Haley Farrell needs a high-profile job to help launch her new interior design firm, Decorating $ense.  When her close friend, auctioneer Marge Norwalk, recommends Haley to Noreen Daventry, Haley realizes this could be the break she needs.  Haley attends the auction of Gerrity Mansion with Noreen.  At Gerrity Mansion, Noreen makes it known that if she wins the auction, she wants both Haley and Dutch Merrill, a contractor trying to rebuild his own career, to work on the renovation.  Haley is less than pleased at the notion of working with a supposed criminal.

Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong.  Marge is murdered and Haley finds the body.  When it is discovered that Marge left everything to Haley, including Marge's auction business, Haley becomes the prime suspect.

Haley realizes she is the only person who can prove her innocence--by finding the real killer!

DESIGN ON A CRIME introduces the vivacious Haley and the semi-hunky Dutch.  Unlike most Christian mysteries, Haley is definitely not a believer.  Events from her past made her turn from religion, and she's hesitant to ever look back, despite that fact that she is the pastor's daughter.  I like that aspect.  No one shuns Haley and they certainly do not preach God at every turn.  Instead, DESIGN ON THE CRIME focuses on the crime and the Christian aspect remains important without being repeated at every turn.

If you are looking for a new cozy mystery series this winter, Ginny Aiken's DESIGN BY A CRIME is a winner!