DRESSED TO KILL

Dressed to Kill
  • Author: Vicki Vass
  • Publisher: Tedeschi Publishing
  • Print Length: 177 pages
  • Release Date: October 12, 2017
  • I Rate it:    
  • GenreCozy
  • Purchase on Amazon

Book Summary

In 1865, Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker, conspired to change the course of the Civil War. Crossing lines between North and South, the band of conspirators wove a plan that remained undiscovered for more than 150 years until Antique Hunter Anne Hillstrom finds one of Keckley’s gowns. She and fellow Antique Hunter CC Muller unravel the mystery that has left a trail of dead bodies, leading to the doorstep of their antique store, Great-Aunt Sybil’s Attic.

Dressed to Kill is the fifth book in the Antique Hunters Mystery Series. Rooted in history, the series reimagines real-life events blurring the line between fact and fiction.

With a passion for shopping and antiques, Vicki Vass turned in her reporter’s notebook to chronicle the adventures of Anne and CC, two antique hunters who use their skills to solve a murder case.

Award-winning journalist and best-selling author, Vicki Vass has written more than 1,400 stories for the Chicago Tribune as well as other commercial publications including Home & Away, the Lutheran and Woman’s World. Her science fiction novel, Eleven: 1, draws on her experience in Sudan while writing about the ongoing civil war for World Relief.

dressed to kill- Vicki Vass

Guest Post from Anne (character)

Dear Friends,

That’s how CC starts her blog, isn’t it? You’d think I would know after all this time. After all her blog has made me and CC famous and known in the antique hunting world. We scarcely have time to keep up with the many requests we receive. Let me introduce myself. My name is Anne Hillstrom, and I am an antique hunter/chemist/Nancy Drew.

 

My exploits are written about in the Antique Hunter Mystery Series. We never meant to become amateur detectives but CC and I seem to stumble on mysteries to solve. When I was young, I savored the Nancy Drew series along with Vicki Barr and Cherry Ames. I wanted to be them, and now I feel like I am.

 

In our latest adventure, CC and I discover a secret attached to the dress I discovered at the Treasure House, the resale shop where I volunteer. Did I tell you what I found there the other day? It is a Victorian white gold choker necklace with a two-carat aquamarine in its center. I was determined to buy it but Buttersworth snapped it up before I could sneak it into the back room. Yes, that’s right Buttersworth, my arch rival, the woman who is always in my way. She grabbed it and won’t give it up.

 

I managed to win a crystal chandelier that she was watching. It will serve her right. I took that chandelier directly to my storage locker. It will look perfect in my dining room should I ever be able to rebuild my house. That continues to be a tragedy. My poor Chicago bungalow with all its history burned to the ground. And my plans to rebuild burnt alongside.

 

I am content with my small apartment above our antique store Great-Aunt Sybil’s Attic. It is cozy. My two white Persians Sassy and Sybil are quite happy there. They have a lovely storefront window in which to soak up the sun and several hiding places. Sassy has even ventured into the dusty cellar.

 

CC and I recently returned from an adventure to the antique stores in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. I found a charming store that specializes in Art Nouveau jewelry. If I am ever rich, I think I would buy every piece in the store especially the garnet parure. It would look lovely with several of my vintage dresses. CC stopped me from purchasing it. Perhaps I will venture back by myself and make several purchases. I can think of just the occasion to wear it. I am venturing to England to meet a certain someone, and I want to impress him.

 

Even when I am out of the country I will keep our list and continue to source items for you, our fans. So please continue to send your requests to me. If there are any you don’t want CC to know about, please send those directly to me. I will make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. I find myself concealing things from her constantly. She doesn’t understand the need for acquisition quite as much as I do.

 

I have to say farewell for now. Thank you for letting me share these precious moments with you. Until next time.

 

Yours,

Anne Hillstrom

<h2><span class="wrap"><span class="inner">About The Author</span></span></h2>

With a passion for shopping and antiques, Vicki Vass turned in her reporter's notebook to chronicle the adventures of Anne and CC, two antique hunters who use their skills to solve a murder case.

Vicki has written more than 1,400 stories for the Chicago Tribune as well as other commercial publications including Home & Away, the Lutheran and Woman's World. Her science fiction novel, The Lexicon, draws on her experience in Sudan while writing about the ongoing civil war for World Relief.

She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, writer and musician Brian Tedeschi, son Tony, Australian shepherd Bandit, kittens Terra and Pixel, seven koi and Gary the turtle.

Vicki Vass

Book Review by Bree Herron

Mystery and history will delight any cozy mystery reader in the latest from Vicki Vass. I was thrilled to be transported into such a hot topic piece, the Civil War. It was a great read, and one that reminded me how much I enjoy this author.

Characters

CC and Anne are always some of my favorite characters to read. They allow me to wander through the past in their wonderful antique finds. This has been my personal favorite in the series, Vass brought in some fun characters that helped to shape the story.

Cover

Love the pretty white cat, which is a tie in to the other books in the series. Vass’s covers are always well done with a simple antique look and catchy title.

Enjoyable Moments

I really enjoyed how the author entwined history into her mystery. Vass always has something antique and a backstory to an item, but this one was wonderful. I felt as though she brought to life the details and the mystery jumped off the page into my mind.

Synoptic

I really loved this book. It was a great climax to the series, it brought some amazing characters into play and was a great reminder why this author stuns me each time I read her books. I adore CC and her antics, Anne with her fondness for wanting to keep items (me too Anne) and the dress that shook this novel. Overall, a great novel, an asset to a library and a read that will be in a top 10 for 2017.

I Rate it

Have you read any of the books in this series? If so which ones and if not guess what you could win the series!

**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.

<h2><span class="inner">Giveaway</span></h2>

Enter to win the series! I know that I would be thrilled to have all the books on my shelf!

Winner receives: (1) Set An Antique Hunters Mystery (5 Book Series) Print U.S. Only – Digital International

Professional Reader Affiliates

NetGalley Professional Reader Frequently Auto-Approved 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge Reviews Published Great Escape Tour Host BethanyHouse Blogger Reviewer

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5 Comments

  1. Vicki Vass

    Thanks, Bree, for the review. I always love stopping by and visiting you. Anne and CC also send their warm regards.

    Reply
  2. Dianne Casey

    This is a new series to me. I enjoyed the description of the book and I’m looking forward to reading it.

    Reply
  3. Kara Marks

    This sounds really good–I just love cozy mysteries!

    Reply
  4. Della Williamson

    This is new to me. Love the premise. Would love to read them. And I quite agree. If I could I would love to buy much of the jewelry I have seen in our local antique stores.

    Reply
  5. Kay Garrett

    I totally agree with you – the cover is adorable! I love cozy mysteries and would love to read DRESSED TO KILL.

    Reply

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