Silk Stalkings : A Material Witness Mystery

Silk Stalkings by Diane Vallere is the third book in a Material Witness Mystery series. Polyester Monroe (aka Poly) owns Material Girl in San Ladron, California. The town is getting ready for the Miss Tangorli pageant. It is an annual beauty pageant sponsored by Harvey Halliwell and his company, Halliwell Industries. Poly has agreed to help the twenty finalist design and create their gowns (level the playing field). Poly has contacted her former boss, Giovanni for assistance with the sewing. He has agreed to bring his ladies to town to sew the gowns. Harvey Halliwell came by Material Girl to work out the details with Poly (instead of his assistant, Nolene Kelly). Poly had seen Harvey having a disagreement the night before with a man at the Midnight in Paris event. Poly tried to talk to him about it, but Harvey brushed it aside. Poly is out later and notices something under a tree. She finds Harvey Halliwell dead with a knife in his side. Why would someone kill Harvey? Poly sets out to find the person responsible. In addition, Poly is worried about her friend, Charlie Brooks. Poly noticed the man who was arguing with Harvey go into Charlie's Automotive, and Charlie has been acting strangely. What is she up to? Poly wants to make sure that Charlie is safe and does not get caught up in the murder investigation. So much for a quiet life in a small town. Can Poly find the killer before the new Miss Tangorli is crowned? You will have to read Silk Stalkings to find out!

Silk Stalkings was a wonderful novel. The novel has likeable characters (that you want to know and be friends with) and a great close-knit community in a small town. I found Silk Stalking to be well-written and easy to read (good pace or flow). The mystery is intricate with lots of twists making it difficult to solve (I loved it). I truly enjoy a mystery that puzzles me and makes me think (keeps the brain cells active). The subplot with Charlie was equally interesting. There are also beautiful descriptions of the fabric in Poly's store especially the silk satin that the ladies are using for their gowns. While Silk Stalkings is the third book in a Material Witness Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author brings the reader up-to-date on what happened in the prior novels and the character's background (though I highly suggest reading the first two books as they are just as delightful). I give Silk Stalkings 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). I will definitely be reading future novels in a Material Witness Mystery series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.