Eclectic Cast…
The fifth Hampton Homes & Gardens mystery and murder is the name of the game. Designers are sabotaging each others work with ferocity and the scheming is second to none. When a showhouse owner is found dead on the rocks, who will be cast as a suspect? With an eclectic cast of characters and a swiftly moving storyline this is another entertaining entry in this engaging series.

This is my first book to read but the fifth book in the series. I was able to enjoy as a stand-alone. The mystery has several twists and turns and move at a streaky pace. The characters are likable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I will definitely read more in this series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

This was a very intriguing little cozy. The characters are real and sweet. The story is light hearted and fun. I got caught up in this story in chapter one. I read it in one afternoon.

Montauk's first designer showhouse competition is filled with design ideas, mystery, murder and ghost hunters and Meg has her hands full proving she didn't kill anyone!

Another well-written mystery in the Hampton's series. Meg is a likable amateur sleuth who is smart, kind and curious. The descriptions of Montauk is lush and beautiful. It's fun to see how the other half lives! This cozy mystery is a great way to spend a chilly afternoon!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this are my own.

I have been reading and enjoying this series since the beginning. In this one Meg is decorating a designer showcase estate with other Hampton designers. The owner of the estate is an old friend, Jenna, from her New York Magazine days. Jenna's husband is found murdered at the home and she is the prime suspect. Add ghost hunters and hidden treasure. I really enjoy the Hampton setting, the antique background and the characters in this series. The mystery was OK and I was able to figure it out. There was not a lot of investigation. I also missed learning more about antiques and decorating. I am looking for word to the next book in the series. Enjoy

Although Meg had some personal disappointment to deal with, helping to design her friend Jenna’s historical mansion for a house show blunted the painful edge of deceit she was facing. It so happened, she had no time for any woe is me syndrome, as Jenna’s husband was found dead, Meg’s curiosity and sleuthing skills knew no bounds as she set about helping her friend, from being railroaded to jail for murder. With all that has been happening, Meg was able to find love in none other than her neighborly author. A delightfully entertaining and refreshing read, I like Meg, she has got spunk.

This is light, fun, quick read. I enjoyed the writing and characters and would recommend it to the others.

Meg Barrett, an ex-editor of a prestige decorating magazine, has moved to Montauk to establish a new business specializing in vintage cottage decorating. Historical background, ghosts and ghosthunters enliven this story focused on working with other decorstors on a cottage said to be designed by legendary architect, Stanford White. Secondary characters are engaging and Meg's new love interest commands respect and I hope to see more of him in the future.

In Kathleen Bridge's "A Design to Die For," decorator Meg Barrett is invited to participate in Montauk, New York’s first annual Designer Showhouse, and great fun ensues when some well-heeled women try to one-up each other on the project. One of the owners of the showhouse winds up murdered, and the race is on to find out which of the many suspects killed the unlikable man.

Bridge’s fast-paced cozy is fifth in a series, and while I haven’t read the others, I was able to keep up with the shenanigans but did end the book with a desire to go back and read all of the others.

I enjoyed the setting of the Hamptons, a departure from the Southern-themed cozies I usually read. I also enjoyed the fact that the main character is hearing impaired, a characteristic I don’t ever remember seeing in a cozy heroine before.

Bridges has well-developed characters and a lively writing style that kept things hopping. Also, Meg’s growing friendship with a neighbor who is a writer was one I particularly enjoyed reading about, and I hope it deepens in a future book.

Princess Fuzzypants here:: When Meg moved from NYC to Montauk, she thought she left the cut-throat world of design behind. As she prepares for the designer house showcase, she realizes it has followed her. And there is someone who is playing for “keeps”. She is drawn into the mystery when she discovers the body of her friend’s husband. He is a piece of work as is his former step-daughter. There are plenty of people with grievances so it doesn’t take long for her friend to be off the top of the suspect list.

But if she didn’t do it, who did and why? There are tales of ghosts lurking thanks to mysterious and tragic deaths including her friend’s grandfather. Is it possible that the current situation has anything to do with the paranormal or is it simple revenge? The perp is both vengeful and destructive. Meg is going to have to work fast. Thankfully, she has help in the form of a dishy neighbour who happens to be a famous writer and a local police officer. Things are going to get deadly before it is over.

Four purrs and two paws up.

A Design to Die For
A Hamptons Homes & Garden Mystery
Kathleen Bridge
Beyond the Page, Jul 2020
220 pages
Cozy Mystery
Provided by NetGalley
4.5 Stars

The cover is quite perfect for this fifth addition to the home designer mystery series. The haunted lighthouse in the distance as seen from the gazebo that our MC was decorating for the open house. And, of course, the “happy hound” of the best-selling author/poet neighbor.

The story was good. Mostly mystery with a touch of romance for the MC. I really enjoyed all the designer parts of it, because I enjoy home decor and antiques and am from New England. Lots and lots of strained personality stuff flying around in this one, but there are a few sweet moments, too. Just a touch of what seemed like repetition, or maybe not (the stupid EVP!).

The mystery was well developed with some twists. I didn’t figure this one out. But then I usually don’t try to figure them out, I just read. Really, nothing jumped out at me that said: “hah, he did it!”.

This is a group of characters I could really enjoy and I think I will be reading the series as I find the time. The author develops her characters quite well, good depth. There are some mysteries that just want to say I liked the way the author handled the issue of disabilities. The MC herself has a hearing loss for which she wears hearing aids. There are times when this comes up as a problem for her or that her talent for lip-reading is an advantage. There is also another character with much more serious disabilities who is mentioned in the book and it is done in a very appropriate way, I thought. It seems more and more authors are bringing in such things lately. Now, I’d like to see some more cultural diversity in these same books. I recommend this book to my followers who are cozy readers.

A Design to Die For by Kathleen Bridge is the fifth book in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series. Meg is a decorator in the Hamptons. She has been asked by a friend to decorate some areas of her show house. When the friend's husband is found murdered, Meg finds herself pulling double duty as a decorator and amateur detective. This was a traditional cozy mystery. I did suspect the killer early on although there were plenty of suspects from which to choose. It is also very obvious that the author is a big fan of the television show Ghost Adventure. I had not read any of the previous books and had no trouble following along.

This is a series that I've read from Book 1 and I really enjoy both the series and the growth of the characters. The characters are now old friends that I look forward to visiting. I also enjoy the geographical location as it is an area that I have not visited.

The mystery is well-crafted and just enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and me guessing. I still up very late reading this one.

This is a good addition to this excellent series. I was happy to meet again the cast of characters, they are well written. The setting is interesting and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next instalment, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

This series just gets better.

The plot was fun and fast moving, though I did find the secondary plot a bit of a distraction (and the character name of the leader of the ghost hunters, could the author have been any more obvious in her choice? Mac Zagan/Zak Bagans? Haha)

The wrap up was a bit of a surprise, though I did rather suspect who the real murderer was before then.

All in all, this is probably my favorite of the series. I honestly didn't want to put it down until the end. I'm looking forward to more Montauk and Meg.

This is the 5th book in the delightful " Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery Series". I have enjoyed this wonderful series from the beginning and it is a cozy series I highly recommend . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

We return to our favorite protagonist Meg Barrett who is a fabulous popular decorator in the Hamptons who specializes in vintage and antique design. Part of the joy of this series is the descriptions of antiques and design the author visualizes for her readers so very well. Meg is working on a designer showcase as a historic mansion owned by a legendary architect. When a murder occurs much to the chagrin of the promoters of the event Meg is determined to solve the mystery . She does not hesitate to step up when needed to find clues and interview local people that knew the victim.

This next in series was such a fun read with fantastic descriptions of the mansion and antiques. i love the setting of the Hamptons and enjoyed this fun summer read. I highly recommend this series and this new release is the perfect addition to this fun series.

Release Date: July 2, 2020
📖📖📖📖📖
Meg is absolutely thrilled when he friend Jenna asks her to help re vamp her family estate in Montauk. But Jenna suspects her husband of 6 month is trying to kill her. When the day of the estates unveiling comes around and a body is found, it becomes Megs mission to prove whodunnit!

This is the fifth novel in the #hamptonshomeandgardenseries and was very enjoyable! I loved the premise of the story and while I haven’t read the first four, I was very lost in following the story. I am excited to go back and read 1-4! I also can’t wait for the next one!

#hamptonshomeandgardenmystery #designtodiefor #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #cozymysteryseries #netgalleyreview

I enjoyed this light murder mystery. There were a could murders, but they didn't 'dwell' on the methods. The female lead interacted with her friends and crush in a believable manner. The characters were relatable. The designers were working on a 'cottage' for an upcoming showcase, with each one taking different areas of the home. I enjoyed the descriptions of the home, antiques, town, , and even the weather.. The decorator tips at the end were practical and easy. Good job. =)

A Design to Die For by Kathleen Bridge is the 5th A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery. While this book can be read on its own, I believe it is best if the series is read in order. You will then know the characters, their relationships, and their backgrounds. Meg Barrett is a decorator who owns Cottages by the Sea in Montauk. She has been invited to be one of the decorator’s for Montauk’s first annual Designer Showhouse being held at Enderly Hall. There is tension from the beginning thanks to Jenna’s pompous husband, Roland Cahill. It is no shocker when he ends up dead at the bottom of the cliff before the showhouse opens to the public. Unfortunately, the killer is framing Roland’s wife, Jenna (and Meg’s friend) for the crime. Meg cannot resist snooping. There are a number of people who disliked Roland from the showhouse decorators to his boss. I liked the incorporation of Captain Kidd into the mystery as well as the history of Enderly Hall and Jenna’s family. There are a variety of suspects along with misdirection. There is action throughout the book as well as Meg searching for clues and talks to suspects. The whodunit was fun to solve. The clues are there to help you if you pay close attention. I like that the mystery was completely wrapped up. Meg is no longer seeing Cole, but her feelings have yet to disappear. When Cole ends up missing, Meg is worried. There is a new love interest for Meg who shares her passion for poetry. I enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful furniture used to furnish Enderly Hall and Shepherds Cottage. There were interesting outside the box design tips at the end from Meg and Elle. I am eager to explore a couple of them. There are also recipes from the meal served at Meg’s first Dead Poets Society Book Club Meeting. A Design to Die For is an eventful cozy mystery with fine furniture, galling ghost hunters, a surfeit of suspects, an appalling police chief, designer duds, and a surprise shindig.

Old Mansions, Antiques, and The Hamptons
This is a cozy mystery that takes place in the Hamptons portion of Long Island. It is set around interior decoration and design of old mansions with lots of great antiques and twentieth-century treasures. That in itself will suck me right into the book. And, since we are talking old mansions, there was the sidebar of ghost hunters and paranormal phenomena. This is the fifth book in a series and it stood alone quite well. I have not yet read the first 4 books, but I will. I was not lost as the author gave just the right amount of background. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.