Even though this is the 5th book in this series, I had no trouble following the story. There was a lot of background given (over and over) so I knew a lot about this group of ladies. The women of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle - Tori, Georgina, Leona, Margaret Louise, Dixie, Debbie, Melissa, and Beatrice - are a tight-knit group who gossip, share, celebrate, console, investigate, and sew together. There are times they are rather short and sarcastic with one another (at least Rose and Louise) but it is sorted out at one point.

In this story, Tori's ex (the one who cheated on her at the rehearsal dinner) comes to town for the funeral of his great-aunt. It is also the mother-in-law of the woman, Lynn, who Tori just met at the hospital getting chemo for breast cancer. Margaret Louise and Tori were there with Rose while she was getting an IV treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Jeff wants to get back together with Tori but his girlfriend Kelly is not happy about this turn of events. Also Garrett, Lynn's husband, shows up with his mistress. Lynn is still living with him and not pursuing divorce because she needs his insurance for her medical bills. Vera leaves all of her inheritance to Jeff and none to Garrett, but Lynn gets the house. With that all being said, it is no surprise that Jeff ends up dropping dead and there is more than one suspect. For some reason, Tori feels that she needs to investigate, after all, she was engaged to Jeff.

Even though the mystery is the main storyline, there was a lot going on. Tori was not as intrusive a sleuth as in some other series I have read, in fact, there were times that the mystery definitely took a back seat to some of the drama in the lives of these ladies. Tori is loved by all, but seems to be a bit simpering at times. I am not sure if I liked her or not. I did not dislike her, but she did not seem like a friend that I would sit down with. She has left her boyfriend Milo hanging for several months after he asked her to marry him because inside she thinks she was the cause of Jeff cheating on her, come on girl. I had figured out who and how the murder had occurred much earlier in the book than the big reveal. Not sure if this is a series I will continue with or not. ( )

I've kept it no secret that I love this series. Elizabeth Lynn Casey is a superb story teller. Not only does she have a perfect knack for writing a well thought out mystery. Not only does she have the perfect knack for writing a well thought out mystery, she creates brilliantly real characters that jump off the pages. Indeed, she has created a group of women that I want as life long friends, and a town that I would pack up and move to today if I could.

I also love the humor in this one. (All her titles) I mean, how can you go wrong with laugh out loud lines and scenes like these....."So, we just wanted to be here in case you needed reinforcements." "Reinforcements?" "That's what I said,"... skip to........ "....hold your hand when your knees are a-clackin', help dig the hole when you're spittin' mad...that's what friends do." (The dug hole of course for burying a body.) Forward to the outside of a car window where an argument is taking place.........the sight of Leona and Paris peeking in the passenger window. Motioning over her shoulder, Leona stepped to the side to reveal a simmering Rose and a shovel-wielding Margaret Louise........ See? Laugh out loud fun!

Now, don't let that take away from the mystery element of the book. Ms. Casey's stories always have a great mystery and leave me guessing on the Whodunit front. There are twists and turns, and enough suspects to go around, that it will have you changing your guess at least every chapter.

If you haven't yet treated yourself to the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries, it's about time you do! And, while wonderful sewing projects do take place, you don't have to know a thing about sewing to read these. But if you do love to sew, there are great sewing tips included as well as the directions for the project in the book.

This book and the entire series, has a little something for everyone! ( )

Review to follow ( )