Gretchen’s woo-woo aunt Nina predicts dire circumstances upcoming for Gretchen, who promptly ignores her aunt’s warnings, even when strange things begin to happen. While on a date with Detective Matt Albright (who is doll-phobic) Matt is called to a murder scene in a cemetery and brings Gretchen along, instructing her to stay in the car until her mother arrives to take her home. 

Of course Gretchen has to take a peak at the crime scene and sees the words “Die, Dolly, Die” written on a tombstone in red lipstick. There is also part of a fantasy doll at the crime scene, one Caroline recognizes as belonging to designer Allison Thomasia, who she also identifies as the dead woman. 

Wanting to mind her own business, Gretchen tries to stay out of the investigation, but when she learns that Allison was distantly related to the original owner of the donated house, John Swilling, and finds a decapitated pile of bones in the house, she thinks that there is a connection. A near fatal car accident involving Caroline makes this personal for Gretchen, whose homeless friends have also been held as witnesses. She is off and running once again, looking before she leaps, hoping before she falls that the pieces will fall into place.  

Ding Dong Dead starts off at a pleasant pace, with a bit of details about the history of dolls and the doll market, though not too much to lose the interest of readers who are not doll aficionados. But when the investigation begins to pick up steam, the plot becomes very involved and very interesting. Even for careful readers there will be several “ah-ha” moments as the shapes start to reveal themselves and slip into place. Each character in this story is important, none are wasted, and figuring out how each fits in will intrigue readers. 

Gretchen has grown into a very enjoyable character over the course of this series, though longtime followers may grow impatient with the relationship with Detective Albright that can never quite get off the ground. A carefully plotted mystery with some great twists and enjoyable characters, this edition to the “Dolls to Die For” mystery series is sure to win some new fans.                                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry