Make Quilts Not War

Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery #6

by Arlene Sachitano

It’s wintertime in Foggy Point, Washington, and tourists are as scarce as gold-plated thimbles at a thrift store. The denizens of the town decide that a colorful 1960s-themed festival is just the event to bring people out and get them moving and, hopefully, spending their money in the community.Clad in bellbottom jeans, granny dresses and afro wigs, the Loose Threads quilt group is excited to participate in the associated quilt display. All, that is, except Jenny Logan, the only member who has an authentic quilt from that era. Reluctantly, she agrees to display and talk about her quilt.A costumed participant is shot in front of Jenny’s quilt. Coincidence? Or is the quilt’s past endangering its owner’s future?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2013

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

[Dorothy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always entertaining. Love the people at Foggy Point.

[Heather Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not start reading this series from the beginning, and as another reviewer commented, I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a cohesive group I knew nothing about, and it wasn't easy to bond with them. I would recommend beginning, well, at the beginning. I had no idea about anyone's age, but I got the impression they were a mixed bunch. However, that said, Harriet reads older than I think she may be, and I had trouble empathizing with her angst over what should have been a completely failed relationship with Aiden. I wanted her to move on immediately he was a no-show for a date he had set up for them, and finding out they had a long prior history left me feeling Harriet was reacting as a young woman of the 60's period, in tune with the quilting festival, instead of an independent and self-assured woman of today. She's got spunk in every other situation, so she needs to find another vet and another boyfriend who is worthy of her. Apart from that, the flashbacks to the world of communes, protests and civil unrest that included crimes that led to lives spent hiding pasts the players regretted gave this story a solid backdrop. For the cozy fan who loves to become immersed in the lives of crafters and tightly-knit groups of supportive women, this series checks all the boxes.

[C Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read but...

I stumbled on this series, not knowing anything about the author or the storyline. I appreciate that the women are a little older, mature, and care for each other without pettiness so often portrayed in women's relationships. I've been enjoying the series but not sure I am going to continue. Harriet is an intelligent woman, struggling with trust issues. What doesn't make sense is why she would continue to stay in any kind of relationship with a man like Aiden. His character is so weak and he keeps breaking her trust! In six books of the series his character has not developed in any way at all. If anything he's become even weaker and more dysfunctional. He stands her up, puts work and everything else ahead of her, shows no real interest in the relationship except when it's convenient for him and yet she keeps on welcoming him back. It's incredibly annoying in an otherwise great book. I keep hoping she'll break it off and find an adult. Otherwise the story keeps moving and is an enjoyable read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loose Thread ladies are into trouble up to their necks once again. A 60's themed winter festival brings more trouble than fun for some of the resident quilters. A quilt with hidden secrets, 2 murders, acid throwing crazy woman and the usual boyfriend issues with Harriett Truman.
An easy who dun it read

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. The characters are getting familiar to me now and I like that they are very human and far from perfect. The mystery dates back to the sixties with Jenny’s past coming back to haunt her.

[Judy Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This was a great read, so much so I couldn't put it down, seriously. This series is great. It has murder, mystery, and love. This one touched on crimes that happened in the sixties and now someone wanted his past to be kept hidden. It's exciting.

[Kathy England · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 60's, and people's pasts are the themes of this murder mystery involving the Loose Threads and long-arm quilter Harriet Truman.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Sure left us hanging in the Aiden saga! On to the next book to see if they can get it together!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

kindle

[Jo Etterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

always Suprised

I have just begun reading mysteries and am always suprised at the turn these stories take Iam reading this whole series and can’t wait to start
the next book

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

music and money

A great revisit to the 60’s but Harriet and her friends always end up with more t.Han they bargained for.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series but this one seemed a bit slow. On to book 7.

[Evelyn Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough story, but simple to figure out.

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

Long-arm quilter Harriet Truman, and her quilting club, the Loose Threads are invited to participate in a '1960's themed festival.' Memories of polyester, wars, drugs, and more come to the forefront of this novel.

The ladies dress up in period clothing and the festival is off to a great start, better than Harriet's love life, but that is another tale. When one of the featured quilters takes a break, her replacement is suddenly shot dead...what is going on? Was she the intended victim or was Jenny, the quilter?

Then Harriet gets attacked while watching over the display and now the police are very interested. Jenny, being one of the loose threads, may just have a past that has been covered up, but doesn't everyone has personal secrets?

When Jenny's brother gets killed, the ladies know it is up to them to disclose the secrets and find the killer before Jenny gets hurt.

Secrets, robberies, kidnappings, acid burns and more keep this novel jumping. I found it to be a page turner. Also, I didn't put the ending in place until the author revealed it. Wonderful!

The romance is serious but written in very realistic ways. It is not a romance. I can't wait to read the next volume.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had fun reading this and feeling like you step back in time with all the talk about the 60's. I know I was not born then but my mom saved several of her outfits from then and we listened to lots of music from that time and the author named several of those songs. It was great.

The plot was great and moved along nicely. The author just writes really well!!!

I don't have time to write more but this is definitely one of my favorites!!! you won't be disappointed at all(I think)!!! I hope there are others and this isn't the end.


Happy reading!!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the loose threads series. If you haven't read the first books in the series it is hard to get into, ike walking into the middle of a conversation, it took about a 3rd of the way through before it started to make sense. It's wintertime in the state of Washington and very few tourists are there, so the town plans a 1960's themed festival. The Loose thread quilting group will take part and show their 1960 quilts except Jenny wo is reluctant. A participant is shot in front of Jenny's quilt, as more things happen they have to solve a decades old mystery.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, great book! I'm one of those ladies using the sticks and thread that has the honor of being in Arlene's group. This book is a real nail biter right up to the end - thought I might have it figured out and then a twist ... love it!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the series. Adrian needs a reality check where his sister is concerned. He is going to lose a good thing if he doesn't wake up soon!! But maybe he already lost it?

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always enjoy this author!

[Randel johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher should fire their proof reader. There were so many errors it was distracting. Many word placements that just didn't make sense.