by Sandra Murphy

This week we have a review of the first in a new series by Allie Pleiter along with an interesting interview with Allie. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

One Sharp Stitch by Allie Pleiter
Review by Sandra Murphy

Shelby Phillips is a graphic designer, or at least she was. There was the job and an office romance—and then there wasn’t. A call from her mom gives her a, if not graceful exit, at least a plausible one.

Her mother has owned Gwen Lake’s needlepoint shop for many years. Now her mom and dad want to travel for a month—so unheard of—and they’ve asked Shelby to take over while they’re gone. It doesn’t hurt that she can have her own space in the apartment above the shop. Talk about an easy commute!

It’s only for a month. She can decompress, adjust her attitude, and be ready for what comes next when her parents return. It’s only for a month. It helps to keep telling herself that. Her sister would be an obvious choice but of course, she’s ‘too busy.’ Right.

One little detail. Mom neglected to tell Shelby the first order of business was a trunk show. The designer is Kat Katsaros, a former classmate (the weird, nerdy, goth kid) who designs needlework scissors. Kat thinks she’d be a natural to run the shop, hopefully on a permanent basis. Shelby has mixed feelings. It’s not that she wants to do it herself, but Kat? Don’t think so.

It’s not an issue when Kat doesn’t arrive for the trunk show. Sadly, Kat’s design career is over, just like her life.

It looks like an accident but then again, maybe that’s just how it was supposed to look—to cover up a murder. With the support of the needlepoint regulars, her busy sister, and a new friend, she’s sure she can untangle the clues and find the killer. After all, she’s only here for a month, right?

Pleiter is a prolific writer, publishing multiple books a year, for a total that’s surpassing 50 titles so far. She’s included a needlepoint pattern for 4X4 monogrammed coasters at the back of the book.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

Interview with Allie Pleiter:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Allie: I began writing in 1996, working in the dual genres of nonfiction parenting books and romance. I’ve always worked in more than one genre, as I am happiest juggling multiple projects. My first book was published in 2001, so this marks my 24th year as an author.

KRL: Congrats! When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?

Allie: The first Allie Pleiter novel was an inspirational women’s fiction entitled Bad Heiress Day. It’s still a personal favorite. The story follows a “sandwich generation” mother who inherits unexpected money from her father with the requirement that she give it away. While dealing with all the challenges of family life, she discovers her own style of philanthropy and the impact she can have on others in caregiving roles.

KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?

Allie: As I said, I enjoy having a multi-genre career. Now it’s primarily cozy mystery and romance, but I also have several books for writers because I do so much book coaching and speaking. I think I’d go crazy focusing all my efforts in just one area—I crave lots of variety.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series? Why needlepoint?

Allie: I’ve always been drawn to needlecraft! I’m an avid knitter, and have a series called The Riverbank Knitting Mysteries that deals with that craft. When the opportunity came to do a needlepoint series, it was an easy shift. Now I enjoy both crafts equally—and so many of my readers are fans of knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, weaving, and all sorts of fiber arts. The setting was born of my recent move to the Carolinas. It gave me a chance to dig deeper into the world of my new home.

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?

Allie: I like to think I’m known for the humor in my work, so I definitely write to entertain. Readers who love mystery and romance are looking for a touch of escape. Having said that, I do try to go a bit deeper, and readers have told me they like the authenticity and “real life” quality of my books. I want the stories to reach readers on several levels.

KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?

Allie: Oh, I’m very disciplined. I have a productivity system for writing called The Chunky Method that I frequently teach and coach writers to use. Simply put, every writer has what I call a “chunk”—or how much writing they can do in a sitting. Once you identify that creative capacity, you can do a lot to schedule yourself in smart ways. For me, it is 1,200 words a day five days a week. That’s how I produce four books a year on average.

KRL: What is your ideal time to write?

Allie: People are often surprised that I don’t have an ideal time. I work with a list every day, and I put that list in order first thing in the morning, but what order writing falls on that list can vary. I’m thankful that my muse is that flexible—it makes a lot of travel and speaking possible.

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Allie: I don’t outline in the traditional sense, but there are things I need to know before starting a manuscript. For mysteries, I always need to know who dies and how, and at least three people who could have done it and why. Then I let the characters take over and unroll the story from there.

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Allie: I had a most unusual launch into publishing. Originally, I was going to be an actor. I’m a raging extrovert (rare in the writing world, I know). One day a friend dared me to try writing when I was complaining about a bad day at my day job. She saw a storytelling talent in me I didn’t realize was there. That book became my first published novel. Some dares are definitely worth taking!

KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?

Allie: I often do signings in settings related to my books. I like to be creative. I’ve had signings in yarn shops, needlepoint shops, coffee shops, all sorts of places. For me the real fun comes in research visits. I love in-person research, and I’ve done wild things for book info—visiting bison ranches, learning how to crack a bull whip, meeting a world-class barista and working the most expensive espresso machine made, learning to walk a tight-rope—I’ve had wonderful adventures in the name of research.

KRL: What are your future writing goals?

Allie: To keep going! After 70 published books, I might slow down a bit in the coming years, but I’m still having a lot of fun. I hope the Nimble Needle Mysteries gets a good, long run!

KRL: Who are your writing heroes?

Allie: I love Diana Gabaldon’s sweeping epic romances and the depth of her characterization. I’m also a huge fan of Alexander McCall Smith’s witty stories.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Allie: The most adventurous kind—see above…

KRL: What do you like to read?

Allie: I read very widely. Nonfiction works on productivity and any number of issues, some of the amazing new young adult and romantasy works that are popular now, historical, contemporary, anything. I just don’t read in the genre I’m currently writing. Acting training has given me a strong sense of mimic, and I never want an echo of what I’m reading to show up in my writing.

KRL: What are your favorite TV shows or movies?

Allie: I am a huge Dr. Who and James Bond fan. I also really enjoyed Ted Lasso—that show had some of the best writing I’ve seen in years.

KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Allie: JUST WRITE! Seriously. Nothing makes you a better writer than writing. But I do get asked this a lot, and I would say lately that it’s essential you learn the basics of marketing. Writers are much more like small businesses than artists these days.

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Allie: One of my jobs out of college was delivering singing telegrams. Then again, maybe that doesn’t surprise people.

KRL: Do you have any pets?

Allie: My Lhasse-poo, Paisley, is the world’s most adorable dog. I dare you to say otherwise.

KRL: Where can our readers find you online?

Allie: Website: alliepleiter.com
Instagram: instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor
Facebook Page: facebook.com/alliepleiter
Facebook group (books): facebook.com/groups/firesidewithallie

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of One Sharp Stitch, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “sharp stitch” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 19, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.