This is the first book I have read in the Sewing Studio series. I had high hopes for the book and looked forward to a great cozy mystery. The book was okay. It was a little drab and although the premise of the story was good, I did not feel connected to the characters. It may have helped if I had read the first book so I would recommend you do that before getting into this book. The mystery of “whodunit” was handled well and I did not figure out who the culprit was until the very end. So that is a positive note for the book. I think I am in the minority here, so I would encourage you to read the first book to see if you would enjoy the series.

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

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Setting the Scene: Hideaway Grove is anticipating a much needed influx of revenue and visibility from the women's conference scheduled to take place in the town. In fact, the fate of virtually every small business in town, including Abbey's own dream, hangs in the balance. Abbey has been "volunteered" for several projects related to the conference, among them using her marketing experience to create a film to promote the town, but the new bakery under construction that poses a greater threat to Aunt Sarah's bakery has her distracted. When the owner of the new bakery is murdered, and Aunt Sarah becomes the prime suspect, Abbey sets aside everything to find the real culprit.

What I Thought: I enjoy visiting Hideaway Grove. Although firmly set in the 21st century, it feels like an enclave of a bygone era. Abbey, her Aunt Sarah, Zack, and the other residents are intelligent and likeable, albeit imperfect characters. The relationships and friendships Abbey is building are relatable, and the mystery is multi-layered with a variety of suspects. I am frustrated with Abbey's apparent inability to say no to the multitude of projects thrust upon her and with her frequent procrastination in getting them done. I am hopeful she will overcome those traits, but regardless, I look forward to my next visit to Hideaway Cove.

An interesting combination of a start-up sewing business in a bakery and this second book is a great addition to the series that pulls you, keeps you guessing and routing for the characters.

I enjoy the small town cast of characters in this book and the warm relationship between Abbey and her aunt. I also appreciate the way a conference could be a financial boon to a small village--and the accompanying stress over that conference. I'd have like to see a lighter touch with what ends up being the crucial evidence to solve the crime. Anytime in a cozy there's something like a video to watch back (or an envelope to open, or photos to go through--take your pick), and the main character mentions it repeatedly and yet inexplicably continues to NOT do it, you know that's where the big reveal is going to be. Also, it took Abbey an incredibly long time to just tell her client that she could design (or have designed) a great logo for them. It's an enjoyable read, but pretty predicatable.

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

An excellent location pulls the reader in for a most delightful story. You'll be kept guessing who done it until the end. Excellent characters. A fun read. Thanks#Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I love a cozy mystery with a ametuer sleuth.

Abbey ran to Hideaway Cove to get away from corporate America. She’s trying to start up a sewing business in her aunts bakery. When the owner of a another bakery is found dead. Abbey starts looking for the killer when her aunt is accused.

When this the most action packed Mystery? No. Did I still enjoy myself with this story? Yes.

There was a great storyline. You could really see and feel the town of Hideaway Cove. You could feel all the connections Abbey had with the people of the town.

The lost dolls storyline did wrap of quickly and it felt like an after thought. I felt like there could have been more with that part of the story.

I didn’t get the killer until the end of the book so that is a win for me.

This is book 2 in the series so I’m going to go back and read the first book.

This was a great second book in the series. I liked the characters, both primary and secondary. Although I did figure out who the killer was in the first book, this one threw me for a loop. I kinda want to learn how to sew now. I hope there will be more between Abbey and Zack too.

After she lost her job at a marketing firm in L.A, Abbey Chandler retreated to Hideaway Grove, California where she lives with her Aunt Sarah in a cute little cottage🏡
Abbey now runs sewing studio which she’d put together in the big storage room in her aunt Sarah’s bakery, Sarah’s Sweets.

She works alongside members of her sewing circle on some charity projects such as making pillowcase dresses 👗 and so on. Then they donate the dresses to the church and several times a year, to remote villages in Africa.

Sometimes she handles other no-sewing related projects such as making a video for Hideaway Grove’s website which involves getting footage of shops, restaurants, specialty stores, and galleries, plus any other shots that would draw tourists to town.

A woman named Blaine Hutchinson is planning on opening a new bakery and several local business owners are not happy with the newest addition. Blaine is married to Rory Hutchinson who owns a real estate development and construction business in Hideaway Grove. He is considered one of the wealthiest and most influential men in town.

Abbey’s aunt Sarah has the only bakery in town, and the last thing they need is a competition. Abbey’s worried that the new bakery would put her Aunt Sarah out of business. Moreover, she doesn’t think her aunt is financially ready for retirement if her bakery went under.

Hideaway Grove’s next big event is the regional meeting of the Women’s Alliance for Progress, a three-day conference that’s coming up soon and is expected to boost the town’s economy.

Before the event however, an elderly woman named Imogene owner of Dottie’s Toys 🧸 asks Abbey’s help in finding which of her staff is stealing her vintage toys she’s found at antique stores, yard sales etc. Some of the toys she’s set aside for the craft fair is missing.

Imogen is convinced the thief is the Sheriff Ed Grumman’s niece Holly who’s stealing the toys. As such she wants Abbey to catch the culprit and retrieve her toys.

Soon after Imogen hires Abbey to find the culprit, Abbey learns that Blaine was shot dead in her bakery and now her aunt has become the suspect. Can she find the killer and clear her aunt’s name?

It’s a pretty good mystery, love the setting and definitely liked this book.

Thank you to Dorothy Howell, NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book

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

I really enjoyed this new series by Howell featuring Abbey Chandler. I can't wait for book two to come out!

Hanging by a Thread, the second book in the Sewing Studio Mystery Series, was just as delightful as the first book in the series. It moves at a very quick pace, and I had trouble setting the book down to get things done. I really like the main character, Abbey. She’s always volunteering to help others in the community and I like how the author keeps the reader engaged along the way as Abbey tries to keep track of all the things she is supposed to be doing. It makes the story seem very real. The mystery is very well thought out, without any holes; it’s a good one. The book is well written. There is a touch of romance, but it is a small piece that just adds to the story.
There is a great cast of ladies who also volunteer at Abbey’s sewing studio – making things for children in need. In addition, there are many female business owners who drop by Abbey’s aunt’s bakery (the bakery houses the sewing studio). There are a lot of strong women in Abbey’s life, which I really like. Overall, I’m really enjoying this series and I’m looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books/Cozies for this terrific ARC. I’m submitting my honest review and opinion. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts on the publication date, 9/26/23.

This was an good addition to this series. Abby is trying to further her business. I did wonder where she was getting money from after her ordeal in the first book. It is entertaining if you don't analyze it too much. The murder that happens and events surrounding it are a bit contrived as is the ending. I didn't totally buy into it. But for a mindless afternoon it was fine.

I love sewing cozy mysteries (though I can't sew a stitch) and Dorothy Howell is a favorite author.

Abbey Chandler is starting over, with a sewing studio, in Hideaway Cove, California. She grew up there with her Aunt Sarah, who owns Hideaway Cove's only bakery. When a new bakery moves into town, Aunt Sarah isn't sure if her bakery will survive. Turns out, the snooty and disliked owner of the new bakery is murdered and suspicion falls on Abbey's Aunt. Determined to save her business and clear her Aunt's name, Abbey finds herself hanging by a thread in a killer's game!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the 2nd book in this delightful new series by Dorothy Howell. Abby Chandler has set up a sewing studio in a large room in her Aunts bakery, hoping to get her small business off the ground. A wealthy woman has decided to open a bakery in a prime location in their small town which will certainly hurt her aunts bakery profits. When the woman is murdered and her aunt becomes a suspect. Abby does some sleuthing to clear her aunts name. The victim was universally disliked so there are many suspects. This was a nice light read with plenty of red herrings, likeable characters, and a little romance. Thank you to Kensington books and netgalley for this ARC. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books for this. ARC.

I enjoyed getting to know Abbey a little bit more in this 2nd book of the Sewing Studio mystery series. I felt the book was entertaining and it kept me guessing on who the murderer was. I also liked that Abbey ss working another mystery that wasn't a murder. Well, she didn't work it much but it was a nice side story. There is also a tad bit of romance thrown into this story. Not sure how that works since Abey and Zack only seem to interact because of the case.

This is definitely a cozy mystery that I would recommend and is on my list of must read series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's suspenseful, and the mystery isn't too easy to solve, but all the clues are there. I'm looking forward to more of this series.

This was so good!! I love Abby! This was a great second book on the series. I loved it!
I just reviewed Hanging by a Thread by Dorothy Howell. #HangingbyaThread #NetGalley
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This is my first book by Dorothy Howell. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Read it as quickly as I could.
It held my attention so well, the story flowed so smoothly.
Abbey in her small town, is doing so much to get her small business up and running, using her aunt’s storage room as her sewing space.
Her aunt’s bakery is a hit, but with a new bakery being built in town, they feel the threat of loosing everything. Then a murder happens and Abbey is determined to find out who did it and protect her aunt.

4.5 Stars
When Abbey moved to a small town to live with her aunt she never dreamed she would be investigating a murder. She finds herself trying to prove that someone close to her is innocent.
This is a fun, easy read.
Fast paced, great character development and an unexpected twist(yay).
If you like mysteries, a budding romance, small towns, close-knit communities and gossip, you'll love this book.

No Sex
No graphic violence
No swearing

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

With the town’s businesses trying to stay afloat, they’re looking forward to a conference that’s coming to town, everyone is counting on making it successful and bringing more business to everyone. But when a murder happens in town, the business owners all fear this could be a reason for the convenience to be moved to another location.

Abbey Chandler has a little more skin in the game than the others as her aunt is the main suspect. Abbey’s going to do her best to find the killer to save not only her aunt, but all of their businesses as well, even if it seams impossible at times.

I love cozies set in small towns. They’re just comforting and slower paced, until the murder and mystery kicks in, then things pick up. This first in a new series set in small town Hideaway Cove is just the ticket!