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Jemma Chase
and Detective Tucker return for another suspense-filled escapade in Perfect for Framing,
the latest addition to Maggie Bishop’s acclaimed Appalachian Adventure series. With the advent of winter, Jemma turns
from helping run Chase’s Dude Ranch to utilizing her skills as photographer and wood worker. Jemma is hired by Petula Windsor, president of a local property owners’ association, to build cabinets
in her guest house, but before Jemma can collect her pay, Petula burns to death in the same house. Jemma, a CSI wannabe, would
like nothing more than to be in on the investigation, and Tucker has a hard time trying to keep her interest at bay. But when
Petula’s husband is found dead and Tucker’s life is jeopardized, Jemma won’t be stopped until she finds
the murderer.
Once more, Maggie
Bishop delivers a thrilling whodunit, peppered with lovable characters and set against the beautiful backdrop of the mountains
of North Carolina. Packed with breath-taking action and nail-biting suspense, with a twisting plot that guarantees constant
speculation, this is one book that will have readers quickly turning pages, eager to find out what happens next. Highly recommended.
Christy Tillery
French
Midwest Book
Review
Jemma and Tucker are back for their second mystery adventure. Find yourself
a cat or two, a comfy couch, and some time alone, then settle in for a story as deftly crafted as Jemma’s cabinetry,
and entertaining as Tucker’s bemusement when Jemma gets it right—again! In Perfect for Framing, Maggie Bishop brings
back Jemma Chase, the engaging heroine of Murder at Blue Falls, and Tucker (whose first name appears to be Detective), one
of Bishop’s most romantic heroes—intelligent, sympathetic, and gorgeous—a refreshing change from the stereotypical
police detectives in this genre of mystery).
This time, carpenter/photographer/dude-ranch trail-boss/CSI-hopeful Jemma becomes entangled in the murder
of the power-abusive President of a nearby property owners’ association. Naturally, Jemma’s involvement is both
a distraction and a delight for Detective Tucker.
As a victim, Petula Windsor is perfect for killing. As suspects, the subdivision’s resentful property
owners would throw a barbecue celebrating Petula’s death if they dared. In the first paragraph, Jemma hears one property
owner say her death "might be a relief to a lot of us."
Readers who know Bishop’s work, however, also know better than to jump to conclusions. Perfect for Framing
turns and twists like ski tracks on Sugar Mountain. In a masterful stroke, Bishop tucks the key to the mystery into a one-page
prologue. No—I’m not giving anything away. If you reach the end, find the connection, and don’t slap your
forehead, it’s likely because you’re not the forehead-slapping sort.
Bishop’s delightful cast of reality-based local characters round out the dramatis personnae, including
one first responder named Maggie.
Perfect for Framing is, in short, a delicious romance wrapped up in a brain-tickler of a mystery with a solution
that can, in the end, be both frustrating and satisfying—frustrating because it’s hard to unravel; yet satisfying,
because when the solution is revealed, it feels inevitable.
Find yourself a cat or two, a comfy couch, and some time alone, then settle in for a story that is as deftly
crafted as Jemma’s cabinetry, and entertaining as Tucker’s bemusement when Jemma gets it right—again!
-- schuyler kaufman, Carolina Southern Live review
Posted
by Rob Neufeld of Asheville Citizen-Times on September
26, 2008 at 9:00pm in New WNC Books
"Perfect for Framing: An Appalachian Adventure Mystery
by Maggie Bishop (High Country Publishers trade paperback, Nov. 2008, 176 pages, $12)
Maggie Bishop's fourth novel brings back the popular heroes
of her third, Murder at Blue Falls: Jemma Chase and Detective Tucker. They run into some nasty politics involving the
Property Owners' Association in a subdivision near Boone. Bishop is deliciously sharp on occasion, but generally moves her
plot forward like a "Murder She Wrote" episode, gearing her interactions toward devising and solving a crime. Her plot is
tight. The book is short and fun. Her characters don't have quite enough free rein.
Mystery lovers will devour Bishop's new book like a chocolate lover savors fine chocolate. Reading it is like
solving the mystery along with the heroine and going to the majestic North Carolina Mountains for a vacation. -- J C Walkup, Smokey Mountain Living,
Author and naturalist
 A Visit to the Mountains, November 2, 2008 "Perfect for Framing" was a like a trip home to the mountains.
Maggie Bishop has created a dude ranch near Boone, North Carolina, and now I wish there really was one there! The
illustrations in the book add a surprisingly nice dimension to the story and an authentic look at the locale. [As a little
insider tidbit: the cover photo is a house Maggie knows well -- she and her husband lovingly built it, piece by piece. That's
what she does when she's not hiking the mountains or writing murder mysteries.] Maggie knows whereof she writes, and it shows.
Who wouldn't love a book that has folks who go to UFO meetings, vicious battles between property owners, romance,
and even Elvis [who is, incidentally, a real person ... but you need to either live in Boone or read the book to know him]?
Oh, and don't forget murder. It has all the good stuff!
Readers say ...
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Perfect for Framing, October 4, 2008
Maggie Bishop does it again! An excellent read with unforgettable characters and great
set-up. A perfect book for someone wanting to curl up and get comfortable. Her homespun voice brings the town of Boone, NC
to life and I felt like I was part of the small town while reading Perfect for Framing. A must read! |
Maggie, I met you at the Todd General Store a few weeks ago and purchased Emerald in
the Snow, Murder at Blue Falls and Perfect for Framing. The were absolutely wonderful!! I couldn’t put them down!! It
was neat reading books that were placed around many places I had been!! I loved Jemma & Tucker’s adventures in Murder
at Blue Falls and couldn’t wait to get to Perfect for Framing. Keep up the great writing!! Can hardly wait for an new
one to come out!!!!
Donna P Gibson, Mount Holly, NC
I recently finished you books. Enjoyed them very much. I read them in a week. It was a joy to meet you at the Valle Crucis
Country Fair on Oct 17th. Can't wait for more. I like Jemma.
I am going to be on the lookout for the Gros store on 194
next time we visit.
I have never skiied or visited a dude ranch. But your stories make them so tempting.
My husband
attended App State, we have visited Boone for 38 years. My daughter just graduated in May. It always feel like home when we
visit.
My son loves to play golf in the high country and every year they cut down their own Christmas Tree, Excp this
year the tree farm is not letting anyone cut their own this year. That just messes up the whole trip. Our favorite place to
eat is Woodlands BBQ on 321 at Blowing Rock. Its a habit of ours to come up some weekend without any plans just to eat BBQ.
Lynda Wi
A friend bought me three of your books
Saturday and I've already read one and have started the next one. I love to read but had never read your books and am so happy
to "discover" you! I live in Kingsport Tn so we are often in the Boone area on day trips. Your books are fun to read and I'm
captured at the beginning. My friend, Mary, saw you at Barnes & Noble and you were kind enough to autograph the books
to me. I am recuperating from surgery so the books are welcome new friends. I look forward to reading anything else by you
in the future!
Phoebe Overbay
I just wanted to email you and
tell you that I loved your new book!! I couldn't put Perfect for Framing down
and I couldn't figure out who the killer was. I can't wait until your next book!!!
Thanks for writing something that was great to read!!
I am so glad that I met my friend in Boone several years ago and that we went into the store that you were there signing
books. I bought two of your books and I went to your web site to keep up with your work. I love reading your books!!!
Thanks again for a great book!! -- Becky Pearson
Maggie... I was so excited to receive one of your first
copies of Perfect for Framing! I have enjoyed all of your books in this series and finished
it the same day I started it! Your mysteries are interesting and definitely end with a surprise each time! I love
reading your books also because I live in the Boone area you write about and recognize most of the locations and many of the
people you mention. I can't wait for your next book to see what Jemma and Tucker will uncover next! God bless...
Denise Amat, Boone, NC
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