Shear Terror - (A Sewing Studio Mystery) by Dorothy Howell (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Abbey's life in Hideaway Grove is comfortable, and she's grateful for her small sewing studio in the back room of her aunt's bakery, but she's feeling stuck. Her plan to expand her custom tote bag business by selling to a chain of gift shops has hit a snag. Making enough totes to distribute to all the stores requires large-scale production--which requires money Abbey doesn't have. To make ends meet, she takes a part-time job at the town's bustling Visitor Center... Abbey is soon sorting items with her co-workers for the Visitor Center's annual Lost and Found Day when unclaimed items are displayed and offered for sale. Thanks to tourism, there's enough to fill a huge stockroom. But something is amiss. Eleanor Franklin, devoted to all things HideawayGrove, hasn't shown up for work--and when Abbey discovers her whereabouts, it isn't pretty... Eleanor is dead inside a clothing bin, dressmaker shears impaled in her chest--shears the sheriff reports are engraved with Abbey's name. Under suspicion, Abbey will have to launch her own investigation. But who would want to kill thoughtful Eleanor, a model resident always so full of good advice about how to uphold Hideaway Grove's high standards? As it turns out, not everyone appreciated Eleanor's advice... Now Abbey will have to cut through a tattered trail of greed, theft, and revenge to sew up the case before a killer cramps her style--for good..."--

Book Synopsis

In small-town Hideaway Grove, California, newcomer Abbey Chandler's sewing prowess is inspiring her entrepreneurial spirit--but stumbling upon a murder might kill more than her enthusiasm . . .

Abbey's life in Hideaway Grove is comfortable, and she's grateful for her small sewing studio in the back room of her aunt's bakery, but she's feeling stuck. Her plan to expand her custom tote bag business by selling to a chain of gift shops has hit a snag. Making enough totes to distribute to all the stores requires large-scale production--which requires money Abbey doesn't have. To make ends meet, she takes a part-time job at the town's bustling Visitor Center . . .

Abbey is soon sorting items with her co-workers for the Visitor Center's annual Lost and Found Day when unclaimed items are displayed and offered for sale. Thanks to tourism, there's enough to fill a huge stockroom. But something is amiss. Eleanor Franklin, devoted to all things Hideaway Grove, hasn't shown up for work--and when Abbey discovers her whereabouts, it isn't pretty . . .

Eleanor is dead inside a clothing bin, dressmaker shears impaled in her chest--shears the sheriff reports are engraved with Abbey's name. Under suspicion, Abbey will have to launch her own investigation. But who would want to kill thoughtful Eleanor, a model resident always so full of good advice about how to uphold Hideaway Grove's high standards? As it turns out, not everyone appreciated Eleanor's advice . . .

Now Abbey will have to cut through a tattered trail of greed, theft, and revenge to sew up the case before a killer cramps her style--for good . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Dorothy Howell's Cozy Mysteries

"Flippant fun." --Kirkus Reviews on Beach Bags and Burglaries

"Howell continues to deliver light, fun beach reading. Fans of Laura Levine may also enjoy this one." --Booklist on Beach Bags and Burglaries

"A fun, lighthearted whodunit." --The Mystery Gazette on Beach Bags and Burglaries

"Enjoyable . . . an unlikely but engaging sleuth." --Publishers Weekly on Evening Bags and Executions

"The well-crafted plot, humor, and designer details will appeal to fans of Laura Levine and MaryJanice Davidson." --Booklist on Tote Bags and Tote Tags

"Howell's winning debut...Reminiscent of Reese Witherspoon's character in the Legally Blonde films, Haley evolves from a total airhead into a semi-airhead without breaking a nail. A cool cliffhanger will leave readers eager for Haley's next adventure." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW for Handbags and Homicide

About the Author

Dorothy Howell is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly fifty books, including the Haley Randolph Mysteries and the new Sewing Studio Mysteries. Translated into a dozen languages, her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles and can be visited at DorothyHowellNovels.com.