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Julianna Deering
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Dressed for Death (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #4) Kindle Edition

by Julianna Deering (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 294 ratings
See all formats and editions
This Traditional British Cozy Mystery
Gets a Regency Twist

Drew and Madeline Farthering celebrate their six-month anniversary by attending a fancy Regency era costume party. Drew is glad to see Talbot Cummins, an Oxford classmate, and his fiancée, Alice Henley, though many present seem worried about the couple. Everyone's concerns are realized when, at the concluding grand ball, Alice dies of an overdose of cocaine. Tal refuses to believe she took the stuff intentionally, and Drew is determined to find out if her death was an accident or murder.

Drew is shocked and disillusioned when the police arrest Tal's father and reveal that the man has been smuggling drugs into the country for the past twenty years. Reeling from the death of his fiancée and the revelation about his father, Tal begs Drew to find out what's going on. Drew, now questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, does so reluctantly, not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 6
    Drew Farthering Mysteries
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Bethany House Publishers
  6. Publication date
    February 23, 2016
  7. File size
    4084 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, But it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery--and Murder--Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood--someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

"Drew is drawn into a sticky web of lies, secrets, and intrigue that hit close to home. Fans of the series and Agatha Christie will want this one." --Library Journal

"Christie fans now have Julianna Deering to add to their must-read list. Deering keeps readers on their toes guessing who-done-it in this well-plotted mystery."--RT Book Reviews

"The author has given readers a great tale with an intricate web of characters. Using a Regency-era backdrop, this tale set in the 1930s is a mystery even Agatha Christie would love to read until the final word came to pass."--Suspense Magazine

About the Author

Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. When she's not reading or writing, she loves to cross-stitch, quilt, and watch NHL hockey (not all at the same time). She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and lives north of Dallas with three spoiled cats.For more information visit juliannadeering.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B012H0ZX20
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers (February 23, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 23, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4084 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 294 ratings

About the author

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Julianna Deering

Julianna Deering

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JULIANNA DEERING (also writing as DeAnna Julie Dodson) has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014). Dressed for Death (2016), and Murder on the Moor and Death at Thorburn Hall (2017). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books and Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
294 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Libbytw
5.0 out of 5 stars I love a cozy mystery
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
My favorite kind of mystery, not a lot of blood and violence, just lots of who-done-it. Well written characters and scenes.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Another interesting Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2022
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I enjoyed this book and the plot - I did not guess the identity of the murderer. I hope there will be at least one more book in this series, they have all been worth reading. I like the patience, love, forgiveness and general determination to live a meaningful life, which is portrayed in the main characters.
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Pam K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Dressed for Death
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2016
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This is the fourth book in the Drew Farthering mystery series. Drew and his wife Madeline, along with good friends Nick and Carrie, plus Carrie's 17 year old brother, are at a Regency themed house party for a week. Their hosts are Mr. and Mrs. Cummins. Drew and Nick were Oxford chums with their son Tal and thought they knew the family well. Tal's fiancee, Alice, is among the guests. The week-long party goes pretty well until the last night when there is a death that does not appear accidental. Things go from bad to worse, with an arrest made for another crime, and more deaths, causing Drew to second guess his calling as an amateur detective. The mystery was good, with a few red herrings thrown in. Eddie, the cat, was a nice addition and quite valuable to the conclusion. The villain was not someone I would have guessed. I did have some difficulty with some of the deaths because they were very likable characters, which made their demise more difficult to accept. I am looking forward to the next Drew Farthering mystery, in part to see what is next for Nick and Carrie's relationship.
One person found this helpful
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JohnandLaura
5.0 out of 5 stars Great time-period mystery.
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
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Even though I guessed the twist in the end, it was another great Drew Farthering Mystery, steeped, of course, in a period setting of early 20th century England. I really like the characters and the plot. It has Christian undertones, but it is mostly a mystery and a morality tale against greed. Suspenseful and tragic with surprising murders. Loved it.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love period murder mysteries and this is one of the best I've ever read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
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Mrs. Kimberly S. Napier
4.0 out of 5 stars An amusing mystery
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
Dressed for Death (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #4) by [Deering, Julianna]Dressed for Death is the fourth book in the Drew Farthering Mystery Books. The Fartherings went to a Regency era costume party to celebrate being married for 6 months. While there they come upon Talbot Cummins and Alice, his fiancee, who seem less that happy. During the ball, Alice dies from overdosing on cocaine. The question is did she take it herself or was it murder.

I found the characters to be fun to read and share the adventure with plus I loved the Christian message behind the entire story. There were sections that were slow but by sticking with it, I found the twists and turns to make this a good mystery.
2 people found this helpful
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OldManMontgomery
5.0 out of 5 stars I like murder mysteries
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
I like murder mysteries, especially British set and in older more graceful times. I think this was written for me.

The story line is solid. The characters are part of a series and therefore rather well developed as individuals. All have mixed views of life and honor and such, agreeing on basic and differing in particulars. They are in fact individuals and act accordingly. Other than "... of course the good guys win ..." the plot is strong and reasonably unpredictable.

Julianna Deering is a delightful author with a trace of inner reality.
One person found this helpful
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Sherry Legan
3.0 out of 5 stars Dressed For Death Book ReView
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2016
This was the first time for me to read anything from this author. This books is the 4th installment in the
Drew Farthering Mystery Series.

When the book ended I was interested in reading more of the series. But in the beginning I almost put it
down and gave up. I actually did for a couple of weeks. But since I was given a complimentary copy I felt like I needed to give it another chance.

And in the end I'm glad I did. What was difficult for me in the beginning was it was just flat confusing.
There were a lot of characters and I couldn't keep them straight. Some had nicknames and it was just confusing. I don't know actually which of the characters other than the main character Drew and his wife
are a part of the other 3 books or not.

Other than just knowing who's who the plot stands alone so It's not really necessary to read the other
books in the series.

Once I did get into the story line a little over half way through I was hooked. I wanted to figure out the mystery. And in some ways I did. I predicted how the drugs were being smuggled. It was really very obvious after the second murder. Which by the way villainy didn't end there. I actually lost count of how
many people actually were 'written out'.

Which for me actually made me question how this book was published by Bethany House and is
categorized in this genre. All I can really figure out is it does have a bit of a faith base. And actually the author did a great job of weaving Drew's faith struggle into the story. But I couldn't help but think that
it was just a ploy on the authors part for the book to be published as a Christian Mystery Novel.

So with that said I struggled with rating this book. Once I was 3/4 through I wanted to read more.
And, I really would like to read the other books in the series. And as I write this review I honestly
have not decided how I rate it.

Here's what the book is about . . .

ABOUT
A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, but it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery--and Murder--Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood--someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.
The Publisher provides more information and an excerpt if you want to check it out. Click here.
.
Overall I have to give this book a 3 /2 star rating. Although there were parts that I really liked/enjoyed I just couldn't get over how long it took me to really 'get into' the story.
I received a complimentary copy from Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
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Top reviews from other countries

rita cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018
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i have already given you review of the books
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revshep
4.0 out of 5 stars Good twist
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2017
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Good plot and good twist at the end. Very enjoyable.

Easy to read. Have read four of these books
now.
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Maureen Gifford
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2017
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A very good read
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Bluebelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2016
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Very good
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BP
4.0 out of 5 stars thoroughly good read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Did Englishmen in 1930s England walk on 'sidewalks'? Publisher should ensure accuracy for a British reader. Despite this slight irritation, thoroughly good read.
2 people found this helpful
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