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niconecochan's review
1.0
A fresh new life for the main character that is sweet enough but is honestly not the most interesting character. She falls into a whirlwind of drama when murder occurs in the new town she moves into.
As for the meat of my review, I don’t like it. It was hard to continue to hold interest in and want to read. There are many characters who are introduced but not fleshed out enough for me to remember who is who. The story doesn't really pick up speed very fast so it feels kinda dull at first. I wouldn't say this is the worst thing I’ve read considering I’ve read my friends horrible writing when they were younger, but it's probably one of the most disappointing books I’ve read.
I don’t think I would recommend this to anyone as whatever you could get out of this, you can probably get out of a better, more enjoyable book.
Still a thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me early access to the book.
As for the meat of my review, I don’t like it. It was hard to continue to hold interest in and want to read. There are many characters who are introduced but not fleshed out enough for me to remember who is who. The story doesn't really pick up speed very fast so it feels kinda dull at first. I wouldn't say this is the worst thing I’ve read considering I’ve read my friends horrible writing when they were younger, but it's probably one of the most disappointing books I’ve read.
I don’t think I would recommend this to anyone as whatever you could get out of this, you can probably get out of a better, more enjoyable book.
Still a thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me early access to the book.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey is the debut of A Measure Twice Sewing Mysteries. I love cozy mysteries and I am always looking for new ones to read. Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to finish this one. Lydia Barnes is a self-absorbed woman as well as whiny (and prone to tears). I found her immature for a woman in her forties. She relocated to Peridot, Georgia after catching her husband in flagrante delicto. I believe every person in Peridot knows her story. Lydia, though, has failed to ask her new friends questions about themselves (or listen to them). When she is not talking about her sob story, she is daydreaming about outfits she would create for herself or the person in front of her. As you can imagine, people have trouble getting her attention. I understand that Lydia loves fabrics and making her own clothes, but I did find it odd that she went from teaching to working part time in a quilting shop. Of course, Lydia has big plans for the shop (that is owned by another woman). The mystery was straightforward. Lydia is set up on a date, later finds her date dead in his apartment, and (shocker) the police believe she committed the crime. Lydia is determined to clear her name. Information seems to fall into her lap. There is little sleuthing. The mystery can be solved long before the reveal. I can tell that the author knows about fabric and sewing. I did feel that there was too much of that element in the story (I did end up skimming through some of these sections). I did tire of Lydia designing an outfit for every person she met (the fabric, the pattern, etc.). Seams Deadly is written in the first person so we get to know Lydia’s every thought. There is a repetition of words (the author really likes the word nice), phrases, and details. I really disliked the letch of a neighbor. He gave me the creeps (made my skin crawl). I do not understand why Lydia tolerated his behavior (or why the author felt the need to include this character). The writing is choppy, and the pacing is slow (I did not think the story would ever end). Lydia has a sweet older dog, and she adopts a cat named Baby Lobster who has a unique personality (in other words, a typical cat). Seams Deadly is not a series that I will continue to read (I encourage you to download a sample to judge it for yourself). Seams Deadly is a cutthroat cozy with an arranged date, waitress worries, a butchered booklover, a serious sergeant, a toddling dog, pattern plans, and a fabric filled future.
atomicsushi's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A cozy whodunit murder mystery set in the small town of Peridot. Lydia, the main character, is new to town, and works at a sewing shop which becomes unexpectedly tangled up in murder. She considers the motives of her numerous new friends, most of whom work at different shops in the downtown square, as they gossip/theorize about who the killer may be.
Overall I was entertained and enjoyed the vibes, but the twists and turns didn’t blow my mind. If you’re interested in sewing, thrifting, baking… AND are looking for a light popcorn read, consider giving it a go!
Overall I was entertained and enjoyed the vibes, but the twists and turns didn’t blow my mind. If you’re interested in sewing, thrifting, baking… AND are looking for a light popcorn read, consider giving it a go!
alanna23's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
pcxie's review against another edition
3.0
arc provided by netgalley and crooked lane books
the main character's life is my dream retirement plan (move to the mountains, run a fabric store, spend all my free time with my dog and cat and sewing), minus all the murders
writing was not my fav (a bit choppy, weird pacing) but it def hit the mark for max cozy murder mystery vibes
the main character's life is my dream retirement plan (move to the mountains, run a fabric store, spend all my free time with my dog and cat and sewing), minus all the murders
writing was not my fav (a bit choppy, weird pacing) but it def hit the mark for max cozy murder mystery vibes
bookswineandi's review
4.0
The story is great. I enjoyed the classic mystery elements and the setting of the story. Lots of twists and turns that held my attention throughout the book. There were some elements to it that could use some fine-tuning, mainly centered around character development. The main character was great and likable, but I feel they are missing something that will put this book over the bar. Overall, it was a good book to read, and I recommend it for long travels or relaxing days.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC.
readsewknit's review against another edition
3.0
SEAMS DEADLY by Maggie Bailey was a gifted ebook from my sister for my birthday. In a season of busyness, with children adjusting to a new schoolyear and my husband and I having some work stress, this was a light-hearted romp, not asking for literary analysis or deep engagement but providing a simple escape.
At its center, Lydia Barnes has divorced her unfaithful husband and been absorbed into a pleasant community, finding joy as an employee at the fabric store. A suspicious murder threatens her peaceful existence and fresh start, and she wonders who can be trusted and whether she will still be welcome.
At its center, Lydia Barnes has divorced her unfaithful husband and been absorbed into a pleasant community, finding joy as an employee at the fabric store. A suspicious murder threatens her peaceful existence and fresh start, and she wonders who can be trusted and whether she will still be welcome.
namsmommy09's review against another edition
mysterious
3.0
This was a cozy mystery and lives up to its genre. Doesn't take a whole lot of brain power to figure it out (or follow along) and just gives you something nice to listen to. I didn't love it, but it was a good story. I might read one of these stories again, not an audiobook though, narrator wasn't my favorite
cat_book_nook's review
4.0
I've been going through my Netgalley approved books. I'm so glad I've gotten this one. It was honestly what I've needed at this time. Huge thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for access to an e arc.
This is Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey. I won't lie, the cat cover lured me into this.
This is Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey. I won't lie, the cat cover lured me into this.
cat_book_nook's review against another edition
I've been going through my Netgalley approved books. I'm so glad I've gotten this one. It was honestly what I've needed at this time. Huge thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for access to an e arc. This is Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey. I won't lie, the cat cover lured me into this.