A Crafter Quilts A Crime - A Review

A Crafter Quilts A Crime 

by

Holly Quinn

My first reaction was that this book was more “cozy” than “mystery”. I was wrong.

All small towns in Wisconsin are alike - for example, they each have their annual festivals. Oh, they may come at different seasons of the year, but they do occur. Heartford, Wisconsin’s “Fire and Ice” event took place in winter in the first weeks of January. It was scheduled to end with the bonfire late in the evening where the town would burn its collection of well-used Christmas Trees from the previous year’s advent celebration. Scheduled, but for some “Fire and Ice” would end hours earlier with the unexpected death of Wanda.

And with Wanda’s passing, the S.H.E.s (a group of two sisters and a cousin, Sammy, Heide, and Ellie) began gathering evidence; evidence which would eventually lead to a kidnapping. Much of the action centers around Sammy’s craft shop located across the street from Liquid Joy, the local coffee shop. But we also spend time on the rural farms and in the homes of local citizens impacted by Wanda’s demise.

Having spent six years living in a small town in southern Wisconsin, this reader felt right at home - though murder was not part of my personal experience, car theft was. For the reader looking for a book focusing on the Winter months with an interesting cast of characters, Holly Quinn’s latest work may be a worthwhile choice. Bundle up and open the book and find your newest vacation spot - including the quilt trail maps that define most of the region. After reading, you may want to schedule a spring or summer visit.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Better Watch Out - A Review

Better Watch Out

by

Christina Freeburn

Merry Winters was finally beginning to learn that her hometown of Season’s Greetings was not as full of the holiday spirit as she thought - both before and after the death of Jenna Wilcox. In fact, Jenna was part of the problem and her death did not improve the picture.

Christina Freeburn introduces us to more of her town in this newest novel - much of the first novel in the series focused on a craft show where she found her ex-husband’s (or, so she thought) body found inside her new RV, soon to become Merry’s mobile craft shop. As this reader became familiar with Season’s Greetings, I decided that the Harmony Baptist Church would not become my new church home, though the book store might become a friendly place to plant myself on a warm afternoon.

But it was not just Merry Winter’s hometown that presented problems, but so did her family. Her step-daughter had boyfriend problems, her ex-husband’s mother was dying, her ex-husband’s new wife was not sure if her marriage was legal (hey, it was not clear if Merry’s divorce was final). Lots of problems and murders as well. They all contribute to a well-written cozy mystery that will satisfy a variety of readers. For the reader looking for a holiday read, whether Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, Better Watch Out might just fill the bill.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Not A Creature Was Stirring - A Review

Not A Creature Was Stirring

by

Christina Freeburn

A Review

Henery Press continues to produce some of the best cozy mysteries on the market - Christina Freeburn’s newest book, the first in a new series, is no exception.

Merry Christmas (yep, that is her name) arrives at the first of the season’s craft sales in Morgantown, West Virginia, with an awful smell in her new (though used) RV. And she is the first, and most likely suspect, in the murder of her ex-husband who is the source of the rancid smell.

With the help of Ebenezer, Merry’s pet guinea pig, she will have to survive the obnoxious detective and the various attempts to sabotage her work as a Etsy dealer, in order to discover the actual culprit.

The book kept moving forward at a satisfying pace, held this reader’s attention and kept him returning for more. The possible suspects grows and keeps the reader guessing and gathering clues as the story progresses. The book should remain satisfying to most cozy mystery readers. The book will make a great Christmas read - except its publication is not expected till after the new year (January 2019). Perhaps a January purchase in preparation for a Christmas 2019 gift.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.