Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Shades of Wrath is the sixth installment in the Caprice De Luca Mystery series featuring home-stager, interior decorator Caprice De Luca and her family and friends residing in Kismet, PA. With her business booming, content in her relationship with lawyer boyfriend Grant Weatherford and her rescued pets all settling in to their new "furrever" homes, Caprice couldn't be happier.
Caprice receives a phone call from Wendy Newcomb, the founder of Sunrise Tomorrow, a local organization assisting victims of domestic violence. The foundation has been bequeathed the Wyatt estate which includes the crumbling 1920's Tudor mansion from Wendy's elderly friend Leona Wyatt. Wendy has dreams of turning the old home into a transitional space for women who have escaped their dangerous relationships and wants Caprice to do all of the decorating.
Wendy has a past that includes a violent partner and often finds herself in the middle of nasty domestic situations, so it's really no surprise when after Caprice hears her being warned to stay out of several relationships that Wendy is found dead in the old mansion. Suspects include Wendy's boyfriend Sebastian Thompson, her employees at Sunrise Tommorow and several disgruntled exes.
Caprice soon finds herself investigating alongside Grant, Chief Mack Powalski, and her sister Nikki's boyfriend Brett Carstead. Returning characters include her parents, Nana, sister Bella and husband Joe, Uncle Dom and neighbor Dulcina.
There is so much more than solving the mystery in this series. The author has been able to create such loveable characters that you feel as though Kismet is your own backyard. Caprice's dedication to rescuing and finding good homes for her furry friends is representative of the author's own personal life. Readers of the author's blog will recognize the names of many of her pets and the introduction and placement of Sunnybud in Bella's home is a touching tribute to the orange tabby who held such a special place in the author's heart.
Caprice receives a phone call from Wendy Newcomb, the founder of Sunrise Tomorrow, a local organization assisting victims of domestic violence. The foundation has been bequeathed the Wyatt estate which includes the crumbling 1920's Tudor mansion from Wendy's elderly friend Leona Wyatt. Wendy has dreams of turning the old home into a transitional space for women who have escaped their dangerous relationships and wants Caprice to do all of the decorating.
Wendy has a past that includes a violent partner and often finds herself in the middle of nasty domestic situations, so it's really no surprise when after Caprice hears her being warned to stay out of several relationships that Wendy is found dead in the old mansion. Suspects include Wendy's boyfriend Sebastian Thompson, her employees at Sunrise Tommorow and several disgruntled exes.
Caprice soon finds herself investigating alongside Grant, Chief Mack Powalski, and her sister Nikki's boyfriend Brett Carstead. Returning characters include her parents, Nana, sister Bella and husband Joe, Uncle Dom and neighbor Dulcina.
There is so much more than solving the mystery in this series. The author has been able to create such loveable characters that you feel as though Kismet is your own backyard. Caprice's dedication to rescuing and finding good homes for her furry friends is representative of the author's own personal life. Readers of the author's blog will recognize the names of many of her pets and the introduction and placement of Sunnybud in Bella's home is a touching tribute to the orange tabby who held such a special place in the author's heart.
Shades of Wrath by Karen Rose Smith is the sixth book in A Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery. Caprice is a home stager and interior designer in Kismet, Pennsylvania. Sunrise Tomorrow, a women's shelter started by Wendy Newcomb, has just inherited the Wyatt estate. Sunrise Tomorrow will now be able to provide long-term housing in this new facility. Wendy has asked Caprice to submit design ideas for the space. Caprice goes to meet Wendy at the Wyatt mansion and finds her dead in the entry with the balustrade broken above. Wendy had called Caprice the previous evening asking for Detective Brett Carstead's phone number and mentioned blackmail (and now she is dead). Caprice, of course, starts investigating to find out who would have wanted to hurt Wendy. Caprice gets a call from Roland Vaughn of Vaughn Contracting. Roland builds homes in Maryland and is having a televised contest. He has three new model homes that need decorating. Caprice and two other designers will each get a home to design. The viewers will vote for their favorite design and designer. The winner will get a contract for design three model homes (and could lead to more work after that). Caprice cannot pass up this wonderful opportunity and finds a way to fit in among her other work and her sleuthing. The romance between Caprice and Grant is heating up now that Grant has resolved issues with his ex-wife (over the loss of their little girl). There are also some adorable little kittens that need a forever home, and Caprice knows the person who can use two little balls of fluff in their life. Caprice has a full life and just the right vintage fashion for each occasion.
Shades of Wrath is a chance to catch up on the life of Caprice De Luca as well as her family and friends (and do not forget the animals). While this is the sixth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author does provide the information the reader needs to enjoy the book. We get updates on Vincent, Bella, Nikki (Caprice's brother and sisters) as well as her Uncle Dom. Nana dishes out advice to Caprice and Seth (Caprice's old love interest) stops by for a visit. Shades of Wrath is easy to read (the author has a nice conversational style of writing) and has engaging characters (most of them are in Caprice's family). Karen Rose Smith adroitly handles the sensitive subject of spousal abuse. I give Shades of Wrath 3.5 out of 5 stars. As with many of the cozy mysteries I have read lately, the mystery was not the primary focus of the book. The whodunit is like a supporting actor in a television show (they are present, but they never get to be the star). I believe most readers will be able to solve the crime (narrow list of suspects). The ending will make fans of the series very pleased.
Shades of Wrath is a chance to catch up on the life of Caprice De Luca as well as her family and friends (and do not forget the animals). While this is the sixth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author does provide the information the reader needs to enjoy the book. We get updates on Vincent, Bella, Nikki (Caprice's brother and sisters) as well as her Uncle Dom. Nana dishes out advice to Caprice and Seth (Caprice's old love interest) stops by for a visit. Shades of Wrath is easy to read (the author has a nice conversational style of writing) and has engaging characters (most of them are in Caprice's family). Karen Rose Smith adroitly handles the sensitive subject of spousal abuse. I give Shades of Wrath 3.5 out of 5 stars. As with many of the cozy mysteries I have read lately, the mystery was not the primary focus of the book. The whodunit is like a supporting actor in a television show (they are present, but they never get to be the star). I believe most readers will be able to solve the crime (narrow list of suspects). The ending will make fans of the series very pleased.
