Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 2/22/2023 + 644 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

History meets mystery in Dead Men Don't Decorate when antique store Waited4You gets a new owner. Camile Benson's parents were the original owners of the store and she is thrilled to get it back into the family's hands. The other merchants around town are thrilled that they will no longer be subjected to "the meanest man in Marthasville", Roberto Fratelli's, tirades.

While celebrating her purchase, Camille's best friend Opal shares that she found a letter that looks to have been sent to George Washington by Sally Fairfax in 1756 while at the store. She didn't want to draw attention to the potentially valuable piece until the previous owner was off the premises. Excited they decide to return right away but the previous owner was still there . . . dead on the floor . . . and the letter was long gone.

Now as Camille updates the store to her vision she has to worry about a killer and a missing letter. Was the letter really from 1756? Is that why Roberto was killed? Could she be next?

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Ms. Abbott has introduced a strong cast of core characters. Dr. Camille Benson is a 55-year-old art history teacher at Northern Virginia Community College who is ready for a change. She has always had a flair for decorating and grew up with her parents running an antique store Waited4You. Finding out her parent's store was again up for sale now seems like perfect timing.  Her "wing woman" Opal Wells is excited about Camille's new venture and is willing to do anything she can to help her. She is also quirky and crazy which makes her a fun character. Camille's son Paul, a lawyer, was just elected Mayor and is always nearby when she needs him.  We also meet Brennan Adler, the landlord of the Waited4You building. With the murder, we meet commonwealth attorney Janie Fairfax, Chief Harrod, and his son Nick. Our protagonist also has two schnauzer pups, Morris and Stickley and there is a collie pup named Rizzoli in the story too. The author has caught the small-town feel in both her characters and the way she describes Marthasville, Virginia. Everyone knows everyone's business.

I enjoyed the way the author plotted out the mysteries in this book. Camille has the knowledge and a great instinct for thinking clues and actions through. She shares theories and finds with the police immediately, for the most part, sometimes ruffling a few feathers. A motive for the murder was a little all over the place which made me a little crazy but Camille kept at it. When clues started to fall in place more than one person was in the wrong place at the wrong time setting up an exciting and scary conclusion. Camille really had to think on her feet. I loved that a canine character played an integral part.

I do enjoy the antique store theme of this series. That Camille is able to take over the shop formerly owned by her parents is a nice touch.

Dead Men Don't Decorate has engaging characters I want to get to know better and intriguing mysteries set in an interesting small town. Cordy Abbott has put forth an entertaining debut for her Old Town Antique Mystery Series. I am curious to see what she has in store for her characters next.

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