Hanging by a Thread (A Sewing Studio Mystery)
by Dorothy Howell
About Hanging by a Thread
Hanging by a Thread (A Sewing Studio Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Fictional Town of Hideaway Grove
Kensington Cozies (September 26, 2023)
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496740424
ISBN-13 : 978-1496740427
Digital ASIN : B0BRF14464
The latest novel in a new crafting cozy series in the genre-leading Kensington Cozy Mystery program focusing on the members of a Sewing Studio.
Some of the independent shops in this sleepy town are barely hanging on financially — and that includes Sarah’s Sweets, Abbey’s aunt’s bakery. The shop’s advantage — aside from the deliciousness of its products — is the fact that it’s the only bakery in the area. But it looks like that’s about to change. The second wife of a wealthy businessman wants her own bakery — and money is no object.
When murder unravels the plans for the competing shop, Aunt Sarah is an immediate suspect — and Hideaway Grove’s merchants are on pins and needles about a big upcoming women’s conference, fearing the organization will cancel their booking because of the crime. Abbey’s doing her best to stay optimistic and stitch some custom tote bags for the attendees, but she’s also concerned with patching up Aunt Sarah’s good reputation. And when it comes to sorting through the possible motives of the victim’s family members and associates, she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve . . .
About the Character Interview
What is your full name? Do you have a nickname? My name is Abbey Chandler. Actually, it’s “Abigail” but nobody calls me that, except for my mother — and only occasionally.
What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it? What is your ideal job? I just took a part-time job at the visitor center here in Hideaway Grove. It’s pretty simple, just talking to visitors, helping them with problems, and giving tours to site committees who’re considering having their event here. It’s not my dream job. I had my dream job, but it didn’t turn out as I expected. I started a business making tote bags that I have high hopes for.
When you’re not working, what fills your time? I head up a charity making pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa. I have pillowcase dress parties where volunteers show up and we make dresses. It’s always fun!
What is your favorite childhood memory? Visiting my Aunt Sarah here in Hideaway Grove! My parents are university professors and every summer they trekked to far off places for research — their idea of a fun summer. They let me stay with my aunt instead of going with them and I loved it!
What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself to be open to everything. Don’t focus so hard on one goal that I miss a great opportunity.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you? At my dream job in Los Angeles, I made a huge mistake. Bad enough I’d done that, but my supervisor berated me in front of the entire department. It was awful!
What is your greatest achievement? So far, I don’t think I have a great achievement. I’m 24 years old with lots of ideas for my future. Anything could happen!
What makes you laugh? I’m kind of serious most of the time. But if something makes me laugh, it has to be genuinely funny, not an insult or slight aimed at another person.
What is your greatest extravagance? When I went to work for the marketing company in Los Angeles, I bought myself a new BMW.
What are your pet peeves? I don’t like people who lie or cheat. I’m a rule-follower. People who try to get ahead by some underhanded method really upset me.
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows. I haven’t done much in life that needs to be kept secret — not yet, anyway. I guess the one thing I’ve told nobody about was when I scraped the fender of that awesome BMW I’d treasured. I was leaving the office after being yelled at by my supervisor, I was really upset, not paying attention, and ran into a pillar. Not my finest hour.
What is always in your fridge? I live with my Aunt Sarah. She’s very healthy so the fridge is always full of fresh fruits and veggies.
What is your most treasured possession? I have a locket that was passed down to me from my grandmother. It’s so special to me, I’m afraid to wear it. I’d die if I lost it.
If your life is made into a movie, is it a comedy or drama? Who plays you? My life as a movie would have lots of drama in it and a dash of comedy. I hope that whoever plays me will be smarter and prettier!
What is your favorite movie? TV show? Can’t say I have a favorite movie or TV show. My life was pretty busy with college, then working, so that I didn’t have much free time.
What is your favorite song, and why? I like all kinds of music — rock-and-roll from the past few decades, to classical. Usually, it depends on my mood.
What did you eat for breakfast? Did you make it yourself? My Aunt Sarah owns a bakery called Sarah’s Sweets, so one of her delicious muffins is always a great way for me to start my day.
Describe your perfect day. A perfect day for me, at the moment, would mean my tote bag business is a huge success. With a large income I could make sure my Aunt Sarah’s bakery is always on a solid financial foundation. I could expand my charity program making pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa. I could help ensure the success of the hard working merchants in Hideaway Grove. After that, maybe I’d buy myself a new BMW that doesn’t have a scrape on the front fender!
About Dorothy Howell
USA Today Bestselling author Dorothy Howell is the author of 49 novels. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and sold worldwide. She writes the Sewing Studio mystery series, the Haley Randolph mystery series, and the Hollis Brannigan and Dana Mackenzie mystery series. Dorothy also writes historical romance novels under the pen name Judith Stacy. Dorothy lives in Los Angeles.
Web site: DorothyHowellNovels.com.
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