Thread and Dead

Apron Shop #2

by Elizabeth Penney

Tragedy strikes in Thread and Dead, the second book in Elizabeth Penney's cozy mystery series—and now everyone in Blueberry Cove, Maine, is on pins and needles. . .

Iris Buckley is busier than ever this July, with the town’s annual Lobster Festival fast approaching. In just a matter of days her apron shop Ruffles & Bows, will be jam-packed with tourists eager to lay eyes on its world-class collection of aprons and linens—and Iris’s inventory is running low. Then, just when all hope seems lost, Iris gets a call from Eleanor Brady, a wealthy, reclusive spinster who just happens to have trunks full of vintage fabrics. Would Iris like to come down to Eleanor’s cottage estate Shorehaven and have a look?

Before long Iris is on the scene—and on the case. Turns out that Eleanor has rented Shorehaven to the handsome, charismatic environmentalist Dr. Lukas de Wilde and his flock of students. What begins as an apron-scouting endeavor soon morphs into a full-blown murder investigation when Dr. de Wilde’s beautiful young teaching assistant turns up dead. Now it’s up to Iris—along with her partner-in-love-and-crime Ian Stewart—to unravel the mystery before the Blueberry Cove killer strikes again.


Praise for The Apron Shop series

“Quirky-meets-fun.”—Woman's World on Hems & Homicide

“Penney knows the recipe for delivering just what cozy readers are looking for.” —Reviewing the Evidence

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Adult

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published August 25, 2020

About the author

Elizabeth Penney lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. After spending early years in England and France, she grew up in Maine, settings that are reflected in her books.

Elizabeth is the author of the Apron Shop Series and Cambridge Bookshop Series from St. Martin's as well as over twenty novels, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 2nd book in the Apron Shop series. I found this cozy mystery just ok. It was slow moving, and I found myself bored reading the first part of this book. It was a short read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalia R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thread and Dead is the second book in Elizabeth Penney's The Apron Shop Series. Iris Buckley and her grandmother own an apron shop, Ruffles, and Bows, in the quaint little village of Blueberry Cove, Maine. It's July and Iris is gearing up for the town's annual Lobster Festival when she gets a call from Eleanor Brady, a wealthy spinster, asking if she's interested in buying some of her vintage sheets and linens. Iris immediately says yes and heads out to meet the woman at her historic mansion. The mansion is in dire need of repair and Iris can see why Eleanor might need to sell some of her lovely belongings. To further help her financial situation, Eleanor has also rented out some of her rooms to an environmental group. Eleanor has a few questions about how her mother, a nursemaid, came to be in the procession of so many expensive things, and Iris decides to help her look into her family history. The next day, Iris finds the body of one of the interns from the environmental group dead at the bottom of a cliff. With the help of her friends, she is determined to solve the case before the killer strikes again.

This was a light and enjoyable read, with likable characters, strong female friendships, and two intriguing mysteries. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions instantly bought the town of Blueberry Cove to life. I could easily visualize the quaint shops, the mouthwatering seafood, the ocean, and the Lobster Festival. Iris is a very likable character. She's genuine, down to earth, and loyal. She's surrounded by a wonderful group of strong, supportive women and their girls' nights were fun to read about. I thought she was a good sleuth. She acted responsibly and always took someone along with her to investigate. I love the idea of an apron shop and can't wait to see how Iris and her grandmother's business grow in the upcoming books. The descriptions of vintage clothing, aprons, and linens were enjoyable to read about and added to the story.
Overall, this was a delightful read and a good addition to the series. I look forward to the third book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris Buckley, her loyal "crew" and her lovable Grammie become embroiled in a "mystery within a mystery" during a summer Lobster Festival in Blueberry Cove, Maine. The first mystery occurs when a marine biology company intern suffers a tragic fall from a cliff....was it an accident or murder? Eleanor Brady,owner of Shorehaven, the B&B where the company is staying, finds herself in a mystery involving her mother, murder and a cache of jewels. Iris and her friends will have to solve both mysteries to make sure justice is served...without becoming victims themselves.

I love this series! The characters all have their own unique personalities and it's easy to relate to them. The setting, Ruffles & Bows, is a cozy shop that brings back memories. . My grandmother made aprons and it takes me back to my childhood. I enjoy the friendship between the characters and their occasional disagreements. It's real! The mystery kept me guessing and I loved the history, descriptions of vintage Chanel fashions and the linens...it was not overwhelming and enhanced the mystery!

I can't wait to read the next book!

I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like vintage. Handkerchiefs, aprons, clothes, you name it—I like to look at it! I get really enthused when protagonist Iris Buckley gets a call from someone who has vintage linens for her to come look through. I feel like I’m right there with Iris looking over her shoulders and enjoying the view!

Ruffles & Bows is owned and run by Iris and her Grammie, Anne Buckley. Iris meets Eleanor Brady, a lovely elderly lady who has some of the most marvelous antique aprons, pristine English linens, and even some stunning Coco Chanel clothing to sell. Iris has no idea what else is included in her exciting purchases, and man, is it a surprise! Gradually, Iris and Anne draw Eleanor into their warm and comfortable fold when they realize her nephew, Craig, is bullying her and she’s afraid of him.

This story shines from page to page. It’s absorbing in different ways—the friends and family connections; the gradual unveiling of Eleanor’s mother’s immigrant journey; and the keen educational murder mystery connected to the seaweed farming project team who is renting rooms at Eleanor’s large home.

I highly recommend this cozy story. I’m eagerly waiting to read book three. Enjoy!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

New people in town are staying in the family friend's inn but one is not unfamiliar, one gets murdered, and one is a real piece of work. Existing romances fit in to make the plot twists and misdirections less obvious during this festive time of lobster appreciation. It's a good cozy with a wide variety of characters and fun things to learn about. Another nice thing is that the reader is not left floundering if the first book has been missed. A really nice cozy! LOVED it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Lacey Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruffles & Bows is a shop in Blueberry Cove Maine I would love to visit. Iris, Grammie and her friends are a wonderful cast of characters. Iris helps solve the murder of a young girl and helps an old friend of Grammies’ with her past. I really enjoyed the mystery and didn’t solve it until the end. Well developed characters, setting as well as over all well written. I will be going back and reading the other ones in this series.

[Melissa Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! I love Iris, her grandmother, and her friends! The shop that Iris and her grandmother run sounds like such an interesting shop to visit with the vintage and stitched linens and aprons. It's time for the town Lobster Festival in this book and a young student is found murdered on the cliffs. The student was part of an aquaculture group and seaweed farming. Iris and her friends try to figure out the killer and solve another mystery involving Iris's grandmother's friend's mother. Very intriguing storyline with fun characters. I enjoyed reading about the Lobster Festival and trying to figure out the killer. I am looking forward to more books in this series and more of Iris and Ian's relationship!!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the idea of an apron shop. My mother always wore one when she was cooking a big meal. She had several of them, so reading a cozy mystery written about them is fun.
Iris is getting ready for the lobster festival, and when she gets a phone call from someone looking to consign vintage linens, she couldn’t be happier.
Happiness doesn’t last long when the death of a young girl turns out to be murder.
I like this series and I am looking forward to reading more.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Apron Shop Series and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about the series. On the one hand, I really enjoy all of the characters. It is a diverse cast and each one is very likable. I enjoy the relationship between Iris and her grandmother as they continue to run the apron shop and grow the business. The friendships are well done and each of the romances feel natural and don't overpower the story. Where I am struggling with this series is with the mysteries. They are not very strong or what I consider to be prominent in the story. This one had a mini-mystery that wrapped up nicely, but in my opinion, most of the book is about the characters and their relationships. I find I need more mystery and sleuthing.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lobster Fest is fast approaching and Iris Buckley is in the thick of things. She agrees to judge a lobster bib contest along with all the duties of operating her shop Ruffles and Bows. When a reclusive wealthy widow calls and asks her if she is interested in some vintage sheets and other antique fabrics, she speeds out to meet Mrs. Brady. The mansion in which Mrs. Brady lives is in dire need of repair and Iris can see why she might want to sell some of her belongings. To help pay the upkeep, Mrs. Brady has rented some rooms to an environmental groups lead by Dr. Lukas de Wilde. When one of his students winds up dead at the bottom of a cliff, Iris finds herself in the middle of academic rivalries and jealousies. Lots of intrigue and a fascinating backstory.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penney is the 2nd book in The Apron Shop Series. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in Hems and Homicide. I thought this cozy mystery was well-written with developed characters. I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of Blueberry Cove, Maine. She brought the city alive with her vivid word imagery of the shops, people, the boats, the cliffs, and the ocean. I like the cast of strong female characters in this series. Iris Buckley is a friendly and intelligent woman who loves vintage items. Iris co-owns Ruffles and Bows with her grandmother, Anne Buckley. They also share a farmhouse nearby. I like the close relationship Iris and her Grammie share. Iris has close female friends in Sophie, Madison, and Bella. It is great how they are there for each other and have women’s nights that include Grammie. Eleanor Brady was a delightful addition. She is a lively woman for her age with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. Her nephew, Craig is a bully who thinks only of himself. I am glad that Eleanor has good friends to watch out for her. The death of Hailey Piper has multiple suspects. It could be a local or someone with the Farming the Sea project. There are good clues to aid the reader in solving this multifarious mystery. The second mystery involves Eleanor’s mother, Claudia de Witte. Eleanor’s mother worked as a nursemaid, but she had designer clothing. Both mysteries were entertaining. I did feel that the first half of the book was a little slow. There seemed to be more eating and chatting than sleuthing. That soon changed as the action ramped up. The Apron Shop Series is character driven. The great characters are what draw the reader in. I just love the descriptions of the vintage bed linens, aprons, and clothes. I collect vintage aprons, so I was drooling over the trunk of aprons Iris scored for Ruffles and Bows. I cannot wait to read Bodies and Bows in the spring. Thread and Dead is a charming cozy mystery with antique aprons, comfort cuisine, a mysterious mother, sprouting seaweed, classic couture clothes, and Lobster Festival fun.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another summer in Blueberry Cove, Maine with Iris Buckley and her grandmother who are the owners of an apron and linen shop, Ruffles & Bows finds Iris in the thick of another murder mystery. The victim is part of a research project from Belgium who are renting rooms at one of the island's former grand houses, which is now in decline. The owner is a friend of Iris' Grammie and inherited it from her late parents. The story uncovers a subplot involving the provenance of some items found in the home.

I enjoyed this second installment in the series. While I read the first, this can easily be picked up as a standalone. The descriptions of the town were enticing--the intimate charm reminded me of some in which I've traveled and lived, complete with a local festival and parade and active Main Street shopping district. The characters were the main focus of the book. The mystery was what I like in a cozy--light with an easy pace.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris Buckley and Grammie are gearing up their shop for tourists to descend upon Blueberry Cove for their annual festival. When Iris heads to check out some vintage fabrics, she agrees to help the older woman sell some vintage Chanel clothing and discovers a true mystery in the trunk. This leads her on a trail to discovering the history of the woman’s Mother.
If there isn’t enough going on to keep Iris more than busy, she comes across the body of a young woman in town for the Summer to work on an aqua culture project. Now Iris and the gang need to solve a murder and a mystery while trying to stay one step ahead of the killer.

The second book in this series was a welcome read. The suspense around Eleanor’s Mother was almost more exciting than the whodunit itself. Now I’m hungry for lobster…perhaps I need to take trip to Maine soon.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting lost in this story. I found myself feeling the emotions of the characters. I love how the friends support each other and look out for their neighbors, like Eleanor. I am looking forward to see what is next for this crew.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful cozy mystery set in the fictional town of Blueberry Cove, Maine with Iris, the Apron Shop proprietor. The writing & world-building are top-notch here; the reader is treated to loving scenery and food descriptions. You could almost smell the ocean breeze while reading.

A small quibble: for the first quarter of the book, I thought we were going to have a completely different mystery happening. Like most books, there's an primary plot and a secondary plot-except that in this book the secondary plot was introduced first, so it was kind of a shock when the body showed up and it was from the wrong plot. I even had to go back and re-read character introductions as I thought I didn't need to pay close attention to them when they came up in the story.

However, that issue aside, it was great catching up with Iris and her world again!

[Heather McQuillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. It's the 2nd book in the Apron Shop series of cozy mysteries. The first half of the book was a little slow, but definitely got better. Overall, a light quick read. I will continue to read this series, as I did enjoy the story.

*I was provided an ARC by Netgalley for my honest opinion*

[Ilona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of 2nd book in the series. It's a really easy flow from book 1, but you can read it on its own and be perfectly fine. Aprons, linens, ancestry, seaweed, and of course a murder that needs solving. Iris, her grandmother and friends, each with their own personalities add to another wonderful story. Perfect reading for cozy fans

[Karen Fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I found this series! I loved the detailed, but not overly detailed, descriptions of her linens and aprons, I enjoyed the cast of characters, and the mystery and clues were well done. And, a little romantic action, but without it taking over the book.

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris Buckley runs a vintage linens shop with her grandmother in Blueberry Cove, Maine. They do all right and have a close knit group of friends and neighbors. She receives a call from an elderly woman wanting to sell her antique linens, and when she realizes who it is, she's more than eager to meet and strike a deal with her. Eleanor meets her and not only makes a deal for the linens, but also wants Iris to broker the sale of a trunk full of pristine antique Chanel clothing. While not her field, Iris promises to help....and finds more in the trunk they anyone expected.
Iris later comes across Hailey Piper's body, a teaching assistant who was among a group staying at Eleanor's house, while rock climbing with friends....and she just has to snoop into it.
Odd things happen, a little B&E, some property destruction, an assault and the kidnap of Iris and her best friend Sophie to name a few. Iris had put her clues together, but had added them up wrong. The kidnapping gave her all the answers, almost too late.
Ms. Penny provides plenty of clues and suspects, and lots of great characters. Her tale moves right along, and you change suspects back and forth as more information comes out. It's a fun read.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse and offer my opinion gratis.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun read! Love the romantic pairings in the group. Great book! Really enjoying the series!!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has been a miss for me so far. I want to like it but it moves so slowly and I find the characters a little dull. The mystery itself was OK but kind of plodded along. I did like the idea of a cat boat but that was the one bright spot for me in this book. I will read the next one since I already have it but probably will not continue after that. I think this series is just not for me.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this second book in the Apron Shop series. The mystery was good and moved well. Enjoyed.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penney. Usually I love the mystery aspect most in these books, but this time I found I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships. This is the second book in the series and I am looking forward to reading more.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.


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[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to live in Blueberry Cove in Maine but it would have to be exactly like it is in the Apron Shop Mystery series by Elizabeth Penney. I would want to hang out with Iris Buckley and her group of girlfriends and work either with Iris and her grandmother in the Apron Shop or at the Belgian Bean with Sophie. And I would totally want to have a cool boyfriend like they do.....or their friend Madison.

In Thread and Dead, the second book in the Apron Shop Mystery series, Blueberry Cove is gearing up for the week long lobster festival so everyone is busy !! And Iris is extra busy. She co-owns the Apron Shop with her grandmother and gets a phone call from the owner of Shorehaven Cottage looking to sell some vintage linens and other items. While at Shorehaven Cottage she meets Dr. Lukas de Wilde who is staying there for business. Little do they know how exciting the week is going to be and they are going to get to know each other quite well.

Dr. de Wilde is staying at Shorehaven Cottage with a group of colleagues who are working on a project called Farming the Sea which is about farming sea animals and plants.....mainly seaweed. Unfortunately when Iris, Madison and Ian (Iris' boyfriend) are out rock climbing the morning after the The Taste O'the Sea reception, the start of the lobster festival celebration, Iris sees one of the members of the project laying on a rock ledge dead. When it is ruled a homicide Iris, Grammie and the girls decide to do their own investigating.

Along with running the store, looking into the homicide, and hanging with her friends, Iris is also looking into the background of Eleanor, the owner of Shorehaven Cottage, her parents and some vintage clothing and jewels.

Even though the two things have nothing to do with each Iris id determined to find answers for both situations......

I loved getting lost in Thread and Dead. There is never a dull moment and even when Iris and her grandmother are hosting a girl's night, it is a good time !!! And readers will love the determination Iris has when she wants answers. And the girl has NO fear !! Readers will be drawn to Blueberry Cove and will not want to leave. Readers will love the town, the people and the relationships among the people....especially Iris and her group. A part of me was left in Blueberry Cove and I intend to visit whenever Penney publishes a new book in this series.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney.

When I first heard about this concept for a mystery series, I was a bit skeptical. It is all based around an apron and linens shop called Ruffles & Bows. I guess I couldn’t fathom how such a shop would be sustainable nowadays. But the great stories the author puts out around this concept has just made me love the concept. I am a believer now. I even wonder if I could make my own apron to use at home while I cook.

This story follows Iris as she goes to visit an elderly citizen of Blueberry Cove named Eleanor who has started renting out rooms in her lavish mansion to some Ag related professors who are growing algae. Then one of them ends up dead and Ivy and her friends discover the body while rock climbing.

This story was pretty complex and there were a lot of variables to take into account. Just when I thought I had fingered the bad guy, I discovered I was wrong! I love following the action and suspense and seeing how it all washes out in the end. I love how the cast keeps growing and we learn more and more about the citizens of Blueberry Cove and their rich history. Just a fun series to follow.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in Blueberry Cove! I confess when I got the first book in the series, I wondered how well a cozy featuring an apron shop would fare among the rest of them, but Elizabeth Penney is a great writer who creates delightful characters!

Iris Buckley has opened her apron shop in Blueberry Cove, Maine with her Grammie, Anne. With the upcoming lobster festival in town, Iris anticipates a boom in business. Unfortunately, she also stumbles across another body. Woven among the curiosities of seaweed farming, Iris must untangle the truth or be next!

I so want to go to this fantastic little town and join Iris and her group of girlfriends. This series really takes time to focus on friendships and I very much enjoy getting lost in the pages with Iris and her kitty, Quincy. Penney paints a lovely view of a picturesque coastal town with eccentric characters. I literally felt "cozy" reading the first book and this was no different.

I had my suspicions about whodunit, but that's a secret. I have nothing bad to say about this book. I thought the plot was unique and intriguing. I very much look forward to the third book in the series! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.

[Kate Lansing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I wish I could visit Blueberry Cove!! The setting of this book completely swept me away—the Lobster Festival, the coast, the quaint shops, THE FOOD. The cast of characters was charming, and I loved how intertwined and complex their relationships were. The two mysteries were intriguing, one involving precious gems, couture, and a questionable family history, and the other a deadly cliffside fall. And I found the idea of seaweed as a renewable energy source to be a really cool detail. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable read. The character development is great. Iris and her grandmother are down to earth and loyal to one another and their friends. I like that there are strong females characters, both young and old. The mystery was well paced with several red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I look forward to the next installment in the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery was well thought out, and although the villain's name flitted through my head a couple times, it still was an AH HA moment when they were revealed. I enjoyed watching Iris and Grammie continue running their shop (those aprons sound so cute!) while she and her bestie Madison try to track down the killer! Even her cat has a special role in this book. Give these a shot, I'm sure you will enjoy them too!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to be back in Blueberry Cove, Maine, with Iris, her Grammie, and her appealing array of friends--not to mention her handsome beau. This was a well-crafted mystery from start to finish, with a setting so charmingly defined that I could picture every scene clearly in my mind. Women helping women was a strong theme throughout this multi-layered story, and the cleverly hidden clues had me guessing all the way. Bring on the third installment, because I am ready for it!