by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of The Stitching Hour, along with a link to preorder the book.

A year ago, Marcie Singer listened to her BFF Sadie, and moved to Tallulah Falls, Oregon to open a stitchery shop called the Seven Year Stitch. Now it’s time to celebrate the first anniversary with a big open house. Considering that the store might never have gotten off the ground (dead body at grand opening time), she’s a tiny bit nervous about this celebration.

The shop next door has been empty for a while but will have a temporary tenant for the month of October—the Horror Emporium, a haunted house for grownups. The proprietors are over the top, but it’s hard to tell if it’s an act or their personalities—what with the top hat and tails for him and thigh-high red leather boots for her. Will the screams of their customers scare off Marcy’s stitchery students?

Sadie and hubby Blake are supplying the food for the haunted house as well as a server. Unfortunately, that’s Keira, who pretty much hates everybody and everything. She makes it clear she doesn’t want to be there. The first night is a preview for the surrounding shop owners with the exception of Nellie (aromatherapy shop) who believes the haunted house duo to be vampires and refuses to go.

Things go pretty well, all things considered. The haunted house exits to the alley so Marcy and her group circle back through the Stitch to go back for refreshments. They’re shocked to find Keira lying on the sidewalk with two marks on her neck. Was Nellie right about the vampires? Unfortunately, Keira dies before she can tell who or what attacked her. Marcy manages to ask a few questions here and there, just to keep her friends safe and to make sure her open house goes off without a hitch.

There are rumors that Keira’s death could be due to a love affair and that her dad is in business with unsavory people who might have had something to do with it. Of course, Nellie still thinks vampires are not out of the question.

If having a murder happen right next door isn’t enough stress, Marcy has classes to teach, her mom’s visit, her mom and Ted’s mom meeting for the first time, her mom’s health scare, and the open house to deal with. Luckily Ted is a supportive and understanding guy, she’s got Angus (her Irish Wolfhound) for both protection and laughs, and a great circle of friends.

The Stitch is certainly a place where you’d love to hang out, to sit and stitch for a while or just to talk to Angus and throw his tennis ball for him. Jill, the mannequin, is as much a character as any other. Marcy has the good sense to be careful and not put herself into dangerous situations. Of course, you’d have to take a break now and again to go to Sadie’s coffee shop or to Captain Moe’s for a burger and chocolate shake.

The mysteries are well-crafted with enough clues to make you think, but not so easy as to let you guess the killer too early on, nor so hard that you’re surprised at the outcome. Mostly you’ll just enjoy a good story and Marcy’s company as she follows the clues to a satisfying conclusion.

This is the ninth book in the series. Put the other eight on your holiday wish list. You’ll have a great time hanging out with Marcy and Angus.

To enter to win a copy of The Stitching Hour, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Stitching,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 31, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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