Throwback Thursday #5

Throwback Thursday meme is hosted by Renee@It’s Book Talk and is a way to share some of your old favorites as well as sharing books that you’re FINALLY getting around to reading that were published over a year ago. You know, the ones waiting patiently on your TBR list while you continue to pile more titles on top of them! These older books are usually much easier than new releases to get a hold of at libraries and elsewhere. If you have your own Throwback Thursday recommendation feel free to jump on board.

When I began to read Cozy Mysteries a couple of years ago, one of the series that I got hooked on was the Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mysteries. by Karen Rose Smith. I have read all but the last book in this series and rated all of them 4 or 5 stars.

About the Book: Caprice De Luca stages houses for high-end clients. When she discovers a body in the castle-mansion she staged to sell and starts asking questions, she finds herself in danger.

On the way to solving the murder, Caprice’s large Italian family helps and hinders. She also finds romance with Dr. Seth Randolph.

But does her brother’s partner, attorney Grant Weatherford, care about her, too? Or is he just worried she’ll get herself killed and her family will blame him?

Enjoy solving the mystery with Caprice, cook along with her, see her find homes for the stray animals she protects, be a part of the De Luca family…in STAGED TO DEATH

My Review: 4.5 Stars

This is also a new series to me, although there are now four in this series. If the rest are as enjoyable as this one, I will definitely follow the exploits of Caprice DeLuca and her family and friends for many more entertaining hours.

Caprice DeLuca is a home stager. She tries to work for clients with high end homes for sale. When Roz, a childhood friend of Caprice’s, and her husband, Ted, decided to sell their spacious castle style home, Caprice is hired to do a ‘staging’ to help the property sell. Although they remove many things from the home before the Open House, Ted refuses to remove his collection of swords and daggers. During the Open House, Caprice and Roz discover Ted murdered with his own dagger. Of course, suspicions fall on Roz, the spouse who inherits everything as well as being the beneficiary of a healthy life insurance policy. Caprice is convinced her friend did not kill her husband. So, before Roz can be arrested for a crime she did not commit, Caprice decides to do a little detective work on her own. Naturally, this is very dangerous and Caprice could find herself being the next murder victim. It seems there are any number of people who might want Ted dead.

The Deluca family are a great group of characters. They cook, love one another, get in each other’s business, spend a lot of time together and are the epitome of the traditional Italian family. You couldn’t find a better friend in Caprice and her instincts for detective work are above average, but she does put herself in dangerous positions, so I could understand her family having concerns. Of course there are animals in this book, Caprice takes in strays and finds them homes, so another endearing quality is there.

The book has everything you would expect in a cozy mystery: a little violence or murder, some sexual tension, some romance, pets, food and family. The story was light and easy to read with a compelling mystery, appealing characters, and some awesome recipes added at the end. This was a very enjoyable read.

If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery series with a great family and community along with wonderful food, take a look at the Caprice DeLuca Home Staging Mysteries.