Designers, denim, death, deceit

“Fahrenheit 501” is book twelve in the “Samantha Kidd” series, but new readers will immediately connect with Sam. Sometimes she has one foot in a hot mess and the other in crazy town. Her life has shifted and changed over these dozen books, yet she still tends to be rather unsettled and searching, almost afraid that if she is happy and content, her life will not get any better. Events unfold in Sam’s first-person narrative as she talks to herself and talks directly to readers, occasionally adding things specifically, as she says, to see if readers are paying attention. She has worked in fashion for nearly a decade, and readers always know what she is wearing and why. Her past escapades have given a new meaning to “killer fashion.” Yet despite past rumors to the contrary, she is capable and focused with a knack for fixing things.

Sam and husband, high-end sneaker designer Nick, have settled in Ribbon, Pennsylvania which coincidently has a somewhat secret group whose members are dedicated to preserving fashion history. Sam is elated when she is invited to become a member of this elite society; these are her people, fashion people, even if they are centered in a castle as creepy as the “House on Haunted Hill.” Of course, since her life is rather like “Murder She Wrote,” there are a heap of problems hiding under a pile of denim. She finds herself in a complicated web of missing people, misplaced notable fashion samples, and of course, a murder. Things quickly turn into a game of “Clue” as Sam finds herself in a room, inside a mansion, with a dead body, surrounded by five suspects, and she has to identify the killer. (Where is the lead pipe when she needs it?)

“Fahrenheit 501” is a modern adventure in the classic Agatha Christie style. There are a handful of suspects in an old mansion, but the actual identity of the murderer is not easy to identify, until it is obvious. The pace is focused but not rushed, and complicated information and unusual connections are revealed bit by bit. I received a review copy of “Fahrenheit 501” from Diane Vallere and Polyester Press. It is quick to read with lots of mystery and suspense but without buckets of blood running in the street. When I finished reading, I looked through all my jeans to see if I had any selvedge; I had none. ( )

Samantha Kidd was my introduction to Diane Vallere’s wonderful, unusual, quirky heroines, and although I do love them all, from the very first Samantha Kidd book to this one, Fahrenheit 501, #12 in the Samantha Kidd series, Samantha remains my favorite. It’s been a joy to watch her change and grow, to become more confident, to learn truths about herself and confront some of her fears. All while often getting into hilariously dangerous situations and doing totally unexpected and sometimes bewildering things.

As the adventure begins, Samantha has been invited to join a secret fashion society. She doesn’t really know anything about it or why she was invited but she is intrigued, flattered and wants in. During her initial interview she learns that the purpose of the society is to preserve famous fashion patterns. Sounds like a good idea on the surface. But everyone she meets is a little off, a little mysterious, a little rude – or just plain weird. And she quickly learns there is a lot more going on under the surface; everyone has their own agenda or secret. And before Samantha can even leave the building she is drugged and then discovers a murder. What is really going on with the society? Does she even want to be part of it?

Samantha has always jumped in with unsolicited help. She has been working to tone that down, to listen more and wait until she is actually asked before taking action. She’s out of her element from the fashion aspect – jeans have never been her area of expertise – and maybe she should walk away, but people do need her help and she’ll do whatever it takes to figure this out.

Fahrenheit 501 is full of familiar faces and unexpected friendships and working relationships and the usual solid, complex, fast-moving plot we have come to expect from author Vallere. People, including Samantha, are in danger and there is some real evil present. And of course there’s Samantha’s husband Nick, with the dark curly hair, root-beer-barrel-colored eyes and that sexy smile. Probably even more swoon-worthy and heart- throbby now that he has a beard. Not just Sexy Nick but kind of her rock, too. I’ve loved watching their relationship evolve throughout the series.

Thanks to author Diane Vallere for providing an advance copy of Fahrenheit 501 for my reading pleasure and honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t recommend it enough; read this as a perfect standalone or treat yourself and go back to the beginning. There was a big surprise I didn’t see coming. It was perfectly handled, but definitely gives us something to think about for the next book. And, by the way, I learned a lot about jeans! All opinions are my own. ( )