Postcards from the Dead

At the start of Childs%E2%80%99s flat 10th Scrapbooking mystery set in New Orleans (after 2011%E2%80%99s Skeleton Letters), craft store owner Carmela Bertrand is waiting to be interviewed by Kimber Breeze, %E2%80%9Cthe perky, Botoxed reporter from KBEZ-TV%E2%80%9D who%E2%80%99s covering Mardi Gras from the wrought-iron balcony of her French Quarter hotel. Suddenly, Kimber disappears from the TV cameras. Carmela rushes onto the balcony, where she finds a thick cord tied to the railing%E2%80%94and Kimber%E2%80%99s lifeless body dangling ten feet below. Carmela once again turns sleuth, encouraged by best friend Ava Gruiex, though Carmela%E2%80%99s love interest, Det. Edgar Babcock, attempts to discourage her, especially after he learns she%E2%80%99s receiving mysterious postcards purportedly from Kimber. Only devoted series fans are likely to struggle through the less-than-compelling prose, as Carmela jumps to conclusions while recklessly disregarding her own safety as well as her boyfriend%E2%80%99s professional concerns. Agent: Philologus Procurator, Inc. (Oct.)