Dolled Up for Murder

Anyone who loves dolls and loves crime books or documentaries would enjoy this series. I love both so this was everything I wanted in a story. The characters are well written and I felt as though I was checking in on my friends each chapter I read. Highly recommend.

Normally, repeated phone calls from her drama queen Aunt Nina at three in the morning wouldn't raise any alarms for Gretchen Birch. This time, however, Nina is justified in calling Gretchen back home to Phoenix. It seems that Gretchen's mother Caroline has disappeared, just after being implicated by a note found on the body of a destitute doll collector who fell to her death. While Gretchen knows that her mother is innocent the local law enforcement isn't so sure, so with no job and a commitment-phobic cheating boyfriend Gretchen decides that she needs to start the hunt for her mother. An expert doll restorer, Caroline is off desperately attempting to pursue her own investigation, while back in Phoenix her workshop is raided by the police and more clues seem to point towards her guilt. Exasperated with the police, her missing mother, and her aunt who is busy with her business training pampered pooches to sit in purses, Gretchen follows the trail of clues through the surprisingly dark world of obsessive doll collectors. Full of entertaining and fully developed characters, Baker creates a humorous yet realistic novel that incorporates but isn't overwhelmed by the field of doll collecting. Gretchen's barbed wit and devotion to her mother make her an extremely likable character strong enough to hold a series on her own, but additional characters like the cop with an overwhelming fear of dolls, an obese collector of miniature dolls, and a homeless couple who hold vital information make this debut series a delight to read. There's enough action to satisfy even the anti-cozy reader and the ending definitely leaves the door open for a sequel. This is a series with the potential to develop a strong following and Deb Baker is an author to be watched.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I loved it! I am a doll maker myself and was intrigued with the concept of doll collectors being involved in a murder mystery. Quick read, lots of great characters. Looking forward to next installment.

As a mystery/sleuth book lover and a doll costumer and collector this book was perfect! Really a fun read that kept me page-turning to the very end. Can't wait for the next one!

Gretchen Birch's mother, Caroline, is missing and suspected of murder. Gretchen's aunt Nina calls and convinces Gretchen she needs to come to Phoenix to help her find her mother and clear her name. Caroline is accused of murdering a homeless former doll collector found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Caroline is a part of the doll collecting community. She was seen fleeing the crime scene. And now she's missing and all the evidence points to her. Gretchen and Nina know Caroline is innocent, but without being able to contact her, they aren't sure how to clear her name. They start digging into the dead woman's life and the doll collecting community. Can they clear Caroline's name without putting the killer on their trail? This is the first in a new series. It is great. I can't wait to read the next one. Gretchen and Nina are wonderful characters. The theme doll collecting really added to the storyline. The Phoenix setting was great as well. I highly recommend this book.

Baker's first mystery in this new series introduces a quirky set of characters in a fun cozy. Gretchen Birch's mother restores dolls for collectors. Her Aunt Nina trains small dogs to ride in purses. Gretchen herself is unemployed with a long-term boyfriend who's cheating on her. When her aunt calls, Gretchen hightails it off to Phoenix. It seems that Gretchen's mother, Caroline, has disappeared following a death on Camelback Mountain, and Caroline is wanted for questioning. This mystery is filled with tension and suspense. Even so, Baker is able to introduce the reader to the world of doll collectiing, while moving the story along at a fast clip. Readers looking for fun characters, fast-moving stories, or great descriptions of Arizona can't go wrong with this first cozy in a new series.