The Pajama Frame by Diane Vallere is the fifth book in A Madison Night Mystery series, but the first that I read. This was not a big problem, but there were things I wish I knew more about. I think I will go back and read others in this series.

Madison Night has inherited a building from Alice Sweet, an older friend. The shuttered factory was the home of Sweet Dreams Pajama Factory, but was abandoned sixty years ago after a pajama model died in rare equipment malfunction. Madison is not ready for the situation when several people and/or groups want to get inside the building as well as those who want it on the Historic Register. Some even want the case of the death of the model reopened. After persuading Captain Tex Allen to unseal the building, they enter to find that someone has managed to get in before them. They find bullet casings, the body of John Sweet (Alice’s grandson) and a large supply of new vintage pajamas (Madison can wear a new pair every night). Does this have anything to do with the 60 year old death? What does her inheritance have to do with these murders? Can Madison find out what is going on before another death, maybe her own, occurs?

The Pajama Frame is well-written story with great pacing. Madison Night is a good protagonist, she is smart and strong willed. I love her vintage design aesthetic, fashion sense and her dog, Rocky (Shih Tzu). The fact that she looks like Doris Day might also have something to do with this. Captain Tex Allen is the perfect counterpart for Madison. They work well together and have good chemistry, but he is still careful about what he shares with her about his cases. I am hoping they will have a closer relationship in future books (they are cute together). Madison's boyfriend lives in Palm Springs and even though he has had a larger role in previous books, he was not in this one except for the occasional phone call. The mystery is layered with clues being dropped, but not easily picked up until the reveal at the end. I had no idea who the culprit was until that point. I will definitely watch for more Madison Night Mysteries by Diane Vallere. I recommend this one to any cozy mystery lovers, especially if you like something a bit different and not so easy to solve. The publisher, Henery Press, provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own. ( )

The Pajama Frame is book #5 in the Madison Night Mystery series. While the books can be read as stand-alone, each preceding book builds on the characters and their relationships.

When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.

As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series. ( )

The Pajama Frame is book #5 in the Madison Night Mystery series. While the books can be read as stand-alone, each preceding book builds on the characters and their relationships.

When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.

As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series. ( )

The Pajama Frame is well-written and a nice, steady pace. Madison Night is a great main character. She is smart and strong willed. I love her vintage design aesthetic, fashion sense and her dog, Rocky (Shih Tzu). The author provides delightful and vivid descriptions of Madison’s clothing and mid-century furniture. Captain Tex Allen is the perfect counterpart for Madison. They work well together and have good chemistry. I am hoping they will have a closer relationship in future books (they are cute together). I do not like Donna Nast, and I keep hoping that Donna will become a murder victim in a future book. The mystery is multifaceted which I found appealing. I enjoy a complex mystery and it was clever how the author tied in the retro angle with the vintage pajamas. Unfortunately, I did find it easy to pick out the guilty party. There were some loose ends at the end of the book that I wish the author had cleared up (I would clarify but one is a spoiler). I am giving The Pajama Frame 4 out of 5 stars. The Pajama Frame can be read alone. Madison’s background is provided for new readers. This was my favorite book in A Madison Night Mystery series, and I am looking forward to finding out what trouble will befall Madison next time. ( )

This is the fifth book in the Madison Night series and they just keep getting better. Mad for Mod has a part time employee, Hudson is still in California and Madison is back in Dallas, trying to get back into the swing of things. She is surprised when one of her elderly swimming buddies passes away. In addition to the household inventory for Mad for Mod, Alice Sweet has left her a shuttered pajama factory called Sweet Dreams. Madison is thrilled with the discovery of factory sealed pajama samples but not as enamored with hints that the accident that closed the plant may not have been accidental. There are multiple storylines running and plenty of suspects and guesses as to what is really going on in this part of town. I really like the richness of all the characters, the peeks into Tex Allan and even Donna Nast. Madison is almost fifty, a wonderful character that is facing the flaws and questions that plague many of us. I enjoyed the turns the story took and can't wait for more. ( )