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An Embroidery Mystery #9
The Stitching Hour
In the latest mystery from the bestselling author of Wicked Stitch, the future of Marcy Singer’s embroidery shop is dangling by a thread…
Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, is one year old this October so it’s time to party in little Tallulah Falls, Oregon. Aside from the Halloween decorations and festive stitching kits and patterns, Marcy’s got all sorts of celebratory swag, including Seven-Year Stitch key rings and goodie bags.
Unfortunately, her new neighbors might spoil the revelry. An eccentric couple has opened a haunted house next door, and all that screaming will certainly scare off customers. But there’s even more to be frightened of after a local waitress is found dead on the sidewalk with mysterious markings on her neck—and one of Marcy’s key rings beneath her. With no time to hem and haw, Marcy must act fast if she hopes to restore the peace to Tallulah Falls…
Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, is one year old this October so it’s time to party in little Tallulah Falls, Oregon. Aside from the Halloween decorations and festive stitching kits and patterns, Marcy’s got all sorts of celebratory swag, including Seven-Year Stitch key rings and goodie bags.
Unfortunately, her new neighbors might spoil the revelry. An eccentric couple has opened a haunted house next door, and all that screaming will certainly scare off customers. But there’s even more to be frightened of after a local waitress is found dead on the sidewalk with mysterious markings on her neck—and one of Marcy’s key rings beneath her. With no time to hem and haw, Marcy must act fast if she hopes to restore the peace to Tallulah Falls…
286 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
52 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Lee
10 books321 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Amanda Lee is a pseudonym of Gayle Trent.
Series:
* Embroidery Mystery
(from Gayle Trent's webpage)
"Thank you so much for stopping by my site!
I live in Southwest Virginia with my husband and two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. I’m a full-time writer/editor/mom/wife and chief cook and bottle washer, and I love every minute of it. Okay, not the bottle washing so much, but the rest of it is great.
I’m happy to introduce you to my latest characters, cake decorator Daphne Martin and embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer.
Read more about Daphne and Marcy at my blog.
Who’s Amanda Lee?
Amanda Lee is a pseudonym Gayle is using for the new cozy mystery series featuring a heroine who owns an embroidery shop. The series is set on the Oregon Coast and features Marcy Singer, a spunky, thirty-something, entrepreneur who is handy with a needle.
Drop me a Line or join me on Twitter!
Amanda Lee is a pseudonym of Gayle Trent.
Series:
* Embroidery Mystery
(from Gayle Trent's webpage)
"Thank you so much for stopping by my site!
I live in Southwest Virginia with my husband and two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. I’m a full-time writer/editor/mom/wife and chief cook and bottle washer, and I love every minute of it. Okay, not the bottle washing so much, but the rest of it is great.
I’m happy to introduce you to my latest characters, cake decorator Daphne Martin and embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer.
Read more about Daphne and Marcy at my blog.
Who’s Amanda Lee?
Amanda Lee is a pseudonym Gayle is using for the new cozy mystery series featuring a heroine who owns an embroidery shop. The series is set on the Oregon Coast and features Marcy Singer, a spunky, thirty-something, entrepreneur who is handy with a needle.
Drop me a Line or join me on Twitter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 28, 2023
I really like this series. The characters are good people that I would like to hang out with. The mystery was good and I enjoyed solving it with Marcy.
November 18, 2015
I read Wicked Stitch in April and I really loved it, so I was super excited to read the next book, which is Halloween themed. I'm really loving this series and will definitely have to go back and read the first books. For those new to this series there are 8 books before this one. This is a series that is easy to love.
In this book a haunted attraction is opening next door and Marcy isn't very excited about it. Then a waitress is found dead, and it looks like their might be vampires on the loose. That alone makes for a perfect Halloween themed mystery..
Keira wasn't really the most well liked girl. Her ex boyfriends all have issues with her. Her father likes her sister better, so there are a lot of potential suspects.
The owners of the Haunted Emporium are really eclectic and a little bit creepy and the more you get to know them, the more questions you have about them.
I love Marcy and Ted. There relationship is coming along nicely and Marcy's mom has a relationship starting too.
The mystery was fun and fast paced. There is a certain point where you know who the killer had to be though, but it was fun to learn what the motives were.
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series
In this book a haunted attraction is opening next door and Marcy isn't very excited about it. Then a waitress is found dead, and it looks like their might be vampires on the loose. That alone makes for a perfect Halloween themed mystery..
Keira wasn't really the most well liked girl. Her ex boyfriends all have issues with her. Her father likes her sister better, so there are a lot of potential suspects.
The owners of the Haunted Emporium are really eclectic and a little bit creepy and the more you get to know them, the more questions you have about them.
I love Marcy and Ted. There relationship is coming along nicely and Marcy's mom has a relationship starting too.
The mystery was fun and fast paced. There is a certain point where you know who the killer had to be though, but it was fun to learn what the motives were.
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series
August 18, 2017
So with this series, I like how with each book it continues the story and characters. And of course a new mystery for Marcy to solve. It helps that the pacing goes by quick.
Another really good installment in this series. I say that for most of the books in this series but it really is.
And I love the covers for these. It really does give off a cozy feel to it. What doesn't help is that once I start reading, I find I breeze through these books and want to read the next one.
Another really good installment in this series. I say that for most of the books in this series but it really is.
And I love the covers for these. It really does give off a cozy feel to it. What doesn't help is that once I start reading, I find I breeze through these books and want to read the next one.
April 10, 2017
I saw this during work at the library, and the title sounded intriguing since I've been getting into cross stitch lately. The plot is good, but the supporting characters are too simple for me. Also, Amanda Lee's filler sentences are KILLING ME. There's so many choppy descriptor sentences of the same length that made Marcy seem like a really boring person, you could really tell that this is an author narrating a story rather than feeling like you're living the story with the character. Plus, Marcy's descriptions of Angus and of the Seven Year Stitch, rather than being a cute glimpse into her life, read like dry, emotionless sentences, occasionally punctuated with a "how adorable" to try and convince the reader. The mystery itself was alright, but it bugged me that Marcy kept sharing information she promised to keep private with seemingly anyone, whether they had previously been talking about the murder or not.
So, after finishing the book, all my previous statements are still true, and the ending was SO rushed and with no lead-up, and totally implausible right at the end. This series just isn't for me.
So, after finishing the book, all my previous statements are still true, and the ending was SO rushed and with no lead-up, and totally implausible right at the end. This series just isn't for me.
November 2, 2015
Author Amanda Lee has crafted another delightful installment in this wonderful series. THE STITCHING HOUR is by far my favorite book in the Embroidery Mysteries.
Ms. Lee really knows how to bring a reader into her stories and make them feel a part of it all. I know I certainly do when I’m reading. The author’s writing is fluid and unfussy, taking you from one page to the next with the ease that only a gifted story teller can.
It was great fun being back in Tallulah Falls, Oregon. I always love spending time with lead character Marcy Singer and her adorable Irish wolf-hound, Angus. Honestly, if I could dognap a pup out of a book, Angus would be mine. All the characters in this series are fun to read. And the characters, the Atwoods in this story, you’re going to enjoy reading about them. ;-)
I think fans of this series will agree that THE STITCHING HOUR is the best in this series so far. If you haven’t read this series, you will still be able to follow this story without feeling lost. And don’t need to know how to embroider. That being said, after you read this book, I bet you go back and start the series from the beginning. Yes, you’ll like it that much!
Ms. Lee really knows how to bring a reader into her stories and make them feel a part of it all. I know I certainly do when I’m reading. The author’s writing is fluid and unfussy, taking you from one page to the next with the ease that only a gifted story teller can.
It was great fun being back in Tallulah Falls, Oregon. I always love spending time with lead character Marcy Singer and her adorable Irish wolf-hound, Angus. Honestly, if I could dognap a pup out of a book, Angus would be mine. All the characters in this series are fun to read. And the characters, the Atwoods in this story, you’re going to enjoy reading about them. ;-)
I think fans of this series will agree that THE STITCHING HOUR is the best in this series so far. If you haven’t read this series, you will still be able to follow this story without feeling lost. And don’t need to know how to embroider. That being said, after you read this book, I bet you go back and start the series from the beginning. Yes, you’ll like it that much!
September 6, 2020
I don’t like to give bad reviews as I know a book is like an author’s baby and I feel bad criticizing it BUT this was not for me. About half way through with it I realized it wasn’t for me, but I have to finish what I start. A disclaimer would be I did not read the other books in the series, maybe I would have liked it better if I started at the beginning? (Although I’ve read plenty of cozy mysteries where I didn’t start in the beginning and it was fine)
First. WAY to many insignificant characters. It was so confusing trying to keep track of what seemed like literally everyone in the town. A lot of them had similar names too which made it more confusing. Ted and Todd, really? Was there so many characters to try to throw you off to the mystery? It just felt like a waste of time.
Second. Marcy is SO ANNOYING. Like the worst type of immature, can’t mind her own business, tells everybody everything even though she said she wouldn’t. The book is about 90% her gossiping.
Third. How old is she??? This probably would have been answered if I read the other books and maybe it shouldn’t matter but it drove me crazy throughout the book because everything about her says 60+ but I know that’s not right when she’s compared to the other characters. So maybe early 30s but that did not feel authentic at all to me.
Fourth. If 90% of the book is Marcy gossiping. Another 5% is her letting her dog out to go pee. For real, why is this mentioned so many times??
Fifth. Ending was super super rushed
I am sorry author. The setting is cute and the mystery wasn’t terrible but Marcy was just a very unlikable character to me.
First. WAY to many insignificant characters. It was so confusing trying to keep track of what seemed like literally everyone in the town. A lot of them had similar names too which made it more confusing. Ted and Todd, really? Was there so many characters to try to throw you off to the mystery? It just felt like a waste of time.
Second. Marcy is SO ANNOYING. Like the worst type of immature, can’t mind her own business, tells everybody everything even though she said she wouldn’t. The book is about 90% her gossiping.
Third. How old is she??? This probably would have been answered if I read the other books and maybe it shouldn’t matter but it drove me crazy throughout the book because everything about her says 60+ but I know that’s not right when she’s compared to the other characters. So maybe early 30s but that did not feel authentic at all to me.
Fourth. If 90% of the book is Marcy gossiping. Another 5% is her letting her dog out to go pee. For real, why is this mentioned so many times??
Fifth. Ending was super super rushed
I am sorry author. The setting is cute and the mystery wasn’t terrible but Marcy was just a very unlikable character to me.
January 8, 2024
Sto valutando se dare mezza stella in più o no... Il libro mi è piaciuto, ma non sono molto soddisfatta del finale: dopo che la protagonista trova un certo necrologio mi è sembrato finalmente ovvio chi fosse il colpevole, ma lei finisce per mettersi nei guai perché ci arriva troppo tardi. Il finale, poi, è un po' affrettato: dopo pagine in cui non accade niente per quanto riguarda l'omicidio, il finale è ridotto tutto in poche pagine.
November 10, 2024
The story involves a haunted store set up next to the Seven Year Stitch which is owned and run by Marcy Singer the main character. It takes place in October which is the first anniversary of the store so Marcy is preparing a party. The book was an easy read.
March 1, 2016
If there were really a cross stitch shop between Depoe Bay & Lincoln City, OR, I would definitely go visit Marcy, Ted. Vera and enjoy an occasional visit from Marcy's mom, Beverly. Oh, and say hello to Jill, the mannequin dressed to look like Marilyn Monroe. Marcy is a lovable character & each book in the series has me wanting to meet her and enjoy her company in the "sit & stitch" square as we cross stitch together and try to solve another murder.
March 5, 2016
A complex murder plot and enjoyable characters make this a must read book and series. The month of October is bringing a haunted house to life in the building next to Marcy's shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. Colorful characters and a twisted murder plot make this an enjoyable adventure. Greed, snakes, jealousy and revenge will keep you guessing until the final reveal. Oh, did I mention the vampires!
May 2, 2019
In the entry into the Embroidery Mystery series, Marcy finds herself with new neighbors who open a haunted house right next to her shop, The Seven-Year Stitch. However, opening night is ruined when a waitress working concessions at the haunted house ends up dead.
This was a really enjoyable read and would probably have been a 5 star if I hadn't jumped into the series on book 9. (Who does that? Oh, yeah, I do that.) I wish I had had some more familiarity with the background of the characters, but I was still able to follow along easily.
This series was a little different in that the relationship between the MC and her boyfriend was more believable, and the book had characters of different cultures, which is lacking in a lot of cozies I have read, and I did enjoy both of those things. I will definitely read more in this series as the story was good, relationships believable, and characters very interesting.
This was a really enjoyable read and would probably have been a 5 star if I hadn't jumped into the series on book 9. (Who does that? Oh, yeah, I do that.) I wish I had had some more familiarity with the background of the characters, but I was still able to follow along easily.
This series was a little different in that the relationship between the MC and her boyfriend was more believable, and the book had characters of different cultures, which is lacking in a lot of cozies I have read, and I did enjoy both of those things. I will definitely read more in this series as the story was good, relationships believable, and characters very interesting.
October 30, 2018
Competently written, good for a casual read. I entered the series with this book, and didn't feel like that hindered my ability to follow along so kudos on that point. It's difficult to suspend my disbelief that the protagonist, a shop owner, is actively meddling in a murder investigation that her boyfriend (who actually is a cop) is working at the same time though. As well the side characters are a little flat, and the writing style is very 'he said/she said' without a lot of jazz and spice but that could also be a selling point because it reads very easily.
November 19, 2019
If you are looking for a cozy mystery to wind down to…this is it! It was like watching a Halloween Hallmark Mystery Movie. I could vividly picture the words as if scenes in a movie. I definitely did not see the answer to the mystery and it kept me interested until the end. I also adored Marcy’s little sewing shop. I wish I had a little shop like her. I pictured myself in the “sit and stitch corner” relaxing, sewing, and visiting. It was creative and simple imagery that did not require a dictionary to read. ;) I plan on reading the winter themed mystery in this series next.
October 25, 2017
Cute, easy read. I loved the characters. I had not read any other books in this series and I think that I may have to look for them.
The main character owns a stitching shop. Next door for Halloween some interesting characters are running a haunted house for the month. During the trial run (just for other shop owners mostly) there is a murder. the rest of the book looks into solving the murder and linking characters together. I was surprised by who the murderer was, but especially the motive.
The main character owns a stitching shop. Next door for Halloween some interesting characters are running a haunted house for the month. During the trial run (just for other shop owners mostly) there is a murder. the rest of the book looks into solving the murder and linking characters together. I was surprised by who the murderer was, but especially the motive.
May 15, 2017
This was an enjoyable book. Amanda Lee does a good job continuing to develop her
main characters. They are complex and engaging. The plot was devious, making it a page turner. Marcy Singer is a favorite character of mine. She’s into needlework (she owns her own shop), inquisitive, brave and funny. I’m looking forward to her next book.
main characters. They are complex and engaging. The plot was devious, making it a page turner. Marcy Singer is a favorite character of mine. She’s into needlework (she owns her own shop), inquisitive, brave and funny. I’m looking forward to her next book.
December 18, 2019
The Seven-Year Stitch is being prepared for the one year anniversary party. A Horror Emporium moves in next door for Halloween; bringing in a new group of artistic characters. Beverly flies up for the party but has a couple of surprising events during the visit. Marcy and Ted's mother meet for the first time. A fun, fun read!
April 18, 2021
3.5
This was the last book of this series I had left to read. I had read the others in not quite the right order. Unfortunately the spooky vibe of Halloween was introduced, which I do not like. After an interesting start the book sort of goes flat until everything goes head over heels in the last few chapters and ends abruptly.
I enjoyed most of the others from this series a lot better.
This was the last book of this series I had left to read. I had read the others in not quite the right order. Unfortunately the spooky vibe of Halloween was introduced, which I do not like. After an interesting start the book sort of goes flat until everything goes head over heels in the last few chapters and ends abruptly.
I enjoyed most of the others from this series a lot better.
May 14, 2017
My Rating - 3. 5
I'm Reading a cozy mystery first time. It's not what I expected. Actually its a series, so i feel difficult to get into the characters.
I loved the life of small town and it's murder investigation. The feeling of reading this mystery is really good.
I'm Reading a cozy mystery first time. It's not what I expected. Actually its a series, so i feel difficult to get into the characters.
I loved the life of small town and it's murder investigation. The feeling of reading this mystery is really good.
May 28, 2017
Enjoyed this book very much. I loved the fact that our heroine ran an embroidery shop. I used to embroider when I was younger so this really appealed to me on several levels. The embroiderer in me and my love of mysteries. I would recommend this book.
October 31, 2017
The continuing story between the mains characters of Marcy and love interest Ted remains the best side light to the murder mystery that I like. I must continue to collect all other stories in this series to best understand the characters.
September 2, 2018
This wasn't the first book in the series but plan on reading the first book and the other ones as well. Really enjoyed this book and the characters. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
July 29, 2019
Marcy is a likeable character - she runs the local embroidery shop, is friends with other shopkeepers, has a delightful mother and a handsome detective boyfriend. She also has the most adorable Irish Wolfhound named Angus. It's a quick, entertaining read.
May 6, 2023
Only one book left in this series… this saddens me. I so desperately want to live in Talulah Falls and be a regular at Marcy’s shop. As I’ve mentioned in past reviews, I’d love for this series to become a television series. I wonder who would be the perfect cast to bring this series to life…
October 6, 2023
Such a fun cozy mystery and I loved the vibes from the 7 Year stitch. The dog is one of the fun parts about the book as well and the characters have a good blend of banter and fun with each other. Enjoyed!
Read
October 3, 2025Didn’t feel the need to give this a rating since this is the only cozy mystery I’ve ever read.
Two thoughts:
This woman loves her single use plastics. The amount of times she went to the fridge to get a bottle of water was crazy
A very unexpected Supernatural reference. That was fun.
Two thoughts:
This woman loves her single use plastics. The amount of times she went to the fridge to get a bottle of water was crazy
A very unexpected Supernatural reference. That was fun.
May 26, 2017
This is a decent cozy mystery but the murderer was a bit obvious early on and the ending was abrupt and stretched the imagination.
August 6, 2017
Good book I have really enjoyed this series I have one more to read
August 9, 2017
A fun little yarn that will keep you turning the pages. Thanks Ms Lee for this delightful tale. I think I'll read another
October 13, 2017
This is Marcy's one year anniversary for her store! A lot of things happening throughout the story to keep you reading until the end.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
October 25, 2017
I really don't want this series to end 😭 I feel like I know the characters, the town. So special.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews