The Pajama Frame

The Pajama Frame by Diane Vallere is the fifth tale in A Madison Night Mystery series. Madison Night has inherited a building from Alice Sweet that used to house Sweet Dreams Pajama Factory. The factory was abandoned sixty years ago after a pajama model died in rare equipment accident (or was it). Madison is unprepared for the people wanting to get inside the building and the mystery surrounding it. Madison decides to investigate the sixty-year-old case in the hopes of getting answers and putting the rumors to rest. After persuading Captain Tex Allen to unseal the building, they enter to find that someone has managed to get in before them. They find bullet casings, the body of John Sweet (Alice’s grandson) and a large supply of new vintage pajamas (Madison can wear a new pair every night). After leaving the factory, Madison goes by Stanley and Abbott where John worked only to discover Mr. Stanley dead in office chair. What is going on? Madison is determined to uncover the truth. Is there a connection between the old case and the current two deaths? Madison needs to expose the killer, or she could be the next victim.

The Pajama Frame is well-written and a nice, steady pace. Madison Night is a great main character. She is smart and strong willed. I love her vintage design aesthetic, fashion sense and her dog, Rocky (Shih Tzu). The author provides delightful and vivid descriptions of Madison’s clothing and mid-century furniture. Captain Tex Allen is the perfect counterpart for Madison. They work well together and have good chemistry. I am hoping they will have a closer relationship in future books (they are cute together). I do not like Donna Nast, and I keep hoping that Donna will become a murder victim in a future book. The mystery is multifaceted which I found appealing. I enjoy a complex mystery and it was clever how the author tied in the retro angle with the vintage pajamas. Unfortunately, I did find it easy to pick out the guilty party. There were some loose ends at the end of the book that I wish the author had cleared up (I would clarify but one is a spoiler). I am giving The Pajama Frame 4 out of 5 stars. The Pajama Frame can be read alone. Madison’s background is provided for new readers. This was my favorite book in A Madison Night Mystery series, and I am looking forward to finding out what trouble will befall Madison next time.

Madison Night is at it again in The Pajama Frame, author Diane Vallere's 5th entry in the Mad for Mod Mystery Series. Madison is a successful 49-year old interior decorator and businesswoman. She's settled in Dallas with her precious Shih Tzu, Rocky, friends, and volunteer work, and her temporarily long-distance relationship with boyfriend Hudson seems to be going smoothly, even if her life does seem to have come to somewhat of a standstill while everyone else moves forward. She's had a lot of stressful, dangerous experiences in her life, but is it time for her to move on, too? And, oh yeah, don't forget that Madison is just a bit quirky: she loves all things mid-century modern, and looks and dresses like Doris Day.

When The Pajama Frame opens, Madison has just inherited a pajama factory from her octogenarian swim club friend, Alice. Sweet Dreams closed decades ago after a tragic accident took the life of a young model. There have always been rumors that there was a cover up, and as soon as it becomes known that Madison has inherited the factory the story takes off. She's bombarded with requests and demands and surrounded by people who may be lying to her. You know she won't stop trying to find the truth, but how dangerous will it get for her and Rocky?

This is a fun series, and it gets better with every book. The titles remind me of all those great old Doris Day movies and the covers are marvelous. Madison's outfits and accessories are terrific, as are the descriptions of everything in her house and shop. She takes obsession to another level, and I love it. It really is a trip down memory lane. When Madison and Connie decorated her shop window I felt like I was with The Jetsons. Madison is quirky, but warm and funny and her character continues to grow. Things with Hudson seem good, but he's in Palm Springs and she's not. Newly-promoted Police Captain Tex Allen is back and investigating the murders. Is there a hint of something there with Tex? Could there be? Should there be? Mostly he annoys her with his womanizing ways, but what's really going on?

I enjoyed The Pajama Frame. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. The characters have depth and surprise you. Madison is a real woman with a real life and is much more than her quirky Doris-Day persona. Her dog Rocky is her biggest love, but there are a few clues to keep you guessing where her heart may end up. The mystery is satisfactorily resolved, but with enough what-if to make you ready for the next book. I highly recommend The Pajama Frame. I received an advance copy from the publisher Henery Press and the author via NetGalley.