The Double Wedding Ring

Someday Quilts Mysteries #5

by Clare O'Donohue

It’s murder before marriage in book five of the Someday Quilts series

Nell’s future is on her mind, and it looks as though the pieces are coming together like a perfectly made quilt. Her relationship with police chief Jesse Dewalt is heating up, she’s thinking of starting her own business, and Grandma Eleanor, is about to get hitched.  But just the future seems sewn up, Jesse’s former NYPD partner turns up—dead. Nell has to scramble to keep the wedding on track, her relationship from falling apart, and herself from being the target of a stranger with a secret. The Double Wedding Ring has romance, murder and a modern cozy feel… everything fans of the Someday Quilts series have come to love.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Adult

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2013

About the author

Clare 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/

Reviews

[Jeanne Adamek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary Shipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Clare O'Donahue takes Nell and the Someday Quilt ladies on an adventure in murder.
This time, shots are fired in the main street of Archers Rest, is it a warning or just a ploy to cover up the real crime?
And what is Jesse covering up about his former New York City police partner?
I was really surprised at the outcome of this one.

[Josee Philipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to Goodreads and author for sending me a free copy of this wonderful book.
I could not put that book down and wanted to find out the solving of this murder-mystery and love story.
It was a very entertaining and satisfying book to read.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which is the last in a series. I will have to read the others now!! Very well written and fun mystery. I have found I really enjoy books that have quilts in them!!!

[Zuleydy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of so much suspense and mystery! I loved it!

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of all the many types of crime novels on the market, without any doubt my absolute favourite type of story that involves death and mayhem can also be described as cosy - it's the craft-themed murder mystery novel. When done well, these books are seriously the best. They usually revolve around a shop that has been passed on by a grandmother to her granddaughter (the mother never understands) who, for whatever reason, has left her previous life (most probably in the Big City) in need of support and comfort, which is supplied by the group of usually women crafters who visit and/or work in the store. Someone tangentially related to the store/town/granddaughter dies and the group of crafters band together to solve the murder. In the process, the granddaughter falls in love.

At their worst, these books are trite and just plain awful (Maggie Sefton and the Lambspun series, I'm looking straight at you) but the best are like a real hot chocolate - classic, sweet and the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. The Double Wedding Ring by Clare O'Dohohue falls into the second category. It is the fifth book in the Someday Quilts series but the first by this author that I have read, and in this book Nell Fitzgerald (the granddaughter) has left a cheating fiance in New York City and is attending art school and working with in her grandmother's quilt shop (Someday Quilts) in the picturesque town of Archers Rest. One night Nell goes to have dinner at her boyfriend's house and notes a man sitting in his car outside. She doesn't think anything of it until the next morning, when the man is discovered dead.

A lot happens in this book. Nell's grandmother Eleanor is getting married and considering closing Someday Quilts. Nell is about to start her final semester at art school and needs to decide what to do with her future, both professionally and in her relationship. A kitten is found (kittens are the best! Why are they not in every story?) and, since this is a murder mystery, the killer of the dead man - who was a cop with Nell's boyfriend (the current Archers Rest chief of police) in New York - must also be found. Because there is so much happening, the story moves along briskly and there is no chance of the reader getting bored. My favourite parts of the books, though, were those that dealt with quilting. I'm a knitter not a quilter (for proof, see here) but I felt the descriptions of time spent crafting and the relationship of individuals to the making process were authentic and true to my own experience. You do want to give those you love stuff made by your own hand but not just any old thing - these gifts need to be perfect.

I enjoyed this book very much and have since ordered the first four novels so I can catch up on what happened before the former New York cop died. I am pleased to have found another fun craft murder mystery series to add to my shelf and hope that the unusually high per-capita death rate in Archers Rest continues so I can continue to read about it.

This book was supplied to me by the publisher via Netgalley but the opinions written in this review are my own.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Double Wedding Ring by Clare O'Donohue is the 5th book of the Someday Quilts Mysteries cozy mystery series, set in contemporary upstate New York, in a fictional small town along the Hudson River. At the beginning of the series, protagonist Nell Fitzgerald had just fled a high-powered career in New York City, anxious to rest and recover with her grandmother from a broken engagement. Nell's grandmother Eleanor owns and operates a quilt shop, Someday Quilts. In previous books, Nell and her fellow quilting buddies helped solve crimes in their small town. At first their "interference" irritated police chief Jesse DeWalt, but he came to appreciate their help ferreting out information. Over the past year, Jesse and Nell's friendship has become romance; Nell loves Jesse's young daughter Allie and looks forward to the three of them becoming a family - in the future. Nell's thoughts these days are dedicated to planning her grandmother's upcoming wedding, just 2 short weeks away. When a man murdered outside Jesse's house one night turns out to be Jesse's former best friend and partner on police force, Nell is alarmed by Jesse's depression and his departure from routine. When the murder is followed by a shooting on Main Street, Nell and her quilt buddies do their usual sleuthing - this time going against Jesse's stern order to stay out of it. To complicate matters, Nell's parents arrive in town after a year-long trip overseas. Nell's mother urges Nell to reconsider her plans for the future. Nell has quite a challenge handling all these concerns and priorities! All is resolved (the crimes and the personal crises) in a very clever and satisfying manner. Besides solving a mystery, the book contains plenty of quilting references, descriptions of Nell's and her friends' quilt projects, and an understanding of quilters that rings true.

[Dalene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original review posted at A Date with a Book

Characters: There are several characters in this book. However, having them associated with their store or occupation makes it easy to remember them. I would love to go back and read previous books to get to know them better. I really liked all of the characters. I loved Nell's family. When they all get together, there's a little groveling going on amongst them.

Location and Setting: This is a very quaint town. I love all the places on Main Street. The town is that small that everything is right there. I love the gazebo and park, and with the descriptions I can picture them as if I've been there before. With the time of year and the snow, I think I have totally pictured a town that is one you typically see in a Christmas movie.

Crime: This entire crime sequence was amazing. From the beginning when the body was found, to the end when the resolution came, there were plenty of twists and turns. I thought I knew who it was and then I would turn the page and think oh no it's someone else. Some awesome red herrings placed in this story. Nell was a great sleuth. I liked her attitude and her ability to handle the balance of the crime and everything else she had going on.

Romance: Everyone seems to have a little something going on. This is what I liked best about the book. The romance between couples and new couples popped up everywhere.

A great read! Even though this was book five of the series, I was not lost in this particular story. I do have a huge desire to read the rest of the books before this. I want to know the pre-story to this book.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell’s future is on her mind, and it looks as though the pieces are coming together like a perfectly made quilt. Her relationship with police chief Jesse Dewalt is heating up, she’s thinking of starting her own business, and Grandma Eleanor, is about to get hitched. But just as the future seems sewn up, Jesse’s former NYPD partner turns up–dead. Nell has to scramble to keep the wedding on track, her relationship from falling apart, and herself from being the target of a stranger with a secret.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
After two novellas to get us Someday Quilt Series fans back in the groove, Clare O’Donohue is back with a full length mystery and I am thrilled. I am so happy to return to Archer’s Rest, New York and my quilting friends.

Eleanor is getting married and that means her friends are planning a wedding quilt and a shower plus Nell is helping with all the wedding details. Nell’s parents even come home but not for the reasons you may think. Jessie is having a hard time dealing with his old partner’s death but he is also hiding something. Jessie tells Nell to stay out of the investigation but she just can’t.

Again we are drawn right into the story. Ducking bullets, shivering from the cold, and enjoying that wonderful smell and feel of new fabric. It really makes me miss being able to sew and quilt.

I am so impressed with the way I feel when reading these stories. They touch my heart but also test my mind as I follow the clues. Big changes are coming to Someday Quilts as Eleanor takes this big step. I have to say I am a little concerned but trust Clare O’Donohue to keep bringing me the stories I love! This will be just another twist!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This is the 5th book in the Someday Quilts mystery series. Nell is getting ready for some big changes in her life; with her grandmother about to get married, she is wondering what will happen with the shop and with her living situation. Her relationship with Jesse, the police chief, is also on her mind. Things begin to get strange when a former partner of Jesse’s in the NYPD is found dead in a car outside of Jesse’s house. The investigation stirs up the past, including memories of Jesse’s deceased wife, particular when his partner’s wife comes to town. Jesse becomes distant from Nell and wants her and her friends to stay out of the investigation. Complicating matters is the arrival of her parents, with her mother wanting her not to settle for small town life and follow her ambitions. On the mundane front, the quilters are working on a special quilt for Nell’s grandmother and Nell is busy helping with wedding preparations. Nell has a lot of choices ahead as she tries to figure out what is going on with Jesse, the murder investigation, and with her path in life.

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this series in 2011 and really enjoyed the setting of Archer's Rest located on the Hudson River in up-state New York. The characters are a bunch of fun-loving friends who grew up in this small town, went to school together and now work at the Someday Quilt store. Nell is dating Jesse, the chief of police, and they get involved in helping him solve some of the murders that happen in town. Jesse doesn't always want their help as he is afraid for their safety but the women don't always pay attention which leads to lots of fodder for Clare O'Donohue's Someday Quilt series. The books should be read in order as there are relationships which grow throughout the series. This is the 5th and last book in the series and hopefully not the last. I will anxiously wait the next book but in the meantime, I will read the Kate Conway Mystery series which Clare O'Donohue began in 2011 also. I would highly recommend the Someday Quilt series to those who love quilting and small town mystery books.

[Grey853 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nell's boyfriend's ex cop partner is killed in front of his house. Nobody seems to know why he was even there much less why he'd be killed. Through a series of other events, the mystery is unraveled, but not without a lot of angst and worry.

The back story is that Nell's grandmother is getting married and moving out of town for half the year. So, what will happen to the quilt shop? Will it close or will Nell take over? There's also the complication that Nell's parents come to town for the wedding and her mom is not happy with her daughter's life choices.

What I like about this series is that while there's romance, it's done in an adult manner. There are no foolish games and I like how well adjusted Nell is despite her mother's disapproval and interference.

[Louisa Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this cosy little mystery. This is the first Someday Quilts mystery that I've read and so I was new to the characters and not aware of what had passed before, but that didn't matter. This book stood alone and explained everything without doing it in great big chunks of backstory or flashback. It was weaved into the story and Nell and Archers Rest and all the other characters were very sweet. The mystery kept me guessing for a while, but I kind of guessed who I THOUGHT it was just over half way through and I was right, even though there was still some misdirection there until the end and made me second guess.

A good cosy mystery. An easy read. Enjoyable.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from a Goodreads Firstreads drawing.

As much a romance book as a mystery, this novel has some interesting parts when it is talking about quilting itself, but the romance stuff seemed contrived, and the mystery seemed a little too simple. The romantic interest, a police chief, seemed a little too dumb, even for a mystery like this, and the big secret keeping the couple apart didn't seem like a big deal to me.

This seems to have an audience, I guess I am just not a part of that audience.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nells future is on her mind as her grandmother is preparing to marry again and possibly moving away from her Quilt Shop. Nell is in a relationship with the police chief Jesse and Jesse has a little girl who Nell dearly loves. Jesse's former police partner turns up dead and things look very suspicious and Nell loves a challenge. Nell and her quilting friends are busy making a special quilt for Nell's grandmother but all pitch in to see if they can help solve this murder.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than last but there are always things that don't get me completely. For example Nell, so smart and also naive sometime. Her gran treats she as baby:always the last to know things. Then there is Jess, not the more passionate by men. Their are only characters, but I aren't sure that I like them. Interesting as always all about quilts , make me want to begin one

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my eye at the library. While it is book 5 in the series it's quiet easy to read it on its own (I think I have read at least one other in the series). It's a fun mystery read full of small town characters who you will quickly fall in love with. A twisting myster threaded through the story to keep you guessing until the end. Looking forward to reading more.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

should have been finished quicker but got distracted. This a quick easy read amateur detecting and a good strong backup team of fellow town folk who love yo get to the bottom of whatever seems suspicious. Love between elder folks and how their children deal with it also get a good go around in but all in all it ends well.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story line kept me interested. The story normally wouldn't have been something I would have picked out but I am glad I did.

I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to take up quilting and start a quilting group.

[Lynn Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Very entertaining. I especially enjoyed the Quilt lore and superstition throughout the book.

[Orma Jean]

Fun book to read just for pleasure and a little excitement.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, if fluffy, mystery. Without the introduction of the quilting angle, it would have been thoroughly unremarkable, but that aspect made it interesting.

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best of the five books. An enjoyable series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Makes me want to learn to quilt.

[Versea Word · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy these books quick fast reads but very entertaining

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots going on in this book!! Always a great little escape to Archer's Rest with Nell and the Someday girls!

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent I loved this book.

[Susan Earle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it's been five years since I read the last instalment, it was not too hard to pick up the storyline. It's a nice series.

[Christine L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the five books in this series this one was my least favorite, however, it was still an enjoyable read as is everything I've read by this author.