The story opened strongly and the initial character sketches were excellent. Plot twists in the infamous detective-themed birthday party were interesting as other characters came into the story and added some fun side plays. Then the plotting and the storyline's plausibility petered out about half way through the narrative.

Margo's (main character) speculation about the murder scenario was unconvincing, seemingly wild, and based on nothing substantial. I thought the reveal at the end when we find out who committed the murder was preceded by too much illogical action and unresolved loose threads. The book passes my "good airport departure lounge reading" category. ( )

"Give me the knife," demanded the cranky man in the wheelchair. "I don't think so," I said.
"I'm not playing, Margo. Give me the knife. "
"Why? I already told you I could do it. Its just going to take longer than I thought." "That's because you can't climb the ladder in those silly boots. "
"Why are you so worried about my go-go boots? You bought them for me. Besides, you're the one wearing two different shoes. "

Margo Tamblyn is returning home to Proper City, Nevada, to help out at Disguise DeLimit after her father had a heart attack. She has hardly arrived back before they get a big order. Wealthy Blitz Manners needs forty costumes for a detective-themed birthday party. Unfortunately, Blitz manage to get himself killed on his own party and Margo’s friend and mother figure Ebony Welles is the cops nr 1 suspect. Now Margo must do whatever it takes to find the real killer.

This is the first Diane Vallere I have read and I found it quite charming. A Disguise to Die For is the kind of book that is perfect as a between books to read. When one need something relaxing but still engaging to read. I mean we have a main character that loves to dress in costume all the time, the 50s clothes one  day, Native American the next. And, I just love that there is a district in town named after Winnie the Pooh characters.

My dad had said that Blitz Manners lived in the mansion at the end of Winnie Lane, but it turned out he was slightly mistaken. The large white mansion sat at the intersection of Winnie Lane and Pooh Bear Drive, making it the house at Pooh Corner. I wondered how that looked on an engraved invitation!

And, Ebony having a dog called Ivory. That is just perfect. The mystery was also good, several suspects, red herrings and in the end, a big confrontation. Just the way I like it.
All and all, a good read and a series I would gladly read more books from.

I want to thank Liz D Publicity for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )

I just read a really good book, y'all — A Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere. Let me tell you a little about this cozy mystery, the first book in Diane's newest series, the Costume Shop Mysteries. A Disguise to Die For stars Margo Tamblyn, who had been a magician's assistant in Las Vegas. Margo is temporarily (she thinks) spending several days in her hometown of Proper City, Nevada, working in the family costume shop, Disguise DeLimit. (I just love the name of the costume shop — it slays me every time I read it!)

Margo's father Jerry, the shopkeeper and owner, has just had a heart attack, and is supposed to be taking it easy while he is convalescing in a wheelchair. (Instead, Margo arrives at Disguise DeLimit to find her dad trying to inventory his merchandise from his wheelchair. And the next day, he and a buddy take off for Area 51 to get some alien costumes!)

Margo gets her first costume order from Blitz Manners on her first day back at the shop. He wants 40 detective costumes, for men and women, based on famous — and hip! — fictional detectives. Her friend Ebony, a party planner, is hired to organize everything for Blitz's detective-themed birthday party, to be held the upcoming weekend.

Margo and Ebony both have a strong, never-say-die work ethic. Despite the short notice, they pull off a spectacular soiree where everyone is having a blast. A blast, that is, until Blitz's goose is cooked, in more ways than one.

Ebony is implicated in the murder. Margo knows that her friend is innocent and will strive to prove Ebony's innocence — until Margo's dead on her feet if necessary, because it's a do-or-die situation. I was surprised by whodunit. Both Margo and I figured it out at the same time.

I really like reading about Margo's interactions with the two people closest to her — her father, of course, and Ebony, who's been almost like a mother to Margo for over 25 years. I also like reading about the different outfits that Margo wears. For example, "Yesterday I went mod. Today I went Western." If only A Disguise to Die For was illustrated. Alas, I'll just have to use my imagination.

I noticed one thing that maybe could have been done better. I thought that Margo could have "hung out" more with Bobbie Kay, since Bobbie Kay is her oldest friend, from when they were five and six years old. I realize, however, that the main goal in A Disguise to Die For, other than solving the murder, is to get Margo back home where she belongs. I suspect that in future books there will be more time for Margo and Bobbie Kay to get together, or at least chat on the phone. Speaking of future books....

Book 2 of the Costume Shop Mysteries, Masking for Trouble, is available now for pre-order, and will be released on 4 Oct 2016. I'm dying to read it!

I recommend A Disguise to Die For to all fans of cozy mysteries, particularly fans of Diane's other series. I think it will have special appeal to fans who love costume parties, ride scooters, and still like to play dress-up. ;)

I really enjoyed A Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere, and grant it Four Stars!


Note: I received a complimentary copy of A Disguise to Die For in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

Originally published on my blog at Jane Reads. ( )

Meh. I bought this book on the strength of Vallere's two other series, but I won't be going any further than book 1. It's not bad but it's not a strong mystery either. The characters were appealing; I couldn't have seen Ebony any clearer if she were standing in front of me - and she's fabulous! But the author never really hooked me into caring about the murder and I never felt the anxiety or pressure I should have to see the murderer caught.

As for the murderer - I'm not actually sure how Margo got from A to B; I didn't see any logic to her deductions, although by the time I got to the end I might have been guilty of a bit o' skimming. Either way, it was a deus ex machina that allowed the solution to work, imo.

Not by any means a bad read, but she's written better and thus, my expectations are higher. ( )