Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Needle and Dread (Southern Sewing Circle, Bk 11) on + 704 more book reviews
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.
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.
While I love this series, this was my least favorite. It almost felt like someone else wrote the book. The characters were not acting as they usually did, they focused on Charles to the exclusion of other members of the Sewing Circle. And once again, nothing they learned in the course of their investigation was given to the police. This is something that irritates me to no end. The entire book just seemed... off. The interactions between Tori and Milo were so sickeningly sweet if I didn't have diabetes to begin with I'd have it now. Not her best.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Another book in this series to throughly enjoy. Fun characters, good mystery, one that I didn't figure out. The answer was toward the beginning, but I didn't catch it. Love books like that.
