Moving to Daylight Savings Time has put a real crimp in my reading time. Now it is an hour later when the sun is coming up, so I don’t have that quiet hour I like to have in order to read while having my morning coffee. So, the fiction reviews may be a little thin this month, but I’ll make up for that with some great new publications I just got in ebook form from C&T, also available in print versions. Links to Amazon for the fiction titles, and C&T Publishing for the quilting and stitchery books.

Dangerous Times on Dressmakers’ Alley by Rosie Clarke – Set in 1923, deplorable conditions exist in a clothing manufacturer’s sweat shop where poor women work as seamstresses, paid little, and mistreated. When a young woman, Winnie, gets a job there as an undercover spy for a women’s movement, she discovers a criminal underworld. At the same time, high society Lady Diane has a plan to design her own line of clothing. She enlists the aid of her maid, Susie, to help her. When the sweatshop is raided, and one of the brothers is murdered, the future of the business is at stake. The story is interesting, and keeps the reader engaged, although it lacks depth. It seemed the author couldn’t decide what kind of story to write, and bounces around between a nice story of women finding their way in a changing world, and a crime novel of exploitation and murder. Major plot twists evaporate within a few pages without a lot of struggle. Problems disappear a little too quickly and neatly. Characters are shallowly drawn. We are told that Winnie had a bad upbringing, but we do not see this history, only in an argument. We know next to nothing about Susie and her brother. It also leaves loose ends, such as who committed the final murder, and what happens to Lady Diane. Perhaps it is done for the purpose of having a second novel in the series. But for a light read perhaps while you are on vacation, it is enjoyable. Just published on April 5, 2024.

The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett – It is great to find a good mystery novel that doesn’t involve murder. A man with a secret obsession with the Holy Grail spends his days among ancient manuscripts. He is writing a history of the Barchester Cathedral, but never seems to be able to finish. When a young woman arrives to digitize the historic manuscripts, he is mortified. But he comes to realize that her views of books mirrors his own, just in a different way. An intense search begins with the discovery of a coded manuscript, with the use of the internet to figure out how the code works and find the keys. Then the possibility of having to sell some of the manuscripts to finance needed repairs to the cathedral kicks the search into high gear. This is an entertaining novel, with a different kind of mystery to solve. The author’s apparent love of books is evident in his descriptions of the books, like a love letter to history and the lore of paper, ink and glue. Recommend.

The Spider Heist by Jason Kasper – This is a roller coaster of a novel, a non-stop thriller about a bank heist, and a kidnapped, disgraced ex-FBI agent. Clear the decks if you start this one because it is nearly impossible to put down. With an inventive heist, a harrowing escape, and an amazing car chase, this would be a fabulous movie, and I imagine it would be great in audio format for those who ‘read’ by ear.

The Ultimate Guide to Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters – A comprehensive guide to modern custom quilting using techniques and designs to add movement, depth, dimension and detail to pieced and whole cloth quilts. Lots of samples and ideas are presented with tips on planning. Quilting fillers and backgrounds have a separate chapter, along with quilting in negative space. This book thoroughly explores the art of quilting in 322 pages of inspiration and lessons. Techniques are geared to the domestic machine quilter, but longarm owners will find it valuable as well.

Hand Stitched Oasis, Step by Step Guide with 35 Techniques to Embroider Realistic Elements by Teresa Lawson – Basic guide to hand stitching to create organic elements like grass, snow, sand, water, trees, flowers, stone, wood, and much more. Essential materials and helpful tips included, along with design instruction. The book includes finishing techniques as well as sample projects. 130 pages.

Playful Panel Quilts – Surprising Settings, Stunning Results by Cyndi McChesney – Unique take on using panels in quilts with an eye to expanding design possibilities, row quilts, and utilizing panel images in new ways. Of note is a step by step process on cutting up panels to use in repeating block designs, two block stunners, and asymmetrical layouts. 67 pages.

Stumpwork Embroidery and Thread Painting by Megan Zaniewski – If you have ever wanted to expand your repertoire of hand work, this book is for you. It contains an amazing array of three dimensional embroidery using a time honored technique of Stumpwork. I definitely want to try doing some of these projects, particularly the dragonfly with the shimmery wings and some of her dimensional flowers. The book gives step by step instruction from the materials needed, the stitches used and design ideas to take your creations further.

See more New Releases at C&T Publishing.

What are you reading now? Do you have any new sewing or quilting books in your sewing room?