was crippled by a car accident in high school.
This was a brisk, well told and pleasant tale with an excellent and unexpected villain, and a bit of a hanging thread to be unraveled in the next book. Kelly is appealing and relatable, and makes a great series heroine.
February 12, 2022
This is the 4th installment in the Resale Boutique mystery series. Kelly Quinn came back to her home town on Long Island after her Grandmother left her the consignment shop she owned. Kelly is doing her best to update the business and is excited that her cousin Becky is back in town for the summer. Kelly is shocked when Becky and her business partner Jessica stop in at the shop and have a confrontation with her newest employee Terry. Kelly has dinner with Becky and Jessica that night and Todd and old associate came drunk wanting his share of the business. Becky agrees to meet Kelly for coffee the next morning to discuss all that is going on and when she does not show Kelly goes to her beach house only to find Becky on the beach dead. As much as Kelly does not want to get involved in another murder, she is not going to let someone get away with killing her cousin. There are multiple suspects but Kelly gets to the bottom of in it and almost gets hurt in the process. This story also had another subplot with her friend Ariel and her Uncle that I imagine will get more into the next story. There is also a doctor and a detective that are potential love interests. Please just pick one, I really am not fond of love triangles. This is a great series and I am looking forward to the next in this series.
December 6, 2021
Summer fun is the goal, along with many sales to touristing visitors. Kelly's cousin Becky, who runs a beauty products company, is coming for sun and relaxation. The girls, along with their cousin Frankie and Kelly's sister, grew up together. Now each is following their own dream but enjoy time they get to spend together.
A new house full of clothing for consignment looks to be a dream for Kelly, and Becky's business is so popular that larger commercial companies are taking notice. Becky brings with her a business partner, Jessica, who is very ambitious. Influence from social media (both good and negative) are topics central to this book.
The sun and dreams fade when Becky is discovered deceased on the beach. Discovered by none other than her cousin, Kelly. This is not her first deadly discovery and the local police are none too please that once again she is closely connected to a fatal crime.
Well, if it was your family wouldn't you do any and everything you can to find the responsible person? To discover the truth?
Truth - there is another topic that swirls in and out of these pages.
Who can be believed, who are the real victims, and what will happen next?
The author keeps you guessing until the end.
The only one Kelly can count on, and is consistent, is Howard.
A new house full of clothing for consignment looks to be a dream for Kelly, and Becky's business is so popular that larger commercial companies are taking notice. Becky brings with her a business partner, Jessica, who is very ambitious. Influence from social media (both good and negative) are topics central to this book.
The sun and dreams fade when Becky is discovered deceased on the beach. Discovered by none other than her cousin, Kelly. This is not her first deadly discovery and the local police are none too please that once again she is closely connected to a fatal crime.
Well, if it was your family wouldn't you do any and everything you can to find the responsible person? To discover the truth?
Truth - there is another topic that swirls in and out of these pages.
Who can be believed, who are the real victims, and what will happen next?
The author keeps you guessing until the end.
The only one Kelly can count on, and is consistent, is Howard.
December 19, 2021
A lot has happened to Kelly Quinn since she lost her fashion job in NYC and had to return to her home town of Lucky Cove NY. She took ownership of her late grandmother's consignment shop and is doing her best to modernize it. In this latest mystery she has a reunion with her cousin, Becky, owner of an up and coming cosmetics company. Unfortunately somebody has other plans for Becky and her body is later found on the beach. Despite the police telling her to stay away from the investigation, Kelly feels compelled to hunt down the person who killed her cousin.
I have enjoyed each book in the series. The mysteries are well written and the characters are authentic. The setting is charming as well. My only reason for not giving this a five star rating was how the author handled the issue of a character's mental health. Assumptions were made that, IMO, shouldn't have been made. Aside from that, I enjoyed the story and I remain a big fan of the series.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I have enjoyed each book in the series. The mysteries are well written and the characters are authentic. The setting is charming as well. My only reason for not giving this a five star rating was how the author handled the issue of a character's mental health. Assumptions were made that, IMO, shouldn't have been made. Aside from that, I enjoyed the story and I remain a big fan of the series.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 29, 2022
This one made my heart hurt for Kelly, our resale fashionista, with a flair for both style and solving mysteries. Looking forward to spending some girl time catching up with a cousin who is about to make it into the big-time world of makeup, the last thing Kelly expects to do is spend time hunting for her cousin's murderer. Kelly refuses to spend her free time dressing a mannequin when there is a murderer on the loose, regardless of what Detective would prefer. Great storyline with multiple suspects, a little bit of reality, plenty of red herrings, a scrumptious meal at a local restaurant with baked ravioli and our favorite gentleman (no, not the detective who has his eye on Kelly), a little family drama (okay, there is a lot of family drama thanks to a cranky uncle) and a nice influx of merchandise for the store when a new consigner decides to give up the boxed clothes subscription habit.
December 16, 2021
Beauty and the Deceased is the fourth in Debra Sennefelder's Resale Boutique Mysteries series and it is a good read. The idea of a resale boutique intrigued me from the start of this series---I have a niece who does this--- I have looked forward to each addition in the series. When a cousin comes to visit, foul play puts Kelly in the center of a murder investigation---and she cannot remain on the sidelines. The characters are likeable, humorous, and they usually make smart decisions...not so much in this one. The over the top treatment of one person's mental state left me flat and a bit distracted from the flow of the story. I like this series, and did enjoy the book, I just wish this topic had been handled differently. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you #Kensington, #NetGalley, and the author for giving me a copy, at my request, to read and honestly review.
#BeautyandtheDeceased #NetGalley
Thank you #Kensington, #NetGalley, and the author for giving me a copy, at my request, to read and honestly review.
#BeautyandtheDeceased #NetGalley
December 13, 2021
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
We catch up with Kelly just in time for some Summer fun which is nice since it is just now freezing here. Her cousin Becky, who owns a successful cosmetics company, is coming for a visit along with her business partner Jessica. Things kick off strangely when Becky makes a discovery on the beach. This leads to quite the intriguing story as things start to play out including past disagreements and hidden family secrets. Makes for quite the fun read that will definitely keep your attention. Sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
We catch up with Kelly just in time for some Summer fun which is nice since it is just now freezing here. Her cousin Becky, who owns a successful cosmetics company, is coming for a visit along with her business partner Jessica. Things kick off strangely when Becky makes a discovery on the beach. This leads to quite the intriguing story as things start to play out including past disagreements and hidden family secrets. Makes for quite the fun read that will definitely keep your attention. Sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
December 5, 2022
Kelly once again finds a dead body. This one hits very close to home for her since she discovers the body of her cousin on the beach. This installment is more emotional than the previous books in the series. In addition to needing to find out who murdered her cousin Becky, Kelly is dealing with being in the uncomfortable position of knowing a family secret that has the potential to be devastating for her family and her friend. This story arc is ongoing and I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to be resolved. I think this was the best book in the series thus far.
August 27, 2021
Kelly is thrilled when she gets a visit from a cousin she hasn’t seen in years. Becky’s cosmetics company is taking off, and she just might have laid the foundation for a big-money buyout. It’s a time to celebrate—but Kelly is heartbroken when a killer puts an end to their happy reunion during a mysterious midnight meeting near the shore.
I really enjoyed this one and found it more challenging to figure out. The characters are fun overall a great series.
#BeautyandtheDeceased #NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one and found it more challenging to figure out. The characters are fun overall a great series.
#BeautyandtheDeceased #NetGalley
January 23, 2022
A resale shop and a cozy mystery? Yes please!! I'm really enjoying the heck outta this series...and this book is no exception. With its interesting characters and intriguing mystery/storyline, it's a must read. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington/Lyrical Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
Many thanks to Kensington/Lyrical Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
January 3, 2023
Kelly's cousin is back in town & Kelly's excited because she needs a distraction from the ex-boyfriend who she pretty much sees every day & the coming fallout from the DNA tests. But when the cousin ends up dead on the beach, Kelly immediately starts investigating.
I enjoyed this book as it provides the next turns in Kelly's life. She has already moved home, got the business back on its feet & moved on from the not the best boyfriend. Definitely recommend
I enjoyed this book as it provides the next turns in Kelly's life. She has already moved home, got the business back on its feet & moved on from the not the best boyfriend. Definitely recommend
November 28, 2021
Terrific addition to an engaging cozy mystery series. Some intriguing personal issues are revealed. A hint of romance. I look forward to reading the next one. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
May 16, 2024
Full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ9fs...
I absolutely adore Kelly and her cute cat, Howard. This mystery was gripping, and I was completely stumped. At the same time, I'm fascinated with the family subplots and can't wait to read the next one.
I absolutely adore Kelly and her cute cat, Howard. This mystery was gripping, and I was completely stumped. At the same time, I'm fascinated with the family subplots and can't wait to read the next one.
August 3, 2022
Fun read, suggest to read series in order (Goodreads win).
December 4, 2022
Well, just like Kelly, I didn't see that twist coming. It was, however, the perfect string to tie everything up perfectly. And now, I'm off to read the newest from this series!
February 12, 2023
Excellent Book. Debra's books are always great, entertaining, page turning stories. Love her.
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