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Stitches In Crime #8
Fatal Floss
A morning visit to the chicken coop is supposed to be a delight, not a fright.
On the day when Paisley Sutton goes to salvage barn board from an old chicken coop on her neighbor’s land, she thinks the worst thing she may find is rotten eggs. Little does she know, she’s about to unearth a mystery that has lingered for decades. She can’t help but research the story, but when she does, she finds far more than she hoped.
Does she really want to know the whole story, or would she rather bury it again?
On the day when Paisley Sutton goes to salvage barn board from an old chicken coop on her neighbor’s land, she thinks the worst thing she may find is rotten eggs. Little does she know, she’s about to unearth a mystery that has lingered for decades. She can’t help but research the story, but when she does, she finds far more than she hoped.
Does she really want to know the whole story, or would she rather bury it again?
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2022
87 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 30, 2022
"On the day when Paisley Sutton goes to salvage barn board from an old chicken coop on her neighbor’s land, she thinks the worst thing she may find is rotten eggs. Little does she know, she’s about to unearth a mystery that has lingered for decades. She can’t help but research the story, but when she does, she finds far more than she hoped."
My thoughts:
A powerful and intriguing story that spans more than 100 years - back to a time when women had next to no rights and all to often suffered violence at the hands of their husband. Thankfully, there were also people who worked to help these women escape and start new lives despite the risk to their own lives for helping. Paisley and her friends are at first baffled as to why a body would be buried under an old chicken coop but the story gets even more complex the more they research. It also becomes clear that at least one person doesn't want the past revealed.
I really enjoy the core characters in this series. They are intelligent, compassionate, loving, loyal and generous. Ms Bookens is a gifted storyteller.
What I don't like is finding 20 typos in the Kindle edition. Most were of an extra or missing word. At one point Santiago is referred to as Sawyer.
Besides the typos, I also noticed a timeline error - Late in the book, there had been a gathering on a Wednesday night. On the Thursday there was some further developments. When Paisley woke the FOLLOWING morning which would have been the Friday, it was noted that the special event planned for Saturday was still TWO days away rather than the next day.
Proofreading really needs to be a higher priority as the errors are just too distracting from the overall power of the stories from this author
Aside from the errors, the story was well done and for it alone, I would give it 4.5 stars, however with the errors, I can't justify more than an overall 3 stars. JMO
My thoughts:
A powerful and intriguing story that spans more than 100 years - back to a time when women had next to no rights and all to often suffered violence at the hands of their husband. Thankfully, there were also people who worked to help these women escape and start new lives despite the risk to their own lives for helping. Paisley and her friends are at first baffled as to why a body would be buried under an old chicken coop but the story gets even more complex the more they research. It also becomes clear that at least one person doesn't want the past revealed.
I really enjoy the core characters in this series. They are intelligent, compassionate, loving, loyal and generous. Ms Bookens is a gifted storyteller.
What I don't like is finding 20 typos in the Kindle edition. Most were of an extra or missing word. At one point Santiago is referred to as Sawyer.
Besides the typos, I also noticed a timeline error - Late in the book, there had been a gathering on a Wednesday night. On the Thursday there was some further developments. When Paisley woke the FOLLOWING morning which would have been the Friday, it was noted that the special event planned for Saturday was still TWO days away rather than the next day.
Proofreading really needs to be a higher priority as the errors are just too distracting from the overall power of the stories from this author
Aside from the errors, the story was well done and for it alone, I would give it 4.5 stars, however with the errors, I can't justify more than an overall 3 stars. JMO
April 19, 2022
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I really like this series and was eager for another mystery and following Paisley's daily life. In Fatal Floss there is again a dead body that Paisley finds, but this time they're not sure who the body belongs to. Paisley dives into the history of the families who owned the land the body was found on and discovers many interesting things along the way.
The mystery in this one felt a bit slower to me as they don't find out who the body belongs to till later in the book. It felt a bit less like a mystery and more like a research into history about the families who lived there. And while it was really interesting I kinda missed the tie to the present, that tie is there and becomes more prominent later, just not as much as in previous books. Then at the end when things start to come together I felt like the tension increased and there are some interesting twists. I like the focus on history and the effects it has on present day people in this series.
With the way they get chickens at the start of the book, I had hoped to read more about the chickens, but there are only a few mentions here and there. It also bothered me something that Santiago did later in the book as it didn't feel in character and we don't get the full reasoning behind it or get it resolved as some other things happen take the focus.
While this wasn't my favorite book in the series I still enjoyed following Paisley along as she researched the history of this land and the families who had lived there. As usual she has a great group of side characters around her who help and assist her. I liked Paisley and how she handles things and reading about her friends and family. It was nice to see her relationship with Santiago progress as he's planning to move in with her. Her son Sawyer is getting older and is now going to school. I also liked seeing Mika and Mary play a prominent role again and the whole yarn event they set up.
To summarize: This was another solid read. The mystery gripped me a bit less and felt a bit slower as only late in the book we find out who the dead person is. A lot focuses on Paisley researching the land where the body was found and the families who lived there in the past. Late in the story it all comes together and there are some tense scenes when the truth comes to light. I wish there was more about the chickens they got, but maybe in the next book. I liked following paisley as she solves this mystery and reading about her and her friends and family.
I really like this series and was eager for another mystery and following Paisley's daily life. In Fatal Floss there is again a dead body that Paisley finds, but this time they're not sure who the body belongs to. Paisley dives into the history of the families who owned the land the body was found on and discovers many interesting things along the way.
The mystery in this one felt a bit slower to me as they don't find out who the body belongs to till later in the book. It felt a bit less like a mystery and more like a research into history about the families who lived there. And while it was really interesting I kinda missed the tie to the present, that tie is there and becomes more prominent later, just not as much as in previous books. Then at the end when things start to come together I felt like the tension increased and there are some interesting twists. I like the focus on history and the effects it has on present day people in this series.
With the way they get chickens at the start of the book, I had hoped to read more about the chickens, but there are only a few mentions here and there. It also bothered me something that Santiago did later in the book as it didn't feel in character and we don't get the full reasoning behind it or get it resolved as some other things happen take the focus.
While this wasn't my favorite book in the series I still enjoyed following Paisley along as she researched the history of this land and the families who had lived there. As usual she has a great group of side characters around her who help and assist her. I liked Paisley and how she handles things and reading about her friends and family. It was nice to see her relationship with Santiago progress as he's planning to move in with her. Her son Sawyer is getting older and is now going to school. I also liked seeing Mika and Mary play a prominent role again and the whole yarn event they set up.
To summarize: This was another solid read. The mystery gripped me a bit less and felt a bit slower as only late in the book we find out who the dead person is. A lot focuses on Paisley researching the land where the body was found and the families who lived there in the past. Late in the story it all comes together and there are some tense scenes when the truth comes to light. I wish there was more about the chickens they got, but maybe in the next book. I liked following paisley as she solves this mystery and reading about her and her friends and family.
February 29, 2024
Typically I enjoy these books; they’re an easy read, clean, and I devour them like chocolate. But for some reason, I had a very hard time getting into this book and found a few editing errors. After hitting 53% and still struggling, I had to skim a few chapters. Giving it 3 stars because the series is great overall.
February 21, 2024
A pleasantly entertaining mystery with a ”down home” flavor and interesting characters. Well narrated. Clean. Books of this series I have read could have the same reviews.
Re-readable.
Re-readable.
April 18, 2022
Who knew there was so much history in or under a chicken coop! I love a cozy mystery that is solving an old case, so this series is a favorite. I like all the sources that Paisley and her crew were using to find out the historical information. I like the reasons for secrecy and the stories that were discovered. I like that this didn’t follow the typical cozy tropes, so it kept me guessing.
A couple nit picky things that took me out of the story are the amount of time Paisley did not spend at her store and some of the reason why from the bad guy was a little rushed.
I loved the way that we see the relationships around Paisley deepening. And of course I love that Paisley uncovered more stories of people in history fighting for the good of humanity.
A couple nit picky things that took me out of the story are the amount of time Paisley did not spend at her store and some of the reason why from the bad guy was a little rushed.
I loved the way that we see the relationships around Paisley deepening. And of course I love that Paisley uncovered more stories of people in history fighting for the good of humanity.
March 26, 2022
Paisley, her little boy, Sawyer, and her fiance, Santiago, are pulling down an old chicken coop at the request of a friend. It's not the biggest salvage job she's ever done, but the boards are suitable for use in a small flooring job. As usual, Paisley can't get through a job without finding at least one bone. And the mystery starts…whose bones are they, how did this person die, when did this person die, and why? I love the "digging through history" that Paisley and her friends do to find the answers. It's more of a historical journey through time until someone decides that they don't want those answers to come to light and Paisley has to use all her skills and ingenuity to get out of this alive. It's surprising what some people will do to keep others from hearing the truth when they don't want to believe it themselves.
I have always liked how the author champions women. And how she always gives most of her characters "good" qualities such as kindness, humor, thoughtfulness, and friendliness. Even though there's always a death involved, usually from a more distant past, Paisley and her friends, old and new, work together to find a reason why the person was killed. Of all the books I've read by this author, I think I like this one the best. I usually judge how much I like a book by how interested I am in getting back to it when I have to stop reading. With this one, I read it in one sitting so I wouldn't have to put it down. I received this book as an ARC. My honest review is gladly given; I will definitely be reading the next book just as soon as I can get it.
I have always liked how the author champions women. And how she always gives most of her characters "good" qualities such as kindness, humor, thoughtfulness, and friendliness. Even though there's always a death involved, usually from a more distant past, Paisley and her friends, old and new, work together to find a reason why the person was killed. Of all the books I've read by this author, I think I like this one the best. I usually judge how much I like a book by how interested I am in getting back to it when I have to stop reading. With this one, I read it in one sitting so I wouldn't have to put it down. I received this book as an ARC. My honest review is gladly given; I will definitely be reading the next book just as soon as I can get it.
March 31, 2022
Fatal obsession with family histories puts Paisley in jeopardy again.
After their engagement, Paisley intended to step back from criminal investigations, but it does not seem to have kept her from still being a target
Those who are determined to let the past lie are sometimes ready to go to extreme lengths to keep some things hidden really do not seem to understand that the network and teamwork approach Paisley and her friends take to research means many folks already know hidden things from the past
history seems a bit fuzzy when a body is found beneath a long used chicken coop at the recently purchased home of a neighbor.
since natural causes are suspected by the coroner, what mysteries might someone want to hide?
drama and dangers aplenty, with others who really are a sisterhood and caring community
After their engagement, Paisley intended to step back from criminal investigations, but it does not seem to have kept her from still being a target
Those who are determined to let the past lie are sometimes ready to go to extreme lengths to keep some things hidden really do not seem to understand that the network and teamwork approach Paisley and her friends take to research means many folks already know hidden things from the past
history seems a bit fuzzy when a body is found beneath a long used chicken coop at the recently purchased home of a neighbor.
since natural causes are suspected by the coroner, what mysteries might someone want to hide?
drama and dangers aplenty, with others who really are a sisterhood and caring community
April 16, 2022
Paisley Sutton and son Sawyer are thrilled with their new baby chicks. When her neighbor offers her old chicken coop with materials that Paisley can use for her chickens, she heads over to dismantle the coop. Luckily, Paisley’s fiancé, Santiago offers to help but when Paisley discovers a bone, Santiago is sure it is human and soon with the help of the owner, the property is filled with grids and many hands searching for the rest of the bones. Unable to help herself, Paisley begins researching prior property owners and discovers an unknown mystery about the bones and the bravery of the person buried as well as a story of sacrifice and courage. Unfortunately, it is a story that not everyone in the community want to hear. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
April 20, 2022
Jam Packed Action with an Explosive Story
While Paisley was going through the house she got to take apart, she found a human femur. As more bones are found, the sheriff and his deputies along with the coroner show up. They begin trying to figure out how the bones got there and who do the bones belong to.
Paisley becomes involved researching the history of people through the lineage of the owners going back to the 1800’s. She put her all into the project causing her life to become dangerous.
This book has a lot of action and suspense that will keep you reading to find out what’s going to happen next. Paisley does an amazing job sorting out the people involved and their lineage.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next in this series. The books just keep getting better!
While Paisley was going through the house she got to take apart, she found a human femur. As more bones are found, the sheriff and his deputies along with the coroner show up. They begin trying to figure out how the bones got there and who do the bones belong to.
Paisley becomes involved researching the history of people through the lineage of the owners going back to the 1800’s. She put her all into the project causing her life to become dangerous.
This book has a lot of action and suspense that will keep you reading to find out what’s going to happen next. Paisley does an amazing job sorting out the people involved and their lineage.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next in this series. The books just keep getting better!
April 7, 2022
I’m always a happy bunny when my ARC from ACF Bookens drops into my inbox. I know I am in for a great read. This story was no exception and interested me more because of the genealogy aspect. I am always researching my family history and could totally empathise with the confusion of names. How often that can lead you down the wrong track. This is a story of strong women helping those in the community to escape abuse with unfortunate consequences for one family leading them to totally rethink their forebears’ history. Keeping secrets is not always good. I wonder if Paisley ever has a totally straight forward salvage job? She does keep Santiago on his toes! A fascinating read and well written as usual.
December 1, 2022
I have just finished this book and I agree with the other reviews that it was very much based in research and very little in a story. I realise that the historical account of what was done by people to help abused women is a very important topic, but this felt like there was very little story about Paisley behind it. I felt like the kidnapping was just something to quickly bring it back to some form of cozy mystery.
The other big problem that I have is that Jemima Cavanaugh was secretly married to Johnny Langford but they never had children. Jonathan Boynton is related to Jemima Cavanaugh through his mother. My question is, How can Jonathan Boynton be a DNA match to Johnny Langford when he is only related to Jonny Langford through his marriage to Jemima Cavanaugh?
The other big problem that I have is that Jemima Cavanaugh was secretly married to Johnny Langford but they never had children. Jonathan Boynton is related to Jemima Cavanaugh through his mother. My question is, How can Jonathan Boynton be a DNA match to Johnny Langford when he is only related to Jonny Langford through his marriage to Jemima Cavanaugh?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Paisley salvages an old chicken coop and discovers bones when she is raking the site for and 'treasures'. With the help of Santiago, her family and friends, she searches out information about the bones hoping to be able to put them at rest with a name and background. The truth turns out to be stranger than they thought.
'Fatal Floss' is a great story of love and sacrifice in the past. With well-developed characters, plot twists and history, 'Fatal Floss' is a wonderful read I would recommend to anyone who likes their mysteries clean, involved and informative.
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.
'Fatal Floss' is a great story of love and sacrifice in the past. With well-developed characters, plot twists and history, 'Fatal Floss' is a wonderful read I would recommend to anyone who likes their mysteries clean, involved and informative.
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.
May 2, 2022
The latest from Octonia and Paisley, the salvage expert who gets herself involved in solving historic murders when she comes across bodies in the buildings she salvages.
She's salvaging a chicken coop from her neighbours property when she finds a body from many years previously. The story she uncovers is one of bravery in a time when women were very much 'second class citizens'.
In her personal life, her relationship with Santi, the local Sheriff is going from strength to strength.
I'm really enjoying this series, it's well written with great characters. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series. If you like this series please try the St Marins Cozy Mystery series set in a bookshop, it's by the same author
She's salvaging a chicken coop from her neighbours property when she finds a body from many years previously. The story she uncovers is one of bravery in a time when women were very much 'second class citizens'.
In her personal life, her relationship with Santi, the local Sheriff is going from strength to strength.
I'm really enjoying this series, it's well written with great characters. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series. If you like this series please try the St Marins Cozy Mystery series set in a bookshop, it's by the same author
February 16, 2023
This is book 8 in the Stitches in Crime Series. This is book 8 in the Stitches in Crime Series, a cozy mystery. I like this series. Paisley and Santiago's adventure continues in this installment. The storyline is slow paced, and intriguing. I liked the mystery, the family history search, and the intrigue. The supporting characters are interesting. Paisley's son Sawyer is so cute, and smart. Excellent narration from Aven Shore. I enjoyed it. I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
March 29, 2022
The Stitches in Crime series keep getting better and better.
The characters are believable, and down to earth.
Andi introduces new characters at just the right pace so the reader can easily stay focused.
Twists and turns keep the reader So interested that you don’t want to stop reading.
The history and research that the author puts into the characters are very interesting, which keeps you hungry for more chapters, more books.
The characters are believable, and down to earth.
Andi introduces new characters at just the right pace so the reader can easily stay focused.
Twists and turns keep the reader So interested that you don’t want to stop reading.
The history and research that the author puts into the characters are very interesting, which keeps you hungry for more chapters, more books.
April 17, 2022
Fatal Loss is book #8 in the Stitches in Crime series by ACF Bookens.
Paisley Sutton is tearing down a neighbor’s chicken coop when she makes an unexpected discovery.
This is one of my favorite series. Not only are the stories enjoyable to read, but I also learn something. I love the sense of community and the friendships. The twists that this story had kept me guessing until the end.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Paisley Sutton is tearing down a neighbor’s chicken coop when she makes an unexpected discovery.
This is one of my favorite series. Not only are the stories enjoyable to read, but I also learn something. I love the sense of community and the friendships. The twists that this story had kept me guessing until the end.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 23, 2023
Paisley is tasked with taking down an old chicken coop on her neighbors property. It should be a quick, easy job but then she finds some human remains and thus ensues a whirlwind of gunslingers, mischievous women, kidnappings, and mistaken identities.
I, again, felt like the reaction of some of the characters was off. Like, I understand wanting to keep family history just that but to then go do what they do?!? For something that happened in the 1880s?!? Lol still fun though 3.75/5
I, again, felt like the reaction of some of the characters was off. Like, I understand wanting to keep family history just that but to then go do what they do?!? For something that happened in the 1880s?!? Lol still fun though 3.75/5
March 27, 2022
I received this book as an ARC.
I found this latest entry into the series to be both fast paced and utterly enjoyable. The characters come to life on the page and I feel I am a part of this quaint Virginia town.
Paisley, Sawyer and Santiago feel like family. I cant wait to read the continuation of this series.
I found this latest entry into the series to be both fast paced and utterly enjoyable. The characters come to life on the page and I feel I am a part of this quaint Virginia town.
Paisley, Sawyer and Santiago feel like family. I cant wait to read the continuation of this series.
April 1, 2022
Paisley Sutton and her son Sawyer are taking down an old chicken coop on her friend's Jackie's property. Raking the area beneath the coop afterwards, Paisley discovers a human bone. After Santiago allerts the coroner, the following day the entire body is found. While there's no evidence of murder, Paisley and her friends begin the research into the mystery of who the bones belonged to. Their research causes problems and eventually leads to Paisley being kidnapped. What happened and why to cause a problem one hundred years later?
I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.
April 4, 2022
Paisley and Santiago are taking down a chicken coop and of course, find some bones. So they start looking into the history and get into trouble. This book keeps me guessing who is the bad guys. These books in this series give you good history lessons. So if you like some mystery and some history you would love this series.
April 16, 2022
As we all know, Paisley finds a body when she starts a new scavenging job. Well, this one's a little different. She finds bones. There is a big element of surprise concerning the bones. It you like a good cozy mystery with an element of surprise, this you will definitely enjoy this book.
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2022
Another excellent story for Paisley and the gang! The wonderful characters welcome you back to their corner of the world and the well-paced plot pulls you into its twists and turns, not letting go of your attention until you read the final sentence.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this wonderful story and can definitely recommend it to you.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this wonderful story and can definitely recommend it to you.
May 8, 2022
Paisley Sutton is in great form when she finds a body under a chicken coop she is taking down fo a friend. This is a lively, historical story of how the past can sometimes affect the present. The usual team is used with a few acquaintances introduced in previous books. It has some wonderful twists, turns and revelations that you won’t see coming. Loved this story.
Red Robin
Red Robin
March 25, 2022
Great story- It kept me reading right thru to the end. I loved how Paisley after finding a body under an old building is able to track down the complete history of the person and the women he and his wife helped.
April 1, 2022
I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Again Bookens wrote a great book. Paisley gets kidnapped twice without a clue as to why. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
April 4, 2022
Paisley and Santiago agree to tear down an old chicken coop for a neighbor. And, since this is a mystery, human remains turn up buried under the coop. I like how Paisley and her friends use genealogy and historical research to not only identify the remains, but to also unearth his story.
June 1, 2022
Paisley tears down a chicken coop for a neighbor. Buried under the coop are human bones. This starts Paisley on another quest to find out the history of the coop and who was buried underneath. If you enjoy historical style mysteries, then this is for you.
October 20, 2022
Exciting ~ fun cozy
Choosing a five star rating was easy. Bookens writes like no other in getting to the point in a quick interesting manner combined with characters I enjoy. Her endings are always page turning, and engaging surprises.
Choosing a five star rating was easy. Bookens writes like no other in getting to the point in a quick interesting manner combined with characters I enjoy. Her endings are always page turning, and engaging surprises.
March 31, 2022
I love getting a new Paisley Sutton story. There is always a puzzling mystery and some really interesting historical information. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 27, 2022
Fatal Floss
I've read several of ACF Bookens' series. Really enjoy all of them. This one in particular always has some interesting history bits that I love.
I've read several of ACF Bookens' series. Really enjoy all of them. This one in particular always has some interesting history bits that I love.
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