Author Joanna Campbell Slan is not only a scrapbooking expert, she is an expert at writing about "scrapping" and a true master at crafting an excellent mystery series.  cut, crop & die is the second book in the Kiki Lowenstein series, and while it is a great read on it's own, it is even better if you have read the first book, Paper, Scissors, Death.

Kiki is a widow and is raising her nearly teenage daughter with a little help from her mother-in-law and from her friends.  The almost-teen angst and hormones are raging, and that's enough to make any parent a bit crazy; but adding to Kiki's problems are her own hormonal interest in a certain police detective, the murder of an award-winning scrapbook expert at a cropping party, and the unusual mournful attitude of her employer.  Not to mention a dog she is taking care of who freaks right out of his fur at the sight of Elmo on Sesame Street!

Featuring scrapbook ideas and techniques between chapters, this book is like a two-for-the-price-of-one: a great mystery, and a how-to book all in one.  I really enjoyed the tips and suggestions and wanted to get my scrapbook equipment out, but I wanted to read the book even more because I didn't want to put it down until Kiki solved the case.

This is a great summer read for the beach, or at home on a rainy day, and is enjoyable for crafters and cozy mystery lovers. Mothers and daughters can both read it and share a good book, and even start a scrapbook of their own.  I very highly recommend that you read this book and tell your friends about it too!  There's something for everyone to like about Joanna Campbell Slan's adventures of Kiki, her dog, her daughter and her friends.