Needle and Dread (Southern Sewing Circle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Setting – South Carolina
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery (April 5, 2016)
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Cover Illustration by Mary Ann Lasher
Cover Design by Judith Lagerman
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425282564
E-Book ASIN: B011IVWQ6K
Downtown Sweet Briar is now home to a new sewing shop run by one of the circle’s own. With the help and support of her fellow members, Rose is determined to make SewTastic a success, and, to that end, she decides to sponsor a series of do-it-yourself weekends for sewing enthusiasts.
But when a group arrives at SewTastic to work on a project, a loud and argumentative guest pushes everyone’s buttons. And when she winds up dead in Rose’s project room—strangled by a sewing machine power cord—it’s up to Tori and the gang to stitch together the clues before Rose’s reason for living is ripped apart at the seams.
PATTERN AND SEWING TIPS INCLUDED
Dollycas’s Thoughts
SewTastic is a new shop in Sweet Briar, run by none other than Rose and Leona. Really, even the other members of the sewing circle are surprised that these rivals have teamed up. They all plan to pitch in to help make the place a huge success. Starting with a DIY weekend. There happens to be more helpers than students this time, but one participant in trying everyone’s patience and the circle members do their best to calm the woman and her derogatory comments. Things were stitching right along until the testy guest is found dead in the project room. Someone in the group has to be the killer and Tori and the ladies are going to find out who helped the cranky woman take her last breathe.
The death in this story was a little too close for comfort after my son’s death, but this is one of my favorite series and features my favorite ladies, so I couldn’t just not read it. Compartmentalization helped me enjoy this story. I packed my grief away, skimmed over a couple of things, and got around the things that would have hurt my heart.
While the death was the main part of the plot, there is so much more in this story. I have said it before, the stories in this series are all about the friendship this group of woman have forged. The age range is 20’s to 80’s, they are each unique, opinionated, and strong. When one is down the others pick them up, when one needs help they all rally together. The bonds are strong, they may bend but the never break. I am honored to get a little peek into their lives in these books.
The mystery was quite good too. The victim, Opal, was not a nice woman, she was rich but it didn’t buy her happiness. She had touched many people’s lives and not in a good way. This made for several suspects. Tori researched the woman and brought several things to light. Now the ladies had to work together to find out which one was upset enough to kill.
Elizabeth Lynn Casey always gives us a fantastic story. Her characters leap out the pages. Their humor shines throughout and their dedication to solve the mystery is extraordinary.
The only bad thing about this book was when it ended. I wasn’t ready for my visit to end. Bring on Book 12. I can’t wait to return to Sweet Briar.
Elizabeth Lynn Casey is the national best-selling author of the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries. The latest installment in the series
For more information, visit: www.elizabethlynncasey.com or www.laurabradford.com .
Twitter: @bradfordauthor and @ElizabethLCasey
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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.”
Elizabeth Lynn Casey continues her wonderful series in the Southern Sewing Circle. I have loved the previous books and am sure I will enjoy this new book too. robeader53@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds good! I will need to get started with the first book though.
Sounds like a great cozy mystery!
Am looking forward to a great read. Thanks for the chance to get it sooner rather than later
Sounds like a book I want to read!
The complete series looks and sounds so fun! I’m always on the lookout for a new cozy author too!
Sounds like a wonderful read ?? Love to read new Author’s books ?? Thank you for a chance to win ??
Always up to a. New series!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
love this and sounds like a great book to read and review on several sites. ptclayton2@aol.com
Thanks for the wonderful review! I’m honored!
~Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey)