Silence of the Lamps

Karen Rose Smith

May 2016 · A Caprice De Luca Mystery Book 5 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

USA Today–bestselling author:The lights have gone out permanently for a highly competitive caterer . . . “The plot is beyond engaging . . . A great protagonist.” —Rifflebooks
 
Caprice’s house staging is disrupted by Drew Pierson, a caterer who opened Portable Edibles, a business in direct competition with her sister Nikki's Catered Capers. Nikki turned down Drew as a possible partner and he seems determined to undermine and bury her.
 
But his successful deal for his blackberry barbecue sauce must have stirred up his enemies. When Nikki visits the house where Drew lives with his grandmother to resolve differences, she and Caprice find him dead—murdered with the base of a valuable Tiffany lamp.
 
Caprice discovers clues about Drew’s sly business dealings—from stealing recipes from another chef, to friends who hold grudges, to a sister who will now inherit half of her grandmother’s estate since Drew is dead. In the midst of her own romantic relationship upheaval, helping her uncle set up his pet sitting-business, and assisting in the care of a pregnant stray cat, Caprice follows the suspect trail, inadvertently putting herself in danger once more.
 
“An irresistible sleuth.” —Leslie Meier, New York Times–bestselling author of Irish Parade Murder

Ratings and reviews

Silence of the Lamps by Karen Rose Smith is the fifth book in the Caprice De Luca series. Caprice's sister, Nikki owns Nikki's Catered Capers. She has been having trouble with Drew Pierson. Drew used to work with Nikki until she spurned his advances and did not want him to become her partner. He is now out to make her life miserable and shut down her business. Nikki and Drew had a heated exchange at an open house that Caprice was staging. Then another incident at the local wedding expo. Nikki goes over to Drew's house (actually he lives with his grandmother, Rowena) to talk to him with Caprice and they find Drew dead on the floor. A beautiful Tiffany lampshade is nearby and the base is missing (I wonder what killed him). Nikki ends up being at the top of the suspect list (of course). Caprice will do anything she can to clear her sister's name (as expected). Caprice (despite warnings from loved one's) is determined to find the real killer. Join us is Kismet for another Caprice investigation and her intriguing vintage fashions. Silence of the Lamps was my least favorite book in the series (which I have really enjoyed up to this point). The novel contained very little mystery. The clues were not provided until before the killer was revealed (not that you really need the clues to solve the crime). The focus of this book seemed to be on Caprice and her relationship with Grant, the animals (a cat that needed rescued, Lady and Patches), Uncle Dom becoming a pet sitter, and Caprice's constant need for someone to watch her dog (which I really do not understand). I read cozy mysteries for the (you are going to be shocked) the mystery! Silence of the Lamps is nicely written and easy to read (it had a good flow as well). The characters are interesting, and I enjoy Caprice's unique style of dress and decorating (vintage). I give Silence of the Lamps 3 out of 5 stars. If this novel just had more mystery (clues, investigation) and less about finding pet sitters, I would love it. I received a complimentary copy of Silence of the Lamps from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

About the author

Karen Rose Smith is the author of seven Caprice De Luca home-staging mysteries. Married to her college sweetheart, Karen has convinced her husband that felines can make purr-fect housemates. They share their home in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania with their three rescued cats. For more about Karen, please visit her website www.karenrosesmithmysteries.com.