Piecing Together a Murder: An Alex Allin Cozy Mystery

Alex Allin #4

by Gracie Gann

A cryptic quilt. A suspicious death. One sharp dog—and a reluctant sleuth.

When Alex Allin, quilt shop owner and unintentional investigator, uncovers an old quilt hidden in an attic, it stirs up more than dust—it revives a decades-old disappearance and suggests a recent death in Aspen Ridge wasn’t accidental. With the opinionated Granny Squad trading gossip like currency, and her curly-haired cavoodle, Saedie, sniffing out long-buried clues (and snacks), Alex has her hands full.

Add in a flirtatious journalist with a nose for trouble, and a town full of suspects—like the grouchy handyman and evasive innkeeper—and things unravel quickly.

A threatening letter. A town full of secrets. And someone determined to keep Alex quiet. As past and present collide, Alex must follow the threads before someone silences the truth forever.

Cozy mysteries, clever canines, strong female friendships, and a hint of slow-burn romance? Then Aspen Ridge is your next obsession. But don’t ask too many questions—someone in town is hiding more than secrets.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2025

About the author

Gracie Gann writes heartwarming cozy mysteries stitched with secrets, small-town charm, and a touch of faith. She and her husband served as missionaries for over 50 years before she turned to fiction, stitching her love of history, mystery, and meaningful connection into every book.

Gracie now lives in Colorado with Steve and their black-and-white Cavapoo, Saedie—who frequently steals both snacks and scenes in her stories. When she’s not plotting fictional crimes, she’s dreaming up recipes, exploring hidden corners of the world, or designing her next quilt.

Her Alex Allin Cozy Mystery series is perfect for readers who love a good puzzle, a strong female lead, and a little faith mixed in with their fiction.

Visit her at www.graciegannbooks.com

Reviews

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy reading, indeed. But not so exciting that to make you thrilled (at least a bit).
The ending is .... rather sharp, a bit unexpected (despite the killer was already being under heavy suspicions from quite a while), and not very satisfying. And even somehow not polished enough (or should I say kinda abrupt ?)
And ... I really did not like that each and every chapter had a moto with certain quote from the bible !! These could really disappear and nothing is missed in their absence.

[Lilly Guirguis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg GRACIE writes a great novella.

Best quotes?

So many! 😂 I can’t pick just one!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short introduction to hopefully a new series. This novelette was a very fast read that you will read it in one sitting. The main character, Alex Allin, owns a quilt shop and after finding a quilt in the attic that may bode more than just a quilt. Her Cavoodle, Saedie is a great side kick who helps investigate a long missing person and a death that was deemed accidental, but Alex is not sure. Along with Saedie who is adept at sniffing out clues and the Granny Squad who can't let a bit of gossip go by as well as a journalist, Alex is on the case. This is a good beginning to a potential series with great characters. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here as strictly my own.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quilt secrets.

This is the first book I've read by Gracie Gann and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the suspense, the secrets and the characters. Of course, Saedie, the amazing cavoodle is one of my favourite characters! I highly recommend this book.

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

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Allin mystery

Alex Allin is a quilt store owner and amateur slueth. With the members of the Granny Squad and friend she digs into old town secrets. Secrets that someone in fact killed to keep quiet. Despite threats to some of the others they keep digging. Until the final reveal. Very different final reveal.

[April Cothern · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a very very short snip of a book. it seems somewhat more of a thought of a book rather than actually being a book . I feel like I would like to see how this author progresses if she writes a follow up.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex finds an old quilt in the attic of the Inn and Saedie finds a loose board that gives them some really old letters. These talk about land fraud and murder. Alex, Justin, Juniper, and the grannys look into the old records and find the answers.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Douvonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

My fault for not noticing it was faith based.

[Nancy Everhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read
I enjoyed the characters so much. I'm looking forward to more of these.

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s good! I highly doubt any real person would be named Justin Case, though 😆