It's good to know what I have to do in case I'm mistakenly declared dead, but that's not the only reason to read this latest installment in Diane Vallere's excellent Madison Night series. The entire series has shown readers Madison's journey to self-realization and how she has changed through her experiences and the people who've come into her life along the way. Madison isn't a one-note wonder; she's changed and grown over the course of the series, and she finally realizes this in Love Me or Grieve Me. She even shows us why Doris Day is the perfect role model for her transformation. (Never fear-- being familiar with Doris Day and with mid-century modern interior design are not necessary to enjoy these books but don't be surprised if your interest is piqued.)

The mystery is a good one, but as always, my delight is in the details. How nepotism doesn't work in the newsroom. How it pays to be very careful in reading the details of a real estate listing. How having a reliable dog sitter is crucial. And how one of Madison's favorite pastimes ("letting someone from a different generation share their stories") and how her line of work shapes how she sees others ("It's impossible for me not to profile people based on their living spaces") make her even more special. (And since I just completed a kitchen renovation, it makes me wonder how Madison would profile me.)

Diane Vallere's Madison Night is one of the best cozy mystery heroines in the business, and I'd never miss a book in this fun (yet grown-up) series. More, please! ( )

Oh, no, Madison Knight is dead! We knew this would happen eventually if she didn’t stop butting in everywhere and taking chances. Good intentions but not always the best judgment and all that. But wait . . . she’s alive. The obituary announcing her death was a mistake by a junior editor. It’s been corrected. Mostly. So all good now, right? Not exactly. Cancelled lines of credit, frozen funds at the bank, and enough floral arrangements to bury you alive (oops). She doesn’t have time to straighten all this out. She has a business to run, and one of the biggest jobs of her career coming up – fully renovating a 1955 ranch house, inside and out, for a vow renewal ceremony for her clients. It’s Madison’s dream job. But she needs her life sorted out to do it right.

The story open with Madison attending her own funeral. Well, not really her funeral. The funeral for the woman who the obituary was supposed to be about: Addison Nigh, a once in-demand jazz vocalist who had fallen into obscurity. Of course Madison being Madison, she can’t leave well enough alone. She goes to the funeral, is spotted, questioned by Addison’s friends and family, and here we go. Embroiled in what was thought to be a simple, natural-causes death but maybe really isn’t. As Madison discovers long-buried secrets from Addison’s life some parallels emerge and suddenly her own life is in danger.

Remember Tex? Police captain Tex Allen and Madison have been dating for about a year. Seems longer, but maybe because it seems to be going so well. They are a settled, comfortable couple. Serious but not too, no long-term commitments. Madison was out of town with a dead phone when her death was announced. No big deal, she’s an independent woman, isn’t she? But now Tex is acting weird. Very, very weird. Are they at a crossroads?

Love Me or Grieve Me is a fabulous addition to the Mad for Mod mystery series. Always wonderful to catch up again with Doris Day look-alike Madison Knight, with her mid-century hair and clothes and decorating expertise. Her mid-century everything. But for all the excitement and suspense and pure fun, in this book Madison is forced to do a little soul-searching. She’s caring but you wouldn’t call her a caregiver, she’s attentive to those that matter to her but she doesn’t hover. She’s engaging but is she fully engaged in her life, or is her strong sense and display of independence in part avoidance, a cover up, a push to keep people at arm’s length so she doesn’t let down her defenses and get hurt again (don’t forget the handyman thing)? Madison has grown a lot from the more self-centered and careless woman we first met, but the events after that erroneous obituary give her a lot to reflect on. And on the fun side we have the pleasure of Madison dealing with difficult clients, coming up with fantastic decorating ideas, and describing in detail her amazing mid-century wardrobe.

Thanks to author Diane Vallere for providing an advance copy of Love Me or Grieve Me for my reading pleasure and honest review. This was a journey with Madison I was happy to go along on. She is such a well-drawn character her predicaments and life path always make for a most enjoyable read. I recommend this book, this series, all Vallere’s series without hesitation. All opinions are my own. ( )

A TYPO, AN ERRONEONOUS OBIT, & MURDER!

Diane Vallare has just released Love Me or Grieve Me: A Madison Night Mystery Book 10 and in my opinion, it is a winner! Her plot is centered around a typo, an erroneous obit, & murder! Madison Night, the interior decorator, has her life turned upside down when a junior copy editor at the smallest newspaper in Dallas makes a typo, and lists her name as the deceased instead of the real decedent, Addison Nigh. The two women’s names may have been similar, but they were separated by generations as well as lifestyles. Too make matters worse, all the larger Dallas papers picked up the story and ran in it in their editions alerting everyone, everywhere of her supposedly untimely demise, causing her business to take a hit when everyone believes she has passed. Night has one of her largest decorating jobs on the line but soon realizes that there is something sketchy going on behind the scenes and that it is somehow tied to Addison Nigh’s death, as well the deaths of some others.

What I like best is that Vallere weaves a wonderful mystery through several different scenarios. While she keeps Madison’s relationship with Tex at the forefront of this book, she keeps you guessing as to the status of their relationship. And, it is a relationship that has been working so well for them! This case is going to take them to the brink personally and relationally. Vallere also introduces new characters who help carry this story. They provide intriguing personalities for her to showcase her clever writing skills. This mystery will keep you guessing to the end, and enjoying it all as Vallere peels back all the layers!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Polyester Press. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. ( )