Gayle Trent

I have read quite a few cozy mysteries lately . This book is probably one of the best I've read in awhile. The characters are extremely well developed and the mystery is one I found to be so skillfully written , I couldn't put the book down. The book has a lot of characters, but the author does a great job of introducing them with ease. They each play a pivotal part in the storyline and make the story interesting.

I loved the shop that Marcy owns. It's called the Seven-Year Stitch and is a show more perfect setting for a small town store. The details of the shop were so perfectly described I could see the needlework as Marcy worked on it. I loved how the author showed how much Marcy loved her job and was always willing to sit with customers and show them how to do a particular stitch. It's funny how the story kept reminding me of my mom. She loved to crochet, do embroidery and make beautiful things from a needle and thread. I was so captivated by the store and how Marcy was truely gifted.

Marcy's side kick was such a nice treat to be introduced to. Angus the Irish Wolfhound was at the center of the story and I found him to be adorable, fierce and very protective . He is a perfect fit for Marcy as he keeps her company at the shop. Her boyfriend Ted , a detective is smart, loveable and has deep feelings for Marcy. They are funny at times and he has such a cute nickname for her. I can't wait for you to find out her nickname cause it is so fitting for her.

Now Marcy has been asked to do a huge favor for her friend . He needs her to dress like an elf and help hand out candy and coloring books while he talks to children. . Santa must hsve his elf to help and who better then Marcy. I can picture her in her little costume all cute and happy. Well her happiness doesn't last long, when her Santa finds a body in the room where the children were to meet Santa. The story really picks up with many suspects and a trio of ladies who are bent on solving the crime. Marcy is determined to clear her friends name and she puts herself in danger on more than one occasion. Marcy just can't let things go and finds herself making enemies fast.

The author does talk about organ donors and sick children with great compassion and I appreciate that she brought these subjects into the story. Christmas time is suppose to be cheery and a time to spend with family. I loved how the author brought Marty together with several families who were dealing with very ill family members. Marty has a real gift to make people feel at ease and special. The story is full of little twists and surprises. Will Marty help solve the crime and help set her friend free from prosecution? Will it be a Merry Christmas in the town? Make sure you don't miss this Christmas cozy that will give you a smile, laugh and appreciate the love of family and friends.

I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tour. The review was my own opinion and I was not compensated for it. show less

A cozy mystery with some delicious-sounding deserts, Killer Sweet Tooth has Daphne Martin for its protagonist, a baker with a tendency to stumble on dead bodies. This time, she finds a dead dentist, all while fending off the advances of an Elvis impersonator and constructing the perfect peanut butter banana pink Cadillac cake.

Yes, this concept certainly sounds way out there, and it could have been a disaster. But Trent recognizes the ridiculousness and embraces it. Daphne even thinks she is show more hallucinating the Elvis impersonator at first, and cannot stop laughing.

The mystery is clever, full of unique characters and entertaining situations. It plays right on the fine line of being over-the-top and convoluted, but Trent knows her story well and keeps a firm hold on it.

This is exactly the kind of book I need sometimes, a light fun read that is easy to process and quick to finish. show less

THE LONG STITCH GOOD NIGHT is an enjoyable continuation of the An Embroidery Mystery series. While this book could probably be read stand-alone, I’m glad I had read the previous book, THREAD RECKONING, so I knew some of the backstory. I would describe THE LONG STITCH GOOD NIGHT as more focused on the relationships between the characters than the mystery itself, but for me, that worked in this book. The love triangle continues between Marcy and her two men, Detective Ted Nash and Todd show more Calloway. Marcy also uncovers a very tangled web between the victim, other members of the fraternity, and a mystery woman from their past who may hold clues to uncovering the murderer.

Marcy sewing “shoptalk” was a fun addition to the story, and I was intrigued by her Saint Patrick’s Day themed project of Mountmellick embroidery. I’d recommend this one to mystery readers who enjoy craft cozies and don’t mind them being heavy on the romance. I’m looking forward to finding out what comes next for Marcy.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

Marcy Singer traded her San Francisco lifestyle to become proprietor of a needlework store in Tallulah Falls, Oregon. When an elderly woman brings in a fascinating piece of embroidery dating to the 19th century into her shop and dies while muttering something about finding Ivy, Marcy feels compelled to honor the dying woman's wish. The woman was poisoned. The embroidery piece is less valuable because it had been altered--and the word "ivy" does appear in the altered quote stitched. What did show more the woman mean by "ivy"? Was it the plant? or was it a person? As Marcy probes into the woman's life, she learns more about her and the secrets she harbored. Then one person to whom Marcy turns for help turns up dead before she can ask her question. It's a nice puzzle, and I did determine who did it and why pretty early--but enough red herrings were thrown out that I re-evaluated my conclusion from time to time to determine if there was a reason to change it. show less