Review: Uniformly Dead by Greta McKennan

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Lyrical Underground

Release Date:
May 16, 2017






Synopsis from Goodreads:

Historical seamstress Daria Dembrowski has her work cut out for her as she searches for a killer's pattern . . .

Daria has come up with a brilliant new plan to expand her seamstress business beyond stitching wedding gowns—historical sewing. And with Civil War re-enactors setting up camp in her hometown of Laurel Springs, Pennsylvania, she has plenty of opportunities, including one client playing a Confederate colonel who's a particular stickler for authenticity.

But soon the small-town peace starts coming apart at the seams as an antique doll is stolen from a Civil War exhibit and the cranky colonel is found impaled by his own bayonet. When Daria's brother is suspected of the theft and a bridal client's fiancé is accused of the murder, Daria is determined to untangle the clues to prove their innocence. She needs to get this case sewn up fast, though, before the murderer re-enacts the crime and makes her history.

My Review

Daria Dembrowski is busy trying to make her seamstress business a success. She stitches wedding gowns but is now adding historical sewing to her list. When a Civil War reenactment sets up in her town, it’s the perfect time for her. Things get off to a bumpy start when one of her clients is murdered and the fiancé of another client is arrested for the murder. It doesn’t help when her own brother is also a prime suspect. Suddenly her sewing company isn’t the quiet business she planned.

Daria has her work cut out for her when she decides to investigate the murder herself. After all, she can’t let her brother or her client’s fiancé go to jail. With the help of a friend, Daria searches for the truth. Along the way she meets plenty of Civil War re-enactors as well as a very pushy photographer.

This is a good start to a new series. We meet the main character and those closest to her, not to mention a host of supporting characters. The author did a nice job of introducing and developing them in this first book. It's, also, a different setting than the usual cozy mysteries.

The plot moved along at a fast-pace, but I have to admit that I did guess the culprit early on in the book. It didn’t ruin anything for me as I couldn’t put the book down until I knew the hows and whys of it all. There’s a nice blend of humor, mystery and romance throughout the book. I’ll definitely be looking for the next one in the series.



For reading challenges:
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2017
Craving for the Cozies Reading Challenge 2017
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.