Sewn at the Crime

Stitches In Crime #6

by A.C.F. Bookens

Salvaging old books is one thing. Finding bones is entirely another.

Salvager Paisley Sutton has been wanting to go inside the old two-room school for years, but when she finally gains access, just before a local community group begins a full restoration, she finds far more than great old desks and vintage textbooks. Soon, she’s preoccupied with the hunt for a murderer who is trying to hide three decades of crime.

How much is the truth worth? Is it worth Paisley’s life?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Family

169 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2022

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paisley is once again going strong and her and Santiago are on fire when did Mika start dating Don? I have found a few inconsistencies before and these books and although I love them they can be quite distracting because again who is Don? I have a bad problem with thinking the last book in a series it’s my favorite but there’s no question I love this one and I can’t wait to read book 7. I think head I started these books in the beginning I would go crazy waiting for the next one can’t wait to get it. I received this book from audio book empire and I am leaving this review totally voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed that so much emphasis placed on LGBTQ for a period in history where it was such taboo. Also characters were inconsistent with prior book in series. Chris should have been with Mika, not Dom. Dom had dated Sullivan in last book. I will continue to read the series, but if this theme continues, I will not stay with it.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

I am so glad I discovered this author as I really enjoy both of her series so far. I was happy to be back in this series for another twisty mystery. This series follows salvager Paisley Sutton as she discovers bodies during her salvaging jobs. Often she has to delve into the past to discover what happened. This is such a fun series and I enjoy reading about Paisley and all her friends and family.

In Sewn at the Crime, Paisley stumbles upon another dead body, this time it's the body of a teacher at a school she's salvaging. This mystery had some interesting twists and turns and it was really interesting to see it all develop. When more information comes to light we get a better picture of what happened to the dead teacher, but why and how she died stays a mystery till the very end. I wasn't too surprised at who the murderer was, but wasn't sure about the how and why. The truth comes to light in a way I don't usually see in cozies, but I thought it fit here.

Even with the mystery going on and Paisley investigating what happened there's plenty going on in her daily life as well. It's fun to see how her shop is doing as well as the salvage work she's doing. Then there are new friends she makes in this book as well as time spend with her older friends and family. It's always heartwarming to see her friends be there for her and help her out.

To summarize: This continues to be an awesome series. I like following Paisley as she solves another mystery as well as see how things go in her daily life. This mystery had some interesting twists and turns. Some reveals shine a whole new light on the situation and I enjoyed seeing how things progressed. I wasn't too surprised at who the murderer was, but had a few questions that I wasn't sure of till the end. It's great to see Paisley and all her friends and how they stick together and are there for one another. I already look forward to the next one!

[Alisha Carderella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read with twisting information not expected and history of things in the past. Paisley is growing in her business and her love for Santi

[Taylor Meadows · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was potential for this one to be good with the mystery being slightly different from the previous books. I still struggle to get past all the errors in each book- outside of typos and editing errors, there have been multiple times where character's names were wrong, situations that happened weren't resolved or really discussed again, etc. Without giving away too much there's a lot of focus on people's backgrounds, but then they don't end up being discussed or connected to the case again. The whole case was wrapped up in a matter of about 10 pages and doesn't really discuss why certain things happened with certain people.

[Connie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley's latest salvage job is the old Anderson School. It had been the place where the town's African American children received their education, and now it was rotting and falling down. When Rufus Woodson, retiree and one of the former students who was educated at that school, asked for Paisley's help in pulling down the old building before it could fall down, she agrees.  Only she didn't expect to find the remains of a beloved teacher, Mrs. Agee, who had just disappeared one day and she was never seen again.  There were rumors at the time.  Had she run away because she was afraid? Had she left, as other teachers had, to join the Civil Rights movement? Some people seemed to know more than they were saying. Some people thought maybe she wasn't who she said she was.  Some people thought maybe she was sticking her nose into things that weren't her concern. Her former students, all who are now old enough to be retired, have to put their memories together. What had they heard from the adults back then? Who was acting strange or unusual? They need to put the puzzle back together of their life as it was back then. They know that Mrs. Agee was worried about more than just the possibility of the school closing or the violence that was occuring over civil rights.  It takes Paisley, Santiago, her old friends, and her new friends to piece this jigsaw puzzle together.  Will the former students' memories be enough?  I really enjoyed this book.  The murder occurred so long ago that this cold case was no longer cold - it was more like frozen.  I really enjoyed the history and could relate to the times.  All of the books in this series are clean, no swearing, most of the characters are nice and kind people. There's no gratuitous violence and no sex.  I received this book as an ARC and I'm happy to say I enjoyed it very much and I will continue to read this series as long as they keep coming.  

[dnsyl57 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paisley Sutton is looking forward to the salvage job at an old school on the edge of town. With Saul on the forklift and a few former students and their friends/family, the job is off to a great start until Paisley comes across a skeleton under the floorboards of one of the classrooms. A teacher had disappeared almost 50 years earlier. Was this her? Who would have wanted to harm her and why? Paisley, along with her sheriff boyfriend Santiago and others sort through memories and dig up facts to find a killer.

My thoughts: Ms Bookens is an excellent storyteller. She delves deep into what for some, are difficult and disturbing subjects and circumstances. She isn't afraid to tell truths about society and how unaccepting people can be at times. This was a powerful story.

That being said, whoever is doing the proof reading for her books is not doing a very good job. I noted 20 typos in the Kindle edition that was released on January 25 2022 and 2 small plotline errors. The typos were mostly minor but still very annoying and distracting. These, along with the plotline errors should easily have been caught in a decent proofing. Early in the story, a character recalls hearing the victim talking to herself but the name she called herself is different than any other listed in the book. Nearer to the end, a character says they need some sleep and heads upstairs to bed - yet a couple pages later they are called by the person downstairs and says they will be by in the morning to pick them up. HUH? Also, in what I assumed to be more of a typo, Paisley's son Sawyer is listed as being four near the start of the book but later is referred to as being three. So which is it? CONTINUITY!!!!

Story wise, I could easily give this 5 stars, BUT with the plethora of typos/errors I can only give this 3 stars. JMO

[Queen Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

LGBTQ+ friendly mysteries

Paisley Sutton lives in Octonia, a small town not too far from Charlottesville, VA. She has an architectural salvage business for which she is always tearing down buildings corbel by corbel, mantle by mantle, and a tendency to find dead bodies in the buildings from which she is salvaging.
In this case/book/story, the 50-year dead body is that of the former African American school teacher at the segregated African American school in the town. Ms. Agee had just disappeared one day and nobody knew what had happened — until her body was found. She was a well loved in her community and her former students rallied to help solve the case; that is one of the delightful things about this series — the wonderful cast of characters, so well developed seemingly effortlessly by the author.
As is many of her other books, ACF Bookens takes a strong supportive position of the LGBTQ+ community and the struggles of being gay 50 years ago. Ms. Agee’s past is discovered as is that of many of the residents of Octonia.
It’s actually arresting to be reading stories confronting homophobia and calling it out in this day and age.

[Carolyn Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded to 3. If I were more left-leaning or progressive, this might possibly be a favorite series. But I'm not. I'm not angry-offended, I'm just not terribly interested in series with obvious progressive liberal themes as the focus in every book. I don't think cozy mysteries have to be truly based in reality - the heroines always have a strong family and friend network and people there to step in at a moment's notice when the heroine has to leave her business to go investigate all the time, but this series is pushing it. Paisley's young son is looked after quite frequently by construction workers who seem to not have any other jobs they are working at, the son is very very advanced verbally for his age, and she has a new teenage worker at her shop that she spent a couple hours training and then left on her own while Paisley is off solving the current crime, driving her sheriff-boyfriend's cruiser with lights flashing and sirens blaring while he made phone calls en route. It's just a bit much, and I'm really not sure if I will continue reading. It's not a bad series, just not my cup of tea.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series and am happy to have received an ARC for this book. It was easy to get into even though I haven't yet read the intervening books. The characters are warm and wonderful, and I love the idea of architectural salvage - you see the beauty of old buildings through an expert's eyes. Paisley's 3-year-old is a delight, as are the adults who take time to play with him in water and mud! – In this book, the tearing down of an old rural schoolhouse reveals a skeleton, still with a dress and glasses – probably the schoolteacher who left suddenly at the time the older local residents were attending school there. The mystery deepens with each step of the investigation, and the good writing pulls you right along. One theme running alongside is black lives hidden in plain sight – at least to the white community, and especially at that time but also the present. The ending has some marvelous twists – you shouldn't miss this book! – This voluntary review is my honest opinion.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sewn at the Crime is book #6 in the Stitches in Crime series by ACF Bookens.

Paisley is offered a job of tearing down an old two-room schoolhouse. While salvaging items there, a body is discovered. Someone does not want the crime investigated and wants to stop Paisley.

This series keeps getting better and better! The nature of Paisley’s business brings her into contact with a variety of new characters which keeps the series fresh. Paisley and her friends and family are so supportive of each. It is a nice escape. This book doesn’t have to be read as part of the series, but if you do, you get to see Paisley’s business grow and her relationship progress with Santiago. I always feel like I learn something when I read these books. An added bonus is learning about cross-stitch sites.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 in this lovely cozy mystery series set in Octonia with Paisley, local salvage expert and her boyfriend Santiago, the local Sheriff.

Paisley has been asked to take down an old local school, and with the help of Saul, her best friends Uncle and mentor of sorts, they get to work with the people who asked her to do the job. However, as usual, things don't go smoothly and she finds a body, there follows a story where history is at its heart.

These books are really enjoyable, if you like this series try the other series set in a bookshop in St Marins, it's equally as good. This series, like most others, is best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant offering from Ms. Bookens. A mystery surrounds the unearthing of human remains underneath the floorboards of a school destined for demolition. Why does a seemingly well respected teacher who was adored by her pupils get into a predicament like this? It’s always exciting to receive my ARC and, when I’ve finished reading, I always think “Well I don’t think you can top that one!”. How wrong can you be? This story shows the historical thinking at the time on a tricky subject. Well thought out and handled and it has an added twist that the reader will not see coming. Loved it as usual and looking forward to the next piece of tremendousness.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first venture into the world of Paisley Sutton & friends and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. A very clever plot, not as straightforward as it first seemed. Characters are well developed and I do like the interaction between the people of the small town, their hidden secrets as well as the supportive ways that they help each other.

I also like the fact that the author is totally upfront with the possible hatreds and prejudices, not just against the LGBTQ community, which is some ways is relatively "modern" but she does not shy away from the differences between the black and white communities, making it undeniable, yet common place and acceptable. Total thumbs up.

[Andi]

This book was a beauty but a challenge to write, too. It deals with some very real and some very hard subjects - no spoilers - though, and it allowed me to explore history with a new lens.

The book begins with the discovery of a skeleton in an old school, and suddenly, Paisley and her friends are searching down the stories of the mid-20th century and the fears that lived big then (and now, too.)

I so hope you'll enjoy the book, and maybe you'll check out my other books, too. Find me at acfbookens.com

Happy Reading!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Paisley is hired to help salvage an old school no one expects to find a skeleton under the floorboards. I like that this was a story about a cold case rather than a current murder and that the characters have to dig into the past to solve it.

This series is grittier than most of the cozies that I read since each book deals with issues of race and growing up in the south but it’s also part of what makes the series so good. I never feel like I’m reading a cookie cutter story that I’ve read a dozen times before.

[Merrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this excellent book. Its intricate plot is full of twists and turns that capture your attention immediately and keep it firmly fixed right through to the last word. All the familiar characters are there, along with some new ones to expand our acquaintance with Paisley's world. The sensitive subjects raised are handled gently but may be disturbing to some.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this wonderful book and couldn't resist adding it to my collection. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great story.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley was hired to help take down an old school building, salvaging what was useful for the people who hired her and keep the rest for herself. The money offered just barely covered expenses, but she knew the people didn't have much money. What happens every time Paisley starts a job? Yep, she found a body (skeleton).

The sheriff was called immediately. Now the search begins. Who is the lady, how did she die, and who killed her? There is a big surprise when the sheriff starts his investigation.

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

[Michele Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley Sutton has been hired to salvage and demolish an old Negro school house. She and several of the people who hired her begin the work. While removing the floor in one of the rooms, Paisley discovers a body under the floor. Her friend Sheriff Santiago is called and they begin the process of finding out what happened when the people helping her were children. While searching, they find out that the teacher was not who she claimed, adding to the mystery.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we get to Octonia, we see Paisley’s shop is running successfully and she even has part time help! She is hired to help take down an old school and we know what happens.
This mystery is particularly twisty. Each new piece of information gives us a new twist. There is so much history to find out about the people at this school.
And we get to see lots more of Ms. Lewis in this one!
So if you like twists and turns in your history and mystery, get this one.

[Robin Blanksguster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good who done it. There were several red herrings and quite a bit of misdirection. An old school in the black section of town is torn down to make way for community center. The skeleton of a woman is found under the floorboards. She had been buried there for decades. The towns people had thought she had left but she had been murdered. It has all the elements of a murder but it still had a cosy small town feel to it. Great read.

Red Robin

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a book by this author before, but this one was really unexpected. Paisley gets involved in another mystery, uncovered as she’s working to tear down an old school. In addition to the mystery, this books deals with racial and homosexual issues. I really was not expecting such heavy social themes, but as they were undercurrents throughout the story, they were both necessary parts to the story and weren’t too heavy for a cozy mystery. I was stumped til the end, which I love!

[Rita Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Paisley is I the process of taking apart a building, she discovers a skeleton. Of course, all work has to stop until the person is identified.

Paisley gets deep into the historical lineage while trying to sort out who is the real victim.

There are many questions about the people who attended the Anderson School, and Paisley is on it.

This is a book that has a lot of questions, suspense, and danger..

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 6 in the Stitches In Crime Series, a Cozy Mystery. I loved to follow Paisley and Santiago in this new adventure. I liked the mystery, the intrigue, and the twists and turns. Aven Shore did an excellent job bringing this story to life. This is another great addition to the series. Looking forward to more in the series. I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. I was so excited to get this ARC and Bookens did not disappoint. Paisley found a skeleton under the floor boards of an old school she was taking down, and the twists and turns start. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it

[Amy Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good book moved nicely not boring with a lot of talking. yes there where mistakes that needs to be corrected before it goes into print. I didnt realize it was she was white and most of the characters where black and this happend a long time ago the body that was found. otherwise a pretty enjoyable read.

[Susan Franke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social issues from the past still prevalent today are woven throughout an intriguing mystery. Paisley is salvaging an abandoned school at the request of former students. They hope to use the materials for a future community project. When Paisley starts to pull up floor boards she finds the skeleton of a woman Who could this be?Memories from the past are woven throughout the storyline to find out who it is and why they were murdered
I recieved an E-ARC from the author permy reauest

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these books

I enjoy reading this series but noticed some inconsistencies in this book. In the previous book Mika started dating Chris, one of Santiago’s friends but in this book it was Dom.
Still I enjoy the stories.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paisley is hired to tear down an old school building. When she does, she finds a skeleton. Who was it and how old is it? She tries to find question people that attended the school to find out who it was and if they were murdered. A lot of history for the town.