Iced Chiffon (A Consignment Shop Mystery Book 1)

4.5 Stars / Top Pick

Sweet mercy what a glamorous murder mystery...southern style! I haven't read a cozy mystery quite this fun and entertaining in a long time. Hands down Duffy Brown knows how to write murder with a sense of humor.

Savannah, Georgia is a hot bed of gossip. Throw in a murder, a consignment shop, an assortment of towns folk and a Southern woman with a strong will to survive and you never know what you are going to get. Recently divorced Reagan Summerside is a character I'd easily be friends with. Albeit always getting into one kind of trouble or another, but at least I know life would never be boring with her around. She always seems to step into one thing or another with her Aunt Kiki at her side that keeps the action alive in this cozy murder mystery. With her beloved Cherry House on the line, Reagan is faced with either forking over the so-close-but not-yet-signed deed to her rundown Victorian for lawyer fees or finding the killer herself. Given it’s the only thing between her and living under a bridge, Reagan sees no other choice but to seek out the person behind the bloody For-Sale sign herself.

Southern charm takes on a whole new meaning when you're trying to dig into the whodunit behind a murder. Ms. Brown did a great job of hiding the clues in and amongst fabulous secondary characters and riveting dialogue. I loved the southern charm weaved into the very fabric of the story and find her depiction of the South spot on right down to all the dangerous secrets lurking in the shadows.

Iced Chiffon is Duffy Brown's debut cozy mystery and one that will stay on my keeper shelf. I anxiously await the release of the second book from Ms. Brown because murder really is good for business!

Disclosure: Review copy from the publisher/author for an honest review.
Review by: Talina

Warm fuzzies with this one! Picked it up and couldn't put it down until I got to the end. Regan is in the midst of a messy divorce with a ex-husband that did the unthinkable found a younger woman, 15 years younger to be exact. Regan is left with nothing but a Victorian house and lots and lots of designer clothing. She flips her circumstances and makes the house into a consignment shop among the southern gossip. Tongues really start to wag as her ex's little bunny of a love is found dead in his Lexus! As customers bring in their goods they also bring in clues to who done it. This was a lot of fun well worth the read and I can hardly wait for the next book in the Consignment Shop Mystery Series. A Must read if you love light hearted fun happy mysteries. I absolutely adored this one!

We meet Reagan Summerside. She is divorced and hanging by a financial thread. Her former husband, Hollis, is the kind of guy who could slide under a door without opening it. He and his lawyer, Boone, left Reagan with not much except a run down house she loves. And he has a girl friend who helped end the marriage, Janelle - the Cupcake.

Janelle is murdered, and Hollis is arrested and wants to sell the house in order to pay his attorney's fees.

As a form of self defense, Reagan decides she must find the murderer in order to save her home. She drafts her Aunt Kiki, dance teacher extraordinaire, to be her investigating partner.

We meet a list of suspects. They are all people who have been blackmailed by Janelle. It turns out she was not a nice woman. What a surprise.

There are many twists and turns. We go from one suspect to the next and each one has a story that is a strong reason for murder. Being blackmailed does not bring out the best in people.

I must admit, I figured out the murderer about half way through. But every time I knew I was right, another possibility reared its ugly head.

This book has humor, which I really enjoyed. The characterizations are terrific. When Duffy Brown does descriptions or dialogue, she is right on the money. The characters are so well developed that you can picture the people as though they were friends.

Since this is the first in a series, it appears there may be a relationship developing between Reagan and the not so rotten lawyer, Boone. He is a good match for her in wit, humor and intelligence. And he is a hunk. I look forward to seeing how that goes.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery. Ms Brown is a talented writer and it is evident she will produce a quality series for cozy mystery readers. You will want to move to Savannah, have coffee with Aunt Kiki and the sisters, and play golf at the Country Club.

For full disclosure, I won this book in a contest and was asked to write an honest review.

Iced Chiffon, the first book in the new Consignment Shop Mystery series by Duffy Brown, totally blew me out of the water! I mean, I tend to set the bar pretty low for cozy mysteries, but this was a genuinely good book - inside or outside the genre. Being as such, I figured a full review was in order.

The beginning paragraph gripped me like an alcoholic to a bottle of vodka:

"I poured out the last of the pinot and lifted my glass as I gazed around the dining-room table. `Good-bye Louis, Donna, Diane, and Ralph.' A vintage Armani cocktail dress and Kate Spade pantsuit were draped over the table, sad and abandoned. `To Friends. We've been through luncheons together, dinners, weddings, and funerals. You made me feel good when I was PMS-ing and bloated or put on five pounds from a Godiva bender...'"

Quickly, you find out it's 9 a.m. and the main character and narrator, Reagan, a recent divorcee is drowning her sorrows while she sells off all the designer clothes and accessories to keep the lights on in her old half-fixed up Victorian. While she managed to get the house in the divorce, her realtor ex-husband, thanks to a pre-nup, got everything else. Including his 20-something new bimbo that Reagan and her aunt Kiki refer to as "Cupcake."

Reagan's barely able to keep her head above water as it is - hello, she's basically opening a thrift store in her living room - Cupcake turns up dead and the police are pointing the finger at Regan's ex, Hollis. Although Hollis is a jerk, Reagan knows he's innocent and, when he threatens to sell her home to pay his defense attorney, Reagan knows she better find the real killer before the case goes to trial.

The story is set in Savannah, Georgia in a tight-knit community of well-to-do's and Southern Ladies. Now, I'm not from the South (nor have I ever been there) so it may be totally inaccurate, but I loved the way Brown portrayed the town and its characters. I loved the way she gave brief little history lessons when mentioning the parks (named after iconic Southerners who fought in The War). With a lot of books, the location is merely a passing thought (they could really take place anywhere without much difference), but this book was definitely "Savannah."

I loved all the character. Reagan, really, she was the best. She was strong, funny, smart and resourceful. For someone who was selling their clothes just to keep the electricity and water on in her house, I never felt bad for her and I realize that's because she never felt bad for herself. And, despite having a rich aunt living right across the street and a mother who is a judge (don't read too much into that politically - she may be named after a Republican president, but she notes that she did vote for Kerry, much to the chagrin of her mother), Reagan refused to accept handouts

Crazy Aunt Kiki - a dance instructor who once toured with Cher and loves her martinis - was also pretty full of awesome. She was always around to offer some insightful words (mostly quotes from Cher - whether they applied to the situation or not). Sometimes she hung back a little on what I would consider old-fashioned Southern values, not wanting to make waves, but that made sense for her character's age and station in society. And, despite what she was raised to do, she doesn't follow all the rules of being a lady. Especially when she suspects her friend's husband of fooling around. Hell hath no fury...

There were so many minor characters that at times it was hard to keep them straight. Still, I enjoyed all of them immensely. Almost all of them were written with such flair and richness that I couldn't help wanting to know more about them and their stories. The thing that almost all the characters have in common - other than their location - is that they're all hiding something (although it's not always what you think) and they all have reasons for wanting Cupcake dead.

Of course, I can't forget to mention Hollis's attorney, Walker Boone. Now that's a male love interest that actually interested me. Actually, he was never a love interest exactly - I don't think there's any love between them, at least not that they were willing to admit - but you know where it's going. He was incredibly smart and surprisingly patient with Reagan's relentless quest for the killer. His calm, calculated demeanor really balances Reagan's act-first-think-later attitude.

I will say, I did guess the killer right off the bat - but it was just a hunch and, truthfully, I didn't know if I was right or not up until the very end. It really could've been anybody (they were all so suspicious), but I liked which character Brown chose to take the fall and I think the motive was pretty ingenious, too.

I had a brief moment of panic when I finished this book and didn't see a second book in the series. THANKFULLY, it is coming soon! Killer in Crinolines (Consignment Shop Mystery #2) comes out on May 7!

In Savannah, Georgia, due to a prenup Hollis Beaumont keeps everything when he and his now ex-wife Reagan Summerside divorce. However, he agrees to let her keep their fixer upper Victorian Cherry House. A realtor Hollis turns to Cupcake for comfort while Reagan and her Aunt Kiki open up the Prissy Fox consignment shop out of her house.

Reagan "borrows" Hollis' Lexus to deliver a fountain to Raylene Carter. However, Kiki opens the trunk only to find too much "junk" inside as the corpse of Cupcake occupies the space. The police suspect Hollis killed her following a public argument. Needing money for his legal defense, Hollis informs Reagan he needs to sell Cherry House. Reagan refuses to give up Cherry House so believing his insistence that he is innocent, she investigates the murder of Cupcake.

The first entertaining Consignment Shop Mystery is a humorous amateur sleuth tale due to the wry asides by the heroine. The investigation is fun due to Reagan and her "posse" as they find several people wanting to crush Cupcake. Though Reagan's logic to look into the murder seems weak, fans will enjoy touring Savannah with Reagan as a guide as Duffy Brown writes a lighthearted amusing amateur sleuth.

Harriet Klausner

Read for Fun/Book Club/Dewey's (Paperback)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.75

First Thought When Finished: This was just too much fun! :)

Story Thoughts: What a freaking romping good time! I seriously giggled for most of Iced Chiffon. This was a case of someone hitting rock bottom and saying I am not going to put up with anymore. If that means finding the real killer to get her ex-louse of a husband out of jail so she can keep her house (the one unresolved item from their divorce) then so be it. While a little bit of it was far-fetched (aren't all cozies?), the whole thing read exactly like someone at the end of their rope. I think what I loved most about Iced Chiffon is everyone kept telling her to stop investigating on her own because it was dangerous. She didn't listen, ended up being a decent tracker of information (though not at all as sly as she thought), and that made it fun.

Character Thoughts: Holy Mackerel! The characters were the Da Bomb! I loved Reagan! She was a hard-headed pull yourself up by the bootstraps kind of gal. She was a bit of a mess (my favorite kind of cozy leading lady) but she wasn't stupid. She was a delight to follow around and her shenanigans were stuff of legends. Walker Boone *swoon*! Though there is no love story in this one (girl is still reeling from her divorce) there was a HAWT guy. One of course she hates because he is her ex-hubbies attorney who took her for all her money. I think they are going to be fun to watch in the books to come. Favorite Character: Aunt Kiki! Gotta love a little old lady that can run circles around you :)

Final Thoughts: If you want something fun for a relaxing afternoon then Iced Chiffon is for you!

This entertaining read is part of the `Consignment Shop Mystery' series and features Reagan Summerside (now that her divorce from Hollis Beaumont III is final), her Cher-quoting aunt Kiki and the infuriating lawyer Walker Boone among other quirky characters. Reagan's efforts to support herself result in using part of her partially restored Victorian mansion (her only asset after the divorce) to off sell her designer clothes to the fashion-starved Savannah citizens of her acquaintance. The threat of losing her house due to her ex-husband's inconsiderate incarceration for the murder of his current lover prompts Reagan to try her hand at being a private investigator. Unfortunately, Reagan might be better at planning an appropriate outfit to wear than acting as an efficient sleuth, if she lives long enough to do either.

This fun cozy mystery sets the stage for a delightful series that blends the charm of Southern life with a multitude of eccentric characters. Reagan's self-deprecating humor and her aunt's cheerful willingness to aid and abet her cash-strapped niece in her ill-conceived schemes keep the action moving along so artfully that one almost forgets that a murder has occurred and that there is still very real danger lurking. The myriad of mysterious characters and their gradual unmasking keeps the reader very entertained while misdirection and extraneous clues keep the villain unobtrusive yet very present. A great introduction to an undoubtedly entertaining series.

After her messy divorce a few months ago, Reagan has nothing left but a run down old Victorian house that she fell in love with as a child, and is in the process of fixing up. Her husband took it all, the house, the car and the business, and he even has the new cupcake on his arm, all thanks to his smarmy lawyer Walker Boone. Reagan has a pile of bills to pay, and so she is ready to bring her designer clothes to a consignment shop nearby. Until the UPS lady and her vivacious aunt KiKi change her mind, and she decides to open up her own consignment shop.
When her ex Hollis and the new cupcake, Janelle, stroll in, demanding her set of keys to the Lexus, she really doesn't want to give them up. After all, she paid for the car. But as she was so stupid to sign a prenup, and the car is in Hollis' name, she has no choice. Especially as Hollis still hasn't signed over Cherry House in her name, as was determined in the divorce settlement. She will have to play nice for now. But when cupcake wants to buy her favourite pink chiffon dress, she really doesn't want to sell it to her, but she agrees to the outrageous price without blinking her eyes, and Reagan really needs the money to pay some bills. Hollis and cupcake will be attending a social event Reagan always loved, but she is no longer invited now she is just a poor divorcee instead of a rich wife who can donate to charity.

The next day, Raylene Carter wants to buy Reagan's fountain for her garden, she is determined to win the next Best of Show. And she wants it home delivered that very same day. But Reagan has sold her car to pay some bills, and she cannot borrow her aunts car, as she is out to lunch with her mother in law, and she doesn't want to ask her own mother. Gloria is a judge, and has warned her about marrying Hollis, signing a prenup, and putting only Hollis name on the Lexus. So she decides to just sneak into the real estate office, and borrow the cars to the Lexus to haul to fountain over to Raylene's. IdaMae, who has been Hollis' secretary and some kind of cousin, has been working there for many years, and doesn't mind helping Reagan out. She really doesn't like cupcake, who tries to have her fired so she can take over the office.

But when Reagan asks KiKi to help her get the fountain in the trunk, the trunk is already filled with something. Cupcakes dead body, wearing Reagan's pink chiffon dress, wrapped in plastic. The police immediately suspect Hollis, as they were seen arguing at the party last night, and it is his car. And Reagan could really cherish the thought of Hollis in prison for a while, until he threatens to sell her precious Cherry House from underneath her, to pay for his lawyer. Which means there is only one thing to do, to find the killer herself.

And the more she learns, the more people she finds who had a big reason to hate Janelle. With a lot of help from her aunt KiKi, her nosy neighbours (a duo of professional mourners) and the unsuspected help from the sleazy lawyer, Reagan sets out to find the truth. So many suspects, so many motives, but in the end the killer knows she will figure it out soon, and tries to kill her as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series. Reagan and KiKi are a hoot, real southern ladies with a lot of quirks, and a lot of energy. Reagan does her best to just survive, to pay her bills and earn some money for food, and to take care of her new found dog. She is reckless, but she is determined to safe her house and not let Hollis sell it, or let the lawyer triumph in solving the case before her. Still, Boone can be very nice, and he really saves her butt a few times, but he is also very closemouthed and irritating at other times.

The story is very well written, and nicely paced. With some bits about the consignment shop business, but mostly about Reagan being out looking for clues and answers and alibis. She discovers a lot of dirt on some of her acquaintances, but she handles it all very well. I did see some things coming, but it was well done. A nice mystery plot, with a lot of humor and Southern sayings. I did make me laugh out loud a few times.

I do recommend this cozy mystery series to all lovers of cozy mystery series with quirky Southern characters and am looking forward to reading the next book soon.

8,5 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Full review on my blog, [...]

Iced Chiffon is a superbly written cozy, and one of the best cozies that I have read this year! I'm a huge fan of this genre, and especially enjoy books set in the South, so I was excited to see Duffy Brown's Iced Chiffon hit the shelves! Easy to read, I was able to devour it in one weekend.

Reagan Summerside has just been through messy divorce to her philandering real estate executive husband. She is trying to emerge with some dignity, and in danger of losing her beloved home in Savannah's historic district when her ex-husband's new amour is brutally murdered. Up to her eyeballs in debt, one day, she puts out some items to donate, when her UPS delivery woman, and friend stops by and offers her good money for a designer handbag, she takes it, and thanks to a few tweets by her friend, women are knocking down her doorstep looking for designer secondhand good. Voila, Reagan's second hand consignments shop is born!

But, will the income from her little shop be enough to save her home? When her ex is hauled in and charged with murder, he will need the income from the sale of her home to pay his legal fees. Reagan realizes that she should have had a better pre-nup, and gets to work trying to find the real killer. With the help of her aunt and next-door neighbor, she gets closer to the bottom of things, but will she end up six feet under in her attempts to uncover a murder? But, a few brushes with danger aren't enough to scare her off, nor are stern warnings from Boone, her ex's lawyer.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Laura Childs, Ellery Adams, Lorna Barrett and other cozy writers!

(4.5 star top pick review written by Talina Perkins for Night Owl Reviews)

Sweet mercy what a glamorous murder mystery...southern style! I haven't read a cozy mystery quite this fun and entertaining in a long time. Hands down Duffy Brown knows how to write murder with a sense of humor.

Savannah, Georgia is a hot bed of gossip. Throw in a murder, a consignment shop, an assortment of towns folk and a Southern woman with a strong will to survive and you never know what you are going to get. Recently divorced Reagan Summerside is a character I'd easily be friends with. Albeit always getting into one kind of trouble or another, but at least I know life would never be boring with her around. She always seems to step into one thing or another with her Aunt Kiki at her side that keeps the action alive in this cozy murder mystery. With her beloved Cherry House on the line, Reagan is faced with either forking over the so-close-but not-yet-signed deed to her rundown Victorian for lawyer fees or finding the killer herself. Given it's the only thing between her and living under a bridge, Reagan sees no other choice but to seek out the person behind the bloody For-Sale sign herself.

Southern charm takes on a whole new meaning when you're trying to dig into the whodunit behind a murder. Ms. Brown did a great job of hiding the clues in and around fabulous secondary characters and riveting dialogue. I loved the southern charm weaved into the very fabric of the story and find her depiction of the South spot on right down to all the dangerous secrets lurking in the shadows.

Iced Chiffon is Duffy Brown's debut cozy mystery and one that will stay on my keeper shelf. I anxiously await the release of the second book from Ms. Brown because murder really is good for business!

Reviewed by Clare for TwoLipsReviews.com

Iced Chiffon (Consignment Shop Mystery, Book 1)
5 out of 5 kisses

Reagan Summerside is left with nothing but an old Victorian home after her messy divorce. But she’s okay with that. Reagan’s poured her heart and soul into fixing up the home and has even turned a profit using the first floor for her consignment shop, the Prissy Fox. She’s had to sell off all her expensive clothes and belongings, but at least she’s making it on her own.

However, that could all change when her ex-husband’s young, blond girlfriend ends up dead in his Lexus. He’s broke and using the Victorian house to pay off his high-priced lawyer, Walker Boone, the very same lawyer who left Reagan with nothing during their divorce proceedings. Reagan is determined to beat Walker at his own game and find the murderer first, so she can keep her house. Now all she has to do is keep her life!

Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown is a great debut to the new Consignment Shop mystery series. It’s fast paced with plenty of action to keep you entertained and reading well into the night. There is a good, solid mystery with a lot of legitimate suspects that will keep readers guessing until the last page.

The pages are filled with a cast of interesting, quirky characters. I especially liked Reagan’s sidekick, her exuberant aunt Kiki. Reagan’s character combines a blend of humor and toughness that make her likeable and keeps the story exciting. And the funny dialog will have you laughing out loud. Fans of cozy mysteries will want to be sure to add this to their must read list!

Cozy mysteries are my favorite mystery genre to read. I saw all of the great reviews of Iced Chiffon and was eager to read it. What I liked about Iced Chiffon was the location of Savannah, the main quirky characters, Bruce Willis the dog and the humor. It reminded me some of Stephanie Plum series with a Southern flavor.

After saying that, one would think I would be giving it 5 stars. It started out well for me. Grabbed my interest and liked the humor. Then it slowed down. I had trouble finishing it and fought the urge to start skimming. For me, it could have had less pages and still been a good read. I knew who the murderer was when the person was first introduced in the book. I am disappointed that I grew bored with the plot as the book had many other good things going for it.

Iced Chiffon is set in Savannah, Georgia. How could I not read a book set in my birth state? Plus, it's a cozy murder mystery -- the first in the Consignment Shop series by Duffy Brown.

The main character, Reagan, is recently divorced, strapped for money, about to possibly lose her home, and trying to keep her head above water. To make money, she turns her home into a consignment shop and begins selling her clothes. The women of Savannah show up to gossip and to buy, and they also bring things for her to sell.

Reagan gets caught up in a murder -- her ex-husband's mistress -- and sets out to discover the real murderer... before the police pin the murder on her. This is a town where everyone knows everyone, and your business is their business.

It's an easy, interesting read with characters who are southern, unique and full grown. It's often funny and will keep you guessing as to the real murderer. You'll also like Reagan who runs at full speed, her friends who help her start and keep open her new in-home shop, and her commitment to solving the murder.

Not only will you keep guessing, you'll keep reading.

I give Iced Chiffon a rating of Hel-of-a-Debut.

I enjoyed this first book in the series. Reagan is newly divorced, broke and trying to hang onto her dream house in Savannah, Georgia. Her ex left her for a younger model and when she is found dead in his car he is arrested. To hold on to her house Reagan has to solve the murder. Turns out there are a lot of people who wanted her dead. I really liked the Savannah setting and the crazy characters. Reagan and her Aunt Kiki are a lot of fun. The mystery was good and there were a lot of suspects and motives that made it interesting. I was able to figure out the who did it. Enjoy this fun Southern Cozy Mystery

Reagan's messy divorce has left her with nothing but fixer upper Victorian home and a bunch of designer clothes. She needs to make a living so she turns her first floor into a consignment shop and starts out selling her own wardrobe. She starts to think things may turn out o.k. until she borrows her ex's Lexus and finds his new girlfriend dead in the trunk. Of course her ex is the prime suspect and expects Reagan to sell the house to pay his attorney, Walker Boone. Reagan decides to find the murderer herself before Boone to keep the attorney's costs to the bare minimum. Turns out her customers give her much more than their old clothes to sell. "They have information more precious than a vintage Louis Vuitton" that can help her solve the case and save her house.

This is a fantastic debut!!

It is outrageously funny with larger than life characters.

Reagan has the worse possible luck and she gets herself in situations that reminded me of Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. The very best intentions always seem to just go wrong.

Aunt Kiki is Reagan's perfect cohort in this crazy investigation. Aunt Kiki was a roadie on one of Cher's tours and at times I believe she still thinks she is on tour and Cher is her best friend. For example: Cher says "If you really want something, you can figure out how to make it happen." While Cher wasn't an actual character, Kiki quotes her often, so much you almost think she may appear right there is Savannah. Maybe in a future story :)

Elsie and AnnieFritz are a hoot, think Mrs. Kravitz from the old Bewitched television show. They just have to know everyone's business and what they don't hear around the neighborhood they pick up at funerals. Elsie and AnnieFritz are professional mourners.

At times I thought Walker Boone was sweet but then I just wanted to slap him. The jury is still out on him for me.

How could I not fall for a pup named Bruce Willis? They perfect pet for Reagan as long as she keeps his favorite treats handy.

I hope the author sent a copy of this book to Cher and another to Bruce Willis. I know they would both enjoy the way their personas were used in this story!

I don't know exactly why but this story reminded me of the old sitcoms I liked to watch but in a modern day setting. Maybe Hollywood should be scoping out the current cozy mysteries for new sitcom ideas.

This story truly is a perfect escape, I loved it! I didn't want to leave Savannah. I guess I will just have to wait for the next installment. Write fast Duffy!!!

Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown is a piece of fluff...but it is a fun read! Just what you want when yur brain is going into triple overload with all this election back and forth, no matter who you want elected! The characters may not be deep. but I found them to be ones I could relate to! I read this in two days...I need to check if Ms. Brown has done a sequel...I found it delightful

Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown

Lots of funny one-liners in this southern mystery. A bumbling heroine tries to solve a murder using gossip and local knowledge.
The play between Reagan and Boone lends toward more happening between them in future stories.
I was entertained by the elimination and introduction of suspects. A bit slow in spots, but then you'd get one of those zingers.
Worth reading. Looking forward to the next in the series mostly because of the humor in the writing style.

Duffy Brown has given us a great new mystery series filled with intense moments, humor, and a fabulous cast of characters. There were enough twists and turns to keep me turning the page and I have definitely found a new protagonist that I look forward to reading more about in the series. Reagan Summerside is sassy, motivated, curious, and determined. With the help of Aunt Kiki and in competition of sorts with Walker Boone, Reagan sets out to uncover who murdered her ex-husband's fiance. She is determined to uncover the truth to not only clear her ex-husband of murder, but primarily to save her beloved home and new business. Reagan is on the road to a new beginning and I look forward to reading more about her journey with the next book in the series: Killer in Crinolines which is due out in May 2013. Iced Chiffon is a five star read for this booklover.

FTC Full Disclosure: I own a copy of this book and chose it for review.

Ice Chiffon
By Duffy Brown
Copyright October 2012
Publisher: Berkeley Prime Crime

There's always something to gossip about in Savannah, Georgia, and Reagan Summerside always seems to be in the middle of it. She's busy enough running her consignment shop, The Prissy Fox, with her vivacious Auntie KiKi, but now the gossip--and the sales--are about to pick up after a gruesome discovery...

Reagan's messy divorce has left her with nothing but a run-down Victorian and a bunch of designer clothes. Strapped for cash, Reagan makes use of the two things she has left, turning the first floor of her home into a consignment shop and filling it with the remnants of her rich-wife wardrobe.

Thanks to his cunning lawyer Walker Boone, her ex got everything else, including the Lexus--not to mention a young blond cupcake. When Reagan finds the cupcake dead in the Lexus, she's determined to beat Boone to finding the murderer. As it turns out, the gossip fiends flooding Reagan's shop will give her a lot more than just their unwanted clothes--they have information more precious than a vintage Louis Vuitton...

My Comments

A really great first book in a new series. Duffy Brown created a truly diabolical puzzle of twists and turns for the reader to unravel. Reagen and her Aunt Kiki are a fantastic duo of crime solvers.

I can't believe you snookered me in the first 50 pages. We met the killer and the woman who could have been the killer. The puzzle pattern of twists, turns and pure Southern wit had me going all the way to the last ten pages.
Poor Reagan's been royally shafted by her ex and his sleazy shark of an attorney (one with a dubious background no less). She finds herself and her spunky Aunt Kiki playing Nancy Drew to root out the real murderer and hopefully get her life back on track.

FTC Full Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher (at the author's request). All they requested was a fair and impartial review.

Duffy Brown has done a good job presenting her debut cozy mystery. It doesn't have the read of a "first" novel at all. She builds strong, believable characters that move the plot along smoothly. Reagan, a consignment shop owner, finds herself dealing in much more than clothes. This Savannah-set story takes the reader to this beauitiful southern city and it becomes the backdrop for a gripping mystery tale.

I applaud Duffy Brown on the first of many more novels. Her writing style and her characters make for a hit series of mysteries. Very good read.

What a perfect read for a chilly October night! As the season changes to fall and the leaves are turning, the characters took me away to the charming and eccentric streets of Savannah, Georgia. Not too scary to keep me up at night, but the right balance of intellect and witty conversations kept me thinking about the storey all week long! The main character, Reagan, is a fun investigator who brings villians to their proper destiny.

I just started reading the Consignment Shop Mysteries after reading the Cycle Path mysteries by Duffy Brown. She is a great author that keeps the story moving and the laughs on a roll. I plan to read the entire series!

Superb debut novel. Twist and turns keep you guessing ~ just when you think you know who done it ...BAM! No you don't!
Reagan, Aunt Kiki and Boone are three wonderful characters you will find yourself cheering for at different points!
I'm not one for southern type novels but Ms. Brown does an excellent job of keeping me intrigued.
Another friend told me she felt Reagan was a southern Stephanie Plum - I beg to differ as I am sure Reagan would always be better dressed!

Ms. Brown have done a masterful job of combining all the elements that make a good book great! Lots of twists to keep you guessing and enough humor and sass to liven things up! This was my first experience with cozy mystery books, and was glad to have picked this for my first. Can't wait for the next book, way to go Duffy!

Iced Chiffon gives the reader a plucky and amusing heroine to cheer on. This book has so many fun threads it's hard not to give things away while praising it's virtues. If you are looking for a fresh new series to follow I highly recommend this one - it has humor, solid writing, red herrings with style, and a cast of characters not soon forgotten. This reader is looking forward to more in this series.

Superb debut novel. Twist and turns keep you guessing ~ just when you think you know who done it ...BAM! No you don't!
Reagan, Aunt Kiki and Boone are three wonderful characters you will find yourself cheering for at different points!
I'm not one for southern type novels but Ms. Brown does an excellent job of keeping me intrigued.
Another friend told me she felt Reagan was a southern Stephanie Plum - I beg to differ as I am sure Reagan would always be better dressed!

Ms. Brown have done a masterful job of combining all the elements that make a good book great! Lots of twists to keep you guessing and enough humor and sass to liven things up! This was my first experience with cozy mystery books, and was glad to have picked this for my first. Can't wait for the next book, way to go Duffy!

Iced Chiffon gives the reader a plucky and amusing heroine to cheer on. This book has so many fun threads it's hard not to give things away while praising it's virtues. If you are looking for a fresh new series to follow I highly recommend this one - it has humor, solid writing, red herrings with style, and a cast of characters not soon forgotten. This reader is looking forward to more in this series.

My new favorite cozy mystery series!!1 LOVE Reagan and her Aunt Kikki! And Walker Boone! Fascinating!

Reagan Has to find evidence that her horrid ex-husband is innocent before her beloved home ends up being sold for his legal defense. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong for Reagan. And it will go wrong with a touch of humor, and a big dose of Walker Boone. YUM!

Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown is a fast paced read! The author presents all the suspects in the whodunit , which allows the reader to guess right along with Reagan, though this reader was much quicker to guess "who did the deed", then Reagan. There were some typos, but all in all this was a humerous story with some action and fun dialogue! I can't wait for the next in the series!

Rita
Ritalsmith.com

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. While browsing looking for a good mystery to read, I spotted Iced Chiffon (beautiful cover photo) loved that its a southern setting (Savannah) after reading back cover, was excited to start the adventure with Reagan, (Bruce Willis), her Auntie, and rest of the colorful characters. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, to see what kind of excitement and trouble Reagan, Bruce Willis,and the crew have in store for all. I gave the book a 5, only because the option for 10 was not available.

I fell in love with the characters in this delightful mystery. Reagan Summerside, the feisty heroine who owns a consignment store named the Prissy Fox, is smart, tough and engaging. When Hollis, her coniving ex-husband. leaves her for a blonde cupcake named Janelle, Reagan springs into action. Her efforts to save the consignment store, establish herself as a successful businesswoman and solve a murder are wonderful to see! Auntie Kiki is another fabulous character--who could resist a woman who quotes Cher? And the book is set in the magical city of Savannah, another plus. Can't wait for the next installment in this wonderful series.

I began reading Iced Chiffon because I love second-hand shops and I finished it because it was a hoot!

Reagan Summerside is determined to save Cherry House, her passion and home, from the greedy paws of her ex-husband who already took everything else of value from her in the divorce settlement, even if it means proving that he did not kill the mistress he kicked Reagan to the curb to um, socialize with. Assisted by her tipsy Aunt KiKi and a cast of colorful Southern bells and beaus, Reagan is unstoppable and her readers can only cheer and wait for the next installment of her adventures.

With 51 reviews before mine there's probably not much left for me to say, but I enjoyed this book so much I just had to add my two sense. It is very well written, moves at a nice pace, incorporates a lot of humor and is populated with some great characters. Author Duffy Brown definitely left me wanting more! I am looking forward to Killer Crinolines, due out summer 2013.

This is one FABULOUS cozy. The cast of characters meshes together like a well oiled machine AND there is a dog!! It was laugh out loud funny, and as usual, I could not guess who did it!! Cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

I love, love, love this debut cozy mystery series and can't wait for the next installment! Set in Savannah, full of quirky characters, Reagan is trying to hang on to her old house after a divorce leaves her struggling for money. To survive, she starts a consignment store to sell her designer duds. The story is funny and one you can't put down. Highly recommend.

Set in Savannah, Georgia, this new 'cozy' series is a winner! The characters are well thought out and believable! I love Reagan Summerside and her wonderful Aunt Kiki! Supporting characters are wonderful, and situations are plausible.

A great new series and author I can't wait to hear more from!

I loved the cheeky southern charm of Iced Chiffon and thought the characters were just too fun! I really felt like I knew them (or at least I wish I did!!). You really get a feel for Savannah too. I really couldn't put it down!! Can't wait for the next one--I wonder who Duffy will kill off next!

Is there anything better than a cozy mystery set in Savannah? I don't think there is. Duffy brings charm, wit, and suspense to every page. This book will keep you hooked from start to finish. I can't wait for the next one!

We all have our favorite writers (Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille; etc) but every once in a while you want to pick up a book that while a mystery has humor associated.

This book is it. The humor associated with a divorce and a "new" girlfriend; a family member who wants to be right there with you all the while trying to find a way to recover from no money after being divorced. Duffy Brown grabs you with the description of the old family home. It brings back many memories of your childhood. You can feel the pressure of how do I pay my bills; have you been there yourself?

The story is good, you are maybe this person, but maybe not I loved it. Book 2 will be out shortly, its already on my pre-order list Enjoy Duffy Brown I sure did.

Reagan Summerside is always scrambling to make ends meet. Since her messy divorce from Hollis Beaumont III, she's sold everything she can get her hands on in order to keep from losing her beloved Cherry House, the Victorian that they had bought together and she's put all kinds of blood, sweat and tears into renovating it, not to mention her money. When she and Aunt KiKi find the body of her ex's fiancee, Janelle and he's arrested for the murder, Reagan knows she has to work extra hard and ever harder than Hollis's lawyer to solve the case. She's afraid she'll lose Cherry House if Hollis is convicted.

With all the selling that she's doing, somehow inadvertently a consignment shop named the Prissy Fox is born from Reagan's downstairs. In scrounging for her own nice clothes to resell, people would start talking about the place and start to bring their own clothes in to resell. It also didn't hurt that the murder victim was found outside Reagan's house, lots of interest just coming to the house.

While investigating and listening to the local gossip, freely supplied by her aunt and various people in town, she finds out that a lot of people had a reason to want Janelle dead. If she doesn't hurry up and find the killer, she may find herself dead as well!

This was a book that I could barely put down. I just had to keep reading and finding out what was going on. Not only was it hilarious in places, I just really enjoyed the characters, especially Aunt KiKi. She was such a hoot! It was so funny how she'd trade favors with Reagan and grudgingly go along on a sleuthing mission but then end up all interested in it after all. I liked all the little side mysteries, like all the people seemingly had secrets they needed to keep hidden. I also really enjoy any mystery that is set in the South. I can always picture the gorgeous homes and their landscapes.

I'd be missing out on a great character if I didn't mention BW aka Bruce Willis, the stray dog that showed up underneath Reagan's porch and quickly squirmed his way into her heart. BW got to play a pretty good part in the take down as well. I really didn't see this conclusion coming at all, was totally surprised by the reveal. I had suspected a couple of people but kind of abandoned that after awhile. The one I thought did it was definitely not the killer.

I will be reading the rest of this series! Reagan acts like she hates the lawyer of Hollis's but he bailed her out of some situations so I have a feeling she might start liking him eventually. I'll have to read and see!

Warm fuzzies with this one! Picked it up and couldn't put it down until I got to the end. Regan is in the midst of a messy divorce with a ex-husband that did the unthinkable found a younger woman, 15 years younger to be exact. Regan is left with nothing but a Victorian house and lots and lots of designer clothing. She flips her circumstances and makes the house into a consignment shop among the southern gossip. Tongues really start to wag as her ex's little bunny of a love is found dead in his Lexus! As customers bring in their goods they also bring in clues to who done it. This was a lot of fun well worth the read and I can hardly wait for the next book in the Consignment Shop Mystery Series. A Must read if you love light hearted fun happy mysteries. I absolutely adored this one!