If the Haunting Fits, Wear It

May 1, 2017
Haunted by three ghosts, a young woman searches for a jockey's murderer at the Kentucky Derby.It's Vintage Y'All will have to go a few days without its proprietor, since fashionista and vintage aficionado Cookie Chanel has planned a trip away to provide hats for a high-class patron at the Kentucky Derby. Before she's able to leave town, however, Cookie is joined by the astral presence of Maureen Weber, a well-dressed ghost who wants Cookie's help in solving her murder. Cookie wishes she were more surprised by the ghostly presence, but she's been haunted so long by her familiar, Charlotte Meadows, that she takes it in stride when Maureen joins them. In addition to taking two ghosts and vintage duds on the trip, Cookie is joined by her cat, Wind Song, who, continuing the supernatural theme, embodies the Ouija-reading spirit of Cookie's deceased Grandma Pearl. Once Cookie and her ghostly gaggle arrive in town for the Derby, the group discovers the corpse of jockey Ramon Gooden, whose ghost implores Cookie to solve his murder. With both Ramon and Maureen's mysteries to investigate, Cookie has a full plate, but she's able to sneak in time with her beau, Dylan, who came all the way to Louisville to make sure Cookie stays safe. Since Pressey (Haunted Is Always in Fashion, 2016, etc.) isn't especially witty or persuasive in presenting a heroine and situation she seems to find charming, the main payoff of her extravagant premise is confusion.

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June 1, 2017

It's Kentucky Derby Week, and boutique owner Cookie Chanel has been invited to provide vintage hats and clothing advice to race horse owner Danielle Elston. Cookie heads to Louisville, accompanied by her psychic cat (actually her Grandma Pearl, who slipped into a feline body during a seance). At the charity luncheon, she finds the dead body of the jockey who was to ride Danielle's horse. Now, at the urging of the jockey's ghost, Cookie must investigate the horse-racing community to find a killer. VERDICT After Haunted Is Always in Fashion, Pressey's fifth amusing paranormal cozy is filled with quirky characters and fashion, along with a few ghosts. Fans of Juliet Blackwell's "Witchcraft" mysteries may enjoy the vintage clothing references. Suggest also for fans of Tonya Kappes.--LH

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