“Uniformly Dead” A Stitch in Time Mystery By Greta McKennan

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review & a link to purchase it.

After her boyfriend cleaned out their joint banking accounts and left her drowning in debt, wedding dress designer Debra Dembrowski was forced to close her wedding shop and find a new way to pay the bills. Operating out of her home, Debra has merged bridal couture with A Stitch in Time, her sewing business focusing on historical wear. It’s a new venture perfect for a designer whose hero was Betsy Ross and whose hometown of Laurel Springs, Pennsylvania is a host to a thriving Civil Reenactor community. Debra’s first fitting for reenactor Colonel Windstrom goes less than smooth though, with him disdainful towards her lack of knowledge and criticizing her every stitch.

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Although the filming of a big-budget Civil War movie should have been a fantastic opportunity for Debra’s business, they have their own unionized crew and wardrobe. At least the visiting set brings to town Debra’s camera-operating brother Pete, whom she hasn’t seen since he left for Hollywood six years ago. It’s apparently been a rough period for Pete, and the time spent away hasn’t lessened his old high school rivalry with Emmett McDowell, a historical book author and the heir to the McDowell estate. So when a valuable McDowell antique doll goes missing from an exhibit at the Tremington Museum, it is Pete who is blamed as a result of comments he made regarding valuables often hidden inside dolls by Southern troops. Clearing her brother of the crime would normally be her first priority if not for yet another crime, that of the murder of the unlikable “Colonel.” The man arrested for that crime happens to be the fiancé of Debra’s client, and the pleading bride implores Debra to save the wedding by freeing the groom. Investigating combative reenactors and Civil War treasures would be difficult enough without having to tangle with Sean McCarthy, a Laurel Springs Daily Chronicle reporter who is extremely proud of both his appeal and his ability to deliver a story.

Image source: Lyrical Press

This debut series follows two different mystery plots while also juggling Debra’s rather confused love life. When Pete goes missing, Debra discovers the dark reasons behind the failed Hollywood career that has followed him to Laurel Springs. As a handsome reenactor and real world accountant engages Debra’s attention, Sean McCarthy repeatedly interrupts with a grinning confidence that is meant to be charming but borders on just being irritating. The surprise MVP of the novel is Debra’s tenant Aileen, the lead singer of Twisted Armpits heavy metal band and whose intelligence and practicality proves key to getting Debra out of trouble. It is Aileen who has the honor of making the perfect twist on a “Princess Bride” line, “Have fun with the murderers!”

To enter to win a copy of Uniformly Dead, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “uniformly,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 20, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please included your mailing address.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Uniformly Dead

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.