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Literary Stitches Mystery #1
Deadly Drafts
Welcome to Literary Stitches, where books, crafts, and murder go hand in hand.
Adelaide "Addie" Doyle thought she’d left small-town life behind for good. But when heartbreak and family duty pull her back to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, she finds herself stitching together a new chapter—one filled with second chances, small-town charm, and, unfortunately, murder.
When Addie’s former best friend (and worst enemy) turns up dead just before her wedding, Addie and her sister Winnie become the prime suspects. With a Montblanc pen as the murder weapon and the town’s rumor mill working overtime, Addie has no choice but to clear their names before they land in an orange jumpsuit. Armed with her writer’s intuition, a knack for uncovering secrets, and a little help from her quirky inner circle, Addie dives into the mystery—because in Broken Arrow, stories don’t just stay on the page.
Perfect for fans of Victoria Gilbert and Amanda Flower, Literary Stitches is a cozy mystery packed with wit, charm, and just the right amount of danger. Curl up, grab a cup of tea, and get ready to sleuth—because in this town, every book has a secret, and every stitch tells a story.
Adelaide "Addie" Doyle thought she’d left small-town life behind for good. But when heartbreak and family duty pull her back to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, she finds herself stitching together a new chapter—one filled with second chances, small-town charm, and, unfortunately, murder.
When Addie’s former best friend (and worst enemy) turns up dead just before her wedding, Addie and her sister Winnie become the prime suspects. With a Montblanc pen as the murder weapon and the town’s rumor mill working overtime, Addie has no choice but to clear their names before they land in an orange jumpsuit. Armed with her writer’s intuition, a knack for uncovering secrets, and a little help from her quirky inner circle, Addie dives into the mystery—because in Broken Arrow, stories don’t just stay on the page.
Perfect for fans of Victoria Gilbert and Amanda Flower, Literary Stitches is a cozy mystery packed with wit, charm, and just the right amount of danger. Curl up, grab a cup of tea, and get ready to sleuth—because in this town, every book has a secret, and every stitch tells a story.
- GenresCozyCozy MysteryMystery
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
16 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 4, 2025
I was so excited for this book to come out and could not wait to read it. Courtny definitely did not disappoint! I enjoyed meeting all the characters and learning about life in Broken Arrow, OK. I grew up in Oklahoma and love reading books set here. The characters are fun and very well written. The story was well thought out and I enjoyed all of it! I look forward to more in this series.
June 24, 2025
This book has my favvvvorite cozy mystery trope - the sleuth returning back to her hometown and rediscovering her love of the town, working and revitalizing an adorable small business (a beloved family business even better), rekindling friendships and deepening connections with family. You can FEEL the love that the author has for her grandmother (our beloved Maemó) and her town. I could just picture the cozy main street with all the necessities for a lovely shopping day. I wish I could visit Literary Stitches and browse the shelves, look at the crafts, and snuggle with Pen. I loved the theme of plagiarism and how the hustle culture of being an author and the whole publishing industry can really bring out people's true colors (true colors which showed Addie to be caring with her whole heart no matter the circumstances). The victim is someone hard to feel compassion for, but Addie does to find the truth and also protect herself and her friends from becoming suspects. The emotional upheaval was visceral while at the same time this book had many laughs and felt upbeat as a whole. This book was so easy to devour and the writing made it feel extra cozy. I cannot wait to hopefully revisit Literary Stitches for more adventures!
May 29, 2025
Deadly Drafts, the first in the Literary Stitches series, follows Addie as she returns home to Broken Arrow, OK to help out in her grandmother’s book/craft store. Not long after she arrives so do her ex fiancé and his soon to be bride, who just happens to be Addie’s #1 frienemy. Said frienemy is soon found murdered and Addie is a prime suspect.
What I liked:
📘This book was filled with so much heart! The community and characters were well thought out and it’s a place I’d definitely like to visit.
📘The emotions. I think I felt Addie’s heartbreak, frustration & disappointment right along with her new confidence, opening up to trust and comfort that n being home with family.
📘The family! Maemo and Addie’s sister were great! I laughed multiple times.
📘The cat, even though I’m not a cat person. The comfort of having a pet with you is like no other unconditional love.
📘The murder investigation. The victim was very unlikeable and the investigation filled with twists and new suspects. Well plotted!
What I liked:
📘This book was filled with so much heart! The community and characters were well thought out and it’s a place I’d definitely like to visit.
📘The emotions. I think I felt Addie’s heartbreak, frustration & disappointment right along with her new confidence, opening up to trust and comfort that n being home with family.
📘The family! Maemo and Addie’s sister were great! I laughed multiple times.
📘The cat, even though I’m not a cat person. The comfort of having a pet with you is like no other unconditional love.
📘The murder investigation. The victim was very unlikeable and the investigation filled with twists and new suspects. Well plotted!
May 29, 2025
Loved it!
I knew I would love this book the moment I saw the cover and read the description. Addie has returned to her hometown after her grandmother suffered a stroke.
Leaving New York is what she needed, especially after her fiance cheated on her, and someone she considered a friend at one time, stole her book. Addie is an author and is still reeling from the heartbreak, so when she finds out her ex fiance is in town to marry her ex friend, she breaks down and tells her sister the horrible story.
When Charmaine, the author who stole her work, arrives at the family bookstore, both Addie and her sister Winnie argue with her, and tell her that she's not welcome.
Charmaine becomes the victim of a murder, and both Addie and Winnie have to prove their innocence, and before longer, Addie becomes the next intended victim.
I knew I would love this book the moment I saw the cover and read the description. Addie has returned to her hometown after her grandmother suffered a stroke.
Leaving New York is what she needed, especially after her fiance cheated on her, and someone she considered a friend at one time, stole her book. Addie is an author and is still reeling from the heartbreak, so when she finds out her ex fiance is in town to marry her ex friend, she breaks down and tells her sister the horrible story.
When Charmaine, the author who stole her work, arrives at the family bookstore, both Addie and her sister Winnie argue with her, and tell her that she's not welcome.
Charmaine becomes the victim of a murder, and both Addie and Winnie have to prove their innocence, and before longer, Addie becomes the next intended victim.
May 27, 2025
From the very first page, Deadly Drafts had me grinning, gasping, and cheering. Courtny’s newest book is everything I love about cozy mysteries—clever, charming, and absolutely bursting with heart—but what sets this book apart is its voice. It’s fresh, witty, and just so effortlessly fun.
Addie Doyle is the kind of main character you immediately want to be best friends with: messy, brilliant, sarcastic, and impossible not to root for. And her dynamic with her sister Winnie? Pure gold. The humor sparkles, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the emotional beats sneak up on you in the best way.
Courtny has an uncanny talent for blending laugh-out-loud moments with razor-sharp plotting, all wrapped up in a small-town setting that feels so vivid, you’ll swear you’ve been there. I adored every twist, every character introduction, every perfectly-timed bit of snark. Honestly, if I could crawl into this book and live in it, I would.
I can’t wait to follow her (and Addie) wherever this series goes next.
Addie Doyle is the kind of main character you immediately want to be best friends with: messy, brilliant, sarcastic, and impossible not to root for. And her dynamic with her sister Winnie? Pure gold. The humor sparkles, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the emotional beats sneak up on you in the best way.
Courtny has an uncanny talent for blending laugh-out-loud moments with razor-sharp plotting, all wrapped up in a small-town setting that feels so vivid, you’ll swear you’ve been there. I adored every twist, every character introduction, every perfectly-timed bit of snark. Honestly, if I could crawl into this book and live in it, I would.
I can’t wait to follow her (and Addie) wherever this series goes next.
June 6, 2025
"Deadly Drafts" by Courtny Bradley is everything you want in a cosy mystery: charm, community, and just enough murder to keep you guessing between cups of tea.
Set in the delightfully bookish and craft-obsessed town of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, the novel introduces us to Adelaide "Addie" Doyle, a former writer turned amateur sleuth who returns home to care for her spirited grandmother, Maemó, and help run the family business, Literary Stitches. The shop itself is a cosy haven that merges two of my favourite things: books and DIY projects, making it the perfect backdrop for the mystery to unfold.
When Addie’s former best friend, and current nemesis, is found dead just days before her wedding, suspicion lands squarely on Addie and her sister Winnie. The ensuing investigation is a perfect blend of small-town gossip, quirky suspects, and heartfelt moments. Addie’s writer’s instincts serve her well as she takes on the role of reluctant detective, and the dynamic between her and her support circle (especially Maemó) adds a warm, often hilarious layer to the story.
Courtny Bradley, known for her bookish YouTube channel as "Courtagonist", brings her love of cosies and clever storytelling to this sophomore novel. Her voice is fresh, funny, and distinctly Southern, and it’s clear she knows and adores the genre. While the pacing dips a little in the middle, the final reveal is both satisfying and surprising, a tricky balance in cosy mysteries.
If you enjoy mysteries that balance wit with warmth, eccentric characters with real heart, and a touch of millennial sass, "Deadly Drafts" will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a great pick for fans of Ellery Adams, Kate Carlisle, or anyone who finds themselves secretly wishing their local craft shop came with a dash of crime.
I’m already looking forward to Addie’s next adventure!
Set in the delightfully bookish and craft-obsessed town of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, the novel introduces us to Adelaide "Addie" Doyle, a former writer turned amateur sleuth who returns home to care for her spirited grandmother, Maemó, and help run the family business, Literary Stitches. The shop itself is a cosy haven that merges two of my favourite things: books and DIY projects, making it the perfect backdrop for the mystery to unfold.
When Addie’s former best friend, and current nemesis, is found dead just days before her wedding, suspicion lands squarely on Addie and her sister Winnie. The ensuing investigation is a perfect blend of small-town gossip, quirky suspects, and heartfelt moments. Addie’s writer’s instincts serve her well as she takes on the role of reluctant detective, and the dynamic between her and her support circle (especially Maemó) adds a warm, often hilarious layer to the story.
Courtny Bradley, known for her bookish YouTube channel as "Courtagonist", brings her love of cosies and clever storytelling to this sophomore novel. Her voice is fresh, funny, and distinctly Southern, and it’s clear she knows and adores the genre. While the pacing dips a little in the middle, the final reveal is both satisfying and surprising, a tricky balance in cosy mysteries.
If you enjoy mysteries that balance wit with warmth, eccentric characters with real heart, and a touch of millennial sass, "Deadly Drafts" will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a great pick for fans of Ellery Adams, Kate Carlisle, or anyone who finds themselves secretly wishing their local craft shop came with a dash of crime.
I’m already looking forward to Addie’s next adventure!
March 17, 2025
Deadly Drafts is a charming bookshop cozy mystery in a new series by Courtny Bradley. It will have you wanting to curl up in a reading chair in Literary Stitches with a good book, a cup of coffee, and bookshop kitty Penelope curled up on your lap. This book delightfully blends Addie Doyle’s homecoming with family dynamics, small-town charm, and a compelling murder mystery. With a main character I’d want to befriend and secrets behind every cover, this was a fresh and fun start to a new series that cozy mystery fans are going to adore. I’m eagerly awaiting more bookish fun as the series continues!
June 21, 2025
Addie comes home to Oklahoma to help when her grandmother has a stroke. She has been living in New York and writing but hit some hard times. Coming home offers a chance to heal until betraying friends arrive in town. Then murder occurs and Addie is a suspect for a hot minute. The set up for the mystery is well done.
Wait until you meet Penelope. Winnie and Maemó are great characters too. The whole feeling is cozy.
I know Courtny slightly, so I was inclined to pick up Deadly Drafts. Now, having read the story I will put the Literary Stitches series on my immediate buy list. I really enjoyed this story. I love the characters and the setting. I may have to go visit Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Wait until you meet Penelope. Winnie and Maemó are great characters too. The whole feeling is cozy.
I know Courtny slightly, so I was inclined to pick up Deadly Drafts. Now, having read the story I will put the Literary Stitches series on my immediate buy list. I really enjoyed this story. I love the characters and the setting. I may have to go visit Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
September 26, 2025
Deadly Drafts is a delightful cozy mystery brimming with charm, wit, and intrigue. Courtny Bradley weaves together small-town life, family bonds, and a cleverly plotted whodunit that keeps you guessing until the final page. Addie Doyle is a relatable, witty heroine whose return to Broken Arrow brings both heartwarming second chances and deadly secrets. With its blend of humor, suspense, and just the right touch of small-town drama, this book is a perfect treat for cozy mystery lovers.
June 17, 2025
4.5 excellent cozy mystery. great characters, lovely setting. highly recommended
October 23, 2025
Loved it
August 6, 2025
This is a great cozy mystery with wonderful characters that I can't wait to get to know more. When Addie returns home to help care for her grandmother and run Literary Stitches after she had a stroke, she gets more than she bargains for. When Addie's ex-best friend turned enemy (having stolen her writing, agent, and fiance) is found dead, she and her sister, Winnie, become prime suspects. She has no choice but to prove their innocence. Throw in uncomfortable encounters with her ex-fiance and there is certainly a bit of drama. It hooked me from the start and I was rooting for Addie the whole time. Looking forward to more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews