Book Review
Death Among The Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan
Book 1: Cora Crafts Mystery Series
Publisher: Kensington / Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
Format: Paperback - 320 pages
Kindle - 1211 KB
Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 978-1496704641
ASIN: B0190HGVVKBNID: 978-1496704658
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: Cora Craft Mystery Series
Book 1: Death Among The Doilies
Book 2: No Charm Intended (Publication Date: April 25, 2017)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
But when Jane’s fingerprints match those found at the grisly crime scene, Cora not only worries about her friend, but her own reputation. With angry townsfolk eager for justice and both Jane’s innocence and the retreat at risk, she must rely on her creative chops to unlace the truth behind the beloved librarian’s disturbing demise. Because if the killer’s patterns aren’t pinned, Cora’s handiwork could end up in stitches . . .
My Book Review:
In Death Among The Doilies, the first book in the Cora Crafts Mystery series, author Mollie Cox Bryan weaves an intriguing cozy mystery tale with a craft theme twist that follows the amateur sleuth adventures of craft blogger / craft retreat owner Cora Chevalier, as she tries to prove the innocence of her best friend, potter Jane Starr, who has become a person of interest in the suspicious death of Sarah Waters, the local beloved librarian.
Cora was a counselor at a women's shelter in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She began her blog, Cora Crafts a Life, blogging about her life as a counselor and crafter, as a creative and therapeutic outlet. But when the stress of her counseling job led to a severe panic disorder, Cora made a major life change by turning her successful money-making blog into a craft retreat business in the small mountain western North Carolina town of Indigo Gap. Cora bought the Kildare House, a Victorian estate built in 1892, and transformed it into a crafter's retreat. Best friend Jane Starr, a potter with a past history of spousal abuse and her five year old daughter London, moved with Cora as a business partner also looking to start her life anew. Cora and Jane inherited elderly renter, Ruby O'Malley, a herbalist, who came with the sale of the estate. Just a few days away from the opening of the crafter's retreat, Jane is suspected of murdering local librarian Sarah Waters. Concern for her best friend and their new business leads Cora to embark on an amateur investigative adventure to clear Jane's name and save their new business.
Death Among The Doilies is an intriguing whodunit tale with a craft theme that easily peaked my interest. This entertaining tale has enough quirky characters, witty banter and humor, drama, secrets, and surprising twists and turns, that will easily keep you guessing the identity of the murderer. You can't help but get caught up in the drama and calamity that ensues as Cora tries to solve the murder and prove Jane's innocence. Cora's amateur investigative adventure unfolds with a wonderful balance of comedy, drama, suspense, and a touch of romance that easily left me wanting more. As a crafter, I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery, especially the backstories into Cora, Jane, and Ruby's lives; and I loved that the author included instructions for a variety of crafts and recipes at the end of the book.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I really enjoyed the author's rich description of the Appalachian Mountain town of Indigo Gap in western North Carolina and it's colorful townsfolk. The author transports the reader into the quaint small town filled with cobblestone streets, beautiful historical homes and businesses, and a tradition of craft artisans, historians, and antique collectors. The wonderful description of this rustic small town deep in the mountains will make the reader want to visit Indigo Gap and attend a crafter's retreat weekend.
Death Among The Doilies is an entertaining cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the crazy adventures and trials and tribulations that occur in Indigo Gap, while providing you with a nice dose of southern charm and humor.
RATING: 5 Stars
About The Author
Mollie Cox Bryan is the author of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbooking mystery series. She is also author of two cookbooks, the regional bestseller Mrs. Rowe’s Little Book of Southern Pies and Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant Cookbook: A Lifetime of Recipes from the Shenandoah Valley . An award-winning journalist and poet, she currently blogs, cooks, and scrapbooks in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband and two daughters. Scrapbook of Secrets was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel.
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Tour Schedule:
September 5 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW
September 6 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
September 6 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
September 7 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
September 7 – The Cozy Mystery Journal – REVIEW
September 8 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW
September 8 – deal sharing aunt – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
September 9 – A Date with a Book – REVIEW
September 10 – Girl Lost In a Book – REVIEW
September 11 – Ashleyz Wonderland – REVIEW
September 12 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
September 12 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 13 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
September 13 – Booth Talks Books – SPOTLIGHT
September 14 – Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
September 14 – The Girl with Book Lungs – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW
September 15 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
September 16 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 17 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW
September 17 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
Wow!!! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Mollie! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour on my blog. I really enjoyed reading Death Among The Doilies, and can't wait to read the next book in the series. :)
DeleteA craft retreat at a Victorian mansion sounds like an interesting read. A great start to a new series. Can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne! Thank you for visiting my blog, I appreciate it. Doesn't the craft retreat in a Victorian mansion sound like fun?! Hope you get a chance to read the book/series. :)
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