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An Interview with Claudia from Pleats & Poison by Lucinda Race
Today I’m welcoming a very special guest to the page Claudia Grant, dress designer, boutique owner, reluctant sleuth, and ghost whisperer (sort of). You’ll find her in Pleats & Poison, the third book in the charming and mysterious Dress Designer Cozy Mystery series by Lucinda Race.
She’s got a killer sense of fashion, a knack for getting tangled in murder cases, and one very spirited sidekick who just happens to be… well, a spirit.
Let’s see what Claudia has to say about pleats, poison, and surviving Thanksgiving with both family and a ghost in the room.
Hi Claudia, Welcome to Salty Inspirations.
For readers who haven’t met you yet, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m twenty-eight and I planned on moving to Drakes Bay to be mentored by my uncle, Herman Grant, a successful wedding dress designer. Sadly, he died before I moved. Now, I’m running his dress shop and learning how to be a small business owner. I love to browse in second-hand shops looking for vintage clothes I can upcycle into a new outfit.
You didn’t exactly sign up to be an amateur sleuth, so what pulled you into the mystery?
No, becoming a sleuth wasn’t on my to-do list. However, when I discovered Uncle Herman didn’t die of natural causes and the man I thought was responsible wanted to meet with me, I went. He was dead from a gunshot, and guess who was discovered by the police standing over the body holding the gun? Me. The local police department thought it was an open-and-shut case. What was I to do? Solve the murder and keep myself out of jail.
There’s a ghost in your life? How do you feel about that? Helpful, haunting, or just plain nosy?
At first discovering I could not only see my Uncle Herman’s ghost but talk to him I discovered he was a wealth of knowledge not just about dresses but everyone in town. He’s super helpful in many ways and a bit of a pushy matchmaker too. I guess he’s hoping I’ll be designing my wedding dress soon.
Is your ghost friend here with us today?
Uncle Herman never leaves the dress shop.
“What’s that?” she smiles at me, “Uncle Herman wants me to say he’s glad you stopped by today.”
You hosted Thanksgiving for seven people and one ghost. How’d that go?
I was thrilled that my mom and grandmother came to spend the holiday with me, and, shocker, my grandmother can talk to ghosts too. Dinner went off without a hitch in was later that night that murder was put into motion.
If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you?
That’s a tough question to answer. Maybe Amanda Seyfried, she seems really nice and very talented.
Have you ever stitched a secret into a dress or used your shop as a hideout?
Not yet, but I haven’t lived in Drakes Bay that long. It could happen.
Were there any moments you were really in over your head or had to rely on a friend or your ghostly companion to get through?
My new bestie, Beth Stewart, and I bonded the instant we met. Without her help, navigating small-town life, I’d be way over my head. I’m a city girl. Also, I’d be remiss to say I could successfully run Grants Gowns without Uncle Herman teaching me the ropes, even as a ghost; he’s a great designer and businessman.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Claudia!
Pleats & Poison: A Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery Series)
by Lucinda Race
About Pleats & Poison
Pleats & Poison: A Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Coastal Town of Drakes Bay
Publisher : MC Two Press
Publication date : August 6, 2025
Digital
Print length : 222 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1966424376
ASIN : B0FBX7PJKS
Enjoy this humorous, small-town, psychic, cozy mystery by best-selling and award-winning Lucinda Race. A fashion-savvy psychic, one haunted Thanksgiving, and a pleated skirt that’s dressed to kill. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for seven guests—and one ghost—is all in a day’s work for Claudia Grant. Between whipping up her famous mac and cheese and debuting her boutique’s latest fall fashion, Claudia’s ready to impress her visiting mom and stylish grandmother. Her cozy coastal town of Drakes Bay is the perfect backdrop for family, food, and fresh starts—especially when Gram falls in love with a pleated skirt and sweater ensemble from Claudia’s shop. But when a spilled glass of orange juice leads to a shocking discovery—a guest at the neighboring Whistlers Inn is found dead, and the very same pleated skirt wrapped around her neck—Claudia’s holiday cheer unravels fast. Now, with her best friend Beth and a ghostly sidekick in tow, Claudia must piece together a tangled mystery before the killer skips town… and before the secrets hidden in the folds come back to haunt them all. She’d rather be sewing hemlines than following clues—but if Claudia can’t stitch together the truth in time, someone else might be the next to check out… permanently. Pleats & Poison is the third book in the A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery series from award-winning author Lucinda Race. Cozy up, settle in, and prepare to be haunted… in the best possible way!
About Lucinda Race
Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl. While her childhood friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, Lucinda was already dreaming of crafting captivating novels filled with heart, hope, and happily ever afters.
Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.
Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.
Social Media Links- Twitter https://twitter.com/LucindaRace
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- Goodreads – Lucinda Race https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10174985.Lucinda_Race
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- Bookbub Lucinda Race https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lucinda-race
- Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Lucinda-Race/e/B00Q0MMNUM
- Lucinda’s Heart Racers Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/118597305361578
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucinda-race-947099140/
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
- August 26 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
- August 26 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
- August 27 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
- August 27 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
- August 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
- August 28 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
- August 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
- August 29 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
- August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
- August 31 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
- September 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
- September 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
- September 2 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
- September 3 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- September 3 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
- September 4 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
- September 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
- September 6 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
- September 7 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- September 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
- September 8 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
- September 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
I closed the oven after basting the turkey hoping it would be flavorful and juicy. Like my one hit wonder, macaroni and cheese, this was the best holiday dinner I could prepare, and I wanted my grandma to be impressed. Mom was less concerned about what we ate than about being together. It needed to be a win in everyone’s eyes.
“Claudia, what kind of car does your mother drive?” Herman asked.
I closed the oven door. “A black sedan.”
“One’s pulled up in front of the store.”
I slipped on a jacket, burst out the door, and raced down the back steps. It had been ten months since I had seen my family in person, and it wasn’t until this exact moment that I realized how much I missed them.
Running with my arms wide, I cried, “Mom. Gram.”
They enveloped me in a hug and held me tight.
“Claudia, it’s so good to see you,” Mom said.
“I’m thrilled you’re here.” I pecked Grandma’s cheek. “Both of you.”
She brushed my hair back behind my ear. “Your hair’s gotten so long. You didn’t have time for a trim? And this pink streak? It’s very noticeable in your blond hair.”
“Oh, Grandma. I’m growing it longer, and I like it. The pink is to support breast cancer awareness month.”
“I like it.” Mom said, “It suits you.” She looked over the building from the sidewalk to the roofline. “This is your everything? Home, work, social life?”
“It is, and I can’t wait to show you every square inch. Uncle Herman created a lovely store, a comfortable home, and a few surprises, too.”
I picked up their tote bags, slung one over each shoulder, and said, “Follow me.”
“You mentioned you have friends joining us for dinner?” Mom gasped as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “Is that the ocean?”
Grandma rushed to the edge of my parking area. “Herman said it was a nice view, but I had no idea.”
“Gram, why didn’t you ever come and visit him? He had a spare room.”
Her smile slipped. “Herman insisted he come to us for family get-togethers, and when it wasn’t a holiday, he was busy working. Your grandfather and I never wanted to intrude. But seeing this stunning view, I wish we had.”
“Wait until you see it from the deck. At the end of a busy day, I sit and watch the water, and on occasion have drinks and dinner with friends.” I gave them a few minutes to soak it all in before saying, “We should get upstairs. We can have tea before everyone arrives.”
“Can we have tea on the deck? I can’t stop looking at the ocean,” Mom said.
“Yes. I kept the chairs out—at least until the first snow flies, which can be any day now according to Beth.”
Their boots clomped as we climbed the stairs. Mom and Gram couldn’t tear their eyes away from the Atlantic. Who knew they’d find it so captivating? I eased the door open, and Lola was sitting in the hall. She meowed in greeting, and Herman rested on the small bench.
“Is this Herman’s cat?” Mom asked as she knelt to run her hand along the length of the feline’s soft fur.
“Yes. Isn’t she beautiful? And she’s been a wonderful companion.” I dropped the tote bags on the floor. “I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Honey,” Mom said, “We think it best to check into the inn tomorrow. It’s right next door which is super convenient, and we’ve already made our reservations.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ve got it all worked out. Grandma has my room, and you have the spare room.”
“Hey, that’s my room.” Herman zipped away. I didn’t get the opportunity to remind him that he didn’t sleep in a bed, and he never minded when Beth stayed over, especially when I first moved to town and was suspected of killing a local man.
“For one night.” Gram patted my cheek. “Trust me, it will be better for us all. I snore like a freight train and your mom is a light sleeper.”
Instead of arguing with them, I asked, “How about a tour of the apartment?” I linked arms with them and guided them into the main living space. “To the right is the kitchen, and that door leads to the shop, so I don’t have to go outside to commute to work. Life is so much easier than when I lived in New York City. This is a breeze.”
“Honey, the table’s beautiful. Did your uncle have this dinnerware?”
“Mom, I bought the set from this sweet shop in town, Twice Loved. You’ll meet Fiona today. She also found a rug for my bedroom and a few other odds and ends. You and Gram must check it out while you’re here, as well as Knit or Purl. Beth has the best yarns.”
“The flowers are pretty, Claudia.”
“Thanks, Gram.” Unsure why I didn’t say that Eddie brought them earlier, I said, “Time to wrap up the tour with the bedrooms. My room is on the left.” Lola slipped in the door first and hopped onto the bed, looking like the queen of Drakes Bay.
“Oh, my.” Mom hurried to the expanse of windows with the ocean view. “You wake up to this every day?”
“I do. Herman had Fiona help him decorate the space.”
Gram did a slow three-sixty turn. “It’s perfect. You know, he called and asked what your favorite colors were, but I had no idea this would be the result.”
Herman drifted into the room. “Erma looks the same.”
“Dana, look. There’s a connecting door to the bathroom. Very handy.”
Mom opened the closet doors. “I’d die for a closet like this.” She joined my grandmother in the bathroom.
“You can see why I’m comfortable here. I couldn’t have designed this space any better.”
“Is Herman’s room this nice?” Mom asked.
I shook my head. “It has a view of Cade and Main Streets, and it’s the smaller of the two rooms. Ethan said it was because he liked the street noise. After moving from the city, the town was a little quiet for him.”
They checked out his room, and Mom said, “The entire apartment is charming. Can we see the store next?”
Excited to show them the rest of the place, I grinned. “Don’t let Lola follow us. I like to keep her out of the shop in case she decides a garment I’m working on makes for a cozy place to nap.”
“I can see where cat hair, no matter how soft, wouldn’t be a bonus to a customer.” Grandma patted the kitty’s head and winked at Herman’s ghost. “If Herman were standing in front of me, I’d give him a huge hug and thank him for creating a wonderful home for you.”
Herman gave her a courtly bow. “It’s nice to see you, Erma.”
I gave Mom a side glance, but she didn’t acknowledge him.
What the heck? My grandmother can see ghosts, too?
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Thanks so much for stopping by to spend a little time with Claudia and her world of fashion, family, and a dash of the supernatural. If you love small-town charm mixed with mystery, don’t forget to take a stroll around the blog for more cozy whodunits or, better yet, join my newsletter for sneak peeks, giveaways, and brand-new mysteries delivered straight to your inbox.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!
