Remnants of Murder

A Southern Sewing Circle #8

by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

When a cantankerous Sweet Briar resident ends up six feet under, the ladies of the sewing circle have to deal with a town full of suspects . . . With the library's budget dwindling, Tori Sinclair is forced to let go of her predecessor, and fellow sewing circle member, Dixie Dunn. After losing her job a second time, Dixie decides to volunteer for Home Fare, delivering meals to the homebound.

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

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 6, 2013

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The further I read in this series the more I grow to love the characters. In book eight I felt like just taking Leona Elkin and shaking some sense into her. Even Milo seemed to lose control of his emotions a time or two. Tori just does what she does best and that is helping people and getting to the truth of things. We all know that Police Chief Robert Dallas is a sorry excuse for a lawman. In the end it always comes together. I thought I knew who the murderer was but was most surprised to find out that I was wrong once again.
Clyde Montgomery owned the most prime and desirable property in the town of Sweet Briar South Carolina. It seemed that everyone wanted his property including well known vacation and Spa companies. But Clyde had no intentions of selling his property to anyone. It had been a part of his family for at least three generations and as far as he was concerned it would stay in the family. The business owners in town wanted the cash flow that tourists would bring to their stores. They tried everything they could think of to convince Clyde to sell his property for the good of the town. Then Dixie Dunn, who volunteered for Home Care and delivered meals to Clyde found him dead in his home. Chief Robert ruled it as death by natural causes but Dixie couldn't except that. She comes to Tori seeking help to find the real cause of Clyde's death. Was it natural causes , as the Chief thinks, or foul play as an attempt to gain revenues from the sale of his Lake front Properties to the tourist industries?
All readers of Cozy Mysteries will love Remnants of Murder. If you have read the first seven books of The Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries, than this is number eight . You won't want to miss reading it too. I love this series and know you will too.
I borrowed a Kindle ebook copy of this book from The Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery. Filled with twists and turns.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do really love this series but in this installment Tori's ditsy ways really bothered me. On a number of occasions she had to ask people what they were talking about when it was glaringly obvious and she always seemed to need people to explain things to her. It got old. Really old. Hopefully Tori will wise up a bit in the next book because her obliviousness was distracting from an otherwise interesting mystery.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what happened to Tori in this book but she seemed rather unintelligent compared to the other books. Everything went over her head. Even Milo’s feelings about her not planning their wedding and having no time for him. What young person doesn’t want to spend time with their supposed soul maté fiancé? The murder was interesting and the twist at the end with the murderer, I didn’t see that coming.

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

With Tori having to tell Dixie she is no longer needed at the library (which isn't strictly true! Tori would love her to stay but the finances don't allow it - oh and the Library Director left her to do the task of telling Dixie rather than getting their own hands "dirty"), Dixie has decided to join Home Fare, a local set up that delivers meals to those that need them, as she is new to the round she only has a few clients, one of which is an elderly man who is sitting on some Prime Real Estate.  When he dies everyone seems glad (indeed the local business association actually has a party!) but Dixie doesn't believe that he died of natural causes and enlists Tori's help to find out the truth.  This put Tori on a collision course with Leona, Georgina and her fiance Milo!

Now Tori needs to figure out who amongst a large list wanted one man dead, and at the same time why she is dragging her feet about the wedding preparations, after all she loves and wants to marry Milo - so what is stopping her?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Elizabeth Lynn Casey's Southern Sewing Circle series, you'll like Remnants of Murder. Tori and her eclectic group of friends suspect that an elderly Sweet Briar resident was poisoned to death and set out to prove it. And Tori finally starts to check things off her wedding preparation to do list. As I finished this book, I had a smile on my face!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dixie has been a huge help at the library while Nina was out on maternity leave. Tori really hoped to keep her on after Nina returned but the budget is just too tight and getting tighter. Tori is forced to let her predecessor go, just when their friendship was making so much progress.

Dixie lands on her feet and starts working as a volunteer for Home Fare delivering meals to the home-bound. She immediately makes a connection with Clyde Montgomery. Sadly less than a week after she starts bringing his meals he is found dead. It is ruled a natural death, he was 91. Dixie just can’t accept that. The man had something almost everyone in town wanted and his health deteriorated just way too quickly.

Dixie asks Tori to assist her in a bit of sleuthing. With the help of the Southern Sewing Circle members that may be able to find a remnant of truth that leads them straight to a killer.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There is never a dull moment in Sweet Briar, South Carolina and this time the whole town seems to be involved.

Casey continues to paint extraordinary pictures with her words. This time the ladies spend less time sewing and more time strengthening the bonds they have built since the series started. Readers are also treated to a beautiful place outside Sweet Briar. Clyde Montgomery’s property/view sounds like paradise. A place I would love to visit and probably never want to leave. Milo and Tori’s relationship is having some growing pains but I have a feeling the next book in the series is going have a very happy ending.

The Ladies of the Southern Sewing Circle have stitched a permanent place in my heart. Everyone needs a group of friends like them. They don’t see eye to eye on everything and they have their squabbles, but when push comes to shove they are always there for each other.

I have said it before and I will say it again. These books are great stories that combine cozy mystery with women’s fiction. The mysteries are creative and clever. The friendships are real and true. Wrapped together they are a pure joy to read!!!

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tori Sinclair heard the voice droning on in her ear, bits and pieces of the man's words mingling intermittently with the more enviable conversation taking place on the other side of the office between her fresh-off-maternity-leave assistant, Nina Morgan and her predecessor-turned-nemesis-turned trusty-right-hand, Dixie Dunn.

Good grief! What an opening line! The Southern Sewing circle is back for the 8th installment of the series. Tori is faced once again with Dixie losing her job at the library due to lack of funding. Dixie decided to volunteer with a Meals on Wheels program know as Home Fare for Sweet Briar. Dixie is enjoying the interaction with the shut-ins, including curmudgeon, Clyde Montgomery until she finds him dead just a few days into her job. Clyde owns a piece of property that a number of people would like to have and would go to any length to get. Dixie does not believe that his death is natural and draws the ladies of the Sewing Circle into sleuthing again.

Poor Dixie! She always seem to get the short end of a bad situation. Her conviction that Clyde was murdered was an example of her tenacious personality. The usual gang is here. Leona is always over the top and it will be interesting to see where her television show will go. Tori seemed a bit clueless in this book. I'm not sure if it was the wedding preparation that she should be involved with or not. Speaking of the wedding. Poor Milo! He truly wants Tori to stop with the amateur sleuthing and settle down to be his wife. I really felt that he was pushed aside much to often. The potential suspects were wide and varied. The victim's family dynamics plays a large role in the murder.

I always enjoy a visit to Sweet Briar, but this was not one of my favorites. I will continue to read just to get to the wedding. Hopefully there will be a wedding.

[Lisa Cornelius Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this series! It is in my top 3 of my favorite cozy mystery series. The mystery was good, and I enjoyed this latest visit to The lovely town of Sweet Briar and spending time in the lives of the wonderful characters that inhabit this series. My heart is full every time I read another installment in the series. I’m trying to make it last, as I know there are only a few books left before I finish the series.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like this book but Tori is annoying. she's completely dense. "Don't you wish you could just wave a magic wand over the elderly..." I mean seriously? and then the whole thing with Milo. He sounds like the most amazing guy in the world but Tori continues to push him aside. ugh I don't know.

[Charlene Huyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise all the way to the end!

[Alicia Peacock · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is the over descriptive nature of the writing that I do not enjoy. Do I need to know that when a character laughed you could see the chocolate brownie they just ate on their back molars? No, i do not. It is just filler. The mystery was interesting with a lot of suspects. The actual murderer and their actual reasons for the murder were just tossed in. In addition, I think Margaret Louise has exhausted every Southern saying there is, now they are just being made up and sound like gobbledygook. And let us not forget Leona because she simply won't let us. She is in her sixties with grey hair and glasses. I don't care if she has a super model body no good looking man in his 30/40 is attracted to Leona. So she is either rich or delusional. As I have written before although this is not my favorite cosy series, obviously, several people I know love it.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this one, a ninety-one year old man dies and the death is believed to be due to "natural causes." Given his age, that sounds reasonable enough but Dixie, the town's former librarian and current meal delivery volunteer, is suspicious. She relates her suspicions to current librarian and unofficial detective to Victoria who is initially disinclined to entertain the thought. That changes, however, when Dixie shows Victoria a recent picture of the man who looked hale hearty, and many years younger than his actual age. He looked nothing like the healthy man in the photo a mere six weeks or so later, which did raise Victoria's sleuthing radar.

[K.T. Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series drawing to an end?

Rating: 3/5

I really enjoy the Southern Sewing Circle books - aside from the fact that Tori’s whining can be a little annoying from time to time. That being said, this felt a little stiff compared to the previous books. Milo gets the shaft (I’ve always felt so) when it comes to Tori’s attentions and he just seems so OK with it normally that watching him stand up for himself and their relationship was fun.

I also have just realized that I’m already on book 8 out of like 10 or 12. The series has gone by fast and pleasantly.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a southerner and a seamstress,this book was very disappointing. There wasn't an author bio, yet I believe she's neither southern nor a seamstress. I don't have a problem with her mystery writing, but gathering for sewing was more about unpleasant women arguing than any women's group I've been a part of. The "southern" expressions were hackneyed and overused. The promised pattern wasn't a pattern at all, merely a suggested size, no mention of backing or batting which the project would need. Do not read this book if your interest is sewing.

[Karen Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book "Remnants of Murder" (A Southern Sewing Circle, #8) by Elizabeth Lynn Casey is a crafty tale. The returning characters, South Carolina setting, and creative ending will have readers searching for more stories in this series. copy right 2013 332 LP pages sewing hints pattern

[Lynne Tull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new here. (read my other reviews on this series) Still 'really' cozy. Just reading for escape from the heavy stuff. I won't lose any sleep over the trials and tribulations of the 'sewing club'. I still do not particularly like the 'Leona' character.

[Dorothy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these little murder mysteries. These are fun stories with relatable characters and of course, sewing.

[Flora Camille Lynette Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good I cant getvenough of the southern sweetness and sass

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice sewing puns

[Starr Gardinier · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Remnants of Murder” by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

They say ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.’ True enough and Casey shows how spot on that is and how dangerous beauty can be in “Remnants of Murder.”

Tori Sinclair is relatively new to Sweet Briar, but is accepted in this small, quaint town. That is until she gets involved in a murder plot that she can’t just sew up and move on to another project. Part of a sewing group, Tori’s help is elicited by one of the members, Dixie, to help prove that a ninety-one-year-old man’s death—Clyde—was not from old age.

With the aid of Leona, Margaret Louise, Dixie, and a few of the other sewing members, Tori tries to prove what she knows is fact. But who wants to kill a ninety-one-year-old man and why? These are just a few of the questions Tori poses to others and that are posed to her. And it troubles her that someone may get away with murder if she doesn’t do something.

Many business owners are actually celebrating Clyde’s death. It seems, Clyde was the owner of a very valuable property that the town wants him to part with; at least, part of it so they can build a resort, thus bringing in more tourists to the town, which would equal more money for the businesses. But Clyde refused to sell any acre of the property. This angered a lot of people.

Setting her sights on the murder, Tori sets aside one of the most important people in her life, her fiancé, Milo and their upcoming nuptials. She ends up not only disappointing Milo time and time again but also manages to alienate some of her closest friends in Sweet Briar. Can she salvage her relationship with Milo while atoning for her mistakes made with friends? And can she solve the murder or will he or she remain free?

Suspects aplenty and quite entertaining!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unflappable Tori Sinclair is at it again with her sewing circle sisters. In book eight of the southern sewing circle mysteries you are once again immediately caught up in Tori's mess that has to be done in letting one of her good friends, and former librarian, Dixie Dunn, be cut from the library budget. Tori's relationship with Dixie has been a very carefully trodden path since she arrived in Sweet Briar and found out she had been the one to re-place Dixie as head librarian. But with a lot of effort on Tori's and some on Dixie, they have developed a special bond. So when Tori has to give the bad news to Dixie and Dixie taking the news as " a go home and wait to die" sugestion, Tori's heart is torn into too many directions, but when the towns big lake front land owner, Clyde Montgomery, dies just day's after Dixie starts helping out with HomeFare and bringing meals in for the home bound. Tori is once again asked by Dixie to help solves Clyde's death because she suspects murder. Tori is kept running in circles trying to help her friends, save her wedding and maybe save the whole town.

I have loved all of the eight books in this series, the characters are smart, witty, and endearing. The murder plots keep you up all night turning the pages to find out who did it. And the total joy in just reading a well written series that you just keep wanting to know what is going to be next for this adorable town and its people, is always a number one prize for me. Thank you Elizabeth Lynn Casey for your creative writing and willingness to share your talent with us. This series goes around to family members and friends, and a top recommendation when people ask me what to read.

[Ceelee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Southern mystery! This time set in South Carolina and a cozy rather than literary. I have never read any of Elizabeth Lyon Casey's books but I really enjoyed visiting the town of Sweet Brier and will come back again, perhaps in a retrospective of the series so I can get to know more of the back stories of certain characters. It is a typical cozy, set in a small town with many quirky characters....sometimes a little too quirky like the twins Margaret Louise and Leona who sometimes were a little over the top....and the mystery is sometimes odd and a lot of times sad yet there is enough comic relief (the twins for example) that made it less a weepie as some novels would. I felt like I was in Tori's sleuthing shoes as she tried to figure out who among the greedy local business owners would have murdered Clyde Montgomery for his land for development and the enrichment of the town. There were many twists and turns and sometimes the romance got in the way of solving the crime and I was kept guessing to the end. I thought I had it all figured out then BOOM! my conclusion was shot right out of the water! For those of you interested in sewing there are tips in the back of the book as well a instructions of making the placemats the ladies group were making. I can't wait to read future volumes to see how Tori's wedding goes and what Dixie, Margaret Louise and ML's
bunny Paris will be up to, how Leona's cable show will turn out and how long it will take the town to forgive Tori for accusing so many of them!

[Sharon Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those sassy sewing ladies of Sweet Briair are up to their usual hijinks again in Elizabeth Lynn Casey's latest Southern Sewing Circle novel, Remnants of Murder.

Librarian Tori Sinclair and her sewing circle buddies once again find that murder has crept into their quiet little town and its up to them to put their needles and thread down and find out who is stitching up a bunch of trouble and causing mayhem.

On top of trying to help her friend Dixie and the rest of the sewing gang solve the latest murder in the tiny town, Tori is also supposed to be working on her upcoming wedding plans to Milo, but things just keep taking her attention away from the details and Milo is getting just a little bit weary of her excuses! Will Tori's sleuthing cause her to lose the man she loves?

I absolutely love Elizabeth Lynn Casey's charming Southern Sewing Circle Mystery series. The cast of regular characters are just a hoot and a half, but they are also smart and loving. And Casey always features a captivating and intriguing mystery that moves the plot along at a quick pace and keeps the readers entertained and riveted.

You can read "Remnants of Murder" as a stand-alone story, but indulge yourself and check out the whole series. You'll be so glad you did!

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a well-written, character driven, Southern-flavored and definitely cozy mystery.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eighth novel in the series Southern Sewing Circle was a pleasant read. Our sleuth, Librarian Victoria Sinclair, is finding life not as easy going as she is used to in Sweet Briar, South Carolina. First, Tori finds out that budget cuts have hit. This necessitates the laying off of former head librarian, Dixie Dunn for the second time.

Dixie finds a position as a volunteer for the local food program for shut-ins and regains her feeling of being useful. That is until four days later when her 'client' is found dead. The police feel it is a case of age...Dixie feels that is just ageism and that the gentleman was murdered!

Tori who can not refuse helping her sewing circle friends agrees to help Dixie look into the death. However this comes at a price and it just may be too dear this time...loss of Tori's fiancé, Milo. Milo is tired of Tori's rushing to her friends aid and putting their wedding details off. Just who is more important?

As the case deepens so does Tori's emotions. Emotions are boiling in the town as well and most business owners are not unhappy at the death. What is truly going on?

This novel is a pleasant read. Victoria and the sewing circle have become friends that I welcome to my reading list. The ending was sad but satisfying for me. I look forward to the next book in the series. I love weddings!

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series which I have read. I believe I would have enjoyed it more if I were more familiar with the characters who populate this lovely small town, Sweet Briar. The town is populated by wonderful people who are typical of small towns - in the South or anywhere.

Tori is the chief librarian and also a member of the Sweet Briar Sewing Circle. Being a part of the Circle makes her a part of a wonderful group of interesting women who know everything about the town and the people in the town. Tori is engaged to be married to a very patient man.

There is a man who owns land that is coveted by resort builders. The belief is if Clyde sells his land, the entire small town will prosper and become a "Destination." Clyde is an elderly man who does not want to sell. Clyde is the man who is murdered.

The mystery is well developed and the plot is quite interesting. The characters are well developed. It is evident that Ms Casey is a talented writer.

If you like a cozy mystery that is filled with all the things which make a cozy mystery a fun read, this is the book for you.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tori's sewing circle friend Dixie volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound when one of her clients dies suddenly. Although Clyde was old, Dixie is convinced it is murder and convinces Tori too. I really like the "Southern Sewing Circle" cozy mystery series. Tori is a good sleuth and she has a wonderful group of friends that really come to life, plus a very understanding fiancee!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest when I first started reading this book, I was a little disappointed. Some of the attitudes towards Tori I found a little annoying and Tori's attitude toward her own wedding I was confused on. That being said, as the story went on, some of it became understandable and made sense. The murder mystery was interesting and with so many suspects (I would really worry living around some of these people) it kept me guessing and I admit I guessed wrong. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

2013-08-29. I enjoyed this but really got annoyed with the Tori/Milo bit. She really does treat him poorly and he keeps taking it to the point of pretty much encouraging it. Was glad when he finally showed his disappointment in her actions but it didn't last long. Also wasn't enthused with how she proceeded to point fingers at people who were supposedly her friends. Based on how she's portrayed, that's the last thing she should have done. Mystery was pretty good. Despite the complaints, I did enjoy the book.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character, Victoria or Tori gets involved in solving a murder of an 92 year old man. Considered a light murder mystery Tori is a librarian who pays more interest in her sewing group friends than her fiance. Several of the characters really annoyed me especially the twin sisters because they called each other "twin". Having twin daughters, this really, really bugged me!

For a complete list of good books with a sewing/quilting theme, see this post:
http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/2015/...