Dressed for Death Book Review

The Drew Farthering Mystery Series

Book Four

SUMMARY:  A Regency-era costume party should have been an amusing diversion, but it seems wherever Drew Farthering goes, mystery - and murder - are on the guest list.
     Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummings.  Tal is there with his fiancee, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose.  Tal refuses to believe she's taken the drug intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.
     The police have their own information, though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted since his childhood - someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years.  Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled.  Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover - or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

REVIEW:  If you like mysteries and suspense, you need to check out Julianna Deering's The Drew Farthering Mystery series.  The latest book, Dressed for Death, is the first I've read from her but I did not miss anything by not reading the others. 
     Even though he is an English aristocrat, Drew is becoming known for his mystery solving and sleuthing skills.  When tragedy strikes during a party, I like how Drew steps in to help his friend.  When terrible events keep occurring, Drew's concern for his wife and friends is admirable.  He wants to figure out who is involved but worries someone else close to him will die next. 
     The mystery surrounding Alice's death, as well as finding proof of who is conducting the drug smuggling ring and committing the other crimes, kept me guessing right to the end.  When the truth finally is revealed, I was not expecting them to be the culprit.  While the deaths in the story were sometimes graphic, the author does a good job conveying it without going into gory detail.
     This book has peaked my interest to read the first three books, as well as any subsequent ones.  Check out this book and this series.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Bethany House for review without compensation.

Julianna Deering, author of the acclaimed Murder at the Mikado and Death by the Book in the Drew Farthering Mystery series, is the pen name of novelist DeAnna Julie Dodson.  DeAnna has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen, or the stage. This, together with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity.  A fifth-generation Texas, she makes her home north of Dallas, along with three spoiled cats.  When not writing, DeAnna spends her free time quilting, cross-stitching, and watching NHL hockey.  Learn more at JuliannaDeering.com.