Josie Marcus has what appears to be the job to have, at least for any self-respecting, red-blooded American woman for whom a one-day only sale merits five stars. Josie Marcus is a mystery shopper. Josie keeps the world, or at least St. Louis , Missouri , safe for her fellow consumers and gets to shop in some of the swankiest boutiques around. As Josie learns, though, there is a dark side to even the most silver cloud.

Enter one Danessa Celedine, St. Louis ’s home grown version of Versace or Prada. Danessa is a one-woman success story with her line of handbags and accessories, and Josie draws the assignment of sleuthing the Celedine Boutiques. Never mind that a huge contract is in the works for Celedine, never mind that Josie’s mother, Jane, idolizes Danessa—Josie always tells it like it is, come hook or crook—this time, heavy on the crook.

Elaine Viets is an Agatha Award-winning writer who brings great whodunits to her readers with characters full of humor, moxie, and grit.  Reading DYING IN STYLE I found myself rooting for Josie most of the time, but also sometimes feeling chagrined for her or even blatantly wondering just what the heck she was thinking! Oh yes, a really interesting mystery plot along the way, too.

I enjoyed every page of DYING IN STYLE and I think most mystery lovers will too.