The Quilt Before the Storm

Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery #5

by Arlene Sachitano

A storm is bearing down on Foggy Point, Washington, promising strong winds, flooding and power outages. Harriet Truman and the Loose Threads quilt group are sewing flannel rag quilts and making plastic tarps from grocery bags for the denizens of a local homeless camp.

Then one of the homeless men is strangled, and a few days later a second man is also murdered. Were they victims of a serial killer, or of someone closer to home?

With the detectives of the Foggy Point Police department trapped on the wrong side of a rock slide that isolates the community, and dead bodies at the homeless camp, it's up to Harriet and the Threads to figure out who is killing people and why-before they become the next victims.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2012

About the author

Arlene 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.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big storm hits Foggy Point and the town is without power. The loose threads are making plastic quilts for the homeless camp. One of the homeless men is murdered and Harriet gets involved in figuring out who did it.

[Heather Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A threatening storm becomes an isolating storm, bringing the Loose Threads quilting group mostly under the roof of protagonist Harriet Truman. This cozy mystery involves all the Threads, plus a local restaurateur who whips up meals on a cooktop that left my mouth open. In fact, there are a host of talented bakers in Foggy Point, and they're all turning out delicious treats throughout the book. If the Loose Threads keep eating and hanging out around wood fires while quilting or reading much more, they will have to start using all the material around them to make bigger clothes. I've never seen so many women consume so many cookies, pies, pastries, brownies, tortillas, Mexican meals, beef stew and everything else while all the power but gas is turned off, in my life. And while all this is going on, people are dying down at the homeless camp, and Harriet is withholding vital clues from the detectives so she can investigate the crimes herself. When the lead detective finds out, it's a wonder she doesn't confine Harriet to the jail with bread and water, but she's a jovial sort, and forgives the enthusiasm of Harriet and the Loose Threads. A true cozy. I was rooting for Tom all the way, but Harriet is in love with a young and very immature veterinarian, Aiden, who allows his horrible sister to warp his mind to such a degree, he breaks things off with Harriet, who wants to intervene on his sad behalf. I wanted her to realize a man who needs that much intervention from not only Harriet but her merry band of quilters is not a man who can be relied on in any crisis, and Harriet seems to be a magnet for these types of situations. It's a very good thing that she's the forgiving sort who sets the bar very low for her boyfriend. I wonder whether I'm alone in feeling this way, or whether Harriet will have second thoughts in the next book?

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Quilt Before the Storm by Arlene Sachitano is book 5 of her cozy mystery series set in present-day Washington state. Harriet Truman and her quilter friends, the Loose Threads, know a huge storm is coming. They're concerned for the well-being of the homeless people living in the city park. Together they finish up quilts and bring them to the homeless, to provide comfort and warmth.

They don't expect the homeless site to be a crime scene! One of the regulars has been murdered. As the storm worsens, they try to get police help. But police are trapped out-of-town by a landslide. Harriet foolishly and dangerously invites strangers she just met to her home, telling them she lives alone, and she'll be up quilting. They just might be the serial killers wanted statewide.

The storm continues wreaking damage, downing power lines and trees, flooding. Harriet and her friends rescue Marjory's quilt shop supplies, moving them from basement to attic. They shelter at Harriet's house, but continually drive around to/from the homeless site, the veterinarian/boyfriend Aiden, a church that is providing shelter. The excessive amount of driving to and fro obscures the plot. Harriet is the ultimate busybody, trying to solve all the mysteries:
- who killed Duane at the homeless park?
- who are Owen and Kate, and why are they at the homeless park?
- how is Michelle cheating Aiden again, and why is it working?
- why did Marjory's sister and brother-in-law get Marjory arrested?
- who killed Richard?
- are the deaths and visitors linked?

One particularly annoying member of Loose Threads is Lauren. Tremendously self-centered, sarcastic, and outspoken, she carries her dog inside her clothing (a habit mentioned way too much).

[Judy Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This story had a little more drama and murder than before. Besides a storm there are homeless people that have to be cared for, then greedy relatives wanting more than their share. A very good read.

[Diane Cadei · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about good friends who are there for each other in good times and bad. They not only look out for each other they look out for their small community. I'd read another one.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such entertaining books. I love this series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series gets better and better. Really great mystery with the fallout from the storm to add tension

[Dorothy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the series of the Loose Threads Quilt Group. I love these little quilting murder mysteries. They "take me away" to a great town with wonderful friends.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Sharon W. Cordray · Rating 5 out of 5]

cheers for the loose threads.

A great story keeping the reader interested right up to the very end. It amazes me how resourceful the threads can be.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another light read with fun quilting references throughout.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one that grows on you with each additional volume. I'm fond of main character, Harriet Truman and likewise becoming less in favor with associate/friend/fellow quilter, Lauren. Don't get me started on Aidan, Harriet's boyfriend, is really out of favor with me...read the book and let me know your opinion on these characters.

Meanwhile...there is a monster storm hitting the Pacific Northwest. The town of Foggy Point, Washington is gearing up for floods and more. Harriet and her quilting group are trying to make homeless camp tent tarps (very clever idea,) in time to aid the homeless. They also quilted bed quilts to try and keep the inhabitants warm. As they visit the camp, Harriet and friends begin to relate in a different way to the members living there.

Suddenly the storm takes an even worse course and causes a land slide shutting off the bridge. The main portion of the Foggy Point police are taking a seminar on the other side of the bridge and are stuck when a killer hits...a homeless man is murdered at the camp.

Asking, but not asking for help, Detective Morse finds herself dependent on Harriet etc. to find out information and background of the suspects in Foggy Point.

This book cleverly made the central location at Harriet's house. This kept all the characters central and also let us readers know where each was. The ending was strong and kept me interested all the way through.

Yes, this series has definitely grown on me. I love it!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I had a horrible sinus headache and sat down and read this off and on today. I couldn't focus very well with the beginning so I really just skimmed through the first hundred and something pages. It was reintroducing characters and adding new ones and setting up the plot for us as well as refreshing readers about the back history of the series.

The story begins with a storm coming and everyone getting ready. members of the loose threads are taking quilts to the homeless at the local state park where they have set up their "homes".

One of the quilting group members, Marjory, has to leave town and has a sister coming to town (who she and her family are not really welcome). Marjory gets stuck out of town and her family in town due to a bridge being flooded from the storm. Several other people are also stuck, in and out of town, including detectives and police.

As Harriet stumbles across another dead person she is once again entangled in solving a murder that quickly becomes two murders.

Her love interest Aiden is suddenly not talking to her and another man from a previous novel shows up in town working with the homeless and tells her he is very interested in her but is willing to wait for her to decide. They spend more time together and she and Aiden less.

I think the last half of this novel has been my favorite so far. The whole series is great and I think just keeps getting better!!!

Happy reading!!!

[Deon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in Arlene’s entertaining quilting mystery series is The Quilt Before The Storm. Foggy Point is in the path of a fierce storm. Harriet and the Loose Threads quilting group are busy making plastic tarps and sewing flannel rag quilts for the homeless people destined to bear the brunt of the storm. But the homeless are vulnerable to more than the wild wind and floods, the evil among men is a greater threat. Someone has started killing people in the homeless camp and the local police are stranded by a rock slide. Harriet and the Loose Threads will have to catch the killer. The books are full of quilting detail and warm, likeable characters.

[Marina Sinelnikova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is very interesting, but I am getting more and more annoyed with Harriet and her lack of common sense. When she lied to her friends about what Detective Morse told her on the phone, I almost stopped reading. I'm glad I kept on, though. Also, I like Lauren Sawyer - she is funny and interesting and I like how she works on her friendship with Harriet and how she worries about Sarah - I hope we will find out what's going on with Sarah soon.

[Kathy England · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth mystery in the Loose Threads mystery series. A winter storm in Foggy Point downs trees and cuts the power. A homeless tent community is involved in this murder mystery.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes indeed, a good read

Another enjoyable installment in the Harriet Truman series. If you like quilts and tea with a large portion of mystery this is a great series. The only quilt related series I like more is Elm Creek Quilts.

[Karen Armbruster]

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[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keep getting better! On to the next book!