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lazygal's review
2.0
A little too long to be a cozy, and the sense of place isn't quite there - yes, this is Amish country, but surely that's more than a few German words, less use of technology and disapproval of English ways?
Angela wasn't raised Amish, but her visits to her aunt gave her some familiarity with the culture (as well as a former friend, JoJo, now a happily married man). So why there's little curiosity about the culture as an adult, and her inappropriate boundary crossing with JoJo, is a little puzzling. And then there's the quilting aspect, which should have been more prominent. The article at the end doesn't go far enough describing quilts and quilting, or patterns, and much of that information should have been sprinkled throughout the book for readers - waiting to the end just felt wrong.
Angela wasn't raised Amish, but her visits to her aunt gave her some familiarity with the culture (as well as a former friend, JoJo, now a happily married man). So why there's little curiosity about the culture as an adult, and her inappropriate boundary crossing with JoJo, is a little puzzling. And then there's the quilting aspect, which should have been more prominent. The article at the end doesn't go far enough describing quilts and quilting, or patterns, and much of that information should have been sprinkled throughout the book for readers - waiting to the end just felt wrong.
parttimebloggerbookgeek's review
4.0
I finished this book last night and spent the time after trying to organize my thoughts and feelings.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the writing.
I enjoyed the characters, though unlike most I found all the talk of her dog, annoying at times.
My biggest problem with the book was the lack of actual clues, this was more a 'talking out the mystery' as opposed to discovering 'physical clues,' to lead to the murderer.
Having been in what I'd call a reading slump, I rated this book high purely on the fact that I finished and wasn't like, "thank God that's over, but more like, "I might decide to read more in the future.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the writing.
I enjoyed the characters, though unlike most I found all the talk of her dog, annoying at times.
My biggest problem with the book was the lack of actual clues, this was more a 'talking out the mystery' as opposed to discovering 'physical clues,' to lead to the murderer.
Having been in what I'd call a reading slump, I rated this book high purely on the fact that I finished and wasn't like, "thank God that's over, but more like, "I might decide to read more in the future.
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
3.0
This is cute story, but similar format to her other books (or just about every cozy mystery). A young woman inherited a small business from a deceased relative, moved to that quaint little town with a broken heart, found a body and met a new man - a local cop.
diannel_04's review
4.0
Angie Braddock inherits her aunt's quilt shop in Ohio's Amish country and the timing is perfect as her fiancé of 6 years has called off the wedding due to "commitment issues". With her French bulldog, Oliver, she decides she needs the change from Dallas and comes north to run the shop. All goes well until a man, who in my opinion deserved killing, is found dead in her storeroom.
Naturally, there are many suspects and a handsome sheriff but that's okay. The killer was not the person I hoped it was but he was someone who was unlikeable.
I will read more.
Naturally, there are many suspects and a handsome sheriff but that's okay. The killer was not the person I hoped it was but he was someone who was unlikeable.
I will read more.
magpie_books's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
imbookingit's review
4.0
A very nice cozy mystery.
(I'm a little concerned about the murder spree that is going to happen in this small town as this series continues.)
(I'm a little concerned about the murder spree that is going to happen in this small town as this series continues.)
dollycas's review
4.0
When Angela Braddock inherits her late aunt’s beautiful Amish quilt shop, she leaves behind her career and broken engagement for a fresh start in Holmes County, Ohio.
With her snazzy cowboy boots and her ornithophobic French bulldog, Angie doesn’t exactly fit in with the predominantly Amish community in Rolling Brook, but her aunt’s quilting circle tries to make her feel welcome as she prepares for the reopening of Running Stitch.
On the big day, Angie gets a taste of success as the locals and Englisch tourists browse the store’s wares while the quilters stitch away. But when Angie finds the body of ornery Amish woodworker Joseph in her storeroom the next morning, everything starts falling apart.
With evidence mounting against her, Angie is determined to find the culprit before the local sheriff can arrest her. Rolling Brook always appeared to be a simple place, but the closer Angie gets to the killer, the more she realizes that nothing in the small Amish community is as plain as it seems….
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I really enjoyed this debut from Isabella Alan. One of the things I miss most since my accident is not being able to create all the quilt designs in my head. It is books like this that make things a bit easier. I quilt vicariously through the characters in the book.
While our protagonist visited her Aenti often she is still an outside and an Englischer. It would take time for everyone to adjust under normal circumstances but with the question of the shop’s true ownership hanging over her head and the man questioning it dead in the store room things are far from normal. Her Aunt’s friends rally around her but there are others in the community both Amish and English that believe she really killed the man.
Alan has surrounded Angie with some great supporting characters including her dog, Ollie, who happens to be deathly afraid of birds. There are also the friends she made on those summer visits who are now all grown up and these friends really add depth to the story and maybe a bit of romance in the future. Then again her mother hopes Angie will sell the store and come back to Texas and marry the man she broke up with. We just have to wait and see what happens :)
The author has patched together quite a mystery too. There are several threads to follow before the real murder is caught and everything is all sewn up. She kept me guessing all the way.
I am very excited to read Murder, Simply Stitched. It comes out June 3 and Isabella Allen will be her for Cozy Wednesday on June 18.
With her snazzy cowboy boots and her ornithophobic French bulldog, Angie doesn’t exactly fit in with the predominantly Amish community in Rolling Brook, but her aunt’s quilting circle tries to make her feel welcome as she prepares for the reopening of Running Stitch.
On the big day, Angie gets a taste of success as the locals and Englisch tourists browse the store’s wares while the quilters stitch away. But when Angie finds the body of ornery Amish woodworker Joseph in her storeroom the next morning, everything starts falling apart.
With evidence mounting against her, Angie is determined to find the culprit before the local sheriff can arrest her. Rolling Brook always appeared to be a simple place, but the closer Angie gets to the killer, the more she realizes that nothing in the small Amish community is as plain as it seems….
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I really enjoyed this debut from Isabella Alan. One of the things I miss most since my accident is not being able to create all the quilt designs in my head. It is books like this that make things a bit easier. I quilt vicariously through the characters in the book.
While our protagonist visited her Aenti often she is still an outside and an Englischer. It would take time for everyone to adjust under normal circumstances but with the question of the shop’s true ownership hanging over her head and the man questioning it dead in the store room things are far from normal. Her Aunt’s friends rally around her but there are others in the community both Amish and English that believe she really killed the man.
Alan has surrounded Angie with some great supporting characters including her dog, Ollie, who happens to be deathly afraid of birds. There are also the friends she made on those summer visits who are now all grown up and these friends really add depth to the story and maybe a bit of romance in the future. Then again her mother hopes Angie will sell the store and come back to Texas and marry the man she broke up with. We just have to wait and see what happens :)
The author has patched together quite a mystery too. There are several threads to follow before the real murder is caught and everything is all sewn up. She kept me guessing all the way.
I am very excited to read Murder, Simply Stitched. It comes out June 3 and Isabella Allen will be her for Cozy Wednesday on June 18.