The Stitching Hour by Amanda Lee

The Stitching Hour (Embroidery Mystery, #9)

by Amanda Lee

In the latest mystery from the bestselling author of Wicked Stitch, the future of Marcy Singer’s embroidery shop is dangling by a thread…

Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, is one year old this October so it’s time to party in little Tallulah Falls, Oregon. Aside from the Halloween decorations and festive stitching kits and patterns, Marcy’s got all sorts of celebratory swag, including Seven-Year Stitch key rings and goodie bags.

Unfortunately, her new neighbors might spoil the revelry. An eccentric couple has opened a haunted house next door, and all that screaming will certainly scare off customers. But there’s even more to be frightened of after a local waitress is found dead on the sidewalk with mysterious markings on her neck—and one of Marcy’s key rings beneath her. With no time to hem and haw, Marcy must act fast if she hopes to restore the peace to Tallulah Falls…

Reviewed by Silvara on

3 of 5 stars

Share
Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I received this book for free from Obsidian in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I think my favorite part of the book was the interaction between Marcy and her mother. It was sweet and believable. The town felt real too, even if we didn't really get to see more than the street Marcy works on. Unlike some cozy mysteries, this one didn't tell you a lot about embroidery or other stitching stuff. Even though Marcy owns and works in a store dedicated to all things stitchy. And I loved the name of her shop!

I liked that even though Marcy and Nellie don't get along, she went out of her way to visit with Nellie when she heard her store was closed longer than it should have been. I also liked the way we got to see into some of her friendships with the other store owners.

I never really liked Priscilla and Claude. I can see how being over-the-top would help get customers for the haunted house they're running, but I had to force myself to finish read the introductory pages with them in them. They just really rubbed me the wrong way, and while they got a bit better as the story went on, I never really clicked with them at all.

I had a few ideas on who the killer might be, and one of them ended up being correct. But there was enough doubt that I was never truly sure who had done it until the big reveal at the end. I haven't read any books in this series before, but I also didn't need to. I was able to read without having to have any prior knowledge of the characters or the series.

If you like cozy mysteries, this series looks like a good one.

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 19 January, 2016: Finished reading
  • 19 January, 2016: Reviewed