Kelly is having a bad day....well, maybe a bad week. The road she is travelling seems to have smoothed out. BUT.....there's always a but....the celebrity client she has been hoping to work with has been found murdered. The prime suspect is Kelly's old boss, the woman she hoped to never lay eyes on again. This woman, the one who cost her the dream job she'd always wanted; now thinks Kelly will help prove her innocence.

This backstory was hilarious. It set the mystery up so well that a few clues may have slipped my notice. I was definitely surprised when the reveal came. Debra Sennefelder not only has an excellent character in Kelly Quinn, she's very skilled at placing her into situations that will require her to flex her many talents. It was a good read for me.

Another great novel by Debra Sennefelder!! Her stories have very likable characters in well developed plots and settings. Even while being haunted with murder, the story is very light and fun with moving and emotional aspects.

Kelly Quinn was a fashion buyer in Manhattan before inheriting her grandmother's outdated consignment shop. Giving up her high fashion life, Kelly returns to her home town of Lucky Cove to turn the consignment shop into an up scale resale boutique. What Kelly didn't expect was an uncle trying to shut her business down, the sheriff not being her number one fan, and solving murders.

The mystery is a suspenseful and real but the story is on the lighter side. It was fun figuring out the who dunnit and the why.

Dollycas's Thoughts

Kelly Quinn is determined to make the shop she inherited from her grandmother, Lucky Cove Resale Boutique, a huge success but a leaky roof has her concerned. She hopes Tawny Nicole, fitness trainer and social media influencer has some great items to consign that will fly off the shelves and racks to keep the business afloat.

Her meeting with Tawny serves up quite a surprise for Kelly. Her former boss Serena Dawson, “the Dragonista of Seventh Avenue,” is there and having an argument. Kelly learns Serena is Tawny husband's ex-wife. Kelly thought the woman who fired her very publicly from a job she loved was out of her life forever but it appears she will be in Lucky Cove until she and her ex come to terms with divorce details yet to be completed.

The next day when Kelly returns to do yoga with her new client she finds a very dead Tawny Nicole and the "dragonista" standing over her body. Granted she has no reason to help Serena but she knows she didn't kill Tawny so she agrees to shop around a bit and try to close out the real killer.

______

I got behind with this series during my cancer treatments and as soon as I saw a new book, Sleuthing in Stilettos was coming out on December 6 I knew I had to rearrange my reading calendar.

Kelly is a fun protagonist. She stays positive even when the cards are stacked against her. Her uncle is doing everything he can to destroy her business and get her out of her building. Her roof is literally falling in and he went behind her back to keep her from getting a loan. Her boyfriend Mark is not being supportive either. I am thankful she does have some supportive friends around her because she has a lot on her plate especially after someone slips up and reveals a lifetime-old secret that could really change people's lives. I really appreciated Kelly's character development as this series continues and how it affects the other characters.

The mystery was so so well plotted with many moving parts. Kelly handled each clue thrown at her and eventually put them all together to make sense. I was with her each step of the way until the reveal. There were obvious suspects but their motivation to kill Tawny Nicole was unclear and when we learned what it was it was a surprise. The author placed some nice twists of misdirection that kept me pondering different theories.

I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author. How To Frame A Fashionista was an entertaining and intriguing read. A Perfect Escape! Ms. Sennefelder has penned a great story to keep the series going. She has included a subplot that will entice readers to escape right into Beauty and the Deceased, which I plan to do soon.

This is my first book by Debra Sennefelder and the reason why I wanted to read this was because I was looking for a Cozy Mystery series that was a little bit more girly. There are not a lot of these out there, so I was very intrigued with the concept of Kelly and her Manhattan background. I thought it was an interesting concept of taking this city girl and bringing her to Long Island where she is now responsible for her grandmother’s consignment shop. Now consignment shop mysteries are not a new thing, but I think this series does offer something a little bit different because Kelly does have that highend preference to her. I really liked this aspect of her and the details that the author added made it even more fun.

HOW TO FRAME A FASHIONISTA is actually book three in the Resale Boutique series, so I think I will be going back to read the other books in the series since I enjoyed this one a lot. It has a good tone to it that’s light but also mysterious as you would come to expect from a mystery series. Overall, I’m really happy with finding this series. I think I’m going to enjoy read more of Debra’s books in the future.

Not my favorite book. I felt that the main character, Kelly, kept doing silly things that detracted from the main plot. I was irritated by her by the time I was halfway finished, and it didn’t improve as the book progressed. Maybe this book just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This one's a fun and easy read on cold afternoon when you've got nothing to do but laze around drink mugs of your favorite tea or coffee. I say easy because to me the mystery is fairly easy to solve. Fun, because Kelly Quinn. Her life is amazing, her quaint hometown of Lucky Cove is endearing, it makes you want to go through the journey with her, mystery or no mystery. Plus I can't get enough of her fashion tips and quips, "Holy Manolos!"

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this free ARC. This review is made of my own accord, with no monetary compensation whatsoever from the names mentioned above and/or the rightful owners of this ARC.

How to Frame a Fashionista by Debra Sennefelder is a 2020 Kensington publication.

Kelly is discovering that business ownership can be one challenge after another. Although, her fashion boutique/consignment shop was doing okay, it looks like she’s going to need a new roof. The fun just never stops.


However, Kelly does have a new client, a popular wellness/fitness blogger, named Tawny, who is ready to unload some of her designer belongings. Kelly soon realizes that Tawny has a connection to her arch nemesis- Serena Dawson. When Tawny is murdered, Serena becomes the prime suspect. Despite their history, Serena has the nerve to ask for Kelly’s help in clearing her name…

Meanwhile, Kelly struggles to come up with the cash for a new roof, as she begins to have doubts about her lawyer boyfriend, Mark, all while continuing to dodge her uncle and his constant pressure on her to sell the shop.

This episode in the “Resale Boutique’ series is jam packed with revelations and developments. Kelly is certain, despite her experiences with Serena, that she didn’t murder Tawny.

This means that, although she knows she’s going to catch grief from Mark, and his sister, who is a member of law enforcement, and not a big fan of Kelly’s, she is still going to do whatever it takes to find out who the real murderer is.

Kelly’s character is a hoot! While she has some silly thoughts at times, there’s more depth there than appears on the surface. I think of her as a character still in development.

The story has a brisk pace, which kept me on my toes trying to guess who the killer was. The mystery is well-balanced with Kelly’s personal life and business woes. This is a fun, light, cozy mystery, and I’ve enjoyed all three of the full- length novels in the series- so I’ll definitely be back for more!

3.5 stars

Princess Fuzzypants here: Kelly is doing a good job turning around the consignment shop her grandmother left her in spite of her uncles’ dastardly attempts to thwart her. But with a leaky roof and assorted other issues, the last thing she needs is the dragon who fired her in a humiliating manner to invade her peaceful world. She is connected to the fitness guru who is consigning some of her wardrobe to Kelly. When the guru is murdered and she finds her ex-boss hovering over the body, both Kelly and the cops think she makes a good suspect.

But her ex-boss, Serena, is nothing if not bold. Not only does she try to intimidate the police but she has the chutzpah to demand Kelly clear her name and find the killer. Why Kelly would do such a silly thing, considering their history, at the potential cost to her business and her personal life stretches my credulity. One almost thinks Kelly has a masochistic streak but she agrees to help. When the guru’s husband, and Serena’s ex, is murdered as well, it looks like Serena will be accessorizing prison duds.

Kelly does manage to figure out whodunit. I confess I suspected the villain almost immediately but not for all the reasons that were revealed ultimately. She also discovered why her uncle is so determined to undermine her but there are several other aspects to her life that look like they could swerve into difficult and dicey territory... particularly as Kelly has a habit of impulsive behaviour.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Would you help a boss who fired you? Kelly Quinn, owner of Lucky Cove Resale Boutique, is faced with that question when Serena Dawson, the boss that fired her months earlier is accused of murder.

I love cozy mysteries that deal with fashion and this book was a perfect read. Kelly is a likable character who is smart, kind and complicated. I enjoyed the mystery and wasn't sure "whodunit" until the very end. I look forward to reading the next Kelly,Quinn mystery!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a delightfully cute mystery series. It features my favorite character Kelly. She is amazing and sweet. Thee are quite a few deceptively clever twists and turns. It kept me very interested. I read it In one afternoon. I love this series

How to Frame a Fashionista (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
By Debra Sennefelder
Lyrical
2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

As the proud new owner of her beloved Granny’s Lucky cove Resale Boutique, Kelly Quinn will tell anyone who asks that it is indeed a resale boutique and NOT a thrift shop. It’s all in the branding, and recycling and money-saving is on trend. With the goal of being a purveyor of high-end, designer items, Kelly is hoping to further promote her business through her website and writing articles for BudgetChic.com. Unfortunately, the old building where she lives above the boutique is in dire need of repair, and the increasing number of water leaks mean that very expensive roof repairs are in her future. This makes the meeting with local celebrity Tawny Fallow more important than ever, as the online fitness guru’s business is growing quickly and her designer castoffs impressive. So it’s an extremely unpleasant shock when Kelly finds on Tawny’s doorstep former employer Serena Dawson, the dragonista who very publicly fired Kelly from her job as an assistant fashion buyer. It seems that Tawny is now married to Serena’s ex-husband, and their acrimonious divorce has them still sparring over property. It’s also why Serena looks extremely guilty when Kelly return to Tawny’s home only to find Serena standing over the fitness instructor’s dead body.

Although Kelly is more than happy working in her boutique, a not-small part of her still needs to impress Serena and get her approval. This partially explains how Kelly manages to get herself talked into helping prove Serena innocent of the murder, despite Serena’s many angry texts, threats and literally being found over the body. It doesn’t take too long for Kelly to discover that Tawny had her share of disgruntled followers though, as her Personalized Body Fit program may not have been as personalized as advertised. Kelly is warned away from the investigation by Detective Marcy Wolman, who adds in a caveat to stay away from her brother as well. That doesn’t seem to be that much of an issue as Mark Lambert seems to be more focused on building up his law practice than being romantic. Soon though, it’s secrets closer to home that both explains so much and yet threatens to explode her life even more.

This 3rd in the series continues to develop Kelly’s growth as she settles into her new career and home. Despite losing the career that had always been her life goal, Kelly is finding unexpected satisfaction back home in Lucky Cove where she is supported by a growing circle of friends and family. It was breaking a promise long ago that led to tragedy, and it is why Kelly fled and continued to keep running from her mistakes. It’s also why she refuses to abandon Serena, and why Kelly continues to seek forgiveness from those who are unable to give it for reasons of their own. Villains are revealed to have unexpected vulnerabilities themselves, although this doesn’t excuse them from their actions completely. What is clear is that Lucky Cove is a place where readers are themselves lucky to spend time with these extremely engaging, funny, and complex characters. The additional treat for fashion fiends is that along with these complicated relationships are an abundance of fashion tips, clues, and descriptions of mouth-watering designer couture.

An entertaining cozy mystery, a lot of fun to read.
I like the solid mystery, full of twists and turns, and the fashion references.
Kelly is not one my favorite cozy heroine but the characters are well written.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a complex cozy mystery read! I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though it is book 4 in the series, it was fine to read as a stand-alone book. I loved the family and friend atmosphere, the complex relationships of the characters, and the multiple problems that needed to be solved by the main character Kelly. There was lots of action in the plot and multiple suspects to choose from. I also liked that the lead detective was a woman and did not really get along with Kelly, but had her back at the end. I would highly recommend this book and series to readers that enjoy cozy mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

There is a part of me that thinks there must be a formula for these cozy-ish mysteries. The protagonist is always a woman; she always lives in a small town where she has come after leaving the big city/ She run some kind of quirky small business, often one she inherited after a relative died and needs to revive. Finally, the goings-on in her life is a large part of the plot.

It's not that any of this is bad; it makes for light, pleasant reading.

This book is an example of this style of mystery. Kelly Quinn, the protagonist, owns a consignment boutique and discovers a client dead. The mystery itself was slight and pretty easy to solve. The main value of the book is in the characters and the setting on Long Island.

This is the third book in the Retail Mystery Boutique series. I have to say I enjoyed this book just as much as the first two. Kelly Quinn owns Lucky Cove Resale Boutique. She inherited it from her Grandmother and has been working hard to turn it into something more profitable. She hopes her latest client, overnight fitness and social media sensation Tawny Nicole, has enough valued and wanted items she can sell fast enough To help Kelly get a new roof.

What Kelly does not expect is a few days later to discovers a body with her New York nemesis, the boss who fired her from her dream job, standing over it! She does her best not to get involved but in true Kelly fashion she can’t resist!!

Love this series!!

I've read several of the books in this Resale Boutique series. In this episode, Kelly is facing financial challenges when she needs to put a new roof on her building. And, she finds a new consignment client, only to discover her murdered with Kelly's former boss Serena standing over the body. As usual, Kelly sticks her nose into the investigation, angering the detectives and threatening her budding romance.

Though I know that the whole premise of cozy mysteries is a non-detective solving murders and irritating real detectives, Kelly's approach still seems a bit too brash. It's as if she knows she has more important things to do (like managing her store and taking care of her old building, not to mention her cat who's mostly ignored) and she knows she's not supposed to get involved, yet she does it anyway. I think I'd be more comfortable with the premise if she just wasn't so "out there" with her investigation.

I really like the resale boutique/fashion angle, but would really like to see Kelly spend a little more time in her shop during working hours and investigate during the time the shop is closed. And, I'd also like to see her cat be more of a presence in the storyline. He makes the cover of the book (probably to lure cat-lovers), but then gets no more attention than a piece of furniture.

Lots of bombshells in this story. Wow. Stuff I never saw coming, but you know will come out in the next book or two. Can't wait to read the next one. I really enjoyed this story.

How to Frame a Fashionista by Debra Sennefelder is book 3 in the A Resale Boutique Mystery. This is a great series and book three did not disappoint..
There are plenty of plot twists in this easy to read Cozy. The majority of the characters are likeable as is the setting. There is romance and humor. This installment dropped a bombshell of a secret.
I was given an ARC by Lyrical Press and NetGalley for an honest review.

A lighthearted mystery as told by a resale boutique owner who simply cannot stay away from murders (a common affliction of this genre). This is the third in a series, and it technically does stand alone, but I get the sense that I probably would have had more background and be generally more invested in the characters if I had read the previous two. That said, there are a few casual mentions of what I assume are previous book events which are fully nuts and honestly the experience of reading sentences like "haha this is like the time a psychic held an impromptu seance in my shop" out of nowhere was very funny. Amateur sleuths are simply doomed to have very silly lives I suppose. The mystery storyline was solid with plenty of possible suspects and a bunch of red herrings thrown in - a few of them weren't really addressed again but I guess they couldn't all be? The characters were solid, though Serena's switching between ice queen and human wasn't very nuanced and I ended up not liking Kelly much, lmao. I did like her references to fashion and trends, though, I thought that was well done. Anyway, this is a glimpse into a very particular world on an island of well to do white people where small indie businesses thrive and the absolute most degrading thing our heroine has ever in her life been subjected to is being handcuffed by the police, which does tell you a bit, maybe? It was fine, but I won't be looking for more in this series.

Kelly has worked hard to reach this point in her life. She went to college to study fashion and landed a dream job at a department store in New York. All was going well until her shrew of a boss fired her without batting an eye, not a hope of talking it through to figure out what went wrong. At the same time her grandmother passed away and left Kelly her house/business - a resale clothing store plus misc.items for sale. Kelly dives in and works to rebrand the store to become trendy and make more money. Let's be honest, having an eye for high end fashion like a Fendi bag (it's more than most pay for a months rent) nets a bigger commission than a whole rack of mid priced clothing from the shopping channel. Her fashion blog and other freelance writing help but her bread and butter rests with the talent she has at finding the big ticket items. These days she needs the money to stay even marginally in the black and to repair her leaking roof. When she meets her new client, Tawny and sees her vast array of OMG items she wants to consign.....well Kelly can see the roof fixed and a few bucks in the bank, too.
Not so fast - this chance at income comes with a huge catch in the form of her ex-boss, The Dragonista who fired her and changed the course of her life. Turns out she was the first wife of Tawny's husband (it's complicated) and the sparks are flying with those three. When Kelly next sees The Dragonista and Tawny, Tawny is dead and the #1 suspect is The Dragonista. Honestly, I would have walked away and let the police, lawyers and the court to sort it out but Kelly isn't wired that way and she agrees to help track down the killer.
The mystery was solid and kept me guessing. We also learn more about Kelly's family and her very unlikable uncle. Other revelations are made in Kelly's various relationships and the ending left me eager to read the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.