Better Homes and Corpses by Kathleen Bridge

Now I may not be the best when it comes to house decor, in fact I let my husband do most of it because I always gravitate toward purple or pink, but when I saw the newest title in the Hamptons Home & Gardens Mystery series by Kathleen Bridge, I was immediately drawn in. Better Homes and Corpses is a seriously clever title. Plus, it is the first in a new series, which is always a treat! 

From the back of the book:

After Meg Barrett found her fiancé still had designs on his ex-wife, she decided it was time to refurbish her life. Leaving her glamorous job at a top home and garden magazine, she fled Manhattan for Montauk, only to find decorating can sometimes lead to detecting…

In between scouring estate sales for her new interior design business, Cottages by the Sea, Meg visits the swanky East Hampton home of her old college roommate, Jillian Spenser. But instead of seeing how the other half lives—she learns how the other half dies. Jillian’s mother, known as the Queen Mother of the Hamptons, has been murdered. Someone has staged a coup.

When she helps a friend inventory the Spensers’ estate for the insurance company, Meg finds herself right in the thick of things. Cataloging valuable antiques and art loses its charm when Meg discovers that the Spenser family has been hiding dangerous secrets, which may have furnished a murderer with a motive. As Meg gets closer to the truth, the killer will do anything to paint her out of the picture…

My thoughts:

As I said, this was the first in a new series and really a great way to start. There was a lot of heart and attention to detail here. Meg is a totally real, easy to read main character and I just adore her business, Cottage by the Sea. In fact, I could use her help.. with decor, not solving murders, although she was great at that too. 

The mystery was well plotted and unfolded nicely. I liked the extra layers and how well thought out it was. This is the kind of story you stay up all night with and read in one sitting... because you just must know. Plus, you want to make sure Meg is okay. In the back not only will you find ideas for how to re-purpose vintage treasures, but there are also recipes. You will be missing out on what promises to be a fabulous series if you don't grab your copy soon.  

Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where you can happen across a fun giveaway as well. 

Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.