When I picked up Cordy Abbott's Dead Men Don't Decorate, I was pleasantly surprised to discover she had set the story in Marthasville, Virginia—a fictionalized version of Alexandria. As a former resident of Alexandria, I was curious how a town I still have a genuine affection for would stack up in a mystery. And while visiting places like Duke Street and Seminary Hill via book did make me smile, I was even happier with how much more Abbott's debut cozy has to offer.

In it, Camille Benson is looking for a change when Roberto Fratelli, maybe the meanest man in Northern Virginia, decides to sell his antiques store, Waited4You. After Camille takes over the shop, her friend Opal discovers a scandalous letter from Sally Fairfax to George Washington. However, before Camille retrieve the letter herself, she's shocked to discover the dead body of Roberto right out on the sales floor.

A corpse is certainly one way of making a history-changing letter feel like the least important thing going on in your life. Yet Abbott's sense of mystery keeps both of these storylines working in compelling tandem. After Camille is dragged into the investigation, Abbott sets her off on a wild chase involving stolen rare books, motives for seemingly everyone, and a potential love interest who may or may not be a murderer. Even with all of this, the letter and its potential inauthenticity are always brought back around in a way that feels equally important. Abbott has crafted a twisty whodunit, and I was never quite sure who was going to be unmasked as the killer—or exactly how the letter tied into things—until the final genuinely pulse-pounding reveal.

While the mystery and sleuthing elements are incredibly strong, Abbott deserves even more praise for her quirky cast of characters. Camille is a fifty-something woman who lives on the quieter side, but Abbott naturally justifies her swerve into the dangerous world of investigating because she craves change. She's backed up by Opal, her best friend, who offers plenty of comic relief and her occasionally over-the-top antics are often funny. They fit easily in with the rest of the Marthasville denizens who ultimately make their rather large Old Town neighborhood feel like a tight little community.

Starting Dead Men Don't Decorate was like having a day trip to an old haunt. But with a solid mystery, charming characters, and a ton of laughs, it ended with something even better. It gave me a great author to watch out for in the future.

Cordy Abbott's cozy mystery debut, "Dead Men Don't Decorate," combines art, murder, and a historical secret, creating an engaging but somewhat uneven tale. While the book offers an enjoyable entry into the cozy mystery genre, it receives a three-star rating due to certain shortcomings in execution.

Set in the charming town of Marthasville, Virginia, the story revolves around Camille Benson, a local resident and the newly elected mayor's mother, who becomes the prospective buyer of the antiques store Waited4You. The mystery unfolds when a celebration for Camille's new venture takes a dark turn with the discovery of a letter, purportedly from Sally Fairfax to George Washington, hidden in the shop. The subsequent murder of the store's mean-spirited proprietor, Roberto Fratelli, sets the stage for a cozy mystery with elements of art forgery and historical intrigue.

Abbott introduces a cast of characters with distinct personalities, and the small-town setting adds charm to the narrative. Camille's determination to uncover the truth, coupled with her interest in antiques, provides a solid foundation for a cozy mystery series. The incorporation of historical elements, such as the letter's connection to Sally Fairfax and George Washington, adds an intriguing layer to the plot.

However, the execution of the mystery lacks the depth needed to fully captivate the reader. While the premise holds promise, the pacing is occasionally uneven, with certain scenes feeling rushed, and the resolution of the mystery lacking the necessary finesse. The narrative could benefit from tighter plot development and more seamless transitions between key moments.

Additionally, character relationships and motivations could be further explored to enhance the overall depth of the story. Some secondary characters, such as Ella Coleman, Roberto's ex-wife, feel underdeveloped, and their potential contributions to the plot remain underexplored.

In conclusion, "Dead Men Don't Decorate" is a cozy mystery with an artful premise and potential for improvement. Cordy Abbott's debut introduces readers to a charming town and an amateur sleuth with a penchant for antiques. While the narrative has its strengths, addressing pacing issues and delving deeper into character dynamics would elevate the overall reading experience. Fans of cozy mysteries may find enjoyment in this series debut but should be prepared for some room for enhancement in subsequent installments.

I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first, so I put it off for a bit, but I was hooked. Camille just purchased an antique shop that used to belong to her parents. The night it is finally hers, she finds a body of the previous owner. The characters were strong and fun to read their story. I liked that Camille is an older MC, I don't read that often. She did make some stupid decisions, but I loved how she stood up for those she believed to be innocent.

This is a great start to a new series with fun characters and was a quick read. I would highly recommend this to family and friends. Looking forward to what the author has in store next

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher to read and give my honest review. This did not affect my rating at all.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

I enjoyed this Cozy Mystery by Cordy Abbott. It is the first in a new series and I think it has the start it needs to be a good series. Camille is not sure what to do with herself after her son is elected mayor of Marthasville, Virginia,
and his campaign is no longer the focus of her life. When Waited4You, an antiques store, goes up for sale, she decides to buy it and start the next chapterof her life. , When the former owner is found dead in the store by Camille, she makes it her mission to find out who killed him. This isn't an easy task since he is the least liked man in town.

As I previouslysaid, I overall enjoyed the book and feel it could become a great series. The setting was nice and the charactersare being fleshed out. Even with all the positives about this book, for some reason it didn't hold my interest for very long. I truly don't understand why, since the characters and storyline were interesting.

Cozy Mysteries are one of my favorite (sub)genres and I eagerly look forward to starting new series. Having said that, this one wasn't for me. I liked the setting. But that's about it. The main character was not only unlikable but also very childish. The same goes for her friend Opal.

The other characters are not that great either. First, the victim who when alive creates quite a fuss and drama. When he's found murdered in Camille's store (which she bought from the victim), Camille seems to be quite happy that the town's most annoying man is dead. The main characters were acting were amateur and childish, even when stumbling across a dead body.

This book didn't live up to my expectations.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Roberto Fratelli, owner of the antiques store Waited4You, is the meanest man in Marthasville, Virginia. When he puts the business up for sale, the other merchants in town are overjoyed. Local resident Camille Benson, has decided to buy him out. During a celebration in honor of Camille’s new venture, Camille and her best friend Opal find Roberto’s lifeless body on the floor. Can she solve the murder before there’s another dead body?
This was a very good cozy mystery with a wonderful protagonist. I like Camille because she’s older and starting part of her life over again. The side characters seem likeable and wacky in a good way. I felt there was an awkwardness to the story, like the writing needed a little more editing. Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Such a fun cozy. Adorable town and fun mystery.

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?

_______

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.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC. #netgalley

Great little cozy mystery in a old antique town. It's a little slow to start but it gets better as you immerse your's in the story. ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5

4/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Cordy Abbott for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the first book in a new series. This series hold some serious potential to be a new favorite of mine. This first book is really well written, the characters are lovable, and the mystery grips you from the beginning. You learn a lot throughout the book, and not just about decorating, but about preserving archives, how books are stored, and how things are processed to find out if it is authentic or not.

This book is truly interesting and kept me entertained the entire time. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in a good cozy mystery.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Great cover on this one!

This was a solid start to a new cozy mystery series. I so seldom get into cozy series from the first book, so that was a pleasant change of pace for this reader. The writing was great. I loved the setting. The plot was engaging. I loved all the historical information. The characters were okay. That is the one aspect that left me a little "meh". However, it is the first book, so I expect the author will develop them more as the book progress. I am looking forward to see what they get up to in the next book!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Camille is ready to leave her teaching job. She has decided to buy her parent's old antique shop. Unfortunately the man who currently owns it is mean and deceitful. Soon after Camille signs the papers, that man is also dead. The suspect list is long, but Camille is determined to find the killer. The characters have potential. While the mystery was not the strongest, I still enjoyed this start to a new seri.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Just off the high of seeing her son elected Mayor, Camille ponders what direction her life should take. The chance to buy the business her parents had started offers a temptation too good to refuse.. The seller is a cantankerous old grouch who has managed to alienate both locals and tourists. Someone clearly had had enough and when Camille discovers his body in the store shortly after the deal closed, she wants the crime solved so her new business is not under a black cloud.

There are a number of complications to finding the killer, not the least of which is a letter that might have been written to George Washington. If the letter is real, it could be a bombshell but Camille suspects it is a forgery after she discovers the deceased had some shady business dealings. There is great interest in proving or disproving the provenance but there is one person who is determined that the letter is never scrutinized and is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to prevent it.

I enjoyed the way that Camille is able to be involved in the investigation without putting herself in conflict with the police. She is careful for the most part but she does get carried away at one point but not enough to put her name up for a Darwin nomination. I like the weaving of history and antique research into the story. There are some great characters and two loveable schnauzers. I would be willing to go on further adventures with Camille. Four purrs and two paws up.

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.

This was such a cozy, light read. Dr Camille Benson is an endearing, interesting protagonist. I love the Marthasville setting. Opal is a fun side character. I loved the mystery and cannot wait for book 2!

Started out slow and got much better towards the end. Great ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book is a fun first in series written by a new to me author!
I always enjoy books set in Old Town and this one does not disappoint. I really like the fact that the amateur sleuth is a bit older than in some other cozies.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Dead Men Don't Decorate An Old Town Antique Mystery by Cordy Abbott is the first in a new series. Camille is at loose ends after her son is elected mayor of Marthasville, Virginia,
and she no longer has his campaign as her central focus. She decides to buy Waited4You, the antiques store that was originally owned by her parents. The ink is barely dry on the contract when the former owner, seemingly hated by all, is murdered in her store.

The location and the setting are interesting, and there are any number of unique characters in this new series. Nonetheless, I had a hard time getting into the story. It may have been Camille’s strange relationship with Brennan Adler or the way that they interacted that was off putting. I could never quite put my finger on it. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) I do think that the series has good bones and I look forward to seeing how the author develops the characters in the next book.