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Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery #3
Murder on a Starry Night
Part philosopher, part astronomer, Ollie Harrington II was a gentle soul who was happiest when looking up at the night sky. Even at fifty-two, his child-like amazement of the universe had never dimmed. Now Ollie is dead -- murdered in his home, the Harrington mansion. Why would anyone want to kill him? When Ollie's sister cruises into Crestwood, she turns the sleepy little town on its head in no time at all. There had been speculation about what would happen to the Harrington mansion, but Adele puts them all to rest: she's going to turn the Harrington mansion into a B & B. And since the Queen Bees have been commissioned to create quilts for the bedrooms, they'll be in close proximity to the murder investigation, and may be able to "help."
254 pages, Library Binding
First published December 2, 2005
215 people are currently reading
1190 people want to read
About the author
Sally Goldenbaum
38 books911 followersSally Goldenbaum is a philosophy teacher, knitter, editor, and the author of more than two-dozen novels.
Series:
* A Seaside Knitters Mystery
*
Series:
* A Seaside Knitters Mystery
*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 22, 2019
The third book of the Queen Bee's Quilt Shop series finds the Crestwood Quilter Quilters creating 12 special quilts for each of the bedrooms of the Harrington House. Oliver Harrington II was MURDERED and his twin sister, Adele has return home. Ollie was much loved by the community. There are several groups after the land and all are disappointed when his twin sister announced she was opening a B&B. With her altitude she angers many residents as she change the House to suit her. She does hired locals to do the work . Adele hired the Crestwood Quilter to made the quilts for each of the 12 bedrooms. The twists and turns the story takes will keep you guessing as to who killed Ollie and is destroyed his writing. A fire and another worker is killed occur before there is an answer as to who killed Ollie and his friend, the gardener. I highly recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Thanks to Lyrical Underground for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Thanks to Lyrical Underground for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 29, 2019
A Bias for Murder by Sally Goldenbaum was a first rate addition to the Queen Bees Quilt Shop series.
I do enjoy this series and all of the characters are growing with each new book. The friendship of the Queen Bees is clear and true in each book. Ms. Goldenbaum's writing is easy to read and this well developed plot kept me turning the pages as each clue was revealed. I had an idea of who was behind the murders but wasn't 100% sure until the reveal because the red herrings kept me guessing. I've read each of the books in this series and I'm excited to see what Ms. Goldenbaum has in store for the Queen Bees in the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I do enjoy this series and all of the characters are growing with each new book. The friendship of the Queen Bees is clear and true in each book. Ms. Goldenbaum's writing is easy to read and this well developed plot kept me turning the pages as each clue was revealed. I had an idea of who was behind the murders but wasn't 100% sure until the reveal because the red herrings kept me guessing. I've read each of the books in this series and I'm excited to see what Ms. Goldenbaum has in store for the Queen Bees in the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 13, 2019
The quilters got a large commission in this book when the twin sister of a recently murdered beloved local scholar arrived in town. She didn't leave the best impression on people and shocked the town when she announced that she was opening a B&B in her family's mansion. The Queen Bee Quilt Shop quilters were happy to take on the task of making eight quilts to go in eight of the rooms of the B&B. In the meantime, a killer was lurking out there someplace, and Po & Crew knew that they'd be investigating.
Somehow this book seemed to move a lot slower than the previous two. The story was good, and we got the usual camaraderie of the ladies and their friends. I always love it when Po has Sunday dinner at her house for her friends. It give them a chance to talk about the case and pick any brains, but PJ wasn't even working the case this time which seemed a little odd. All in all, I did like it and the showdown was exciting. As it turned out, the town had a couple of new people to call friends. Now I'm wondering if the original fourth book in this series is going to be redone. I know this author's name isn't on it, and I'm not sure if the name Marnette Falley is a pen name for her or not. I at least have a copy of the original fourth book called "Dog-Gone Murder", so I intend to read it and see if any closure was brought to this series that ended. I have two couples in mind that I would like to see happily ever afters for! ;)
Somehow this book seemed to move a lot slower than the previous two. The story was good, and we got the usual camaraderie of the ladies and their friends. I always love it when Po has Sunday dinner at her house for her friends. It give them a chance to talk about the case and pick any brains, but PJ wasn't even working the case this time which seemed a little odd. All in all, I did like it and the showdown was exciting. As it turned out, the town had a couple of new people to call friends. Now I'm wondering if the original fourth book in this series is going to be redone. I know this author's name isn't on it, and I'm not sure if the name Marnette Falley is a pen name for her or not. I at least have a copy of the original fourth book called "Dog-Gone Murder", so I intend to read it and see if any closure was brought to this series that ended. I have two couples in mind that I would like to see happily ever afters for! ;)
June 16, 2019
I really enjoy reading books by this author, and this particular series is definitely a good one.
I like the quirkiness of the characters and their tight knit bond of friendship makes the story complete.
When a mutual friend meets his demise, the friends work together to solve the mystery surrounding his death.
I like the way this story flowed, I was captivated from the minute I began reading and hated to have it end.
I'm hoping to be able to read more in this series by one of my favorite authors.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I like the quirkiness of the characters and their tight knit bond of friendship makes the story complete.
When a mutual friend meets his demise, the friends work together to solve the mystery surrounding his death.
I like the way this story flowed, I was captivated from the minute I began reading and hated to have it end.
I'm hoping to be able to read more in this series by one of my favorite authors.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read an advanced copy of this book.
May 27, 2022
A Bias for Murder is the third book in the series but my first. I thought it worked well without reading the first two. It's a charming, fun and entertaining cozy mystery with a wonderful setting and likable characters.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley.
August 16, 2019
A Bias for Murder is the third novel in A Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery series which I recommend reading in order. It will allow you to become familiar with the characters (they can be hard to keep straight) and their relationships. I thought A Bias for Murder was easy to read with heartwarming characters, charming small town, and beautiful quilts. Po Paltrow has a proven track record in solving crimes. Po along with the other ladies in the Crestwood Quilters have the necessary connections to get the information they need. The group is also busy working on eight quilt tops for Adele’s new bed and breakfast including a special quilt for Oliver’s former bedroom. The mystery is straightforward. There are multiple suspects and direct clues. The killer can be identified very early in the story and the reason why is equally apparent (unfortunately). I liked that there were a series of incidents that provided action to keep the book moving forward. I loved the quilt descriptions and comradery between the quilters. They are a close knit group of women who get together to quilt, solve crimes, enjoy good food, and so much more. There are plenty of lovely cozy moments in this character driven book. A Bias for Murder is a heartwarming cozy mystery perfect for a rainy afternoon or an afternoon relaxing poolside. A Bias for Murder has a greedy developer, a publishing professor, an offensive sister, a magnificent mansion, striking quilts, and seven sewing sleuths.
December 7, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
I really liked the first two books in this series and was eager to read this one. I can easily picture the small Kansas town with a university that keeps it afloat without too much economic struggle. Having attended a university here in Pennsylvania that’s the *only ‘business’ in town, that wasn’t hard to imagine :)
I like the characters and the way they interact with one another, but I wish there had been more quilting knowledge and advice in this book like there was in the previous books. Quilting was involved, but in a relatively minor sense, and that was disappointing.
The victim in this story was well-liked and respected in town, so there weren’t any obvious suspects to consider. Even when going beyond the obvious, the list was quite short, and I kept waffling between two people until well into the book, when a third character took the lead on my list. That turned out to be right, although I did not figure out the motive.
There appears to be one more book in this series, but it’s written by a different author, and is not readily available except in paperback format at a relatively high cost, so at this point in time, I’m not sure if I’ll read it.
I really liked the first two books in this series and was eager to read this one. I can easily picture the small Kansas town with a university that keeps it afloat without too much economic struggle. Having attended a university here in Pennsylvania that’s the *only ‘business’ in town, that wasn’t hard to imagine :)
I like the characters and the way they interact with one another, but I wish there had been more quilting knowledge and advice in this book like there was in the previous books. Quilting was involved, but in a relatively minor sense, and that was disappointing.
The victim in this story was well-liked and respected in town, so there weren’t any obvious suspects to consider. Even when going beyond the obvious, the list was quite short, and I kept waffling between two people until well into the book, when a third character took the lead on my list. That turned out to be right, although I did not figure out the motive.
There appears to be one more book in this series, but it’s written by a different author, and is not readily available except in paperback format at a relatively high cost, so at this point in time, I’m not sure if I’ll read it.
August 5, 2019
"A Bias for Murder" by Sally Goldenbaum the 3rd installment in the "Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery" series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have read and purchased the previous books.
Oliver Harrington II was one of the most beloved members of Crestwood’s community. Despite being the picture of health at age 52, he died from a sudden heart attack, leaving behind the family mansion on a sprawling piece of property. His twin sister Adele returned to the town she despises to claim her brother’s home, intent on turning it into a B&B. And she’s hired Po Paltrow and the Crestwood Quilters to craft quilts for the guest rooms.
But Adele is not the only one interested in the future of the Harrington estate. A developer wants to put multiple houses on the land. The townsfolk just want their neighborhood to retain its small-town charm and not become a tourist trap. But when an autopsy reveals that Oliver was actually poisoned, suspicion falls on his sister. Po doesn’t believe Adele is guilty, leaving her determined to discover who else harbored deadly designs on the Harrington home . . .
Previously titled Murder on a Starry Night
The mystery is interesting and I loved the characters which are well developed. The Queen Bees are a mixed group of eight women of different ages and lives who gather together at a local quilt shop to work on quilting projects.
The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace. There are just enough twists and turns, to keep you guessing and second-guessing on whodunnit.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Oliver Harrington II was one of the most beloved members of Crestwood’s community. Despite being the picture of health at age 52, he died from a sudden heart attack, leaving behind the family mansion on a sprawling piece of property. His twin sister Adele returned to the town she despises to claim her brother’s home, intent on turning it into a B&B. And she’s hired Po Paltrow and the Crestwood Quilters to craft quilts for the guest rooms.
But Adele is not the only one interested in the future of the Harrington estate. A developer wants to put multiple houses on the land. The townsfolk just want their neighborhood to retain its small-town charm and not become a tourist trap. But when an autopsy reveals that Oliver was actually poisoned, suspicion falls on his sister. Po doesn’t believe Adele is guilty, leaving her determined to discover who else harbored deadly designs on the Harrington home . . .
Previously titled Murder on a Starry Night
The mystery is interesting and I loved the characters which are well developed. The Queen Bees are a mixed group of eight women of different ages and lives who gather together at a local quilt shop to work on quilting projects.
The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace. There are just enough twists and turns, to keep you guessing and second-guessing on whodunnit.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
July 5, 2019
A Bias for Murder (previously published as Murder on a Starry Night) is the third book in Sally Goldenbaum’s Queen Bees Quilt Shop series. The characters are well developed. The mystery is interesting, and there are enough twists to keep you guessing throughout most of the book.
Portia “Po” Paltrow, Kate Simpson (Po’s goddaughter), Maggie Helmers, Eleanor Canterbury, Leah Sarandon, Phoebe Mellon, Selma Parker, and Susan Miller are a diverse group of women who love quilting and are known as The Crestwood Quilters. When fifty-two-year-old Oliver “Ollie” Harrington is found at the bottom of a staircase in his home, his death caused sadness throughout the Canterbury University community and his neighbors. Not many people are happy when Ollie’s twin sister, Adele, who has always been rude, unkind, and mean, returns to town and many are not pleased when she announces her plans to turn the Harrington mansion into a B&B. Adele hires the Crestwood Quilters to make a special quilt for each of the twelve guest rooms. Ollie’s death was first thought to be a result of a heart attack, but it turned out that someone poisoned the well-liked man. The authorities aren’t making much headway in their investigation, and Portia and the other quilters feel they need to take matters into their own hands and help figure out who murdered Ollie.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Portia “Po” Paltrow, Kate Simpson (Po’s goddaughter), Maggie Helmers, Eleanor Canterbury, Leah Sarandon, Phoebe Mellon, Selma Parker, and Susan Miller are a diverse group of women who love quilting and are known as The Crestwood Quilters. When fifty-two-year-old Oliver “Ollie” Harrington is found at the bottom of a staircase in his home, his death caused sadness throughout the Canterbury University community and his neighbors. Not many people are happy when Ollie’s twin sister, Adele, who has always been rude, unkind, and mean, returns to town and many are not pleased when she announces her plans to turn the Harrington mansion into a B&B. Adele hires the Crestwood Quilters to make a special quilt for each of the twelve guest rooms. Ollie’s death was first thought to be a result of a heart attack, but it turned out that someone poisoned the well-liked man. The authorities aren’t making much headway in their investigation, and Portia and the other quilters feel they need to take matters into their own hands and help figure out who murdered Ollie.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
August 4, 2019
Quilting was never so dangerous! When Po and her friends become involved in solving the murder of a local man, that everyone liked, she may find herself in danger!
I love the quilting group and enjoy getting to know the members personalities in each book. Each person adds something to the group and to solving the mystery. The book was fast-paced and kept you wondering "who did it".
The setting added to the charm of the book and made me wish I belonged to such an interesting group...maybe with no murders!
I'm looking forward to the next quilting project!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
I love the quilting group and enjoy getting to know the members personalities in each book. Each person adds something to the group and to solving the mystery. The book was fast-paced and kept you wondering "who did it".
The setting added to the charm of the book and made me wish I belonged to such an interesting group...maybe with no murders!
I'm looking forward to the next quilting project!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
July 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It's a gently version of a cozy mystery. I really liked the relationship between the characters, how the story flowed and the ending was perfect. #ABiasForMurder #NetGalley
July 29, 2019
Series: Queen Bees Quilt Shop – Book 3
Author: Sally Goldenbaum
Genre: Cozy Mystery/
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Page Count: 176
Publishing Date: August 6, 2019
New from Lyrical Press comes Sally Goldenbaum’s latest addition to the cozy mystery series “Queen Bees Quilt Shop” A Bias for Murder. A fantastic adventure with charming characters and memorable moments of joy.
Po is one of my favorite characters in a cozy mystery series. She has spunk, intelligence, and has learned the art of patience. She is no spring chicken, but that is one of the reasons I adore her. Po is also kind, compassionate, and loving. The Quilters are a great mixture of young and old, and they keep things interesting. They do not shy away from digging into murder and relish one-upping the police.
The victim is a member of the community everyone appears to like. He is innocent and sweet, with a love of the stars that is almost breathtaking. When his killer is unmasked, there will be a moment of disbelief, along with the realization that it couldn’t be anyone else. Readers who read a lot of cozy mystery books will no doubt figure out who the murderer is quickly, but for those who are new to the genre, they may be taken by surprise.
The writing is top-notch as always. Ms. Goldenbaum is a seasoned writer with an excellent grasp of the English language. She tells a story that keeps readers engaged and entertained. A Bias for Murder is a fast read with ample action and intrigue. Readers will be delighted with the book from beginning to end and will crave more in this cozy mystery series.
Author: Sally Goldenbaum
Genre: Cozy Mystery/
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Page Count: 176
Publishing Date: August 6, 2019
New from Lyrical Press comes Sally Goldenbaum’s latest addition to the cozy mystery series “Queen Bees Quilt Shop” A Bias for Murder. A fantastic adventure with charming characters and memorable moments of joy.
Po is one of my favorite characters in a cozy mystery series. She has spunk, intelligence, and has learned the art of patience. She is no spring chicken, but that is one of the reasons I adore her. Po is also kind, compassionate, and loving. The Quilters are a great mixture of young and old, and they keep things interesting. They do not shy away from digging into murder and relish one-upping the police.
The victim is a member of the community everyone appears to like. He is innocent and sweet, with a love of the stars that is almost breathtaking. When his killer is unmasked, there will be a moment of disbelief, along with the realization that it couldn’t be anyone else. Readers who read a lot of cozy mystery books will no doubt figure out who the murderer is quickly, but for those who are new to the genre, they may be taken by surprise.
The writing is top-notch as always. Ms. Goldenbaum is a seasoned writer with an excellent grasp of the English language. She tells a story that keeps readers engaged and entertained. A Bias for Murder is a fast read with ample action and intrigue. Readers will be delighted with the book from beginning to end and will crave more in this cozy mystery series.
September 16, 2019
I won this ebook copy in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads, Lyrical Press and Sally Goldenbaum for the copy. As always, an honest review from me.
Like:
- fun read
- Relatable, kind characters that you would want in your life
- Makes quilting a modern day activity that isn't just for gossipy little old ladies (such a bad stereotype)
- Allows you to escape from your life in a positive way
Love:
- The plot is really easy to follow, so you read a chapter or two when you have a moment and then pick the book up again when you have another spare moment.
- Descriptions of the quilts - so gorgeous
- The scenery in the small town. The writing made it so I could picture myself walking amongst the trees near the banks of the pond.
Dislike:
- Some of the male characters were more warm and friendly. Some seemed more off putting and not relatable than I would have liked.
Wish that: ---
Overall, a wonderful quaint book set in a small town with a mystery that kept me intrigued throughout. Despite the small number of pages, there was nothing small about the plots, characters or writing style. I would recommend this cozy mystery to all who are interested.
Like:
- fun read
- Relatable, kind characters that you would want in your life
- Makes quilting a modern day activity that isn't just for gossipy little old ladies (such a bad stereotype)
- Allows you to escape from your life in a positive way
Love:
- The plot is really easy to follow, so you read a chapter or two when you have a moment and then pick the book up again when you have another spare moment.
- Descriptions of the quilts - so gorgeous
- The scenery in the small town. The writing made it so I could picture myself walking amongst the trees near the banks of the pond.
Dislike:
- Some of the male characters were more warm and friendly. Some seemed more off putting and not relatable than I would have liked.
Wish that: ---
Overall, a wonderful quaint book set in a small town with a mystery that kept me intrigued throughout. Despite the small number of pages, there was nothing small about the plots, characters or writing style. I would recommend this cozy mystery to all who are interested.
September 4, 2019
4.5
In this installment of the Queen bees Quilt shop mystery series, the Crestwood Quilters have been commisioned to make several quilts to be used in the home of a dearly loved, recently deceased friend Oliver Harrington. His twin sister Adele has returned to town to take over Oliver's coveted mansion and turn it into a B&B. When it's determined that Oliver has been murdered, Po and the other Crestood Quilters are determined to find out who did the evil deed.
Oh how I love spending time with the Crestwood Quilters. All women of varied ages, backgrounds and marital status, they work together to support each other and their town. Po usually takes the lead in solving the murder mysteries, but the other ladies are involved in one way or the other. I find these stories to be very smartly written and I enjoy watching the quilters piece together their clues, just like they would a quilt! This series is highly entertaining.
My thanks to kensington Books and Netgalley.
In this installment of the Queen bees Quilt shop mystery series, the Crestwood Quilters have been commisioned to make several quilts to be used in the home of a dearly loved, recently deceased friend Oliver Harrington. His twin sister Adele has returned to town to take over Oliver's coveted mansion and turn it into a B&B. When it's determined that Oliver has been murdered, Po and the other Crestood Quilters are determined to find out who did the evil deed.
Oh how I love spending time with the Crestwood Quilters. All women of varied ages, backgrounds and marital status, they work together to support each other and their town. Po usually takes the lead in solving the murder mysteries, but the other ladies are involved in one way or the other. I find these stories to be very smartly written and I enjoy watching the quilters piece together their clues, just like they would a quilt! This series is highly entertaining.
My thanks to kensington Books and Netgalley.
August 4, 2019
Another good mystery. Po and her crew are back to making quilts and solving a murder when a beloved member of the community turns up dead. The victim's sister comes back to town and tries to change everything. Not everyone in town is happy about it. Could this be the reason for the murder? Then there is another muder and a fire. What is the person looking for? What is the real motive? What are they overlooking?
August 7, 2019
A Bias For Murder is the third book in the A Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery series.
Residents of Crestwood, KS and especially the students and faculty of Canterbury University are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ollie Harrington. Ollie was well known for his knowledge on astronomy and spent much of his time study the stars and writing about them. At first, it was thought that he had just fallen down the stairs in his house, but when an autopsy is performed it shows that he had been poisoned.
Adele, Ollie’s twin sister, arrives in town after being notified of Ollie’s death and show little remorse. She announces that she will be turning the Harrington House into a B&B and adds that there will be no memorial service for Ollie. Po Paltow and her fellow members of the Queen Bees Quilters set off the learn who the poisoner might be. Their first thought is that Adele might have poisoned him so she could inherit the house. Soon they learn that Tom Adler, a local developer, claims that Ollie had changed his will leaving the house to him. Also, Halley, a friend of Ollie’s, claims that he had also promised her the house and the many papers that he had written on astronomy. The Queen Bees need to get busy with their sleuthing and sew things up.
This is a well-written and well-told story with an interesting and well-developed cast of characters. One doesn’t need to be a quilter to enjoy this series.
I will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.
Residents of Crestwood, KS and especially the students and faculty of Canterbury University are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ollie Harrington. Ollie was well known for his knowledge on astronomy and spent much of his time study the stars and writing about them. At first, it was thought that he had just fallen down the stairs in his house, but when an autopsy is performed it shows that he had been poisoned.
Adele, Ollie’s twin sister, arrives in town after being notified of Ollie’s death and show little remorse. She announces that she will be turning the Harrington House into a B&B and adds that there will be no memorial service for Ollie. Po Paltow and her fellow members of the Queen Bees Quilters set off the learn who the poisoner might be. Their first thought is that Adele might have poisoned him so she could inherit the house. Soon they learn that Tom Adler, a local developer, claims that Ollie had changed his will leaving the house to him. Also, Halley, a friend of Ollie’s, claims that he had also promised her the house and the many papers that he had written on astronomy. The Queen Bees need to get busy with their sleuthing and sew things up.
This is a well-written and well-told story with an interesting and well-developed cast of characters. One doesn’t need to be a quilter to enjoy this series.
I will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.
August 10, 2014
Adele Harrington has returned to her home, the beautiful mansion on Kingfish Drive. Her brother has died and she has decided to open a B and B in the home she has now inherited. She is rude, unkind, and mean to those she comes across in the small town. When it is discovered that her brother was murdered suspicion is cast upon several people in the town. Several tragedies occur in quick succession and Adele begins to wonder whether she should bag her B and B idea and leave town. The group of quilters in town, known as the Queen Bees had been asked to make a special quilt for the bed in each room in the B and B. They have become very uneasy about the dangers lurking in their small town and decide to put their heads together to try and figure out who is doing these terrible things.
I have read all the books in Goldenbaum's Seaside Knitter series and have thoroughly enjoyed them. In each one, I was not able to determine who the killer was until the very last pages which added to the suspense of the novel. Not the case in this book. I had figured it out long before the others were closing in on the killer. It was an okay read, but certainly doesn't make me want to put the other books in the series on my "to read" list.
I have read all the books in Goldenbaum's Seaside Knitter series and have thoroughly enjoyed them. In each one, I was not able to determine who the killer was until the very last pages which added to the suspense of the novel. Not the case in this book. I had figured it out long before the others were closing in on the killer. It was an okay read, but certainly doesn't make me want to put the other books in the series on my "to read" list.
April 26, 2016
I love this series. I believe I will have to purchase the set to place in my library. I love the character of Po ( Portia Paltrow ) She is a gutsy woman, who tries to see the best in people and in all situations, even while looking for a murderer.
July 7, 2019
The 3rd installment in the Queen Bees Quilters. Oliver (Ollie) Harrington was much loved by the entire town and when he dies suddenly at his estate it comes as a shock to all. When his twin sister Adele comes in and begins making plans for a B&B the town is in an uproar. Adele is abrasive and has no plans for a funeral for her brother Ollie and many have come forward with claims that he promised the Harrington house to them. The most vocal is the local real estate developer Tom Adler. When toxicology reports comes back and prove Ollie was poisoned and he did not have a heart attack all eyes turn to his sister Adele. Adele has just hired the quilters to make quilts for all the bedrooms in the new B&B. Po and Kate along with the other quilters see that Adele is in pain from the loss of her brother but really has no social skills or network to work on that grief. The town gossip has her as a murderer and she feels like the house has been broken into but cannot prove it. When she says she wish she could get Joe the family gardener off the estate but the will prohibits it and then he ends up dead a couple of days later it looks bleak for Adele. Po senses she is missing something and it doing some digging along with the rest of the quilters (Leah, Eleanor, Phoebe Selma, Susan and Kate). Po reaches out to Halley a friend of Ollie's as she has been anxious to get to see some of Ollie's writings and belongings. Joe supposedly saved some of Ollie's stuff and before anyone can pack up Joe's belongings his apartment above the garage is set on fire with Halley seen leaving the estate. This is a good solid mystery with a few potential suspects but I had my suspicions but then new clues had me doubting until the very end. Love these ladies and the town of Crestwood. Really hope this series continues. Looking forward to the next installment.
August 11, 2019
When Oliver Harrington II, despite being perfectly healthy, dies of an unexpected heart attack, the whole town in thrown into an uproar trying to figure out who would hurt such a sweet man. Having kept to himself most of his life, it's up to the quilting group to try and piece together the little clues they have. Adele returning to town after her brother's death, doesn't make the job any easier. Once again, Po and the quilting group do their best to bring peace back.
This is the third book and I must say that I've just enjoyed each one more than the one before! Ms. Goldenbaum really has come up with the most enjoyable cast of characters. They're all so interesting and I love each one's time on page. Po, who takes most of the lead, is my favorite. She has such a sweet and honest way of looking at the world, and as I've said in previous reviews of these books, a maturity that I find to be such a breath of fresh air.
Being a quilter myself, I love the way she describes the patterns, the process, and the finished quilts. It's so fun to picture these gorgeous pieces, I could almost reach out and touch them. However they never bog down the story and I strongly believe even non-quilters will still find this a most enjoyable read.
As for the mystery itself, I had an idea of who might be the killer pretty early on, but frequently doubted myself because of the many twists and turns the clues seemed to take me on. I devoured this book quickly, eager to find out the truth, but regretful when it ended that I had to leave.
Overall, a great addition to the series, and if you haven't started them yet, pick up them all up and you'll have a wonderful time.
Warnings:
Cozy mystery standard murder on par with Murder She Wrote level violence
Thank you to Netgalley for a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review!
This is the third book and I must say that I've just enjoyed each one more than the one before! Ms. Goldenbaum really has come up with the most enjoyable cast of characters. They're all so interesting and I love each one's time on page. Po, who takes most of the lead, is my favorite. She has such a sweet and honest way of looking at the world, and as I've said in previous reviews of these books, a maturity that I find to be such a breath of fresh air.
Being a quilter myself, I love the way she describes the patterns, the process, and the finished quilts. It's so fun to picture these gorgeous pieces, I could almost reach out and touch them. However they never bog down the story and I strongly believe even non-quilters will still find this a most enjoyable read.
As for the mystery itself, I had an idea of who might be the killer pretty early on, but frequently doubted myself because of the many twists and turns the clues seemed to take me on. I devoured this book quickly, eager to find out the truth, but regretful when it ended that I had to leave.
Overall, a great addition to the series, and if you haven't started them yet, pick up them all up and you'll have a wonderful time.
Warnings:
Cozy mystery standard murder on par with Murder She Wrote level violence
Thank you to Netgalley for a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review!
August 1, 2019
When Oliver Harrington dies of a sudden heart attack, his sister Adele returns to Crestwood to claim the family estate, and turn the sprawling mansion into a B&B. She hires the Crestwood Quilters to craft quilts for the guest rooms.
Ollie was a beloved member of the community and news of his death causes a ripple of sadness to spread through the neighbourhood. Adele’s arrival, on the other hand, causes a whirlwind that leaves chaos in its wake. Renovations on the Harrington home are seen as a disturbance and the neighbourhood is worried that the B&B will turn the town into a tourist trap.
When the autopsy reveals that Oliver was actually poisoned, suspicion falls on Adele. But Po doesn’t believe Adele is guilty. Solving a crime is just like piecing together shapes into a pattern, something the quilters are very good at. Fearlessly, the women attack danger head on, in order to turn their town back into a safe place.
While I’ve enjoyed reading many of the Seaside Knitters mysteries by Sally Goldenbaum, this was the first Queen Bees Quilt Shop mystery I’ve read. I felt a bit like I was jumping in the middle, but I’m sure that readers who have followed the series from the beginning will enjoy the character development. I was surprised, and a bit sceptical, about the number of quilts they managed to complete in four short weeks. Nevertheless, it was delightful spending time with this group of strong, independent women in the quilt shop, and I loved the twists and turns the plot took.
A Bias For Murder is a charming cozy, in which the amateur sleuths piece together the crime like the pattern of a quilt.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest feedback.
Ollie was a beloved member of the community and news of his death causes a ripple of sadness to spread through the neighbourhood. Adele’s arrival, on the other hand, causes a whirlwind that leaves chaos in its wake. Renovations on the Harrington home are seen as a disturbance and the neighbourhood is worried that the B&B will turn the town into a tourist trap.
When the autopsy reveals that Oliver was actually poisoned, suspicion falls on Adele. But Po doesn’t believe Adele is guilty. Solving a crime is just like piecing together shapes into a pattern, something the quilters are very good at. Fearlessly, the women attack danger head on, in order to turn their town back into a safe place.
While I’ve enjoyed reading many of the Seaside Knitters mysteries by Sally Goldenbaum, this was the first Queen Bees Quilt Shop mystery I’ve read. I felt a bit like I was jumping in the middle, but I’m sure that readers who have followed the series from the beginning will enjoy the character development. I was surprised, and a bit sceptical, about the number of quilts they managed to complete in four short weeks. Nevertheless, it was delightful spending time with this group of strong, independent women in the quilt shop, and I loved the twists and turns the plot took.
A Bias For Murder is a charming cozy, in which the amateur sleuths piece together the crime like the pattern of a quilt.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest feedback.
August 11, 2019
Though this is the third book in the Queen Bee Quilt Shop series it can easily be read as a stand alone. When Oliver (Ollie) Harrington, liked by just about everybody in the small town of Crestwood, dies at the young age of 52, it is declared an accident caused by a heart attack. Not so fast - further investigation reveals that Ollie was poisoned. Before his body has a chance to cool, his twin sister, Adele, shows up and takes over his grand house, declaring that she is intent on turning it into a bed and breakfast. With that plan in motion, she hires the Crestwood Quilters to create a quilt for each of the 12 guest rooms. Her plans hit the skids when other people start to lay claim to the home and grounds, each claiming that Ollie had promised his estate to them. One wants the vast library of astronomy papers from his teaching, his passion. Another is a land developer claiming the estate is rightfully his and he has grand plans - to divide the land into many homes. More than one person is lying and the Crestwood Quilters start their own investigation when Ollie's twin sister, not the easiest person to like, is the focus of the homicide investigation. More than one death has occurred and soon there is also a fire to deal with.
The combined brains of the Crestwood Quilters, led by Portia (Po), will find out who the killer is and keep Adele out of jail. They are certain she is innocent and there is a killer in their midst. Again.
I have enjoyed everything about this mystery series, Each book is a well crafted puzzle with twists, turns and red herrings that every mystery must have. All in all it's a great escape.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Underground and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The combined brains of the Crestwood Quilters, led by Portia (Po), will find out who the killer is and keep Adele out of jail. They are certain she is innocent and there is a killer in their midst. Again.
I have enjoyed everything about this mystery series, Each book is a well crafted puzzle with twists, turns and red herrings that every mystery must have. All in all it's a great escape.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Underground and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 9, 2021
A Bias for Murder is the third installment in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop series set in the community of Crestwood and featuring Po Paltrow and her group of quilters. Oliver Harrington is a beloved member of Crestwood and although many don't know him well, they do know that he had a fascination for the stars and planets and was a familiar face on the college campus. Sadly, Ollie passes away early on in the book with signs pointing to a heart attack. Shortly after his death his twin sister Adele arrives in town for the first time in years and begins an immediate renovation on the families mansion which angers the neighbors. Also, information comes to light that there were quite a few people including the college and a local developer that were anxious to get their hands on the Harrington property - so was Ollie really a victim of murder? Po and her friends set out to uncover the truth and find themselves in harms way.
I have not read the first two in the series so found myself struggling a little to keep the characters straight (several have names starting with the same letter of the alphabet), and also to really connect with them as I didn't know their individual histories. With that being said I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order. The mystery was well crafted although I did figure out "whodunit" pretty early on. I wish we'd gotten to know Ollie a little better before his death as he seemed like a lovable and interesting fellow. I did enjoy getting to know the abrasive Adele and found myself rooting for her to win over the townspeople.
I received an advanced copy of A Bias for Murder from NetGalley via Lyrical Press. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
I have not read the first two in the series so found myself struggling a little to keep the characters straight (several have names starting with the same letter of the alphabet), and also to really connect with them as I didn't know their individual histories. With that being said I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order. The mystery was well crafted although I did figure out "whodunit" pretty early on. I wish we'd gotten to know Ollie a little better before his death as he seemed like a lovable and interesting fellow. I did enjoy getting to know the abrasive Adele and found myself rooting for her to win over the townspeople.
I received an advanced copy of A Bias for Murder from NetGalley via Lyrical Press. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
August 4, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the " Queen Bees Quilt Shop Series . I have read and enjoyed the entire series. This is a series I highly recommend. This can be read as a stand alone . This is a charming series with unique friendships and likable charcters in a pleasing location . The series is a delight to read.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC., My opinions are my own.
In this next installment Poe and her quilting group are hired to make quilts for a new B&B for a unpleasant woman Adele who has taken over her deceased Brother's home intent on turning it into a B&B. The property is a very popular location and developers soon pressure Adele to take it over for multiple units. Adele is determined to have her B&b and rebukes the developers offers leading to some heated conversations and accusations. Soon it is determined that her Brother was murdered and Adele is prime suspect number one. Po and her friends are not convinced she is a murderer and begin to investigate. Could it be the developer or others in town intent on gaining control of the property? Soon Po and friends find clues and suspects abound as they build their case with help from townspeople and the local police. The quilters and Po are determined to see this case through to conclusion.
This is a well developed plot that kept me guessing until the conclusion. Each addition to this series is charming and a enjoyable sleuth with endearing charcters. I enjoyed reading this next in series. This is a first rate cozy mystery series .
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC., My opinions are my own.
In this next installment Poe and her quilting group are hired to make quilts for a new B&B for a unpleasant woman Adele who has taken over her deceased Brother's home intent on turning it into a B&B. The property is a very popular location and developers soon pressure Adele to take it over for multiple units. Adele is determined to have her B&b and rebukes the developers offers leading to some heated conversations and accusations. Soon it is determined that her Brother was murdered and Adele is prime suspect number one. Po and her friends are not convinced she is a murderer and begin to investigate. Could it be the developer or others in town intent on gaining control of the property? Soon Po and friends find clues and suspects abound as they build their case with help from townspeople and the local police. The quilters and Po are determined to see this case through to conclusion.
This is a well developed plot that kept me guessing until the conclusion. Each addition to this series is charming and a enjoyable sleuth with endearing charcters. I enjoyed reading this next in series. This is a first rate cozy mystery series .
June 29, 2019
Oliver Harrington was almost universally revered in the small town of Crestwood but that didn't stop him from being murdered in his kitchen on the sprawling family estate he loved. His twin sister, Adele, who had moved away many years earlier returns to her roots in a home she'd had no desire to revisit and instantly begins to ruffle the feathers of locals new and old.
Portia Paltrow and her fellow Crestwood Quilters are shocked by the death of an old friend and the disturbed atmosphere which seems to have gripped their small town. They know they have to try and discover what actually happened before their cherished community changes irretrievably for the worse.
I love these novels and thankfully the many errors in the previous book aren't repeated here. Unfortunately I worked out the who, why and how long before Po and her friends as it wasn't as original as the rest of the story. The characterisation however, saved the day, especially the gradual revealing of one of the main participant's behaviour and what makes them act the way they do. In the end the whodunnit was the only let down but didn't ruin my enjoyment as the protagonists and their continuing storylines were very satisfying.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good cosy crime series and if you like to quilt so much the better.
Portia Paltrow and her fellow Crestwood Quilters are shocked by the death of an old friend and the disturbed atmosphere which seems to have gripped their small town. They know they have to try and discover what actually happened before their cherished community changes irretrievably for the worse.
I love these novels and thankfully the many errors in the previous book aren't repeated here. Unfortunately I worked out the who, why and how long before Po and her friends as it wasn't as original as the rest of the story. The characterisation however, saved the day, especially the gradual revealing of one of the main participant's behaviour and what makes them act the way they do. In the end the whodunnit was the only let down but didn't ruin my enjoyment as the protagonists and their continuing storylines were very satisfying.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good cosy crime series and if you like to quilt so much the better.
July 20, 2019
A Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery set in the college town of Crestwood, Kansas. Eight women meet regularly at the local textiles shop to quilt and visit. When a local resident is murdered, his sister returns to town and decides to open a B&B in the stately family home her brother had lived in. When the caretaker is then murdered, the garage at the house burned, and rumors flying regarding a possible murdered living in their midst, the quilters work to figure out what is going on in their formerly peaceful town.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for a review. This is the third book in the series and I haven't read the first two. I must admit to being very disappointed with this book. I LOVE this author's Seaside Knitters series. Love, love, love! However, this one doesn't capture the friendship of the group nearly as well as Knitters. There are too many main characters in the quilting group and it's difficult to keep them straight. Not enough detail of each one is given in order to get to know them, if reading this as a stand-alone. Also, about 80% of all the characters have a first or last name that starts with P or J. One is even named P.J. It was terribly confusing. The story didn't draw me in but the mystery was well structured and enough clues were given to solve before the ending. However, I wouldn't recommend reading this book by itself. Perhaps starting with the first in the series would be the way to go.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for a review. This is the third book in the series and I haven't read the first two. I must admit to being very disappointed with this book. I LOVE this author's Seaside Knitters series. Love, love, love! However, this one doesn't capture the friendship of the group nearly as well as Knitters. There are too many main characters in the quilting group and it's difficult to keep them straight. Not enough detail of each one is given in order to get to know them, if reading this as a stand-alone. Also, about 80% of all the characters have a first or last name that starts with P or J. One is even named P.J. It was terribly confusing. The story didn't draw me in but the mystery was well structured and enough clues were given to solve before the ending. However, I wouldn't recommend reading this book by itself. Perhaps starting with the first in the series would be the way to go.
February 19, 2023
I immediately picked up on the murder motive, but Sally Goldenbaum kept me guessing about who had actually done the evil deed. Even if I had figured it all out I would probably have still enjoyed this because I really like the characters and the setting. As I’ve said before, they are a fun little family of quilters, and I like how their family is growing, if not by adding more quilters.
"Though the group had begun as quilting companions, their lives had become as intricately intertwined as the strips of fabric they deftly fashioned into works of art.”
Oliver Harrington II, of all the people in Crestwood, did not deserve to die. His murder felt especially unjust because he did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t hurt anyone enough to remotely justify murdering him. I loved Sally Goldenbaum’s descriptions of the starry sky that Ollie loved so much, and I loved how Po’s heart was warmed by her memories of his fascination with the universe beyond our tiny planet. Po’s reflections on life are always so deep. I just wish she’d lock her doors and windows.
There were a few things about this book that didn’t sit well with me. The motive that I had already figured out I didn’t feel quite worked for the person who actually committed the murder. The reveal kind of came out of nowhere. It was also never explicitly explained how they pulled off the poisoning, or why they chose that method. I also don’t like how the cover of this book misleads you. The cat barely appears. Other than that, this was an enjoyable read.
"Though the group had begun as quilting companions, their lives had become as intricately intertwined as the strips of fabric they deftly fashioned into works of art.”
Oliver Harrington II, of all the people in Crestwood, did not deserve to die. His murder felt especially unjust because he did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t hurt anyone enough to remotely justify murdering him. I loved Sally Goldenbaum’s descriptions of the starry sky that Ollie loved so much, and I loved how Po’s heart was warmed by her memories of his fascination with the universe beyond our tiny planet. Po’s reflections on life are always so deep. I just wish she’d lock her doors and windows.
There were a few things about this book that didn’t sit well with me. The motive that I had already figured out I didn’t feel quite worked for the person who actually committed the murder. The reveal kind of came out of nowhere. It was also never explicitly explained how they pulled off the poisoning, or why they chose that method. I also don’t like how the cover of this book misleads you. The cat barely appears. Other than that, this was an enjoyable read.
June 18, 2019
A Bias for Murder by Sally Goldenbaum is the third book in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery Series.
Let me just say that I love, love, love this series. I have read all three and this series is a gem. It just keeps getting better and better.
The way Ms Goldenbaum has created a setting and set of characters that I have been able to invest in, is a testament to how great these books are.
We continue where we left off from the last novel with the shenanigans and daily lives of Po, Kate, PJ, Leah, Maggie, Selma, Susan, Max, Eleanor and Phoebe.
This time they end up investigating what they feel is a murder of a mutual friend, Ollie, and the plot continues to thicken with more twists and problems added on.
The chemistry and the likability of the crew sells the books. The murder/mystery components are always great, and yet again I thought I knew the culprit, but I was actually wrong. Great stuff.
I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Enthusiastic 5/5.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
Let me just say that I love, love, love this series. I have read all three and this series is a gem. It just keeps getting better and better.
The way Ms Goldenbaum has created a setting and set of characters that I have been able to invest in, is a testament to how great these books are.
We continue where we left off from the last novel with the shenanigans and daily lives of Po, Kate, PJ, Leah, Maggie, Selma, Susan, Max, Eleanor and Phoebe.
This time they end up investigating what they feel is a murder of a mutual friend, Ollie, and the plot continues to thicken with more twists and problems added on.
The chemistry and the likability of the crew sells the books. The murder/mystery components are always great, and yet again I thought I knew the culprit, but I was actually wrong. Great stuff.
I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Enthusiastic 5/5.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
July 23, 2019
Ollie Harrington gets up during the night to have tea, and then falls down the stairs on his way back to bed. His twin sister, Adele, comes to Crestwood and decides to use the large Harrington house as a bed and breakfast, and hires the Crestwood quilters to make quilts for all the rooms. She is having trouble getting to know people, seems to be rude, and there are rumors that she killed her brother, but the Crestwood quilters believe she is genuinely grieving. Soon thereafter, the old caretaker/gardener, Joe, who has been a friend and helper to Ollie is murdered. Then, Joes apartment over the garage is set on fire. There are several suspects, including Adele herself and Ollie's friend Halley, but Po and Katie and the other quilters don't believe either are capable of the killings.
This is an exciting book, with lots of suspense. As I have gotten to know the characters in previous books, I find the books even more fun to read. The plot is clever and the ending is a surprise.
This is an exciting book, with lots of suspense. As I have gotten to know the characters in previous books, I find the books even more fun to read. The plot is clever and the ending is a surprise.
August 6, 2019
I read the first book in this series and somehow missed that there was a second book released. It didn’t seem to matter, as I read this book, so it can be read fairly easily stand-alone.
I like that the plot is more important in this story than the introduction of characters which caused the first story to lag a bit in reading. In this book, the characters, while important, were certainly not the main part of the story.
A neighborhood man, who has social issues but is still beloved by all in the town, dies suddenly and unexpectedly. When his twin sister, Adele) comes to town to convert his fabulous home (which she has inherited) into a B&B, many in the town object.
Things start happening which appear to be done to drive her away, but Adele is adamant and will not back down. As more and more serious events occur, the Queen Bee Quilting group gets involved to try to figure out what is happening in their formerly peaceful town.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
I like that the plot is more important in this story than the introduction of characters which caused the first story to lag a bit in reading. In this book, the characters, while important, were certainly not the main part of the story.
A neighborhood man, who has social issues but is still beloved by all in the town, dies suddenly and unexpectedly. When his twin sister, Adele) comes to town to convert his fabulous home (which she has inherited) into a B&B, many in the town object.
Things start happening which appear to be done to drive her away, but Adele is adamant and will not back down. As more and more serious events occur, the Queen Bee Quilting group gets involved to try to figure out what is happening in their formerly peaceful town.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
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