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A Quilting Mystery #2
Old Maid's Puzzle
Thirty-year-old techie Dewey Pellicano is trying to make a go of Quilter Paradiso, the quilt shop she inherited from her mother. But she's facing a patchwork of problems--fierce competition, an uncooperative employee (who also happens to be Dewey's sister-in-law) and, oh yes, a dead body in the alley.
Dewey pins her hopes on the store's huge 20th anniversary sale and appearance on national television. With the help of her smolderingly hot detective boyfriend Buster Healy, can Dewey save her shop and find the killer?
Praise for Terri Thayer's Wild Goose Chase
"Cutting-edge drama deftly sliced to reveal the sass beneath the surface of the quilting business." --Margaret Miller, author of AnglePlay Blocks
"Put down your piecework, brew yourself a cup o'Joe, fill up a snack bowl, and laze around the yard this spring with this amusing quilt-themed mystery." --Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home Magazine
Dewey pins her hopes on the store's huge 20th anniversary sale and appearance on national television. With the help of her smolderingly hot detective boyfriend Buster Healy, can Dewey save her shop and find the killer?
Praise for Terri Thayer's Wild Goose Chase
"Cutting-edge drama deftly sliced to reveal the sass beneath the surface of the quilting business." --Margaret Miller, author of AnglePlay Blocks
"Put down your piecework, brew yourself a cup o'Joe, fill up a snack bowl, and laze around the yard this spring with this amusing quilt-themed mystery." --Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home Magazine
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
24 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Terri Thayer
8 books144 followersI am the author of seven mysteries. Four quilting mysteries: WILD GOOSE CHASE, OLD MAID'S PUZZLE, OCEAN WAVES, MONKEY WRENCH.
I am a quilter, have been for more than 20 years. I love fabric and reading and writing mysteries.
I am a quilter, have been for more than 20 years. I love fabric and reading and writing mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 14, 2012
***SPOILER ALERT***So glad Dewey fired Kym. She needed to go!!
July 19, 2014
As is my usual tendency, I have jumped into the middle of a series without reading the previous book. And in this case, well, the book jumps right into bed. Or nearly. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, mind you, indeed, fairly original (though, well, Stephanie Plum is like that, isn't she?).
And as usual lately I finished the book feeling like a curmudgeon. When did I get so picky, for goodness sakes? When did I approach a cozy mystery and think "well, shouldn't they all be a bit more upset about the dead people?" How unfair, because of course the point in a cozy mystery is that you aren't upset about the dead people, they are simply props, and may I help you to some more tea?
This is an odd, odd book. The relationship between our main character and her love is really peculiar, and her overreaction is even more odd. Sure, the guy's a tease, but well...you don't have to be all that, now, do you? And the relationship with her sister in law is toxic. There's no other word.
And, as a small business owner...please, let me entreat authors everywhere...look, I know it seems like having a small business owner as your main detective is great, and isn't it fun to think of all the nice things that happen in small business, in your quaint little quilt shoppe or your tearoom or your bed and breakfast or, god forbid, your bookstore....but...hey, don't create major crisis in the business and then have your detective owner kind of swan through the pages, every so often recalling that, oh, that's right, she just spent all the money and everything hinges on that advertisement and whoops, did I place those orders?
I mean, any other business owner is going to be "um, at least delegate some of those tasks, girl!!" or "hey, go talk with your local credit union".
So, here I am, all sour and critical and probably this author is charming and maybe all her other books are perfect. We will hope that is true.
And as usual lately I finished the book feeling like a curmudgeon. When did I get so picky, for goodness sakes? When did I approach a cozy mystery and think "well, shouldn't they all be a bit more upset about the dead people?" How unfair, because of course the point in a cozy mystery is that you aren't upset about the dead people, they are simply props, and may I help you to some more tea?
This is an odd, odd book. The relationship between our main character and her love is really peculiar, and her overreaction is even more odd. Sure, the guy's a tease, but well...you don't have to be all that, now, do you? And the relationship with her sister in law is toxic. There's no other word.
And, as a small business owner...please, let me entreat authors everywhere...look, I know it seems like having a small business owner as your main detective is great, and isn't it fun to think of all the nice things that happen in small business, in your quaint little quilt shoppe or your tearoom or your bed and breakfast or, god forbid, your bookstore....but...hey, don't create major crisis in the business and then have your detective owner kind of swan through the pages, every so often recalling that, oh, that's right, she just spent all the money and everything hinges on that advertisement and whoops, did I place those orders?
I mean, any other business owner is going to be "um, at least delegate some of those tasks, girl!!" or "hey, go talk with your local credit union".
So, here I am, all sour and critical and probably this author is charming and maybe all her other books are perfect. We will hope that is true.
March 7, 2013
This book would have been a 4 star read for all of my normal reasons: great characters, strong dialogue, excellent murder mystery with lots of complexity. Truly did not see the end coming. But it got three stars because honestly, this book stressed me out! 4/5's of this book is steeped in Dewey's financial issues, the long to-do list that must get done or else the business is bankrupt, the relationship struggles, the family discord. Honestly - it was all too much for a cozy mystery! There were almost no happy moments or moments of levity in the entire book - it was just one big ball of tense. I understand what the author was trying to accomplish, and I'd even go so far as to say she accomplished it, but reading this book was not a relaxing exercise for me.
I'll have to take a break before deciding whether or not to continue reading the series.
I'll have to take a break before deciding whether or not to continue reading the series.
December 18, 2008
Dewey's quilt shop, inherited from her beloved mother, is losing money and she's depending on a big sale to salvage her finances. But when her neighbor finds a murdered man in the alley next to the store, she fears her genteel customers will be afraid to come for the sale. Some of her most loyal customers and friends, the elderly ladies who call themselves Stitch and Bitch, are feuding about a man. And to make things worse, her boyfriend Buster is still refusing to have sex with her. Dewey is worried, overworked and frustrated--not the right frame of mind to tackle her bete noire, her always-perfect sister-in-law who thinks she should have inherited the shop, and who seems determined to sabotage the changes Dewey wants to make. Second in a series.
February 5, 2018
A very interesting story. The characters in the quilt shop were very intertaining. The murder took a little to figure out, but the con was evident from the start. I would like to visit this quilt store. A very good book.
March 10, 2017
3.5 stars. Good second entry in the series, this time actually taking place at Quilter Paradisio. I enjoyed the store setting, the mystery was good and I didn't see the murderer coming.
August 5, 2010
This is the 2nd in a series and I've really enjoyed both books, so far. Dewey is likeable, but I really wish she'd just get it over with and slap the crap out of her SIL, Kym. What a pain in the ass she is! The mystery was good and I like the interactions between most of the characters. Will be reading #3 soon, and am sorry that it appears it's the last one in the series.
July 18, 2010
Dewey is struggling with life: being the boss of the quilt shop she inherited from her Mom; working with her sister-in-law; the upcoming 20th anniversary sale at the shop; a celibate relationship with her cop boyfriend; and the most disturbing, a dead body in the alley behind the store. The way she deals with all of this makes an entertaining, quick read.
November 20, 2020
This is the only one from this series I have read. I was confused how Dewey took her mother's business from a million dollar business to on the brink of closing in only one year. Then I read how she handled things at the bank, etc. and understood. She is not focused and neither was the story.
March 7, 2019
This series revolves around a quilt shop owner who enjoys business more than quilting, and somehow keeps her shop running although she is constantly dashing off to settle some problem among her friends/customers.
Can you tell that the heroine irritates me somewhat?
However, the villian/motive was interesting and the detection believable. I could have done with less detail about the business, but perhaps that's the hook for most of the readers.
Can you tell that the heroine irritates me somewhat?
However, the villian/motive was interesting and the detection believable. I could have done with less detail about the business, but perhaps that's the hook for most of the readers.
September 12, 2020
The second installment of the quilting mysteries was a bit mixed for me. The mystery was good. Nice plot that works for a cozy. What bothered me was the dragging sexual tension between Dewy and Buster. Too much. I felt the same about the ill will between Kym and Dewy. Too much and Dewy was as much of an Ahole as Kym. But all and all minor complaints and some readers may like those bits. I’ll continue with the series as I enjoy all the quilting sub themes.
September 5, 2022
I thought it would be fun to make a list of quilt-themed mysteries and to read a lot of them. I'm very glad that this is one that I got from the library and didn't pay money for.
Dewey, the protagonist and proprietor of Quilter Paradiso since her mother's death, is not a quilter and isn't much of a businesswoman. She makes questionable decisions both business and personal. She helps a conman pull a scam on an old woman (page 108) and, later, blithely disturbs a crime scene (page 248).
The identity of the murderer is obvious pretty early in the book. And I'm not good at guessing. Not good at all.
Dewey, the protagonist and proprietor of Quilter Paradiso since her mother's death, is not a quilter and isn't much of a businesswoman. She makes questionable decisions both business and personal. She helps a conman pull a scam on an old woman (page 108) and, later, blithely disturbs a crime scene (page 248).
The identity of the murderer is obvious pretty early in the book. And I'm not good at guessing. Not good at all.
August 21, 2017
I am not a quilter or someone who sees, however when I picked up this book it truly caught my attention. This was a good cozy murder mystery. Truly a book that you can put down and pick it back up and never feel like you missed something or need to start back over. Terri That is a good author who has a great storyline from beginning to end.
May 2, 2020
Interesting quilting story with the big sale at her mom's quilt store Dewey is trying to make some money to pay for all the changes she has made. When the body of a man is found behind the store and one of the older quilters withdrawing a lot of money Dewey is being pulled in many directions.
May 17, 2024
This book reminded me of the books we would get at a scholastic book fair, but for the sexual content. There were spelling errors and several other errors, one sentence was repeated, it was an easy read. if you like meaningless stories (we all need th at from time to time) this fits the bill.
July 7, 2017
Always love my cozy mystery when I need a break.
September 13, 2017
I just love this series by Terri.
September 14, 2017
Kindle
October 3, 2018
Good story line and enjoyable read. Ready for the next one
January 31, 2019
Another good one. I loved this 2nd one of the series. Exciting ending and finally Kym leaned on Q's last nerve. We'll see how that plays out.
December 31, 2019
Loved it just as I did the first one in the series!
January 3, 2020
Thank God, Dewey finally fired that bimbo Kym! I was about ready to quit early in this book, until I saw the spoiler that said she was fired. I will now continue this series.
July 13, 2020
Not sure how much I liked this book. Didn't particularly like the main character.
August 3, 2021
Slow starter but picked up at the end. No real surprises though.
September 21, 2021
Cute quirky story. Not a lot to it. Good reader for a quilter.
December 18, 2021
A bit slow to get going.
December 12, 2022
I only got through half way. Can’t stand the characters. Wouldn’t have any of them for friends, much less relate to their personalities.
Please just plain stupid plot.
Please just plain stupid plot.
September 14, 2023
I love quilt stories and mysteries. This was exceptional.
January 16, 2016
Dewey Pellicano is looking forward to celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Quilter Paradiso, the quilting shop left to her by her mother. Dewey never caught the quilting bug but realizes she has to learn to keep the store a sucess and as she learns so is starting to love it just as her mom did.
The quilting love goes out the back door as she finds out there is a dead body in the alley behind the store. As if she didn’t have enough problems, facing stiff competition from other stores she is barely keeping Quilter Paradiso afloat, she has an employee who happens to be her sister-in-law fighting her every step of the way and she just learned her shop is going to be featured on national television the day before the huge 20th Anniversary Sale. A dead body in the alley is not going to lure customers to her store even if it is on television. She has to scrap together everything she can to find the killer before the sale. Hopefully her hunky detective boyfriend Buster will lend her a hand.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There is just something about these books, once I start them I can’t put them down. As I said when I reviewed the first book, Wild Goose Chase, this is a fun series. Dewey is getting stronger. Her romance with Buster is developing nicely. Kym has taken her fight against progress to a whole new level. We are also getting into more of the lives of the supporting characters.
But it is the mystery of who killed the man in the alley that kept the pages turning with its several twists and turns that made me love this book. It was full of surprises and suspense. There are also parts that are laugh out loud funny. Terri has crafted another cozy both quilters and non quilters will absolutely love. I can’t wait to read Ocean Waves and Monkey Wrench comes out on May 8.
The quilting love goes out the back door as she finds out there is a dead body in the alley behind the store. As if she didn’t have enough problems, facing stiff competition from other stores she is barely keeping Quilter Paradiso afloat, she has an employee who happens to be her sister-in-law fighting her every step of the way and she just learned her shop is going to be featured on national television the day before the huge 20th Anniversary Sale. A dead body in the alley is not going to lure customers to her store even if it is on television. She has to scrap together everything she can to find the killer before the sale. Hopefully her hunky detective boyfriend Buster will lend her a hand.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There is just something about these books, once I start them I can’t put them down. As I said when I reviewed the first book, Wild Goose Chase, this is a fun series. Dewey is getting stronger. Her romance with Buster is developing nicely. Kym has taken her fight against progress to a whole new level. We are also getting into more of the lives of the supporting characters.
But it is the mystery of who killed the man in the alley that kept the pages turning with its several twists and turns that made me love this book. It was full of surprises and suspense. There are also parts that are laugh out loud funny. Terri has crafted another cozy both quilters and non quilters will absolutely love. I can’t wait to read Ocean Waves and Monkey Wrench comes out on May 8.
July 20, 2017
First time reading this book by this series and this author. so I am a bit lost of who's what and how they come to this point.
It start hotly then it was just one big ball of tense of Dewey's financial issues, the relationship struggles, the family discord. Quite a frustration reading which I nearly throw my iPad away, there’s nothing cozy reading this book, but I admire Dewey perseverance, her friends supports, and feel this book has potential. I enjoyed the store setting and atmosphere, the mystery was good with lots of complexity and I didn't see the murderer coming.
Dewey inherited a quilt shop from her beloved mother, is losing money. Facing fierce competition, an uncooperative employee (who also happens to be Dewey's sister-in-law). Dewey pins her hopes on the store's huge 20th anniversary sale and appearance on national television. to salvage her finances. The last thing she needs is a dead body in the alley outside the shop, and a police investigation.
Worried, overworked and frustrated, Dewey also repeatedly jeopardies the future of her shop, worrying about theirs elderly ladies friends
Old Maid's Puzzle is the second book in the Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer, set in modern-day San Jose CA
It start hotly then it was just one big ball of tense of Dewey's financial issues, the relationship struggles, the family discord. Quite a frustration reading which I nearly throw my iPad away, there’s nothing cozy reading this book, but I admire Dewey perseverance, her friends supports, and feel this book has potential. I enjoyed the store setting and atmosphere, the mystery was good with lots of complexity and I didn't see the murderer coming.
Dewey inherited a quilt shop from her beloved mother, is losing money. Facing fierce competition, an uncooperative employee (who also happens to be Dewey's sister-in-law). Dewey pins her hopes on the store's huge 20th anniversary sale and appearance on national television. to salvage her finances. The last thing she needs is a dead body in the alley outside the shop, and a police investigation.
Worried, overworked and frustrated, Dewey also repeatedly jeopardies the future of her shop, worrying about theirs elderly ladies friends
Old Maid's Puzzle is the second book in the Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer, set in modern-day San Jose CA
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews