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Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery #1
Quilt as Desired
Harriet Truman returns to Foggy Point thinking she’s just going to see to her aunt Beth’s customers while the lady takes a European cruise. Instead, she discovers she now owns both business and house, whether she wanted to or not. Still, she’s stuck until Aunt Beth comes home, and she does enjoy being a part of creating beautiful quilts. But then Avanell Jalbert, her aunt’s best friend, is murdered on the same night someone breaks into Harriet’s studio and trashes the place. Something is coming unravelled in Foggy Point, and Harriet is caught in the tangle. The question is, can she figure out what’s going on before she ends up dead herself.
236 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
74 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Arlene Sachitano
19 books52 followersArlene also teaches a group of creative women in the coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon how to make interesting things by wrapping string around two sticks. Supporting Arlene in her writing endeavors are her husband, children and her feline companion Lydia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 7, 2021
I'm not a quilter, but my 94 year old mom is. The cover caught my eye so I knew I had to read it. I didn't realize that this was book 1 in a series until I saw it on Amazon - am excited there are 11 more books to read! I would classify it as a cozy mystery with a quilting theme/romance. It didn't bother me that quilting techniques and materials were explained somewhat in detail as some reviewers complained about.
Harriet Truman returns to her childhood home in Foggy Point, Washington when her Aunt Beth asks her to take over the long arm quilting business she owns, because she's going on a cruise. Aunt Beth has an ulterior motive though. Harriet's husband died five years previously, and she had checked out of life in an angry and bitter state which she has been wallowing in. She is angry because her husband, his family, and friends didn't mention to her that he had a terminal hereditary illness. His death might have been prevented if he had told her and got the proper treatment. Aunt Beth is hoping this job she has for Harriet will get her involved in life again. Aunt Beth is also worried about her best friend Avanell Jalbert who owns the Vitamin Factory and whom she thinks looks worn down and is worrying about something.
After Aunt Beth leaves on vacation, Harriet finds out through a letter that Aunt Beth has deeded the business and Victorian house to her. Harriet hadn't planned on staying and wants to give it right back to Aunt Beth. As fate would have it, it is time for the Puget Sound Stitcher's Show held in Tacoma. Most members of the local quilting club known as Loose Threads, which meets in the fabric store named Pins and Needles, need their quilts quilted by Harriet for the show. After all the quilts are finished, Harriet becomes the quilt depot for the Tacoma show. Upon returning from a Chamber dinner, Harriet finds her studio has been vandalized and most of the quilts torn apart. Loose Threads members help her repair most of the quilts, but when Harriet stops by the Vitamin Factory to get Avanell's signature on an entry form, she finds her murdered. Later, Harriet is attacked in her studio and then, again, down by the docks. An employee has also gone missing from the factory. What is going on?
In the meantime two men are vying for Harriet's attention. One is Avanell's youngest son, Aiden, who is a handsome veterinarian with strange eyes and who is 10 years younger than Harriet. He has just returned from Africa, and Harriet has her doubts about him. Could he be the murderer? He is hotly pursuing her, and she is not amused but still finds him attractive. The other is Harold who is more of a stuffed shirt and doesn't stick around long after their dates which always involves delicious food. Harold works at the Vitamin Factory. And what's a book about quilts without a cat. Harriet's is named Fred - she talks out her problems with him and he listens patiently.
Harriet doesn't really investigate and solve the mystery. She happens to discover something in Avanell's prize-winning quilt that almost gets her killed. She deduces that this is what the killer has been looking for. If you enjoy food, there is a lot of it in this book. The characters are always eating in restaurants, at events, and at quilting meetings. It is all tantalizingly described. I hope the next book describes more of the personalities of the members of Loose Threads. Recommended reading.
Harriet Truman returns to her childhood home in Foggy Point, Washington when her Aunt Beth asks her to take over the long arm quilting business she owns, because she's going on a cruise. Aunt Beth has an ulterior motive though. Harriet's husband died five years previously, and she had checked out of life in an angry and bitter state which she has been wallowing in. She is angry because her husband, his family, and friends didn't mention to her that he had a terminal hereditary illness. His death might have been prevented if he had told her and got the proper treatment. Aunt Beth is hoping this job she has for Harriet will get her involved in life again. Aunt Beth is also worried about her best friend Avanell Jalbert who owns the Vitamin Factory and whom she thinks looks worn down and is worrying about something.
After Aunt Beth leaves on vacation, Harriet finds out through a letter that Aunt Beth has deeded the business and Victorian house to her. Harriet hadn't planned on staying and wants to give it right back to Aunt Beth. As fate would have it, it is time for the Puget Sound Stitcher's Show held in Tacoma. Most members of the local quilting club known as Loose Threads, which meets in the fabric store named Pins and Needles, need their quilts quilted by Harriet for the show. After all the quilts are finished, Harriet becomes the quilt depot for the Tacoma show. Upon returning from a Chamber dinner, Harriet finds her studio has been vandalized and most of the quilts torn apart. Loose Threads members help her repair most of the quilts, but when Harriet stops by the Vitamin Factory to get Avanell's signature on an entry form, she finds her murdered. Later, Harriet is attacked in her studio and then, again, down by the docks. An employee has also gone missing from the factory. What is going on?
In the meantime two men are vying for Harriet's attention. One is Avanell's youngest son, Aiden, who is a handsome veterinarian with strange eyes and who is 10 years younger than Harriet. He has just returned from Africa, and Harriet has her doubts about him. Could he be the murderer? He is hotly pursuing her, and she is not amused but still finds him attractive. The other is Harold who is more of a stuffed shirt and doesn't stick around long after their dates which always involves delicious food. Harold works at the Vitamin Factory. And what's a book about quilts without a cat. Harriet's is named Fred - she talks out her problems with him and he listens patiently.
Harriet doesn't really investigate and solve the mystery. She happens to discover something in Avanell's prize-winning quilt that almost gets her killed. She deduces that this is what the killer has been looking for. If you enjoy food, there is a lot of it in this book. The characters are always eating in restaurants, at events, and at quilting meetings. It is all tantalizingly described. I hope the next book describes more of the personalities of the members of Loose Threads. Recommended reading.
April 15, 2019
I met and interviewed the author at a book signing at the Road to California Quilters Conference and Showcase for a future article on Road's blog. I bought this book to do a review as part of the interview.
This book is the first of a 12 part (so far) series. I thought if the material is good enough to write 12 books, I should check out the first one to see why readers keep coming back for more. After reading it, I am wondering why readers have come back for more. The writing is like it came from a college writing assignment: too many adjectives, too little credit given to the reader; too contrived of a story. The names of the characters are all very old fashioned and were distracting. The story was hard to follow and the ending was hurried. I wanted to stop several times and give up but kept going because it was only 223 pages. I assume the other books got better over time as the author settled in to her characters and story lines.
This book is the first of a 12 part (so far) series. I thought if the material is good enough to write 12 books, I should check out the first one to see why readers keep coming back for more. After reading it, I am wondering why readers have come back for more. The writing is like it came from a college writing assignment: too many adjectives, too little credit given to the reader; too contrived of a story. The names of the characters are all very old fashioned and were distracting. The story was hard to follow and the ending was hurried. I wanted to stop several times and give up but kept going because it was only 223 pages. I assume the other books got better over time as the author settled in to her characters and story lines.
November 5, 2023
Picked this up at a textile museum/workshop in Tillamook after a trip through the cheese factory. It was written by one of the local quilters and well, it wasn’t an unedited mess like many self-published books. And the story was a little interesting, especially for quilters, but the situations the protagonist found herself into and then out of were simply ludicrous. A middle-aged stay-at-home loner suddenly becomes an Arnold or Liam action figure, magically recovering from multiple attacks in hours and able to resume magically finishing quilting projects in minutes, not to mention driving all over the state of Washington in moments. Suspension of disbelief can only do so much in the face of this ridiculousness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2018
I read this on the kindle
This comes under the cosy mystery umbrella, in this i wouldn't say that Harriet or friends investgate the murder of her aunt's best friend
This has lots of Quilting terms which is explained if you are not a quilter, i enjoyed this book which is the 1st in a series of books
Harriet is given the home & long-arm business by her aunt, she is attack & her business in several different ones quilts are destroyed
I won't say too much don't want to spoil it for you, but while i was bouncing between a few people then down to two didn't expect the reason for all what happen
if you want a good read which is an easy read then you should enjoy this
This comes under the cosy mystery umbrella, in this i wouldn't say that Harriet or friends investgate the murder of her aunt's best friend
This has lots of Quilting terms which is explained if you are not a quilter, i enjoyed this book which is the 1st in a series of books
Harriet is given the home & long-arm business by her aunt, she is attack & her business in several different ones quilts are destroyed
I won't say too much don't want to spoil it for you, but while i was bouncing between a few people then down to two didn't expect the reason for all what happen
if you want a good read which is an easy read then you should enjoy this
January 18, 2017
This is the first book in a murder mystery series where the protagonist is long-arm quilter. I read the latest one first, so I already knew "who done it", but it was nice to go back to the beginning and find out how Harriet ended up in Foggy Point, WA, and how her long-arm quilting business came about. It was also nice to be introduced to all the characters that became regulars in the later books. Good mystery.
January 29, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I picked up at Road to California. One issue I have is the author spends to much time explaining quilt processes and materials. People who quilt already know these things, people who don't just want to get on with the book. Limit those explanations! I do like the character and the setting a lot. There is a bit of humor and only one major editorial mistake toward the end of the book when a paragraph is repeated.
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January 12, 2020Poorly written "cozy" mystery. While the actual story line was passable, most junior-highers probably could have done a better writing job than this. Among other things, the author's method of defining quilting terms / techniques was very clumsy, and did nothing except interrupt the story line. This is the first book in a several-book series, but I doubt that I will bother to read more of the series.
July 29, 2021
Harriet moves back to live with her aunt and help in her quilting shop. She has been hiding from life since her husband died and finds that her aunt has left the shop to her and is leaving on vacation. Harriet isn’t happy about this and even more unhappy when the quilts for the quilt show start being ruined. She also has 3 ‘accidents’ and is worried about her own life. This book would’ve been better with a few pictures of the quilts and patterns for those of us who don’t quilt.
May 18, 2022
Cozy mystery with breaking and entering and even murder in a small town. Harriet Trueman comes to town to help out her Aunt while she goes on a cruise. Little does she know that her Aunt has given her the long arm quilting business and house so that she can start a new life after her husbands death. Little does she realize the criminal activity that envelops this small town and her Aunt’s best friend.
June 30, 2017
I love the characters. I like how the Loose Threads are such close friends and are always there for each other. It makes you want to be a part of their group! Of course, the solving of mysteries always makes a good read, along with the quilting tips. I highly recommend these books, especially if you are a quilter. I am up to book #9.
February 24, 2018
The most fun I've had in a book for a long time. I know I'm coming late to the series, but I now look forward to more. Nice (and not so nice) characters in a sweet (and not so sweet) small town. I'm not a quilter, but the quilting references were fascinating just the same. Lots of pretty colors. And a cat.
February 26, 2018
Almost Perfect!
If you’re a quilter and enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll love this book. Apart from a briefly confusing duplication of chapter eleven (which apparently escaped the proofreader’s eye—hence 4 stars), the story abounds with engaging characters, appealing details, and intriguing plot twists. Looking forward to Harriet’s next adventure!
If you’re a quilter and enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll love this book. Apart from a briefly confusing duplication of chapter eleven (which apparently escaped the proofreader’s eye—hence 4 stars), the story abounds with engaging characters, appealing details, and intriguing plot twists. Looking forward to Harriet’s next adventure!
October 18, 2018
Tricked by her aunt into rejoining the living after her husband dies Harriet returns to her childhood home to take over her aunt's business while she goes on vacation. Strange things start happening and Harriet has a decision has to be made before she ends up dead. Enjoyable read and for once I didn't figure out the ending before I actually read it.
June 25, 2025
This book is very much in need of editing. Errors include using the wrong word (ie flower instead of flour) and words in the middle of a sentence that are not related to the sentence and the sentence structure is often like that of a young child . I will try the 2nd book in the series hoping it is better. Perhaps the problems with the first in the series were a fluke.
October 3, 2018
A solid mystery with small town charm. A few too many characters that had no significant purpose, but otherwise, clean, solvable and fun! I would have liked a little more explanation of the crime process and motive, but I can live with it.
December 4, 2018
A bit slow through most of the book. In the ebook edition I bought, Chapter 11 was duplicated. At least one character name changed a couple of times before settling down. A lot of scenes did not seem to move the story forward. An okay read with evening tea.
January 15, 2020
I bought this book in Houston at the Quilt Convention where I met the author. I found it ok but felt the writing was correct grammatically but lacked something. It was readable but I didn't connect with the characters or the storyline.
August 5, 2020
Fantastic
I loved this book. It was a fun read with lots of quilt blocks to look up. Also murder most fowl and a dash of romance. But a question still left unanswered, what about Harold? So much fun, can't wait to read the next one.
I loved this book. It was a fun read with lots of quilt blocks to look up. Also murder most fowl and a dash of romance. But a question still left unanswered, what about Harold? So much fun, can't wait to read the next one.
February 23, 2022
sometimes a quilt is more than just a blanket.
I loved meeting the characters is this book. They are sassy, sweet and a bit salty at times. I loved the fact that many of the quilters do their work by hand.
I loved meeting the characters is this book. They are sassy, sweet and a bit salty at times. I loved the fact that many of the quilters do their work by hand.
October 6, 2022
Details, details, details
Yep, too many details on everything. This is definitely a quilter's book. Aside from those details.... There were too many food details. This could easily be a short story but with the excessive details it just became too wordy.
Yep, too many details on everything. This is definitely a quilter's book. Aside from those details.... There were too many food details. This could easily be a short story but with the excessive details it just became too wordy.
November 4, 2017
Entertaining and lots of quilting tips in the story.
May 21, 2018
A fun light read. Not great literature, but enjoyable.
November 3, 2018
Nice easy fiction of romance, quilting culture and a small Washington town. A moment of rest to not-think.
December 20, 2018
THIS IS ANOTHER FUN QUILTING MURDER MYSTERY. I WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SERIES. IT IS JUST FUN TO READ. THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS BOOK, JUST FUN
January 18, 2019
Really enjoyed it. Love the characters!
Read
November 5, 2019 I'm a quilter so I enjoyed reading about this easy read. I loved the characters and the setting and finished it in a day.
January 27, 2020
Liked it
I liked it a lot. The characters and plot were great and I didn't know till the end who the bad guy actually was and that it was a guy.
I liked it a lot. The characters and plot were great and I didn't know till the end who the bad guy actually was and that it was a guy.
July 5, 2021
Great read
February 8, 2022
Light, easy reading. Lots of quilting references, which I enjoy. First in a series, and I will be reading the rest.
November 2, 2022
Page turner
Wow, Any quilted will love this.
Woke up at night just to read.
I actually brought my kindle to the dinner table ( that's a big No No). For the finish.
Wow, Any quilted will love this.
Woke up at night just to read.
I actually brought my kindle to the dinner table ( that's a big No No). For the finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews