HANGING BY A THREAD

A local murder puts pressure on the owner of a sewing studio who’s determined to make her adopted hometown into the perfect host for an upcoming conference.

Abbey Chandler is almost happy that her life in LA has crumbled and forced her to start over in the aptly named Hideaway Grove. After all, she has tons of fond memories of spending her summers in the little town with her aunt Sarah and enjoying all the special local shops, though her aunt’s bakery, Sarah’s Sweets, will always be her favorite. But times have changed, and now Hideaway Grove’s shop owners are feeling the crunch of a shrinking economy. And nobody feels the pressure as much as Aunt Sarah, especially now that notorious gold digger Blaine Hutchinson has decided to open a competing bakery with all the bells and whistles. Sheesh. Abbey has money woes of her own, too. She loves her volunteer work transforming donated pillowcases into dresses to be sent to African girls in remote villages, but her own sewing studio needs some contracts that will generate income or it’ll go kaput. Abbey and Aunt Sarah’s worries are made worse when Blaine’s bakery plans are derailed by murder. Abbey’s relief at losing a competitor is dwarfed by her fears that Sarah will be accused of the crime. At a time when all the business owners want to make sure Hideaway Grove is putting its best foot forward as the host of a women’s conference they hope will offer economic respite, Abbey resolves to solve the case and clear Aunt Sarah from suspicion.

A sewing-focused cozy that lacks the sparkle that would set it apart.