The Quick And The Thread by Amanda Lee

When I first saw the cover of this book several months ago, I was immediately drawn to it. After I read a brief synopsis, I was hooked.

THE QUICK AND THE THREAD by Amanda Lee is a perfect cozy murder mystery.

Marcy Singer has moved from San Francisco to Tallulah Falls and opened The Seven-Year Stitch, an embroidery shop. Her best friend, Sadie, and her husband, Blake, own the coffee shop next door, MacKenzies’ Mochas.

The morning after Marcy holds an open house, she finds the former shop tenant dead in her stockroom. Tim Enright has used a tapestry needle to scratch a cryptic message - four square fifth w - on the stockroom wall. Now Marcy wishes she had taken the time to talk to Enright at the open house even though he appeared to be drunk. Enright had operated a hardware store in the building before losing his business.

The case is investigated by Tallulah Falls Police Department Chief Detective Ted Nash. A spark of attraction between Nash and Marcy is ignited. It’s fun to watch as the two begin to banter back and forth over the course of the investigation. Throw Todd Calloway into the mix and it really heats up. Calloway owns the bar, The Brew Crew, across the street from Marcy’s shop.

Shortly after finding Enright’s body, Marcy learns her landlord, Bill Trelawney, is murdered. Marcy believes the two deaths are connected given the way Trelawney reacted when he learned of Enright’s cryptic message.

Marcy begins to investigation on her own and learns that Four Square was a development company that was really a real estate scheme landing its partners in prison. The more she checks, the more twists and turns she encounters. As she gets closer to finding the killer, the more she begins to question just how well she really know anyone in town.

Author Amanda Lee depicts a quaint small town with all its charm and intrigue. The bits of movie and TV nostalgia sprinkled throughout the book gives it an added touch of humor. The various townspeople Marcy befriends are (killer aside) friendly, interesting characters you will come to enjoy and want to know more about. One of the most lovable characters is Angus, Marcy’s 100-pound Irish wolfhound.

This is an easy, delightful read with memorable characters. There are no embroidery tips or patterns at the end. However, you do get a sneak preview at the next embroidery mystery, STITCH ME DEADLY, coming February 2011. Can’t wait to read more.

Amanda Lee (also known as author Gayle Trent) can be found blogging at www.gayletrent.com/blog/ and her website is www.GayleTrent.com

The Quick And The Thread by Amanda Lee, An Embroidery Mystery, Obsidian, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-451-23096-6, Paperback, 336 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.