I loved it! This is an incredible addition to this series which just keeps better with each new installment. We pick up right at the end of the last book so no time is lost since the last one ended with an excellent question. Reagan and Boone are now engaged working towards combining their two crazy lives but of course that does not stop murder which happens yet again. Thanks to the hilarious Aunt Kiki Reagan gets involved in investigating yet again only this time she is worried about Boone not liking it. The interactions between these two had me alternating between giggling and going "awww" for how sweet he was being. This is the perfect blend of some amazing characters that just happen to get involved in a murder investigation, a little romance, and enough comedy to keep it light hearted that will have the reader turning the page until they hit the last one. I loved each and every minute of it so I give it 5/5 stars.

Before I start, I would like to give a minor warning - do not read the series out of order. This book appears to pick up immediately after book four, and has many references to it. Ok, on to the actual review. I absolutely love the quirky cast of characters. They are amazing and manage to feel real. The mystery was well written and nicely paced.

Reagan Summerside is back for another fun-filled adventure with her guy, Walker Boone, and her best doggie friend BW (aka Bruce Willis). She’s ecstatic when Walker asks her to marry him, despite all the dead bodies that seem to keep popping up around her.

The latest dead body seems connected to the Sleepy Pines Retirement Center. The prime suspects are her neighbors. Reagan doesn’t believe it and is dtermined to prove their innocence. With the help of her Aunt KiKi, Reagan conducts her own investigation.

As her investigation continues, Reagan is also in the process of planning her upcoming nuptuals. Luckily her mother is more than willing to lend a helpful hand.

This series is always a fun, exciting ride. Reagan and her crew keep you laughing all through the book. This series is filled with charm, laughter, mystery and romance all rolled into one delightful package. Although the books can be read individually, it’s so much more fun when you start at the beginning. It gives you a chance to get close to these wonderful characters. I’m looking forward to the next entry in the series.

I was so happy when I got a copy of this book. I love Reagan and her friends and couldn't wait to find out what kind of trouble she got into in this book. The mystery had some clever twists and turns, plus I was kept guessing as to who the killer was. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants a great book with great characters and a good mystery

Having a new Consignment Shop Mystery to read is like having an extra large chocolate bar to enjoy when you need a pick me up. This is the fifth in the series and I think it may just be the best one so far. Reagan lives a rather unusual life, running a consignment clothing store The Prissy Fox out of her (down on its uppers) house and riding herd on her family and friends. Those are the ones who get her into big trouble on a regular basis.
It looks like Reagan is finally over her very bad luck with men and is going to walk down the aisle with hunky heart throb Boone, a lawyer with a colorful life of his own. They are a good match but can they tie the knot without it becoming a circus? No chance. A couple of corpses appearing, her Aunt Kiki (one of my all time favorite characters) going undercover, funny business going on in a nursing home and in a funeral home - well, the circus has come into Reagan's life, again, and we are all invited to a front row seat to watch the excitement.
While this entry can be read out of order, please, please, if you have never read one of Duffy Brown's Consignment Shop mysteries, waste no time in getting your hands on them, in order and binge read them so you can get the most out of Lethal in Old Lace. You'll thank me.

Lethal in Old Lace was a truly wonderful southern cozy mystery. Written by Duffy Brown who I love so much, for me this is the first in the Consignment Shop Series. I have no idea why I have not read any of these until now. Strong, funny and charismatic Southern Characters. So much charm, community and tenacity! This was a fun read, a light and charming book with a good murder mystery and a ton of spunk! This book is out March 13th by Crooked Lane Books and I highly recommend it.

'Lethal in Old Lace' was absolute fun! Mayhem, murder, love and hilarity all wrapped up in one delightful book. This is my first Duffy Brown but it won't be my last. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Lethal in Old Lace: A Consignment Shop Mystery
By Duffy Brown
Crooked Lane Books
March 23, 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

Reagan Summerside just wanted to bask in the moment. She couldn’t believe that despite her bad man-juju, fate has gifted with a marriage proposal from hunky, extremely eligible bachelor attorney Walker Boone. Reagan barely has time for that reality to settle in before she’s dragged into yet another calamity by her irrepressible Aunt Kiki Vanderpool. It seems that Willie Fishbine’s wake at the House of Eternal Slumber is lacking in attendance, and since professional mourners Annie and Elsie Fritz are always willing to volunteer their time at Reagan’s Prissy Fox Consignment Shop, she and Aunt Kiki have been enlisted as additional seat-fillers. It only takes one act to begin a cascade of calamities that get them further and further into trouble, and here it is the diet-induced swapping of a Snickers for a for healthier (if less tasty) Clif Bar. Although it is more a case of casket-trading than grave-robbing, Aunt Kiki’s impulsive act of candy theft has them blackmailed by a Justin Bieber-clone who forces them to investigate the death of his grandfather or have her larceny posted on YouTube.

Reagan’s life further slides out of control when she encounters a series of corpses popping up and then disappearing, and unfortunately this never occurs in the actual mortuary. While Aunt Kiki considers this an out-of-sight, out-of-mind non-issue, Reagan fears that the Fritz sisters may be landing themselves in jail. With all clues leading towards the Sleepy Pines retirement home, Reagan convinces her aunt into faking an injury in order to become an inside source. As someone who has mastered the art of getting her own way, Kiki wasn’t exactly a reluctant new resident of Dixie’s own Peyton Place, “Sexy Pines.” She’s less fond of the random accidents that befall her, although it does give her insight into Willie’s vitamin Spring Chicken Miracle Capsules scam, the hot new mortuary owner juggling multiple girlfriends, and the gold-digger sisters running their own tantalizing form of Uber.

This is an exuberant entry of a series that somehow balances outrageous humor with genuinely heart-felt moments. Only Reagan could find that inclusion into her wedding party is becoming a form of bribery to get information and out of possible arrests, and her hopes for a small ceremony dwindle. What readers will appreciate is that she and Walker will never be a typical suburban couple, and leaving mayhem in their wake despite Reagan’s best intentions. The quirks of Dixie life are delightful, especially since they are illogical only to those not immersed in culture. Reagan’s exasperation is our joy, and while her happy ending may not be what she expected, it definitely is what she needed.

In Savannah, Georgia, there are two events that ar3e guaranteed to make people talk: weddings and funerals. Just as consignment shop owner Reagan Summerside agrees to marry the hunky Walker Boone, her neighbors, sisters Annie Fritz and Elsie Abbot, step up their business as professional mourners. They are so successful that the Sleepy Pines Retirement Center has hired them as a part of their retirement package. But when the residents at Sleepy Pines suddenly begin dying at an alarming rate, things don’t go so well and the sisters are under suspicion of murder.

Reagan begins to look into the deaths. When a body winds up in the sisters’ pink caddy, the evidence begins to pile up against them. When Willie Fishbine dies suddenly, his grandson wants to know why and isn’t above blackmailing Reagan to find out who killed him. Reagan must catch the culprit in time to walk down the aisle.

--

Series: A Consignment Shop Mystery
Author: Duffy Brown
Genre: Cozy mystery/Business
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books - Publishing Date: March 13, 2018

Lethal in Old Lace is a fun, intriguing, and easy-to-read book that will give the reader hours of enjoyment. Duffy Brown has woven a story that is seamless from start to finish. There is never a dull moment or a lack of action. This is book six in this series.

The character of Reagan is an entertaining person; she has a way of getting to the point without being too pushy. Her life is changing for the better, but she still keeps finding bodies. This time nothing has changed, innocently walking home, she once again stumbles onto a dead body and leaps into an investigation. Even though she swears she isn’t interested and doesn’t want to get mixed up in a murder investigation, she puts herself in the thick of it.

Other supporting characters including Reagan's hunky fiancé, Walker Boone, are well developed and an intricate part of the story. They are highly entertaining, massively likable and seem almost real to the point the reader can find traces of them in their own family and neighbors. If the reader has not read any of the other books in the series, it may take them a while to figure out what roles each of the characters play and who they are. However, this will not subtract from the enjoyment of the book.

Savannah is a great setting for this series. Having visited this beautiful city, it is easy to know exactly where Reagan is throughout the story and what she sees without the need for too much detail. If the reader hasn’t visited Savannah, they will want to spend time seeing all the sites after reading this book and the others in the series. The city is a living history museum and filled with intelligent residents dripping with southern charm.

Overall, Lethal in Old Lace is a fast-paced, highly enjoyable book that at times makes the reader laugh out loud. The clues are subtle but easily understood. When the murderer is unmasked, most reader will be surprised and delighted. This book and the series is recommended to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance, humor, and suspense all rolled into the same story without unnecessary detail or distraction.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Lethal in Old Lace (Consignment Shop Mystery #5) by Duffy Brown is one of the funniest in the series yet.

When Reagan accepts the proposal of Boone, her mom and Aunt Kiki are ecstatic! Planning a wedding in Savannah is one of the most exciting things for these ladies and there will be no expense to big for their girl.
For all of us that are familiar with the series, we know there is a lot more to this story than wedding cake, wedding gowns, champagne and the bride and groom.
We cannot forget murder, mayhem, crazy antics and of course BW.
When Kiki goes undercover, these southern belles will make you laugh and snort with their crazy schemes.

The story is well written, interesting and just plain old fun.
Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Loved it! Seniors run amuck. Adorable romance. Great dog! The joys(?) of owning an old home. Beautiful money pit. Duffy Brown kept me grinning from beginning to end. Clever and humorous cozy mystery. Wonderful beverage recipes. Yum! The publisher provided a copy via NetGalley for my voluntary review.

Lethal In Old Lace is the long awaited fifth book in Duffy Brown’s Consignment Shop Mystery serIes, and it is her best yet.
No one does a comedic cozy like Duffy Brown and this book is no exception, it is hilarious! I was literally laughing out loud! Only Reagen and crew could make hanging out in a cemetery a good time!
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great, well written, comical cozy, that has a southern flair.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC .. the opinions are my own

This is my first experience with this author, the fifth in her series, and I thoroughly enjoyed, even when the plot took on high jinks in fully suspended disbelief. Who doesn't love the aura and history of beautiful Savannah? Then throw in a unique consignment store owner who lives in her old family home and a fresh proposal of marriage and you have Duffy Brown's delightful new cozy. It can function well as a standalone.

What a cast of characters in this book! Reagan Summerside is apparently no newcomer to finding bodies. Her Auntie Kiki adds to the fun, sparking the mischievous Reagan into action and with gorgeous over-the-top accommodating fiancé Walker Boone, Esquire, you definitely have a recipe for some southern comfort entertainment.

You'll love Bruce Willis, her rescue, and neighbors Annie Fritz and Elsie Abbot, sisters who help with the shop. (Accommodating maybe, but not too bright.) They have been hired at Sleepy Pines Retirement Center to welcome new retirees to the home. Unfortunately, one of the residents, Willie Fishbine turned up dead after swindling a number of people out of their retirement funds in a miracle vitamin scheme that includes the sisters, and it doesn't look good for them when Reagan discovers a second deceased resident in their pink Caddy. After the body disappears, she quickly pulls in Auntie Kiki for help. Aunt Kiki conspires with her to go undercover at Sleepy Pines as Reagan begins her investigation outside, while juggling her mother's plans for her wedding and Boone who is moving into her home.

I loved the dialogue and wacky scenes with Aunt Kiki and Reagan is a chip off the ole auntie block. These characters are fleshed out well enough to hear that southern twang and I enjoyed the tidbits of city history. As the plot heats up, Boone is pulled in. Exchanges between Reagan and the bus driver are hilarious.

There is no chance for a reader to get bored, there is always something amusing happening. And, bonus!! Aunt Kiki's martini recipes at the end of the book! I was given this download by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. I can happily recommend to any who enjoy a cozy mystery book brimming with off-beat characters, beautiful, old southern locale, and just a smidgen of romance.

How is this the fifth book in the consignment shop mysteries and I'm just discovering them?? I instantly became a fan of this series and the main character, Reagan Summerside. She is well written and makes you feel like she is an old friend.

There are two social functions in Savannah guaranteed to get people talking: weddings and funerals. And just as consignment shop owner Reagan Summerside agrees to marry the hunky Walker Boone, her neighbors, sisters Annie Fritz and Elsie Abbot, step up their business as professional mourners. They are so successful that the Sleepy Pines Retirement Center has hired them as a part of their retirement package. But the celebration over good business is cut short when the residents at Pines suddenly begin dying at an alarming rate. And the sisters are the first suspects. Reagan needs to figure out why everyone is dying and try to do it all before her big day.

This was a great read on a cold afternoon and I highly recommend this series!!

When Reagan Summerside is blindsided by a proposal of marriage from attorney Walker Boone - the same attorney who took her to the cleaners in her divorce - she thinks she's the happiest woman on earth. And she is - for a few minutes or so. At least until she shes a dead body in her neighbors' Caddy. A dead body that suddenly isn't there, and neither is the car. But when she heads back home to her old Victorian that doubles not only as her living quarters but her consignment shop the Prissy Fox, she sees the same body...in her front window with her mannequin.

Now alarmed, by the time she convinces her Aunt Kiki to come look, the body has once again disappeared. But it's not just a case of the roving body that has her up in arms, it's the fact that she knows her neighbors, the elderly Annie Fritz and Elsie are involved. While she doesn't believe for a minute that they've murdered anyone, it's become a case of who is the old woman and where is she? for Reagan.

However, things are never that easy for her, and this is another time that proves it to be true. Because she also has another problem - due to her aunt's sweet tooth, she now has to find out who murdered a young teen's grandfather, and she only has three days to prove it. Even though the coroner labeled it natural causes he's suspicious. So suddenly Reagan has to figure out the problem with the deceased Bonnie Sue (the Caddy lady), Willie Fishbine (the grandfather) why Dexter Thomas is hanging around her sleazy ex-husband Hollis, her Aunt Kiki going undercover in a funeral home, Walker trying to renovate her home, people managing to unexpectedly become part of her wedding party, and her mother doing her best to plan it all. Just another day in the life of Reagan Summerside, Disaster Area...

I have to say that this book is one of the funniest I've read in a long time. There is so much going on, and the author pulls you in from the first page. How Reagan finds herself in these situations is beyond me, but I sure am glad I'm not her best friend. I'd never get any rest.

While Reagan still can't believe that Boone wants to marry her, she knows she has to help her elderly friends before they're railroaded for something they didn't do. But finding out who killed Bonnie Sue and dumped her body in the Caddy isn't going to be an easy task, especially when the more she digs, the more it becomes apparent that there are all sorts of people who might have wanted her gone. Except the two men who were keeping company with her and are now willing to fight a duel to see who gets to give her eulogy...

See what I mean? Humor throughout. Who knew Savannah could be such a hotbed for frisky seniors? Ms. Brown writes with a mean pen in this series. She keeps you laughing (even though murder isn't at all funny) and the Case of the Traveling Casket is hilarious indeed.

Reagan is a delightful woman; she's funny (without meaning to be), generous, caring, loving, and thoughtful. Sadly, she's prone to unfortunate situations as well. Boone is a hunky male specimen. All the rest of the characters have depth and are way past the point of quirkiness. Closer to insane is what I'd say. But in a good way. I think. No, I'm sure of it. These are people that have a tight bond with each other, in good times and in bad. People that will do anything for each other (and it shows).

The book is a nice blend of hijinks and mystery, never losing the fact that there's a murderer on the loose, and Reagan would rather find them sooner than later. It is the process of this, however, that makes the book so good and gives it a unique essence.

When all is said and done and the murderer is revealed, I can say that I was surprised. There were plenty of red herrings throughout, and it was lots of fun trying to discover the truth, but the ending was indeed worth it all. I eagerly look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed Lethal in Old Lace. Reagan, Mama, Aunt Kiki, Boone, and of course BW were great characters. I loved the interplay between the main characters and all the minor players. The mystery was well written and kept me guessing right up to the end. The only thing that would have made this book better would have been reading the previous books in the series first - while it works on its own, I think I missed some inside jokes.

Reagan Summerside should be planning her wedding to hunky lawyer Walker Boone but a plethora of dead bodies get in her way. She and her intrepid Aunt KiKi along with Bruce Willis her wonderful rescue dog are on the case.

It starts at Willie Fishbine's funeral which is poorly attended. Reagan's neighbors Annie Fritz and Elsie are worried about their new business as professional mourners. They need the money because they were sucked into Willie's miracle vitamin scheme which turned out to make money only for Willie.

When a second body - Bonnie Sue's -- is found in their pink Caddy, things look even worse for the sisters. But they aren't the only ones who got sucked into Willie's money-making scheme. Reagan and Aunt KiKi find lots of suspects when they start investigating the Sleepy Pines Retirement Center.

This book was filled with Southern humor from the Southern Belle who is shopping for wedding gowns and booking wedding venues long before her desired fiance has proposed. Given that he is dating a couple of other women and in cahoots with Reagan's ex-husband in attempting to buy Sleepy Pines, he looks like a good suspect for the murders but an unlikely fiance for the Belle. But then there are a number of people at Sleepy Pines who bought into the vitamin scheme and wanted Willie dead.

This book was filled with great characters and was very funny. I loved the way Walker accepted all of Reagan's crazy actions. She and her companions get into all sorts of situations that were played for humor. Who steals a corpse in a coffin and hides it in a car to give themselves time to find the killer? Who keeps moving a corpse around?

I loved this story and am eager to go back and read the previous books in this series.

Lethal in Old Lace is a delightful cozy mystery read. Reagan is a spunky small business owner who keeps stumbling upon corpses. Reinforced by a colorful cast of characters, this mystery keeps readers guessing and laughing at the antics.

I received a s free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly enjoyed Lethal in Old Lace. The mystery elements kept me guessing to the end. The humor through the book kept me laughing out loud. Reagan, her Mamma and Auntie Kiki are definitely three ladies with whom you can always have fun, even when they are trying to figure out who might be murdering residents of a senior living home and stealing bodies from a funeral home. I have not read all the books in this series but certainly didn't feel lost so not being current should not dissuade anyone from reading Lethal in Old Lace. I highly recommend this book.

Lethal in Old Lace by Duffy Brown was the best one yet in this series! Ms. Brown has written a fast paced plot with twists, turns, food, humor (laugh out loud moments), and all of the quirky characters that I love.

Reagan is floating on air as she has accepted Walker Boone's proposal and is now faced with planning her wedding with the help of her mama and aunt Kiki. On her way to Boone's house to talk about their new life together she finds a dead body in the back of the Sisters caddy. This could only happen to Reagan. From there it all goes into overdrive for this ride to keep the Sisters out of jail. Two murders, body theft, Hollis the Horrible, a retirement home with some fractious characters and a reveal that left me stunned. I could not put this book down and kept turning the pages until I finished the book. I want the next book in this series NOW!