Grand Theft Retro: A Killer Fashion Mystery

Diane Vallere

Jan 2021 · The Samantha Kidd Mysteries Book 5 · Polyester Press

About this ebook

National bestselling author Diane Vallere lets the good times roll in this seventies-themed not-quite-cozy book five featuring the humorous antics of amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd! Grand Theft Retro is the fifth hilarious caper in the Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like over-the-top situations, birthday drama, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Diane Vallere’s seventies-inspired mystery.

Samantha Kidd is all about leaving the past behind. But sometimes the past won't let you go...

​With her thirty-mumble-birthday on the horizon, amateur sleuth and fashion expert Samantha Kidd is determined to get her life under control. Her steady job at Retrofit Magazine comes with a paycheck, medical benefits, a 401K, and an assignment to dive into seventies style. She's prepared to report on patchwork velvet and platform shoes, but she never expected to uncover the theft of a major collection of samples from the days before disco died.

When the guilty party threatens Samantha's family and friends, her priorities shift into protection mode. The investigation heats up faster than fondue over sterno, and all too soon Samantha learns that while the beat goes on, there's no guarantee she'll go on with it.

Can Samantha catch a criminal who's been living in plain sight, or will her fresh start turn into a dead end? 

Pick up Grand Theft Retro today!

Grand Theft Retro is a humorous mystery set in a fictional eastern Pennsylvania town. The series has a cozy mystery feel and features a determined and loyal amateur sleuth and a fresh-start storyline. Grand Theft Retro is the fifth book in the Samantha Kidd mystery series and appeals to fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

For readers who like: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Pennsylvania fiction, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, personal growth fiction, crime fiction, murder mysteries, mysteries set in Pennsylvania, fashionable mysteries, mystery with fashion, caper, caper mystery

What people are saying about the Samantha Kidd Mysteries:

"...the book is enriched by the author's cleverly phrased prose and convincing characterization. The surprise ending will satisfy and delight many mystery fans. A diverting mystery that offers laughs and chills." ~Kirkus Reviews

"an impressive cozy mystery from a promising author." ~Mystery Tribune

​"A really funny mystery with a chicklit feel." ~Susan M. Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Liz Talbot Mystery Series

"Designer Dirty Laundry shows that even the toughest crime is no match for a sleuth in fishnet stockings who knows her way around the designer department. A delightful debut." ~Kris Neri, Lefty Award-Nominated author of Revenge For Old Times' Sake

​"Combining fashion and fatalities, Diane Vallere pens a winning debut mystery...a sleek and stylish read." ~Ellen Byerrum, National Bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries

​"Vallere once again brings her knowledgeable fashion skills to the forefront, along with comedy, mystery, and a saucy romance. Buyer, Beware did not disappoint!" ~Chick Lit Plus

"Fashion is always at the forefront, but never at the cost of excellent writing, humorous dialogue, or a compelling story." ~Kings River Life

"A captivating new mystery voice, Vallere has stitched together haute couture and murder in a stylish mystery. Dirty Laundry has never been so engrossing!" ~Krista Davis, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diva Runs Out of Thyme

"In Designer Dirty Laundry , author Diane Vallere stitches together a seamless mystery. Samantha Kidd is a witty heroine that you will root for as she fashions a fresh stylish start in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania." ~Avery Aames, Agatha Award-Winning Author of The Long Quiche Goodbye

"Samantha Kidd an engaging amateur sleuth." -Mysterious Reviews

"It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I love the description of clothes in this book...if you love fashion, pick this up!" -Los Angeles Mamma Blog

"Diane Vallere takes the reader through this cozy mystery with her signature wit and humor." -Mary Marks, NY Journal of Books

"Maybe your handbag holds only a phone and a wallet, but if you're Samantha Kidd, from Diane Vallere's Style & Error series, there may be something deadlier in the bag.​"~Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of Murder at the Mansion

Previously published under the series title "Style & Error" and "Style in a Small Town" mysteries.

Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva

 

National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.

 

Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space.

 

Drop in on Diane!

Website: www.dianevallere.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevallere

 

ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DIANE:

 

Samantha Kidd Mysteries (funny, fashion-y mysteries with many mentions of pretzels)

Designer Dirty Laundry

Buyer, Beware

The Brim Reaper

Some Like It Haute

Grand Theft Retro

Pearls Gone Wild

Cement Stilettos

Panty Raid

Union Jacked

Slay Ride

Tough Luxe

Fahrenheit 501

 

Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries (cozy/traditional mysteries winking at Doris Day movies)

Midnight Ice (Prequel)

Pillow Stalk

That Touch of Ink

With Vics you get Eggroll

The Decorator Who Knew Too Much

The Pajama Frame

Lover Come Hack

Apprehend Me No Flowers

Teacher's Threat

The Kill of it All

 

Material Witness Mysteries (cozy)

Suede to Rest

Crushed Velvet

Silk Stalkings

 

Costume Shop Mysteries (cozy)

A Disguise to Die For

Masking for Trouble

Dressed to Confess

 

Mermaid Sister Mysteries (cozy mysteries in the ocean)

Tails from the Deep

Murky Waters

Sleeping with the Fishes

 

Non-fiction

Bonbons for your Brain

 

Ratings and reviews

Near-Death Experiences Can Be Eye-Opening This book is the fifth in a series that really should be read in order. In this episode, our intrepid fashionista learns more about herself than she thought possible. This story has so many moving pieces that the reader really needs to stay on their toes. For most of the book, it seems like there are no safe plays to hide, even if our heroine wanted to do so. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to jump into the next one.

About the author

National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes smart, funny, and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.