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Southern Quilting Mysteries #3
Quilt Trip
As a quilter, retired folk art curator Beatrice Coleman likes to have all the seams stitched together—but her plans keep getting tangled up in unexpected ways…
Beatrice has never crashed a party but now her fellow quilt guild member, Meadow Downey, is driving them to a Victorian mansion in the mountains beyond Dappled Hills, North Carolina. Muriel Starnes, an elderly eccentric, has organized a meeting of quilters to pick someone to administer a quilting scholarship. The fact that the Village Quilters weren’t invited isn’t enough to keep Meadow from speaking her piece.
But once the quilters arrive at the mansion, it seems they may never leave. An ice storm sends an old tree crashing across the driveway, leaving them stranded for the night. And by the next morning, they are one fewer—for Muriel has been sent to meet her maker. With everyone in the house a suspect, it’s up to Beatrice and the Village Quilters to figure out who has a guilty conscience before someone else gets tied up in knots.
Includes Quilting Tips!
Beatrice has never crashed a party but now her fellow quilt guild member, Meadow Downey, is driving them to a Victorian mansion in the mountains beyond Dappled Hills, North Carolina. Muriel Starnes, an elderly eccentric, has organized a meeting of quilters to pick someone to administer a quilting scholarship. The fact that the Village Quilters weren’t invited isn’t enough to keep Meadow from speaking her piece.
But once the quilters arrive at the mansion, it seems they may never leave. An ice storm sends an old tree crashing across the driveway, leaving them stranded for the night. And by the next morning, they are one fewer—for Muriel has been sent to meet her maker. With everyone in the house a suspect, it’s up to Beatrice and the Village Quilters to figure out who has a guilty conscience before someone else gets tied up in knots.
Includes Quilting Tips!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
82 people are currently reading
951 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Spann Craig
91 books472 followersAuthor also writes under Elizabeth Craig
Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 21, 2017
Well. I never saw that coming.
Another great read in the Southern Quilting Mysteries series. This time Beatrice and Meadow [that woman would drive me to insanity I SWEAR she would] and Posy and Miss Sissy get themselves into a heap of trouble when they get stranded with 6 strangers in an old creepy house and people start turning up dead. There is nothing to do but keep trying to get a phone signal and to let Beatrice put her "solving" hat on and pray that she solves it before they all end up dead.
Really good read; I really like this series.
Another great read in the Southern Quilting Mysteries series. This time Beatrice and Meadow [that woman would drive me to insanity I SWEAR she would] and Posy and Miss Sissy get themselves into a heap of trouble when they get stranded with 6 strangers in an old creepy house and people start turning up dead. There is nothing to do but keep trying to get a phone signal and to let Beatrice put her "solving" hat on and pray that she solves it before they all end up dead.
Really good read; I really like this series.
April 13, 2020
Retired curator--and novice quilter--Beatrice finds herself in a van with her extroverted neighbor and friend Meadow going to visit a wealthy old woman who wants to start a quilt foundation. Meadow is determined that their quilt guild will be included, but they soon learn that the old woman, Muriel, really wants to apologize to her invited guests for things that she did to them in the past. An unexpected ice storm strands all the guests, the power goes off, and that night Muriel is murdered. At least that's what Beatrice thinks! It's a dead spot for phone reception, and there's too little food, but Beatrice tries to investigate, with the help of her friends.
January 16, 2016
In this third installment Meadow is dragging Beatrice to meeting they were not even invited to attend. Meadow has no qualms about “crashing the party”, but the sky looks like it is cooking up a storm and Beatrice would just like to stay home safe and sound. But there is no stopping Meadow so off they go to find the Victorian mansion in the mountains beyond Dappled Hills, North Carolina, that belongs to Muriel Starnes. Muriel is an elderly eccentric woman who wants to start a foundation to introduce and teach quilting to young people in the area. Meadow is on a mission to get her to choose the Village Quilters Guild over everyone else at the meeting to administer the foundation.
As expected the storm Beatrice was worried about strikes just as they arrive at the mansion. The rain soon turns to sleet and then ice. It isn’t long before an old tree limb falls blocking the driveway which it now just a thick sheet of ice, the power goes out, and of course there is no cell phone reception.
They have no choice but to bed down for the night. At least Muriel has plenty of beds and quilts to keep everyone warm. But everyone does not survive the night. They find in the morning that Muriel has passed away. She was in poor health but Beatrice sees she did not die of natural causes. She was murdered and they have a houseful of suspects. They are also all trapped in the house with a killer. Beatrice and the Village quilters are on the case to figure out just who is responsible for their host’s early demise.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
These are some of my favorite fictional characters. Beatrice, calm, cool, collected, and just so darn nice. She can’t say “no” to anyone especially Meadow. Meadow, “bless her heart”, it is always in the right spot, but she is like “a bull in a china shop” and her brain does not filter what comes out of her mouth. Miss Sissy is battling Alzheimer’s so she has her good times and bad but she always seems to be on the right track when it comes to figuring people out. Posy is sweet as can be and she handles Miss Sissy perfectly. And when they are all stuck together, with barely enough food, the all pull out their works in progress and quilt.
The author has written a very Christie-esque mystery where all the suspects are trapped together and someone (Beatrice) figures out the Who – Why and How. It all takes place is a mansion with all the turrets and attic complete with hidden rooms and spaces. It also seems the deceased had a pretty big secret.
The was a really fun mystery to read. With the bitter wind blowing outside my own window I felt like I was right in the story with them. All I needed was the fire to warm my toes. I enjoyed this Quilt Trip very much and can’t wait for my next trip to Dappled Hills.
As expected the storm Beatrice was worried about strikes just as they arrive at the mansion. The rain soon turns to sleet and then ice. It isn’t long before an old tree limb falls blocking the driveway which it now just a thick sheet of ice, the power goes out, and of course there is no cell phone reception.
They have no choice but to bed down for the night. At least Muriel has plenty of beds and quilts to keep everyone warm. But everyone does not survive the night. They find in the morning that Muriel has passed away. She was in poor health but Beatrice sees she did not die of natural causes. She was murdered and they have a houseful of suspects. They are also all trapped in the house with a killer. Beatrice and the Village quilters are on the case to figure out just who is responsible for their host’s early demise.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
These are some of my favorite fictional characters. Beatrice, calm, cool, collected, and just so darn nice. She can’t say “no” to anyone especially Meadow. Meadow, “bless her heart”, it is always in the right spot, but she is like “a bull in a china shop” and her brain does not filter what comes out of her mouth. Miss Sissy is battling Alzheimer’s so she has her good times and bad but she always seems to be on the right track when it comes to figuring people out. Posy is sweet as can be and she handles Miss Sissy perfectly. And when they are all stuck together, with barely enough food, the all pull out their works in progress and quilt.
The author has written a very Christie-esque mystery where all the suspects are trapped together and someone (Beatrice) figures out the Who – Why and How. It all takes place is a mansion with all the turrets and attic complete with hidden rooms and spaces. It also seems the deceased had a pretty big secret.
The was a really fun mystery to read. With the bitter wind blowing outside my own window I felt like I was right in the story with them. All I needed was the fire to warm my toes. I enjoyed this Quilt Trip very much and can’t wait for my next trip to Dappled Hills.
May 28, 2018
Sorry. I don't understand how this stuff gets published. All the characters had the same voice, used the same words (blanket apology and you look stressed and take a nap). They would find a clue and then say, "Well, lets go to bed after we eat and talk about it in the morning." All they cared about was food and sleep and never thought about two dead bodies. They would wake up and quilt instead of trying to find a way to leave. I don't know how an editor would allow two lines of dialogue to have the word 'here' used four times. So I do not recommend.
February 18, 2014
As I started reading, I swear, I thought this was a parody of the cozy version of a manor house mystery. It really didn't appeal to me at all. The characters were unbelievable as was the dialogue and resolution.
It was very disappointing.
It was very disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2021
#3 in the series.
Meadow crashes a meeting of quilters; an elderly woman is planning to establish a quilting scholarship. Meadow's guild, the Village Quilters, wasn't invited, but that doesn't stop Meadow. Naturally, she brings Beatrice, Posy, and Miss Sissy along as well. A snowstorm and ice storm strands them in the old house owned by the elderly woman, Muriel. Muriel is a most unpleasant woman who has wronged several people, all of whom are in attendance at the meeting. And by the end of the first day, Muriel is dead. Beatrice is convinced that it is murder, and investigates. A second murder follows, and our Village Quilters, especially Beatrice, are at risk.
I enjoy Beatrice and Miss Sissy a lot. Miss Sissy may be a bit dotty, but the author treats the character with respect. Beatrice is a lovely character who puts up with Meadow's over the top perspective. She's intelligent and thoughtful and brings the organizational thinking from her prior career as an art curator to her investigations.
The book was well written and I thought the issues that each of the attendees to the meeting had with Muriel made them excellent suspects for the murder(s). I thought the point where Beatrice determines who the murderer was was priceless. It was a bam zap moment.
I'll be continuing the series. A few recipes at the end, and quilting tips as well.
Meadow crashes a meeting of quilters; an elderly woman is planning to establish a quilting scholarship. Meadow's guild, the Village Quilters, wasn't invited, but that doesn't stop Meadow. Naturally, she brings Beatrice, Posy, and Miss Sissy along as well. A snowstorm and ice storm strands them in the old house owned by the elderly woman, Muriel. Muriel is a most unpleasant woman who has wronged several people, all of whom are in attendance at the meeting. And by the end of the first day, Muriel is dead. Beatrice is convinced that it is murder, and investigates. A second murder follows, and our Village Quilters, especially Beatrice, are at risk.
I enjoy Beatrice and Miss Sissy a lot. Miss Sissy may be a bit dotty, but the author treats the character with respect. Beatrice is a lovely character who puts up with Meadow's over the top perspective. She's intelligent and thoughtful and brings the organizational thinking from her prior career as an art curator to her investigations.
The book was well written and I thought the issues that each of the attendees to the meeting had with Muriel made them excellent suspects for the murder(s). I thought the point where Beatrice determines who the murderer was was priceless. It was a bam zap moment.
I'll be continuing the series. A few recipes at the end, and quilting tips as well.
January 5, 2019
I liked the book overall, but it started slowly for me and then built up steam. It was written in the style of an Agatha Christie "someone is killing someone in the house and we can't get out because it's on an island or it's a train or it's a storm". This was perfectly fine with me as I like that style and premise. I think it might have had more to do with the characters, or at least some of them, that might have put me off and took me a bit to warm up to the story. It didn't keep me from reading and finishing the book, enjoying it more as each page turned. The characters became more developed and that helped.
There are quilt tips throughout and recipes at the end.
I can recommend this book, series and author.
There are quilt tips throughout and recipes at the end.
I can recommend this book, series and author.
February 15, 2020
3.5 Beatrice'a nosy neighbor Meadow has conned her into attending a meeting at the home of Muriel Starnes. The purpose of the meeting is to pick a quilting guild to administer a quilting scholarship. Tho the Village Quilters were not invited, Meadow goes anyway. The meeting in contentious, an ice storm hits felling a tree across the driveway, and the murders begin. With no way to leave because of the ice and tree, Beatrice has to figure out the killer among them. An okay read - but - being so close to the main road, SOMEONE could have made it there & Miss Sissy is annoying and not funny at all.
May 8, 2018
Interesting, but implausible murder mystery. I thought of setting it aside several times, but perhaps the only two reasons I continued was to add it to this list and to keep my injured ankle up and healing. It wasn't easy to keep track of the characters, but then, perhaps I wasn't "into" this book the way I should have been. I am a beginning quilter (actually a wanna-be quilter) so I was looking for the promised "hints" which were listed on 3/4 page and also discovered 4 interesting sounded recipes. I'm not going to bother reading anything else by this author.
August 5, 2020
WOW this was a GREAT book. I thought I had the murder NAILED with this one. Towards the end the ladies really explored who could have done it and I was CERTAIN I got it right. But, as per my norm, I was way off the mark......and I couldn't have been happier. I stayed up late two nights reading this and it was time well spent. I am truly in love with the characters and how they work and create quilts together. I highly recommend the author and this series. They are great fun reading them and trying to figure out who done it!!! <3
August 21, 2017
This has been the best in this series so far; I enjoyed the throw-back to some of the classic mystery-genre tropes. I will say that the books are still somewhat clunky and Beatrice is still somewhat inconsistent as a character and inexplicable in her reactions, but things are going somewhat better. I do think the characterization of Miss Sissy is bewildering. As far as I can tell she solves or nearly solves all the mysteries, but she's still referred to as though she is insane.
September 16, 2020
Not a quilter (or into any kind of craft), but do enjoy reading mysteries. Only found 1 place where someone wasn't present, but the author said they were. Not bad since I pick up on those things frequently - guess that's because before retiring a lot of my job was proof-reading! Now the reading is for enjoyment. Wish this pandemic would end so the bookclubs I belong to could start up again!
Did not have the culprit figured out!
Did not have the culprit figured out!
May 17, 2019
A huge disappointment compared to the last quilting mystery. Everyone is stuck in a house the entire book and that in itself was completely ludicrous. I just couldn't believe no-one could get help. There is no Dappled Hills or Posy's quilt shop or lovable Boris or any town interactions what so ever. There is no humor or a cozy feeling to be found in this read.
June 7, 2019
I found this a little hard to get into. The characters were weird instead of endearing. But the mystery piece was quite well done. It made logical sense even if I truly had no clue as to who the murderer was. Their food choices were limited and it seemed strange that no one tried to really leave even if it was to bring in supplies.
December 27, 2019
Old House
I was impressed that I couldn't guess "whodunit" til the end. I could almost feel like I was there at times. Then at times I was impatient for them to get the heck out of the old house. Main character, Beatrice, seems a bit cold and distant. She needs a man to mellow her out.
I was impressed that I couldn't guess "whodunit" til the end. I could almost feel like I was there at times. Then at times I was impatient for them to get the heck out of the old house. Main character, Beatrice, seems a bit cold and distant. She needs a man to mellow her out.
April 19, 2018
#3 in the Southern Quilting Mystery series, this one is a lot of fun and very well-done. I am getting to know and love the main set of characters more and more with each book. I can’t say much else without spoilers, but I will say that there is a bit of an homage to a classic mystery tale included.
Read
January 17, 2021Murders in a creepy old house, everyone is kept there due to an ice storm and fallen branches. The mystery was okay, the plot devices were thin, and the characters were thinly developed. Not sure how much more I will read in this series.
March 20, 2022
What an annoying bunch of women especially ms sissy and that never shut up hyper meadow.. And Beatrice is just ....
nothing fun or clever or quirky about this bunch
first and last book im tryin in this series
nothing fun or clever or quirky about this bunch
first and last book im tryin in this series
December 17, 2017
I find this series a fun read. Getting to know the characters, I find I know similar personality types and it brings them to mind. Now on to the next in the series...
June 9, 2017
Interesting story. Not too many characters to keep track of and not a lot of unbelievable heroics by the main character. A fun summer read.
September 13, 2017
Kindle
December 4, 2021
characters
Beatrice is. Smart but really needs the help of other quilters. I just wish there were pictures of patterns for the quilts
Beatrice is. Smart but really needs the help of other quilters. I just wish there were pictures of patterns for the quilts
January 19, 2022
A really enjoyable mystery
April 17, 2024
This was a cute palate cleanser between some pretty long and heavy books that I've been reading lately.
July 22, 2025
Beatrice Coleman looked in horror at her neighbor Meadow Downey.
July 22, 2025
Enjoyable crafty murder mystery, perfect for the rainy weather I was having. Add in an old crumbling house and being stranded in said house because of a winter storm with the killer, and it’s right up my alley for a great read. It was interesting to figure out how all the characters trapped in the house were connected and if the connection had anything to do with the murders.
December 4, 2013
Elizabeth Craig's Southern Quilting Mystery series continues with her latest offering, Quilt Trip. It is the third mystery in the series and has the feel of an old fashioned whodunit, complete with a group of unsuspecting quilters gathered in a mansion, terrible weather and a killer in their midst. Craig's use of humor and adventure add to the mix, making this a very enjoyable cozy for mystery lovers and quilter's alike!
My grandmother's were avid quilter's. I tried my hand at it when I was younger, but it wasn't the niche for me. I am a cross stitcher at heart, but I love those memories of watching them pick the fabrics and colors, of the many happy hours they spent around the quilting hoop, laughing and enjoying the peace and tranquility that quilting brought to their lives. I miss them very much. I am very thankful for some of the wonderful quilts they created though, to remember them by.
This book reminded me of a good old fashioned mystery. Akin to the game Clue, where you have all of the suspects contained in one place, unable to get away, until someone solves the crime. I liked that Agatha Christiesque kind of mystery. In my opinion Agatha was the forerunner of the cozy sub-genre with her Miss Marple series and I enjoyed the nod to her writing style that Craig uses here. I found myself pondering... Was it Miss White in the kitchen with the candlestick? a few times and I liked that part as well.
Beatrice and Meadow have heard about an eccentric ladies wish to create a foundation that would supply quilting scholarships. Muriel has invited several quilting guilds to her home in order to choose which guild will administer the foundation. Unfortunately, the Village Quilter's were not asked to join the group, but they decide to crash the party. The weather turns gruesome and everyone must stay for the night. When Muriel is found dead in the morning... the mystery is on! I thought Craig came up with a creative idea for her third book in the series and I could see something like this taking place, which gave it a ring of truth that readers will enjoy.
Beatrice is once again a very methodical investigator. She asks all the right questions and puts two and two together in a somewhat clinical sort of way. It is Meadow who brings a bit of the unpredictable into the equation. She is more free spirited and asks those questions that others might not think of, together they make a great team of amateur sleuths. I think Craig paired them well and adds an element of humor in their relationship and how they view the world.
Though Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum were not among the suspects, there were plenty to choose from and enough motives to keep even the most avid mystery reader scratching their heads. This one was a hard one to put my finger on, but in the end my guess was correct. The clues logically pointed to a certain character as the main suspect, but things are certainly not what they appear in most mysteries and this one is no exception. Craig keeps the reader off balance by adding in clues that aren't necessarily a part of the mystery at hand. It was interesting to see how it all came together in the end.
The quilting aspect of the book was definitely in the forefront, and Craig brings a bit of nostalgia to readers who enjoy the craft of quilting. I enjoyed all of the references to different styles of quilting and specific quilt patterns. There was something for both quilters and mystery enthusiasts in this book and I thought Craig did a great job of balancing the overall theme of quilting with the underlying aspect of the mystery. A good addition to the series to be sure!
My grandmother's were avid quilter's. I tried my hand at it when I was younger, but it wasn't the niche for me. I am a cross stitcher at heart, but I love those memories of watching them pick the fabrics and colors, of the many happy hours they spent around the quilting hoop, laughing and enjoying the peace and tranquility that quilting brought to their lives. I miss them very much. I am very thankful for some of the wonderful quilts they created though, to remember them by.
This book reminded me of a good old fashioned mystery. Akin to the game Clue, where you have all of the suspects contained in one place, unable to get away, until someone solves the crime. I liked that Agatha Christiesque kind of mystery. In my opinion Agatha was the forerunner of the cozy sub-genre with her Miss Marple series and I enjoyed the nod to her writing style that Craig uses here. I found myself pondering... Was it Miss White in the kitchen with the candlestick? a few times and I liked that part as well.
Beatrice and Meadow have heard about an eccentric ladies wish to create a foundation that would supply quilting scholarships. Muriel has invited several quilting guilds to her home in order to choose which guild will administer the foundation. Unfortunately, the Village Quilter's were not asked to join the group, but they decide to crash the party. The weather turns gruesome and everyone must stay for the night. When Muriel is found dead in the morning... the mystery is on! I thought Craig came up with a creative idea for her third book in the series and I could see something like this taking place, which gave it a ring of truth that readers will enjoy.
Beatrice is once again a very methodical investigator. She asks all the right questions and puts two and two together in a somewhat clinical sort of way. It is Meadow who brings a bit of the unpredictable into the equation. She is more free spirited and asks those questions that others might not think of, together they make a great team of amateur sleuths. I think Craig paired them well and adds an element of humor in their relationship and how they view the world.
Though Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum were not among the suspects, there were plenty to choose from and enough motives to keep even the most avid mystery reader scratching their heads. This one was a hard one to put my finger on, but in the end my guess was correct. The clues logically pointed to a certain character as the main suspect, but things are certainly not what they appear in most mysteries and this one is no exception. Craig keeps the reader off balance by adding in clues that aren't necessarily a part of the mystery at hand. It was interesting to see how it all came together in the end.
The quilting aspect of the book was definitely in the forefront, and Craig brings a bit of nostalgia to readers who enjoy the craft of quilting. I enjoyed all of the references to different styles of quilting and specific quilt patterns. There was something for both quilters and mystery enthusiasts in this book and I thought Craig did a great job of balancing the overall theme of quilting with the underlying aspect of the mystery. A good addition to the series to be sure!
January 6, 2014
Beatrice Coleman can’t believe she allowed her friend and fellow quilter Meadow Downey talk her into crashing a party at a Victorian mansion, in the middle of nowhere. The owner, Muriel Starnes, grudgingly allows them to stay and make their pitch for why their quilting guild would be the perfect fit to administer the quilting scholarship Muriel plans to fund. Beatrice feels uncomfortable and unwelcome among this disparate group of quilters and can’t wait to leave. Unfortunately, an ice storm hits and strands everyone in the home, with no heat and no electricity. It’s bad enough the guests have to deal with the cold temperatures and a shortage of food, but soon they are also dealing with a very dangerous murderer. Now, it’s up to Beatrice to find the killer before it’s too late.
By the end of the second chapter of "Quilt Trip", the stage is set for a classic murder mystery plot that would make Dame Agatha Christie proud. Muriel Starnes, a dying, elderly woman, along with friends and family members she has wronged, are all stranded together in her home. Beatrice and Meadow and a few others are strangers to the wealthy Muriel, and also find themselves part of this dangerous drama with no way to escape. I was immediately pulled into this classic plot and loved the eerie atmosphere of the mansion and the build-up of tension as the situation became more and more perilous for everyone in the house. Beatrice is a combination of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot and her calm manner and level-headed intelligence is just what is needed to find the murderer. Her friend Meadow is a great contract, but while I appreciate her energy and optimism, her immaturity makes her seem much younger than the mature woman she is supposed to be.
Some of the characters started to become irritating as the forced time at Muriel’s house is prolonged. Some of this is probably an intentional choice by the author adding to the tension in the home, but after a while, I was ready for the book to end. There was also a reoccurring supporting character that I just couldn’t connect with. I assume “Miss Sissy” is supposed to have some level of dementia, but even in her lucid moments her one word exclamations, such as “Evil!” got old. Even though I don’t understand Miss Sissy’s character, many of the other characters had interesting enough back-stories to provide plenty of suspects for Beatrice as she tries to discover the identity of the murderer and overall, this is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
I’ve missed out on the previous Southern Quilting mysteries, but I enjoy the Memphis Barbeque series that author Elizabeth Craig writes under the name Riley Adams. I think "Quilt Trip" will appear to fans of either the Riley Adams books or the Southern Sewing Mysteries by Elizabeth Lynn Casey. The book ends with a few quilting tips, as well as recipes for the comfort food that the characters only wish they would have had access to while they were trapped in Muriel’s isolated home.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. 3.5 stars. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
By the end of the second chapter of "Quilt Trip", the stage is set for a classic murder mystery plot that would make Dame Agatha Christie proud. Muriel Starnes, a dying, elderly woman, along with friends and family members she has wronged, are all stranded together in her home. Beatrice and Meadow and a few others are strangers to the wealthy Muriel, and also find themselves part of this dangerous drama with no way to escape. I was immediately pulled into this classic plot and loved the eerie atmosphere of the mansion and the build-up of tension as the situation became more and more perilous for everyone in the house. Beatrice is a combination of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot and her calm manner and level-headed intelligence is just what is needed to find the murderer. Her friend Meadow is a great contract, but while I appreciate her energy and optimism, her immaturity makes her seem much younger than the mature woman she is supposed to be.
Some of the characters started to become irritating as the forced time at Muriel’s house is prolonged. Some of this is probably an intentional choice by the author adding to the tension in the home, but after a while, I was ready for the book to end. There was also a reoccurring supporting character that I just couldn’t connect with. I assume “Miss Sissy” is supposed to have some level of dementia, but even in her lucid moments her one word exclamations, such as “Evil!” got old. Even though I don’t understand Miss Sissy’s character, many of the other characters had interesting enough back-stories to provide plenty of suspects for Beatrice as she tries to discover the identity of the murderer and overall, this is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
I’ve missed out on the previous Southern Quilting mysteries, but I enjoy the Memphis Barbeque series that author Elizabeth Craig writes under the name Riley Adams. I think "Quilt Trip" will appear to fans of either the Riley Adams books or the Southern Sewing Mysteries by Elizabeth Lynn Casey. The book ends with a few quilting tips, as well as recipes for the comfort food that the characters only wish they would have had access to while they were trapped in Muriel’s isolated home.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. 3.5 stars. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2014
Quilt Trip is the 3rd book in A Southern Quilting Mystery. This book was all right, but I don't think I would ever re-read it. I have read both of the other books in this series and enjoyed them immensely.
Meadow Downey, wife of the local police chief, talks Beatrice Coleman into "gate crashing"a special quilting meeting. Nothing Beatrice says or does will make Meadow change her mind and turn around and go home. Upon arrival at the Starnes mansion the real trouble starts when a bad ice storm hits the area and they find themselves with people they really don't know, except Miss Sissy and Posy who are their fellow quilters. Poor Miss Sissy is a card short of a deck, who wanders the mansion day and night muttering to herself, her favorite mumble being, "Wickedness". Miss Sissy does know more than she lets lets on but getting her to tell you is almost hopeless.
Becoming stranded in a spooky mansion with a group of eccentric quilters was not on Beatrice's day planner. When a couple of good sized trees are knocked over blocking the driveway and then the electricity going out, none of the ladies is going anywhere. With a small pile of firewood, and an even smaller amount of food, plans, and good intentions are flying all over the house. Then the murders start, one by one people are murdered in their beds. Who will be next, why will they be next, what can the survivors do to stop the murders? Being stranded with no heat , little food and no one knowing where they are is bad enough, but factor in the murders and you have chaos on your hands.
Meadow Downey, wife of the local police chief, talks Beatrice Coleman into "gate crashing"a special quilting meeting. Nothing Beatrice says or does will make Meadow change her mind and turn around and go home. Upon arrival at the Starnes mansion the real trouble starts when a bad ice storm hits the area and they find themselves with people they really don't know, except Miss Sissy and Posy who are their fellow quilters. Poor Miss Sissy is a card short of a deck, who wanders the mansion day and night muttering to herself, her favorite mumble being, "Wickedness". Miss Sissy does know more than she lets lets on but getting her to tell you is almost hopeless.
Becoming stranded in a spooky mansion with a group of eccentric quilters was not on Beatrice's day planner. When a couple of good sized trees are knocked over blocking the driveway and then the electricity going out, none of the ladies is going anywhere. With a small pile of firewood, and an even smaller amount of food, plans, and good intentions are flying all over the house. Then the murders start, one by one people are murdered in their beds. Who will be next, why will they be next, what can the survivors do to stop the murders? Being stranded with no heat , little food and no one knowing where they are is bad enough, but factor in the murders and you have chaos on your hands.
November 22, 2013
Quilt Trip is the third book in the A Southern Quilting Mystery series.
This is the first book I have read in this series and I really enjoyed the characters.
Meadow has stopped and picked up and are heading for Muriel Starnes mansion up in the mountains of Dappled Hills, NC. Meadow has learned that Mrs. Starnes has invited some quilters to her home to pick a quilting group to manage a foundation she wants to establish to promote the craft of quilting. An ice storm has started to fall about the time they arrive at the mansion. Once everyone has gathered, Muriel offers a blanket apology to those that she has hurt in the past and turns the meeting over to her lawyer, Colton, to discuss the formation of the foundation. Then a large tree comes crashing down and blocks the driveway and knocks out all power. When they awake in the morning it is discovered that Muriel is dead. She had been suffering with a terminal illness, but Beatrice notices things that suggest that she was murdered. With four possible suspects, Beatrice and Meadow need to hope for warmer temperatures and somebody to miss them, and figure out where they are, before there are more dead bodies.
Meadow and Beatrice and fun and interesting characters. Beatrice is methodical in her inquiries and Meadow tends to be rather spontaneous. Starsky and Hutch they aren't, but a whole lot of fun.
Will be watching for the next book in the series.
This is the first book I have read in this series and I really enjoyed the characters.
Meadow has stopped and picked up and are heading for Muriel Starnes mansion up in the mountains of Dappled Hills, NC. Meadow has learned that Mrs. Starnes has invited some quilters to her home to pick a quilting group to manage a foundation she wants to establish to promote the craft of quilting. An ice storm has started to fall about the time they arrive at the mansion. Once everyone has gathered, Muriel offers a blanket apology to those that she has hurt in the past and turns the meeting over to her lawyer, Colton, to discuss the formation of the foundation. Then a large tree comes crashing down and blocks the driveway and knocks out all power. When they awake in the morning it is discovered that Muriel is dead. She had been suffering with a terminal illness, but Beatrice notices things that suggest that she was murdered. With four possible suspects, Beatrice and Meadow need to hope for warmer temperatures and somebody to miss them, and figure out where they are, before there are more dead bodies.
Meadow and Beatrice and fun and interesting characters. Beatrice is methodical in her inquiries and Meadow tends to be rather spontaneous. Starsky and Hutch they aren't, but a whole lot of fun.
Will be watching for the next book in the series.
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