A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Stitch in Crime
(Abingdon Press - January 20, 2015)
by
Cathy Elliot
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer who lives in northern California and whose cozy mysteries reflect her personal interests from playing her fiddle with friends to antique collecting and quilting. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antiques and is several years into recovery from her eBay addiction. UPDATE: She backslid a while back, enticed to bid on a 1945 Singer Featherweight. (She won.) But now she’s back on the wagon. Except for the recent crazy quilt pillow purchase. She also leads music at church and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

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.

My thoughts:

Mystery, humor, great characters, and just a flicker of romance contributed in making this one of the best mysteries I've read in quite some time - and a great addition to the Quilts of Love series. I was kept guessing throughout with several twists and turns but the story wraps up nice and tidy in the end. I loved the town of Larkindale - and its many townsfolk - and would be thrilled if the story blossomed into a series - especially if Thea's "Dr Watson" came to her aid again. There were also a few very minor characters (the Durtles, for instance) whom I would love to know more about.

This book was such a delight to read - I was very impressed - and I think any lover of cozies would enjoy it immensely.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and Abingdon Press for generously providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch in Crime, go HERE.