Dangerous Alterations (A Southern Sewing Circle Mystery)
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Published by The Penguin Group
5th in the Series
Cover Illustration by Mary Ann Lasher (It’s Fabulous!)
Cover Design by Judith Lagerman
We are back in Sweet Briar with Tori Sinclair and the ladies of the Southern Sewing Circle. In this installment Tori’s past comes back to haunt her.
First at a local health clinic Tori runs into her ex-fiance’s great aunt Vera. The old woman seems shocked to see Tori. Tori is shocked when the woman dies on the spot, most likely from a heart attack. Vera’s death brings slime-ball Jeff to Sweet Briar for the funeral and he has the nerve to ask Tori to take him back.
Tori is also worrying about Dixie, the former head librarian, filling in for her as she takes off on a weekend retreat with the Sewing Circle. Then she learns that it seems Jeff has fallen over dead during a run around Sweet Briar, from a heart attack as well. Heart problems run in his family but even Tori believes this is too much of a coincidence. The police chief thinks so too and even thinks Tori may be involved in the death.
It’s time to gather everyone together and try to piece together what really happened as Tori tries hard to keep for life from ripped apart at the seams.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love this series and I love these ladies. The story is filled with one surprise after another. Elizabeth Lynn Casey has outdone herself with this one. It is easily the best book in the entire series, but knowing this author the next one will be awesome too. The characters continue to grow, the story is full of layers that will continue into the next installments. The mystery or should I say mysteries are clever. I will say there were at least three places in this story when I said “OH MY GOSH”, totally unexpected, off the wall twists.
As the time passes, the friendships of these women have grown so that even through some are already family, together they are building a new family all their own. Tori has been in Sweet Briar a very short time and now with her past up close and personal she has the entire support of the ladies of the Southern Sewing Circle. She needs them more than ever in this story. They protect her and fight for her like she was their own, daughter, niece or sister. They are there to help her pick up the pieces and move forward. These friendships are the core of this series. To move away from one life to start over in a new place is extremely difficult but she has been welcomed and embraced by this town totally.
Every trip to Sweet Briar is a pleasure. The residents of Sweet Briar just stitch themselves right into your heart. I’ll give Tori and friends some time for things to settle down. I know the next book is in the works and I can’t for my next visit.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Excellent review!! I love books about friendships!!
This has been an excellent series, and I look forward to Dangerous Alterations.
Cute cover. Thanks for the review. Adding to my reading.
Sue B
I would want to frame that cover – it’s delightful.
Ann
This sounds like such a good book, the cover IS fabulous!