LET’S FAKE A DEAL, the seventh book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries by Sherry Harris, is a delightful addition to an entertaining series! The action starts from the very first sentence and the author’s tightly plotted tale kept me glued to the pages. Protagonist Sarah Winston is a well-developed and believable character, one that I could relate to and enjoyed spending time with as the story progressed. While this is a light-hearted cozy mystery, I appreciate that Ms. Harris weaves social issues into the story. In this case, she highlights the harassment enlisted women may face as they serve in the military along with various scams that seem to plague our society, creating a sad state of distrust. The author uses a deft hand as she intertwines the issues into the story creating a believable focus for the murder mystery. In addition to a strong, well-paced plot, the book is character driven and keeps the reader coming back for more.

Sherry Harris's Garage Sale mysteries continue to be one of my favorite cozy series and Let's Fake a Deal is the best yet. The opening scene when Sarah finds out she's selling stolen merchandise is superb-- I think I forgot to breathe a time or two while I was reading it. Things like this usually don't happen to the main character of a cozy series, and Harris pulls it off brilliantly.

There is plenty of humor in the book, especially concerning the cat woman and another person who bluntly states her opinion of people who prefer plain popcorn, but Harris also deals with serious topics like the fact that, in this day and age, small business owners really need to start doing background checks on their clients and-- even more importantly-- the issues women face in the military. The scam pulled on Sarah Winston was my favorite part of the mystery, and she's got to be one of my favorite cozy main characters because she always keeps the police and any relevant lawyers in the loop as she conducts her own investigation.

Yes, indeed. If you like your mysteries fortified with an interesting main character, strong stories, common sense, and humor, you can't go wrong with Sherry Harris's Garage Sale mysteries. They are good!

Let's Fake a Deal is the seventh book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series. Sarah finds herself in handcuffs for possession of stolen property while conducting a yard sale on behalf of her clients she knows only as "The Greens" who purport to be from the Midwest. Concurrently, her military friend on Fitch Air Force Base, Lt. Colonel Michelle Diaz should be celebrating an upcoming promotion. But her happiness is cut short when she is accused of discrimination and now the subject of an internal investigation. She and Sarah blow off some steam at the local military "watering hole" where Major Blade and his underlings are also present; she believes he may be the one who filed the complaint. When the Major is found dead in his car, still parked at the bar, Diaz is the primary suspect. Sarah spends the rest of the book working overtime to clear not only her own name, but also her friend's.
I was initially attracted to this series because I love yard sales and have read the previous books. It can be read as a standalone but it is helpful to have some background on the characters' overall development. Sarah has blossomed over the course of the series; she is an independent woman with her own business and a love interest in Seth, the local District Attorney. I liked that both crimes happened early in the story so that there was plenty of time for plot development and twists. The supporting characters are exactly that; they have helped her get through the tough times and continue to be there for her while also being a sounding board for her theories. The killer and motive was a complete surprise. Overall, an excellent read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

3.75 stars

Solid cozy series featuring a military ex-wife, Sarah Winston, who has reinvented herself after a divorce managing and organizing garage sales.

Sarah is in peril in this one after being taken in by a young couple who maneuver her into selling stolen goods without her realizing it. She is shaken by her actual arrest and pending trial. and it also might shine an unwelcome light on her romantic relationship with the local D.A. who is running for re-election.

If that's not enough, a female military officer friend is accused of murder -- and Sarah is there when they find the body. This series usually has some serious issues mixed in with the lighter cozy antics, and in this case the treatment of women in the military gets spotlighted.

These are entertaining reads and Sarah is a character who is easy to cheer for. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Our favorite garage sale guru protagonist, Sarah Winston is back. Her friends and acquaintances from the local air force base stemming from her marriage to military man CJ, now an ex, are also featured, including Seth, who has already uttered the "L" word. Once again, I appreciated the short explanation of military acronyms and general description of the military community as well.

Sarah is busy working a garage sale when the police show up, shut it down, and arrest her for receiving and selling stolen goods. About the same time, her enlisted friend, Michelle from the base is front and center person of interest when a body is found in her trunk. She has a complaint lodged against her and suspects it was the deceased.

Sarah begins wrestling with both issues as she takes on a new client, one that will take a great deal of time. The cat lady herself is pretty eccentric, making for a fun interlude between her running down leads and interviewing persons related to both cases.

Dialogue is exchanged easily and believably between her friends, Seth, and her brother Luke, often punctuated with her own comical comebacks in self-talk. I like the way she thinks and it adds a humorous hue to the well-plotted, easy-going storyline. I think each book could function well as a standalone within the series.

My problem was with the usual bull-headed police officer arresting or immediately jumping to conclusions regarding guilt with little regard to investigating the crime. Still, the novel was engaging and easily invested in reading through to conclusion, solving both issues, neatly buttoned up.

I received this ebook download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. I really enjoy the Sarah Winston character and look forward to the next in the series.

What a wild ride this book is! Right from the start, we're introduced to the first of two big mysteries and then the story is off and running. In Let's Fake a Deal, Sarah finds herself compelled to investigate two separate crimes, following up with suspects, alibis, and motives for both. All the while, she keeps up with her garage sale business and her relationships with her friends, her brother, and her boyfriend Seth. I had no idea who the culprits were behind both crimes in this book and I was pretty satisfied with the conclusion. I love the well written mysteries in this series and following the changes that happen in Sarah's life. Though this is the seventh book in the series, I feel it works well as a stand-alone, too. Sherry Harris keeps me coming back for more and I always look forward to the next book in the series!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Ohhh a military mystery? This is a theme that I haven't come across and know little about. Then you add in the garage sale element (which is totally different to the casual and laid back Sunday morning garage sales in Australia) and you have yet another layer to add interest and color to the story. I personally love a secondhand bargain, and the thrill of the hunt/unknown have me chasing the next big steal.

I LOVED Sarah as a character too; she's established in this community with her friend network but at the same time she's trying new things and the mystery involves not just her, but a good friend as well. The romance seemed interesting to me, and it obviously set up in previous books as it has a solid foundation by this one.

The actual mystery was really well done and the connections were all there, you just need to see past some things. It made it so satisfying to see the culprits caught in the end too!

This looks like a great series that you can dive into at any time. I'm definitely going back to read the previous books! Five stars.

What happens when you're arrested for selling stolen goods? Sarah Winston is soon to find out! When new arrivals to the area hire her to help them downsize, she's quick to find out there's more than meets the eye with these two new comers. While she's trying to figure out how to get out of the latest tight spot, without affecting Seth's reputation, she finds herself involved in solving the murder of a local military member, hoping to save her friend Michelle from uncertain punishment.

I love the family atmosphere the characters feel with each other, Seth, Stella, the DiNapoli's and everyone else that comes into contact with Sarah - everyone wants to take care of each other. This particular entry into this series will find repeat readers coming to terms with Sarah's past in a really nice way - I appreciate the way this little surprise ends up. I don't want to spoil it - readers will have to find out on their own. Pick up the newest yard sale mystery - you won't be disappointed!

Let's Fake a Deal is the seventh installment in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series set in Ellington, Massachusetts and featuring professional garage sale organizer, Sarah Winston. Hired by a young couple to help downsize their home so they can move into a tiny house, Sarah is shocked when the police show up at her garage sale and arrest her for possession of stolen goods. It seems that Alex and Kate Green weren't at all who they claimed to be and Sarah wonders if they purposely set her up for the crime.

While she's trying to track down the Green's and prove that she's not a thief, Sarah is approached by her friend Michelle Diaz, Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and stationed at nearby Fitch. Michelle is devastated that someone has filed a claim with the Inspector General against her claiming abuse. Michelle is convinced it is one of the men in her squadron who's jealous of her rise to the top.

After a night of drinking at the local watering hole, Sarah and Michelle return to the parking lot to retrieve Michelle's car and are shocked to discover the dead body of Major Blade stuffed in her font seat, considering he's one of the men suspected of trying to sabotage her career it's not surprise when the police take Michelle into custody.

A fast paced plot that weaves two mysteries into one and brings back a few returning characters including Sarah's DA boyfriend Seth Anderson, reputed mobster Mike "Big Cheese" Titone, and criminal attorney Vincenzo DiNapoli. Sarah continues to try and beat Scott Pellner and the local police force to the killer and at times her actions seem a little far fetched.

I received an advanced copy of Let's Fake a Deal from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Sarah Winston is a garage sale organizer who finds herself in hot water when reported as selling stolen goods, about which she knows nothing. This book starts off very fast with cops arriving at her garage sale. In addition to fighting this pending charge, her friend is suspected of murdering a colleague whose character isn't entirely clear. Sarah finds herself investigating her alleged crime in addition to trying to help her friend avoid a murder charge, all while trying to keep her DA boyfriend, who is running for re-election, out of the entire mess.

There is a lot going on in this story. It's the seventh in the series but the first I've read. The characters are all introduced well enough to read as a stand-alone, but there's some very interesting back story that makes me want to read the others in the series. The writing isn't the greatest but the author really captures the Massachusetts-isms like the ubiquitous Dunkin Donuts and fluffernutters!

#NetGalley
#LetsFakeAdeal

This was my first book in the series but #7 in Sarah Winston Garage sale mystery series. Like all cozy mysteries the book is an entaining and light read, perfect as a beach read now during the summer.

Sarah Winston owns a company that arrange garage sales for people who don't want to do it by themselves and the book starts with Sarah getting arrested for selling stolen stuff. If course she's innocent but who's trying to setting her up? At the same time one of her friends is suspected for murdering her colleague. How are they going to find the guilty ones when the police doesn't believe their innocence?

Read it and be entertained!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for kindly providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the 8th in a series, but I had no problems with having not read the earlier titles. (I'm sure I will be though). The idea of hosting garage sales as a living is new to me and I enjoyed the people she came into contact with. I liked the characters and found that the whole connection to military life interesting. A total thumbs up for this author!

I love that the A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series continues to get better and better. The cast of characters are completely engaging with subtle nuances in their development that keeps me emotionally attached. The suspense in 'Let's Fake a Deal' was gripping with an entirely surprising and satisfying resolution. This was a book that I couldn't put down, but didn't want it to end. I highly recommend this entire series and can't wait for more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

HORRORS! Sarah Winston has been arrested for having stolen items in her provision in the seventh book of the Garage sales mysteries. Vincenzo DiNapoli has her out of jail in no time. As Sarah begins to explore if the goods at the garage sale are stolen, it becomes clear that she had been set up and she will have to work to clear her name. In the meantime her friend, Michelle has been a charge with unknown accusation against her. Sarah and Michelle return to the latter's car and they find a man sitting the MURDERED in the car? Sarah must find answers as to who set her up for stolen items and why? Sarah is helping Michele clear her name. Why did someone used the car to murder Michelle's the next in command? Sarah next garage sale will feature cats is an intriguing side feature. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES..

DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Kensington Books for A copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

The book starts with a lot of action. There is a lot going on in this story. Sarah Winston is at another of her garage sales, but this time she ends up in trouble. Was it a coincidence or was she set up? To add to the action, her friend Michelle is in a troubled position herself. Sarah has to clear her name and along the way tries to clear her friend Michelle as well. I have read all of the other titles in this series. This time however, I felt at odds with the story. I found things getting tied in together to be a cop out. There was lots of action, but no clues and the resolution of the issues at hand were convenient at best. I find it hard to suspend belief that much. This was an okay read, but not the most solid entry in this series.

A pageturner! As the story begins, former military spouse and currently divorced protagonist, Sarah Winston is duped by a couple who hire her to sell stolen goods at a garage sale. They’ve flown the coop leaving Sarah in trouble with the law. If that wasn’t enough, one of Sarah’s enlisted friends, Michelle, is having problems with harassment at the Air Force Base and is accused of murder. Sarah knows she’s innocent, but finding the real killer is a daunting task.

Ms. Harris pens a great blend of intrigue and humor in book 7 of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries. Many familiar characters from previous stories step up to help defend Sarah and help find the serial burglars scamming innocent folks out of money.

Don’t miss this exciting addition to this excellent cozy series!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

The 7th in Sarah Winston garage sales series. Sarah is a former military spouse and has set up a garage sale business. Sarah is approached by some new members to town to help them downsize and it results in her being arrested for fencing stolen goods. Her friend from the military base Michelle is up for a promotion but it appears a smear campaign is going on and the good ol boys are closing ranks on her and filing a discrimination claim. Michelle is arrested as the man filing the complaint ends up dead in her car. Seems someone is out to get both Sarah and Michelle. Sarah has to clear her name and her friends. Is the murder and the stolen good related? This was an enjoyable read and I really like Sarah. Looking forward to more in this series.

I liked this book better than the last. It hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go til the end. I thought the story was very interesting especially current with recent events. #LetsFakeADeal #NetGalley

At first, I had a little difficulty getting into this one, even though I've read most of this series. The being arrested for possession of stolen goods didn't engage me that much. But I felt like it really picked up about 20% of the way through. Maybe I just need a good murder to be fully engaged in the story! Anyway, the way Harris wove the different story threads together--the thefts, the murder, the cat garage sale, Sarah's relationship with Seth...it all worked really well. I also liked learning a bit about how things work in the military. Harris always does a good job of working that stuff in seamlessly, not hitting the reader over the head with it. I even liked the quirky little subplot about the two women who each see their disagreement totally differently. Who's right? Who's telling the truth? Are they each telling their own truth? Harris has a lot of balls in the air here, but she doesn't let any of them hit the floor.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series. I love how Sarah investigates and puts clues together but doesn't get a big head about her involvement. She doesn't brag about solving crimes, which is my pet peeve. So reading about her is utterly enjoyable She's not perfect, but she's working on her insecurities and her issues. It's very refreshing to have a "normal" main character, not a perfect superhero. Great story, lots of twists and turns. Kind of full circle on the ending, which was nice. Great read!