Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney is the first book in the NEW “Apron Shop” cozy mystery series. Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks, coming December 31, 2019.
Welcome to the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine, where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . .
Iris Buckley is so ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to return to her Maine hometown to help out her widowed grandmother, Anne–and bring her online hand-made apron designs to real-time retail life. Her and Anne’s shop, Ruffles & Bows, is set to include all the latest and vintage linen fashions, a studio for sewing groups and classes, and a friendly orange cat. The only thing that they were not planning to have on the property? A skeleton in the basement.
Anne recognizes the remains of an old friend, and when a second body shows up in the apron shop–this time their corrupt landlord, whom Anne had been feuding with for decades–she becomes a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Iris to help clear her name. Enlisting the help of her old high-school crush Ian Stewart who, like certain fabrics, has only gotten better-looking with age and her plucky BFF Madison Morris, Iris must piece together an investigation to find out who the real killer is. . .and find a way to keep her brand-new business from being scrapped in the process.
Iris and her Grammie becomes involved in a double-murder investigation that are decades apart. Are the two murders connected? You’ll have to read this story to find out.
From the character’s introduction to past remembrance to suspects that had secrets to keep and to friends collaborating on solving this case, the author set the stage for this well-written and fast-paced drama that quickly becoming a pager-turner as I had to know how this was all going to end.
The mystery was nicely done with a comfortable tone and enough intrigue to keep me enthralled in the story unfolding. When I thought I had a handle on who was responsible, the author changed direction, all to the betterment of how well this story was being told.
I really enjoyed all that the author put forth in the telling of this tale, a nice multi-arc plot, a lovable cast of characters, engaging dialogue, a small-town atmosphere, a romantic interest or two (no love triangles), a few furry friends, and a tale that was enjoyable.
I had such a good time reading this delightfully entertaining debut series and I look forward to more adventures with Iris and her friends.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.