REVIEW: SEAMS DEADLY BY MAGGIE BAILEY

Pub Date: 5 September 2023

Author: Maggie Bailey

Genres: Mystery

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“When sewist Lydia Barnes finds a dead body soon after moving to a new town, she will need more than shear luck to find the killer, in this novel perfect for fans of Molly MacRae and Anna Gerard.”

Lydia Barnes relocates to Peridot, Georgia, eager for a new beginning. Her neighbour Fran helps her secure a job at the Measure Twice fabric store and sets her up on a date with the handsome Brandon Ivey. Unfortunately, the date ends on a sour note with a mere fist bump instead of a kiss. Things take a dark turn when Lydia discovers Brandon's lifeless body, and the police suspect her of foul play.

Determined to clear her name and find the real culprit, Lydia enlists the aid of her friends. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover more secrets and mysteries about the town and its inhabitants. With another body discovered inside the store, Lydia realizes the killer is still at large, and time is running out.

Can Lydia piece together the clues and unmask the murderer before it's too late?

Before picking up this book, I had never come across the author's work. As an avid reader always on the lookout for fresh voices and new perspectives, I was eager to dive into this book.

I was pleased to discover that it was a cozy mystery, one of my favourite genres, with a unique twist - the main character is a sewist! The refreshing angle was a delightful addition to the genre, and the vivid descriptions of Peridot, Georgia, and its small-town shops added to the charm.

However, I found the protagonist Lydia to be a bit annoying and immature at times. While I appreciated the relatability of her character in some ways, her passive behaviour made it difficult to fully root for her. Furthermore, her tendency to speak negatively about herself throughout the story made her appear weak and lacking in self-confidence. In my opinion, the author could have developed her character further and made her more likable to readers.

Despite these flaws, the book had an unexpected and satisfying twist that caught me off guard. However, I felt that the mystery itself wasn't given as much focus as I would have liked, making it challenging to piece together the clues alongside the protagonist. The story seemed to focus more on Lydia's personal growth and development, which was interesting, but left me wanting more of a focus on the investigation and solving the crime.

Overall, this book was a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre, with a unique twist and charming small-town setting. However, the protagonist's flaws and the lack of focus on the mystery itself left me wanting more.

This book is a great addition to my reading list, and I'm grateful to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to review.