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Stitches In Crime #1
Crossed by Death
Salvaging from historic buildings isn’t supposed to require reporting a murder.
When salvage expert and historian Paisley Sutton crawls into an abandoned store with a house attached, she certainly isn’t expecting to find a body on site. But soon, her discovery sends Paisley on an expedition through history that links this murder to the one that led the previous owners to abandon the building in the first place. And someone doesn’t want her to salvage this story from the wreckage.
Can Paisley preserve herself and her young son while also uncovering the stories that matter most?
When salvage expert and historian Paisley Sutton crawls into an abandoned store with a house attached, she certainly isn’t expecting to find a body on site. But soon, her discovery sends Paisley on an expedition through history that links this murder to the one that led the previous owners to abandon the building in the first place. And someone doesn’t want her to salvage this story from the wreckage.
Can Paisley preserve herself and her young son while also uncovering the stories that matter most?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
March 20, 2024
A.C.F. Bookens combines murder, history, genealogy, and single motherhood in the entertaining first book in the Stitches in Crime cozy mystery series,
Crossed by Death
. Historian Paisley Sutton has been doing salvage work for the last year. When she crawls into the abandoned Scruggs Store and the attached house, she isn’t expecting to find a body. Her discovery leads to her exploration of the history of the building, its owner and a murder that occurred there twenty years ago. The story is set in the fictional small town of Octonia in Virginia.
Paisley has a rambunctious two-year-old named Sawyer. She and Sawyer’s father split up a year ago and she had to change careers and now does small salvage jobs, writes a history newsletter, and sells the items from the salvage jobs. She tends to thrive on conversation and innovation and cross-stitches to wind down in the evenings. Sawyer is charming, cute, and energetic. Sheriff Santiago Shiflett is calm, attracted to Paisley, and seems to share a little more information with Paisley than I would expect. I also enjoyed meeting Paisley’s cat, Beauregard.
With great characters and good pacing, the story was an entertaining read. Underlying it, the author brings issues of justice to light as well as work-life balance, friendship, family, secrets, and romance. I love the mix of murder with history and genealogy that give this book an edge over many other cozy mysteries. The small-town feel came through well in the storytelling. While the criminal was a little too easy to identify and there was a little repetition, the other aspects of the story kept me invested in and enjoying the book.
Overall, this was a story that hooked me with its subject matter and excellent characters. The author did a great job of weaving the threads together. I look forward to seeing what is next for Paisley, Sawyer, and Santiago. Readers of cozy mysteries who enjoy history, genealogy, cross-stitching, and an older protagonist will likely enjoy this series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was February 18, 2021.
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My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Paisley has a rambunctious two-year-old named Sawyer. She and Sawyer’s father split up a year ago and she had to change careers and now does small salvage jobs, writes a history newsletter, and sells the items from the salvage jobs. She tends to thrive on conversation and innovation and cross-stitches to wind down in the evenings. Sawyer is charming, cute, and energetic. Sheriff Santiago Shiflett is calm, attracted to Paisley, and seems to share a little more information with Paisley than I would expect. I also enjoyed meeting Paisley’s cat, Beauregard.
With great characters and good pacing, the story was an entertaining read. Underlying it, the author brings issues of justice to light as well as work-life balance, friendship, family, secrets, and romance. I love the mix of murder with history and genealogy that give this book an edge over many other cozy mysteries. The small-town feel came through well in the storytelling. While the criminal was a little too easy to identify and there was a little repetition, the other aspects of the story kept me invested in and enjoying the book.
Overall, this was a story that hooked me with its subject matter and excellent characters. The author did a great job of weaving the threads together. I look forward to seeing what is next for Paisley, Sawyer, and Santiago. Readers of cozy mysteries who enjoy history, genealogy, cross-stitching, and an older protagonist will likely enjoy this series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was February 18, 2021.
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My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
April 30, 2022
The beginning was good, very good. But I guessed the whodunit easily, and there was a instalove (I particularly don't like it at all). And the female sleuth made a bad mistake in the end which put her life in danger unnecessarily (as always in these cozy books that I read lately) and the male sheriff saved her.
August 15, 2022
Single mother Paisley Sutton's job was salvaging items from old properties, which fitted in well with her two year old son Sawyer. She was also an historian, loving the research that went into finding long lost details of houses and their owners, of family trees and anything more of interest, then writing an article for her blog. She also sold the items she'd salvaged, knowing how much of a thrill some people got from 'old stuff'. But her salvage operation of the old Skuggs store with the house at the back, all of which was going to be demolished, saw her discover the body of an old woman. But was she long dead, or was it more recent?
With the local sheriff on the case, Paisley did her best to investigate the history of the site. But what she unearthed led to danger, secrets and lies - and a long ago murder in the same place. What would be the outcome for Paisley and Sawyer?
Crossed by Death is the 1st in the Stitches in Crime series by ACF Bookens and it was an entertaining read. Some great characters kept the story going well, and Sawyer often made me smile. Plus the Maine coon cat, Beauregard! A good start to a series I'm sure I'll continue. Recommended.
With the local sheriff on the case, Paisley did her best to investigate the history of the site. But what she unearthed led to danger, secrets and lies - and a long ago murder in the same place. What would be the outcome for Paisley and Sawyer?
Crossed by Death is the 1st in the Stitches in Crime series by ACF Bookens and it was an entertaining read. Some great characters kept the story going well, and Sawyer often made me smile. Plus the Maine coon cat, Beauregard! A good start to a series I'm sure I'll continue. Recommended.
August 19, 2021
Alternative title should have been "my toddler, and maybe there's a mystery"
Writing is good, very natural, but couldn't finish the book after the first 5 chapters. Book is supposed to be a mystery, but far too much time is spent on the tiny details of toddler behavior. A few details are cute and funny but page after page of " he's adorable and aren't I a paragon as a single parent?" gets old. Add to that some pointedly preachy remarks on historic events makes it less entertaining as a mystery novel.
Writing is good, very natural, but couldn't finish the book after the first 5 chapters. Book is supposed to be a mystery, but far too much time is spent on the tiny details of toddler behavior. A few details are cute and funny but page after page of " he's adorable and aren't I a paragon as a single parent?" gets old. Add to that some pointedly preachy remarks on historic events makes it less entertaining as a mystery novel.
October 5, 2025
I have reason to love ACF Bookens' writing, because I enjoyed her previous series (the St. Marin's Cozy Mystery series.) I loved her bookstore and expected to love this series. Her writing has a lot of heart. There were numerous flourishes of affection between Paisley, her father, and stepmom which struck me as resonant and real.
Bookens writes realistically about being a new single parent, trying to juggle time with your kid and time away from your kid while attempting to avoid the slings and arrows of judgy adults who cannot understand the new paradigm. I understood Paisley in that regard and lauded that effort, because you fail more than you succeed. (At least, that's what it feels like.)
Anyway, here, Paisley is salvaging a historic building, when she finds a dead body not more than an hour dead. She has to leave the area in order to get the bars necessary to make the call, and that's when we realize she left her sleeping toddler in the car. No comment on this, because when you are an independent contractor, you never know when you have to go to work and bring your kids along for the ride. Luckily, my boys were older by that time. I had a 16-year-old, willing and able to help with his brothers.
Paisley is a historian that studies the buildings she salvages, and hence begins the search as to the who, what, and why. There is a really good sense of how she performs her job, which I found fascinating. It also turns out that she has a strong support system that is only enhanced by the addition of the local sheriff.
I really liked this story. I found myself tearing up through Paisley's single parent struggles. That echoed some of the challenges I know many have to work through. I also loved the mystery of attempting to find out why the neighborhood busybody was squatting in the vacant home of an enemy. I found the story well-written as usual. I'm looking forward to more of the Stitches in Crime series.
Bookens writes realistically about being a new single parent, trying to juggle time with your kid and time away from your kid while attempting to avoid the slings and arrows of judgy adults who cannot understand the new paradigm. I understood Paisley in that regard and lauded that effort, because you fail more than you succeed. (At least, that's what it feels like.)
Anyway, here, Paisley is salvaging a historic building, when she finds a dead body not more than an hour dead. She has to leave the area in order to get the bars necessary to make the call, and that's when we realize she left her sleeping toddler in the car. No comment on this, because when you are an independent contractor, you never know when you have to go to work and bring your kids along for the ride. Luckily, my boys were older by that time. I had a 16-year-old, willing and able to help with his brothers.
Paisley is a historian that studies the buildings she salvages, and hence begins the search as to the who, what, and why. There is a really good sense of how she performs her job, which I found fascinating. It also turns out that she has a strong support system that is only enhanced by the addition of the local sheriff.
I really liked this story. I found myself tearing up through Paisley's single parent struggles. That echoed some of the challenges I know many have to work through. I also loved the mystery of attempting to find out why the neighborhood busybody was squatting in the vacant home of an enemy. I found the story well-written as usual. I'm looking forward to more of the Stitches in Crime series.
July 12, 2022
Ugh! I got sick of hearing about that spoiled brat Sawyer! It was more about the kid than the mystery. One minute she loves her kid so much but she leaves him locked in a car seat while she goes salvaging? Or running around the field while she has a cup of tea! Plus, who in their right mind takes a kid for a daily 2 hour trip so he can nap? Then Paisley complains about barely having enough money for groceries. She can afford gas, beer, vanilla lattes but not groceries!
Another huge error is that there is no cell service at the gas station (she has to drive a couple miles to call police), but, miraculously, she is able to call for backup when her boyfriend cop goes around the building to catch the killer!
What a stupid story, do not waste your time. I wish I had read some of the reviews before I read this bomb.
Another huge error is that there is no cell service at the gas station (she has to drive a couple miles to call police), but, miraculously, she is able to call for backup when her boyfriend cop goes around the building to catch the killer!
What a stupid story, do not waste your time. I wish I had read some of the reviews before I read this bomb.
July 10, 2022
Honestly, the first third of this book is just the main character driving around with her toddler and talking about how poorly behaved he is, while also talking about how good of a white woman she herself is. The White Savior stuff is pretty annoying, and if the book wasn't so flat-out boring, I probably would have at least finished it, but reading about nothing happening and then having the main character annoyingly brag about how not-racist she is all the time just made it not enjoyable at all
March 31, 2022
I'm always afraid to try Amazon freebies, but this one caught my attention because it involved cross stitch. I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Paisley Sutton operates a salvage business. She'd been granted permission by owners George and Berlinda to salvage what she could from an old country store they owned and planned to demolish. When she made her way into the attached house, she discovered a body. Over the course of the book, she and the sheriff become good friends. Paisley is a single mother who lives close enough to a good friend Mina and to her father to receive help with childcare when needed. An unexpected bonus for me occurred when Paisley's love for history sent her on a genealogical quest in search of information about the family who owned the store. Although it isn't labeled as Christian fiction, it clearly leans in that direction as one important moment occurs in a church and an ensuing conversation eventually leads towards a reconciliation. I'll likely look for the next in this series in the coming months. (3.5 stars)
September 17, 2021
Paisley, a 46 year old single mother, does salvage jobs on dilapidated buildings that are set for demolition. On a not-so-much-used country road, a derelict gas station/market is her newest job. The roof is collapsing under 20 years of vegetation growth and neglect. She crawls & wiggles her way through tight parts of the building looking for treasures to sell.
Meanwhile, outside in her parked SUV is her 2 year old son, strapped into his car seat, with the doors locked. His babysitter, a 20 pound cat.
There is a grandmother, a grandfather, an aunt, and the child's dad, who are all actively involved in the child's life - in the rest of the book.
I had a problem with her leaving her 2 year old in the car alone while she was off in a very dangerous situation.
Meanwhile, outside in her parked SUV is her 2 year old son, strapped into his car seat, with the doors locked. His babysitter, a 20 pound cat.
There is a grandmother, a grandfather, an aunt, and the child's dad, who are all actively involved in the child's life - in the rest of the book.
I had a problem with her leaving her 2 year old in the car alone while she was off in a very dangerous situation.
September 13, 2021
Paisley is a 46 year old historical researcher and single mom of a 2 year old. When she is looking through an old building looking for salvage items, she comes across a dead woman. The building has been vacant for a long time, so it's not clear what the woman was doing there. The new sheriff is a handsome gentlemen who shows interest not only the murder, but also in both Paisley and her son. The title is puzzling, because aside from a few mentions of Paisley's hobby, it has nothing to do with the plot at all.
March 17, 2022
The mixture of mystery and history plus the protagonist's unique career made for interesting reading.
June 22, 2022
What began as a compelling story quickly went down hill with the author's woke-ism. Unnecessary. That pulled me right out of the story. Personal beliefs need not be in this book and appears to be pandering. Also I cannot find anything endearing about an unbelievable 2 year old. Unbelievable is not a compliment. The term single mom is on every page. Too much. And what kind of single mom, or any mom, locks the 2 year old in a car with a cat so she can salvage? Also, what kind of salvager leaves the "big" items that, if this is her income, would bring high dollars? The writing is sloppy and not thought out.
November 30, 2022
Boring
I stopped reading this at 22% on my Kindle. Mind numbingly boring. Way too much needless detail of woman sitting in a library while her precious brat of a kid runs her life. No wonder her husband left her. She is a dud. Skip this.
I stopped reading this at 22% on my Kindle. Mind numbingly boring. Way too much needless detail of woman sitting in a library while her precious brat of a kid runs her life. No wonder her husband left her. She is a dud. Skip this.
July 6, 2022
I can't count how many times a single mom and middle age (46yrs) single mom of a toddler is mentioned. There is a story mixed in with that often repeated theme.
November 24, 2022
I was going to give this read three stars on my cozy mystery rating system. Here’s the thing. I read cozy mysteries for escapism, and a book tied around a toddler’s nap schedule and feeding rituals is jarring. If you have to take your kid on picnics to get him to eat, you probably shouldn’t be investigating murders with him in tow.
February 14, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I've been wanting to read one of this author's book for a while now and own multiple of her books already. I am glad I decided to check out Crossed by Death, the first book in her newest series. I liked the unique focus of this series, Paisley is not only a single mom to a 2 year old, she also does salvaging work as a job and cross stitching as a hobby. It was interesting reading about her daily life and when she stumbles upon a dead body she gets pulled deeper into the mystery as well as researching the history of the convenience store where she found the body.
Crossed by Death was an enjoyable read. At times it feels a bit heavy of the daily life parts compared the mystery, but I mostly thought that worked here. I enjoyed reading about Paisley and what her days looked like, although at times it was a bit toddler heavy for me. I am not a big fan of reading about kids and at times it was a bit much for me. I think the author handled it really well, Sawyer had quite the personality and there are plenty of scenes with him in the background or somewhere else as well.
The mystery is a solid one. For most of the book I had no clue who was behind it, slowly more and more of the mystery comes to light, but only at the end do all the pieces come together. I was surprised by the reveal as there aren't as many hints as to who was behind it, but it did make sense. I liked how Paisley was part of the mystery. As she found the body and might be in danger herself she knows a bit about what's going on and then she's looking into the history of the store where she found the body and getting closer to the sheriff on the case and she slowly gets pulled deeper into the mystery that way. I like how the mystery is nicely woven throughout the book even in the pieces where the focus was more on the daily life parts. I also liked how the mystery is intertwined with Paisley figuring out the history of the place as well, it gave some more background and information about the place and eventually also the murder. The historical focus was interesting and I liked how it added to the story as well as Paisley's personality. I liked the wrap up at the end and the positive note it all ended on.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how realistic it felt, the daily struggles and joys of a single mom, as well as the way she dealt with the mystery. She tried to keep her distance from the mystery and mostly focused on researching the history of the building for her newsletter. She also didn't annoyed about the sheriff trying to protect her, which you sometimes see in books. She understood the need for it and was thankful for it and I liked that attitude.
This book also had some great side characters. I liked how Paisley had some close friends and family who supported her and are there to help her out, whether she needs emotional support or someone to look after her kid or someone to bounce ideas off. I liked reading about her dad and step-mom as well as her best friend Mika. I also liked seeing Paisley and Santiago (the sheriff) grow closer as the book progresses. I really liked their romance and the way it slowly builds through the book in a way that made sense and I liked their chats on the porch. I am curious to see where things go next.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book. It was a solid mystery that progressed slowly throughout the book as well as the main character researching the history of the place where she found the body. There is plenty of daily life scenes as well and I liked reading about Paisley. This cozy mystery had themes I haven't read about often in cozies, with Paisley being a single mom, a salvage expert and doing cross stitches as a hobby. I wasn't sure who was behind the murder and the reveal was a surprise to me. I liked Paisley as a main character and how realistic her actions felt. I liked the side characters and how she had some great family and friends around her. I liked the slowly deepening relationship she had with Santiago, the sheriff. All in all a solid start to this new series and I look forward to the next book!
I've been wanting to read one of this author's book for a while now and own multiple of her books already. I am glad I decided to check out Crossed by Death, the first book in her newest series. I liked the unique focus of this series, Paisley is not only a single mom to a 2 year old, she also does salvaging work as a job and cross stitching as a hobby. It was interesting reading about her daily life and when she stumbles upon a dead body she gets pulled deeper into the mystery as well as researching the history of the convenience store where she found the body.
Crossed by Death was an enjoyable read. At times it feels a bit heavy of the daily life parts compared the mystery, but I mostly thought that worked here. I enjoyed reading about Paisley and what her days looked like, although at times it was a bit toddler heavy for me. I am not a big fan of reading about kids and at times it was a bit much for me. I think the author handled it really well, Sawyer had quite the personality and there are plenty of scenes with him in the background or somewhere else as well.
The mystery is a solid one. For most of the book I had no clue who was behind it, slowly more and more of the mystery comes to light, but only at the end do all the pieces come together. I was surprised by the reveal as there aren't as many hints as to who was behind it, but it did make sense. I liked how Paisley was part of the mystery. As she found the body and might be in danger herself she knows a bit about what's going on and then she's looking into the history of the store where she found the body and getting closer to the sheriff on the case and she slowly gets pulled deeper into the mystery that way. I like how the mystery is nicely woven throughout the book even in the pieces where the focus was more on the daily life parts. I also liked how the mystery is intertwined with Paisley figuring out the history of the place as well, it gave some more background and information about the place and eventually also the murder. The historical focus was interesting and I liked how it added to the story as well as Paisley's personality. I liked the wrap up at the end and the positive note it all ended on.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how realistic it felt, the daily struggles and joys of a single mom, as well as the way she dealt with the mystery. She tried to keep her distance from the mystery and mostly focused on researching the history of the building for her newsletter. She also didn't annoyed about the sheriff trying to protect her, which you sometimes see in books. She understood the need for it and was thankful for it and I liked that attitude.
This book also had some great side characters. I liked how Paisley had some close friends and family who supported her and are there to help her out, whether she needs emotional support or someone to look after her kid or someone to bounce ideas off. I liked reading about her dad and step-mom as well as her best friend Mika. I also liked seeing Paisley and Santiago (the sheriff) grow closer as the book progresses. I really liked their romance and the way it slowly builds through the book in a way that made sense and I liked their chats on the porch. I am curious to see where things go next.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book. It was a solid mystery that progressed slowly throughout the book as well as the main character researching the history of the place where she found the body. There is plenty of daily life scenes as well and I liked reading about Paisley. This cozy mystery had themes I haven't read about often in cozies, with Paisley being a single mom, a salvage expert and doing cross stitches as a hobby. I wasn't sure who was behind the murder and the reveal was a surprise to me. I liked Paisley as a main character and how realistic her actions felt. I liked the side characters and how she had some great family and friends around her. I liked the slowly deepening relationship she had with Santiago, the sheriff. All in all a solid start to this new series and I look forward to the next book!
April 17, 2024
Where to even begin with this annoying book. First of all, the 2 year old child is mentioned on every single page. The fact that the main character is a single mom is also mentioned over and over and over. She has a great support system of people willing to drop everything to deal with her toddler but she chooses to strap him in a car seat while she explores an abandoned store and then leave him in a field with a stick while she’s in the house with her dad. Doesn’t make any sense. Finally, I absolutely hate when I pick up a book expecting a mystery but get a preachy, woke check list. Soo annoying
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April 30, 2022A solid mystery with likable characters
A solid mystery with interesting and likable characters. I'll enjoy visiting these people again. The solution came about more by accident than through detective work, but overall it was a satisfying story.
A solid mystery with interesting and likable characters. I'll enjoy visiting these people again. The solution came about more by accident than through detective work, but overall it was a satisfying story.
January 13, 2022
Crossed by Death is the first in the “Stitches in Crime” cozy mystery series by ACF Bookens. Paisley does salvage work by trade. In the course of a job, she discovers a dead body on this rundown, dilapidated property. And that sets off our story. And the potential that this is tied to a murder that happened decades ago.
It’s pretty standard cozy mystery stuff. I enjoyed it for the most part. Everything made sense. There is a romance brewing between Paisley and the sheriff on the case. It’s actually really sweet. I don’t tend to like the romances in cozies. But this I liked.
There are some standard issues that arise because of the lack of an editor. But nothing too bad.
So here’s the weirdness. The title and cover of the book would lead you to believe that this is heavily cross-stitch themed. Like maybe there is a shop or a club involved. But no, it’s just a hobby that is rarely referenced. The book spends more time in her friend’s yarn shop than it does on her cross-stitch hobby. I don’t know why Bookens didn’t make her series salvage-themed. That’s what the mystery revolves around. Or to be really petty, why she didn’t make the series single-mother themed. Paisley obsesses about the hardships of single motherhood. Like to the point of distraction. Like other cozies do about their theme.
Bookens also does this thing where she name drops the tv shows that she’s watching, her favorite Etsy shop (that actually exists), another author and her cozy mystery series, but goes out of her way to avoid saying EBay. She calls it her favorite auction website. It’s a weird choice.
It’s pretty standard cozy mystery stuff. I enjoyed it for the most part. Everything made sense. There is a romance brewing between Paisley and the sheriff on the case. It’s actually really sweet. I don’t tend to like the romances in cozies. But this I liked.
There are some standard issues that arise because of the lack of an editor. But nothing too bad.
So here’s the weirdness. The title and cover of the book would lead you to believe that this is heavily cross-stitch themed. Like maybe there is a shop or a club involved. But no, it’s just a hobby that is rarely referenced. The book spends more time in her friend’s yarn shop than it does on her cross-stitch hobby. I don’t know why Bookens didn’t make her series salvage-themed. That’s what the mystery revolves around. Or to be really petty, why she didn’t make the series single-mother themed. Paisley obsesses about the hardships of single motherhood. Like to the point of distraction. Like other cozies do about their theme.
Bookens also does this thing where she name drops the tv shows that she’s watching, her favorite Etsy shop (that actually exists), another author and her cozy mystery series, but goes out of her way to avoid saying EBay. She calls it her favorite auction website. It’s a weird choice.
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August 1, 2023DNF
Alternative title: Bored to death. How did I even get to 50%?! I really tried but the whole book is about how she leaves her toddler alone in her car (???) and how oh-so-not-racist she is. I can't do this anymore.
I will just google who the murderer is and move on from this.
Alternative title: Bored to death. How did I even get to 50%?! I really tried but the whole book is about how she leaves her toddler alone in her car (???) and how oh-so-not-racist she is. I can't do this anymore.
I will just google who the murderer is and move on from this.
October 9, 2021
Super cute cozy mystery, and refreshing that it wasn't set in a bookshop or a bakery!
January 27, 2024
Crossed by Death is one of the most unique setups I've read for a cozy mystery.
To start, the main character is a historical salvager (as opposed to a small business owner as so many of them are). She is interested in telling the stories of women and people of color, and in returning items and people's own history to their rightful owners, as well as making hidden stories public. This gives her a lot more stake in the mystery, especially since there is a historical mystery to solve as well.
I like how she goes into it not with the plan to solve the murder she discovered, but to understand more about the historical (unsolved) one at the same location. She approaches it with methodical research and an open mind, and doesn't actively take a role in the case.
In this way, a lot of things come as a surprise, but not in a plot twist way. Paisley is just an ordinary person with a life that happens to involve finding a dead body, as well as having a best friend, a child, and parents who are a big part of her life because she has a child.
I liked how her being a mother to a toddler was navigated as well. So often, the main characters in cozy mysteries have children who are either grown and out of the picture, or at least old enough to be self-sufficient (if they have them at all). Paisley deals with having a two-year-old, navigating life as a single mother, making ends meet, and also her work and the murder case. The reader sees a lot more of the daily life than in most cozy mysteries. I really liked that about this one.
I will say that Crossed by Death is one of my first 4-star reads where I didn't feel there was anything special about the characters or the setting. Neither makes me want to continue the series or stay invested in the story. I actually like the way this ended, and I think leaving it as a standalone makes a lot of sense. I don't want to read the other books; to see Paisley turn into more of a typical cozy mystery detective. I don't really care about how Sawyer grows up or how Paisley's relationship with Santiago progresses. It's a good story that doesn't need any more to it. I enjoyed this a lot, and maybe I'll reread it someday, but I don't plan on going further in the series.
To start, the main character is a historical salvager (as opposed to a small business owner as so many of them are). She is interested in telling the stories of women and people of color, and in returning items and people's own history to their rightful owners, as well as making hidden stories public. This gives her a lot more stake in the mystery, especially since there is a historical mystery to solve as well.
I like how she goes into it not with the plan to solve the murder she discovered, but to understand more about the historical (unsolved) one at the same location. She approaches it with methodical research and an open mind, and doesn't actively take a role in the case.
In this way, a lot of things come as a surprise, but not in a plot twist way. Paisley is just an ordinary person with a life that happens to involve finding a dead body, as well as having a best friend, a child, and parents who are a big part of her life because she has a child.
I liked how her being a mother to a toddler was navigated as well. So often, the main characters in cozy mysteries have children who are either grown and out of the picture, or at least old enough to be self-sufficient (if they have them at all). Paisley deals with having a two-year-old, navigating life as a single mother, making ends meet, and also her work and the murder case. The reader sees a lot more of the daily life than in most cozy mysteries. I really liked that about this one.
I will say that Crossed by Death is one of my first 4-star reads where I didn't feel there was anything special about the characters or the setting. Neither makes me want to continue the series or stay invested in the story. I actually like the way this ended, and I think leaving it as a standalone makes a lot of sense. I don't want to read the other books; to see Paisley turn into more of a typical cozy mystery detective. I don't really care about how Sawyer grows up or how Paisley's relationship with Santiago progresses. It's a good story that doesn't need any more to it. I enjoyed this a lot, and maybe I'll reread it someday, but I don't plan on going further in the series.
January 30, 2023
Nice Cozy Mystery
Paisley is a mother of a young son who she is supporting. Money it tight so she savage around and sell the things she fines to help ends met.
So she is savaging a old gas station that is about to be taken down with the permission if the current owners. Little did she know that one of those things she would be a recently murder women
Paisley is a mother of a young son who she is supporting. Money it tight so she savage around and sell the things she fines to help ends met.
So she is savaging a old gas station that is about to be taken down with the permission if the current owners. Little did she know that one of those things she would be a recently murder women
December 28, 2023
I found it hard to get past the fact that she left her child in strapped int he car whilst she went into a dangerous building. How irresponsible!
May 18, 2025
great series
November 21, 2021
Pretty good cosy with some cross stitch related content. Will definitely continue with this series.
December 14, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ it was okay, i felt like the ending was a bit rushed
August 19, 2021
Paisley Sutton has picked an unusual career - she's a salvager. With a toddler in tow, she has to make the most of her time and the salvaging business has been kind to her. The day she enters an abandoned store, however, things begin to change for the worse. It seems that finding a dead body leads to repercussions that no one could anticipate.
I waffled on my opinion of this book. The premise and the set-up were outstanding but I couldn't quite fathom Paisley. At first. As we spent time together, she grew on me and by the end of the story, I was so firmly in her corner that there was barely enough room for the both of us!
Here's what didn't work for me: 1. Her child. That tot was a menace! I've heard that the terrible twos are a bad time, but my goodness. And he seemed too advanced verbally/ mentally for a child of that age. Especially one that was so hyperactive. 2. The backstory. I have so many questions. Why does a 46-year-old have an infant? And why is she divorced from the father? 3.
Here's where it gets good: 1. As a sleuth, Paisley is a whiz at research! She is so adept at following paper trails. Truly. I wanted to peer over her shoulder all the time. So. Much. Knowledge. 2. Paisley has an enviable support network. Anyone who has such a system in place has it together. Then again, that seems to go hand in hand with her natural empathy. This leads me to my final point - 3. Paisley is kind She's constantly looking out for others and catering to their interests, not because it will gain her some advantage but because it will enrich their lives. Admirable.
The mystery had me hooked right from the start. There were enough clues that I should have been able to guess the "doer" if I hadn't let the herrings lead me astray. I should have known that a plot from A.C.F. Bookens would be fabulous and it was!
Definitely looking forward to much more in this series.
Recommended.
I waffled on my opinion of this book. The premise and the set-up were outstanding but I couldn't quite fathom Paisley. At first. As we spent time together, she grew on me and by the end of the story, I was so firmly in her corner that there was barely enough room for the both of us!
Here's what didn't work for me: 1. Her child. That tot was a menace! I've heard that the terrible twos are a bad time, but my goodness. And he seemed too advanced verbally/ mentally for a child of that age. Especially one that was so hyperactive. 2. The backstory. I have so many questions. Why does a 46-year-old have an infant? And why is she divorced from the father? 3.
Here's where it gets good: 1. As a sleuth, Paisley is a whiz at research! She is so adept at following paper trails. Truly. I wanted to peer over her shoulder all the time. So. Much. Knowledge. 2. Paisley has an enviable support network. Anyone who has such a system in place has it together. Then again, that seems to go hand in hand with her natural empathy. This leads me to my final point - 3. Paisley is kind She's constantly looking out for others and catering to their interests, not because it will gain her some advantage but because it will enrich their lives. Admirable.
The mystery had me hooked right from the start. There were enough clues that I should have been able to guess the "doer" if I hadn't let the herrings lead me astray. I should have known that a plot from A.C.F. Bookens would be fabulous and it was!
Definitely looking forward to much more in this series.
Recommended.
January 12, 2024
Cute story...however
whose fing toddler sleeps in a double bed and climbs up walls? Did spider-man have a kid I don't know about?
Main character keeps praising herself about her being a single mother, yada yada; locks him in a car while she's in an abandoned store.
The mother of the year award goes to..... anyone but her.
whose fing toddler sleeps in a double bed and climbs up walls? Did spider-man have a kid I don't know about?
Main character keeps praising herself about her being a single mother, yada yada; locks him in a car while she's in an abandoned store.
The mother of the year award goes to..... anyone but her.
Read
June 30, 2022I just couldn't take the involvement of the main character's 2 year old son in just about everything. It got old real fast so I gave it up.
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