A review by booksuperpower
Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith

5.0

Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith is a 2015 Kensington Publication.

I got in on the ground floor with this series and knew right away I was going to love it. Somehow or other I missed this book when it came out, so I have read the fourth book, but not this third one. So, I checked it out with my overdrive library account in order to catch up.

When her mother's best friend, Louise, is found murdered, Caprice looks into the case at her mother's request. It turns out Louise has a secret past, a complicated marriage, and more enemies than one might think. On a more personal note, Caprice is still struggling with her feelings for Grant and Seth, is trying to help her sister adjust to caring for a newborn, and training her new puppy.

This was a very good mystery which kept me guessing all the way to the end. I love Caprice, and her vintage clothing style, and her big heart. She's a great amateur sleuth because she doesn't just luck into solving the case, she actually gets out there and works to find clues just like a real detective would. She may be a little too nosy, but she doesn't take it too far.

Naturally, with two Cocker Spaniels in my house and three cats, this story, which features my favorite dog breed, is a plus, and I love the animal rescue storyline, and appreciate the time taken to add a few facts for readers, such as a list of what types of plants are toxic to pets, which is a great reminder we can all use, and of course the fabulous recipe at the end.

Overall, this is a very solid and satisfying addition to the series and I am thankful by library had it.

4.5 stars