Backstitched and Stabbed

Grace Designs Mysteries #2

by Tilly Wallace

The only thing worse than wet woollen togs, is a knife in the back… As the kiwi summer draws to a close, a family outing to the beach takes a deadly turn when a lifeless body washes up on shore. Grace is devastated to recognise the victim, Ricky, who worked in her friend’s bakery. But when the supposed drowning victim is rolled over, a shocking truth is revealed—he was murdered. Drawn into finding the murderer of the cheerful baker, Grace picks at the tangled web of secrets that surrounded Ricky. The man lived a double, or even triple, life. But which version of him had provoked the fatal encounter? Grace and her friends must find the person responsible, before another life is lost to the same tide of violence that claimed Ricky. This is the second instalment in the Grace Designs mystery series, about a seamstress turned sleuth in Wellington, New Zealand at the dawn of the 1920s.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Cozy, Fiction, Paranormal

234 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2023

About the author

Tilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish she would stop stringing Frank along.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite enjoying this cosy mystery, with a small dash of fantasy, series.

Backstitched and Stabbed by Tilly Wallace is the second book, and our main character is once again drawn into solving a murder, close to herself.
I liked how this has a LGBT flavour, showing the prejudices back in the day, without it overwhelming the story or tone of the book. It's just one more layer adding a bit more depth.

I must confess I read it mostly for the voice of the main character, and didn't think the murder mystery part itself was too gripping. However the setting and tone of the story still made this a quick and fun read, I finished more or less in one go.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm beginning to really enjoy this series set in New Zealand (Wellington) in the 1920s. The main character is a designer/seamstress who creates beautiful dresses for the elite. She is a single mom, whose husband was killed during WWI, and lives with her Dad, who helps with raising her soon-to-be five year old.

Grace Devine seems to find herself in the middle of murders, which are rare in Wellington. With a friend and a police inspector, she sets out to find the culprit.

I enjoy cozy mysteries inbetween reading more serious books.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second installment of Grace's adventures was nearly as charming as the first. Grace continues to play an active role in the investigations she undertakes and makes excellent use of her network of friends and family to ferret out clues. I was anticipating that the magic system would be a bit more flushed out by the end of this installment, but readers know about as much as they did by the end of Grace's first investigation. Overall a cozy mystery with compelling characters.

[Ginny & Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

More deadly (but stylish) deeds in Wellington

Grace Devine's dressmaking business is booming and her newly built-out premises is nearly ready. But of course, another murder is demanding her attention, too. This cozy mystery series is a fun peek into Wellington NZ in the early 20th century. Can't wait for the next one!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this audiobook! It is entertaining, well written and well narrated. 1920’s New Zealand is not the typical setting for a cozy, the characters are interesting, the mystery is solid, and the MC is a talented dressmaker with a heart who is coming into her own. I’m eager to learn where the touch of mysticism takes the next story.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story, easy to read. Set in 1920s with the fashion and culture of the day it draws a long bow as it addresses the discrimination and brutality of how some people were treated as 'others' while still delving into the ideas of 'seeing' experiences of various characters which help solve the murder mystery.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was my favorite one in the series so far.

The story is delving into the prejudices about people who enter relationships different than the so-called “norm.” I could almost imagine trying to keep my relationships underground for fear that I could wind up ridiculed, beaten up, or even killed. In a way, this was a very intense book.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who killed Ricky? What secrets will Grace uncover? This second book of the Grace Designs Mystery series was a pleasure to read. With mostly likable characters and unexpected plot twists. It provides an interesting insight into 1920's New Zealand. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Ronette Spark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tilly writes wonderful stories with a bit of mystery and romance. This latest one doesn't disappoint. Although each story can be a stand alone I love the characters as they make their way through mysteries and support each other along the way. When is the next one coming out?

[Adele]

0 stars. DNF The first book in the series was moderately interesting. This one is typical modern woke literature. I don’t think there is a novel written since 2000 that doesn’t have a gay character or is centered around the gay agenda.

[Amani Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is about the same as the first book in the series. I read this one because I like the idea more than the execution itself. I only made it through this one because I like the character designs and the potential of where this can go. But the writing itself is just so so

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Grace is still naive, and there's no development with her relationships with either Frank or the detective. The mystery itself was maybe a bit more challenging/convoluted than the first book. Still no explanation at all about Grace's mystery power.

[Moriah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read with unusual setting

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
Solid cozy mystery.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters and fun sewing knowledge, well-crafted mysteries

[Rachel Arney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice bit of fluff. Goes quickly. End is open and lacking depth.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[LaRae☕️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This continues to be a solid cozy. Nothing spectacular but I like the setting (1920s New Zealand), and the fact that she’s a seamstress and gives descriptions of fashions of the time.

[Kelly Tyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Q

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute historical mystery series

[Rosemary Sapio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this cozy mystery writer and book 2 was as good as one. Onto #3

[Stephanie McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5