Monthly Archives: June 2015

Fantastic resource book for shirtmaking

The Shirtmaking Workbook: Pattern, Design, and Construction Resources – More than 100 Pattern Downloads for Collars, Cuffs & Plackets

By: David Coffin

Rating: 5 of 5

theshirtmakingworkbookI have been a sewist for most of my life but have always had problems with collared shirts. I chose this book to see if it could show me where I have been going wrong. I consider myself to be an intermediate as much of my sewing projects over the last ten years have involved quilting more so than garments.

The book is much more than I originally thought. It has so much information that it will take me quite a while to go through it all and put its suggestions into practice in my projects.

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Dramatic writing but unrealistic plot

Kill Again (A Claire Waters Thriller)

By: Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene

Rating: 3 of 5

killagainWhile I think that the writing style of this book is very good, I have a hard time accepting much of the action. I am a reader of mysteries who wants them to make sense. I want to feel that the characters could be real and that I can follow their actions. Unfortunately, that wasn’t true in this story.

It seemed as if no one in the book did anything approaching reality. The police were constantly breaking rules. If someone was told not to do something, on the next page, that is exactly what they did. I can take a little rule breaking but this went beyond that.

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Engrossing thriller mystery

Scheduled to Die (A Carter Mays Mystery Book 2)

By: Alan Cupp

Rating: 4.5 of 5

scheduledtodieThis is the first book I have read by Alan Cupp. While “Scheduled to Die” is the second book in a series by Mr. Cupp, I found that it was very readable as a stand-alone book. I think that, perhaps, reading the first book would flesh out the character of Carter Mays (the private detective), it wasn’t necessary for this story. Having read and enjoyed this book, I will go back and read the first book in the series, too.

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Charming and Fun Cozy Mystery

The Rhyme of the Magpie: A Birds of a Feather Mystery

By: Marty Wingate

Rating: 5 of 5

thethymeofthemagpie“The Rhyme of the Magpie” is a first in a series of new books by Marty Wingate. It is also the first book I have read by this author but I will certainly be picking up her previous series based on how much I enjoyed this book.

The story is a delicious cozy mystery involving wind farm developers, bird enthusiasts, “typical” small village citizens, and even an Earl. It was a fun book to read, with lots of laughs and giggles. While I was able to figure out whodunnit, I had a blast reading through the rest of the book as the characters and the story were charming.

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Outstanding book – highly recommended

How to Sew Little Felt Animals

By: Sue Quinn

Rating: 5 of 5

How To Sew Little Felt Animals“How to Sew Little Felt Animals” is a lovely book of patterns of animals and clothing. It is a book that I saw and pre-ordered months ago based solely on the pictures on the cover. When the book arrived, the reality of the projects is even better than the promise of the photographs.

Sue Quinn has written a wonderfully instructive book. The instructions are clear, the photographs well done, and she has given many suggestions for how to make sure your animals look and act properly once they are finished.

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