Basted Butchery: A charming cozy mystery packed with murder, mystery, and vintage finds

Stitches In Crime #12

by ACF Bookens

A salvage job at a historic plantation shouldn’t come with a side of murder.

Paisley Sutton is ready for a quiet weekend of stitching—until a body turns up at the Brown Plantation, her new client’s property. As she digs into the past, Paisley uncovers secrets tied to the people who once lived there—secrets someone is desperate to keep hidden.

Delve into Basted Butchery, the atmospheric new story in the Stitches in Crime series—where history isn’t always behind you, and every thread Paisley pulls could unravel a killer’s cover.

Genres: Mystery

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2025

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I am going through a stressful time and I just want to read cozy stories, then I remembered I still had this newest cozy mystery by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and excitedly started reading it. Baster Butchery kept my attention and I just wanted to keep reading. I love reading about Paisley, her friends and family as well as the research and salvage she does and the mysteries she solves.

This book has Paisley stumbling upon a new mystery at another salvage job she takes on. One of the previous owners of the house got murdered. The new owners also ask her to dig into their history as they think their ancestors were enslaved there. So paisley agrees to help and starts digging into the history. It was interesting how the history and the story of the murdered man played out and the parallels between them. Both stories get their conclusions and got wrapped nicely at the end. I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, but I was wrong. The twist did make even more sense and it also made sense why the other person was so suspicious.

I really like reading about Paisley, she just feels so real and relatable. And I like how she digs into these stories and histories, but also takes time to relax and take care of herself. As I am someone who can't work as much and needs a lot of rest, it's great to see this reflected in a book and see a character who also needs rest.

I did miss reading about Paisley husband and son in this book as they are away on a camping trip, but it was also interesting to see how the book had a slightly different vibe this time due to that. And luckily there are plenty of fun side characters to read about

To summarize: I really like this series and this latest book kept my attention despite me being very stressed. I like reading about Paisley and the mysteries she gets involved in. The mystery was a good one and I liked how Paisley digs into the history and how that has some parallels with the current murder. I thought I had figured out who was the murderer, but I was wrong, the real culprit made sense and it also made sense why I suspected the other person. I enjoy reading about Paisley and I like seeing her take rest when she needs it. Paisley's son and husband are away on camping in this book, which gave the book a slightly different vibe.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and was so happy to see another book in the series had been released.

Paisley is a salvage expert who works locally in Octonia, she's also a genealogy expert which fits in very well with her job. She has a tendency to find dead bodies on her job and she goes the extra mile to help solve what happened.

In this book, her husband and Son are away for a week so she is catching up in her hobby of cross stitch as well as starting a new job at the house next to hers. The new owners are keen for her to find out the history of the house as they both feel drawn there, but no one can prepare them for what they find.

The books include alot of history about enslaved people and African Americans and this makes the books all the more interesting.

The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

I cannot wait to read the next release.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a new neighbor purchases a home near to Paisley Sutton, she is asked to go through the house and see if there is anything that she can buy to either restore, salvage, or sell. But when a body is found on the property, the property owners and Paisley are soon on the phone to call the local police department and report the find. With Paisley’s husband, the sheriff off fishing with her son, it will be up to the deputy to find the cause of death and to find the killer. While investigating the death, the body is soon identified as a man who had gone missing years before. Digging into the past secrets soon come to the surface. Secrets that wish to remain hidden. I love this series and look forward to the next book. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final Installment of the Stitches in Crime series. The protagonist is a salvage expert who also digs into geneaolgy to discover the history of the items salvaged. The characters are likeable, the setting comfortable and the history informative. Cross stitch plays a minor role as the calming activity for the main character...some discussion of patterns, color blending and charts. This cozy mystery fits the definition to a T. The characters were endearing, but a bit saccharine. Who cares? The murder mystery moved along in a procedural manner with all the involvement of a non-law enforcement historian.

I do think the cozy mystery/salvage business aspect was missing from the last few books. The author had topics she wanted to bring forward and did that well, but we lost sight of the character we had know throughout the series. I was interested in the process of genealogical research which was more up front at the end. No complaints-author's choice.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple buys an old Virginia plantation at a bank auction for back taxes and hires local salvager Paisley to help clean out the buildings. Everything is going fine until they uncover a dead body under a pile of fabric. In order to help solve the mystery Paisley and her friends begin delving into history of the plantation and its past owners. As they dig farther into the past, additional mysteries turn up that beg to be solved.

Since I’m interested in history and genealogy I really enjoyed reading about how the characters conducted their research and found the documents that they needed to find out what had happened. This is a well written story with interesting characters that I had trouble putting down.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing book this is. I’m not an American but, I did know about the history this book covers but, again, Wow. Paisley is asked to help clear the old house that has been empty for years & recently bought by Willie & William. Whilst clearing out one of the pit houses they come across a mummified body. It turns out it was the last owner of the house & he’d been dead about 15 years. Paisley then mentions that she’d seen a light flickering at the place the previous evening, she’d come over, but, just heard a vehicle driving off. The historical event covered and the immediate one have things in common, naturally, murder is one of them, the other, I will leave to you to find out for yourself.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley is busy working on an old plantation house for the new owners when they find a body wrapped in plastic in the old weaver house on the property. The new owners are wanting to make the house into a kind of sanctuary for African American's whom ancestries were slaves. In fact, the new owners with Paisley's help are able to trace their own ancestors to this farm. Working with a group of historical investigators the information they find still has the ability to cause problems and they suddenly find themselves in a life or death situation.

I received an arc and this is my honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always learning, always growing

The most recent Stitches in Crime finds Paisley "enjoying" the single life while her husband and son are camping. A renovation job turns up two mysteries, one contemporary and one going back to the Civil War. Both resolve around the perils of being gay. Ms. Bookens addresses the power imbalance between enslaver and enslaved in a sensitive manner. Like my title says, with her books, you're always learning, and hopefully growing.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The information on genealogy - the work - the knowledge - is worth the read. This is a fabulous story and the book is outstanding. Realistically portrayed, great characters, some known to us, some new, all awesome. The ending is touching, heart-warming, and will make you cry. ACF's best book yet. Superb. Highly Recommended.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time Paisley goes on a salvaging job a dead body is always found, and this one wasn't any different.

As always, the author did a great job writing this book. The plot, the characters, and of course, solving a murder that had been committed several years ago.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart touching story.

A touching story that I highly recommend to others. As a genealogist myself, I loved the story with the details of the family history research and the information on the history of the area. I felt joy and shed tears as I read this book. I highly recommend it to others.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily writing this review.

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racism is Never A Good Thing

Through the racism people and families have been torn apart and untold hurt for ages. I've lived with prejudice since I was a young child seeing it down south and the way any of a different race was and at times still treated. The human race really needs to be accountable for the way they treat other.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always impressed by this author's books - wonderful characters and Virginia atmosphere, and sensitive handling of critical topics. Always a delight, and I learn something from every book, while I'm enjoying the plot and mystery. The earlier books will introduce the characters, but they can also stand alone. Definitely recommended!

[Andi]

This book was so fun to write, partially because I had absolutely no idea where it was going and partially because it drew on a lot of the research I've done for historical projects. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. This was a long awaited book and I loved it and recommend it. Paisley is on the job again and what and how she finds is shocking.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. A part of American history is revealed along with a dead body. Paige & her friends learn about the history of the plantation while solving mysteries along the way. I have left this honest review after receiving an ARC.

[Marilyn Mccloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

History at its best!

Each book holds your attention. Educates about the Civil War, slavery, and daily life. I loved everything about the books. I hope for more books about these characters.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and well crafted story! Paisley is great at helping history come alive with her work. These are my opinions after enjoying an advance copy.

[Mary R Manship · Rating 5 out of 5]

What wrangled web we weave...!

I at first didn't know where she was going but very soon the story had me by the throat. And what an ending!!

[Julie Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappointed. A good mystery and interesting historical facts woven together. I read it in one sitting because it was so good.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basted Butchery

Really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend that you take the time to read it as well. Looking forward to reading more of this type book.

[Jackie Mungle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of this book at all. even thro it had most of gang in it, it just want the same without her son and husband in it. but I also found this book a little boring, not her best work at her.

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series, but now I'm sad because I'm caught up with the author.
There are some mistakes in this that a good beta reader should have caught, but they don't detract from the story.