This is not a talent that Mad enjoys, but finds it comes in handy more often then she would like.  One morning, a delivery truck brings her a gown she designed for Broadway star Dominique DeLong.  After Mad designed the dress she and Dominique became quite close, so close that now that Dominique has died Mad learns she is to be the executrix of her estate.   She and best friend Eve, and hunky FBI agent Nick, travel to Manhattan where Mad helps Dom’s son Kyle make final arrangements for the star, and where Kyle hopes Mad will be able to help solve the mystery surrounding Dominique’s death. 

Dominique collapsed on stage during the last act of a play called Diamond Sands, in which Mad wore real diamonds that have now disappeared.  The gang learns that Dom died from anaphylactic shock brought on by peanuts.  By wearing some of Dom’s clothes, Mad is able to learn that someone put peanuts in Dom’s body glue, but how she is going to uncover who had the most to gain from Dom’s death is another story:  Ursula her understudy, Pierpont or his father who owned the theater where Diamond Sands was produced, even Dom’s ex-husband doesn’t escape suspicion. 

Nick is able to stay on top of things as the missing diamonds become an FBI investigation, but when Mystik Falls detective Werner shows up in Manhattan, Mad knows she is in serious trouble if she has two law-enforcement agents watching over her!  

While the plot of Death by Diamonds is not a strong as the first two in the series, there are several scenes that are very touching, including Dom’s wake and the funeral lead by a Wiccan during which Mad joins her Aunt Fiona in the circle with her father’s  blessing.  Nick and Mad’s relationship is on again, hot again and off again, and Mad is very stubborn about some points that may seem a little much to some readers. 

Mad and Werner have know each other since grammar school, and an evening spent together after Mad accidentally tasers him brings up the possibility that Nick may not be the only man for Mad.  There are many suspects to choose from and when all is said and done, none of their motives is particularly convincing, though there is one bittersweet surprise for Kyle that may also surprise many readers.  Plenty of vintage clothing lore, including Coco Chanel’s iconic little black dress, add to the glamour of the great white way.                                                   

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry