I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Staging Wars
by Grace Topping
Series: Laura Bishop Mystery #2
Series Rating:
Published by Henery Press on April 28, 2020
Genres: Cozy Crafts and Hobbies Mystery
Pages: 254
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Also in this series: Staging is Murder
Laura Bishop's new home staging business is growing in popularity, though not with her nemesis. Laura has long suspected established interior designer Monica Heller of sabotaging her fledgling company--and having an affair with her late husband.
When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell with bedsheets far from her normal 600-thread Egyptian cotton. But her delight is short-lived.
When Laura's friends land on the police's radar, Laura must overcome her dislike of Monica to help solve the crime. Not an easy task since Laura and Monica have been at war since the second grade.
Staging Wars by Grace Topping is a well-developed mystery with these great tips for staging your home.
Two murders in Louiston, but are they connected?
Laura Bishop
Our sleuth is the main character, and she is out to figure out who is committing these murderers. Laura doesn’t want to get involved with finding the killer or killers. However, when her former teacher and friend ask her to cover for her high school nemesis’ business, Laura is pulled into the mystery.
I liked that Laura grows in this second installment. She is forced to confront some personal things, and she tries to figure out how to get over the hurt. Laura is a class act, but she needs to remember to take her cell phone with her.
Detective Alex Spangler
Alex seems to want to do his job well, but Laura is usually a step or two ahead of him. Although, he does save her from some clumsy moves throughout the book. There is a definite attraction between these two, but will it take off? I can’t wait to see if Laura can move forward with all of her life.
Mystery
The mystery has some funny parts, Laura and Nita could be another Lucy and Ethel. They certainly get into some tight spots. Laura, however, figures out what’s going on and helps Spangler with the case.
Four Stars
Staging Wars by Grace Topping is a beautiful read. The characters come to life, and the setting is superb. I love these small-town mysteries. I am rating Staging Wars with four stars. If you like cozy mysteries with a decorating flair, then check out this series.
First Book in the Series
Giveaway
Prize: (1) Print Copy – Staging Wars (A Laura Bishop Mystery) by Grace Topping (U.S. Only) or (2) Digital Copy – Staging Wars (A Laura Bishop Mystery) by Grace Topping
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Until the next time,
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
About Grace Topping
Grace Topping is a recovering technical writer and IT project manager, accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. Fictional revenge is sweet. She’s using her experience helping friends stage their homes as inspiration for her Laura Bishop mystery series. The first book in the series, Staging is Murder, is about a woman starting a new career midlife as a home stager. Grace is the current vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of the SINC Guppies and Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.
Thank you, Karen, for the lovely review.