I enjoy this series because I love anything about New Orleans, the writer thorougly describes the fun and enjoyability of the heroine and her friends in this wonderful city. It is a mystery but that isn't why I read this series. I like the characters and Carmela and her friend Ava are young, sassy and not afraid to get their designer shoes and duds dirty following up leads.

I can read any mystery and do, some of which are far better than these as far as "mystery" goes but a fun, light series about a pretty yet spunky and talented young woman who is very likeable as well as her friends at Mardi Gras time and other holidays in New Orleans, plus the food recipes and descriptions of the unique food in that area are a plus. Even though I don't scrapbook, I find the projects and ideas that they do in the book interesting.

Overall, other than Shamus, her hopefully really true soon-to-be ex-husband, the books are a series I like and will continue to read.

All is festive in New Orleans, as the Crescent City prepares for another Mardi Gras. Scrapbook store owner, Carmela Bertrand, and her friend Ava attend a party given by their friend Jekyl Hardy who is a float designer. During the party, Jekyl's neighbor is found dead, with a barbed-wire garotte around his neck. Carmela and Ava decide to "help" the police in finding the murderer and in the course of their unofficial investigation, they become involved with a sulky Russian, illegal absinthe, treasure maps, and plenty of red herrings for the reader. New Orleans during Mardi Gras is a delightful setting for this latest in the Scrapbooking Mystery series.

Laura Childs' DEATH SWATCH will also prove a popular pick, blending scrapbooking crafts, Louisiana recipes, and New Orleans intrigue under one cover. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand fears for her own life on a wild night which includes murder, especially as theories to the murder are wild. Throw in a stalking and a handsome detective's investigation of odd clues and you have a fast-paced mystery indeed.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK IN THE CONTINUATION OF THE SERIES. AMAZON SHIPPED IT PROMTLY AND SAFELY WHICH WAS ALSO APPRECIATED SO THAT THE BOOK I WANTED TO READ WAS INDEED IN EXCELLANT SHAPE TO ENJOY. RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO LIKES MYSTERIES, ESPECIALLY LIGHT ONES.

I really enjoy all of Laura Child's books and this latest additon to the Scrapbooking Mystery Series is no exception! Her descriptions of New Orleans are spot on, the history is great, not to mention the recipes at the end of the book. I look forward to other books in the series...especailly since the romance has started!!