This was the first book in a new series. Camille decides to start a new chapter in her life and buy antique store that her parents used to own. After dinner one night she and her friend Opal, find a dead body in the shop. They decide to get involved and figure out whodunnit. This is an interesting cozy mystery that will keep you guessing to the end.

Camille Benson has decided to leave teaching and return to her first love - antiques.. As an art historian she has the academic experience and most importantly, she discovered her passion for antiques while working in her parents antique store - Waited4You. Now, through a twist of fate she is back running her family business. However, twists of fate can be tricky such as when she finds the first body. Camille has to leave the past to find a thief and murderer before they destroy her future.

I enjoyed everything about the book - the mystery, characters who were relatable, the cozy setting of Marthasville, Virginia and the "ride or die" spirit of Camille. A widow, with a grown son who is the new mayor, she has a talent for sleuthing that she shares with her best friend, Opal. There are red herrings galore and they kept me guessing. One of my favorite features of the book is when Camille and Opal "blast" 80's music and they sing loud and proud! The story of how Waited4You got it's name lends a heartwarming touch to the book.

I'm looking forward to the next adventure!

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

I liked the story for the most part but the beginning confused me. Camille doesn't have any plans to buy the store but when word gets out that the antique store is for sale, the gossip spreads that she is buying it so she just says okay. I found that odd.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review...mystery and intrigue...murder...enemies and friends...secrets...who did it? Why? This author is talented in weaving a story that reads like true crime. When the man that few like sells his business...the town residents are happy...the new owner discovers a secret...maybe...curl up with this book and spend an afternoon discovering what happens.

Camille Benson decides to quit teaching and buy back the Antique shop Waited4you, that her parents started years ago. The other merchants are thrilled Camille purchased it as the previous owner, Robero Fratelli, was a grouchy disagreeable man. After the closing, she and her friend Opal go out to dinner to celebrate. Then they return to the shop to look at a letter Opal spotted while they were taking inventory. They enter the shop to find Roberto dead on the floor and the letter missing. Camille and Opal need to fiigure out who the murderer is as a murder is not good for business. I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a good start to this new series. Thank you for the advance copy Netgalley!

I’m so excited by author Cordy Abbot’s cozy that opens a fantastic new series.

Camille Benson lives in Marthasville, Virginia, and now the election is over, her son Paul elected Mayor, and she’s thrown the thank you celebration to those that supported her during the months preceding the election. So what’s next? Opal Wells assumes Camille will again answer to the name of Dr. Benson teaching art history at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) when a new semester begins after the Christmas holidays. But it looks like a new possibility is available as current proprietor Roberto Fratelli, of the antiques store Waited4You has put the business up for sale. The very same store that Camille’s parents had owned until her father’s death.

Camille has the keys and with Opal can’t wait until Monday morning to investigate an item that Opal saw in the store that Camille hadn’t seen yet. They are shocked to discover the body of the old storeowner. Did he keep a key? Why? No one liked him due to his disposition but murder?

This story expands on the definition of cozy in the best of ways! It delights with the friendship of women spanning 50 years, the hints of romance, the names of local businesses in the small town, and the intertwining connections of the characters. Then it moves a step beyond and that is invigorating. There are multiple clues related to the antique furniture store from a missing letter to an earlier unreported theft of rare books. It is the author’s presentation through the investigation that heightened the intrigue seamlessly interweaving American history with creativity. I’ve never read a touch of historical fiction within a cozy. There’s even a link between the letter and the name of the community name and location. This is a reviewer’s moment when I wish I could give more than 5 Stars.

As I don’t give any spoilers away in my reviews, I’ll simply give you a hint to tickle your curiosity and hopefully your fingers too for the suggestion to click on over to the website of author Lane Stone and be sure to read the tab, “Meet Lane.” I think you’ll be smiling as I did in learning what (or is it who?) sparked the pen name and why there is strong authenticity in her writing.

My sincere thanks to Cordy Abbott, and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

#DeadMenDontDecorate #NetGalley

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Crooked Lane Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


A satisfying cozy mystery series with compelling characters. A quick read that left me wanting more.

Camille Benson is ready for her second act…buying back the Antique shop her parents started years ago. After closing, she has dinner with her son and best friend to celebrate, but the celebration is short lived as she and Opal find the seller in the shop later that night…dead. Can Camille and Opal figure out who killed the meanest man in town and save the business, or will this be the shortest second act in history?

I loved the setting as I’m an old Olde Towne girl and am familiar with Alexandria. The fact that they keep calling it Marthasville is what got this four stars instead of five. That said though, I can close my eyes and be in the setting…brunch with my family in one of the restaurants mentioned, my cousin’s condo at Watergate at Landmark, etc. Between the past and the way it is written it transports you and makes you part of the scene. I’m looking forward to more in this series!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting, kept me guessing all the way to the end.