I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tentative On-Sale Date: December 5, 2017

Synopsis:

Good old-fashioned murder lurks behind the Old World charm of Santa Fe, New Mexico. And nobody knows that better than former attorney turned consignment-shop owner—and part-time amateur sleuth—Irene Seligman.

When New York assistant DA Irene Seligman moved home to take care of her demanding mother, Adelle, she thought she was leaving a world of corruption and violence behind. But after opening her store, Irene’s Closet, and getting reacquainted with the locals, she learns that something’s rotten in sunny Santa Fe. Even upstanding citizens like her friend Juanita Calabaza, a Native American artisan, can’t seem to escape the decidedly unfashionable surge in crime.

Juanita’s handcrafted jewelry has been known to catch the eye of many a tourist on the plaza in Santa Fe’s historic district. But lately she’s been attracting the wrong kind of attention . . . from the police. With her son missing after falling in with a bad crowd, Juanita foretells the death of one of his associates—which comes back to haunt her when the scumbag actually turns up dead. Now Juanita’s trading in her turquoise beads for an orange jumpsuit, and Irene will need to call upon all her old investigative skills to clear Juanita’s name—before her friend pays the ultimate price. 

My Thoughts on Accessories to Die For:

I love love love this book! Set in a small town in Santa Fe, New Mexico rich in culture and tradition, we see a different side of Santa Fe, a darker side.

Fast-paced and thrilling, Accessories to Die For will keep you turning the pages long after the lights have gone out.

Paula Paul shows how great the love of a mother is and how much a mother is willing to go great depths for her child. Irene reminds me of Nancy Drew because of her bravery and independence. Adelle, Irene’s mother, makes the story more interesting because of her personality. I learned a couple of Spanish words from this book like abuelita meaning grandma and pueblo meaning cave so its educational as well, if you’re learning Spanish that is, haha. I would recommend this book to those who are fans of Nancy Drew.

Lessons I Learned:

Do not judge a person by appearance or job. Just like Paco from the story, for example, who came from a broken family and has a bad reputation in society having influenced by street gangs. But even with that image, Paco has a kind heart. He slipped 50 dollars into a homeless man’s coat though the money was part of his share from a convenience store burglary. I also learned how drugs affect not only the person who uses it but also his family as well as the community.

About the Author:

Award-winning novelist Paula Paul was born on her grandparents’ cotton farm near Shallowater, Texas, and graduated from a country high school near Maple, Texas. She earned a BA in journalism and has worked as a reporter for newspapers in both Texas and New Mexico. She’s been the recipient of state and national awards for her work as a journalist as well as a novelist. She’s the author of many mysteries, including the Alexandra Gladstone series and the Mystery by Design series, which she wrote as Paula Carter. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.