Kristina A. reviewed on 8/30/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan is the first book in A Cora Crafts Mystery series. Cora Chevalier has moved to Indigo Gap, North Carolina and purchased a beautiful, big Victorian home called Kildare House. She is going to offer craft retreats with the help of her friend, Jane Starr (a potter) and her daughter, London (a little cutie). Her first retreat will feature Jude Sawyer, master broom maker. This will be a chance to work out the kinks. But Cora does not anticipate Jane being accused of murdering Sarah Waters, the school librarian. Jane's fingerprints (partials) turn up at the crime scene, and she is immediately arrested (like that would be enough evidence in real life). Ruby O'Malley, a gifted herbalist and lives on the premises (came with the house), calls her son Cashel (a lawyer) for assistance (he is also very handsome). Then Cora starts getting retreat cancellations from the locals. Cora knows she needs to find the Sarah Waters real killer before her business is in ashes. Cora has to investigate while handling her retreat. What Cora did not anticipate was ladies' man, Jude Sawyer. He seems to be working his way through the women at the retreat (and then leaving upset women in his wake). Join Cora in her investigation and find out about the doilies in Death Among the Doilies!

Death Among the Doilies is a good first book in A Cora Crafts Mystery series (there is much more going on in the book). I liked the characters (Ruby is a hoot), the small town setting of Indigo Gap, and the crafting ideas (especially Cora's reuse/upcycling ideas). The Victorian house sounds gorgeous (I want it). The mystery was interesting and complex. The main mystery can be solved, but there are parts that have to play out (not everything is revealed to the readers). I give Death Among the Doilies 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I hope that there will be more crafting (especially pottery) in the next book. We are given a lot of information about the main characters in this book (as expected) since it is the first book in the series. The author does a good job of laying out the character's background and why they have relocated. I will definitely be reading the next book in A Cora Crafts Mystery series.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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