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Someday Quilts Mysteries #4.5
Cathedral Windows
Christmas is just around the corner in the Hudson Valley. Nell and her friends at the Someday Quilts shop should be making eggnog and finishing up the stitching on their last homemade gifts, but when an arsonist strikes and a beloved teacher becomes a suspect, the ladies rally behind him to clear his good name. Will they succeed in time for him to spend Christmas among loved ones or will this be a chilly winter for the town of Archers Rest?
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2012
About the author
Clare O'Donohue
16 books132 followersClare O'Donohue was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of four children. Her parents, John and Sabina O'Donohue, were both born in Ireland. They met in London and moved to the US and settled on Chicago's South Side where she was raised.
She always knew she wanted to be a writer and in fact wrote her first novel when she was 15. It was a mystery. After college she worked as a newspaper reporter and writing teacher before moving to LA and getting her first job in television. That was on the HGTV show, Simply Quilts. she had already been quilting for about five years, which was why the producer hired her, but she really got an education in quilting from that show.
http://clareodonohue.com/feed/
She always knew she wanted to be a writer and in fact wrote her first novel when she was 15. It was a mystery. After college she worked as a newspaper reporter and writing teacher before moving to LA and getting her first job in television. That was on the HGTV show, Simply Quilts. she had already been quilting for about five years, which was why the producer hired her, but she really got an education in quilting from that show.
http://clareodonohue.com/feed/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 31, 2013
It’s Christmas time in the small town of Archer’s Rest in Hudson Valley. The town is busily preparing for the holiday festivities when tragedy strikes.
When a beloved teacher is accused of burning down his family home, Nell Fitzgerald is the only one in town who believes in his innocence and she’s determined to prove it. With the help of her friends at her grandmother’s shop, Someday Quilts, Nell starts her own investigation.
This is a novella from Clare O’Donohue’s Someday Quilts Mystery series. There are four books in the series before this one. I didn’t read any of them and this novella was my introduction to the books. I very much dislike beginning a series in the middle but that’s been happening more often than not since I’ve been reviewing books. I’m quickly learning, that it doesn’t really matter – at least not with all series. Some you definitely need to start at the beginning, but some not. I found this was one of those books I could jump right into.
The great thing about this short story is that it introduced me to all the characters in the series. In a few pages, I was in love with Nell and her boyfriend, Jesse. It’s the perfect setting for a cozy mystery and had all the ingredients that I look for in my reading. A wonderful cast of characters, the perfect quaint setting, and a mystery to try and unravel along with Nell.
Another series for me to add to my “must-read” series. I do have the next novella and book #5 to be reviewed, but I’m going to try and read the first four books first. I’m not sure I will be successful, but I already can’t get enough of this series. I’m definitely hooked!
Even though this is a short story and I was able to read it in just a couple of hours, I’m giving it my highest five kitty rating. Any story that makes me smile and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling, deserves high ratings from me.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
When a beloved teacher is accused of burning down his family home, Nell Fitzgerald is the only one in town who believes in his innocence and she’s determined to prove it. With the help of her friends at her grandmother’s shop, Someday Quilts, Nell starts her own investigation.
This is a novella from Clare O’Donohue’s Someday Quilts Mystery series. There are four books in the series before this one. I didn’t read any of them and this novella was my introduction to the books. I very much dislike beginning a series in the middle but that’s been happening more often than not since I’ve been reviewing books. I’m quickly learning, that it doesn’t really matter – at least not with all series. Some you definitely need to start at the beginning, but some not. I found this was one of those books I could jump right into.
The great thing about this short story is that it introduced me to all the characters in the series. In a few pages, I was in love with Nell and her boyfriend, Jesse. It’s the perfect setting for a cozy mystery and had all the ingredients that I look for in my reading. A wonderful cast of characters, the perfect quaint setting, and a mystery to try and unravel along with Nell.
Another series for me to add to my “must-read” series. I do have the next novella and book #5 to be reviewed, but I’m going to try and read the first four books first. I’m not sure I will be successful, but I already can’t get enough of this series. I’m definitely hooked!
Even though this is a short story and I was able to read it in just a couple of hours, I’m giving it my highest five kitty rating. Any story that makes me smile and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling, deserves high ratings from me.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 24, 2017
cute touching store showing the love of neighbours.
November 24, 2012
Nell's grandmother taught her by example, not to be drawn to material things but to give when things are needed and to give freely. All in all, it's better to give than to receive; but she's finding that the latest project is fraught with trouble. First there are the children whom she is teaching to make a quilt in order to sell it to raise money for the Fire Department their small town shares with nearby Morrison in upstate Hudson Valley in New York State. The kids are psyched to get into sewing nine inch square patches for the quilt but almost get into a huge fight when they can't share the remaining colored patches. Then the teacher disappears and doesn't seem too thrilled when he returns!
Charlie is the new teacher whom the kids love and see as a hero. He's actually a veteran recently returned from serving in the military in Afghanistan. He has a great deal of adjusting to do and the rest of the town assumes he's "strange" or "weird" because he's obviously been through hell in the war, when the reality is they know absolutely nothing about him. Their suspicion only grows when his home burns down and neighbors are quick to assume it was arson committed by Charlie in his current "state," whatever that may be defined as. However, Nell decides she will stand up for him and she does just that, discovering in the process the love he had for the "Cathedral Window" quilt from his grandmother.
Cathedral Windows might be a very short novel, but it's tightly plotted and well-written as a result. It would make a lovely holiday gift or just a lovely read for anyone who enjoys a mystery with caring, compassionate, and realistic characters. Very nicely done, Ms. O'Donohue!
Charlie is the new teacher whom the kids love and see as a hero. He's actually a veteran recently returned from serving in the military in Afghanistan. He has a great deal of adjusting to do and the rest of the town assumes he's "strange" or "weird" because he's obviously been through hell in the war, when the reality is they know absolutely nothing about him. Their suspicion only grows when his home burns down and neighbors are quick to assume it was arson committed by Charlie in his current "state," whatever that may be defined as. However, Nell decides she will stand up for him and she does just that, discovering in the process the love he had for the "Cathedral Window" quilt from his grandmother.
Cathedral Windows might be a very short novel, but it's tightly plotted and well-written as a result. It would make a lovely holiday gift or just a lovely read for anyone who enjoys a mystery with caring, compassionate, and realistic characters. Very nicely done, Ms. O'Donohue!
November 17, 2012
I had no trouble reading this story as a stand-alone despite it's being the fifth entry in the series and is a good introduction. It was quick, sweet and tugged all of the heart-strings.
"Cathedral Windows" is a quilting pattern and all that Charlie, a beloved teacher, has left when his house burns down. Although a hometown boy, he was away for awhile serving overseas in Afghanistan. He returns home, the last of his family, and different from the boy the town knew. He has trouble fitting back in and when he becomes the suspect in his house fire, the town is prepared to believe in his guilt. Nell isn't so sure and she sets out trying to help him.
The story is tightly written, without any wasted details. I did guess who the arsonist was but not until almost the end of the story. Things get sugary-sweet as Nell rouses support for Charlie but then, it is a Christmas story. O'Donohue does a nice job with characterization given the length constraints and the story never feels rushed. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it. I might get some of other books from the library but I'm not in a rush. I gave the story 3 stars on goodreads.
I received an eGalley from the publisher for review.
"Cathedral Windows" is a quilting pattern and all that Charlie, a beloved teacher, has left when his house burns down. Although a hometown boy, he was away for awhile serving overseas in Afghanistan. He returns home, the last of his family, and different from the boy the town knew. He has trouble fitting back in and when he becomes the suspect in his house fire, the town is prepared to believe in his guilt. Nell isn't so sure and she sets out trying to help him.
The story is tightly written, without any wasted details. I did guess who the arsonist was but not until almost the end of the story. Things get sugary-sweet as Nell rouses support for Charlie but then, it is a Christmas story. O'Donohue does a nice job with characterization given the length constraints and the story never feels rushed. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it. I might get some of other books from the library but I'm not in a rush. I gave the story 3 stars on goodreads.
I received an eGalley from the publisher for review.
December 19, 2012
"Cathedral Windows" is a short cozy mystery. It's a feel-good Christmas story with enjoyable characters. The characters and setting were developed enough to give a nice feel of small town life. The mystery wasn't very complex due to how short the story was, but whodunit was not obvious. It was a clue-based mystery, and whodunit could be guessed from the clues. The suspense was from (non-romantic) relationship conflicts and physical danger.
There was no sex. There was no explicit bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, quick read.
I received this ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
There was no sex. There was no explicit bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, quick read.
I received this ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 5, 2013
Meh. No depth to characters and super short.
August 30, 2014
nice short read by one of my favorite authors
April 23, 2015
Another fun Cozy mystery to read in and afternoon.
March 10, 2014
Fun quick read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews