The cozy mystery takes the main character, Lydia, from a broken marriage in Atlanta to this small community in the mountains of northern Georgia where nothing passes faster than a bit of juicy gossip. Characters were slowly introduced and related to the perfect pattern. Lydia was obsessed with sewing and the perfect patterns for every person She worked for Fran, who had invited Lydia to their town, and to work in her fabricshop with Heather, and to live in an apartment above the shop. Seems perfect until people begin to die. Perfect beginning to a new series. by Maggie Bailey.. A new, premise for this series with the fabric shop as the common denominator for everyone. I look forward to reading ,more and can wholeheartedly recommend this book to cozy mystery fans. I wish to thank the following for allowing me to review early to review the book early. Opinions are completely my own and honest.
#NetGalley
#CrookedLaneBooks
#Maggie Bailey
#seamsDeadly
Pub.Date: 05 September 2023

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for ARC.

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries, but this one didn't have the same feel that other cozies have. It didn't have a light feel to it, but it did keep my interest.

I did think that the main charcter, Lydia was somewhat annoying and immature. I had to keep reminding myself that she is 40 and not 20. Yes, she caught her ex husband cheating on her which could mess a person up, but I still have a feeling that is her normal personality.

The mystery was interesting and it kept me guessing. The ending was a surprise, I didn't expect that person to be the murderer or the motive.

I would read the next one on this series.

This was a cute cozy mystery about a seamstrshop where sewing takes place you learn a lot about ewing. I love the characters and the setting and there is even a cat in this book tbat helps solve who knew someone with dress shears. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and like the theme of sewing in this one. I was especially attracted by the fact that it took place in Georgia, where I am from. However, I didn't really like the main characters. I also found the the premise of Lydia being a suspect to be forced. Overall, it was an average read to me.

This is an intriguing story, but is not humorous as many cozies are. That said it’s a solid tale, with a variety of characters, set in a small town. The main character relocated after her husband’s betrayal and is trying to enjoy her life with newly made friends. There are more than a few suspects, and Lydia the main character is one. Being new to town, how can she figure out who the killer is? I enjoyed trying to figure it out myself.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

Prime Suspect.,,
A new town, a dead body and Lydia Barnes. When Lydia moves for a fresh start, and a new job at a local fabric store, the last thing she expects is to find the dead body of her newest date. Worse, Lydia is now the prime suspect. When bodies begin to pile Lydia desperately needs to muddle her way out of the mess. Enjoyable cosy mystery with a great setting, a likeable protagonist and a plot riddled with entertaining red herrings.

I enjoyed this book so much. It felt original and captivated me from the start. I loved the creative imagery linking each character to patterns. This really helped me follow the characters and the story with ease. This story felt well thought without giving too much of the mystery away.. I’m eager to continue with the series and follow these terrific characters in future books.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Leaving Atlanta behind, Lydia Barnes heads to the mountains to work at a friend’s fabric store. Fran not only sets Lydia up in the apartment above the shop, she sets her up on a date as well. While the date was no love match, Lydia can move on. Well, until she finds Brandon murdered…with scissors from the fabric store right where she lives. Now she’s the main suspect in his murder and there’s no putting it all behind her now.

Now Lydia has to find out who wanted Brandon dead and decided to pin it on her. With friends to help, they’re hoping they can fit all the pieces of the pattern together and come up with the person who sketched this one out, before the murderer starts sketching out the next one.

A good start to a new series. I can certainly understand leaving Atlanta behind for the Georgia mountains, but what a horrible welcome wagon to greet her. I’m looking forward to more in this series!

Lydia Barnes is excited for a fresh start when she moves to the quaint mountain town of Peridot, Georgia. Her friend, Fran, offers her a job at the Measure Twice fabric store and even sets her up on a date with the handsome Brandon Ivey, who also happens to be Lydia’s new next-door neighbor. Finally, things are looking up. But after a disaster first date that ends with a fist bump instead of a kiss, Lydia doesn’t think her night can get any worse. She’s soon proven wrong when she later stumbles upon Brandon’s dead body.
I loved this from the start! I love Fran she has a heart of gold! Lydia is a great MC and I am thrilled to see this series develop!
#SeamsDeadly #NetGalley

Quilting, a quilt shop and a cozy mystery. What is not to like? Not sure why though, but I struggled to stay invested in this one. Didn't like the multiple side notes of weird characters and basically red herrings, but that might just be me. Still though, liked the story to keep reading, and liked her pets. Would recommend.

Seams Deadly is a cosy mystery novel, in which the main character, Lydia, becomes embroiled in murder. Lydia is a likeable character, very relatable, vulnerable and human. The rest of the characters appear, at first glance, to be an odd mixture, with quirky personalities and motives.
As the title of the novel suggests, sewing provides the background, alongside Lydia's skill of trying to make the pieces fit.
I found the novel a little slow to start with, but with patience it improved as it went along, and I found myself eager to read more and find out who the killer was. There are the usual twists and turns, and question of who can you trust. There are also a few surprises thrown in, particularly when Lydia discovers who the killer is, to her cost! An enjoyable story made complete by the addition of a dog and cat!

Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey is a great cozy mystery that is the first in a new series: A Measure Twice Sewing mystery.

I really enjoyed this new start to what I think is going to be an engaging and entertaining series.

Small town Peridot, Georgia is a cute, and quaint town with southern charm and a great backdrop. Lydia Barnes is a fun and perfect main character looking for a second chance in this town and in her position with the Measure Twice Fabric store. Of course there is a murder/mystery that then follows.

The sewing theme with the MC and cast of characters that we are introduced to make for an adorable and memorable first book to this promising series.

Definitely looking forward to the next one.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/5/23.

Seams Deadly is a quirky murder mystery. Light and a quick enjoyable read! The main character, Lydia Barnes, is funny in an understated way. She thinks of people as patterns/material as she is a sewist. Discovering murders in her new hometown has her as the number one suspect. The author, Maggie Bailey, did a great job developing the characters and making you continually guess who the murderer is till the very end. This is not only a mystery but a story of a woman finding herself and her way in a new town and a new life.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

I liked the story, it was quick, cozy, and fun. However, it did read a lot like other cozies I've read before and nothing really stood out for me. I also found it to be a bit predictable.

Lydia Barnes has escaped to a quaint little mountain town in North Georgia after her life in Atlanta has been upended. Her love of sewing brings her to Peridot, Georgia in the Blue Ridge Mountains where there is a local sew shop owned by Fran, a woman she quickly grows fond of. Fran hires her to work at the shop, and even lets her and her beloved dog Charlie move in to the apartment above. Life is going surprisingly well for Lydia and she settles in to a routine quickly. But all that changes when she discovers Brandon, a man she has just gone on a lackluster first date with, stabbed in the neck with a pair of dress shears that came from none other than the sewing shop she works at and lives above. When the police inform her that she's their prime suspect, she sets off on a mission to discover more of this quaint little mountain town's secrets before it's too late... And before anyone else ends up dead.

This cozy little mystery was exactly what I was in the mood for. It only helps that I have spent plenty of time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia myself, and I found myself lost in the little world that Maggie Bailey created. There were so many unique characters to meet along the way. Even Peridot, Georgia felt like its own unique character that was a joy to get to know. Lydia was a likeable main character and it was easy to relate to her and her emotional reactions to the situations she found herself in. I will say that there are a LOT of references to sewing and if you're anything like me you may end up skimming through a lot of it that you don't understand. However, if you have knowledge of sewing (techniques, patterns, etc.) that may end up being a part of the story that you enjoy the most.

This was an easy, fast moving story that checked all the boxes for a cozy mystery. While I wish the editing was a bit more polished (there were some typos that were overlooked) I found the writing style to be easy to digest and an enjoyable read. I'll be keeping Maggie Bailey on my radar!

I received this an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. Lydia doesn’t really investigate the murders but is involved by being a suspect. I liked the environment, the city sounds charming. I peculiarly enjoyed the fabric store as it reminded me of all the fabric my mom had, she was a quilter as well. I was surprised by who the killer is. #SeamsDeadly #NetGalley

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A new sewing theme cozy that wont leave you in stitches.

Features a seamstress who just moved into town. She gets more than she bargained as she investigates a murder. Delightful read combining the world of sewing and sleuthing.

Look forward to read more in this series.

When I seen the cover of this book I knew I had to read it. iI loved every moment of this book, it was hard to put down between chapters. Lydia is such a likable character. As she figures out her new life after a heartbreak. Her new small town home is right above her job, convenient for her. As she tries to get to know everyone, the night ends up with a murder and she’s the only suspect. But wait there’s more. Another murder and again Lydia is the only suspect. Finding the killer is crucial to clear her name. Everyone who loves a good “who-dunnit” story will be obsessed with this book.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me early access to this book. #seamsdeadly #netgalley

When I saw this title on NetGalley, I was immediately intrigued. The bright cover, and the vivid description captured my attention and I immediately downloaded it.
From the moment I read the first line, I knew I was going to love this book.
Lydia is trying to gain control of her life after a heartbreaking discovery of her husband cheating on her.
Moving to a small town seemed cathartic for her, and working in Measure Twice, the local fabric store, seemed like a dream to Lydia.
Things were progressing well until a sort of date turns deadly, and all evidence points to Lydia.
When another murder victim is discovered, Lydia once again is the suspect and she has no idea who would be setting her up.
When the investigation concluded I was absolutely stunned by who the murderer was.
I am thrilled to have found another author who can impress me with a great first in a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#SeamsDeadly #NetGalley