A review by theavidreaderandbibliophile
A Design to Die For by Kathleen Bridge

4.0

A Design to Die For by Kathleen Bridge is the 5th A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery. While this book can be read on its own, I believe it is best if the series is read in order. You will then know the characters, their relationships, and their backgrounds. Meg Barrett is a decorator who owns Cottages by the Sea in Montauk. She has been invited to be one of the decorator’s for Montauk’s first annual Designer Showhouse being held at Enderly Hall. There is tension from the beginning thanks to Jenna’s pompous husband, Roland Cahill. It is no shocker when he ends up dead at the bottom of the cliff before the showhouse opens to the public. Unfortunately, the killer is framing Roland’s wife, Jenna (and Meg’s friend) for the crime. Meg cannot resist snooping. There are a number of people who disliked Roland from the showhouse decorators to his boss. I liked the incorporation of Captain Kidd into the mystery as well as the history of Enderly Hall and Jenna’s family. There are a variety of suspects along with misdirection. There is action throughout the book as well as Meg searching for clues and talks to suspects. The whodunit was fun to solve. The clues are there to help you if you pay close attention. I like that the mystery was completely wrapped up. Meg is no longer seeing Cole, but her feelings have yet to disappear. When Cole ends up missing, Meg is worried. There is a new love interest for Meg who shares her passion for poetry. I enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful furniture used to furnish Enderly Hall and Shepherds Cottage. There were interesting outside the box design tips at the end from Meg and Elle. I am eager to explore a couple of them. There are also recipes from the meal served at Meg’s first Dead Poets Society Book Club Meeting. A Design to Die For is an eventful cozy mystery with fine furniture, galling ghost hunters, a surfeit of suspects, an appalling police chief, designer duds, and a surprise shindig.