Degrees of Affection

I picked this up on Murder by Death's recommendation (that's going to be true of most of my future cozy reads), but I wasn't quite sure how I'd like it. Fashion and dressmaking are not really my area (though I've long wanted to learn how to sew), and wasn't sure the setting would hold me.

Boy was I wrong!

I love Harlow Jane Cassidy and I especially love her views on what a dressmaker should do - work with the customer and more importantly their body. Her family and their history was fascinating, the Texas town I could almost picture, and the mystery was very good. I was actually completely gobsmacked by the identity of the murderer; I really didn't see it coming. I'd seen all the way down the red herrings (and my, weren't there a great deal and weren't they all lined up in a neat little row), but not the actual killer.

The paranormal aspects weren't bad. The gifts or charms of the Cassidy women were interesting and I can't wait to see more about that. The rest...I'm not so sure. The presence was a bit too present, but that's my personal opinion.

So far no sign of the dreaded triangle (or the feared rhombus!) and I like where Harlow's new friends and maybe more seem to be going. Off to start the next book!