A Stitch in Crime: Quilts of Love Series by Cathy Marie Elliott

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.


About The Author

Photo By Kim Farrar

Now retired from the day job as a Library Information Technician, Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer in northern California, creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop. She has authored three cozy mysteries with the newest – A Stitch in Crime - releasing in January 2015.

    Her gorgeous daughter, Heidi, and handsome son-in-law, Eric, have blessed the family with two, treasured grand-gems. Sweet little Sidney Anne, who is a master at getting her Gramsey to play with her, and the precious new guy, Nicholas Scott. These days, Cathy is excited she can say, “Off to see the grandkids!” Plural. Oh, boy.

     Like the protagonist in her debut novel, A Vase of Mistaken Identity, Cathy is an avid quilter. 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. Really!

      In the good old days, Cathy played guitar with a country rock band and later, a gospel trio. Now her 12-string acoustic helps her lead music at church. On occasion, she’ll still pull out her violin and play with a few friends. NOTE: Cathy once placed second in the Ladies Division of the local Old Time Fiddler’s Contest. No kidding. Her trophy is dusty and she rarely attempts bluegrass now – definitely no Alison Krauss – but dreams about working up “Maiden’s Prayer” again. With double-stops.

Cathy’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, American Christian Fiction Writers, Quills of Faith Writers Group, Oregon Christian Writers,  The Writer’s Forum, and Sun Country Quilters.

My Review 

When we first meet Thea, I felt so sorry for her, her lifetime friend seems to be turning on her and treating her terribly, she is also terribly busy being a co-chairman of the local quilt show extravaganza.
With the extravaganza comes a lot of unexpected excitement and unexpected calamities, and hidden dangers. What could possibly be going on here that would cause an older woman to be attacked? Diamonds to be stolen, now what does that have to do with a quilt show? Then stolen quilts? What?
We meet some unsavory characters that you at first feel sorry for, and then you are really going to be guess as to who or whom would be responsible for all of these crimes. Even the local quilt shop has problems!
This story will keep you on your toes, and you’ll have a hard time guessing who is responsible for all that is happening. You will also wonder whom Thea can turn to when even her cat is threatened. Ugh!
Surprises galore here, and you won’t be able to put this one down until you know everything!


I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Abingdon, and was not required to give a positive review.