I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Seams Like Murder is the first book in the Sewing Studio mystery series. This book quickly throws the main character Abbey in the middle of things, she's visiting her aunt at Hideaway grove when someone is killed by a car driving by. One of the eye witnesses thinks it's murder and Abbey believes so as well. The police investigate, but don't seem as keen to believe it's murder. They do confiscate Abbey's car and thus Abbey gets involved in the mystery.

I quite enjoyed this mystery, there were plenty of suspects and some interesting twist. Once I had enough pieces I could piece together what happened and I was right. I was a bit disappointed I managed to predict the murderer and most of the motive pretty spot on and it felt a bit obvious toward the end who had did it, but I also felt good about figuring it out and I still liked seeing it all play out. I thought there was some good progression throughout and a good balance between the mystery and other story elements.

It bothered me a bit how the police weren't taking the situation more seriously and most residents didn't believe the eye witness' claims of it being murder. I also didn't like how Abbey didn't tell the police about what she heard. And the whole thing with them confiscating Abbey's car while not treating her as a serious suspect besides that felt a bit odd.

With the cover and title I had expected the book to be more about sewing. I have to admit it had been a while since I read the blurb, so I thought the main character would run a sewing store. In fact throughout the book she gets into sewing and gets a studio to work in. I liked seeing Abbey discover a passion for sewing and how that developed throughout the book and hope to see more of that in future books. As this was the first book in a series and Abbey only comes to visit Hideaway Grove I did feel she wasn't as integrated in the town yet, but I liked seeing her get to know the residents and make new friends and connect with old ones.

To summarize: This was a solid start to this series. Abbey is visiting her aunt in Hideaway Grove when she gets caught up in a murder mystery. I liked the mix between the mystery and other plot elements. It made sense why Abbey got involved and I liked seeing things progress and her figure more things out. I was able to piece together most of the motive and who the murderer was toward the end of the book, which felt good, but I was also a bit disappointed as I felt it was a bit too obvious toward the end. There were a few things about the mystery that bothered me like the police not taking things seriously, but they did confiscate Abbey's car, which seemed a bit odd. The sewing aspect only comes into play later in the book as Abbey slowly gets into sewing again, I liked reading about that and how she picked it up again and started making things. Abbey wasn't as integrated yet in the town, but I liked seeing her make new friends and reconnect with old ones. All in all it was a solid start to this new series and I plan to check out book 2.

I really enjoyed the first 70% of the book. I was pretty sure I knew the outcome but the heroine seemed especially dense. It was very much a horror movie yelling at the female MC to not do whatever she's doing. I found the last 10% or so to be especially frustrating.

Dollycas's Thoughts

Abbey Chandler's life in Los Angeles gets turned upside down so she decides to return to her happy place in Hideaway Grove where she knows her Aunt Sarah and her bakery will welcome her and give her time to decide where she wants to go with her life. Abbey doesn't even have time to recover from the long drive before her car is impounded and she is at the top of the suspect list for the hit-and-run homicide of the new librarian.

With no car, Abbey finds herself pretty much sidelined but while cleaning up a new area at the bakery she learns about a charity sewing project that a friend of her aunt's was working on before she had to leave town to go help her daughter. Abbey's sewing skills are pretty minimal but the project looks pretty basic and she hopes she can get some other members of the community to help her to reach the goal needed by the charity. Soon she has making pillowcase dresses down pat and moves on to make so aprons for her aunt's bakery. She has even been encouraged to sell some items at the upcoming craft fair.

While doing all the crafting she is also working on clearing her name and trying to pin down the real hit-and-run culprit. As the clues start to seam together it may be Abbey that gets hemmed in by the killer unless she can get a little help from her friends.

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Abbey Chandler's life is certainly in flux and for a while, it affected her whole demeanor. Her aunt really didn't need her help at the bakery but everyone thought she was the perfect person to take over the pillowcase project when the only thing she had ever sewn was a skirt several years ago and she did an awful job at that. Then she finds herself on a festival committee in charge of getting donations from the town merchants. She didn't or wasn't given the opportunity to say "no" to anything. Thankfully, there were people to help her out and boost her confidence. Connie, who runs the local fabric store was a godsend. I also loved Abbey's idea of a Pillowcase Party to get the community involved in the charity project and it was also a good way to meet people and get information about the librarian's death.

We also meet several members of the community. An old friend of Abbey's is clearly dealing with something but Abbey isn't sure how to help her. Detective Zack McKenna became a key part of Abbey's life. He seemed to pop up wherever she was. He knew she was investigating and he was trying to keep her safe but there was plenty of romantic tension too.  The author did a good job of character development for the first book in the series but we still have plenty to learn about all the characters as the series continues.

While I liked most of the characters there was one who I abhorred. Sheriff Ed Grumman was clueless and really abused the limits allowed by the law and sadly got away with it. Abbey was the last person he should have suspected. He was rude and condescending and I hope he is replaced soon.

The mystery was good but I did pin down the killer pretty early. I did enjoy the way Abbey did her investigation though and all the people that helped her. A break-in and some vandalism really shook up the town with a murderer on the loose. There were some nice twists and the final one surprised her. The showdown was quite exciting and I loved the way it all played out.

Prior to my accident in 2001, my happy places were my sewing room and any fabric store. I made most of my own and my kid's clothes and even several things for my husband. I was making quilts and quilted projects for everyone too. Instead of staying up late reading like I do now, I stayed up late sewing after working my day job 40 hours a week and taking care of my family. My accident that left my right side basically useless took both my job and my crafting away. That is why I love to read books like this one. When Abbey went into Connie's Fabrics I saw myself.

I wandered through the aisles. This store seemed so exciting now. All the colors, the patterns, the textures, -- the possibilities. My imagination came alive with the things I could create.

I miss those days so much but by reading books like Seams Like Murder I can live vicariously through the characters. It is much cheaper :) but sadly there are no tangible items made. I still have my machines and a heck of a lot of fabric, books, and patterns. I can't give them up because there is always hope I will be able to figure out a way to create again someday.

Seams Like Murder has set this series off to a great start. It did touch my heart in such a good way. I love the idea of a Sewing Studio and the way Abbey is embracing it. I am happy to see the next book in the series is being released on September 26 so I don't have to wait too long for my next trip to Hideaway Grove.

I struggled with this book. It was almost a DNF. The main character is so boring and lacks a personality. The plot was predictable. Some serious character development is needed here. I would give the second book a try but if the protagonist doesn’t have more of a personality I would DNF for sure.

After reading the second book in the Sewing Studio book first, I decided I would go back and read the first one to see if I would enjoy it better. And it did make a difference. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know the people in Hideaway Grove … even the not so nice policeman. And Cheddar, the cat, just added to the fun. The mystery is handled well and I was left hanging until the end of the book. That is always a plus for me. So, now that I’ve read the first book, I would encourage you to definitely start with this one and then give additional books in the series a chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I really enjoyed this first book in Dorothy Howell's new cozy mystery series. The main character is relatable and I love the relationship between Abbey and her aunt. The mystery was well planned but, as in many cozy mysteries, I feel that the sheriff was too quick to pin the murder on Abbey, the "outsider". Abbey's new hobby was fun to read about and I also loved the other characters as well. I definitely will check out the next book in this series.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story.

My rating 3.5 stars

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell is the 1st instalment in the "A Sewing Studio Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading book 2.

Meet twenty-something Abbey Chandler and her fellow sewing circle members in the quaint, touristy town of Hideaway Cove. Abbey needs a new start and a place to escape, so Hideaway Grove, where she spent her childhood summers, seems like a perfect choice. Once there, she takes up a rewarding new hobby—but also gets tangled up in a hit-and-run homicide…

This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series. It was entertaining, and the mystery kept me interested until the end.
I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Readers Copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

This one was an interesting mystery. It’s one that I haven’t really read before. However, I was a little taken back by the murder victim being the town’s librarian. Mainly because that’s my day job. So it hit a little close to home. But it was a page turning read and I’m looking forward to see where this series goes.

Great cozy mystery and great cover artwork as well! I do think though that the theming could have come in stronger. I like a cozy that has a strong theme (sewing, cooking, etc).

This was a fun cozy! Abbey is an endearing protagonist, and I loved her family and friends. The mystery was fun, and I enjoyed trying to figure out "who-dun-it!"

I enjoyed the mystery. I liked the setting and the characters.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Abbey Chandler returns to Hideaway Grove, where she spent her childhood summers, for a fresh start and a new life. When the local librarian is mowed down by a car, Abbey becomes a suspect and her car is impounded. She stays with her aunt, and learns how to sew and investigate the murder. Will she learn the truth and find the murderer before it’s too late?
This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series. This book had a good plot and some interesting characters. But it was slow, and there wasn't much excitement or suspense. The mystery itself kept me interested until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

This is an interesting start to a new series. The sewing studio aspect seems more like an afterthought. Readers should overlook a few things - the incompetent sheriff, the main character's one childhood sewing lesson that turns into a career, and an insane amount of homeless pillowcases. Still I think the series has promise and will read a second installment.

Abbey Chandler decides to visit her aunt Sarah in Hideaway Grove, where she spent her childhood summers. But when the new librarian is run over and murdered, Abbey sets out to solve the crime. She runs into old friends and makes new friends as she interacts with potential suspects. She might make a frienemy from the deputy, too.
Seams Like Murder is a decent cozy mystery but not gripping. And I don't like or connect with any of the characters. Aunt Sarah had potential, but very little of the story focused on her. As a whole, the characters seemed flat, and I felt like I was seeing them in two dimensions rather than fully human.
I like the sewing project with instructions. The dresses sound like a cute idea, especially since they're actually a real item used by folks!

DNF at 35%

I really wanted to like this one but I just couldn't get into it! The plot and characters just fell kinda flat for me. Good premise so if you are interested I suggest you give it a try!

I was instantly drawn into the novel thanks to its cast of relatable characters, small-town vibes and credible dialogue. It’s fresh and nicely flowy. I could hardly put the novel down and finished it in a matter of a few days. It’s the debut in the Sewing Studio Series, and I cannot wait to read the next installments.

Regarding the plot, I really enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t overly obvious. Even better, I didn’t see a few things coming, like the real reason behind Iris’s death. The author did a good job of maintaing the suspense until all the pieces of the puzzle were finally being put together. That’s what makes a cosy mystery enthralling and riveting, and that’s why I’m giving it five stars. A strong debut in the series, and hoping for more in the same spirit!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 1 in a new series.

This was a fun start to the series. I can absolutely identify with Abbey, since I went from barely knowing the difference between a bobbin and a seam ripper, to sewing my own quilt projects, though no one will let me set up a studio in their shop, haha. I also liked that Abbey seems like a smart, strong character, with some actual common sense!

The setting mirrors the sense of community that crafters really have, as Abbey makes new friends in town and fits right in. The pace moved along nicely and it ended up being a nice, quick read.

Seams Like Murder is the first in the Sewing Studio mysteries, a new series by Dorothy Howell. Just as Abbey Chandler returns to Hideaway Cove after the devastating loss of her job in Los Angeles, she is accused of a hit and run that leaves the town librarian dead. The fact that she was inside her aunt’s bakery at the time doesn’t stop the sheriff from considering her suspect number one and impounding her car. What is Abbey to do but take matters into her own hands and prove that she is innocent by solving the murder.

What a delightful and charming mystery! I wanted to be friends with so many of the characters and loved the way that Abbey built relationships. The mystery was well written and complex with a layering in of clues and suspects. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.). This was a great start to a new series and I am eagerly anticipating the next book.