“A Stitch in Crime” by Cathy Elliot

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Thea’s first quilt show is coming apart at the seams!
 
Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel.
 
Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds?
 
When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.

Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

Cathy Elliot has penned a quirky, quilty mystery!  This story has just about everything fun – humor, forgetfulness, animals running amuck, and lots of sugary sweets.  Even the most serious situations in the story didn’t feel threatening or dangerous, and I think this was because the rest of the story was so completely funny.

Thea isn’t exactly Sherlock Holmes.  She may get results through her snooping, but she bumbles through each episode with as much grace as an bull in a china shop.  She’s so sincere, however, and acts with such a good heart that you can’t help but like her.  This dichotomy creates a loveable character with a lighthearted atmosphere who, although she’s obviously stressed about the problems in the story, that stress doesn’t transfer to the reader.  You have to laugh at her crazy situations while empathizing with her worries, and it takes a talented writer to make you feel both simultaneously.

Thea learns several spiritual lessons throughout the story.  I liked the way that Elliot created her to be a realistic person who acknowledges her need for a deeper faith.  Neither the story nor the lessons are super deep, but they are important lessons that every person needs to know.

My biggest problem with the book is that it left me craving some really awesome chocolate chip cookies.  Elliot’s descriptions of Emby’s baking are so clear that the book ought to come with a package of them – or, at the very least, the recipe.

A Stitch in Crime is the perfect lighthearted story to read in front of a cozy fire – or maybe under your favorite quilt.

Author and speaker Cathy Elliot nourishes her night-owl habit by creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop in Anderson, California. Like the protagonist in her new mystery, Cathy is an avid quilter. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antique treasures.

Connect with Cathy online: website, Facebook

I received a free copy of A  Stitch in Crime from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

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