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A Quilting Mystery #1
Wild Goose Chase
A computer techie by trade, Dewey Pellicano would rather swallow needles than be pinned down to a life of quilting. But when her mother passes away, Dewey must exchange code for calico as the new proprietress of Quilter Paradiso.
Between learning the business and dealing with a conniving employee who is also her sister-in-law, Dewey is ready to snap. During a national quilt show, quilting celebrity Claire Armstrong offers to buy the shop. But before Dewey can accept, she finds the famous quilter lying dead on the floor--a bloody rotary cutter at her side.
When hunky homicide detective Buster Healy enters the scene, romance flourishes... until another murder takes place. Can Dewey thread together the pieces to this murderous pattern before the killer strikes again?
Wild Goose Chase is the first book in the Quilting Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Dewey Pellicano.
Between learning the business and dealing with a conniving employee who is also her sister-in-law, Dewey is ready to snap. During a national quilt show, quilting celebrity Claire Armstrong offers to buy the shop. But before Dewey can accept, she finds the famous quilter lying dead on the floor--a bloody rotary cutter at her side.
When hunky homicide detective Buster Healy enters the scene, romance flourishes... until another murder takes place. Can Dewey thread together the pieces to this murderous pattern before the killer strikes again?
Wild Goose Chase is the first book in the Quilting Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Dewey Pellicano.
301 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
90 people are currently reading
1390 people want to read
About the author
Terri Thayer
8 books144 followersI am the author of seven mysteries. Four quilting mysteries: WILD GOOSE CHASE, OLD MAID'S PUZZLE, OCEAN WAVES, MONKEY WRENCH.
I am a quilter, have been for more than 20 years. I love fabric and reading and writing mysteries.
I am a quilter, have been for more than 20 years. I love fabric and reading and writing mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
June 10, 2025
i only read it for a prompt for a summer reading challenge & didn’t really enjoy any of it😭 my sister picked it out and i committed to finishing it but i can definitely guarantee that cozy mysteries are not for me anymore🫠 the “romance” was annoying, the characters had no depth and the murderer was predictable. i do not recommend this at all!
April 14, 2012
For those of you who think you have to be a quilter to appreciate it, you're wrong. I don't quilt and had trouble putting it down.
4 stars because: 1) Some strong characterization. a) A sympathetic protagonist, who is out of her element and trying to adjust. However, she was a little too clueless at times. b) An annoying sister-in-law, who is important to the tension in the story. It was not necessary for the story line, but I would like to hear more of her story. c) Quirky peripheral characters who are humorous, aggravating, and/or endearing. 2) Good writing with realistic conversations and smooth plot development with a story line that didn’t sit still.
Only 4 stars because: 1) Some weak characterization. a) The love interest got stupid in his cop mode. He refused evidence that was important to the case because of how it was introduced. I hope that doesn’t continue in sequels. It would be hazardous to the relationship. b) The antagonist was too benign. We needed to dislike her. 2) There were two sex scenes. It got a little steamy but was not overly explicit, which I appreciated. You can give a strong sense of attraction without the sex. 3) Two instances of moderately colorful language that did not help the story.
It was a light, easy read and I really enjoyed it. I definitely want to continue in this series.
4 stars because: 1) Some strong characterization. a) A sympathetic protagonist, who is out of her element and trying to adjust. However, she was a little too clueless at times. b) An annoying sister-in-law, who is important to the tension in the story. It was not necessary for the story line, but I would like to hear more of her story. c) Quirky peripheral characters who are humorous, aggravating, and/or endearing. 2) Good writing with realistic conversations and smooth plot development with a story line that didn’t sit still.
Only 4 stars because: 1) Some weak characterization. a) The love interest got stupid in his cop mode. He refused evidence that was important to the case because of how it was introduced. I hope that doesn’t continue in sequels. It would be hazardous to the relationship. b) The antagonist was too benign. We needed to dislike her. 2) There were two sex scenes. It got a little steamy but was not overly explicit, which I appreciated. You can give a strong sense of attraction without the sex. 3) Two instances of moderately colorful language that did not help the story.
It was a light, easy read and I really enjoyed it. I definitely want to continue in this series.
August 20, 2012
There were quite a few things that I didn't like about this book. It drove me crazy - and I almost threw the book away - the way the main character allowed people to bully her around. Her sister-in-law mostly. I prefer my heroines to have a spine, thanks. I also found the true antagonism of the Sergeant towards Dewey to be not only over-the-top, but unjustifiable and completely unbelievable. Also, less angst in my cozies please.
The things I did like: I liked the quilting background, the secondary characters not acting like melodramatic asses were likeable, individual and added to the overall feel of the story. I liked the dynamic between Dewey and Buster quite a bit - it was, in fact, the only time I really liked the heroine. Dewey has potential to be a likeable main character if she grows a spine and allows the snark she shares with Buster to wash over her other relationships as well (imo).
I guessed the murderer rather early - to me there really wasn't anyone else in the running.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next in the series - I have a feeling now that we're over most of the mom-just-died family dysfunction, a lot of the things that grated on my enjoyment might not be constant themes, but I'll just have to put some time between myself and this book before deciding on whether to give the next one a go.
The things I did like: I liked the quilting background, the secondary characters not acting like melodramatic asses were likeable, individual and added to the overall feel of the story. I liked the dynamic between Dewey and Buster quite a bit - it was, in fact, the only time I really liked the heroine. Dewey has potential to be a likeable main character if she grows a spine and allows the snark she shares with Buster to wash over her other relationships as well (imo).
I guessed the murderer rather early - to me there really wasn't anyone else in the running.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next in the series - I have a feeling now that we're over most of the mom-just-died family dysfunction, a lot of the things that grated on my enjoyment might not be constant themes, but I'll just have to put some time between myself and this book before deciding on whether to give the next one a go.
August 4, 2010
Of course, I love quilting and all things fabric, so this book was on my list. The author states, "I wrote the book I couldn't find." She was right - I have not found this kind of book either in the quilting/fabric/mystery genre. The heroine's mother, who was recently and unexpectedly killed by a drunk driver was a quilter and owned a fabric shop. The heroine is caught between the unreleting grief she feels for her mother, the selfish rantings of her sister-in-law who works in the shop, her own feelings of isolation as her family deals with mom's death in their own ways and now the romantic tug of war with the local cop - her family's best friend. Oh did I mention this was a quilt story? Oh yes, it is all set in the middle of a quilting convention, a fashion show, with two murders and a blackmailing diva. A fascinating combination. This book reminded me why I quilt and why I love fabric and why I love my mother so much. The ending was frightening, exciting and touching. I cried, but couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Love it!
April 14, 2019
Dewey Pellicano has no desire to quilt or run a quilt store, but she is left to take care of her mother’s business after the woman’s unexpected death. She now finds herself the owner of Quilter Paradiso and a vendor at a national quilt show.
Unfortunately for Dewey, she has an employee who resents the new owner. That employee, her sister-in-law Kym, is also out to sabotage the changes Dewey is making in the inventory and sales system. When a celebrity quilter approaches Dewey to purchase the store it is an offer she does not want to refuse. Before the deal can be made the prospective buyer, Claire Armstrong, is found dead in the hotel room of an apparent accident with a rotary cutter.
Detective Benjamin Healy and his partner begin to question witnesses, including his best friend’s sister, Dewey. When a second death, an obvious murder, takes place at the show he is torn between romance and investigating. Dewey feels she is a suspect and decides to do a bit of investigating on her own.
This is the first book in A Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer. As I read through the first chapter I found myself a bit confused with characters and what was happening. I wasn’t picturing what was happening at ll. By the third chapter I was settled in and engaged in the story. The plot of this story moves at a nice pace. The underlying tension between Dewey and her sister-in-law is palpable. There is room for more character development, but you do get a sense of who these people are and what drives them. The setting was interesting. Though it centered around a quilt shoe it reminded of a rubber stamp convention I attended with my best friend. I think crafters are the same, no matter the medium. I am not sure if I will read the next book. I did like this book, but I don’t feel a connection to the characters. I am considering reading the next book in the series to see if I like it more now that I am familiar with the main characters. I was also left with the feeling that this was a bit more graphic than your typical cozy mystery. Though I liked the book, I’m not sure I can recommend it. If you like quilt mysteries, this may be for you.
Unfortunately for Dewey, she has an employee who resents the new owner. That employee, her sister-in-law Kym, is also out to sabotage the changes Dewey is making in the inventory and sales system. When a celebrity quilter approaches Dewey to purchase the store it is an offer she does not want to refuse. Before the deal can be made the prospective buyer, Claire Armstrong, is found dead in the hotel room of an apparent accident with a rotary cutter.
Detective Benjamin Healy and his partner begin to question witnesses, including his best friend’s sister, Dewey. When a second death, an obvious murder, takes place at the show he is torn between romance and investigating. Dewey feels she is a suspect and decides to do a bit of investigating on her own.
This is the first book in A Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer. As I read through the first chapter I found myself a bit confused with characters and what was happening. I wasn’t picturing what was happening at ll. By the third chapter I was settled in and engaged in the story. The plot of this story moves at a nice pace. The underlying tension between Dewey and her sister-in-law is palpable. There is room for more character development, but you do get a sense of who these people are and what drives them. The setting was interesting. Though it centered around a quilt shoe it reminded of a rubber stamp convention I attended with my best friend. I think crafters are the same, no matter the medium. I am not sure if I will read the next book. I did like this book, but I don’t feel a connection to the characters. I am considering reading the next book in the series to see if I like it more now that I am familiar with the main characters. I was also left with the feeling that this was a bit more graphic than your typical cozy mystery. Though I liked the book, I’m not sure I can recommend it. If you like quilt mysteries, this may be for you.
January 13, 2021
Wild Goose Chase
This was a great storyline. Dewey lost her mother in a drunk driver accident. Her mother left her the quilting shop. During a quilting show, several murders occurred and Dewey was either finding the bodies or the first to notice one. Dewey and the detective Buster a childhood friend become an item. Trouble continues to follow Dewey as she learns the truth about her mother’s death. Very good read.
This was a great storyline. Dewey lost her mother in a drunk driver accident. Her mother left her the quilting shop. During a quilting show, several murders occurred and Dewey was either finding the bodies or the first to notice one. Dewey and the detective Buster a childhood friend become an item. Trouble continues to follow Dewey as she learns the truth about her mother’s death. Very good read.
January 11, 2015
Wild Goose Chase is the first is Terri Thayer's quilt mystery series. This is a book that has been sitting on my bookshelves for ages along with book two and three. Time to immerse myself in the fun of quilting, fat quarters, rotary cutters and murder. Being a quilter makes this book all the more fun to read.
Dewey Pellicano inherits her mother's quilt shop after her mother dies in a hit and run accident. It is the first time the shop Quilter Paradiso is setting up a stand at the state quilt extravaganza without Dewey's much loved mother. Dewey has taken over and is trying to install a new computerized sales systems while her sister in law Kym is trying to thwart it in all directions. Famed quilter Claire Armstrong offers to buy the shop from Dewey insisting she was already buying it from her mother. But when Dewey discovers Claire's dead body from an accident with a rotary cutter, she is stunned and wondering what to do next. When a second murder takes place, it is obvious that Claire's accident was not that at all and Dewey tries to piece together the puzzle of just who is at this quilt show with deadly intent before another body turns up.
As with most of the cozy mysteries I read, I have trouble writing a review as I really would not want to give away any of the hints of the book. Dewey is a likable new sleuth. If you are a quilter like me, you will love this book. Even if you don't quilt yourself, it is a great start to a new cozy mystery series.
Dewey Pellicano inherits her mother's quilt shop after her mother dies in a hit and run accident. It is the first time the shop Quilter Paradiso is setting up a stand at the state quilt extravaganza without Dewey's much loved mother. Dewey has taken over and is trying to install a new computerized sales systems while her sister in law Kym is trying to thwart it in all directions. Famed quilter Claire Armstrong offers to buy the shop from Dewey insisting she was already buying it from her mother. But when Dewey discovers Claire's dead body from an accident with a rotary cutter, she is stunned and wondering what to do next. When a second murder takes place, it is obvious that Claire's accident was not that at all and Dewey tries to piece together the puzzle of just who is at this quilt show with deadly intent before another body turns up.
As with most of the cozy mysteries I read, I have trouble writing a review as I really would not want to give away any of the hints of the book. Dewey is a likable new sleuth. If you are a quilter like me, you will love this book. Even if you don't quilt yourself, it is a great start to a new cozy mystery series.
February 20, 2018
Predictable. Too much sex for me. I didn’t really care for the main character.
May 20, 2018
You never know quite what to.expect when you pick up a book by an author you have never read.......I finished this and immediately requested the next 3.books in the series.
August 29, 2018
Cute light read!
July 15, 2021
This is definitely a book that you can't judge by it's cover. I had really high hopes and was very disappointed. Granted it did have more to do with quilting than some series masquerading with quilts on the cover but having little to do with quilting.
My problem is that I hold cozies to a different standard than some other types of light fiction. I don't expect there to be foul language or sex scenes and this had both. I also prefer to have a main character who is likeable and not constantly making poor life choices that she regrets almost as soon as the deed is done, but still makes more of the same choices. I also didn't find any likable side characters.
As a mystery, I guessed the murderer right away.
I won't be continuing the series despite the fact that I already own book two.
My problem is that I hold cozies to a different standard than some other types of light fiction. I don't expect there to be foul language or sex scenes and this had both. I also prefer to have a main character who is likeable and not constantly making poor life choices that she regrets almost as soon as the deed is done, but still makes more of the same choices. I also didn't find any likable side characters.
As a mystery, I guessed the murderer right away.
I won't be continuing the series despite the fact that I already own book two.
March 6, 2024
Dewey's mother passed in a car accident and she has moved back home to take over Quilter Paradiso, her mother's quilt shop. They are at a quilt show when the Star of the show, Claire is murdered. Dewey is in over her head. Between her evil sister in law, a detective who is sure Dewey is guilty (rotary cutter next to the body) and her old friend Buster, who is also a homicide detective on the case (and has the hots for her), Dewey needs to figure out "whodunit".
The plot was interesting....especially if you are into quilting. I liked how descriptive the author is with the family interactions and the quilting convention attendees.
The plot was interesting....especially if you are into quilting. I liked how descriptive the author is with the family interactions and the quilting convention attendees.
February 5, 2019
A cozy whodunit with a the required dead bodies, set at a Quilt Extravaganza in California. A quick read, with some lust, jealousy and grief in the mix. I like to quilt, so I liked the setting and the story was OK. I read it for a challenge where the task was "a book which involves a hobby". My hobby is quilting. I might read another in the series when I need/ want a break from more literary fiction.
August 17, 2017
This is an interesting story for those who enjoy quilting and reading cozy mysteries. The characters are colorful and the setting is California. The mystery is cleverly written and keeps the reader guessing who did what. This ending lets the reader know that there will be more tales in this series. copy right 2008
June 20, 2018
Fast paced, easy reading quilting novel.
Being a quilter, I never thought about how there might be such jealousy of another that would lead to theft, murder, intrigue. The characters are easy to visualize, and the positive way the heroine acknowledges and eventually deals with her grief is like real life.
Being a quilter, I never thought about how there might be such jealousy of another that would lead to theft, murder, intrigue. The characters are easy to visualize, and the positive way the heroine acknowledges and eventually deals with her grief is like real life.
January 21, 2019
Great book. I loved the characters and the quilting theme. Computer whiz thrown into an unfamiliar crafting world after her mother's untimely death. Dealing with an annoying sister-in-law who thinks she knows everything and an old childhood friend. And of course a couple of murders thrown in to keep it interesting.
In fact I liked it so much I bought the rest of the series. I am now onto the 2nd one, Old Maid's Puzzle.
In fact I liked it so much I bought the rest of the series. I am now onto the 2nd one, Old Maid's Puzzle.
September 4, 2020
I’ve been in the mood for cozy mysteries lately. Wild Goose Chase fit the bill. Thayer’s debut of the Quilting Mystery series was a fun romp. There were occasional odd jumps or rough patches in the story line and narrative, but I overlooked them because I enjoyed the characters and the quilting sub-theme. My mom was a serious quilter so in many ways this story tugged at my heartstrings. It is fitting I finished it on y 60th birthday. I’ll be reading on in the series.
November 14, 2024
DNF around 115 pages. A few things got on my nerves that led to me DNFing.
1. Pretty explicit sexual scenes.
2. A fair amount of cursing.
3. Very flat, cookie cutter characters. I almost felt bad for the sister-in-law and wanted to hear her side of the story because she was demonized so much.
1. Pretty explicit sexual scenes.
2. A fair amount of cursing.
3. Very flat, cookie cutter characters. I almost felt bad for the sister-in-law and wanted to hear her side of the story because she was demonized so much.
September 3, 2022
This was a cute, fast-paced mystery. I really enjoyed the quilting aspect even though I don’t have any personal knowledge of quilting.
Sometimes mysteries are easily predictable and this was sort of the case for Wild Goose Chase. My guesses for the culprit were either Kym or Myra (especially after Myra announced that she was creating her own quilting brand). Overall, this book was good but not great. It was also quite unrealistic.
Sometimes mysteries are easily predictable and this was sort of the case for Wild Goose Chase. My guesses for the culprit were either Kym or Myra (especially after Myra announced that she was creating her own quilting brand). Overall, this book was good but not great. It was also quite unrealistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2017
With my first love being reading and quilting, I loved this book.
September 14, 2017
Kindle
September 21, 2018
Loved the new series and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Fast read and enjoyable story line
July 7, 2019
If you love quilting and mysteries then you will love this book.
November 18, 2019
Very good! Loved the quilting theme!
April 30, 2021
Fun read.
May 21, 2021
3.5 rounded to 4
October 22, 2021
Awesome, cozy read
September 18, 2022
Excellent read!!
September 12, 2023
I am absolutely surprised! I loved this cozy mystery centered around a quilting convention, wow 😮 who am I? This is so outside of something I know anything about! Great read!
October 16, 2023
Easy Read
Fun easy read - especially if you are a quilter or some kind of maker. Also covered how working together and friendships.
Fun easy read - especially if you are a quilter or some kind of maker. Also covered how working together and friendships.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews