Welcome to the first in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney, set in the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . . Iris Buckley is sew ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to stay in her Maine hometown to help out her widowed grandmother, Anne–and bring her … grandmother, Anne–and bring her online hand-made apron designs to real-time retail life. Her and Anne’s shop, Ruffles & Bows, is set to include all the latest and vintage linen fashions, a studio for sewing groups and classes, and a friendly orange cat. The only thing that they were not planning to have on the property? A skeleton in the basement
Anne recognizes the remains of an old friend, and when a second body shows up in the apron shop–this time their corrupt landlord, whom Anne had been feuding with for decades–she becomes a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Iris to help clear her name. Enlisting the help of her old high-school crush Ian Stewart who, like certain fabrics, has only gotten better-looking with age and her plucky BFF Madison Morris, Iris must piece together an investigation to find out who the real killer is. . .and find a way to keep her brand-new business from being scrapped in the process.
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
This was a delightful read!
Iris Buckley and her grandmother Anne are excited to be opening their new shop in Blueberry Cove, Maine, selling their hand made aprons and other vintage items. Ruffles & Bows is supposed to open Memorial Day but the building they are renting needs a lot of work before they can open the doors to customers.
Ready to jump right into the renovations they meet with their contractor and Iris’ old crush, Ian Stewart on-site to go over the plans. A trip to the basement leads to a gruesome discovery. A skeleton complete with a very identifiable headscarf. Anne thinks she knows the deceased, a friend she last saw over 40 years ago.
The police are working the case when another dead body is found in the shop. Their landlord is the new victim and he and Anne have been fighting over a piece of property for years. With their history and the location of the body, she becomes the #1 suspect.
Not knowing if they will ever be able to open Ruffles & Bows Iris along with her friend Madison try to clear Anne’s name, no matter where the clues may lead. And they lead to some unusual places. . .
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Reading this book and learning about Blueberry Cove and the future home of Ruffles & Bows reminded me so much of my hometown here in Wisconsin. Many years ago my parents had a dream to open their own business and from the hardwood floors, tin ceiling, plaster walls and old fixtures along with getting everything just right brought back many fond and humorous memories, complete with my own cobweb entanglement and fall, no skeleton for me though. Also before my accident, I loved to sew and I had a dream similar to Iris and Anne’s, to open a craft and fabric shop. Since that is no longer possible I read books like this one and revel in the characters’ success and adventures.
I really enjoyed meeting Anne (Grammie), Iris, Madison, Ian. They came across as very genuine. Anne is a new widow and has always been close to her granddaughter. It is such a wonderful thing that they are embarking on this new venture together. Madison and Iris are a great pair. They both push each other in different ways like true friends really do. Iris had a huge crush on Ian in high school and those feelings are still there. Madison also has someone interested in her. Miss Penney has created a terrific cast of core characters.
So with the skeleton and the dead landlord, there are two mysteries to solve. Are they connected? The author has plotted a very clever and complex plot full of twists including some scary and funny episodes that made this book absolutely impossible to put down. I really enjoyed learning about the 60’s history that Anne participated in. Pulling out her old journals and pictures brought reality to the story and fueled her memories. I was totally captivated.
Hems & Homicide was a story I hated to see end because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
A Perfect Escape for Cozy Lovers!
Interesting debut cozy! Good mystery that kept me guessing. I like looking at old linens so the apron shop caught my attention. The characters are likeable, and I look forward to reading future stories.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
We catch up with Iris just as she has found a building for her new shop. Excited to get started she makes an appointment for her old crush to check it out for a work estimate. The power goes out just as they get started making a trip to the basement necessary. Then she falls down the stairs slamming into a wall which opens up showing a skull inside. Talk about a doozy of mystery this one is old and brings up all kinds of old secrets. Makes for a fun read I must say. Perfect for cozy mystery fans. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
HEMS AND HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney is a cozy mystery and the first in the Apron Shop Series. It’s set in Blueberry Cove, Maine. Iris Buckley returns to her hometown of Blueberry Cove to help out her widowed grandmother. She and her grandmother, Anne, are taking Iris’s online handmade apron designs to a brick and mortar store, Ruffles and Bows.
The ink is still wet on the lease to the downtown store they rented when Iris stumbles down the basement stairs, crashes into shelves, and unearths a body. It just so happens the skeletal remains are of a woman her grandmother knew back in the 70s.
The storefront is cordoned off as a crime scene and two days later reopened. Before they can start the renovations, a second body is discovered—their landlord. Anne, who discovers the body, becomes a suspect when the police learn she threatened the latest murder victim after he pressured her to sell her land to him.
To clear her grandmother, Iris begins to search for the real killer, enlisting the help of her friends. It’s a fun cozy mystery with several quirky characters, a touch of romance with hunky contractor Ian Stewart, and a guard cat named Quincy. A really fun read.
HEMS AND HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney is the first book in the Apron Shop series. It takes place in Blueberry Cove, Maine just as Iris Buckley and her Grandmother, Anne Buckley, are trying to open Ruffles & Bows, a new business on Main Street to showcase new and vintage linen fashions an include a studio for sewing groups and classes.
Iris had moved back to her hometown when her grandfather passed. Having lost her parents when she was very young and being raised by her grandparent’s made his death very hard on both woman. Finding comfort from each other and their love for sewing as well as Iris’ love for the vintage, they decided to widen Iris’ online business and open up a store in town together with financial backing from Anne. They found the perfect location, but it’s going to take a lot of planning, renovation, elbow grease and the right merchandise plus being able to open before the busy season to make it a success.
It is during the first walk through for estimates that Ian Stewart, local contractor and a classmate of Iris’ – who she’s always carried a torch for, that had them heading to the basement to find the fuse box when the lights went out. What they find is a human skull!
Police Chief Anton Ball is summoned which leads to the renovations being shut down for further investigation. Anne is able to give them a lead when she recognizes the headscarf found with the skull as belonging to a young woman they called Star Moonshine back in the 70’s. In a time of free spirits and communes, she had assumed she had just left town.
Iris and her grandmother feel that Star deserved justice by finding out what happened to her, the guilty party made to pay for their deed and for her family to finally know what had happened to her. But how could they go about that when they had no idea of her true identity and so much time had passed, clues gone and people’s memories faded?
The start up on the renovations after the police released the property were short lived when the second dead body was found in their storefront building. This murder however was a current event and this murder had someone trying to point the finger at Anne. Iris begins to think she should put the Anton on speed dial because she’s more determined than ever now to find the right answers and get her grandmother OFF the list of suspects.
When Iris turns over evidence that might involve Ian’s relative, will it put a squash on any feelings developing? Will they find a key to open Papa’s desk and if so what will it hold? Was the trespasser in the barn connected to the murder? Can they find out who Star really was? If they do, will that help find more clues or run into a dead end? Will they be able to open Ruffles & Bows on time? Are the two murders connected? Will the find the murderer before they strike again?
What an exciting way to start a new series! Elizabeth Penney sure keeps you turning pages and making you feel as if you are a local resident in Blueberry Cove with a vested interest is seeing justice done. Loved the main characters and I can see where the friends of Iris and other local townsfolk could branch out to have important roles in future books. I’ll be excited to see how the romance hopefully blooms between Iris and Ian.
HEMS & HOMICIDE is a wonderful book that any cozy lover is going to want to devour. If given a chance, it will turn many into loving cozies. Highly recommend this book for a fun read that will have you putting this author on your need to watched list. I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting the release of book number two in The Apron Shop Series!
Iris Buckley is happy to be opening a new shop in her native Blueberry Cove, Maine. Partnering with her grandma, Anne, the shop will be a physical location for her internet business selling original apron designs and vintage linens. However, while starting the renovations, Iris discovers a skeleton in the basement. Anne immediately identifies the remains as belonging to her friend Star Moonshine. Anne always assumed that Star just drifted out of town back in the early 1970’s, but clearly something happened to her. Anne wants to make sure justice is served for her friend. Can Iris help her do that?
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and it is easy to see why. Author Elizabeth Penney has created a wonderful location. Blueberry Cove is the kind of town I’d love to visit. Iris leads a cast of charming characters that I can’t wait to get to know better as the series progresses. While the plot got out to a great start, I did feel it bogged down a bit early on in the book. But once it kicked into high gear, we got some great twists before everything was neatly tied up. Prepare to be charmed when you pick up this book.
Enjoyable cozy mystery. Iris Buckley moves back to her hometown of Blueberry Cove, Maine, after the passing of her grandfather to help her grandmother and to turn her online business into a retail shop, Ruffles & Bows. Iris partners with her grandma, Anne, and as they begin to prepare their shop for business, they make a discover that is sure to delay them from opening, and make them possible suspects in a murder…or two. Recommend this book and look forward to more from this series.
Such an enjoyable new series!! I loved the relationship between Iris and her grandmother in this book as it reminded me of my relationship with my grandmother, who has passed away several years ago. The idea of an apron and linens shop is intriguing. Iris and her grandmother are preparing to start renovating the store when they find the skeleton of a woman Iris’s grandmother knew 40 years ago. Soon after that crime scene is cleared up and they can begin working, their landlord is found dead in the store and Iris’s grandmother is a suspect. It was fun to see Iris, her friends, and her grandmother investigating both murders and seeing if and how they connected. I am really looking forward to reading more of this series and hopefully seeing a relationship develop between Iris and Ian!
Love at first read, this first installment of the Apron Shop Mysteries, HEMS AND HOMICIDE, had me at page one.
Nothing is better than when I start a book and I just know I’m going to love it all the way through. It truly speaks volumes about an author’s writing ability when they can capture your attention after just a few sentences. Elizabeth Penny is such a writer.
Right off the bat with, HEMS AND HOMICIDE, I knew I liked protagonist Iris Buckley. I got this immediate feeling that she was someone I’d want to be friends with. The same is to be said about her friends and her Grammie. Such a wonderful group of characters.
I very much enjoyed being with Iris and Grammie as their store came together. I felt their excitement and anxiety. And I felt a little thrill when Iris turned the sign on the window to open.
Now for the mystery. HEMS AND HOMICIDE was extremely well plotted with more twists and turns than frills on any of Ruffles and Bows aprons. Between a past murder and a new murder my brain was working overtime. And each time I thought I knew the answers, something would spring up to put me back into sleuth mode. Try as I did, I never guessed the who or why of it all. So, when the reveal came, it caused me one of those slap-myself-on-the-forehead moments. Well played, Ms. Penny.
Hems and Homicide is book one in the Apron Shop series by Elizabeth Penney, this was a good clean enjoyable cozy mystery. Iris has moved back home to live with her Grammie Anne after her Papa passed away and she is planning on an Apron Shop in town, the only thing she wasn’t banking on was discovering skeleton remains in the basement during the renovations of her new store. Her Grammie instantly recognised the remains of an old friend from the 70’s Star Moonshine from a piece of cloth around the skull, everyone thought Star had moved on as people tended to do during the 70’s.
From here Iris and Anne’s plans to open the shop are thwarted yet again when building’s landlord Elliot turns up dead with one of Iris’s aprons tied around his throat! As Iris starts to get threatening messages and the police start to investigate not only Star’s murder but now Elliot’s. With the suspect pool growing this book will keep you on your toes wondering who did the murder 40 years ago and if it was the same person who killed Elliot.
This was a great mystery and a great start to this series, I really loved the characters and I can’t wait to read more in the series and see what is store for Iris and her business.
5 stars
One of the best “first in a series” I’ve ever had the pleasure to read — a delight from start to finish! The author perfectly captures the tumultuous sixties/seventies era and brings them to life once again. A sheer cozy mystery charmer.
I loved Hems & Homicide! There are several things that drew me to the book and made me say yes to a review! First of all, that cover is adorable. Yes, I’m that type. I try not to judge a book by its cover, but a good cover does help! Second, I love starting book series with book one. Third, I was always very close to my grandma, so I can relate to Iris’s desire to stay with her.
I used to try to sew. I made some cute jumpers for my daughter when she was a toddler, but let’s face it…it’s cheaper to buy kids’ clothes than to make them. My how things have changed since the old days! Notice I said I “tried” to sew. I wasn’t very good at it, and I hated threading the machine! The bobbin always got messed up! So, the sewing theme didn’t draw me to the book. But, sometimes you’ve just got to step out of your comfort zone and read themed cozy mysteries that aren’t your forte.
Iris really does have a great job. If I were the sewing type, owning a shop like Ruffles & Bows with my grandma would be so much fun. She gets to buy and sell vintage aprons and other textiles. Sure, it’s a bummer that a skeleton turns up in the basement…And then someone’s got to go and get murdered in the store. Thankfully, with some smart sleuthing, both murders are solved, and the store will finally get to open…in the next book!
I really enjoyed the plot in Hems & Homicide. The characters are well-written, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop throughout the series. You will love the descriptive settings because they make it so easy to picture yourself watching the scenes unfold. Though I’m not huge on romance in cozy mystery books, it’s okay if they develop slowly over time and remain clean throughout. Otherwise, they feel like the same old same old romances that turn up in some series. I’m crossing my fingers for romances that remain friendships for at least a few books as well as hoping they don’t dominate the plot. So far, so good in Hems & Homicide!
I definitely recommend this to you cozy mystery readers! The Apron Shop Series is off to a great start!
HEMS & HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney
The First Apron Shop Mystery
Iris Buckley’s online store selling aprons and vintage linens has been a success. Now she’s partnering with her grandma to open a brink and mortar store in Blueberry Cove, Maine. The two have their work cut out for them, for though their storefront has great bones, it’s a bit decrepit. Still, they’re not afraid of stained ceilings, creaky floors, and spiders. The skeleton in the basement, however, is another matter. Grammie believes the remains are those of her friend Star Moonshine, a young woman who disappeared in the early 1970s. News of the skeleton spreads quickly and Iris is soon receiving threats. Not one to back down she’s determined to not only open her store, but discover just what happened to Star all those years ago.
The first Apron Shop Mystery introduces readers to Iris Buckley, a nice, somewhat klutzy and socially awkward woman with a penchant wearing for mid century modern clothing. She’s also not afraid to stand up for herself and is willing to defend herself and her friends. Iris is surrounded by a cadre of good friends and her loving grandmother who make good compatriots in their first encounter with murder. Blueberry Cove, Maine, a small town on the rise, makes a charming setting and vivid descriptions make me want to visit.
I really like that the mystery starts with a cold case. The skeleton is easily identified, but no one knows her real name. I appreciate how Iris and her friends piece together the puzzle of who Star Moonshine really is with old memories, pictures, diaries, and research. And I love how that research led to a unique former commune with a Shakespearean theme and my favorite characters, Alfie, Trooper, and Bacon. I certainly hope we see more of them in future books!
With a multilayered plot and unique characters with flair HEMS & HOMICIDE makes a solid start to a new series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney is an excellent start to a spectacular new series.
Will Iris and Grammie open their new shop, or will Grammie be going to jail for a crime she didn’t commit?
Iris
Iris is our sleuth and main character. She and Grammie are opening a shop in town called Ruffles & Bows. Iris is a former textile designer for a home goods store, who moved home when her grandfather was sick. She has a good online store, but since the tourist traffic in town is picking up, they decided to open a storefront. Iris and Madison, her best friend, won’t let two deaths stop the opening of the store. They will figure out who did it, but are the two deaths connected?
Iris has a great group of friends that have all come back to their home town. I like that Iris and her friends include Grammie in their get-togethers. Also, she helps around the farm and isn’t afraid to dress the way she wants. I like her fashion style.
Grammie
Grammie is Iris’ grandmother; she an intricate part of the sleuthing as she is one of the few people left from those crazy 70s when everything was much more straightforward. She opens her past and finds photos and her diary, where she wrote down everything that happened back then. Grammie even identified one of the bodies before anyone else could do it. She is still mourning the loss of her husband but tries to stay positive and see the best in people, but Grammie is also smart enough to know when to call an attorney.
I like the relationship that Iris and Grammie have. The way they work as a team, lean on each other, and are still individuals.
The Mystery
The mystery is two-part with two crimes committed years apart. The hard part is trying to decide if the two are connected and who could have committed both crimes. I like the way that Iris and Madison go to the library to find clues in the microfilm. But my favorite part is where they find Alfie, Trooper, and Bacon at the deserted treehouse. The clues are there to follow, but there are many red herrings, I got part of the mystery but missed the other.
Five Stars
I adore Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney, and therefore, I am rating it at five stars. The characters were intriguing and realistic. This story makes me want to visit Maine even more than before. I highly recommend this book. So, if you are a cozy lover, then this is one for you.
I can’t wait for the next one that will be released on August 25th, 2020.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
This is a lovely start to a new series set in Maine. The characters are relatable, the location is picturesque, and the killer is elusive.
I always enjoy a good cozy and especially enjoy discovering new series that could be one to follow and I think this is one of those series. We are introduced to Iris and Anne, a close-knit pair that are opening their own apron shop. Now before you start questioning the goods they are selling, Iris has an online presence and there will be more than just aprons in their storefront, which is a good thing because I’m not sure just aprons would pay the rent! Iris has a trio of girlfriends that ground her and the mix of personalities makes for a well rounded group of women. They know how to balance each other so that no one friend dominates or craters the friendship.
The mystery itself is intriguing because it involves a 40 year old murder and most of the potential killers still live in this small town. That is good for the police since they aren’t having to traipse across the county or country to find the suspects. Unfortunately, the police are looking at Anne strongly, but not for good reason. Iris is like most protagonists and finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation and takes it upon herself to find the killer, primarily so her grandmother doesn’t go to jail.
There were a few odd things that stuck out to me. Iris receives threatening texts and emails way too soon in the story. She really hasn’t started investigating yet someone is telling her to stay out of it already? Iris appears to be very high strung and while I understand that she is looking out for her grandmother, I thought she could take it down a notch or two with her anxiousness….if that makes any sense!
But overall we enjoyed this book and are intrigued as to what will happen in the next book. There is a teaser at the end of this book but I haven’t read it yet, I think I’ll wait and be surprised.
We give this book 4 paws up.
I enjoyed Hems & Homicide so much and am glad to start on the ground floor of what promises to be a highly entertaining new series. The illness of her grandfather brings Iris back to her hometown of Blueberry Cove, Maine, and she stays on after his death to open a shop with her grandmother, Anne. Hems & Homicide has that perfect blend of appealing setting, vocational theme, engaging characters, and well-crafted storyline. From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to future releases in the series.
Iris and Anne are easily relatable characters and I love the close relationship between these two. I’m always drawn to books with New England settings and relished the vividly conveyed images of the coastal town of Blueberry Cove and its quaint stores. A shop featuring Iris’s homemade apron and other linen designs is refreshing and stands out in the field of cozy mysteries. I loved how the close-knit community and the Ruffles & Bows shop are woven throughout the story.
The mystery itself is well developed and complex. And there’s two mystery themes actually– a cold case from 1972 of Annie’s friend, Star Moonshine, and the present-day murder of their landlord, Elliot Parker. But are they connected? Of course, they are, and discovering how steadily propels the action. Star’s skeleton is uncovered as the clean up and remodeling begins in the new shop, and a scarf triggers Anne’s recognition of Anne. An old photo is later found, one that features Star, Anne, and others still living in the community. This story especially resonated with me because the hippie movement was a big part of the culture that I experienced as a young adult.
I especially appreciated that Hems & Homicide is completely clean, no profanity or graphic scenes. A great read for all who enjoy cozy mysteries. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
A fun and interesting start to a new cozy mystery series. The characters were entertaining and engaging, there’s a light romance that doesn’t overshadow the story, the mystery was interesting, and there were enough red herrings to keep you guessing.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney is the premiere of An Apron Shop Series. Iris Buckley and her grandmother, Anne are opening Ribbons and Bows in Blueberry Cove, Maine. They are going over the property with Ian Stewart, the carpenter, when Iris stumbles down the basement stairs, knocks over shelves and a skull is exposed. Anne Buckley, Iris’s grandmother, recognizes the scarf around the skull as belonging to Star Moonshine who disappeared around July 4th in 1972. When their landlord, Elliot Parker end up dead in the storeroom with Iris’s favorite apron tied around his neck, Anne becomes the prime suspect. Iris with assistance from her best friend, Madison uses her knowledge gleamed from mystery novels to do a little sleuthing. I enjoyed reading Hems and Homicide. I love the concept of a shop featuring aprons (vintage and custom creations) along with vintage linens. They will also have a room for sewing classes and Iris’s cat, Quincy will be in residence during the day. The author took the time to establish the characters along with the setting. I like Iris and Anne Buckley along with Iris’s friends. There is a close bond between Iris and her grandmother that I thought was sweet. They are grieving the loss of Anne’s husband, Joe who died three months earlier. Iris wears vintage inspired clothing, loves to read, and finds petting her cat soothing. She is attracted to Ian Stewart, their carpenter. Iris and Ian grew up together and she had a crush on him in high school. It may be the timing is right for Iris and Ian. We shall have to wait and see. There are great descriptions of the town, the shops and the Buckley farm. I would like to move to Blueberry Cove with its historic buildings and friendly (most of them) residents. There are two mysteries in Hems and Homicide. There is the cold case of Star Moonshine and the current death of Elliot Parker. I thought the mysteries were clever and intriguing. I enjoyed following the clues and solving the crimes. I thought the one manner of death to be unique. I am eager for the next book in An Apron Shop Series. If you like vintage clothing, charming towns, friendly character and crafty whodunits, then you will enjoy reading Hems and Homicide. Hems and Homicide has a cold case, antique aprons, a big pig, a poisonous plant, and a gritty granddaughter.
Returning home to the farm where her grandparents had raised her, Iris and her Grandmother, Anne, are preparing for the next phase of their lives. Together they plan to open a vintage apron shop. Iris has had online success with the store. Moving forward to a brick and mortar store begins with renovating an old building. From the start this plan has its flaws.
From poor wiring to finding a skeleton on the premises, to the appearance of a building inspector the very first day, how can this dream come to reality? Only through determination and grit of two feisty heroines and the help of friends.
The first crime, because it is obvious this victim did not hide herself behind a wall, is over 40 years old. It will expose secrets well kept these decades by the “love children” now in their senior years. Kept but not forgotten, with fingers reaching into present times.
A strong introduction to a community and the complicated relationships of Blueberry Cove.
I am in love with this series already. Grammie and Iris make a great team. Add the adorable cat, Quincy and we have a winner.
The author has done an excellent job of keeping the reader involved with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. There is a hint of romance but it doesn’t overtake the story at all. Plus, big bonus, no love triangle.
Aside from murder (after all it is a cozy mystery), a clean read that can be enjoyed by many.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.