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Cozy Craft Mystery #4

The Swan Dress Murders

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Cozy Craft Mysteries can be read in any order. A funny whodunnit series, full of charming characters and mysteries that will keep you guessing to the very end.

A wedding is a cause for celebration. Not only do dressmakers Penny and Izzy get an invite to the big day but they have an unusual dress commission to complete for one of the guests.

It seems Penny’s only problem is deciding which potential boyfriend to take as her plus-one guest — practical handyman Aubrey or cultured fabric expert Oscar.

But bigger problems arise when the maker of the wedding cake is found dead in the grounds of the stately home where the wedding is to take place.

And when another key individual in the wedding plans is also murdered, it seems like someone has deadly plans to prevent this marriage.

Can Penny and Izzy unravel the mystery and solve this crime before the big day is fatally ruined?

If your ideal book features mystery, friendship, cute romance, crafting and a charming rural setting then this is the book for you.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2023

43 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

About the author

Millie Ravensworth

24 books15 followers

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5 stars
151 (61%)
4 stars
70 (28%)
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21 (8%)
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4 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
750 reviews45 followers
April 17, 2023
Once again we join Izzy and Penny as they solve a double murder in classic cozy mystery fashion! Another great addition to the ‘cozy craft mystery’ series and one that I couldn’t put down! This has been my favorite book in the series so far and I can’t wait to read more!

There is plenty going on in this one that kept me interested and reading long into the night!
Profile Image for Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings).
1,800 reviews308 followers
April 27, 2023
Cosy with a capital C, Millie Ravensworth has created the epitome of a relaxing village crime series in the “Cozy Craft Mysteries” based in Framingham, Suffolk. Funny, quirky and just positively unique in its simplicity, I loved every one of these books. The mysteries form only part of the story and fits in around the cosy life of the endearing characters.
I loved the banter between cousins Penny and Izzy as they reunited and began to adapt to each other’s personalities. Their camaraderie was my type of friendship and had me chuckling at their antics.
Nanna Lem, who is the owner of the Cozy Craft shop and also grandma to Penny and Izzy, is the pivotal character of the series and enjoys her five minutes of fame in each book. Her friendship to a fellow male resident where she is staying, is a joy to follow.
I don’t have much interest in dressmaking or handicrafts at all but I enjoyed how the sewing shop in rural Suffolk was the backdrop for this series and I actually learned a lot of interesting facts and tips.

Book 1 - “The Wonderland Murders” features the death of a thoroughly detestable bully, which obviously attracts a number of suspects. This intrigued me and kept my interest since I couldn’t work out the murderer due to the limited clues. Penny finds herself an unlikely suspect, needing to prove her innocence as well as help trap a killer. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 2 - “The Painted Lobster Murder” sees Penny and Izzy involved in a murder at a client’s house and the introduction of an adorable Corgi dog named Monty, who really is the star of this book. With handyman Aubrey becoming friendly with Penny and Oscar, a fabric salesman taking a similar interest, could this be start of a budding romance for Penny? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 3 - “The Sequinned Cape Murders” focuses a lot more on Izzy and her family and the sewing side of the series, in particular the making of a replica 70’s Elvis costume for her dad. I liked the way the book opened with the dead body and a main character in the immediate frame for the death. A proper conundrum that Penny and Izzy do well to solve, using traditional sleuthing techniques. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 4 - “The Swan Dress Murders” is my favourite of the four books, an unusual death occurs of yet another unlikeable character but I was very intrigued as to how the mystery would be solved considering the bizarre clues left. There's a love triangle that's been active for a couple of books, that now looks like it could be decided upon. I'm not sure who I was routing for to be the suitor but the way things seem to be shaping, I'm quite satisfied if that's the outcome. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
April 17, 2023
I love cosy mystery and have been reading them since I read the first Lilian Jackson Braun and was involved in mysteries featuring a quant town, lovely pets, and amateur detective/detective.
My taste evolved and now, after years and a huge number of series I read, I’m quite spoiled and I know when I am going to love a series after a few pages.
The Cosy Craft Mysteries were one of those series that are a lot of fun and solid mysteries.
Penny, Izzy and the characters grew on me page after page, and I was fascinated by the descriptions of the fabrics and the tips and tricks of professional sewing.
My sewing skill are very basic, but I always wanted to be like Izzy: creative, with a lot of skill in a manual craft, and a lovely person.
Penny is more logical and business like, I wasn’t convinced at the beginning, but she grew on me.
This a general review so I will talk about the series and about the single instalments.

The Wonderland Murders is a good start for a cosy series: even if it introduces places and characters it’s quite fast paced and there’s always something going and keeping your attention alive.
I liked the solid mstery as it kept me guessing and surprised me with the twists. There’s a lot of culprits as the victim is not very likeable.
I appreciated how the author described the bully and how you couldn’t help feeling for the women.

The Painted Lobster Murders is the second book in the series, a highly entertaining and compelling story since the first pages. We meet Monty the dog, a lovely character I loved.
This is another solid and compelling mystery. There’s a lot going on in Penny and Izzy life and they’re developing business and managing the shop as Nan took the backseat.
A fast paced and solid mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed and kept me guessing.
My only note: I hate love triangle, it’s my cosy mystery pet peeve, and hope it will be solved soon

The Sequinned Cape Murders is the third in the series and I enjoyed it even if it’s not my favorite.. There’s more sewing than mystery but it’s also the one with Izzy under the spotlight and I thoroughly enjoyed this change. There’s romance, there’s another good mystery and the usual suspects.

The Swan Dress Murders is the fourth book in the series: another fast paced and entertaining mystery that kept me guessing. I was hoping that the love triangle was solved and hoped this is the last book with Penny who can’t decide.
I enjoyed the story and the complex plot even if there’s my pet peeve but it’s not a main point in the story. Penny and izzy are a good couple of investigators and they’re investigation are well done.
Another good story and the last published.
Profile Image for Kirsty (BookBlogger).
2,063 reviews63 followers
April 17, 2023
The Swan Dress Murders by Millie Ravensworth - Book Four

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A wedding is a cause for celebration. Not only do dressmakers Penny and Izzy get an invite to the big day but they have an unusual dress commission to complete for one of the guests.

It seems Penny’s only problem is deciding which potential boyfriend to take as her plus-one guest — practical handyman Aubrey or cultured fabric expert Oscar.

But bigger problems arise when the maker of the wedding cake is found dead in the grounds of the stately home where the wedding is to take place.

And when another key individual in the wedding plans is also murdered, it seems like someone has deadly plans to prevent this marriage.

Can Penny and Izzy unravel the mystery and solve this crime before the big day is fatally ruined?

My Opinion

This is the fourth book in the Cozy Craft Mystery Series. It could be read as a standalone but would be more enjoyable if read in order.

For a short book there is a lot going on and more than enough to keep the reader interested. To show how interesting this series is, I have read the first four books over the space of four days and I feel that I could still read more. As I have read this series I cannot help but wish I was able to sew - I would love to be able to make a dress like Penny and Izzy.

Whilst this series has been delightful so far, I think that I need to stay away from Penny and Izzy - murder seems to follow them around.

Rating: 4/5
Profile Image for Alyson Read.
1,168 reviews55 followers
April 22, 2023
Seven ladies attend Briony’s hen party at swanky Letheringham Hall, including Izzy, but only six go home alive, after cake shop owner and bridesmaid Cat is found dead, buried in concrete on the island in the lake. At first it is assumed to be a dreadful accident but Penny and Izzy start to have other ideas when they realise the scene may have been staged. Cat was not well liked and had upset several people in her time so there are a few good suspects but the cousins’ theories come unstuck when a second person connected to the cursed wedding also dies before the big day. After being called an ugly duckling at the rather catty hen party, Land Rover enthusiast and sister of the groom Monica decides she wants to shine at the wedding and requests a stunning swan themed dress from the Cozy Craft shop. Will they be able to pull off such an extravagant costume in time? Izzy is happy in her new relationship with Polish dog trainer Marcin who makes an excellent crazy match for her, meanwhile Penny faces a dilemma – should her plus one be lovely reliable and always on hand Aubrey or the more cosmopolitan London based fabric expert Oscar?
Once again it’s a baffling mystery facing Penny, Izzy and their friends in Framlingham, and this one had me guessing until nearly the very end. There’s loads of gentle humour and lots of very endearing characters in these books which all feature beautiful covers depicting the costume in the title. This is a series I think would make great television and I can’t wait to dive into book five, The Tie-Dyed Kaftan Murders.
Profile Image for loopyloulaura.
1,545 reviews21 followers
May 16, 2023
Izzy is at a hen night when one of the guests is killed in a bizarre incident involving concrete. She is convinced it is murder and together with her cousin Penny embarks upon an investigation into the death...
The Swan Dress Murders is the fourth book in the Cozy Crafts murder mystery series and I have recently reviewed the first three books in the series: The Wonderland Murders, The Painted Lobster Murders, and The Sequinned Cape Murders.
Izzy and Penny find themselves investigating another murder when one of Izzy's old friends is killed during a hen party. There are several suspects and potential motives to explore. Meanwhile they are also trying to construct a guest's dress based on Bjork's infamous swan dress.
Penmy and Izzy and ably assisted in their murder investigation by Dr Denise and Aubrey so the murder side of the plot felt more prominent in this book than in the previous ones. The dress making still plays a key role and I enjoyed the backdrop of the wedding to underpin the plot. On the romantic side, Izzy is enjoying her new relationship whilst Penny is still torn between two men.
The Swan Dress Murders was another hugely enjoyable book in a fab series. The tone is wonderfully warm and quirky. Little instances of humour make this series such an enjoyable read.  The fifth instament comes out next month and I will be first in the queue!
291 reviews7 followers
April 11, 2023
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all four of the Cozy Craft Mystery books. This fourth instalment is just as good as the rest.
The murders need solving a rather unusual outfit needs to be made - but this time add in to the mix that Penny actually has to make a decision about the two men in her life.

This is the first time I found myself being annoyed with Penny and the feeling that she was leading poor Aubrey on. I have become rather fond of the painter/decorator and couldn’t help thinking that he deserves more.
I’m undecided on how I feel about the outcome of the romance issue but hope in a future book it might resolve itself.

As always the characters from previous stories pop up and the theme carries on - you could still read each book as a standalone and they would still work very well.

The murders in this book are a little more personal and close to home - well thought through by the author and small clues drop fed throughout that when you look back you question why you hadn’t worked it out sooner.

Overall I found the book a pleasure to read - it flowed easily and I found myself eager to pick it back up and carry on.
Profile Image for Felicity Terry.
1,232 reviews23 followers
April 29, 2023
The latest instalment in the Cozy Craft Mystery series, a series in which, whilst every book is a standalone novel, I'd strongly suggest is best read in order.

The Swan Dress Murders sees Penny undecided as to who her plus-one should be {if I had one small criticism about the books it would be this love-triangle which sees Penny unable to choose between Aubrey or Oscar; that, having developed a bit of a soft spot for one of them, I'm beginning to get a bit impatient with her}.

Not that as it turns out, Aubrey or Oscar?/Oscar or Aubrey?, this is Penny's biggest problem {that would be the dead cake maker and bridesmaid} as once again she and Izzy are caught up in a murder mystery that, as with the previous books, sees unusual deaths occurs, the commissioning of a one-off garment {this time the 'swan dress' of the title} and, of course, familiar faces.

Having read all four books back to back I'm looking forward to yet more murders in book five, The Tie-Dyed Kaftan Murders.

Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the blog Tour of this book; Agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own. No financial compensation was asked for nor given. Threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.
Profile Image for Julia.
3,099 reviews99 followers
April 5, 2023
The Swan Dress Murders by Millie Ravensworth is the fourth book in A Cosy Craft Mystery series. Once more the reader is totally engaged in the exploits of Izzy and Penny as they have another double murder to solve.
Murder seems to follow the pair around as their powers of amateur sleuthing are put to the test once more.
The pair are engaging as their light hearted banter flows freely.
As well as following their powers to solve crime, we see their individual pursuits of true love.
With a wedding to attend and crimes to solve, the reader is highly entertained.
I have read all four books so far in A Cosy Craft Mystery series. Each book has been delightful and would make wonderful afternoon television viewing. I hope there will be many more books to come.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books115 followers
April 20, 2023
A wedding, an unusual dress to sew and a decision to make in the fourth book in the cosy craft mystery series. Murder is not part of the wedding plan. Still, Izzy and Penny are cast as amateur detectives in another twisty mystery. It's an entertaining and immersive read full of colourful characters and sensory imagery that make events easy to visualise for readers.
I like this story's fast pacing, characters and engaging nature.

I received a copy of this book from the authors.
Author 1 book9 followers
April 30, 2023
Izzy attends Briony’s hen do, but while seven arrive only six have gone home, another murder has occurred and Izzy and Penny will be the ones to solve it.

Another brilliant book in the series and I think the best one yet. I especially loved the little backstories of the characters' personal love lives. This novel has humour in it like the others and I was again able to read this in one sitting. This series has easily become a go-to for me and I look forward to continuing it.
137 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2024
Fabulous

Really getting into this series, love the characters and the mad storylines, even worked out the whodunit, don't normally bother because the murders are not the importance parts of the book it's the interaction between the characters and the fun and mishaps they get into that delights me. I love the creative sewing aspect too, makes me want to get my sewing ma nine out and create something fabulous, (or mad)
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
August 6, 2025
This time, there's a wedding and an unusual request, a dilemma and a murder... Penny and Izzy are thrown into the mayhem as usual.

I enjoyed the dynamics, the mystery, the quirky characters and the drama in this cozy tale. The information about dressmaking was nicely done and gave depth and reality to the story.

It was well-written, entertaining and engaging.

Recommended to those who enjoy this genre.
33 reviews
April 4, 2024
easy read

Most enjoyable to date I have enjoyed all of this series and look forward to reading more at a later date.
Profile Image for Bookshortie.
863 reviews60 followers
May 14, 2023
Weddings are such happy occasions but when two of members of the wedding party are found murdered it isn’t clear whether the wedding will go ahead with a murderer on the loose. Penny and Izzy are on the case but are also asked to create a special wedding outfit for the groom’s sister. Can they solve the case and create the showstopper dress?

This was another enjoyable read from the Cozy Craft Mysteries series following Penny and Izzy solving another case. In this book Penny and Izzy are very much involved in the wedding and then find themselves involved in a murder mystery one where the murderer may be closer than they think and so everyone in the wedding party becomes a possible suspect. I really enjoyed the wedding setting for the story. But my favourite thing about the story has to be the special swan dress that Penny and Izzy were asked to make. When I was picturing the dress all I could imagine was the swan dress work by Bjork. This was by far the most unusual and challenging outfit that has been commissioned but Penny and Izzy created something unforgettable.

I didn’t work out or have any idea who the murderer was and when all was revealed I was truly shock as this was someone who I’d not even considered. There is definitely more romance in this book. Izzy and Marcin are now really close and I would say slowly falling in love. Penny finally has to make a choice between Aubrey and Oscar especially when she has to choose someone to bring to the wedding as her plus one. Penny does make a choice but I’m not entirely sure if that is the end of the matter. I did feel conflicted about Penny’s decision because I wasn’t sure if she had chosen the right person. But you’ll have to read the book to see who Penny chooses and why.

This was a really lovely addition to the Cozy Craft Mystery series and I really hope that more books are released in the future.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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