Death by Inferior Design (A Domestic Bliss Mystery)

by Leslie Caine

Book Overview

Interior decorator, Erin Gilbert heads to picturesque Crestview, Colorado for a friendly (if sharks are friendly) competition: She'll design a room in one home; and the impossibly handsome Steve... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440241758
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Dell
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Good Debut

I enjoyed this author's "Fax" series, and I enjoyed the debut of this new series as well. I did find the story a tad bit predictable, since I figured out fairly early who the murderer was. I also thought having these three couples so interconnected through affairs and other relationships made for a bit of confusion. And the thing that got me most was that the author didn't let us know until well into the story why Erin had chosen to move to this town, so until that point, I had a hard time getting past the coincidence of her ending up there. The only other problem I had was with the "Gilbert and Sullivan" naming convention -- only because it's already being used in Selma Eichler's wonderful Desiree Shapiro series. Looking forward to the next installment.

Impressive Debut!

Although still well within my definition of formulaic, this debut novel in the Domestic Bliss series is also refreshing and entertaining. There were some unfortunate typos and the occasional bit of grammatical license that left my head spinning, but otherwise the book is competently written. The two main characters are somewhat stereotypical, but their personalities may take on more original aspects as the series continues. I like mysteries that may be classified as American cozies, and this is another fine addition to the genre. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, but hope the author takes time to describe the locale and expand her characters to make them more original.

Engaging Mystery

As an advid reader w/a passionate love for good mysteries, I'm often leary of reading mysteries by unfamiliar authors for fear of being dissapointed, but won an advance copy from the publisher to be a "reader reviewer" & am so glad I signed up for the drawing. As a fan of programmes such as Changing Rooms & House Invaders, I knew that the interior design bits would definitely appeal to me. I've been reading mysteries since I was 6 years old & yet this book kept me guessing until almost the very end as to the identity of the culprit(s) & motive(s). Ms Caine really makes you care about her characters. I can hardly wait to add more books by Ms Caine to my ever growing book collection.

Death By Inferior Design

This book has it all. Main characters that are both interesting and likable, dark secrets, a hint of romance and enough possible suspects to keep everyone guessing.

exciting amateur sleuth

As a gift to his wife, Carl Henderson hires interior designer Erin Gilbert to redo their bedroom. When Erin arrives at her client's home, she finds her competitor Steve Sullivan is redesigning the den of the Henderson's neighbor Kevin McBride. A third neighbor Randy Axelrod sets up a competition between the rival designers with the winner getting a story in his magazine Denver Lifestyles. Erin and Steve accept the contest because both know that the free publicity should bring many new customers. Carl's son Taylor works with both designers. He opens a bottle of cyanide that is in the back of Erin's van. She notices some missing, but he denies taking any when she confronts him. Later that day, Randy keels over; he dies at the hospital. Erin's information leads to a toxic screening that shows he died from poisoning. Erin has a second reason to regret taking the job when she finds her baby picture on Carl's wall. Having been adopted, she believes her biological parent is nearby. Not long afterward, someone shoots at her car. Although she promised her adopted mom to not seek her biological parents, events force her to reconsider her vow before a killer murders her too. The Crestview, Colorado neighborhood where all the action occurs seems so middle class with family values that the right wing would showcase it as the real America, but underneath the veneer are marriages on the rocks. Each family wants Erin to decorate a part of their house and though she knows to stay aloof, she is drawn into their lives. DEATH BY INFERIOR DESIGN is an exciting opening act of an amateur sleuth series starring a delightful beleaguered protagonist. Harriet Klausner