Teacher's Threat: A Madison Night Cozy Mystery

Diane Vallere

Jun 2021 · A Madison Night Mystery Book 8 · Polyester Press

About this ebook

National bestselling author Diane Vallere takes decorator Madison Night back to school in this fun-filled mystery with a unique, over-50 amateur sleuth!

A professor murdered during office hours. A decorator enrolled in his course. Can she outsmart the killer who designed the perfect crime?

Madison Night just learned that business isn’t sexy. She modeled her decorating career on a Doris Day movie, but after losing her company in a legal battle, the local banks are unimpressed with her unique sales angle. Determined to get her MBA, she attends night school – until her professor is found dead after an intensely-heated lecture. Now the only degree she can think about is murder in the first.

While the college recovers, Madison’s last hope for a loan is denied. The dean resumes the coursework himself, and Madison can’t help wondering if the curriculum holds the clues to the murder. Continuing her education is not without risk; pursuing her MBA may leave her DOA.

Can Madison’s sleuthing make the grade or will failure be a fatal lesson?

Teacher's Threat is the eighth captivating mystery in the Madison Night series. If you like smart protagonists, classroom controversies, and Cabot Cove syndrome, you’ll love Diane Vallere’s enjoyable book.

Keywords: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Dallas, Texas, vintage, Doris Day, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, mysteries set in Texas, funny cozy mysteries, humorous cozy mysteries, traditional mystery, designer mystery, cozy hobby mystery, animal mystery, dog, determined sleuth, female sleuth, women sleuth, fearless sleuth, crime, crime fiction, murder mystery, amateur detective, sleuthing in style, stylish sleuthing, suspense, thriller, over-50

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

Love Me or Grieve Me (Oct 2022)

"Make room for Vallere's tremendously fun homage. Imbuing her story with plenty of mid-century modern decorating and fashion tips, not to mention a steady patter of Doris Day trivia, Vallere debuts a well-paced cozy series. Her disarmingly honest lead and two hunky sidekicks will appeal to all fashionistas and antiques types and have romance crossover appeal." - Library Journal

"If you are looking for an unconventional mystery with a snarky, no-nonsense main character, this is it. Madison is a strong leading lady who lands in lots of quirky situations. Instead of clashing, humor and danger meld perfectly, and there's a cliffhanger that will make your jaw drop. You'll look forward to the second Madison Night mystery." - RT Book Reviews

"A charming modern tribute to Doris Day movies and the retro era of the 50s, including murders, escalating danger, romance... and a puppy!" - Linda O. Johnston, Author of the Pet Rescue Mysteries

"It was fast and furious, had a lot of info, characters, suspects, and even a few tangled romances. I love mysteries where I can't figure out who the real killer is until the end, and this was one of those. The novel was well-written, moved at a smooth pace, and Madison's character was a riot." - ChickLit Plus

"This was a delightful read for me. I particularly enjoy and like Doris Day and was so surprised that Pillow Talk was mentioned in the book along with Doris Day. It's nice having a cute, cozy mystery to read, I look forward to more in the series!" -Bookreporter.com

"If you love the Technicolor movies of Doris Day and Rock Hudson and watch Mad Men for fashion tips, author Diane Vallere has written a mystery that will appeal to the mid-century modern heart." - ReaderToReader.com

"An intricately plotted and well-written book, I really enjoyed the story. I can't imagine decorating a house in the style from Doris Day's movies but it makes fine reading." - Fresh Fiction

Ratings and reviews

Teacher’s Threat by Diane Vallere, book eight in her humorous Madison Night Mystery series, is another “grab you on page one and not let go until the end” whodunit. Amateur sleuth and interior decorator Madison Night has hit a wall; her business is on indefinite hold because she lost her lawsuit and has no inventory. She has hit all the banks trying to obtain a loan to re-launch her career but has been turned down by each and everyone; none impressed with her unique sales angle. At the suggestion of one of the banks, Madison decides to get her MBA to prove she knows what she’s doing. Attending classes isn’t the problem, discovering her professor murdered sets her on a different course. Madison is strong-minded, determined and follows the clues, to find the killer. Could it be the controversial curriculum he was using? Could it be one of the coeds? Could it be …? Hopefully, Madison can continue her education, get her MBA, solve the crime, and not get murdered. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. The story line was riveting, edgy and kept my attention to the very end. Ms. Vallere does an excellent job keeping her readers on their toes as they read her stories. She had lots of red herrings causing me to wrongly guess the killer was and boy was I surprised when I found out. I highly recommend Teacher’s Threat to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Everyone is Acting Out! This book is the best of the series, but I say that each time I read a new release. Most of the action happens at business college. But there is more happening here than wanting to 'Bring Home a Diploma for Mama'. There are many suspects, several motives, and scams. And then there is Madison's business issues and her surprising solution. Ahhh, what a fine book to savor.

About the author

After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. She is a national bestselling author and a past president of Sisters in Crime. She started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.