As I peered through the wavy glass windows of the Victorian dollhouse that I’d purchased at auction for two hundred dollars, I brushed angrily against the tears streaming down my face. Too bad I could never set foot inside.
Within its rooms was a perfect little world with hand-sewn curtains, needlepoint carpets, and exquisite furniture. A world where nothing could go wrong and nothing was out of place. A world where ceilings never leaked, dinner was always on the table, and people couldn’t say bad things about you and completely mess up your life.
I’m Daisy Buchanan, owner of Sometimes a Great Notion, a haven of vintage linens and sewing notions in the quaint village of Millbury, Pennsylvania. I specialize in what’s called “new” old stock. Like buttons, snaps, and fasteners still on their original cards, and unopened packages of gilt braid, seam tape, and zippers. My beloved store was a testament to my passion for the past, but now, thanks to an unfortunate turn of events, I’d have to shut it down.
I wandered around the shop, straightening the Irish linens spilling out of the drawers of the Welsh dresser, and trailing my fingers over the seed counter with its glass-fronted loading bins holding a plethora of ribbons, lace, and Simplicity McCall sewing patterns.
A tiny part of me, a very tiny part, was glad that I hadn’t shelled out money on a new alarm system for the place, but the biggest part of me was one big, wrenching heartache.
Over in the corner, Alice the mannequin surveyed me in her usual enigmatic fashion.
Buck up, Daisy. Other people in the world have real problems. You still have your health, your friends – as strange as they are – and your wonderful husband.
I stared at her. “You’re right, as always, Alice. And don’t worry. You’ll be coming with me.”
God, I’d miss this place.
You can read more about Daisy in A Dollhouse To Die For, the second book in the “Deadly Notions” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Going Through the Notions. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 6, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of A DOLLHOUSE TO DIE FOR. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Cate Price is the author of the Deadly Notions mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. She is a regular sight on the streets of her home town walking her two amazing rescue dogs, and enjoys gardening and trying out new recipes with adventurous friends. Writing this series also allows her to indulge her love of antiquing, yard sales, and auctions, all in the name of research. A Dollhouse To Die For will be released on May 6, and she is hard at work on the third book in the series, Lie Of The Needle.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
dru's book musings 
This looks like an interesting series.I have always loved doll houses and would love a copy of this book.
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Love the doll house. Can’t wait to read this one.
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Sounds like a interesting series. Thank you for the giveaway.
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Sounds good to me. But then again too many do and my t-b-r list is endless. 🙂
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Sounds fantastic! Thank you for the chance to win 🙂
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
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Sounds great, I love dollhouse’s. Can’t wait to read this
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Dollhouse’s have always fascinated me so I am looking forward to this book.
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I love doll houses. I hope to read this book!
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I always wanted a dollhouse as a child. This sounds like a great book.
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I love dollhouses! Would love to win a copy!
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Yet another series to add to the growing list…. What a great problem to have! 🙂
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Ok, it makes me wonder where she’s going, I guess I better get started with this series and find out. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win.
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I so enjoyed Cate’s first book “Going Through the Notions” with Daisy. I can’t wait to read “A Dollhouse to Die For”!
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Thank you so much, Sue! Hope you enjoy this one, and good luck in the giveaway!
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My father in law used to make great dollhouses all in different styles so this book reminds me of him. Thank you for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
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Carol, my grandad made one for me as a kid, and I still have it 🙂
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I loved the first one–would love to win the second one!
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Thanks so much, Stephanie!
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So glad to know that Cate’s second book is out. I am partially done reading her first book and I really am enjoying it a lot. Looking forward to reading this especially after reading the blog post. My husband built a beautiful doll house for our now grown daughter who has two young daughters of her won. I still hade some little furniture saved for the doll house and some accent pieces that could have gotten broken easily when the girls were really young, but they can now enjoy everything and they love it especially since their Grampy made the doll house, and their Gammy made the curtains and the little scatter rugs, etc. So reading this series is going to refresh my memory of the old days I believe, which were great memories.
Great job as always with the blog.
Thank you Dru.
Cynthia
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Good luck in the giveaway, Cynthia! So glad you are enjoying GOING THROUGH THE NOTIONS. This one has tips for recycling household items to make dollhouse furniture and accessories, too!
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This is a series I am adding to my list to read. Sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win.
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Sounds perfect form me.would still love a dollhouse.
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Sounds like a great cozy mystery .
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I loved my dollhouse as a child—but I’m wondering how this one fits in with the murder.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
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We have our daughter’s (age 22) dollhouse upstairs. I think we’re waiting for grandchildren to enjoy it. My husband did much of the finishing work and my mother made rugs. It’s quite sweet.
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Looks awesome!
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Thank you for a chance to win a copy of A Dollhouse to Die For. This book sounds interesting.
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Just finished Going through the Notions and would love to win this second book in the series. Glad she is busy writing a third.
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This makes my day! Thank you, Ruth 🙂
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Loved the first one & ready for the second one!
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as a child, I have always wanted a dollhouse, but I never had one………..
just a thought!!! LOL!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!!
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I would like this series
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
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I enjoyed the first one. Looking foreword to the second.
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I’d love to live in a house like that! I’d also love to start reading this series! Thank you!
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Loved the first one and can’t wait to get this one.
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My parents wisely never bought me a dollhouse. I would have wanted to redecorate every month.
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My childhood favorite thing was a dollhouse with all kinds of accessories. Unfortunately my parents divorced, we moved to California and I had to give it away (to a future Miss Toledo as it turned out). I still love miniatures with a passion.
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This sounds like a great series. I will have to get the first book and play catch up. I never had a dollhouse but my daughters had one for a while. We all had fun playing with it.
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contest is closed.
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