The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club

by Holly Tierney

From the author of Sweet Hollow Women comes a new novel about friendship, surprises, and the secrets that hide in the shadows of even the most ordinary-seeming lives.

It's been five years since the idyllic oceanside town of Port Elspeth was rocked by tragedy. Shortly after their high school graduation, Evangeline Maddingly, daughter of one of the town's wealthiest old-money families, and Oliver Prescott, son of one of the town's wealthiest new-money families, were found dead in an isolated cabin in the woods outside of town. The circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths are murky at best, thanks in large part to a coroner with connections to the town's founding families and a sweeping effort from those in power to shut down any negative publicity that could harm the reputation of their pristine community.

Five years later, a small group of strangers gather to create jewelry for one of Port Elspeth's many fundraisers. Before long, friendships are forming and old secrets are being revealed. Along with solving the mystery of how to make a perfect pair of chandelier earrings or cabochon necklace, these unlikely friends find themselves at the heart of solving the murders that took place half a decade earlier.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks, Romance, Contemporary Romance

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2018

About the author

Holly Tierney is the author of over twenty novels and novellas, including Sweet Hollow Women, Surviving Valencia, Right Under Your Nose, Bellamy's Redemption, and Murder at Mistletoe Manor. She is also the creator of mid-century dollhouse flipping blog www.flipthisminihouse.com and the author of several dollhouse and miniature how-to books. She lives in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord is such a well thought out and intricately planned story. The author has written extremely well- developing a complex and fascinating mystery, full of intricate details and rich descriptions. She definitely had me engrossed- right from the outset.
Cadence Sommerset gets a whole lot more than she bargained for when she starts a jewellery making club as a way of raising funds for charity, but also a way for her to fit in and make friends, in this new town she and her husband were making their home. What unfolds makes for wonderful and intriguing reading. I tried to predict where the story would lead, but Ms. Tierney-Bedord managed to keep me guessing right till the end.
I have read quite a few of Ms. Tierney-Bedord’s books now, but this is my first full length novel from her. I enjoyed getting to sink my teeth it this longer story and feel that it delivered everything I could hope for from a great mystery. The main characters were all fully developed, realistic and very likeable. The secondary characters were also well developed, with their own individual personalities.
Ms. Tierney-Bedord has her own unique style and always delivers an entertaining and original story. The book is fast paced and flows smoothly. The story is a standalone, and a great addition to the other books in her body of work/s.
So, allow yourself a few hours- curl up with a hot chocolate or a glass of wine and dive into this captivating read. Just like me, you’ll be happy you did.

Thank you Ms. Tierney-Bedord!

[Kirsty McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I've always loved Holly's writing style, but this book takes it to a whole new level! The quality of the story and the tension, and the array of complex characters are mind-blowing. I didn't really read the blurb beforehand, so I hadn't realised it was going to be as intense as it was, but I'm so glad I bought this book. Holly is officially one of my favourite authors, and I highly recommend this story. It will definitely stay with you afterwards.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PORT ELSPETH JEWELRY MAKING CLUB is a book that I thought was going to be a "cozy cottage mystery" despite the cover. It absolutely has that feel about it. A group of unlikely friends come together to gather and make jewelry. This club goes from one with having a clear purpose (everyone making new friends) to that of a mystery solving group.

Each character has a unique and quirky personality. This is a group of women that SHOULD NOT work well together, yet they do. This story has twists and turns along the way along with some delightfully humorous dialog. Told in multiple points of view, we are never at a loss for what is going on.

This was an enjoyable story that I was able to put down and pick up again with no problem. It is one that I would recommend to my elderly mother's book/quilting/knitting/ladies lunching club because It think they could relate a wee bit.

[Mareli Thalwitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Little Liars meets Desperate House Wives in this suburban tale of friendship, heartache, deceit and murder.

The idyllic oceanside town of Port Elspeth is shadowed by tragedy. Not that the new well-to-do couple in town who needs to know all the who's-who, knows anything about the dreadful events that happened 5 years ago. Or perhaps all is not suburban bliss in their household either?

Cadence Sommerset and her husband just moved to Port Elspeth and trying to make friends and getting a firm foot in the door of the society circles, Cadence volunteers to have a home-made jewelry stand at the annual Port Elspeth market. The fact that she has no clue how to string two beads together and call it an earring, is completely besides the point. That's why there are social pages and message boards. She sends out a message to start a volunteer jewelry making group and the result of the responses, are The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club.

Each one of the ladies comes with their own story and as the book unfolds and more secrets are revealed, it was brilliant to see how all their stories are woven together. Especially concerning the tragic events that just happens to involve the death of the son of one of the Jewelry Making Club's member. What a character Vivienne was... In the mirror, she has the poster image of the perfect mom - to the outside world, she's the mother with the troubled teenage daughter and the dead son.

Through trying to solve the murder mystery and keeping track of the little disasters that color their every day lives, the ladies form a friendship and circle of trust that gives this book so much more substance than simply solving a mystery.  I loved the twist and I honestly did not see it coming at all!

With just over 400 pages, it is a bit longer than your average cozy mystery, but then again - I don't think this book really should be classified as a cozy. Yes, it does tick all the right boxes, but it also comes with a sense of endearment and cross elements of women's fiction.

This was our first book by Holly Tierney-Bedord and we are very happy to see that she has a few other books under the belt as well. We are definitely going to take look.

Review was first published @ Elza Reads

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town is shook by tragedy. Years later a group of women gets together to make jewelry for a local fundraiser. Along the way, and despite their differences, the women become friends, and during their many sessions, past secrets come to light, and they find themselves solving an old crime.

This book was excellent. It is a book that grabs you. It was full of drama and mystery. It was fun and somewhat sad. It has some very likable characters. Cadence is fantastic and yet I feel sorry for her. Audra is just awesome, and I loved her from the start. Pearl and Margo made me laugh. Vivienne and Olivia were hard to come to terms with because they are shrouded in mystery. The characters make this story. The ending is a mix of crazy and is downright awesome!! It was different from what I expected but in a good way.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. I just wanted more. It was written in a very well detailed and enthralling way.

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[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: THE PORT ELSPETH JEWELRY MAKING CLUB

I loved this novel. There were several characters whom I quite liked and admired, and a few whom I wanted to toss into the nearby ocean (the proximity of which gives Port Elspeth its elan--that and the extensive and pretentious wealthy class). The story is a winning combination of Women's fiction, and cozy mystery. Yes, there was quite a mystery, nearly five years earlier, which provides a powerful reader's hook to commence the novel, and which continues to rear its puzzles throughout. The Past is Always Present in Port Elspeth, it seems, even for those who didn't live through it.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord a fantastic four-star read. This author has a great way with words, the stories are funny and have a great twist to them, this one s no exception. The town of Port Elspeth is a little bit of a creepy place, it’s the type of town where bad things don’t happen, and if they do well they don’t get talked about, more brushed under the rug and discussed behind closed doors. This book has a great way of bringing different characters together and showing us their own story and how they interact and show each other the mysteries of the town and each other. This is a lovely story and you will get dragged into each aspect following them all on their journey.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, wonderful characters, great story-line, excellent and unexpected ending!

[Ali Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read and kept you guessing. An enjoyable book and great for a holiday read

[Mich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining chick lit. Yes!! Read it

[Jack Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different story

A good mystery story that will move your heart with a glimpse into the way of life/ some people live. I am glad my friends are not like that.

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sorry, I can’t go out tonight…I’m spending time with Holly Tierney-Bedord!”

“Oh, sorry I missed your call. I had my phone turned off. I was at the beach with Holly!”

Yep, that’s me! Everything stops when Author Bedord has a new release. And you’ll want to grab her latest book, too.

Cadence and her career-driven husband are new arrivals to the tony beach town, Port Elspeth. Port Elspeth reminded me of Stepford, and it’s almost as sinister and creepy. Cadence starts a jewelry making club as a way to get involved in the community and meet people.

At the first meeting of the club, we meet some mothers and daughters- Pearl and Margo and Vivienne and Olivia, plus art teacher Audra. They all get to know each other over wine, and Cadence’s charcuterie hors d’oeuvres shaped into shells. They are delighted with the clever name they came up with for their club- “The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club”.

As the book continues, each of the women share their own daily happenings and we learn their back stories, too. And yes, each woman is a marvelously crafted “Holly special”- quirky, comical, even peculiar and eccentric. I highlighted so many hilarious moments. “This was how the Prescotts functioned- keeping unhappily busy until the next scheduled talk that, at best, went nowhere…”

The ladies feel compelled to solve a mystery that has hung over Port Elspeth for five years. But the real point of this book is to enjoy a fun tale filled with hilarious characters and experiences.

One of the characters remarked, “I grew up in Ohio. I need someone with me.” Well, I grew up and still live in Ohio and I’m delighted to have Author Holly Tierney-Bedord and her unique books with me. Highly recommend.

[marcia freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Funny Read

Loved this funny, well thought out book. The twists and turns certainly kept me guessing! Unfortunately keeping up with Jones happens on a daily basis; hopefully not to the extent of murder! Sexual predators, spousal abuse, and snobbery are unfortunately all to often overlooked and taken too lightly.

[Bronwyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a silly story. The most interesting thing about it - the eclectic jewellery makers - was subsumed in a snobby rich people vs nice working people theme that, if it still exists in reality, doesn’t need to be legitimised in fiction. Unless it’s very well and subtly done.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)


Port Elspeth and its inhabitants- what a delightful read! From the get go, we’re hooked on the backstory of Evangeline, with a beautifully blended transition into the present time and the eclectic residents who form an unlikely friendship based on jewelry making and fundraisers. It sounds innocent enough, until you delve deeper into the lives of each one, quickly discovering that nothing is as it seems, and nearly everyone has a story to tell from the dark recesses of their skeleton-filled closets.

The characters are such an important part to the story. It was hard not to enjoy each and every one, even the ones who are pleasantly obnoxious. Told from various perspectives, it helped in solidifying what’s really going on, even when a character was adamant on not allowing others a glimpse into their world, the reader has that ability, allowing us to better understand why someone might be the way they’re written.

Even with that, I thought for sure I knew who’d committed the murders, so certain until the final chapters. Then there were moments where I’d hop around from suspect to suspect, and once I’d hit on the revelation, I had a feeling of total understanding. It was a really nice way to incorporate a “whodunit” moment.

I appreciated so many elements to The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club; the friendships, the chaos and drama, the relationships that go sour or discover newfound beginnings, the mystery that surrounds an idyllic town that looks perfect, but is far from. There really is something for everyone at Port Elspeth, which is why it was more than deserving of the five stars I’ve given it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club is a romantic suspense novel by Holly Tierney – Bedford. The story is about a group of women who decide to get together once a week to make jewelry for a charity event sponsored by the Port Elspeth Women's Club. The group is the idea of Cadence Sommerset, who with her husband, Dave, just recently moved to Port Elspeth from Springwater, Arkansas, and they are trying to start over. Cadence is an introvert and is starting the group to try to make new friends and to try to fit in. She and Dave have been married for four years and Dave wants to start a family as soon as possible, since Cadence is 34 and he is 37. What Dave doesn't know is that Cadence haa been secretly taking birth control pills for years. Cadence has posted a message in the local community's media site to try to start the jewelry making group.

Vivienne Van Heusen – Prescott and her 16 year old daughter, Olivia, decide to join the jewelry making club to make new friends. Vivienne is an extremely self centered, narcissistic person, and all she cares about is trying to get back into the Port Elspeth Women's Club, and the good graces of Port Elspeth's snobby founding families' descendants. Vivienne's son, Oliver, and his girlfriend, Evangeline Maddingly had been killed in a “ murder – suicide” tragedy five years earlier, and since that time Vivienne and her family have been shunned by the entire Port Elspeth community. Vivienne constantly gives her daughter, Olivia a hard time, threatening her with being grounded if she does anything that Vivienne may not like. Olivia's father, Neil is a sweet man though, but he is hardly ever at home due to his work. Vivienne even admits to herself that she should never have had kids.
Audra Fleming is an art teacher at an elementary school in Middleford which is a community about 30 minutes from Port Elspeth. Audra lives in a small apartment in Port Elspeth, is single, is in her twenties, and has a history of making jewelry. One of her work associates has told Audra about the jewelry making group since it sounds like something that Audra might be interested in doing. Audra decides to join the group so that she can have more contact with adults.

Pearl Quincy has lived in Port Elspeth for seventy years, and has been married and widowed four times. Her daughter, Margo has just moved back in with her mom after living in Paris for ten years. Margo returned after her four year relationship with her girlfriend, Lisette had “gone stale”. The mother and daughter join the group to make friends and because Margo is “artsy”, according to her mother.

The group has their meetings on Tuesday evenings at Cadence's home, and the first meeting is on February 20th, 2018. After Vivienne and Olivia arrive Vivienne starts asking Cadence about who else will be at the meetings, especially wanting to know if any of the snobby Port Elspeth family would be there. This conversation is extremely embarrassing to Olivia, and she asks her mother to please stop grilling Cadence. Vivienne makes Cadence nervous since she gives her the impression of being rather “tightly wound”; Olivia, Audra, Pearl, and Margo feel that Cadence is being very pleasant. Audra takes the lead as the jewelry making teacher, since she has the most experience making jewelry. She tells the group that it's not hard at all to make jewelry. Audra demonstrates by taking a few minutes to make a pair of earrings, and everyone is impressed. Margo offers to design the logo for the group that would be tagged to each piece of jewelry. Vivienne insists that they have to have the very best booth at the Charity auction, and that if they didn't understand why it's because they weren't from Port Elspeth, and everything has to be done just right. When Vivienne finds out that Margo is a lesbian, she grabs Olivia and she makes up an excuse about why they suddenly need to leave. Olivia likes the group and wants to stay, and is shocked when her mother says that she “suddenly remembered that they have somewhere else where they have to be”. After Vivienne and Olivia leave, Pearl starts to talk with the other group members about Vivienne and her family's history in Port Elspeth. Pearl tries to explain that Vivienne has been through a lot after the deaths of her son, Oliver and his girlfriend, Evangeline Maddingly five years ago, and that everyone basically assumed that Oliver had killed Evangeline and then himself. The Coroner had basically said that there was nothing to pursue, and after that Vivienne, her husband, Neil, and Olivia had all been shunned by Port Elspeth society. That night, since it was getting late and Cadence's husband, Dave has sent a very rude text to Cadence's cell phone that everyone accidentally sees, and then he asks if the group of losers were finished yet because he wants to come upstairs. At that the ladies decide that the meeting is over, and Pearl promises to tell more of the story at the next meeting.

The next day Audra goes to work and asks her work friend, Sandra about the Port Elspeth tragedy. When Sandra refuses to tell her version of the story, Audra tells the version that she has heard the night before. When Sandra hears this version of the story she volunteers that she has heard that three people had been killed, not two! She also says that Evangeline is not the victim, and that everything that happened is her fault! Sandra refuses to say anything else about the tragedy since she feels that it's wrong to speak of the dead like this”. After that Audra decides that she is determined to find out what really happened.

I loved this book! Holly Tierney-Bedford wrote some incredible characters who all had amazing back stories. I could not put the book down because I couldn't wait to find out what really happened with the Port Elspeth Tragedy. The twists and turns in the story were always surprising! This is just a great book! I had never read any books by this author before, but I will be seeking them out now, and I highly recommend this book to everyone!

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spastic Sparkles

This had the potential to be pretty good, but the various red herrings were never fleshed out enough to get truly curious about. The ending was rushed and the character arcs were choppy. I love reading my favorite topic- jewelry making- in form of a cozy mystery, but this was trying to be multiple things with all falling a tad short. Still though, it was enjoyable.

[Debbie Shoulders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tierney-Bedford aspires to be Liane Moriarty but her characters are over the top, and the plot line rather unbelievable but despite all that the reading is kind of fun.

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club meets to make jewelry for charity but ends of uncovering a five-year-old murder.

[Lisa Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very uneven story!

Outside of one controlling husband I thought the book was going to be a fun read. Then, along comes a crazy mother and it went downhill from there. Disappointing, hurried ending. The author tried to put too many ideas into this book.

[Susan Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beach Read

I have in the past made beaded jewelry and thought this book might be a good read. However I was sadly disappointed. I wish I could recommend this book to others but the main characters lacked substance and the book was poorly written.

[Tommie Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book , but never really got into it. I figured out the plot fairly easy ! But it was different... I always like that.... worth reading by any means.....

[Aiyana PZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little darker than a cozy mystery but similar. Light reading for a plane day.

[Suezq · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only good thing that I can say about this book is that it was an easy, quick read. Few characters were likeable and not one did anything that was even remotely realistic.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord is mystery at it's best.
Is a jewelry making club really solving an old case of murder?
We follow the ladies of The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club as they gossip and discuss things that used to be in Port Elspeth's past. The group is made up of ladies from different classes, backgrounds, and ages. They plan to make jewelry and then sell it at the Women's Club fundraiser. However, things get a little off course, and making jewelry becomes the last thing the ladies are worried about. 

There is Candance, new to town, and the group's founder, Pearl, and Margo, mother ad daughter both single at the moment. Then we have Audra, the art teacher from the next town over, followed by Vivienne, an ex-socialite and Oliva, her sixteen-year-old daughter. Once they meet for the first time, their lives begin to intertwine. As they become friends, they help each other through some hard times and significant life challenges.
The Mystery
Our group of ladies discusses an old case where two high school seniors from prominent families are involved in a murder-suicide about five years earlier. The kicker is that the young man involved is Vivienne's son. So, the other ladies sit and gossip, discretely asking questions and getting information from people they know. It's funny how it plays out, and I honestly fell for the most obvious red herring. I was positive that I knew who did it. However, I was so wrong. 
The Narrator
Connie Shabshab does a fantastic job. I love the voice that she uses for Vivienne. I was immediately able to picture Vivienne perfectly in my head. Ms. Shabshab keeps your attention as she adds the perfect amount of drama to the story. 
Five Stars
So, between Ms. Tierney-Bedord and Ms. Shabshab, this story ultimately came to life. I was engrossed and entertained. It is such a fabulous mystery. Therefore, I am rating it with five stars. I look forward to Ms. Tierney-Bedord's next book, In the Heart of Windy Pines. I highly recommend the Audible book or the kindle edition. 



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of  The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord.

Until the next time,



 

This Guest Review is for Baroness' Book Trove. 

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts off in 2013, with the untimely deaths of a young couple, just after their high school graduation. One, the daughter of one of Port Elspeth’s old money families and the other, the son of one of the town’s new money families. A young couple who were school sweethearts and whose death has been hushed up by those in power, not wishing to have such news sully the reputation of their town.

Five years later, a newcomer, Cadence, sets up a jewellery making club and posts a social media advert asking for people to join her, as a means of getting to know her neighbours. As the group meets each week, we get to find out the gossip about the different parts of town and how high above everyone else, Port Elspeth residents hold themselves. We also get to find out snippets about what happened in the past and the old secrets are being revealed. You don’t get to find out all the details at once and certainly there is less than put in the blurb for the book, at least to start. You find details out as you go along.

The jewellery club are supposed to be making items for a fundraiser with the ladies of Port Elspeth’s high society club. Tables are never normally given to newcomers. The building of the correct relationships with the old and wealthy families has to be played at a high level. If Cadence connects with the wrong type of people, then the society status of her and her husband may be destroyed and they will be blacklisted. Her husband is only interested in himself and expects her to do exactly what he wants and when he wants it.

A definite tale of those that have (a lot) and those that they think are somewhat below them! Into all this, we have some relationships breaking up, others just starting off, the mystery of a five year old double murder case and a new murder, which the small jewellery club take it upon themselves to solve. The police don’t believe them. And those elite families, who helped cover up the initial two deaths, in an attempt to keep the image of their elite little town unblemished, are the ones who run the town.

The jewellery club bring together a mix of single, married, widowed, young and old. Friendships begin, but signs of discord are brought to the group by one lady. Hints of inappropriate teacher-student relations, a need for company, trust and distrust all mix together to expand the number of rumours going around.

A nice mystery, with a quite unexpected twist at the end, that gave a surprise. I loved the fact this book was of a much longer length than you often find for these types of mysteries. This allows the author to build up each of the different characters and the storyline, which makes it much more interesting and easy to read. You don’t know who is behind these deaths until the end and have lots of suspects to choose from.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with those characters you like or love and the dreaded neighbors you absolutely hate. 

At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like this story, but once I got into the meat of it, I loved it. The first part was a look into some tough information and the introduction of Vivienne really had me wondering. However, the characters are so well rounded and there are so many that you can really like some and then absolutely hate a few. I found that when I was reading about a few of them I was cringing and thinking to myself, "Wow, really??" "Did they really just say that?"

Candice is a warm hearted young woman who has just moved to Port Elspeth because her husband has a new job and they are looking for a new start. Unfortunately, she doesn't know anyone and has a lot of time on her hands. She decides to start a jewelry making club to get to know a few people and acquaint herself with her new little town. She is in for quite a surprise though when she holds her first meeting at her house. Her husband, Dave, is a man who has to climb the societal ladder and be known for who he is and what he has. This can cause so many problems if both spouses are not on the same page. Audra, an elementary art school teacher who is looking for something to do outside of teaching and sitting at home alone. She'll become an intricate character in this story and I love her naiveté and her determination in the end. Margo, the town outcast and her mother Pearl are two middle class women who don't care about the high societal women or their circle. They live their own lives and are happy with who they are. They are women who are honest and true to themselves and their lives. Vivienne, a woman who has so many dreams of being in high society and having a lot of friends in the upper circles. She has a fall from grace and wants to try to get back up where she once was. However, her snobbish attitude only turns the women of the club off. Olivia, Vivienne's teenage daughter who just wants to be herself and wants to have her mother be nice to her. She holds no illusions about how her mother feels about her and she looks for any reason to be away from her.

There seems to be a lot going on in this story, but in reality, there are a lot of characters involved in the story and they keep you moving along in the book and wondering where they will end up next. The twists in this story are great and they kept the pages turning for me. There was only one character that I wish there had been more on and that was Sandra, Audra's co-worker. There were some unanswered questions for me about her and some of the things she said to Audra.

I am so glad that I decided to read this book and enjoy it. I give this book a 4 star review and highly recommend it. If you are looking for an interesting read for a book club or just for entertainment, I would suggest that you pick up this book.

[Bookfan36 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief synopsis from the book cover
It's been five years since the idyllic Oceanside town of Port Elspeth was rocked by tragedy. Shortly after their high school graduation, Evangeline Maddingly, daughter of one of the town's wealthiest old-money families, and Oliver Prescott, son of one of the town's wealthiest new-money families, were found dead in an isolated cabin in the woods outside of town. The circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths are murky at best, thanks in large part to a coroner with connections to the town's founding families and a sweeping effort from those in power to shut down any negative publicity that could harm the reputation of their pristine community.

Five years later, a small group of strangers gather to create jewelry for one of Port Elspeth's many fundraisers. Before long, friendships are forming and old secrets are being revealed. Along with solving the mystery of how to make a perfect pair of chandelier earrings or cabochon necklace, these unlikely friends find themselves at the heart of solving the murders that took place half a decade earlier

My rating:

Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

General Fiction
Mystery


Review:

This is the story of six women from different backgrounds who all decide answer the call to join a club making jewelry for charity events. What starts of as just a club making jewelry soon becomes much more, not only do they become friends and support each other through life’s up’s and downs, along the way they also decide to solve a local murder mystery.

The characters are charming quirky people, with unique personalities which made them very interesting. The story flowed well and was easy to follow. This is a one of those books that can be ready over a longer period of time as it’s straightforward but in no way boring and it’s easy to pick up from where you left it last.

Overall this is an entertaining story with interesting characters. If you like a cozy mystery this book is worth a try.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club
By: Holly Tierney-Bedord
5 out of 5 stars

The story The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord is an amazing book that I loved reading. It hooked me in from the very beginning and had me turning pages to find out what was going to happen next. A tragedy occurred in the town of Port Elspeth. One that the town would rather forget. Find out what happens when a group who comes together in order to make jewelry finds themselves front and center in trying to solve what happened. This is a story that has many different characters with many different personalities. I enjoyed reading about them and how they interact with each other. You can feel the friendship and the bonds that this group has. The story is told from the POV of several characters. You read about their lives and relationships. Like putting together a puzzle this group is trying to uncover the truth of what happened. Gossip and rumors run rampant. Some believe a cover-up has occurred. Will the truth finally be revealed? There are times when reading I would feel anger over how a character was being treated and other times when I would feel the sadness that a character had. The town of Port Elspeth and some of those who live there are very judgmental. It is not a town that is welcoming to those who don’t conform to their standards. The group that you read about in this story while don’t seem to fit into the town's image most of them I would choose as friends. The book is so wonderfully written and has characters that are unforgettable. It is a story that I highly recommend reading.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club

By Holly Tierney-Bedord

5 Amazingly Awesome Stars

Oh My!! This book was out of this world amazing, I loved every single second of it!! This is my first read by this author and Im blown away.

Usually when there are this many characters in one book I get all flustered but this one was done so perfectly that I never had to stop and say “wait, who was that again” I don't know how this author did it but it was simply perfect.

I don't even know if I know what the main storyline was because it was all so good and I was fully invested in each individual story all the way through..I lied I do know what the main was and it had me all over the place thinking I had it all figured out and of course until the end I didn't.

I'm sitting totally blank because I don't know what to say...I want to tell you about each person in this book, I want to tell you their stories and tell you how I felt about each one but that wouldn't be fair, I am not even kidding when I say I already want to go read it again and I will recommend this to everyone I know that reads.

This had the perfect balance of everything I love in my books, the mystery though I think was my favorite part with the interaction and friendship bonds that were formed being a very close 2nd. I don't even know who my favorite was because I loved them all, I even loved the ones that I was meant to not like, the character building was spot on.

I will absolutely be reading more from this author, I have to quit rambling because I'm too tempted to say too much...READ THIS!! This author is so talented and I just know that anyone that loves to read will thoroughly enjoy this book!!