I have read a couple books in this series and I am glad to see that there has been regular growth in the character's relationships. They aren't stuck in the same place they were at when introduced to us at the beginning of the series. Basically, they are acting like real people whose interactions change based on real life events.

In this book, Madison and Hudson go on a quick getaway out of town to help Hudson's brother-in-law with a business matter while also spending some quality "together time". The only problem with that plan is the dead body floating in front of Madison as she is checking out the waterfront view in Palm Springs, California.

Things go downhill from there as the romantic working vacation becomes a muddle of disappearing evidence, stalled investigations, threats, family conflict, and personal disconnects. Eventually a murderer is found but there are no winners in this investigation because everyone loses something along the way- belief in friends and family members, trust in law enforcement, hopes for reconciliations, more unrequited love, and any chance for a nice vacation to bond with a loved one. In other words, real life intrudes as usual.

I do have one criticism though. I wish a little more time had been devoted to the "decorator" part of this book rather than spending most of it on the "knew too much" part. I enjoyed the character development, and felt bad for Lt. Tex Allen, who was basically "off stage" the whole time but helping with the investigation remotely while pining for Madison. When I read a niche mystery though, I want to read about that niche subject at least as much as I want to know who killed whom and why. The author does that well in two of her other series, her Material Witness and Costume Shop mysteries, but aside from a visit to a neighbor's mid-century house and a road sign graveyard in a nearby quarry, there isn't much about Madison's specialty here in this particular book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book quite a bit and am interested in seeing where Hudson and Madison go in the next book, and how Tex handles their developing relationship. Plus, of course, who gets killed and why.

Madison Night is at it again in this fourth book of the series. It was a great story. Well written with some funny parts and some serious parts as Madison & Hudson get involved in a murder investigation while on a joint work vacation in Palm Springs. The book kept you wondering who was behind the murder right up until the very end. It was also interesting to read the short chapters and Epilogue by Tex. He was a part of it even though he was still in Dallas. I also enjoyed the fact that Diane Vallere not only described the mid century clothes that Madison was wearing, but included the pattern numbers.
I received this as an early copy of the book, but it in no way influenced my review. I look forward to reading each new book in this series to see what Madison and Rocky are up to. So far I haven't been disappointed. I hope you will enjoy it too.

This is book #4 in the Madison Knight Interior Design series. This book can read as a stand alone.
Madison Knight and her boyfriend carpenter Hudson James are in Palm Springs for a design job. They are looking forward to long romantic nights when Madison once again finds a body.
What I adore about this series is the author's way of incorporating the style and decor of the 5 0's and 60's. Its so fun to revisit her world and learn about decorating vintage style while she solves a murder. She has a talent for finding clues and proceeds even at her own peril. She had many personal challenges in this book but none stopped her from her business or her sleuth. She is independent, smart and driven to succeed.
The pace is always fast paced, the references to Doris Day a delight and each character adds depth, humor and savvy to this series. This new release did not disappoint . I enjoyed the sleuth that kept this mystery reader guessing until the end.
Thank you for the ARC that did not influence my review.

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much might be my favorite of the Madison Night mystery series. Like the other books, it really captures the madcap feel of an old Doris Day movie. When Madison's tasseled straw hat falls into the river and she bends over to retrieve it, she spots a face floating just below the water's surface. When the police arrive a few minutes later, the body is gone. Madison expected her working vacation with Hunter to be a romantic getaway, but staying with his sister and her husband becomes more and more awkward. Jimmy resents Madison because the police investigation triggered by her report of the body is delaying his development project and costing him money. There's a little less emphasis on the mid-century stuff in this book, but the details that the author does include create a wonderful atmosphere. I'm also warming up to Madison more than I did when reading the other books.

Madison Night is an interior decorator who specializes in Mid-Century Modern; not only in her business, but in her clothing. You see, she shares a birthday with Doris Day, and dresses pretty much the same as Doris did in all of her films. In other words, she's retro. She's so into Doris that she even named her dog Rock (as in Hudson).

When she's surprised with a two-week getaway in Palm Springs with (and by) her significant other, Hudson James, what she expects isn't even nearly as close to what she gets. It first turns out that the vacation is going to be more or less working for Hudson's brother-in-law Jimmy, and they'll be staying with him and Hudson's sister Emma. But when they're run off the road by a speeding SUV a couple of blocks away from Emma's home, it at first seems to be just another jerk who doesn't know how to drive.

But later that day when Madison decides to join Hudson at the job site, she sees something floating in the water, and is convinced it's a body. So the local police show up and find nothing, thinking it's just her imagination running wild, and it doesn't help that she cost Jimmy an entire days' work, which doesn't make him a fan of hers. But when the body eventually turns up farther down the river, it seems Madison was right all along, but that's only the beginning of the story.

After Madison is threatened and Jimmy and Hudson are attacked, things begin to escalate. It turns out the dead man has a connection to Emma, the police, and others; Madison begins to realize that there's something very dangerous going on, and she'll need not only the help of the Palm Springs police, but her friend in Dallas, Captain Tex Allen, to help her find the truth. And if she doesn't find out soon, her ticket back home might just be cancelled...

This is the fourth book in the Madison Night Mysteries, and a very good entry indeed. I will say that there was plenty of intrigue, secrets, and a good enough plot to keep me guessing until the very end. I will also add that while I enjoy Madison's quirks (dressing like Doris and really into the retro style), I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. Why? Because first, she's supposed to be on a 'getaway', but it turns out to be nothing more than a working vacation, and that's not a vacation (nor a getaway) at all. And what kind of romantic getaway has a couple staying with in-laws (which was the original plan)? I also wondered why she was there, since they hadn't even started building yet, and she's an Interior Decorator, so there didn't seem to be a use for her services. Nobody decorates a rock quarry; they didn't even have any groundwork laid. But these things aside, the book was an easy read, and one that was interesting enough to keep me reading in one session, which is a nice thing.

There were some heavy issues to deal with in this book - Madison's nightmares, Jimmy's irrational dislike of her, and others, but they made the story more interesting, in my view. When the ending comes and we discover the reason why the man was killed it all comes together nicely and makes for a believable plot and a tightly wrapped murder, which is how it should be; and some secrets are better off not being shared at all. Although I felt there was more to the story to tell, it was still put together well enough to keep me reading the next in the series. Recommended.

This is super fun, I love the characters and am already looking for the next book!

As the fourth book in the Mad for Mod series starts out, decorator Madison Night and boyfriend Hudson James are on their way to that mid-century modern mecca Palm Springs. Hudson’s contractor brother-in-law has hired them to work on a project with him. Before they pair even makes it to their destination in Palm Springs they are involved in a hit and run accident. The next day Madison spots a body in the water near the construction site. Soon Madison is in the middle of another mystery that somehow involves Hudson’s sister.

The Decorator Who Knew Too much is a great addition to the series. Main character, Madison Night is a strong, well developed character that makes me laugh and touches my heart. The mystery in this book is complex with surprising twists and turns and a wonderful cast of characters. I always advise starting at the beginning of a series but this book stands alone if you want to dive in here.

This is a great book; this is the fourth book in the Madison Night Mystery series written by Diane Vallere. When Interior Decorator Madison Night accepts an assignment in Palm Springs with handyman Hudson James, she expects designing days and romantic nights. But after spotting a body in the river by the job site, she causes a rift in the team. Add in the strain of recurring nightmares and a growing dependency on sleeping pills, and Madison seeks professional help to deal with her demons. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Although I've liked this author's past works this one fell short for me. I didn't enjoy the additional characters as I usually do, nor did I like Madison with Hudson. The plot didn't progress in an interesting manner to me

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much by Diane Vallere is the 4th entry in the Madison Night Humorous Mystery Series. It’s a fun trip down memory line for those of us who remember the ‘50s and ‘60s, but it’s also a riveting mystery with danger and depth.

I knew I was already stuck in mid-century, but I didn’t realize what a Dayniac I am until now. The title The Decorator Who Knew Too Much made me think of the Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much with James Stewart and – you got it – Doris Day! Handyman boyfriend Hudson James: Rock Hudson?? James Stewart?? James Garner?? Anyway, interior decorator Madison Night is one of a kind. She is wild about Doris Day and plays up her resemblance to her with mid-century clothes and accessories. The Simplicity pattern numbers had me remembering sewing in the ‘60s with my mom. But there’s more to Madison than just a quirky style. She’s a real woman trying to run her business and live her life unafraid, despite nightmares from an abduction and near-death experience in her past.

This trip to Palm Springs is supposed to be a working vacation with Hudson, a chance to get away, relax and have some fun with Hudson’s sister Emma and her husband Jimmy. But from the start everything goes wrong. Madison and Hudson are run off the road before they even get to Emma & Jimmy’s. Things aren’t what they expected with Emma and Jimmy. Madison sees a body floating in the water the first day on the job, but the body then disappears. She really doesn’t want to be involved in solving a crime, but no one believes what she saw, she starts having nightmares again, and she finds herself threatened by some dangerous characters.

I enjoyed The Decorator Who Knew Too Much. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. The characters have depth and surprise you. Despite her obsession with Doris Day and unconventional way of dressing, at 48 years of age Madison has lived real life and isn’t a cutesy airhead. Her dog Rocky (Rock again!) is her biggest love, but she is exploring the relationship with Hudson, and the continuing contact with Capt. Tex Allen back in Dallas provides an intriguing what-if. The mystery is satisfactorily resolved, but there are enough unanswered questions at the end to make you ready for the book. I highly recommend The Decorator Who Knew Too Much. I received an advance copy from the publisher Henery Press and the author via NetGalley.

I first read a book by Diane Vallere last year (A Disguise to Die For (Costume Shop Mystery, #1)), and I found the book to be charming, just the kind of cozy mystery I like to read. So, when I got the chance to read this one did I not hesitate. I quite like the idea of an interior Decorator that has a thing for Doris Day.

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much is a great book. I came to like Madison Night quite a lot, I especially liked that she is not a young thing. That she is a mature woman over forty who just stumbles over mysteries like this one in this book. Nowadays it's like all the books I read the main characters (women) are around 20-40 years old. Nothing wrong with that, but I like authors that actually decide to something different from everyone else. Another thing, for a cozy mystery, did the book feel very serious, with Madison dealing with PTSD, seeing a dead body and being mistrusted because no dead body is found and clashing with her boyfriend's brother-in-law among other things.

But, it worked, there are no gruesome deaths, but at the same time, it has not a silly plot, despite Madison's Doris Day passion (obsession). I quite liked the mystery in this book, even though I did have an inkling of whom was behind it all and was right about that. It was a very good book, perfect when you want a mystery, but have read too many heavy crime novels.

I found the book to be just to my taste, loved the cover, like the characters, there is a hint of a triangle drama, she had to choose between two men in the previous book or one of the previous books. Did she make the right choice? Well, Hudson, her boyfriend is a nice guy, but I kind of like Tex Allen as well. So, it will be interesting to see what the future will bring because I will definitely read the next book in this series, and the previous as well if I can get them.

This may be my favorite of the series so far. I just flew through the story, wishing I could hang out with Madison, search for Cathay dishware or just hold Rocky's leash. Palm Springs, with its' mid century architecture and untouched desert homes, was made for Madison Night. How fortunate she and new boyfriend Hudson head there to help advise his brother-in-law in building what sounds like a new strip mall but with a mid century vibe. Trouble doesn't exactly follow Madison there, but it makes an appearance right away, as the lives of Jimmy, Emma and Heather collide with a dead body Madison finds, only to disappear. It was a great read, and the departmental aid given by Tex, from back home, encourages me that there will be more to this series.

I had not read the previous three books in this series, but had no problem understanding Madison's PTSD and her relationships with Hud and Tex. There's a mention of every outfit Madison wear (design, fabric and pattern), but I didn't find it as annoying as I did in some other series with main characters who are clothes obsessed, perhaps because the mystery had me more engaged.

Despite the limited number of suspects, whodunnit was a surprise until the very end, it really could have been several characters. I also liked the setting of Palm Springs and was curious when I was reading as to how accurate it is.

I liked that Madison was 48, so often in cozy type mysteries women are either in their mid to late twenties or grannies. That she's 8 years older than Hud was another plus especially as she just accepted it and didn't fret. Now, she dresses like Doris Day and we're told why. It is kind of
kitschy and she does get some criticism for it, but I also liked that Vallere kept Madison a confident woman who just rolled with her situation. She liked dressing like Doris, it gave her comfort and confidence so screw the shamers (thank goodness we didn't get the constant, long, repetitive, defensive lecturers which are killing the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton).

I was glad that I requested this book from Netgalley (in exchange for my honest review).

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much by Diane Vallere is the fourth book in A Madison Night Mystery series. Madison Night and her boyfriend, Hudson James are heading to Palm Springs for two weeks. It is going to be part getaway and part work. Hudson has agreed to help his brother-in-law, Jimmy work on his dream project. Jimmy wishes to create a midcentury modern strip mall and Madison is the perfect decorator to assist him. Their visit, though, is fraught from the very beginning. Their car is sideswiped as they near Jimmy and Emma’s home. The next day, Madison arrives at the job site and her hat falls into the Whitewater River. As she bends over to retrieve it, she sees a body floating under the surface of the water. Before the police arrive, the corpse disappears. Madison goes on a sketching excursion and ends up getting attacked. She arrives at the house to discover that Jimmy is upset with her. He lost a day of work. The next morning, Jimmy vents his frustration. Madison and her dog, Rocky decamp to a local motel. This is not the trip that Hudson had planned for them. Madison has been having a tough time since her last brush with danger in Texas. She has been suffering from nightmares and is having to rely on sleeping pills. It is recommended she consult a therapist and is given the name of Dr. Albert Hall. Madison leaves him a message, but she soon discovers that he is no longer taking patients. The missing river victim is found in a quarry by hikers. The victim is none other than Dr. Hall. Madison starts delving into the case and finds it more complex than it first appeared. She has all these various pieces of information. Madison will need to shift them around and fit them together to get the complete picture. Can Madison figure out the identity of the culprit before it is too late?

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much is part of a series and some parts of the story are a little confusing if you have not read the previous novels. While the author provides details on why Madison loves vintage fashions, midcentury modern design and Doris Day, details what has caused her PTSD are lacking. I did find The Decorator Who Knew Too Much to be easy to read (good pace/flow) and nicely written. I liked the authors writing style and the humor she injected into the story. I appreciate Madison’s love of vintage fashions (her clothes sound unique and beautiful). I give The Decorator Who Knew Too Much 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery comes across as complex, but I thought the identity of the perpetrators easy to uncover. In the beginning of the book, it states that Madison and Hudson are going on vacation. This is mentioned more than once, but then we are told that they will be working. How is this a vacation? Is it because they are in a different city? I was curious how Madison, a decorator, could assist on a project that has not been started. I found some information to be repeated a few times throughout the book (Madison’s love of Doris Day, vintage fashions, and her dog, Rocky). The book is written from Madison and Tex’s (Captain Tex Allen) point-of-views. I was not a fan of this format. Tex’s sections did not enhance or help the story (for the most part). I prefer novels that are told from one person’s perspective or from the third person. Personally, I believe Tex and Madison would make a great couple. Hudson is not the best partner for Madison with her love of sleuthing. At the end of the book, readers are left with some unanswered questions. I wish the author had provided a better recap of the offender’s actions.

This is one of my favorites cozy mystery series. With the fourth entry in the series, “The Decorator Who Knew Too Much”, author Diane Vallere takes her mid-century modern obsessed sleuth out of Dallas for a visit to Palm Springs.

Madison Night is an interior decorator who loves all things Doris Day. They not only share a birthday but also a love of pets. Madison has had some rough patches recently and likes to look to Ms. Day’s experiences for life lessons… not to mention clothing style as well.

Madison and her boyfriend, Hudson, have come to Palm Springs to help Hudson’s brother-in-law with a construction and design project. Within a short time of arriving, dangerous happenings start. It isn’t long before Madison becomes embroiled in solving a murder. However, she isn’t on her home turf and the police in Palm Springs aren’t exactly welcoming to her.

It was fun to take the series out of Dallas for a change. Palm Springs is a natural spot in which to Madison for her mid-century vibe. We still get to see a little of Tex, the Dallas police detective that has a contentious relationship with Madison.

The book leaves on a bit of a relationship cliff-hanger which is leaves me waiting for the next book in the series. I always have a lot of fun with Ms. Vallere’s books and look forward to more from this talented author in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Madison Night finds murder, fashion, and fun in Palm Springs -- don't we all?

“The Decorator Who Knew Too Much” is the latest installment in Diane Vallere’s Madison Night series. It is NOT necessary to have read the other books before enjoying this one, there are quick snippets of the previous “action” embedded throughout this book when needed to advance the plot without wasting pages and pages of summary about what happened previously. However, if you have not read the previous books, you will want to go back and catch up because you will love Madison, with all her faults and wardrobe idiosyncrasies.

If murder, betrayal, and danger could be fun, Madison Night would be the one to mix that with work, vacation, romance, and incredible period clothes. You can read a plot summary other places, so I will share that in this book, Madison Night is finally becoming a modern woman in “50s clothes. She struggles to move on from her perilous past and its complications while working to maintain her bank account, her piece of mind, and her relationships and combine all this with a vacation!?!?

Of course, the book is full of suspense and crime, but it is also incredibly funny. It is easy to read, but readers may find themselves looking into the back of grandma’s closets for something made from Simplicity 6013 or 7499.

If you think a mystery has to be dark, oppressive, and over stressful, to be “real” crime fiction you are wrong, wrong, wrong. And really, how could any book with a title that is a take-off of my favorite Hitchcock movie be anything but fantastic?

Another book where I'm jumping in to a well-established series, but actually this wasn't as hard to get into as some of the others - once I'd got my head around Madison's Doris Day obsession. Obviously there are some traumas/issues from her past that I wasn't across, but that didn't stop my enjoyment of the book. The mystery is good, the setting is nice and it was a perfectly fun and fine way to spend a few hours. My first Diane Vallere book, but probably not my last.

Madison Night loves Doris Day and all things 50s. I grew up with Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies and remember most of the decorating references to the 50s, so this adds to my enjoyment of this series. Even without those factors, the cozy mystery is an exciting and entertaining adventure. Adding Palm Springs, which I live near, makes this outing even more fun than usual. Drugs, adultery, murder, oh my!. I am eager for book 5. The love triangle plot has thickened.

I absolutely love this series and this book was no exception. I was quickly drawn into the story and didn't want to put the book down. The author brings vibrant, likable characters to life in this charming mystery series. I enjoy the detail the author gives when describing the character's clothing or surroundings, this helps bring the story to life and has me feeling I'm right in the mix with the characters. The author kept me guessing who the culprit was until the final reveal, I love a mystery that keeps me guessing. I hope there will be more books in this series, I love the characters and would love to read more about them.

I received a copy of this manuscript from the publisher via NetGalley, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

This is my first book by this author but after reading it I definitely will be reading more. I loved her style of writing. This book is a good cozy mystery with great main character.