“The Pajama Frame” By Diane Vallere: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow


Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review & links to purchase it.

As an interior decorator specializing in the Mod period of the 50s and 60s, Madison Night relies on obituaries to lead her to new sources of authentic vintage pieces. When she sees the obituary notice of her YMCA swimming partner Alice Sweet, the most Madison expects is that she may have been left some of the 86-year-old woman’s enviable fashion pieces. Madison could never have predicted that she would inherit an entire former pajama factory, one that Alice’s husband closed 60 years ago after a tragic death. While Madison delights in the preserved pajama fabrics still inside, she’s less fond of the body hidden within the sealed building.


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Alice left behind a letter asking Madison to find the truth behind the death of a pajama model, one that led to a remorseful George Sweet abruptly closing the Sweet Dreams Pajama Factory and costing hundreds of workers their jobs. Fortunately, Madison has a personal – possibly uncomfortably personal – relationship with the Lakewood, Texas, police. Newly promoted Captain Tex Allen remains his sexist, flirty, self, but he also is somewhat at a loss in his administrative capacity. Madison feels obligated to fulfill Alice’s wishes to solve the crimes of the past, but the more recent ones have Madison unsettled and missing her boyfriend Hudson James.

Madison is still feeling the remnants of PTSD from recent traumas, and a possible romanticized movie version of Hudson's life only further complicates and makes forgetting the experience all the more impossible. An aspiring actress, “Truthers,” wanting to expose the factory's past and historical preservationists all have their own agendas, so Madison’s going to have to shore up all of her considerable strong will to ensure that she isn’t manipulated towards a nefarious goal.



Image source: Henery Press

This is another extraordinary novel by Diane Vallere that further expands the complex character of Madison Night. She has been accused of using her love of vintage to avoid real life, but Madison views her love of mod as an escape from harsh realities. As she nears the end of her forties, Madison mourns the loss of the dreams she once had and must accept her new future. These very relatable dilemmas are leavened by the planning of a fundraising cocktail party and The Pajama Game viewing for a historical theater, not to mention Madison’s genuine wit and wry sense of humor.

What stands out so strongly in this deftly-plotted novel is how Madison’s intelligence prevents her from making clichéd mistakes that would make her a suspect. Seeing Madison grow within the five books of her series has been a joy, and readers should continue to anticipate the next adventure of this lovable, Doris Day-loving, Mod specialist.

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of The Pajama Game, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “pajama,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 17, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please included your mailing address. If entering via comment please be sure to include your email address.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:




Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.




Comments

  1. This is a new to me author and series. As a member of a mystery book club, we are always looking for new authors to read and recommend.

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  2. I love this author's books & would enjoy reading this one. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. This book sounds like so much fun. A new location for a cozy mystery

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  4. This sounds just great--I like the same type of furniture. Sounds like a fun read. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  5. I love Dianne Vallere's costume shop mysteries and would love to get acquainted with Madison. Thanks for the great review. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I would love to read this book. It looks very good.

    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  7. Great cover! Looks like a fun read. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I've read the other books in the series and am eager to see this one!

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