Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Pinned for Murder - 3rd in the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery series
Author: Elizabeth Lynn Casey
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-94614-2
Release Date: October 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery
Year/Setting: Present day, Sweet Briar South Carolina
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Elizabeth's Website/Blog: www.elizabethlynncasey.com
Tropical Storm Roger has left his calling card in Sweet Briar. With it come destruction, heartache, and…murder.
Head librarian Tori Sinclair has never seen anything like it. Property indiscriminately destroyed. Lives turned upside down. Dear, sweet, crusty Rose, an elderly member of the sewing circle is beside herself. Not because of the damage Roger did to her home, but because a former student of hers, who she totally believes in, has been accused of more than one crime.
Kenny Murdock has more than one strike against him. Definitely not reason enough to convict him in Tori’s book. Though, she does have to admit the evidence, circumstantial thought it may be, quite overwhelmingly points in Kenny’s direction. Her recollection of a conversation she had with Kenny just about makes her convinced, too.
Initially the sewing circle’s thoughts were to keep heartbroken Rose busy, occupy her thoughts away from Kenny and the probability that his temper overtook his sense. Their plan doesn’t go as hoped. Rose seems to be shrinking inside herself.
Time goes by and the crime takes on a different twist. How does that fit with the case against Kenny? It still seems that he’s the murderer, but as far as Tori is concerned, some of the evidence doesn’t exactly add up. Yet her suspicions aren’t enough to clear Kenny or take to the police. What she needs to find is solid evidence. Proof that Kenny didn’t murder the grumpy, persnickety, Martha Jane. And this time the proof is all but invisible.
It was nice to catch up with the residents in Sweet Briar again. There’s seemingly never a dull moment among the ladies of the Sweet Briar Sewing Circle. Sniping, bickering, and gossip threads through the group in between each stitch they take and each bite of delicious goodies they consume. But under it all, I believe they would do anything for one of their own.
I really enjoy Tori’s sleuthing escapades with Margaret Louise. They are quite a pair when peeling around corners and questioning potential witnesses and suspects. I’m glad to see Nina coming out of her shell more. Leona, in this episode, seems to be Leona at her best, or worst, depending on how you look at her. I’m telling you, one of these days she’s going to be in trouble and wish she hadn’t opened her mouth one too many times…Tori will have her hands full then.
Pinned for Murder is a relaxing and pleasurable read. Ms. Casey has sewn together a finely crafted cozy mystery series.
Happy Reading,
Connie
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