Beach Brawl

Quilting Cozy Mysteries

by Kathryn Mykel

When a quilting group heads to the beach for a relaxing seaside retreat, the last thing they expect is to be caught in a deadly confrontation. But when a local beachcomber finds a dead body after their heated brawl, all fingers point to the quilting ladies. The problem? Each quilter is the other's alibi, but every single one of them has a motive.

Enter Detective Reggie Thistlewitt, a quirky investigator with an eye for detail and a knack for finding hidden patterns. When everyone looks guilty, how can we tell who’s really pulling the strings?

With a shocking twist that will leave you reeling, Beach Brawl is a riveting, page-turning cozy mystery filled with crafty clues, dark secrets, and quilting camaraderie. Perfect for fans of amateur sleuths, this beachy whodunit will keep you guessing until the final stitch is sewn!


Beach Brawl was first mentioned in Quilting Calamity, and is found hinted at throughout my other books. It is the book that my main characters are reading within my cozy mysteries.

Genres: Cozy

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2025

About the author

Kathryn Mykel, is an award-winning author of best-selling Sewing Suspicion, book 1 in the Quilting Cozy Mystery Series.

Inspired by the laugh-out-loud and fanciful aspects of cozies, Kathryn Mykel writes lighthearted, humorous cozies surrounding her passion for the craft of quilting. She's an avid quilter who was born and raised in a small New England town.

For more fun content and new releases, follow https://www.authorkathrynmykel.com

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or join her and her thReaders on Facebook at @AuthorKathrynMykel or the Books For Quilters FB Group.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quilting guild goes to the beach for a quilting retreat for what they thought would be a relaxing time. However, they were not expecting a murder to interrupt their getaway. The friends (Cara, Bean, Trudy, Haze and Marnie) all become suspect as they were the last people known to see the victim alive and other than Cara, each of them have a motive. Can Cara prove her friends’ innocence or is there really a murderer among them?

This book is a quick read that has an interesting plot. The characters are not as well developed as they probably would be in a longer book, but the author gives a nice description of each quilter at the end of the book. I would have liked to have seen the description at the beginning of the book to give the reader a chance to get to know each character. The plot line was quite interesting and I was surprised at the ending twist. Overall, this is a good read for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little cozy mystery. Cora and her friends rent a beach house for some fun and some quilting. Then Darryl shows up antagonizing the group. He insinuates that he has things on each of them that can bring trouble to their lives. After getting into with them again that night, things almost get physical. The next morning, he turns up dead. Detective Thistlewitt believes that one or more of them are guilty. Can Cara sort through everything and find the real killer?

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really was a brawl on the beach. Made me stop and think about my relationships over the years; I probably didn't know anyone as well as I thought I did. This is a very good book I really enjoyed it. It also made me uncomfortable; how when people get all wrapped up in their own problems and don't let anybody in to know what's going on they become volatile. Very well done author.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Kathryn Mykel, and this does not disappoint; this is part of The Quilting Cozy Mystery series. The quilting group of; Marnie, Trudy, Bean, Cara, and Haze, go on a Beachside Quilting Retreat. They are at The Sand Dollar Beach, for some sun, sea, and stitching. They see their nemesis Daryl Cunningham on the beach. He says he knows things about each of them, that they would not like the public to know! The next thing they hear is that Daryl is found dead on the beach. Detective Thistlewitt, thinks all the women have something to hide. Did one or more of these women kill him? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Kathryn Mykel!!!

[Shari Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a quilt group goes to the beach for a weekend of quilting you would think it would be a quiet weekend but when they are getting settled into their beach house there is trouble looming on the beach. This trouble came in the form of a greasy haired problem causing man. He comes at the group as they are trying to enjoy a nice dinner outside. During their dinner Darryl claims he has the goods on each one of the group. When the next morning he is found dead by the dunes on the beach their productive weekend plans are completely ruined. Cara wants to figure out who done it. Between Cara and the lead detective the story is figured out. This was a fun afternoon read. I loved the quilting references and fun chapter names.

[AM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries, and Beach Brawl did not disappoint. This book is a delightfully entertaining cozy that perfectly blends humor, small-town charm, and a dash of chaos. Beach Brawl takes place in a sunny coastal town with quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

The mystery itself is engaging, the characters are loveable, the story line is light hearted, and I made real connections with the place and characters.

Overall, Beach Brawl is a charming, funny, and feel-good mystery that will leave you smiling. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a heroine I would love to be friends with.

I look forward to reading the rest in this series.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We need honesty. Even if it's messy"

The once friendly and heartwarming Quilting group is falling apart, squabbling, sniping and snapping...even before the body is found. But after, the secrets, questions and doubts become too heavy and fracture any bonds the girls once had, there's accusations, explosive confrontations and lots and lots of guilt. Cara is left wondering if she can ever return to the group, can any of the friendships be salvaged and did she ever really know her friends as well as she thought she did?
I don't see any more quilting retreats in their future...but maybe I am wrong!
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story with it's many plot twists! The storyline of a group of quilters taking a beach getaway to break their normal monotony and do some inspiring quilting is great. They get to the rented beach house and start getting harassed by local beach bum. He seems to have something on each of them and each of the ladies is not wanting to talk about what he has on them. Unfortunately, he gets murdered and all points toward the quilters!
The unraveling of what the dastardly man had on the women and how it finally gets narrowed down as to who did it is a great read!! The characters are wonderful and the story is very well written. The read is great!

[Judy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of five best friends head to a tiny beach bungalow for a weekend of quilting, fun, laughter and friendship. They’re met by a nosy neighbor who keeps hinting at wrongdoing by each of them. They’re met ladies try to ignore him but wherever or whatever they do he shows up causing trouble. What they don’t expect is him showing up dead.

Now they have to worry about what each other was hiding. They turn on each other. Can the friendships survive? Will anyone else be in danger? How will each one handle the pressure?

A cozy mystery that challenges friends and their beliefs in each other.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so relaxing retreat

A group of friends and quilters have rented a seaside house for a retreat. They plan to quilt together and enjoy the beach and sun. Unfortunately for the a troublemaker has decided to haunt their every move. When he turns up dead they turn from quilters to prime suspects.
Quick read. Lots of tension in the group gave this an almost sinister feel. Like who’s hiding what and who can I trust kinda deal. A shame the friends who wanted a relaxing weekend away had that experience. Very surprising culprit for the readers and the characters too I think. Good cozy mystery.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Sun, sea and stitching. How bad can it be?’

A book from within a book. This fabulous author’s fiction characters in the Quilting Cozy Mystery series have been reading Beach Brawl for quite some time, so what does she do? She write that book so we can enjoy it too! Another group of quilters, on a quilting retreat in their own hometown are harassed by an annoying former fake quilter. And then he ends up dead and in a twist that I always love... the murderer is closer than you think. *read the character profiles first...for a better picture of the cast

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was supposed to be a nice relaxing weekend with friends but somehow it never works out that way.
I honestly enjoy Ms Mykel's writing and this book just reaffirmed it. The five ladies are so different, you will love the character outlines in the back of the book, but it works for them. I could hear the tides rolling and those annoying sea gulls screeching every time the ladies were outside! I had everyone down as the killer until the reveal. My very favorite line in the whole book is when someone is described as acting, "With the grace of a caffeinated ninja" lol! Enjoy.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean mystery story.

Five friends – Cara, Bean, Haze, Marnie, and Trudy – rent a beach house to work on their quilts. They are harassed by a man named Darryl. Each of the women have had interactions with him. He is found dead one morning and the ladies are under suspicion. Can they figure out who killed Darryl? Is one of them the murderer?

This was a mystery of trying to figure things out. In between them working on quilts.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beach Brawl appears to be a prequil to the Quilting Cozy Mysteries.
The ladies go to the beach for a time of quilting and enjoyment.
The only spoiling the evening for the ladies is Darryl.
A person who enjoys confrontation with everyone he meets.
After a heated argument the previous evening, his body on the beach nearby the next morning.
Now, all four ladies are prime suspects.

There are developed characters and a decent plotline.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome quick fun read that will make you wonder how well do you really your friends? We all have “details” of our lives we don’t share but which of us is capable of crossing the line when threatened that hidden details may come to life? This book explores that even the best stitched friendships can unravel when secrets come to light.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a group of quilting friends head to the beach for a cozy quilting break, all is not as it seems. The loose threads are plentiful in this quick cozy read. There are lots of relationship challenges between the friends which are even more highlighted when they are all suspects in a murder.

This is a quick, short, easy, and entertaining cozy read. I received a free advance copy and this is my honest review.

[Violet Batejan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Brawl Murder!

When a nasty beach bum turned up dead i the dunes, the vacationing quilting group he had been harassing was not mourning. Daryl, the dead man, knew secrets, and each quilter had something sensitive that they didn't want made public. But murder? Detective Thistlewitt must investigate. As he questions the quilters, friendships begin to unravel as suspicions arise. You'll have to read it to find out with the detective who done it! Enjoy!

[Javon50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cara Abbott, her friends and fellow quilters, Bean, Trudy and Haze have arrived in Cape Cod for a relaxing weekend of quilting, walking the beach and spending time together with close friends. When a local troublemaker is found dead, the friends find themselves bickering with each other and wondering if one of them is a killer. This is my honest and voluntary review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

I started this book thinking it was part of the quilters mystery series and it isn't. It is a good story with a quilting theme but different characters. I did like it and will read any others in the series if there are any. A group of friends plan a retreat to hang out on the beach and quilt. There's a man who seems to have secrets about each of the women and he ends up dead on the beach. Suspicion arises amongst the ladies and eventually the truth comes out.

[Tina Fulcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. It is a cosy mystery and a very light read. I wasn't sure at first whether I would like it, but it grew on me as the mystery developed and I became invested in the characters. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and leave this review willingly.

[MaryKay Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this Author. The story line was well written and easy to read. The characters were intriguing and unique. I love a cozy with funny Seniors as the main characters. This book had me stumped until the end. If you are a quilter and love cozy mysteries you will not want to miss this read. Who would have thought quilters and beach retreats go so well together.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quilting rivalry

A quilting weekend amongst friends is supposed to be relaxing and fun, but differences of opinions and suspicions start to emerge after a body is found on the beach. I enjoyed this story with its clever clues and misdirection. I recommend this book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of the book. This was a quick and fun read. Five quilting friends go on beach trip to quilt. Darryl shows up antagonizing the women. There is history between him and the women. Darryl shows up dead. The ladies are suspicious of each other and secrets that are hiding.

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. Cara and friends go to the beach for a fun quilting retreat. But it doesn't turn out to be a relaxing stay when murder happens. Cara must find the culprit when each friend has a motive and no real clear cut alibi. Cara was a good friend who gets caught up in a no win situation.

[Evans Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

When five quilters gather at the shore, what could go wrong? An argument on the beach with a ne’er-do-well. His body is found on the beach in the morning, and suspicion falls on the group. Can they find the perpetrator? Can their relationships survive the investigation? Kathryn finally shares the story that the characters have been enjoying in previous stories.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quilting getaway turns tragic when a body is found. The quilters are told not to leave town during the investigation. Is one of them the murderer? Can Cara solve the case? Will there be twists and turns in this cozy novella? These are secrets that shouldn't be revealed. This can be enjoyed as a standalone since there are no pesky cliffhangers.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book quilters were friends not really much different from Alex’s quilting friends in the author’s Quilting Cozy series which this book was supposed to be mentioned in. I honestly have no recollection of it since the book it was mentioned in first was book 2 and it’s been forever ago that I read it, lol. But I did enjoy meeting the quilter friends in this book too and I never guessed whodunit.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five quilting friends gather for a weekend retreat at a beach house. The group keeps getting bothered by a local man. When he is found dead the quilters are among the suspects. Could one of them sneak out during the night and killed Darryl? Who had problems with him? Can Cara figured it out?

[Sherri Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beach retreat sounded so fun, but I was surprised this group of quilters wanted to go away together since they seem to have issues with each other. I enjoyed the quilting dialogue. These are my opinions after reading an advance copy of the book.

[Diane M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mystery, however, I was a little sad that long term friendships seem to be somewhat fractured. Also, I feel things were left hanging a little at the end, even with a confession. Sounded like the death was accidental. Overall though I enjoyed the mystery.