The basic story structure of Pleating for Mercy isn’t necessarily the most original for a Cozy – when Harlow Cassidy inherits her great-grandmother’s house, she decides to give up her big city fashion designer job in New York to return home to small town Bliss, Texas, and set up the small dressmaking shop she always dreamed of. Naturally, an old family friend is quickly implicated in a murder, and Harlow needs sets out to clear her name.
While the overall plot of the novel may not be the most innovative I’ve ever seen in a Cozy Mystery, Melissa Bourbon does particularly well is introducing an interesting cast with different characters without necessarily going overboard in making them seem “zany”. I personally am sometimes put off by too many “quirky” characters in a series, and upon hearing of the protagonist’s mother being able to grow plants in a supernatural fashion and her grandmother being a goat-whisperer, I was at first afraid that they would quickly cross the line into just being quirky for the sake of quirk. However, this didn’t turn out to be the case – while these features were certainly present in the Cassidy women, they weren’t necessarily their only defining characteristics.
The magical elements to the Cozy are also implemented well. The magical abilities of the Cassidy women are introduced in an interesting way, by discussing how their ancestor, Butch Cassidy, wished for a charmed life for his descendants, and every member of the family has possessed some magical charm ever since. Attaching the magical attributes of the series to a story that most people will easily remember (most people being at least vaguely aware of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, through the classic movie if nothing else), they become both easier to remember and more interesting.
The dressmaking elements of the Magical Dressmaking series are also largely successful. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about fashion, but even I was able to end up with reasonable mental images of the dresses that Harlow considers making for her clientele >>> though I’ll admit I did have to look up more than a few terms to make sure I was getting the right image in my head!
Overall, Pleating for Mercy is an interesting read for anyone who is a fan of fashion themed Cozies with a supernatural element, or anyone interested in a Cozy set in small town Texas. (I’ll admit, as a long-term Texas resident, I do have something of a soft spot for the state.)
If you’re interested in checking out some of the other entries I’ve written on fan favorites, be sure to check out the page on Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series.
P.S. I should have mentioned that the author is now writing the Bread Shop Mystery Series (as Winnie Archer)…
Susy says
I love this series. I once was on a path to a career in fashion design before circumstances forced a change so the fashion terms are familiar and I can envision the clothing she is inspired to create for each character. I liked these well enough that I went in search of an purchased a couple of books written under her other name, Misa Ramirez, but they have not yet made it to the top of the must read pile.
Do you have any info on if there are more books in the magical dressmaking series to come? It did not feel like the last one was intended as a final book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, unfortunately my understanding is that Melissa Bourbon and her publisher have parted ways – and this usually means the end of a series. She’s now writing the Bread Shop Mystery Series under the name Winnie Archer, so that might be worth checking out.
Susy says
The Bread Shop Mystery Series has started out well, and I expect it will be a good series. I just wish that this whole publisher/author issues did not mean that so many of us are left hanging wondering what happened to favorite characters.
I suspect many readers are like me and we begin to see these characters as friends. No one likes it when a friend just drops out of your life and we miss these characters the same way.
Another series that seems to have just stopped without ending is the Vintage Magic series by Annette Blair. I found it amusing that a ghost became an active character in the series.
Liz says
I know that she is trying to get another publisher for this series, just asked again last week. I tried to get on her Facebook page to send her exact answer, but something wrong with her page, it won’t load. As soon as I can get in I’ll send you what she said. I miss this series a lot.
Liz says
Okay, her Facebook page finally loaded, here is what she posted in January. I asked around a couple of weeks ago, and she was still waiting to hear….
Author Melissa Bourbon/Winnie Archer
January 23 ·
Well, for those Harlow Cassidy fans, I got an interesting email today about a different publisher interested in continuing the Magical Dressmaking series. So maybe this will happen!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Liz, that sure is encouraging news! Though it would certainly be more encouraging if she had heard a bit more about it than this by now…
Bek says
I’m going to crossing my fingers on this, although it plays havoc with my typing!
Anita F Morales says
Really disappointed to hear no more books from this series. I loved the chatacters!
Helga T. says
I also loved this series! I was so sad to learn more were no longer available!
Helga says
I still have several books of this series. This is before I bought my first Kindle. I so miss this this series! I loved it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Helga, yes, it definitely is a shame when this sort of series ends unexpectedly.
Bek says
DARN IT, “D”, now there’s ANOTHER series on my list! I’m going to have to win a lottery and get a bigger house to hold the books that you keep introducing me to! LOL…LOVIN’ IT!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, I certainly hope you enjoy it >>> when you do finally get the time to read it!
Linda MH says
Even though I am not a big ‘supernatural’ fan, I enjoyed this series very much. The books are well written and the characters likable.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed them as well!
Margaret StashEmpress says
This series is so much FUN — I really loved it! Wish there were more!!!
My oft mentioned bugaboo — the good series we loved are no more, being replaced by dozens & dozens of “new” series, majority of which not worth the paper they’re printed on, or at least just rehashes of same old same old themes…
Bah Humbug
Margaret StashEmpress
Available to rain on private parades for a nominal fee…..
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, I know, it certainly can be disappointing when a series ends that you’ve become attached to. Still, it’s all the more satisfying when you do finally find a new one that you can throw yourself into with the same enthusiasm!
Ellen Byron says
Thanks, Danna. I didn’t know about this series and now I’m totally intrigued. I checked out the list of “Most Popular and Recommended Cozy Mystery Series, and was happy to see so many familiar names. I dream of someday making that list myself!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, I’m sure you’ll be up there eventually >>> and probably sooner rather than later, since you certainly do qualify as one of the more recommended authors lately. By the way, congratulations on the Agatha Award nomination for Body on the Bayou!
Sheila in CT says
Danna.
I also enjoyed this series. Will there be more books in the future being published or is it another series that but the dust?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, I’m afraid that it is probably over. That said, Melissa Bourbon is now writing the “Bread Shop Mystery Series” under the name Winnie Archer. So that may be worth checking out!
robin in oregon says
I love this series and have all the books. I’m just sorry the series has apparently ended. It had just the right amount of “paranormal” and as you stated, not over the top crazy characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, I certainly agree. It’s always a shame when a favorite series ends unexpectedly.
Toni says
I love this series. I’m really sad she’s not writing any more of them. ?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Toni, I know – it sure is a shame! Melissa Bourbon is now writing the “Bread Shop Mystery Series” under the name Winnie Archer. So that may be worth checking out!
Greta Boris says
Melissa Bourbon just commissioned covers from the same cover designer I use for the fashion series. I believe she is continuing the series under her own publishing imprint. Check out her website for more info, though.