Kristina A. reviewed on 1/20/2023 + 1528 more book reviews

Dead Men Don't Decorate by Cordy Abbott is the beginning of An Old Town Antique Mysteries. I found myself struggling to get through this cozy mystery. Readers are introduced to several characters right away. It can be hard to tell the characters apart, especially with all the dialogue. I felt that some of the characterizations did not make sense. The man who is Camille's love interest seems to go back and forth between good guy and bad guy (Camille likes him and then she suspects him). I would love just one cozy mystery without romance. I would have preferred it if the story had been told in the third person instead of the first person. I like the premise of the story which has Camille Benson starting a new career in her fifties. I am pleased that the author gave us an older protagonist (someone my own age). I enjoyed the descriptions of the antiques having grown up surrounded by them plus I have two aunts in the business (though, I would prefer if Camille did not make it sound like a lecture when she talks about them). The story moves along at a slow pace (snoozeville). The detailed descriptions do not help. The mystery happens at the beginning of the book. It was obvious who would die right from the beginning. He is a man that no one liked (I am surprised anyone wanted to solve his murder). Camille happens upon helpful information that plays a part in solving the whodunit. There are several suspects along with a red herring or two. There are clues to help readers solve the crime. The reveal was a little long. I like that there was a complete wrap up of the crime at the end. It was interesting how antiques played a part in the mystery. I especially enjoyed the section about old paper versus new paper. The author gave us a unique setting in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. There are good descriptions of the area as well as the monuments. There are repetitive details such as Camille's son, Paul being the newly elected mayor (it was mentioned at least once in every chapter). I was glad when I finished Dead Men Don't Decorate. The writing style was not for me, and I really did not like any of the characters. Dead men Don't Decorate has a curious Camille, a pilfered letter, a murdered man, a surplus of suspects, sweet schnauzers, and a caught killer.

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