Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Women Sleuths (Books),
THERE’S AN ART TO FASHION … AND TO MURDER
Don’t ever ask Pomona Afton about fashion. No, it’s
not because she’s ignorant on the subject. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, in
that, there is simply not enough time in the world for her to complete her
analysis of what distinguishes “fashion” from “putting on clothes”. But two
decades of cramming haute couture into suitcases destined for clubbing at
exotic resorts has taught her something more, It's a secret that hypothesizes
that if there is an art to fashion … then there is also one to murder.
Above is a snapshot of Pom Afton. She’s the main
character in this mystery entitled POMONA AFTON CAN TOTALLY CATCH A KILLER.
Written by Bellamy Rose, I gotta say this mystery/comedy charmer caught me
completely by surprise. The plotline unconventional and the writing
comprehensively witty, someone has died and it “falls” to our sparkly, sequined
heroine to find out who performed the well-appointed shove that sent the victim
flying off a balcony and slamming into the ground. Lucky for the deceased that
in the game of murder, it doesn’t matter that the target of the felony was a
villain of the most immodest proportions—the case still needs solving. And
that’s where Pom comes in.
Did I mention that this mystery is loaded with
atmosphere? Well, I am now. And because of it, there’s a very appealing 50’s
vibe going on throughout. It’s the tip off that the uniqueness of Pom’s
temperature always equates to “chill.” Likable, laughable and a great believer
in one-liners, Bellamy has infused her leading lady with a combination of
Dorothy Parker, Audrey Hepburn, Truman Capote (WHAT?), and Agatha Christie when
she went rogue for those eleven days. And right now Pom is playing bloodhound
and trying to solve her second homicide as easily as she solved the first, but
was it beginner’s luck?
Pom hopes not, but she still owes it to everyone
who attended the event to try. What event? A fundraiser. Why? Because the victim was murdered at that fundraiser—her fundraiser. It makes her responsible for the murder. And the
sooner she gets started, the faster she’ll find out if she can deliver in
solving this puzzle. She begins by wading through the sea of possibilities.
There are friends, acquaintances, and a pool of rich benefactors who were
called upon strictly because of their reputation for philanthropy. And as for
the victim being hated, there are more than a few possible suspects that would
fit that description as well. Thank you very much, please, but her mother came
to mind. In fact, Pom’s mother was more than capable of carrying out a murder,
but the question is whether she did off the victim and not could she.
There was also her brother Nicholas, and his steady girlfriend Jessica. And the
victim's wife, and Pom's friend Vienna … but, no … it couldn't be. They were
like two peas in a pod, but Pom had been fooled before. Then there was the
sister of a murderess. Did murderers run in families?
All-in-all this book is a sparkler … as is Pom. She’s the thread that holds all together and weaves an intricate web that our intrepid private detective/influencer is determined to figure out. Bellamy Rose does a great job fleshing Pom and the rest of the characters out, and an outstanding one on the coming up with this brain twizzler. It’s why I’m giving this book four stars and look forward to more in this series. Thank you both Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for giving me an ARC copy.
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