The House That Vanity Built Book Review

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The House That Vanity Built (A Misty Dawn Mystery)

by Nancy Cole Silverman

I received this book free to review; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.

The House That Vanity Built (A Misty Dawn Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Henery Press (May 12, 2020)
Hardcover: 242 pages

Misty Dawn, a former Hollywood psychic to the stars, knows the dark and sometimes glamorous streets of Los Angeles are full of secrets, broken promises, and dashed hopes.

When a young woman comes to her door because she’s lost her engagement ring and is afraid to tell her fiancé (the son of one of the world’s biggest cosmetics empires), Misty senses it’s no accident.

Together Misty Dawn and her psychic charge, Wilson Thorne, must not only sneak behind the walls of the Conroy Estate (aka The House That Vanity Built), but go beyond the veil where the luminaries have laid plans to seek revenge.

Murder, lust, and a quest for a fountain of youth are hidden inside a family’s secret, one that threatens to upend the young woman’s life, and quite possibly, Misty’s as well.

My review

The House that Vanity Built is a humorous cozy mystery filled with great characters and a puzzling murder. This is the second book in the Misty Dawn Mystery Series, but though I wasn’t acquainted with the main characters, I quickly developed a fondness for them. Misty is a psychic in her late 60s or early 70s (I can’t remember if they say!), who used to mingle with Hollywood’s elite.

Since I didn’t read the first book, I’m not exactly sure how she came to live in her current home. But, Misty lives in the home with the former owner. He’s dead. His name is Wilson, and he’s what’s called a shade. Wilson isn’t quite a ghost, and he’s Misty’s constant companion. Since no one else can see him, he comes in handy when Misty’s on a case. He can get into rooms she can’t, and in this case, he also befriends two luminaries (sort of like shades but with more nefarious tendencies).

Misty and Wilson’s interactions are absolutely my favorite part of the book. Wilson drives the cars because they were his! The blacked out windows help Misty since no one can see that she’s not actually driving! The two are best friends, yet Misty knows someday he’ll have to leave her. I just hope that’s not for a long time yet! In this mystery, there are quite a few side characters, so though you may know whodunit, watch out. You probably don’t.

The House that Vanity Built is fast paced and easy to read. I love that even though “things” (I won’t spoil the things) may have begun with ulterior motives, those things developed into pure intentions. If you’re a fan of cozy mystery books with a paranormal flair, this is a series you should read!

About Nancy Cole Silverman

Nancy Cole Silverman spent nearly twenty-five in Los Angeles Talk Radio, beginning her career on the talent side as one for the first female voices on the air, and later on the business side, where she retired as one of two female general managers in the nation’s second-largest radio market. After a successful career in the radio industry, Silverman turned to writing fiction. Her crime-focused novels and short stories have attracted readers throughout America.

Silverman’s Carol Childs Mysteries series (Henery Press) feature a single-mom whose “day job” as a reporter at a busy Los Angeles radio station often leads to long nights as a crime-solver. Her most recent series with Misty Dawn is centered on an aging Hollywood Psychic to the Stars, who supplements her day to day activities as a consultant to LAPD and the FBI. Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a thoroughly pampered standard poodle.

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