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Paula Darnell
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Death by Association: A DIY Diva Mystery Kindle Edition

by Paula Darnell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 232 ratings

From an award-winning author, this cozy mystery will "keep you guessing until the end." (Amazon reviewer)

In Death by Association, DIY Diva Laurel McMillan learns that the high walls and guarded gates of Hawkeye Haven can't protect her community. When Laurel takes her pampered chocolate Labrador retriever, Bear, for an early morning walk, she finds her friend, security guard Bessie, bleeding and unconscious at her guardhouse post. If the attack on Bessie isn't enough to set the residents' nerves on edge, the murder of Victor Eberhart, the unpopular president of the powerful homeowners' association, certainly does the trick. Despite teaching DIY classes and writing project instructions for her latest book, DIY for Dog Lovers, Laurel manages to squeeze in time for some DIY detective work. But as she gets closer to the truth, Victor's killer would like nothing better than for the DIY Diva to take a dive.

Includes recipes for dog treats and project instructions for a reversible, two-tone, fringed dog scarf and a no-sew foam bed for pampered pooches.

The DIY Diva Mystery Series includes

  • Death by Association (Book 1)

  • Death by Design (Book 2)

  • Death by Proxy (Book 3)

Author Paula Darnell is the winner of two book awards in 2020: second for Death by Association in the at-large communications contest for a novel, more than 40,000 words, from the National Federation of Press Women and second place for a published fiction book in the Public Safety Writers Association Writing Competition, awarded July 12, 2020, for her historical mystery, The Six-Week Solution.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    DIY Diva Mystery
  2. Print length
    273 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 7, 2019
  6. File size
    2.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fun and interesting characters, an original setting in a gated community (Oh, the trials of an HOA), Bear the dog, and great writing all make DEATH BY ASSOCIATION a story worth reading, and a great debut for Darnell." -Lisa K's Book Reviews

"Death by Association by Paula Darnell is a different cozy, and it's excellent." -Baroness' Book Trove

"I loved the small town vibe of the gated community and our Protagonist Laurel is a great addition to the Cozy Family -A Wytch's Book Review Blog

"A refreshing read. A great cover that is attractive and beckons the reader to purchase and turn those pages! I enjoyed Death by Association." -My Reading Journeys

"The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and pulled me into the community from the very beginning." -MJB Reviewers

Author Paula Darnell won a second place award for Death by Association in the at-large novel writing category from the National Federation of Press Women in 2020. "This is a huge accomplishment." ~NFPW contest director Teri Ehresman

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MQ73LJQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cozy Cat Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 7, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 273 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ DIY Diva Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 232 ratings

About the author

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Paula Darnell

Paula Darnell

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An instructor at five colleges over the years, Paula Darnell most often taught the dreaded first-year English composition classes, but she's also been happy to teach some fun classes, such as fashion design, sewing, and jewelry making. Paula has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and a Master's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Like Laurel, the main character in Death by Association, Paula enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts. Some of her memorable projects include making a hat and a cape to wear to Royal Ascot, sewing wedding gowns for both her daughters, exhibiting her textile and mixed-media artwork in juried art shows, and having one of her jewelry projects accepted for inclusion in Leather Jewelry, published by Lark Books. She sells some of her jewelry and hair accessories in her Etsy shop.

Paula's interest in DIY craft projects and fashion led to her writing hundreds of articles for print and online national publications.

She is the author of the cozy mystery series, DIY Diva Mysteries, and a historical mystery, The Six-Week Solution. Her new cozy mystery series, Fine Art Mysteries, is in the works for 2021.

Paula lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Gary and their 110-pound dog Rocky, whose favorite pastime is lurking in the kitchen, hoping for a handout.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
232 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book to be a very enjoyable read with intriguing characters. They appreciate the mystery content, with one customer highlighting the compelling crimes and another noting the splendid sleuthing by the DIY Diva.

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Mystery contentCharacter developmentEnjoyment
7 customers mention "Mystery content"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery content of the book, with one review highlighting the compelling crimes and another praising the splendid sleuthing by the DIY Diva.

"...This book has great characterization, a community of characters you enjoy, and involvement in the main characters lifestyle...." Read more

"...She ends up helping to solve a murder. Typical, cute, murder mystery story." Read more

"...characters who could be your friends and a great mystery with interesting suspects, twists and turns that I couldn't put down because I had to know..." Read more

"...much, the title ends up being very appropriate for the plot, and very clever as well. There are some recipes for pups...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, finding them intriguing.

"Likable main character with talents, How Home owner associations can get out out hand and put stress on the residents" Read more

"...This book has great characterization, a community of characters you enjoy, and involvement in the main characters lifestyle...." Read more

"A fantastic debut to the DIY Diva Mysteries with smartly written characters who could be your friends and a great mystery with interesting suspects,..." Read more

"This book is a must read--it has quirky characters and an adorable, large dog...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable to read.

"...I highly recommend this as an enjoyable read. I have heard that there is a sequel coming up next summer too...." Read more

"...Was easy to follow the story line. Some tense moments, but a very enjoyable read. On to the next Diva story" Read more

"Delightful Read!..." Read more

If you like Joanne Carl and Kate Collins you will love this new DIY Diva Cozy Mystery!
5 out of 5 stars
If you like Joanne Carl and Kate Collins you will love this new DIY Diva Cozy Mystery!
Set in a gated community in Central City Ohio named Hawkeye Haven. The main character, Laurel McMillan, teaches jewelry classes at the Association and is a writer of DIY books. She is a bright, intuitive, and successful woman. While walking her Labrador, Bear, she stumbles on a friend who is knocked unconscious and is soon involved in solving a murder in her own community. There are a few twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. This book has great characterization, a community of characters you enjoy, and involvement in the main characters lifestyle. If you are also a dog lover, you will relate to Laurel's devotion to her dog. The author gives you some great recipes for dog biscuits, like pumpkin, and peanut butter at the end of the book. I highly recommend this as an enjoyable read. I have heard that there is a sequel coming up next summer too. Great gift for the reader in your family. I have been reading cozy mysteries for years and welcome this new addition to the family of cozy mysteries. Katherine Black
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Top reviews from the United States

  • B. Foerst
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun new mystery series
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Hawkeye Haven is a gated golf course community. Lauren has moved her to join her cousin and escape from Seattle where her husband was killed in a car accident. Lauren is a DIY Diva, writing books and teaching classes. While walking her dog past the back entry, she discovers the guard has been attacked. Lauren is puzzled as to why. She knows the new head of the HOA is not popular and the professional manager seems to be a disaster, but how would this tie to the guard? As the days go by, Victor the HOA head is found shot by his front door. As Lauren tries to piece this puzzle together, she has become friends with one of the investigating police. Although they have begun to date, he doesn’t share any details with Lauren.
    This was a great series starter and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to more.
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  • Jhari
    4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of suspects
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Likable main character with talents, How Home owner associations can get out out hand and put stress on the residents
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Katherine E. Black
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Joanne Carl and Kate Collins you will love this new DIY Diva Cozy Mystery!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Set in a gated community in Central City Ohio named Hawkeye Haven. The main character, Laurel McMillan, teaches jewelry classes at the Association and is a writer of DIY books. She is a bright, intuitive, and successful woman. While walking her Labrador, Bear, she stumbles on a friend who is knocked unconscious and is soon involved in solving a murder in her own community. There are a few twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. This book has great characterization, a community of characters you enjoy, and involvement in the main characters lifestyle. If you are also a dog lover, you will relate to Laurel's devotion to her dog. The author gives you some great recipes for dog biscuits, like pumpkin, and peanut butter at the end of the book. I highly recommend this as an enjoyable read. I have heard that there is a sequel coming up next summer too. Great gift for the reader in your family. I have been reading cozy mysteries for years and welcome this new addition to the family of cozy mysteries. Katherine Black
    Customer image
    Katherine E. Black
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    If you like Joanne Carl and Kate Collins you will love this new DIY Diva Cozy Mystery!

    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
    Set in a gated community in Central City Ohio named Hawkeye Haven. The main character, Laurel McMillan, teaches jewelry classes at the Association and is a writer of DIY books. She is a bright, intuitive, and successful woman. While walking her Labrador, Bear, she stumbles on a friend who is knocked unconscious and is soon involved in solving a murder in her own community. There are a few twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. This book has great characterization, a community of characters you enjoy, and involvement in the main characters lifestyle. If you are also a dog lover, you will relate to Laurel's devotion to her dog. The author gives you some great recipes for dog biscuits, like pumpkin, and peanut butter at the end of the book. I highly recommend this as an enjoyable read. I have heard that there is a sequel coming up next summer too. Great gift for the reader in your family. I have been reading cozy mysteries for years and welcome this new addition to the family of cozy mysteries. Katherine Black
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    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Jessica H
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cute murder mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The main character is a crafter with a dog, who faces a lot of danger for living in a quiet little neighborhood. She ends up helping to solve a murder. Typical, cute, murder mystery story.
    Helpful
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  • Heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic debut to DIY Diva Mystery series
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A fantastic debut to the DIY Diva Mysteries with smartly written characters who could be your friends and a great mystery with interesting suspects, twists and turns that I couldn't put down because I had to know how it was going to end!! I really like DIY Diva Laurel McMillan who becomes a DIY detective when the unpopular president of the powerful homeowners association of Hawkeye Haven is murdered. I can't wait to read more about Laurel, her lab Bear, her friends and residents of Center City, Iowa. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • jesszco
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and creative to read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019
    Format: Paperback
    Death by Association is a story of Laurel McMillan, who is deemed the DIY Diva and her trying to continue her life after the death of her husband.
    One day she is walking her dog around her gated community and finds one of the guards knocked unconscious and her gun missing. What ensues afterwards is her trying to figure out whodunnit as more mysterious events happens in her community.

    One of the first things that drew me in was the description of Laurel: she is called DIY Diva and has already made a pretty good career of writing a DIY book. As someone who loves to watch DIY videos, I knew I had to read this and it did not disappoint.

    I enjoyed reading Laurel and her interactions with the other characters and I am always a sucker for a cozy mystery with a pet.

    I was entertained the whole time while reading. I had my suspects on who was the culprit but there were times where I had to stop and rethink what I thought was true. In the end, the person who did it was someone that I had suspected but I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that they did it.

    This was the debut novel of Paula Darnell and I really enjoyed it. There were some parts that I didn’t like as much, like all the HOA mentions, but that’s just me trying to avoid any and all topics on adulthood. I would definitely pick up another book by Darnell in the future.

    I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
    One person found this helpful
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  • dogandbooklover
    5.0 out of 5 stars First book that I have read by this author. It won't be the last.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story kept my interest, no dull dragging parts. Was easy to follow the story line. Some tense moments, but a very enjoyable read. On to the next Diva story
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  • Blue Valentine
    5.0 out of 5 stars I hope they turn this into a movie
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is a must read--it has quirky characters and an adorable, large dog. Without giving away too much, the title ends up being very appropriate for the plot, and very clever as well. There are some recipes for pups. I made the pumpkin snacks and my own dogs loved them (I substituted applesauce for the eggs and my dogs were pleased). I hope they turn this into a movie I can watch on Lifetime or Hallmark.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • From a Mum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever written, good content
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wonderful written, only thing was the HMO strict rules, even stressed me out in the book, and I was thinking, how can people live in such an area? To much on rules and costs of maintenance.
    Report
  • Mrs. Mb Coleman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy riveting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    As usual the DIY Diva wasn't going to get involved investigating a murder, I'm not going to say much more and spoil the read, but I found it gripping, couldn't wait to find out who did it, and Bear you sounded delightful
    Report

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