Death Swatch (Scrapbooking 6)

From Publishers Weekly A murder in the midst of Mardi Gras propels Childs's enjoyable sixth Scrapbooking mystery (after 2007's Frill Kill ). Carmela Bertrand, the owner of the New Orleans scrapbook shop Memory Mine, and her best friend, Ava Gruiex, are eager to begin the festivities with a party hosted by their float designer pal, Jekyl Hardy. But the discovery of the garroted Archie Baudier, Jekyl's assistant, puts a damper on the fun. In their efforts to solve the murder, Carmela and Ava encounter a host of eccentric characters, including a sullen Russian, a rare coin dealer, a meek curator of the local historical society and all manner of costumed party-goers. Carmela, in the process of a divorce, also meets dapper police lieutenant Edgar Babcock, who might be unappreciative of her investigative efforts but provides some romantic heat. Glossing over the effects of Hurricane Katrina, Childs paints a picture of New Orleans sure to appeal to cozy fans. (Sept.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Scrapbooking store owner Carmela Bertrand and her good friend Ava find float designer Archie Baudier as he lies dying, strangled with barbed wire at a Mardi Gras party. A friend of the victim's asks Carmela to find the murderer, so she begins an investigation into who would want Baudier dead. Is it a rival float designer or someone who wants his coin collection? The investigation quickly becomes a treasure hunt when Carmela learns that Baudier was searching for pirate Jean Lafittes legendary buried treasure. As the investigation proceeds, and as the soon-to-be-divorced Carmela deals with the romantic feelings she has for New Orleans police lieutenant Edgar Babcock, the city gears up for and then attempts to enjoy Mardi Gras in the wake of Katrina. Well-developed main and secondary characters mesh nicelywith the vibrant setting and with details on the design of scrapbook pages. --Sue O'Brien Murder comes to Mardi Gras! The seventh in the popular series - including scrapbooking tips. Jekyl Hardy is hosting a Mardi Gras party in his French Quarter apartment, amid Zydeco rhythms and popping champagne corks. On a wild night like this, anything can happen. The guests, including scrapbook-store owner Carmela Bertrand, never imagine it will be murder. But as the evening progresses, Jekyl's neighbor, float designer Archie Baudier, is found on the balcony choked to death with a barbed wire garrote. Buried up to her neck in strange clues, Carmela is sure of only one thing: whoever killed Archie is now following her - straight into the madness of Mardi Gras.