Sakura of DOOM

Meg Venturi's grandfather Dan has just died and left her half of his business. Unfortunately, Meg spent most of her life trying to get out of the jewelry industry, and even worse, the other half belongs to Dan's new partner Riley, who's silent, grumpy, and suspected to be a murderer.

While Meg's in town dealing with funeral arrangements, she receives some mysterious threats. Soon, she's trying to untangle why people hate Riley, who's sending the threats, and if her previously mean cousin Cliff's current niceness is real or fake.

I didn't take rachelmanija's advice and read this before I was very acquainted with the Gothic genre. On the other hand, I think I caught most of its commentary on genre conventions. I particularly love the housekeeper who roleplays assorted fictional housekeepers depending on her mood and the callout to Mrs. Danvers, but mostly, what I like about the book is how it comments on the gendered conventions in gothics.

Meg is so not an ingenue; she's grumpy and independent and doesn't allow herself to be intimidated by anyone. I also liked how she basically acted exactly like Dan, only Dan's behavior was accepted because he was male while hers is seen as more suspect because she's female. And the guys end up being the damsels in distress! Even more, I love the ending, which has Meg not only kicking ass, but using all her resources and brains and guts. The romance also worked for me.

In conclusion: highly enjoyable.

So if I want to pick up more Barbara Michaels, which ones should I read?