What a great read. The perfect cozy mystery to read. The story is done very well and the characters are very believable. Of course, my favorite was Max. Can't wait to read more!! Highly recommend.

The only thing better than starting your own business is starting it with a new friend. Amanda Tucker decides to put her passion for classic designs and seamstress ability to work for herself and happens upon an office space for rent in a historic multi-use house known as Stores on Main. Shortly after securing her spot for a dress boutique called Designs on You, a "neighbor" the programmer/web designer is found shot dead. Oh and I almost forgot, the new store came complete with a new friend, a special friend, a dead friend. It seems that Max took a tumble down the stairs many, many moons or was it moonshine, ago. "Max" Englebright is a very fashionable ghost who can only be seen by Amanda and Grandpa Dave. Max is the "elephant's eyebrows" to be sure and a frisky fun character plus a true friend to Amanda. Grandpa Dave is the sort of Grandpa that everyone would like to have with his words of support and pleasant disposition. All of Amanda's "neighbors" seem to be nice people but one of them is not so nice which has Amanda jumping at shadows and questioning everyone with the exception of Jason the talented and attractive photographer who only recently moved into his own Shop on Main as well. Max believes that it is up to Amanda and her to solve this mystery to not only put their minds at ease but to keep Amanda in her new shop. Nice story line and wonderful attention to period detail in the description of the clothes that Amanda designs. The author definitely did her research from all aspects of this story. I cannot wait to read the next one!

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Amanda Tucker lives in Abingdon, Virginia. She's a twenty-four-year-old young woman with a recent business degree, and she's just concluded a disappointing job interview, realizing that she doesn't want to work in an office for the rest of her life. Therefore, when she sees an 'available' sign in the window of a Victorian home that's been converted into shops, she decides then and there that she wants to follow her passion and open her own custom clothing shop, and goes to look at the empty space. While there, she meets a young woman dressed like a flapper, who tells her that her name is Max - short for Maxine, and helps convince her that this would be perfect for her new venture.

After talking with her grandfather, Dave, he agrees and loans her the funds needed to begin her dream. The owner, Mrs. Meacham, takes her around and introduces her to the other tenants, and it's not long after that when Amanda discovers that Max is a ghost - and she's the only one who can see or hear her. But before she thinks she's losing her mind, she tells her grandfather, and when he comes to the shop, it turns out he can also hear and see Max...along with Amanda's cute cat, Jazzy.

While she's ready to embark on her new career, it needs to be put temporarily on hold when one of the tenants is murdered. While Max wants her to investigate, Amanda refuses to have anything to do with it. Then she meets new tenant Jason, who's moving into the space recently vacated by the death.

Now Amanda is trying to make a go of her clothing business, trying to keep Max out of her love life, and trying to stay as far away from a killer as she can -- because Max is convinced, along with her grandfather -- that maybe one of her co-tenants might be a murderer, and she doesn't want to be next on the list...

This is the first book in a new series, and I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed it. Amanda honestly doesn't want to get involved in a murder investigation, which is a breath of fresh air, but she's being pushed by her new resident ghost Max. Also, Amanda actually spends time in her shop and works, unlike a lot of other amateur sleuths, who always have time for investigating but never seem to be in their stores to actually do anything.

I also like the fact that she pays attention to her cat Jazzy - keeping her indoors instead of letting roam around outside, making sure she's fed and safe, etc. This also pleases me, as I love cats and hate it when the protagonist just allows her pet to run wild, never caring if being outdoors can get her cat killed. So that's several pluses to begin with.

I do like ghosts in books as long as they're not poltergeists and not boring. Max is as vibrant as if she were living; as Grandpa Dave would say, she's a firecracker. I love her personality and the fact that she says things that Amanda echoes without thinking. It's pretty funny at times seeing Amanda flustered and trying to cover her tracks.

Although Jason wasn't in the book constantly, he shouldn't be because he has his own career to worry about, and again, I like the fact that he's a photographer and not the ubiquitous police officer who usually winds up as the love interest. But I really like Dave, because after his wife's death he still manages to keep going as a carpenter and restoring furniture, and it shows that he's not going to be cantankerous, sit in a chair and watch television all day while offering advice about 'back in the day.'

In other words, these are characters that are an integral part of bringing fresh eyes to a tried-and-true genre. They make for a book that was a delight to read, because as much as the plot (which we'll get into in a minute) is good, the characters are what bring it all to life, and these characters are certainly different than the norm.

As to the plot, when the murder occurs, it seems that while everyone was surprised, only Amanda seemed outright nervous while everyone else was willing to sit back and let the police handle it. But the police were basically a non-presence, and they weren't reassuring anyone that they had suspects in mind, so of course she'd be nervous. When Amanda discovered that there was more to the murder than meets the eye, it propelled the story forward, because she didn't know which - if any - of her coworkers she could trust, so she didn't trust anyone except Max and Dave.

When the ending came it wasn't terribly climactic, but then again, I don't always care for nail-biting scenes all the time, anyway. When the killer was revealed, it wasn't too much of a surprise, because the clues were there; but if you happened to miss any along the way, Amanda enumerated them shortly before the scene with the killer (as we knew there would be one) so it was pretty much laid forth for you, which was a nice touch. The reason for the murder made sense in the mind of the murderer, for as anyone knows, some things are better left alone than to lose your life.

All in all, I found it a pleasing tale that was a decent introduction to a new series, and hopefully it will be around for a good long while. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended.

Designs on Murder was an okay murder mystery. I love reading supernatural/paranormal murder mysteries, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. I had a difficult time getting into the story. I would start it, but then abandon it to read something else, and then go back to it. It was a cycle that repeated until I finally finished the book. Maybe the next one will be better. As a rule I try two books in a series before I give up on it. So, I will read the next one to see if the story gets better.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Great start to new series and I love this series so far. Characters are fun and exciting to get to know. The setting is completely different from most other books.

Amanda is off on a new adventure thanks to a loan from her grandpa Dave she opens her own shop to make specialty dresses. When she moves into the shop she finds out she already has a companion in the form of Max the ghost from the 1920's. As soon as she is set to move in another shop owner is killed and Amanda, grandpa Dave and Max are set to find the killer and find out what strange goings on are going on at the shops.

Designs On Murder is a good mystery with some great characters. I enjoyed reading this story and hope to read more by this author.

This was a fun read and made for a great afternoon of reading.
I enjoy cozies with a paranormal twist and this book absolutely fits the bill.

Wow, just WOW! Gayle Leeson has written a book that is the total Cat's Pyjamas! Murder, Ghosts and Fashion ... oh MY!

I wish I had the spirit of either Amanda or Max, Amanda (with prompting from Max) has decided that corporate life isn't for her and with the backing of her beloved Grandfather Dave (who also loaned her the downpayment), she has leased a shop in an old house (there are half a dozen units as well as the general office), she has decided to go for it and set up a bespoke fashion shop, with the emphasis on Vintage Styling (and this is where Max comes in, as she died in 1930!), the week before she opens, whilst setting the shop up, one of the other tenants is murdered. Now with a hunky photographer, a ghostly sidekick and her up for anything Grandfather, Amanda needs to find out what has happened before she joins Max on the other side!

Fashion, Murder, and a Ghost, Oh, My!
Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is fantastic. I absolutely adored everything! I was so gone after “the elephant’s eyebrows.” The characters are smart, witty and so funny. The setting is perfect, from the small town atmosphere to the diners, and the Shops On Main.

The Characters
Amanda Tucker
Amanda is so talented, with her designing gown to fit the individual, sewing and creating the finished dresses. She is smart with her degrees and actual use of them. Amanda has that modest beauty, grace, and Southern charm. Oh, her manners. She is just marvelous. Did I mention that she can see ghosts? Well, Amanda has that gift of sight. She is such a wonderfully positive character.

Amanda’s one flaw would be self-confidence. I feel part of that has to do with her mother. But the men in her family make up for that.

Maxine “Max” Englebright
Max is just so pure; she has such sophistication and grace. Yet, she is also a little snarky, and oh, her expressions are to die for. Max seems so tough and worldly, but she has a heart of gold. Amanda is teaching Max how to use technology, but in turn, she is giving Amanda the courage to make her design business shine.
Max’s flaw would be that she is a ghost and can’t leave the house.

I would consider Amanda and Max to both be the sleuths in this mystery as they are both of the curious nature. Max a bit more, but she can’t go around asking questions now can she? I feel like these two will be the best of friends, Amanda since she likes her fashions from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s and Max who is one of the original fighters for women’s rights in the 20s.

Dave Tucker
I felt like he has to be mentioned. Dave also is known as “Grandpa” to Amanda and “Silver Fox” to Max, is such a gracious and loving man. He takes care of his granddaughter, with love and encouragement. Dave cooks, make bookshelves, but most importantly he is there to spend time with Amanda and now Max. Oh, and Dave also has the sight as his grandmother did. So, that trait must skip a generation.

Mystery
The mystery is well plotted with a few red herrings here and there. I enjoyed the dynamics of the recent murder, and the explanation of Max’s death is combined with a little history thrown in was well done.

5 Stars for Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson
My rating for Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson is five stars. This story is so wonderfully written and filled with humor, drama, mystery, history, and fashions. I think its lovely and recommend it all the cozy mystery and ghost lovers out there.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson.

Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

I absolutely adored this mystery with its sassy dialogue, well-written storyline and delightful characters. Amanda was a great heroine in this story and Max was by far my favorite because she was so much fun and eccentric. This smart mystery will keep you on your toes and I’m dying to seeing what will happen next for Amanda and Max.

Amanda Tucker is ready to start the next chapter in her life. With some help from her grandfather, she opens her own designer clothes shop. She purchases one of the stores in the Shops on Main shopping center. Much to her surprise, it comes with a 1930’s ghost named Maxine “Max” Englebright. Max is full of advice for Amanda.

Her quiet little shop isn’t so quiet when a fellow shop owner, Mark Tinsley, is murdered. Amanda’s grandfather fears for her safety, but Amanda is determined to make her shop a success, right where she is. Besides, she’s become close to her new ghostly friend, Max. Someone only she and her grandfather can see.

There are a handful of suspects in this one. I suspected them all and really wasn’t sure who the culprit was until the end.

The author drew me right in. I adored Amanda, her grandfather and their new friend Max. There is plenty of witty rapport between these three and they were easy to like. It is nice to see Amanda’s strength and determination to continue with her venture.

It’s a fast-paced mystery that I devoured. This is the first book in a brand new series and I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.

This is the first of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series. Amanda Tucker has just had an interview for a new job when she stops into the Shops on Main when she sees a “for lease” sign and meets and amazing lady Max who dresses in 1930’s era cloths. Amanda has always wanted to design her own fashions and dreams of opening her own shop. Max gives her some encouragement and Amanda decides to put together a plan and runs in by her Grandfather and asks to for his help to get it all started. She meets Max again the day she signs her lease and learns that Max is a ghost. Maxine “Max” Englebright died in the house by falling down the stairs before a dance. Amanda and her Grandpa Dave arrive the next day to begin getting the shop ready to find the police there and they learn Mark another tenant is found murdered in his office. Grandpa Dave also can see Max and they all engage in trying to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next one. Will be an automatic buy. Highly recommend.

This is the first of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series. Amanda Tucker has just had an interview for a new job when she stops into the Shops on Main when she sees a “for lease” sign and meets and amazing lady Max who dresses in 1930’s era cloths. Amanda has always wanted to design her own fashions and dreams of opening her own shop. Max gives her some encouragement and Amanda decides to put together a plan and runs in by her Grandfather and asks to for his help to get it all started. She meets Max again the day she signs her lease and learns that Max is a ghost. Maxine “Max” Englebright died in the house by falling down the stairs before a dance. Amanda and her Grandpa Dave arrive the next day to begin getting the shop ready to find the police there and they learn Mark another tenant is found murdered in his office. Grandpa Dave also can see Max and they all engage in trying to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next one. Will be an automatic buy. Highly recommend.

Gayle Leeson .
Designs on murder.
Loved all the characters in this new book ,Amanda opening a new shop deigning clothes with Grampa Daves help and support.
With Amanda’s new best friend Max (a ghost )helping out finding clues .
Enjoyed this story line plenty of suspects to keep you hooked.
Definitely recommend this new series .
Many thanks to the publisher and Nettgalley for letting me read this book for a honest review.

This is the first book in a Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series.

Amanda Tucker is a 24 yr old with a bachelor degree in Business. She always wanted to be a fashion designer but her parents discouraged her cause they said it was hard to break into. With her parents in Florida, she decides to check out a space for lease in Shop on Main. A beautiful building that once was a private residence. Upon entering the space for lease she comes across a woman that looks to be in her 30’s and wearing clothing set back in 1930’s. The woman is called Maxine, Max for short. Her and Amanda hit it off great. Amanda doesn’t know Max is a ghost til the next day when she moves into the building and figures out no one else can see Max except for herself and her dear Grandpa Dave. One of the other tenants, Mark, gets murdered that night. Max and Amanda start thinking something is not right and begins investigating.

I did not get the character Amanda. She seemed to be leaning on her Grandpa Dave doing a lot for her. Her grandpa gave her money to start her business, he designed her business logo, he helped picked out the furniture, he built her a shelf, he rescheduled with the furniture company when she could of done that herself. I do not know how old this man was, but he does have the stamina of a young man.
Before Amanda met Max, she let the readers know she didn’t have a lot of friends, she had a lot of acquaintances. That it was hard for her to get close to people. But, as soon as she met Max, it didn’t take Amanda long to get over the fact Max was a ghost and that they could be BFFs.
Also, Amanda let us readers know she didn’t want to be judgmental, but she judges people by the way they look and what they wore. When Amanda thought hiding something in books was odd, I just gave up on her. I hope in future books she will become more developed.

I did like Max. Max was funny, sassy, and livin’ up the book even though she was dead.
I also liked her Grandpa Dave. He was smart, loyal and just down right friendly.

There were several mysteries throughout the book. Along with Mark’s death, you also get to learn about Max’s death and what lead up to it.
The book is a fast, easy read. I did figure out who the killer was.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed that this series did not match up to the author’s previous series A Down South Café Mysteries. But, it does have potential.

I give this book 3 stars.
Book Cover gets 4 stars.

This book has no sex, graphic violence or profanity.

A Big Thank You goes out to Netgalley and Grace Abraham Publishing for providing me with an advanced digital read. The opinions expressed on this review are my own.

Quotes:

“Oh, darling, it wasn’t illegal to drink during Prohibition…just to make, sell, or transport the stuff.” – Max

“Dot was like you – that poor kid couldn’t lie if her life depended on it. Me? I could lie like a rug in a well-traveled hallway.” – Max

“And what do typical Antiquated Editions customers look like?” – Jason

Designs On Murder
Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series, Book #1
Gayle Leeson
5 Stars

Synopsis:

What if you discovered your lively new friend wasn't really...alive?

Amanda Tucker is excited about opening her fashion design studio in Shops On Main, a charming old building in historic Abingdon, Virginia. She didn't realize a ghost came with the property! But soon Maxine "Max" Englebright, a young woman who died in 1930, isn't the only dead person at the retail complex. Mark Tinsley, a web designer with a know-it-all attitude who also rented space at Shops On Main, is shot in his office.

Amanda is afraid that one of her new "friends" and fellow small business owners is his killer, and Max is encouraging her to solve Mark's murder a la Nancy Drew. Easy for Max to want to investigate--the ghostly fashionista can't end up the killer's next victim!

“As a sucker for a fun ghost story, I can say Gayle Leeson’s DESIGNS ON MURDER scores on many levels including a spunky entrepreneur and a charming setting. Now that I’ve read the first one, I’ll be counting the days until the next in the series arrives.” --Lorna Barrett, author of the New York Times Bestselling Booktown Mysteries

In DESIGNS ON MURDER, Gayle Leeson sketches a stylish plot accessorized with a spectral fashionista sidekick. This series debut is a delight!" -Diane Vallere, national bestselling author (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Amanda is hardworking, trustworthy and very talented in fashion design. It is no wonder that she decides to open a fashion design studio. Max is a ghost who happens to reside where Amanda opened her shop. Max is funny, quirky and sweet and she added so much to this story. I really like paranormal cozies so Max makes the book extra special. And I thought that Grandpa Dave was wonderful and I thought the relationship between him and Amanda was very special.

The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough clues to sift through and a couple of very questionable suspects. There were also some surprising twists and turns that I really enjoyed.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through her words I could picture the clothing being designed and the stores in Shops on Main. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like a bit of paranormal with your cozies, like I do, then you have to check this book out.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Grace Abraham Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I will start by saying I have been a fan of this author under various pseudonyms for many, many books. I am also a fan of ghost stories, or light paranormal mysteries, and have read other series with vintage style clothing boutiques and spirits attached to something fashionable. That either makes this a perfect series for me or makes me a tough critic.
However you look at it, I was very well satisfied by time spent with entrepreneur, shop keeper, Amanda Tucker and her mysterious new friend, Max.
Opening a new business is risky enough. Being tasked with discovering the motive behind a murder and unmasking a killer might bring upon the demise of a new business as well.
Max and Amanda have a nice balance and the addition of Grampa Dave was a twist on the typical adored aunt or Grandmother trope.
For a first in series this book has everything I could want.

Princess Fuzzypants here: There are a number of cozy series with ghosts as sidekicks to the heroines. I wasn’t sure if this would be just one more but I found myself thoroughly entertained. Amanda has a business degree but what she really wants to do is design and make clothing. On a whim, she looks at space in a building and puts in an offer after chatting with a stranger who happens to be in the building. It is not until somewhat later that she realizes her new friend is a ghost that only she and her grandfather can see.
It is perfect match as the ghost died in 1930 and Amanda designs with a decidedly retro twist. Max, the ghost, is a great character. She is fun and loyal and has a lot of style and spunk. She also has Amanda’s back in spite of leading her astray at times. Amanda is going to need her help after one of the other business owners in her building is murdered and Amanda stumbles on clues that might unmask the killer.
It’s a great crew- Amanda, Max, Amanda’s grandfather, her cat Jazzy and the other characters who rent space in the building, including the photographer who has designs on Amanda herself. It is a light and easy read with a few twists. I think it has some potential.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.

This book was a delight! I loved Max, and all her crazy feistiness. I love Grandpa Dave. I loved the part with the ferrets...hysterical! Great mystery, and a really fun read!