Hems & Homicide (Apron Shop Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (December 31, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

Synopsis

Welcome to the first in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney, set in the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . .

Iris Buckley is sew ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to stay in 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.

 

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Review

This is a lovely start to a new series set in Maine.  The characters are relatable, the location is picturesque, and the killer is elusive.

I always enjoy a good cozy and especially enjoy discovering new series that could be one to follow and I think this is one of those series.  We are introduced to Iris and Anne, a close-knit pair that are opening their own apron shop.  Now before you start questioning the goods they are selling, Iris has an online presence and there will be more than just aprons in their storefront, which is a good thing because I’m not sure just aprons would pay the rent!  Iris has a trio of girlfriends that ground her and the mix of personalities makes for a well rounded group of women.  They know how to balance each other so that no one friend dominates or craters the friendship.

The mystery itself is intriguing because it involves a 40 year old murder and most of the potential killers still live in this small town.  That is good for the police since they aren’t having to traipse across the county or country to find the suspects.  Unfortunately, the police are looking at Anne strongly, but not for good reason.  Iris is like most protagonists and finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation and takes it upon herself to find the killer, primarily so her grandmother doesn’t go to jail.

There were a few odd things that stuck out to me.  Iris receives threatening texts and emails way too soon in the story.  She really hasn’t started investigating yet someone is telling her to stay out of it already?  Iris appears to be very high strung and while I understand that she is looking out for her grandmother, I thought she could take it down a notch or two with her anxiousness….if that makes any sense!

But overall we enjoyed this book and are intrigued as to what will happen in the next book.  There is a teaser at the end of this book but I haven’t read it yet, I think I’ll wait and be surprised.

We give this book 4 paws up.

About the Author

Elizabeth Penney is an author, entrepreneur, and local food advocate living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition to writing full-time, she operates a small farm. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. She is represented by the fabulous Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic.

Elizabeth’s writing credits include over twenty mysteries, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She’s also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

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