Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 8
First Line: "I'm fine," I said between sobs.
When Nell Fitzgerald's grandmother Eleanor asks what colors she wants for her wedding quilt, Nell is ecstatic. She's over the moon when the finished quilt arrives, but she comes crashing down when her fiance calls off the wedding. Heartbroken, Nell packs a bag and hurries to Archer's Rest, the small town on the banks of the Hudson River where her grandmother lives. There Nell can recuperate and make some sort of plans for the future.
Nell's grandmother's life has always revolved around her quilt shop, Someday Quilts, and the members of the shop's quilting circle. Eleanor is having repairs done to the building, and when the local handyman she hired is found stabbed to death in the shop, Nell finds herself drawn into the case-- primarily because her ex-fiance followed her to Archer's Rest and he's now a suspect in the murder. The women of the quilting circle may be piecing together their quilts, but Nell is piecing together the clues that will lead her to the killer.
This may sound strange, but I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Don't get me wrong, I always expect to enjoy any book that I pick up to read, but some books have little extras that make them that much more pleasurable.
One of those little extras was the strength of O'Donohue's characterizations and the cast she introduced. Nell may be heartbroken, but she's also intelligent, determined, and has plenty of common sense. Her grandmother Eleanor is a strong woman who dearly loves her granddaughter, but she's also willing to let Nell live her own life and make her own mistakes. Of course this doesn't mean that Eleanor's not going to give her some sound advice from time to time. While Nell's getting interested in the local police chief, I'm looking forward to learning more about him in future books. Last but not least, the quilting circle is filled with interesting women. On the strength of the cast of characters alone, this is a very promising series.
I was also pleased to see how large a part quilting played in the book-- and not just piecing and sewing them together. O'Donohue includes quilt design as well as information on the set-up and running of a quilt shop. I could see all the colors, hear the scissors cutting through the fabric, and smell the cloth as I turned the pages.
A wealth of characters and artistry, a small town setting, and an interesting mystery to solve... all these pieces came together to create a fun reading experience. I'm definitely continuing with this series!
When Nell Fitzgerald's grandmother Eleanor asks what colors she wants for her wedding quilt, Nell is ecstatic. She's over the moon when the finished quilt arrives, but she comes crashing down when her fiance calls off the wedding. Heartbroken, Nell packs a bag and hurries to Archer's Rest, the small town on the banks of the Hudson River where her grandmother lives. There Nell can recuperate and make some sort of plans for the future.
Nell's grandmother's life has always revolved around her quilt shop, Someday Quilts, and the members of the shop's quilting circle. Eleanor is having repairs done to the building, and when the local handyman she hired is found stabbed to death in the shop, Nell finds herself drawn into the case-- primarily because her ex-fiance followed her to Archer's Rest and he's now a suspect in the murder. The women of the quilting circle may be piecing together their quilts, but Nell is piecing together the clues that will lead her to the killer.
This may sound strange, but I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Don't get me wrong, I always expect to enjoy any book that I pick up to read, but some books have little extras that make them that much more pleasurable.
One of those little extras was the strength of O'Donohue's characterizations and the cast she introduced. Nell may be heartbroken, but she's also intelligent, determined, and has plenty of common sense. Her grandmother Eleanor is a strong woman who dearly loves her granddaughter, but she's also willing to let Nell live her own life and make her own mistakes. Of course this doesn't mean that Eleanor's not going to give her some sound advice from time to time. While Nell's getting interested in the local police chief, I'm looking forward to learning more about him in future books. Last but not least, the quilting circle is filled with interesting women. On the strength of the cast of characters alone, this is a very promising series.
I was also pleased to see how large a part quilting played in the book-- and not just piecing and sewing them together. O'Donohue includes quilt design as well as information on the set-up and running of a quilt shop. I could see all the colors, hear the scissors cutting through the fabric, and smell the cloth as I turned the pages.
A wealth of characters and artistry, a small town setting, and an interesting mystery to solve... all these pieces came together to create a fun reading experience. I'm definitely continuing with this series!
Helpful Score: 6
This is the story of Nell, who has recently been dumped, shortly before her marriage to Ryan. After Ryan breaks up with her, Nell goes to Archers Rest, NY, to stay with her grandmother, who owns and operates the local quilt shop. While there, a murder is committed in the quilt shop on the same day that ex-fiance Ryan suddenly shows up. Nell wants to believe that Ryan is not guilty, and sets about trying to prove this, while also learning a lot of town gossip about the murder victim and her new friends from the Friday Night Quilt Club.
Many years ago, I watched How to Make An American Quilt for the first time. That movie inspired me to learn how to quilt, and it is a movie that I watch any time I'm struggling with a difficult decision. The characters in this first-in-a-series book had the same effect on me. From the moment I started reading about the characters and the quilt shop, I felt compelled to read more and learn more about these characters. I felt like I was a part of their quilting club. And, the members of the quilt club, in an effort to draw Nell into quilting, also comment many times about how quilting is great for helping to solve problems or just take your mind off the problems for awhile.
The mystery itself keeps you guessing, because there are so many possible suspects- in a small town, everyone knows everyone else's dirty laundry.
My one complaint is that I wish there had been a pattern for one of the quilts they made, or even the recipe for the blueberry muffins that Nell makes at one point. Overall, I felt this was a great story, and can't wait to continue reading this series.
Many years ago, I watched How to Make An American Quilt for the first time. That movie inspired me to learn how to quilt, and it is a movie that I watch any time I'm struggling with a difficult decision. The characters in this first-in-a-series book had the same effect on me. From the moment I started reading about the characters and the quilt shop, I felt compelled to read more and learn more about these characters. I felt like I was a part of their quilting club. And, the members of the quilt club, in an effort to draw Nell into quilting, also comment many times about how quilting is great for helping to solve problems or just take your mind off the problems for awhile.
The mystery itself keeps you guessing, because there are so many possible suspects- in a small town, everyone knows everyone else's dirty laundry.
My one complaint is that I wish there had been a pattern for one of the quilts they made, or even the recipe for the blueberry muffins that Nell makes at one point. Overall, I felt this was a great story, and can't wait to continue reading this series.
Deborah H. (littlepine) -
Helpful Score: 4
An excellent start to A Someday Quilts Mystery series with Nell picking up the pieces of her life and piecing together clues for an unsolved murder in the small town of Archers Rest. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a GREAT mystery! It drew me in instantly! I love all of the sewing and quilting refrences as well!!
Helpful Score: 1
I finished this book only because I had started it. There are no compelling, well-developed characters and there just doesn't seem to be much to it. Nothing to really draw you in. Don't waste a credit!
