Tying the Knot

Southern Quilting Mysteries #5

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Wedding bells are ringing in Dappled Hills, North Carolina.  But when the festivities take an unexpected turn, quilter Beatrice Coleman must get crafty and catch a killer wedding crasher....

Everyone loves a wedding, and with the sister of Beatrice’s beau, Wyatt, about to say “I do,” Beatrice and the Village Quilters are pitching in to help with the nuptial plans. They’re hard at work making everything from wool boutonnieres to a quilt-shaped wedding cake. And all the talk of love and marriage has Beatrice thinking about her own budding romance with Wyatt.

But after she stumbles across the body of the original best man at the end of the reception, Beatrice must stop threading her needle and start collecting clues. She, along with the Village Quilters, will need to turn all their attention to solving a murder before another victim gets cut out.…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Author 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...

Reviews

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was very good; I didn't know WHO the killer was, was surprised at who died [because who thinks someone will be murdered at a wedding reception] and I am LOVING the relationship between Beatrice and Wyatt and how it is growing. There were lots of really good red herrings in this one and it was a very enjoyable read.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this series we have Beatrice getting to know Wyatt better and gets involve in a Wedding which is nice till the end when a person is found dead (they thought he was asleep) and someone had given him a sleep prescription. There are some ups and downs. The little fair in the middle is nice.
The ending was well done this time.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first time reader of this series I had no idea that I would get to know some charming, spunky and quite determined elderly women especially Beatrice. When her gentleman friend, Wyatt sister's is planning a wedding. The bride to be, Harper wants quilts to be a big part of her wedding as Beatrice and her friends are quilters at her friend's Pozy's The Patchwork Cottage. They help the soon to be bride with quilt shaped wedding cakes to a custom made quilt that all of the wedding guests are to sign.

When Trevor who is to be the best man and friend to the groom,Daniel at the wedding starts suddenly acting strangely and starts drinking Daniel decides that he can no longer have Trevor as the best man for his wedding and Daniel tells him he no longer wants him to be a part of the wedding. Trevor then vows to turn his life around but soon with secrets coming out among this Southern town of Dappled Hills,North Carolina. Then another man who was seen arguing with Daniel and spying on him at his wedding as also found murdered.Beatrice and her faithful sidekick and friend and fellow Village Quilter, Meadow make it their mission to stitch together the clues to all these mysteries and to along the way unlock the secrets of the residents on this charming Southern town.

Beatrice is the best thing since ameteur sleuth, Jessica Fletcher. A suspenseful mystery, perfect for quilters and lovers of quilts. These lovely Southern ladies were so endearing and made this book such a pleasure to read. Very fast paced and made me feel like I wanted to fast forward in time so I could also be a Village Quilter just so I can spend time in The Patchwork Cottage and solve murders along with Beatrice. I could envision myself being just like Miss Sissy when i'm older, something my husband should for sure fear she was one of my favorite characters. Find yourself a nice warm quilt to snuggle with while reading, it sure made me wish I had one.


FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book for review.This did not influence my thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are my own.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read in the Southern Quilting series, but it won’t be my last. I’d also like to add that this is the fifth book in the series and I didn’t feel lost at all. It has just made me want to go back and start with book one so I don’t miss one word of this excellent series.

I didn’t plan to read this book in one setting, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Author Elizabeth Craig has a smooth, flowing writing style that simply encouraged me to keep reading into the night. This was a wonderfully crafted mystery that really kept me guessing, as well as second guessing myself all the way up to the satisfying conclusion.

The setting was delightful, and I enjoyed every moment spent with Beatrice and the rest of the Village Quilters. They made me wish, not for the first time when reading a “crafting” cozy, that I could be a part of a group of ladies like this. And speaking of the characters, I simply adored Miss Sissy! I would truly love to read more about her.

Rather you’re a quilter or not (I’m not), you’ll love this southern cozy mystery. Just like a quilt, it’s full of warmth and character stitched together by a skilled and talented hand. Oh, and of course, murder! (That just didn’t blend with my warm quilt comparison) ;-)

Be sure to check the back of the book for some yummy recipes and helpful quilting tips!

[KyBunnies · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has to be the southern setting. Love the story, love the characters, love the plot. Can't wait to read the next not (hopefully not the last) to this great series.

[Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit rough as a cozy mystery. The characters are written as 'whacky' rather than 'quirky', the feel is 'jerky'. Lots of distracting typos and some simply inaccurate information. For example, a corgi dog not being able to take log walks? It's a herding dog, it can go for miles and miles. Always a mistake to include details that ring false. Also, not a single person in this story seems to know how to train a dog with basic manners? (Beatrice has a corgi, if she knew how to train, she wouldn't let Boris the Great Dane-Newfie mix go wild in her house, even as a visitor.)

The trope of the older ladies who 'ask questions' even when their lives are threatened is over done, there's nothing compelling about these characters. More, the constant pushing and interfering by one is offensive - the police chief's gabby wife gets all the dirt and tells everyone? It's a tiny town but no one notices two people having an extramarital affair? The main character reluctantly volunteers at church to spend time with her boyfriend, the minister. It comes off as desperate and needy, as does the chief's wife's constant interfering in the lives of those around her.

A newly wed middle-aged couple, and the husband doesn't tell his WIFE about his actual family. But he'll tell a 'friend'. Who later tries to use it for blackmail. How would that work? Just say it's not true, or give the guy a look like he's lost it, and ignore it. You learn that in grade school.... A doctor operating drunk and making a fatal error? They do that sober too, again, the hospital would have wanted to cover it up as much as the doctor. An accusation after the fact really wouldn't hold much weight, especially coming from the drunk who was there - he would also be held liable. This is fiction, but not very strong.

Even the end is hard to swallow. "Sorry I neglect you ALL the time. I've taken off a month, let's spend every day together, before I go back to usual." And the lady buys into this?

Big fan of the recipes at the end.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wyatt's sister is getting married. He had to "fire" his best man choice as eratic behavior worried everyone. When Beatrice finds him dead at the reception, all of the quilting guild is determined to help solve the murder. A wedding cake made to look like a patchwork quilt would be so unique. The story line went well. However - too much repitition, far too many characters introduced to the series never before even mentioned in passing, Meadow and Beatrice have a lot of guts walking into a home and asking if the hostess murdered someone (really???), and Beatrice and Wyatt are not in high school (he is a minister - get used to his duties as such and quit whining like a 16 yr old).

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that we got to see so much of Miss Sissy in this one. The mystery kept me guessing. The biggest mystery is why, after she had already been threatened at gunpoint, why wasn't she scared to walk to her car alone in the dark parking lot? I would have been demanding somebody walk with me! Why did Wyatt let her walk alone to her car in the dark parking lot instead of safely escorting her? Or if he couldn't do it himself, he should have gotten somebody to walk with her. And he never even acknowledged that he'd put cleanup ahead of her safety or apologized for letting her walk into danger like that.

[Leila Pitchford · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good, but I found the writing clunky. Transitions were the "then they finished it" kind. Many of the details that tried to move the book along needed to be handled differently. The details weren't needed. (For instance, we didn't need to be told they finished or they left. That's what usually happens when one is shopping.) I might read more of the series if I find the books at the same price I paid for this one - about 5 cents.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author’s writing style: light, humorous, and smooth/flowing. I’m becoming more and more attached to the Dappled Hills residents and enjoy following their lives as much as trying to unravel the mysteries. This installment, #5, is a comfortable , well-done story with just enough twists to keep me guessing right up until the reveal. I’m looking forward to #6.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 3 days!! I couldn't put it down. This time I almost got the who done it part right and then I changed my mind and picked the wrong person. I just love these characters and with all that is going on in the world I sometimes wish I lived in Dappled Hills and could just talk to Beatrice, Posy, Meadow and even Miss Sissy!!!

[Judy Tolley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious

This was a fast read for me. I found several repetitions that made it easy to skip whole paragraphs. There were too many new characters and this made it hard to discern who was who. Story line didn't really grab me.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this story as it's a little slow moving and dull. Even the characters didn't hold my attention. The quilting part was minimal. Recipes in the back and a few quilting tips but no quilt patterns.

[Lora Cimino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop reading this series.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are cozy mysteries, so not exactly setting the world on fire, in a literary sense, but they always keep me guessing who did it until the last 10-15 pages, therefore I give them 4 stars.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book. it took longer because of illness. otherwise it was an enjoyable read.characters are well written. keeps you guessing as to who did. enjoy this series.

[Susie Fevella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been seven years since I read a book from this series, so I sort of forgot about the characters. For me, it was about 50 pages too long, but I am planning to read the next book.

[Nancy Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series.

[soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

never seen so many people love quilts and lemonade while someone went to glory

[Sam Audia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Isn’t it wonderful to have a wedding to plan?”

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/ty...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Tying the Knot is the 5th installment in Elizabeth Craig’s A Southern Quilting Mystery Series. The characters are even more fun in this one and what a great bunch of characters they are. Beatrice Coleman is stuck searching for answers when a man too close for comfort ends up dead. Beatrice’s boyfriend Wyatt finally introduces his sister Harper since she is getting married very soon and the ladies of the quilting group are helping out. Harper and her fiancé Daniel seem like wonderful people. But as the wedding nears, Beatrice learns the best man has some issues. When he ends up dead at the wedding thinks get knotted and complicated.

Beatrice and her neighbor/friend Meadow search for answers as people they know and like become likely suspects. Daniel, fellow quilter Lyla, Trevor (the deceased)’s wife Eleanor and others quickly become persons of interest in the case. With Meadow’s inside information about the case, her husband Ramsay is the law, the two friends try to get answers and do some light investigating. Beatrice is not a bumbling amateur investigator. She has had some previous success in hunting down the guilty party. She gently questions suspects and has a great method that is endearing and effective.

The characters in this wonderful cozy series are amusing, well developed and come in a wide range of personalities. I am sure everyone gets a huge kick out of Miss Sissy and she is a hoot for sure. Along with the furry characters, huge Boris, corgi Noo-noo, and kitty Smoke, the ladies in this series are interesting and intriguing. Reading this series set in Dappled Hills, North Carolina is like going home. Warm, comfortable, and relaxing. Elizabeth Craig’s writing style is riveting, colorful and her storyline is put together like a well stitched quilt.

If you enjoy quilting, you will love Tying the Knot. If you love cozies, you will love it. And if you enjoy reading a well scripted, fun and enjoyable mystery, with super characters and a pleasant setting, you will want to read this book. Although you can read any in this series as stand along books, I would suggest reading them in order to get a better feel of the characters. Plus they are all really good, so why not. The character interaction and feel of this novel really are amusing. As an added bonus, there are some easy and delicious sounding recipes included.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can be read as a stand alone, but, if you're looking for a clue-based mystery, you'll be disappointed by the ending. The heroine gathers plenty of information and has a number of good suspects, but actual evidence is lacking. Two things that look like clues are false clues, but one isn't explained away convincingly and the other isn't even mentioned at the end (What we're led to believe is a solid alibi in chapter 16 is never explained away and needs to be.)

The police are useless: they know that strong prescription pills were used, but they never look into who has been given such a prescription or who had access to such pills. Later, a gun is used, but they don't look into whether any of the suspects have a registered gun. How whodunit had access to these things is never explained.

So the only way to discover whodunit is for the heroine to neglect common precautionary behavior, then to say something extremely stupid to a suspect, which results in whodunit trying to kill her. Even then, there is not enough evidence to prove the murders and whodunit can simply deny confessing. Not a satisfying solution, IMO.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrice wants to spend more time with her beau who is a minister at her church. But he has a busy life with his church responsibilities and his sister's upcoming nuptials. A few weeks before the wedding the best man starts acting badly, stalking a woman who used to be his lover and if rumours are true was blackmailing his friends. His behaviour is so bad he is replaced as best man. However his wife is a friend of the bride so comes to the wedding. Unfortunately someone puts an over dose of sleeping tablets into his coke and he dies at the reception. Beatrice is never going to get any alone time with her boyfriend til this murder gets solved so she starts asking questions. And that leads to trouble for her and her friends. The murderer is revealed in the end and is unexpected. A good read if a bit slow in parts. A nice view of small town life.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 5th in the Southern Quilting mysteries. The sister of Beatrice's boyfriend is getting married and she and her quilters pitch in to plan the wedding. It also makes Beatrice think of her romance, She stumbles across the body of the best man and has to join in and figure out who did it. Believable story and people.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dragged on and on. I was half inclined to just stop halfway through. I like the first four books but this one had so much useless dialog and never got to a point. I am hoping the next in the series isn't as tedious.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice light mystery. Part of the series about quilters in a small NC town. Enough action to be interesting but not to give away the solution to the murder.

[Dee]

Good read. It's a cozy and is a fun read.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun volume from this quilting-themed cozy mystery series. And I totally fell for the red herring.