Deadly Notions

A Southern Sewing Circle #4

by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Librarian Tori Sinclair would do anything for her new circle of friends-including throw a birthday bash for a fellow sewer's daughter. While the party is a hit, self-important pageant mom Ashley Lawson leaves the ladies wanting to permanently shut her high maintenance mouth. But when Ashley turns up dead, Tori and the girls need to figure out who really murdered the monster mom, before the finger-pointing causes their friendship to unravel.

Read Elizabeth Lynn Casey's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Southern, Crafts, Crime

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 5, 2011

Reviews

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my thoughts on this book and others check out my cozy mystery YouTube channel @: https://www.youtube.com/@theBeachbumb...

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far in this series I have found Deadly Notions to be my favorite. It grabbed me in almost from the beginning. This cozy mystery took readers through a rollercoaster of emotions. There was a murder and I thought from the beginning that I knew who the killer was. Well I was wrong. Dead wrong! If I was always able to guess whodunit I'd soon become bored with cozy mysteries . I love page turning edge of seat reading and this book didn't disappoint. And a special surprise at the end of the book was an added bonus.
There's a bully in the Sweet Briar Kindergarten class. Five year old Penelope Lawson is a beautiful spoiled little girl. Her pushy mother will stop at nothing to escalate her daughter in the eyes of others. To Ashley Lawson her daughter can do no wrong. To the point of comparing her daughter with the other students. This mother is a successful fashion designer and sits in on the school board. Penelope wants her own way in school against the other students and if she doesn't get it she threatens to tell her mother. No one wants a face off with this mother from hell. Well there was one person that this mother shouldn't have pushed over the edge. Now members of the Southern Sewing Circle and two mothers find that they are prime suspects of murder.
Tori Sinclair and Milo Wentworth's relationship looks very promising but then his college sweetheart comes to town. She is beautiful and will stop at nothing to take him away from Tori. Beth Samuelson makes sure Tori knows what her intentions are as far winning Milo back, goes. To make matters worse he seems to be at Beth's beck and call. Every time Tori and Milo are together Beth calls him and needs him to come and help her with something or another and off Milo goes leaving Tori alone, again! When will Tori put her foot down or is it already too late? How far can she trust Milo?
If your genre is Cozy Mysteries you will love this book. Since its part of a series I would recommend you start at book one, Deadly Sewing. There are twelve books to this series and you will fall in love with the characters. The Author is Elizabeth Lynn Casey who is also Laura Bradford.
I downloaded a Kindle ebook version of this book from The Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is it possible to give something a ranking of zero stars? This was dreadful. The characters were poorly drawn out. I barely liked the main character (she needed her friends to tell her to fight for her man basically) and her boyfriend was lame as could be, especially with his pathetic speech at the end. I felt like the characters of Ashley and Beth were too similar to each other and also both were caricatures, with Beth having only slightly more depth. I paid a quarter for this book at my local library and after reading the book, I felt ripped off.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori finds one of the sewing circle (Melissa) panicking in the library, she has to plan a birthday party that the local Diva Mom will accept (or Melissa's child will be shunned!), the Diva Mom manages to upset everybody but no one expected her to end up dead.  To add to the stress of another death Milo's ex (from 14 years ago) has shown up and apparently wants Milo back in her life ... well and truly back and she will ride roughshod over Tori to achieve this.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books (series) that suck you in. I totally feel like I am apart of Sweet Briar when I am reading. A fantastic author and a fantastic book. I always like to slow down a little when I read this series. Savor each and every moment. I love how my emotions were brought out as Tori was experiencing life through these pages. What a great story line with Beth to town. I highly recommend this book and series, and I definitely recommend reading this one in order.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based in a small town in South Carolina, you have to laugh at times at the antics and nosiness of some of the characters. By the same token there are times that you would gladly kill the whole bunch. The books are cozies and they are not my favorite mystery genre… but occasionally they will fit…you guessed it…a challenge. Don’t expect anything intense or “on the edge of your seat” excitement in these mysteries. On the other hand they won’t give you nightmares either. They are among some of the best of this genre that I have read. If you just want something light to read…these just might be fit the bill..

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was ok.. I thought the book took too much away from the mystery by focusing on her insecurity with her and Milo's relationship. It is hard to balance the romantic interest and the mystery in a cozy and I think this book just weighed too heavy on that side. I already have my copy of Dangerous Alterations, the next in the series, so I definitely will continue reading!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori is helping to throw a birthday bash at the library for the daughter of one of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle members. All the Ladies get involved to make the event extra special. One of the mom's of another child in the class, Ashley Lawson, has set the bar high when it comes to birthday parties as her daughter's parties are pretty lavish affairs. Ashley arrives with her daughter to the party and verbally attacks almost every woman in the place. Of course, the other women share a few nasty comments about this extremely insulting woman between themselves. So when Ashley Lawson turns up dead, no one is really surprised because each of them all wanted to strangle her at one point or another, but none of them actually would do it or would they?



Another great book in this series!!!! The author continues to blow me away with her insights. The way she portrays these women making them so true to life, they jump right off the page and into your heart. They are all so different and come together effortlessly to form a truly entertaining story. She also stitches in another wonderful mystery. The sewing project in this book (complete instructions included in the back of the book) is so cool and creative too.

There is only one problem with this book, it ended too soon!!!! and we have to wait for the next book Dangerous Alterations until November. I can't wait to enjoy Spring and Summer but my calendar already has a big star on November 1st, marking the day this new book will be released.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Sarah Iverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Notions gave me another enjoyable experience. This particular conflict in this book was a surprise. It is always amazing how just a slightly different outlook can transport you into another different world. Ultimately, the ending again was not only unexpected for the conflict of the story but also there was a pleasant surprise as well. I won't say more to not spoil the surprise.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually slow moving for me. It's been a while since I read the previous books, so trying to remember who is who was interesting. However, once I got into the groove of the characters, everything was more enjoyable.
Beth was a pain in the butt. One could tell what she was up to with Milo once she started with her act. Even though she played her part of the story well, she was still over the top.
The ending was good as everything came together. I was confused as to who the killer was and thought the resolution was rushed. It all just happened and then the ladies were sitting in the bakery talking about how great it was that Tori figured it all out.
In the end, this was a good addition to the series. I hope things turn out well for Tori and Milo.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Notions by Elizabeth Lynn Casey is the fourth book in the series and was an interesting afternoon read. Although the mystery was well written, I felt that the relationship between Tori and Milo took a little too much of the story away from the mystery itself. I do like Ms. Casey's writing and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought I had the murderer figured out! I was wrong but everything worked out okay in the end. I’m very excited to read the next book later this month to see what happens next!

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor clueless Milo!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deadly Notions" by Elizabeth Lynn Casey is my favorite yet in this excellent series. Ms. Casey deals with a difficult social issue, bullying in today's schools and by the careless words issued by children's parents at home.

Another issue dealt with by sleuth, Tori Sinclair and her co-sewers, is the social status climb being challenged in today's world. How can a moderate income family ever come up to scratch with a snobbish wealthy family? This subject can mold children into bullies and cause another child insecurity throughout their lives. Ms. Casey handles this subject clearly and intelligently, while keeping the book suspenseful and entertaining.

The theme even continues with the romance between Tori and her beau, Milo.

There is a murder and Tori and her Sweet Briar's Sewing Circle friends are suddenly in the 'suspect' pool. Why? Well, because they did not censor their words.

This book was wonderfully written, filled with laughter, drama, and thoughtfulness. Excellent mystery!

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, after finishing this today I think the character Victoria must be losing her hearing because there's WAY TOO MANY question marks throughout the story. So, I'll ask one of my own: Why does she have to REPEAT almost EVERYTHING that others say? Talk about awkward. Once or twice is fine, but all through the story is so disruptive and frankly got really annoying. This made the book so hard to enjoy, I don't remember this quirk in the prior stories. All in all a really fast read, the killer is predictable, but I did enjoy the past books and most of the characters grew on me. I have to agree with other's comments that in this one Milo and Victoria were both so weak and gutless, I really hope that improves as well.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! I love the Southern Sewing Circle series. The characters are varied and well-developed. I feel we can learn something from their diverse personalities and I hope the series continues for a long time. This is truly a series worth reading!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Lynn Casey has truly perfected the art of the cozy mystery. In this fourth installment in the Southern Sewing Circle series, she tackles thorny topics with grace and finesse, and delivers one marvelously satisfying read. Here’s wishing a long and prolific life for this enchanting series.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

wow, a lot of people die in this little tiny southern town (kind of like Murder She Wrote). Yes, I read the whole series in a week and a half. And yes, my brain appreciated the break from the non-fiction.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good cozy mystery with some excellent twists and turns by a new-to-me author. I will definitely be reading more of the Southern Sewing Circle.

[Dyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 4th in the series of cozy mysteries by Casey is a notch above the last book. The eye rolling of the characters in book three have disappeared to be replaced by Tori always repeating a question someone has asked her. Annoying! A plus for this book is that it's chock full of southern homilies such as "I'd like to come up with an idea that's horse high, bull strong, pig tight, and goose proof", "...why don't you wish in one hand, spit in the other, and see which one gets full faster", "...you'd like to buy them for what they're worth and sell them for what they think they're worth", or "good men may be as scarce as deviled eggs after a church picnic", etc.

Head Librarian, Tori Sinclair, helps her sewing club friend, Melissa, give a birthday party for her daughter in the children's room at Sweet Briar Public Library. Melissa wants to make it extra special while on a tight budget; because another kindergarten mother, Ashley Lawson, plans lavish and expensive parties for her daughter Penelope. The Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing circle shows up to help make it a memorable party. But Ashley, a pageant dress designer, is an insufferable, unbearable, rude, self-important mom (I mean this lady is nasty!) who shows up with her bullying daughter and commences verbally attacking both mothers and children.

Everyone at the party has at one-time-or-another casually commented how they want to strangle Ashley or get rid of her in some way. Well, the next day, Ashley is discovered strangled in her car by a rope used to tie up a tire swing from the party. All the adults who attended the party are suspect including the members of the sewing club. Tory knows that no one in her club would kill anybody; but the police aren't making any headway, so Tory and her sewing friends try to put clues together to find the murderer.

A sub-plot involves Tory's boyfriend, Milo, whose ex college sweetheart, Beth, has come to town on business. She is beautiful, ambitious, owns her own business, and will do anything to get Milo back. Milo has blinders on and can't see that Beth is manipulating him. Even though Milo is not falling for Beth's dramatic ploys to get him back, Tory is insecure because of her last boyfriend who cheated on her, and feels she is losing Milo. These two need to get a backbone and talk to each other and really listen to each other. Since Beth and Ashley are in the same business, could there be some connection between them and Ashley's death?

I keep reading this series because of the friendships among the ladies of the sewing circle, especially the one between the one non-sewer, Leona, and Tory. Leona, a southern belle, is trying to teach Tory about southern ways and attitudes. This includes the interplay between Leona and her twin sister, Margaret Louise. Creates some funny moments. And the former librarian, Dixie, is beginning to warm up to Tory. A good rainy day read.

[Nicole Wrightson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to say that I don't know how many more of these books I can get my hands on. I love these books and the women in them. I am going to be skipping over a few books to the next one my library has.

But this one has all the women of the sewing circle surrounded by suspension of murder. After one crazy birthday party which has them all mumbling under their breath but Tori about how they want to end one mom. Tori just keeps pointing out that the tire swing might have been a bad idea because of the rope. But when the next day the mom is found dead by the tire swing rope, Tori and her group are shocked. Everyone said it but no one would have done it. Also Tori has to deal with an Ex in town trying to get her boyfriend back. Tori has issues which is due to her own ex. (personal baggage)

I love that they brought in someone for Tori to have this issue with. Having gone through the cheating before, I struggle with the whole trust thing. So her having that trust issue was a good thing to see. This is a real struggle for women who have dealt with cheaters. So for her and Milo to go off into happily ever after without it popping up would have been wrong.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Librarian Tori Sinclair would do anything for her new circle of friends-including throw a birthday bash for a fellow sewer's daughter. While the party is a hit, self-important pageant mom Ashley Lawson leaves the ladies wanting to permanently shut her high maintenance mouth. But when Ashley turns up dead, Tori and the girls need to figure out who really murdered the monster mom, before the finger-pointing causes their friendship to unravel.”

I didn't really enjoy this story --- too old fashioned and really not practable or imaginative.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow did I dislike Ashley! But then, who wouldn't. I felt she was a bit over the top character-wise. The action was a bit slower than I usually like. Authors tend to repeat several times the list of suspects, their motives and whether they could have committed the murder, it's too repetitive. Unfortunately, I have to skip over these parts. I enjoyed the plot and the characters where wonderful...most of them. I look forward to the next in the book in the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overbearing parent wants the local children to not have contact with her daughter even though she throws over the top parties for her daughter. The local women are having a hard time to compete with her while trying to put up with her critical comments. When she is found dead, everyone in the sewing circle is under suspicion as each one had uttered the phase (in one form or another) that each one wished she was dead.

[Patti Abernathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more predictable than her others. Seemed like the sewing projects were only thrown in to fit the genre. I didn't enjoy the characters as much as I usually do. I will read the next one and hope I enjoy it more. I like to keep one from this series on my Kindle at all times for when I find myself between books and needing something to read .

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am continuing to enjoy this series. Tori is a delightful character and all her friends in the Sewing Circle and at the library add color to this series set in the South. This time our mystery ends up involving an old college flame of Milo. Should Tori be worried or scared? You will enjoy finding out!!!

[Lynne Tull · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this is really cozy and sometimes simply silly. However, it's a good respite for the serious stuff. I kind of had this one figured out and was half right. I still enjoy the library and sewing parts because that's what I like to do. I can't say that I have a group of friends that match this group. I certainly don't have a 'Leona'. Recommend if you want a break!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I started this series in the middle I was not sure if all of the characters. The plotting of the murder and subsequent investigation is extremely interesting because of the multiple characters having a motive for the murder. The victim a totally disagreeable person. I did not figure out this ending at all.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good mystery in a series I'm enjoying. I actually suspected the culprit early on, but wasn't sure! Even us who don't like to sew (or do any kind of domestic crafty thing) can enjoy this series.

[Alicia Peacock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay third book in and we still are going on about the way southerners say things. Also this author goes on about characters playing with their hair. Why? Who cares? Anyway this one was better than the first three.