Hey you guys, Eddie Adams here. Sorry if I seem a little nuts right now, but things at the museum are out of control. Wait—you don’t know about that, do you? Here are the deets: my regular job is as the visual manager for Tradava, a local retailer. The Ribbon Public Museum (not a museum filled with ribbons, but the public museum in the city of Ribbon, Pennsylvania) partnered with my store to sponsor a costume exhibit on loan from a Hollywood noir actress. And as if that wasn’t enough togetherness, Tradava licensed the name of the actress—Hedy London—for an exclusive line of hats based on the styles she wore in The Reaper Wore Red and Murder After Midnight, two of her most famous roles. The first curator was fired, the second curator threatens to walk every single day. Tradava wanted to make sure someone was looking out for their investment, so enter me.
Yep. You got that right. Visual manager turned museum lackey.
As visual manager, I work with mannequins. Dude, I like working with mannequins. They do what they’re told, show up on time, don’t talk back, and don’t expect me to stroke their egos. Plus they let me play as much Devo as I want.
But this gig? The current curator has a chip on his shoulder so big he should answer to the name Quasimodo. The museum director is all blond highlights and manicured fingernails—more high maintenance than most fashionistas I know—so he’s not going to lift a finger to make this exhibit happen. And who knows what to expect when Hedy London shows up. I don’t know what becomes a legend most, but I’m guessing it’s not good manners and politeness. And check this: my job is on the line. Pull this off and get promoted to Director of Visual Merchandising. Sweet, right? But if I don’t, dude, it’s unemployment-city.
The one good thing about this arrangement is that I asked my old friend Samantha Kidd to help out. She’s between jobs, and some of that is because of me. This gives her a potential in back at Tradava. So I guess that makes her my museum lackey.
When I asked Sam to help out, she was busy Feng Shui’ing her house to help her find a job. Clearly, the girl’s got some issues. But she did me a solid back in high school—saved me from a cheating scandal—and I’m happy to repay the favor if it leads her to some regular employment. Even though it’s been fifteen years since high school and she and I totally lost touch when she moved to New York, I’m glad she came back to Ribbon. Things are a lot less dull with her around.
Dude, I sure hope I didn’t jinx myself by asking Sam to help me at the museum. Things are already pretty stressful. The last thing I need is for her to find another body.
But seriously, what are the odds of that happening again?
You can read more about Eddie in The Brim Reaper, the third book in the “Style & Error” mystery series, published by Polyester Press. The first book in the series is Designer Dirty Laundry. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on December 12, and you will be entered to win a copy of The Brim Reaper. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Diane Vallere lives in a world where popcorn is a breakfast food and Doris Day movies are revered for their cultural significance. After over twenty years in the fashion industry, she now writes full time from her home in Los Angeles, California. She launched her own detective agency at ten years old and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.
Visit Diane at www.dianevallere.com
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
I like this one! Thanks
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Hi Gram-Thanks for entering!
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I loved the first book in the series! Thanks for the opportunity to win this one!
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Hi Jan, Thank you for loving the first book in the series! I suspect Samantha will keep getting into trouble one way or another!
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a new-to-me series!! thanx for the intro!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
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Hi Cyn209- (That sounds like a space age name!). Thanks for entering!
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This is a new series for me, it sounds really fun.
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Hi Debbie! Samantha and Eddie do manage to have fun in the middle of the mystery. Hope you like it!
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I’d love to start reading this series! It sounds like a good one! Thank you!
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Hi Carol, Thanks for entering the giveaway!
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A new to me author and series and it sounds like it would be fun. I love the Idea of Hedy London. I am a fan of film noir and this Hedy sounds like she would fit in with Marie Windsor and Jane Greer.
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Hi Annette, I love film noir too! Hope you enjoy Hedy London’s role in The Brim Reaper!
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Love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
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Hi Nancy, thanks for being a fan of the Style & Error Mysteries!
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Sounds fun, indeed!
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Hi Barb! Nice to see you here!
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This sounds like a good series. It would be a fun book to receive.
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Hi Nancy, thanks for entering the giveaway!
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I missed the first book in the series so I’d love a shot at this one.
Dru, please toss my name in the cyber hat for a chance to win.
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Hi Nora, I like how you mentioned a cyber hat…seems fitting for The Brim Reaper!
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I read the first two books and enjoyed them. Looking forward to this one.
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Hi Sharon, thanks for being a fan of Samantha!
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I’ve got my eyes on this one. No fashionista here, but love to shop. I worked at a Natural History museum in the 60s. Best job I ever had. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Hi Judy, I volunteered for a natural history museum (the same location I based this one on). Wonderful place for a mystery!
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Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
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Hi Mary, thanks for entering!
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This a brand new series to me. I love museums with a passion so I am cery interested in reading this book. Thank you for this giveaway.
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Hi Carol, I love museums too! I hope you enjoy how it plays into the mystery 🙂
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I have missed reading this series. Always happy to find a new series. This sounds like a great read.
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Thanks for entering the giveaway!
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Thanks for inviting me, Dru, and thanks to everyone for the comments! I volunteered at a natural history museum one year and loved it (that’s the museum that the one in THE BRIM REAPER is based on).
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Thanks for stopping by with Eddie.
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“Things are a lot less dull with her around”! Oh, yes!
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Libby, I see you enjoy someone with a nose for trouble!
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New-to-me series, as well. Like the backstory and the opportunity to learn something about staging and museums. And I share a passion for shoes with the author, that’s got to count for something! 🙂
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You’re right, Denise, a passion for shoes has got to count for something!
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This is a new series to me, thanks for bringing it to my attention. Thanks for the chance to win.
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Hi Debbie, I love discovering new series too. Thanks for entering!
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I don’t think that I have read the other books in this series, but I read so many that I forget. But I would really like to get this one and get the two previous ones as well if I do win it. Thank you so much.
Cynthia
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Hi Cynthia, Good luck with the giveaway! Thanks for entering!
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I LOVE Diane Vallere! I’m heading over to amazon as soon as I’m done typing this.
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Terri-you’re so sweet! Thank you, and good luck with Heartache Motel!
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Thanks Diane for letting Eddie get his day. Looking forward to reading this one.
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Thank you for letting Eddie take over. After the way things have been going for him, I think he needed a nice supportive environment like this!
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“They do what they’re told, show up on time, don’t talk back, and don’t expect me to stroke their egos. Plus they let me play as much Devo as I want.” = HA!
Great post! Can’t wait to read the book. Congratulations!
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Hi Cynthia- You and Heather think alike!
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This looks awesome, Diane! I especially loved this: “They do what they’re told, show up on time, don’t talk back, and don’t expect me to stroke their egos. Plus they let me play as much Devo as I want.” Write On!
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Hi Heather-you and Cynthia think alike!
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Sounds like a good read with a new twist.
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Hi Karen, thanks for the comment!
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contest is closed.
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