I originally started following this series in spite of a few weaknesses because I liked the way the author centered the character in a strong family. I also liked the possible love interest, Grant.

Then the author started a love triangle and the writing continued to be overly descriptive and bloated, but still I thought I'd give it one more go.

I almost DNF'd this one because the writing was 80% non-essential, non-interesting information. But I really wanted to find out what was going to happen with Grant, because the love triangle looked over at the end of book 2. So I decided to skim this one and by that I mean unless there was dialogue, I didn't read it. I was skipping pages at a time.

And still, I knew who the murderer was before the book was half over.

And then the author brought the love triangle back.

And now I'm done. NEXT!!! ( )

Once again, I followed the clues with Caprice and could not wait to find out who done it. This is the third book in the Caprice De Luca Mystery series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A 4.5 stars for me.

In this outing Caprice's mother's best friend, Louise, is found murdered while she is staging her house. Caprice finds the body and is so upset, she really does not look at the clues of the scene. At her mother's request, Caprice looks into the case. There are various suspects, the cheating husband, the fired housekeeper, the mistress or possibly others. Maybe it was a robbery gone bad? As Caprice investigates, again finding information the police miss, it turns out Louise has a secret past, a complicated marriage, and more enemies than one might think. I had several suspects that I was sure were guilty but everyone was wrong. I finally figured it out just before the bid reveal at the end.

On a personal note, Caprice is still struggling with her feelings for Grant and Seth. Seth is out of town and the emails seem to be slowing down, but Grant is still not making any kind of move and still is not opening up to Caprice. There is a bit of a romantic showdown in the book, but I do not want to give it away. She is trying to help her sister adjust to caring for a newborn, and training her new puppy. She is trying to help out with the Valentine fundraiser and of course finds another lost/abandoned animal.

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. She may be a little too nosy, but she doesn't take it too far. Of course, her sleuthing still puts her in some danger and Grant is not happy with that.

Of course the usual cast of characters make an appearance, all her siblings, her parents, her nana, the veterinarian as well as Ace, the rockstar.

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. There are always recipes at the end and there is one in this book I am definitely going to try., and of course the fabulous recipe at the end.

Overall, this is a very solid and satisfying addition to the series and cozy mystery lovers will enjoy not just this book, but the whole series so far. ( )

This series centers around Caprice DeLuca and her relationships with her family so when a good friend of her mother is found murdered, Caprice works to determine who did it while supporting her sisters in their life adjustments (new baby, expanding business) and training her puppy and animal rescues. This s a fun series with great characters. ( )

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 ( )

4 STARS



Good cozy mystery. This is a charming story. Lots of cute pets, lots of De Luca family and clean read. I like the characters.

I wish that Caprice romance will be a little more settled.



Caprice is a stager for selling high end homes. She rescues animals. She takes her puppy every place she can or gets a puppy sitter. She likes her brother's partner and she also thinks about a Doctor friend who moved away for awhile.



Everyone who knows her after the murder wants to know if she if she is investigating it. This is the third mystery that Caprice De Luca is involved with. She finds her client murdered. She is a old family friend.

Gilt by Association is a well told mystery, lots of suspects. Easy to jump into the series if you have not read any of the previous stories like my. I would like to read the first two books of the series though.

I was given Gilt By Association to read so that I could give it a honest review and be part of it's blog tour. ( )