Dangerous Alterations

A Southern Sewing Circle #5

by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

When Tori Sinclair's philandering ex turns up dead, the police chief believes it was murder-and that Tori may have been involved. Now, only the girls from the sewing circle will be able to help keep her life from coming apart at the seams...

When Tori accompanies the circle's fiesty matriarch to the local health clinic, the last person she expects to run into is her ex-fiance's great-aunt. And the old woman is so shocked at seeing Tori that she promply has a heart attack and dies. Now that Tori's philandering ex, Jeff- the man she's vowed to stay clear of- has shown up in Sweet Briar, insinuating he's ready for another shot with Tori...

Then Jeff turns up dead, apparently from a heart attack as well. Except the police chief belives it was murder- and that Tori may have been involved. Now she must rely on her ladies from the sewing circle to help her piece together the clues while she keeps her life from coming apart at the seams...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Southern, Crafts, Contemporary

264 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this afternoon read. I like Tori, Debbie, Rose, Leona, Melissa, Georgina and Dixie - the Southern Sewing Circle of Sweet Briar. This is one mystery that poor Tori feels like she has to have the answers to since it's her past that has come to Sweet Briar. Ms. Casey/Ms. Bradford's writing is always smoothly paced and her writing draws me into each story as I learn more about each of the ladies of the sewing circle.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series just seems to get better than the book before it. I love that one of the characters reaches out in forgiveness to another character who she felt had wronged her. We see a friendship between the two start to blossom. The author has well researched how breast cancer patients bare up under painful and expensive treatments when she introduces the character Lynn Calder to the story. How important it is for the patient to have a strong support team walking them through these treatments. Readers learn some interesting facts about how how fires are investigated to determine their causes . I loved that there was not only one mystery but two mysteries to try and solve. I was unable to guess the guilty parties, and there was plenty of suspects with motives to choose from. It's always the ones I least expect and this mystery was no exception.
Quite unexpectedly Tori Sinclair and her former no good for nothing fiance's paths cross once again when she takes Rose Winters to have her arthritis treatment at the cancer center. There she sees Jeff Calder's Aunt as she goes into cardiac arrest. Unfortunately Tori is given the unwanted job of calling Jeff and letting him know about his Aunt Vera's death. Jeff takes advantage of the situation by trying to get on Tori's good side again. She meets him at the airport and from that point on Jeff tries to pick up their relationship from where it left off in Chicago. Tori wants nothing to do with him but Jeff knows that Milo is out of town. In spite of the fact that his green eyed girlfriend comes to Sweet Briar for Aunt Vera's funeral doesn't stop Jeff from making a play for Tori. Then quite suddenly and most unexpectedly Jeff shows up dead in the town square and the search begins to find the whodunit. Then there's also the fire at the library. That's a lot of excitement for the small town of Sweet Briar! Can the Police Chief be trusted to find the real killer or will he once again need to be pointed in the right direction. And there's still the matter of the fire at the library. Was it faulty wires or the act of an arsonist?
If your genre is Cozy mystery than dust off your sleuthing skills and dig into this book. I didn't solve it but maybe you can. Happy reading.
I purchased a Kindle copy of Dangerous Alterations from Amazon. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here, about my experiences reading this book, are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series! Tori's friends help her solve the mystery. I really like the friendships involved with the Southern Sewing Circle. The community really helps each other out.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these books. I might have set a record with this one with how early I figured out the culprit, which is not like me. I really like the characters and seeing how they support each other.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! One of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors. Definitely will be adding to my reread pile. I recommend reading this series in order.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Sweet Briar with Tori Sinclair and the ladies of the Southern Sewing Circle. In this installment Tori’s past comes back to haunt her.

First at a local health clinic Tori runs into her ex-fiance’s great aunt Vera. The old woman seems shocked to see Tori. Tori is shocked when the woman dies on the spot, most likely from a heart attack. Vera’s death brings slime-ball Jeff to Sweet Briar for the funeral and he has the nerve to ask Tori to take him back.

Tori is also worrying about Dixie, the former head librarian, filling in for her as she takes off on a weekend retreat with the Sewing Circle. Then she learns that it seems Jeff has fallen over dead during a run around Sweet Briar, from a heart attack as well. Heart problems run in his family but even Tori believes this is too much of a coincidence. The police chief thinks so too and even thinks Tori may be involved in the death.

It’s time to gather everyone together and try to piece together what really happened as Tori tries hard to keep for life from ripped apart at the seams.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love this series and I love these ladies. The story is filled with one surprise after another. Elizabeth Lynn Casey has outdone herself with this one. It is easily the best book in the entire series, but knowing this author the next one will be awesome too. The characters continue to grow, the story is full of layers that will continue into the next installments. The mystery or should I say mysteries are clever. I will say there were at least three places in this story when I said “OH MY GOSH”, totally unexpected, off the wall twists.

As the time passes, the friendships of these women have grown so that even through some are already family, together they are building a new family all their own. Tori has been in Sweet Briar a very short time and now with her past up close and personal she has the entire support of the ladies of the Southern Sewing Circle. She needs them more than ever in this story. They protect her and fight for her like she was their own, daughter, niece or sister. They are there to help her pick up the pieces and move forward. These friendships are the core of this series. To move away from one life to start over in a new place is extremely difficult but she has been welcomed and embraced by this town totally.

Every trip to Sweet Briar is a pleasure. The residents of Sweet Briar just stitch themselves right into your heart. I’ll give Tori and friends some time for things to settle down. I know the next book is in the works and I can’t for my next visit.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've kept it no secret that I love this series. Elizabeth Lynn Casey is a superb story teller. Not only does she have a perfect knack for writing a well thought out mystery. Not only does she have the perfect knack for writing a well thought out mystery, she creates brilliantly real characters that jump off the pages. Indeed, she has created a group of women that I want as life long friends, and a town that I would pack up and move to today if I could.

I also love the humor in this one. (All her titles) I mean, how can you go wrong with laugh out loud lines and scenes like these....."So, we just wanted to be here in case you needed reinforcements." "Reinforcements?" "That's what I said,"... skip to........ "....hold your hand when your knees are a-clackin', help dig the hole when you're spittin' mad...that's what friends do." (The dug hole of course for burying a body.) Forward to the outside of a car window where an argument is taking place.........the sight of Leona and Paris peeking in the passenger window. Motioning over her shoulder, Leona stepped to the side to reveal a simmering Rose and a shovel-wielding Margaret Louise........ See? Laugh out loud fun!

Now, don't let that take away from the mystery element of the book. Ms. Casey's stories always have a great mystery and leave me guessing on the Whodunit front. There are twists and turns, and enough suspects to go around, that it will have you changing your guess at least every chapter.

If you haven't yet treated yourself to the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries, it's about time you do! And, while wonderful sewing projects do take place, you don't have to know a thing about sewing to read these. But if you do love to sew, there are great sewing tips included as well as the directions for the project in the book.

This book and the entire series, has a little something for everyone!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am having fun reading this book with my friend Melissa and comparing notes. I just love this series!
I love the growing friendships with the women of the Sweet Briar sewing circle. They always come together to help each other out. They have a great idea for the comfort pillows for cancer patients. I was even surprised by the ending. Did not see that one coming but I did get a little suspicious near the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this is the 5th book in this series, I had no trouble following the story. There was a lot of background given (over and over) so I knew a lot about this group of ladies. The women of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle - Tori, Georgina, Leona, Margaret Louise, Dixie, Debbie, Melissa, and Beatrice - are a tight-knit group who gossip, share, celebrate, console, investigate, and sew together. There are times they are rather short and sarcastic with one another (at least Rose and Louise) but it is sorted out at one point.

In this story, Tori's ex (the one who cheated on her at the rehearsal dinner) comes to town for the funeral of his great-aunt. It is also the mother-in-law of the woman, Lynn, who Tori just met at the hospital getting chemo for breast cancer. Margaret Louise and Tori were there with Rose while she was getting an IV treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Jeff wants to get back together with Tori but his girlfriend Kelly is not happy about this turn of events. Also Garrett, Lynn's husband, shows up with his mistress. Lynn is still living with him and not pursuing divorce because she needs his insurance for her medical bills. Vera leaves all of her inheritance to Jeff and none to Garrett, but Lynn gets the house. With that all being said, it is no surprise that Jeff ends up dropping dead and there is more than one suspect. For some reason, Tori feels that she needs to investigate, after all, she was engaged to Jeff.

Even though the mystery is the main storyline, there was a lot going on. Tori was not as intrusive a sleuth as in some other series I have read, in fact, there were times that the mystery definitely took a back seat to some of the drama in the lives of these ladies. Tori is loved by all, but seems to be a bit simpering at times. I am not sure if I liked her or not. I did not dislike her, but she did not seem like a friend that I would sit down with. She has left her boyfriend Milo hanging for several months after he asked her to marry him because inside she thinks she was the cause of Jeff cheating on her, come on girl. I had figured out who and how the murder had occurred much earlier in the book than the big reveal. Not sure if this is a series I will continue with or not.

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is really cozy. the focus isn't the murder - I was reading digitally, so I know that I was 65% of the way through the book before anything is even established as murder. the focus is Tori's absent fiance (he's taking classes), and how Tori has recovered from a broken heart, and how terrible broken hearts are, and working at the library, and ladies sitting together and sewing. there's a lot of banter, jokes about age and ringtones and people acting nosy about Tori's love life. I think for some readers this would be just perfect. not for me, but for many readers on here!

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Great series. I could not put it down. Love the character interactions and the plot. Will continue reading this series.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish I liked Tori, the protagonist, more. I do like the writing and the other characters, but Tori's nearly constant self doubt gets on my nerves.

When her ex-fiance comes to town and starts to make an ass of himself, it's no surprise that he gets knocked off pretty quickly. Then everyone comes under suspicion. However, the culprit is pretty obvious from the beginning.

Overall, I do like the women in this series, though some of the bickering and interfering in Tori's life can be a bit much. There is humor and excellent dialogue. I guess my biggest beef is Tori's lack of confidence and poor decision making. It's like she never learned to say no or stand up for herself. She needs to do that and do it fast. It would make this series so much better for her to find inner peace and strength.

[Amanda Meggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall I have found Tori to be quite an irritating main protagonist. She doubts and mistrusts her boyfriend and friends on a regular basis, and has to 'wipe away a tear' way too often. The mysteries in the series are fairly obvious (to me anyway), but not impossible. I have come back to the series a few times but I'm afraid this will be the last one for me as I hoped Tori would improve and she hasn't grown at all, still seems to be the same character even though again and again it's proven that he can trust her friends.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've loved every book in this series, I have to say this was my favorite. The friendships among the sewing circles ladies are growing stronger, but also becoming more complex. The main character, Tori, is my idea of the perfect cozy protagonist--kind, intelligent, insightful, and (of course!) intensely curious. Long live the ladies of the Southern sewing circle!

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in this series!!!! This one has tons of drama as Tori's ex shows up, Milo's out of town at a workshop, there is a fire at the library and something is wrong with Paris!!!!!

[Dyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The women of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle - Tori, Georgina, Leona, Margaret Louise, Dixie, Debbie, Melissa, and Beatrice - are a tight-knit group who gossip, share, celebrate, console, investigate, and sew together. At times these books can be a bit saccharine, but there is always a mystery to be solved. The theme for this book seems to be women who have been betrayed by philandering men.

Margaret Louise and Tori accompany Rose to a local health clinic while she gets an IV treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. While there, Tori recognizes a woman named Vera Calder. She is the great aunt of her ex-fiancé Jeff who lives in Chicago. Tori had moved to Sweet Briar to start her life anew after he cheated on her. Vera is there with her step-son's wife who's name is Lynn. Lynn is there getting a chemo treatment for cancer. Tori and Vera stare at each other in recognition and soon after Vera dies of an apparent heart attack. Did seeing Tori cause it? Tori is asked to call Jeff with the news and like an idiot, she agrees. He says he will be on the next plane and asks Tori to pick him up at the airport. She agrees again. Jeff tells Tori he made a mistake by cheating at their engagement party and wants her back. At the funeral his girlfriend Kelly shows up and shoots daggers at Tori. Also Garrett, Lynn's husband, shows up with his mistress. Lynn is still living with him because she needs his insurance for her medical bills. Vera leaves all of her inheritance to Jeff and none to Garrett, but Lynn gets the house.

Milo Wentworth, Tori's boyfriend, is away at a summer teaching conference. In the last book he asked her to marry him, but she is stalling in giving him an answer because of her insecurities involving what Jeff did to her. She doesn't tell him over the phone about Jeff being in town, and he is upset when he finds out from one of her friends. Jeff jogs by the library one day and about an hour later drops dead on the street of an apparent heart attack. The police chief believes it was murder, and he feels Tori may be involved somehow.

There are several minor subplots:
- Nina, Tori's assistant at the library, is on leave because her baby is due soon. Dixie, the former librarian, is helping out at the library and wanting to make some changes. Tori is nervous about leaving her alone in the library.

- The ladies of the sewing circle spend a weekend away in a luxurious cabin, but Georgina and Tori are called back to town because Tori's office at the library has been destroyed by a fire. Did Dixie accidently start it by plugging in an old coffee pot or is something more sinister going on?

- Leona, the southern belle and only non sewing member of the group, doesn't want anyone mentioning Chicago, is hiding something from her past, and reacts badly to Tori and Lynn's relationship with their cheating men. She thinks the men are better off dead. Leona is fleshed out in this book and we find out what made her who she is today. Leona and Rose spend a lot of time bickering, but do they really care for each other?

- Paris, Leona's male bunny, is growing fat. He has a surprise in store for everyone and also provides the comic relief in the book.

- Throughout the book the ladies are making comfort pillows for people visiting the IV center. There is a pattern for them in the back of the book.

One pet peeve I have is that all the characters in the book call Tori Victoria. Only the author calls her Tori in relating the story. Another thing is that Tori (see, even I am doing it) is always gasping, gulping, swallowing, gaping, wiping away tears, dropping her mouth open, taking a breath of air, repeating back one word answers when talking to people, and saying "What do you mean?" - all showing her many insecurities. It's annoying. Toughen up girl. At one time or another, Tori doubts Milo when she finds he made a brief visit back home without telling her, doubts some of her friends, and wonders if they might have a motive for killing Jeff. The author also keeps repeating the obvious - things we already know. A good read, but I see room for improvement.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori and Margaret-Louise are supporting Rose through her treatment at the hospital, as Tori glances round she realises that her ex-fiance's Great-Aunt Vera is there with another lady, when Vera suddenly drops dead Tori needs to phone Jeff (the ex) and let him know.  Just after the funeral Jeff turns up wanting another go at a relationship with Tori (she gives him rather short shrift!) and she thinks that is the end of it, unfortunately the next day he drops dead whilst out jogging.  Tori is shocked but doesn't think there is anything else to it (the whole family have a history of heart problems) and so she heads off with the majority of the sewing circle to enjoy a weekend away.  Not long after they arrive, however, Georgina (the Mayor) receives a phone call - the library is on fire!

Tori and Georgina head back, only to discover that the fire was deliberate and that so was Jeff's death, now the whole group needs to pull together to find out the truth of both matters, and to stop the wrong person being stuck sewing mail bags!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The newest cozy pick for me - not the first in the series, but no problem jumping in and going with the story.

My son helps pick my next cozy read and I believe this time it was all about the cover - With Easter coming up the bunny on the front was the winner. While the bunny plays a fun part in the story there is much more going on in Dangerous Alterations, like murder!

It did take a while to get to the murder part, but that was ok with me. I don't always have to have murder throw up in my face on page 3. More build up and back story isn't bad.


When an ex of Tori's comes back to town, seems nothing goes right. An order of a girls weekend is sure to be the cure, until the fire … and it's at Tori's library.


Fun fast read.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't care for sewing, or any other "crafty" thing. Reading, preferably mysteries, and playing games on my computer are my main relaxation (if you don't count shopping). Love finding new books / authors at thrift stores / yard sales. Which is how I got started on this series. Had to get the first few books in this series from the library. Ones I found to buy were most of the series from this one onward. Loved her Laura Bradford Amish series. Only have the two novella's of them that I haven't read yet.
But back to this book, I was suspecting this culprit from way back. Glad I had one right "for a change", since that doesn't happen most of the time! Definitely a good read.

[Danielle Gonzalez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been reading these books in order. They are cute stories with an eclectic group of characters. The prior book ended on a note that made me excited to immediately pick up the next one. However, I was sorely disappointed in the direction this book took from the very beginning. This is my least favorite of this series. I missed seeing Milo, I didn't really like the way the main character acted, and it seems that the author is dumbing down the character of Margaret Louise. I do not remember her speaking with such poor grammar in the previous stories.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Elizabeth Lynn Casey's Southern Sewing Circle cozy mystery series, and I can honestly say that Dangerous Alterations is my favorite book so far! This book has it all: the death of Tori's ex-fiance, an "incident" at her beloved library, insight into Leona's personality, news from Melissa, more "cuteness" from Lulu, and a girl's weekend away. The Sweet Briar ladies are so much fun to read about.

[Lynne Tull]

I am still working my way through this really 'cozy' mysteries. I have decided they are the ones that I will read in bed before I go to sleep. There is no danger in the plot or characters keeping me awake or intruding in my dreams. A story about a librarian sleuth who belongs to a 'sewing group' in a small town where everyone meets at the local bakery is a safe 'nighttime' read! Recommend if you like to sew and libraries and small towns. Enjoy.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Usually, when there is a themed mystery series the books main focus is on that theme. So i really thought there would be a sewing focus. This barely talked about sewing. Her work at the library was the main focus. Perhaps it would be a better fit with a library series. Also, the title had nothing to do with anything in the book.

[Alicia Peacock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good thing the sewing circle has so many members. Victoria has thought for each book a different member may be the murderer. Victoria is just a little to good to be true. She is also just extremely indecisive and annoying. Along with several members of the sewing circle. Murder mystery part was good but it is such a small part.

[Ann Litwack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous Alterations was another wonderful installment in the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery series. I am so enjoying this series!! The characters are so much fun and all feisty. I feel like these characters are friends of mine. I figured out the murderer before the final revelation but still thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Pattie Klassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series but I hated this ending. I know Tori did the right thing but I still hated this ending and it literally mad me angry on how it ended. I still love the series though and will continue to read because Toi is amazing and the Sewing circle is what everyone needs in their life! True friends that has your back and really care about you.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less mystery more character story

This book focused much more on the characters, their back stories and movement forward. The victim inspired no sympathy and the solution was obvious fairly early in the book. Still a good story and installment in the series

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed, but needs some more editing

Was a good book and I enjoyed it. Only issues was lots of words are ran together. A few no big deal, but there are so many it became annoying. Would be nice if editing took another look.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, but I figured out the murderer fairly early. Also, there was another crime that was solved, but the closure on it seemed incomplete. The reader didn't get to see the person confronted or brought to justice.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book had Milo’s ex in it and this one had Tori’s. So right from the beginning I was not looking forward to this story. I can say I knew why Paris the bunny was feeling off. I missed Milo being in this one.