Pleats and Poison by Lucinda Race ~ Spotlight

Posted September 2, 2025 by karenbaron in Blog Tour, Contest - Giveaway, Spotlight / 0 Comments

Pleats and Poison

Series: Dress Designer Cozy Mysteries #3

Author: Lucinda Race

Genre: Cozy Crafts and Hobbies Paranormal Mystery

Setting: Coastal Town of Drakes Bay

Release Date: August 6, 2025, by MC Two Press

Pages: 222

Summary:

Enjoy this humorous, small-town, psychic, cozy mystery by best-selling and award-winning Lucinda Race.

A fashion-savvy psychic, one haunted Thanksgiving, and a pleated skirt that’s dressed to kill.

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for seven guests—and one ghost—is all in a day’s work for Claudia Grant. Between whipping up her famous mac and cheese and debuting her boutique’s latest fall fashion, Claudia’s ready to impress her visiting mom and stylish grandmother. Her cozy coastal town of Drakes Bay is the perfect backdrop for family, food, and fresh starts—especially when Gram falls in love with a pleated skirt and sweater ensemble from Claudia’s shop.

But when a spilled glass of orange juice leads to a shocking discovery—a guest at the neighboring Whistlers Inn is found dead, and the very same pleated skirt wrapped around her neck—Claudia’s holiday cheer unravels fast.

Now, with her best friend Beth and a ghostly sidekick in tow, Claudia must piece together a tangled mystery before the killer skips town… and before the secrets hidden in the folds come back to haunt them all.

She’d rather be sewing hemlines than following clues—but if Claudia can’t stitch together the truth in time, someone else might be the next to check out… permanently.

Pleats & Poison is the third book in the A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery series from award-winning author Lucinda Race. Cozy up, settle in, and prepare to be haunted… in the best possible way!

Excerpt

I closed the oven after basting the turkey hoping it would be flavorful and juicy. Like my one hit wonder, macaroni and cheese, this was the best holiday dinner I could prepare, and I wanted my grandma to be impressed. Mom was less concerned about what we ate than about being together. It needed to be a win in everyone’s eyes.

“Claudia, what kind of car does your mother drive?” Herman asked.

I closed the oven door. “A black sedan.”

“One’s pulled up in front of the store.”

I slipped on a jacket, burst out the door, and raced down the back steps. It had been ten months since I had seen my family in person, and it wasn’t until this exact moment that I realized how much I missed them.

Running with my arms wide, I cried, “Mom. Gram.”

They enveloped me in a hug and held me tight.

“Claudia, it’s so good to see you,” Mom said.

“I’m thrilled you’re here.” I pecked Grandma’s cheek. “Both of you.”

She brushed my hair back behind my ear. “Your hair’s gotten so long. You didn’t have time for a trim? And this pink streak? It’s very noticeable in your blond hair.”

“Oh, Grandma. I’m growing it longer, and I like it. The pink is to support breast cancer awareness month.”

“I like it.” Mom said, “It suits you.” She looked over the building from the sidewalk to the roofline. “This is your everything? Home, work, social life?”

“It is, and I can’t wait to show you every square inch. Uncle Herman created a lovely store, a comfortable home, and a few surprises, too.”

I picked up their tote bags, slung one over each shoulder, and said, “Follow me.”

“You mentioned you have friends joining us for dinner?” Mom gasped as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “Is that the ocean?”

Dress Designer Cozy Mysteries Series

About the Author

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl. While her childhood friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, Lucinda was already dreaming of crafting captivating novels filled with heart, hope, and happily ever afters.

Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.

Giveaway

Prize: 1 Copy of the Book Pleats & Poison: A Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery Series) by Lucinda Race and Swag

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