Macramé Murder

Mollie Cox Bryan

Aug 2017 · A Cora Crafts Mystery Book 3 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

A newlywed bride is found dead on the beach, and a crafter must untangle the knotty case: “The perfect weekend getaway: crafting, food and a murder or two!” —New York Times–bestselling author Lynn Cahoon
 
As the head of a bustling crafting retreat, Cora Chevalier could use a break of her own. So she and her creative cohorts temporarily swap small-town Indigo Gap, North Carolina, for the Sea Glass Beach craft retreat, where they teach classes and create beachy crafts like shell mosaics and sea glass chimes. Cora and her boyfriend, Adrian, are enchanted by their surroundings—especially the stunning wedding and blissful newlyweds they encounter on the beach. But awe becomes shock when the bride turns up dead the next day . . .
 
The woman’s death appears to be the result of a severe jellyfish sting. But when it’s revealed that she was murdered and Adrian becomes a suspect, Cora must hitch the real culprit to the crime—and fast. Because it just might take everything she has to crack a case more twisted than her most complex macramé knot!
 
Includes crafting tips!
 
Praise for the writing of Mollie Cox Bryan
 
“Personable main characters and a setting that crafting readers will envy.” —RT Book Reviews on Death Among the Doilies
 
“Scrapbookers and hobby cozy fans will enjoy this delightful holiday escape.” —Library Journal on A Crafty Christmas
 
“A font of ingenuity . . . Superb entertainment.” —Mystery Scene on Scrapbook of Secrets

Ratings and reviews

Macramé Murder by Mollie Cox Bryan is the third installment in A Cora Crafts Mystery series. Cora Chevalier is off to the Big Island Craft Retreat on Sea Glass Island with Ruby and Jane. Cora and her boyfriend, Adrian arrived early so she could spend some quality time together. While walking on the beach with Adrian, Cora observes a mermaid themed wedding with the bride wearing a beautiful one-of-a-kind tiara. The next morning Cora hears that the bride, Marcy Grimm was discovered dead on the beach. Cora is shocked when Adrian is taken in for questioning. It seems Adrian has been keeping some secrets. Cora knows that Adrian did not kill Marcy and sets out to prove it. When another body turns up and someone close to Cora is harmed, Cora knows she needs to find the culprit quickly. Will Cora be able to find the killer before it is too late? Macramé Murder is nicely written, has a good pace and it is easy to read. I like the craft aspect of the series and various crafts described in the book. The sea glass and shell tiara was beautifully described (my daughter would love it—Little Mermaid fan). Macramé Murder can be a standalone novel. Cora and her associates history is supplied along with the details of the previous two cases (in the first two books in the series). My rating for Macramé Murder is 3 out of 5 stars. I thought the murder was interesting (there were some good parts), but the killer obvious (at least to me). There is a twist, but many readers will anticipate it (it was predictable). I never felt the suspense, though, in the story. Cora’s numerous panic attacks and anxiety quickly got on my nerves. You would think she would be at an old hat at murder by now (I suggest she get a new medication). Cora is a hard character to like (I have really tried). The romance was too prominent for my tastes, and I am not a fan of Adrian. Then there is the love triangle between Cora, Adrian, and Cashel (Cora should pick him). Personally, I feel that Cora and Adrian’s romance is progressing too quickly (they just started dating). I wish there had been less focus on Cora’s personal life and more on the mystery. The story felt long (especially since the first murder happened so early in the story), and I thought there was too much time devoted to Cora thinking (internal dialogue).

About the author

Mollie Cox Bryan writes cozy mysteries with edge and romances with slow, sweet burn. The first book in her Cora Crafts Mystery series, Death Among the Doilies, was a "Fresh Fiction Not to Miss” selection and was a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. The second book, No Charm Intended, was named a “Summer 2017 Top 10 Beach Read” by Woman's World. She also wrote the Agatha-award nominated Cumberland Creek Mysteries. She makes her home at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where she works as a researcher and fact checker and writes in the early morning hours. Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at molliecoxbryan.com.