Tami W. (DragonBreath) reviewed on 1/4/2010

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.

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