Ocean Waves

A Quilting Mystery #3

by Terri Thayer

Quilt shop owner Dewey Pellicano intends to mix business with pleasure at the Sewing-by-the-Sea Symposium in Asilomar, California. But her plan is ruined by Mercedes Madsen, the militant conference organizer who acts more like a dictator than a director. Now tangled up in a bundle of trouble, Dewey is facing a notorious "ghost," a mysterious missing woman, a stolen heirloom sewing box, and a mountain lion on the loose. . . and that's before she stumbles across the dead body. Armed only with blueprint fabric and her wits, Dewey must try to find a pattern in this crazy quilt of a murder mystery.


Praise for Terri Thayer's Old Maid's Puzzle: "A near perfect cozy mystery."--Cozy Library "Extremely well written, the book not only kept me turning pages, but had me nodding delightedly at the dead-aim Terri takes on the contemporary quilting world."--A Charmed Life, the blog of Quilting Arts features editor, Cate Prato

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, The United States Of America, Crafts

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun entry in the series. Dewey was out of QP at a quilting class for a week so we were missing a lot of the regular characters. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. It was fun seeing how several plot threads were twisted together in the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[JayeL · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot blast through this book. I did and I didn't get it at all, which meant that I turned back to page one and started over as soon as I finished it. Terri once told me that every word has to count so writers these days prune, prune, prune. I may have realized that with her other two books, Old Maid's Puzzle and Wild Goose Chase, but it came home to me with this book when I knew the killers and didn't understand the ending.

Dewey's character is developing and I like to be able to see that in the book. I also enjoyed seeing her develop as a quiltmaker and am glad she didn't bail on her class.

Terri has a knack for characters I love to intensely dislike and this book was no exception. One was a control freak and the other had a huge chip on his/her shoulder. I am glad I won't be seeing THEM again.

This was a pretty exciting book. The ending was fabulous. Terri did not fulfill my fantasy of killing off Kym, but I liked what Terri did with Kym in terms of moving her along with her life. I would have liked a little more background on what has gone in Kym's life since she was fired from QP, especially since, despite Dewey's heroics, Kym doesn't move beyond her self centeredness.

The sad part about books, though, is that we only get a few days of Dewey's life and I could really use more. Perhaps Terri should write a blog by Dewey...in her copious amounts of spare time!

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great quilting mystery. This one was slightly different as it was not set in the quilt shop but at a quilting retreat. With the exception of a murder and a militant director it sounded like fun.

Except for a few editing errors and one predictable turn of events it was an enjoyable book with a climatic ending.

I am now on to the final Book #4. I am sad she stopped writing this series. As a quilter I am always draw in to the shop, the characters and the little informational tips.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a bad book in fact I enjoyed it some, but the author just did not develop the characters sufficiently especially the main character Dewey. I never felt that I really understood Dewey's background, her life or personality. (I admit I did not start with book one, but that should not be necessary.) I disliked her adversarial relationship with her sister-in-law Kym and I thought her relationship with Buster read more like a romance than a cozy mystery. The mystery part of the story line was weak with the conclusion seemingly coming out of nowhere. I hoped for more mystery...

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself more interested in the quilting classes described in the story than the mystery itself. But that's just me. This is the first Quilting Mystery I've read, maybe if I'd read the other Dewey Pellicano books first I would have felt more of a connection with her. It was an OK mystery and I did get some ideas for a quilting project.

[Mary-Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the main character of this series, probably because I'm a bit of a geek myself. The rest of the quilting world seems fairly accurately portrayed! I look forward to more!

[hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quilter or Quitter

Dewey attend a quilting camp in Asilomar, California to develop more skills in quilting and putting colors together. . But rebel Dewey is missing home and her man. Dewey is not quilting fanatic as the rest of the camper, and trouble follows her wherever she goes. Impatient and easily distract doesn't seem like the right attitude for a quilter to possessed and Dewey got it all in spade. But Dewey preserved, make new friends and found inspiration. Thanks to a wonderful teacher, Dewey discover passion for her craft, and able to produce simple but lovely quilt of her own.

already starting on the next book...

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd of the quilting mysteries from Terri Thayer. What fun to spend time with Dewey and Buster again. This time Dewey has gone off to a sewing symposium. The location is a beautiful historic place by the ocean called Asilomar. Dewey is taking a class to develop more skills for quilting and putting colors together.

I loved the realness of Dewey's charachter. She is able to admit she cannot advise her customers as she would like. It opened her up to learning more at the class.

Is there another book in this series? Humm, have to go look it up.

[Sandra The Old Woman in a Van · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 3rd Quilting Mystery I’ve read and I think I’m done. I enjoy the quilting theme, but the characters are just not calling to me. Dewey just comes off immature, self centered and with no real insights or compassion. She jumps around between finding dead bodies, doing stupid things that risk herself and the investigation, explaining craftsman style architecture, and being horny for her boyfriend. It all congeals into a rather disjointed boring story. I really wanted to enjoy these, but can only series to someone wanting a complete escape from reality and thinking.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quilt shop Owner Dewey is trying to learn quilting since her now owns the quilt shop her mother started. She decides to attend a quilting workshop that is three weeks long, but she finds they have turn in their phones and car keys and on top of that their are mysterious things happening around the camp.

[Sandra Merlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the worst books I have read in ages. I find Dewey quite whiney and it is all about her needs. She needs to talk to one of her friends, she wants her boyfriend to stay, she want the phone back... and she goes against any set rules because she does not see the point of having these rules. And the ending, in my opinion, is just ridiculous. There was really nothing I enjoyed

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story line. I was surprised to learn of the pure greed of some characters. But the most interesting thing was the location and description of the Asilomar,since I have been there. A quilt symposium would e interesting. Plus Dewey seems to think rules are not mention for her.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wouldn't be a cozy mystery if the amateur detective, upon being confronted by the real killer with a gun in the final act, completely failed to even try to get help from nearby police officers she *wasn't* romantically involved with, I guess.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun summer read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like quilting, you will like these books by Terri.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story with lots of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next. Also a great book if you have quilting

[Anwnh5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes place at a quilt retreat. I believe there is one more book in the series. NOt sure I am going there

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent mystery though Dewy was a bit too full on at times

[Josh Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and very interesting story, I really liked it and it surprised me.

[rottenpaperbacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk how to feel abt this book

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dewey Pellicano, owner of QP (Quilter Paradiso) is in just a little over her head. In her quest to learn more about quilting since her mother left her a quilt shop she decides to attend the Sewing-By-The-Sea Symposium in Asilomar, California. Everyone there has much more quilting experience than Dewey and the conference organizer is more of a dictator than a director. She collects their cell phones and car keys, only allows the public phone to be available from 7-9 p.m., doesn’t allow anyone leave the park, the woman definitely has issues.

Dewey just wants to learn what she can, relax a little, hopefully with her man by her side and get through the week. Then she learns about a ghost that lurks around the conference, a woman goes missing, and there is a mountain lion on the loose. If that isn’t enough a valuable sewing box is stolen and then someone ends up dead.

Poor Dewey, seems trouble follows her wherever she goes. Looks like she is going to have to piece together all the clues again and figure just what is going on in this crazy quilt of murder and mayhem.


Dollycas’s Thoughts
Terri has a true gift!! The twists and turns in this installment were fabulous!!!

Dewey reconnects with her brother Tony, he is a ranger at the park. The brother/sister interplay was so real and endearing. Snappy, teasing, but there for each other. Loved it. Dewey and Buster’s relationship continues to evolve as they can’t stand to be away from each other.

The author also delves into the topic of abuse, a wife being abused by her husband. She stitches it into the complex plot masterfully. She helps shed light on that an abuser can be anyone, the guy next door, a person asking for directions, someone you see everyday and would never think they would be an abusive person.

While we miss some of the characters from the quilt shop we are introduced to new ones that work their way into our hearts, plus the flamboyant Freddy is back from the first book is the series.

The next book in the series, Monkey Wrench, out May 8th, arrived in my mailbox last week. I can’t wait to see what Dewey and the QP gang are up to next.

This series continues to impress me and bring me joy. I urge you to pick one up and “Escape Into” it today!!

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ocean Waves is the third book in the Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer, set in modern-day San Jose CA. Software engineer Dewey Pellicano inherited her mother's quilt shop, Quilter Paradiso. The series will appeal to quilters who also like cozies. First in the series: Wild Goose Chase, second: Old Maid's Puzzle.

To stimulate her quilting creativity and get ideas for the shop, Dewey enrolls in the Legendary Quilts seminar at Sewing-by-the-Sea quilt retreat in Asilomar. As in the previous two books, Dewey is easily distracted from the task at hand (in this case, her quilt seminar project). She tangles with retreat organizer Mercedes, who confiscates cell phones and car keys from retreat participants. Dewey finds plenty of other people's business to investigate at Asilomar: an apparent suicide, a loitering husband, a "ghost quilter" who registers every year but is never seen, stolen heirloom sewing boxes, a prowling mountain lion, Mercedes' murder, and her younger brother Tony, a Park Ranger on site whose wildlife safety tip saves her life. All plot threads are resolved in a suspenseful ending where Dewey saves her sister-in-law and herself from the killer.

This story is light entertainment with more interesting characters than plot, and details of interest to quilters, such as the "sewing bird": an antique sewing tool useful to hold a handwork project while sewing.

[Kayeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so quilty, not top notch mystery, but fun enough that I enjoyed it. Dewey's development over the days in putting together her quilt is a quiet undertone, and is evocative of what has kept people quilting...that we find in our work something that speaks to us about life.



Dewey Pellicano is planning to mix a little business with pleasure at the Sewing-by-the-Sea Symposium in Asilomar, California. When not minding her shop at the quilting conference, she'll be enjoying the salty sea air. Then her vacation plans are ruined by Martha Madsen, the militant conference director, who dictates that Quilter's Paradiso remain open twelve hours daily. Hmph! In a rare free moment, Dewey sneaks a walk on the beach one foggy morning and witnesses a woman disappear into the Pacific Ocean. But when no body turns up, nobody believes her, not even her brother Tony or her boyfriend Buster.

Clearly something is amiss when an attendee disappears, an antique sewing kit is stolen, and Martha Madsen is found dead. With Buster and Tony away tracking an injured mountain lion, Dewey is left alone to piece together an odd assortment of clues.

Armed only with blueprint fabric and her wits, can Dewey find a pattern in this crazy quilt of a murder mystery?

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment in Thayer's series taking place in Quilters Paridiso. Near the end of the second book, Dewey Pellicano fires her impossible to work with sister in law Kym. This was the plot line I really wanted to see play out in this book. And while that situation doesn't get "wrapped up" by any means, Thayer does advance the plot. And I'm still interested.

The plot line of "Ocean Waves" takes place during a week long quilting seminar. Dewey witnesses a suicide, valuable antiques are stolen, and the militant seminar organizer seems to have it in for Dewey. On top of it all, Dewey must try to polish QPs reputation and learn to quilt herself. Everything must get wrapped up in the 5 day time limit of the seminar/classes. And of course it does. While this is not necessarily a series that stands everything on it's head, it is not predictable and tiring. Good cozy.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. While I've enjoyed this series up to this point, this book was a chore to get through with an ending I didn't *at all* appreciate. I'm not a fan of books that take place "on location" and this one proved the rule for me. A whole cast of characters that aren't worth investing time in getting to know, since they won't be around for the next book, and all the normal characters you've gotten to know and like are absent. The story got more interesting towards the end, but author ruined it for me by killing the Mountain Lion.

I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing what happens with Dewey's new hire, as that part of the story line did interest me a bit.

[Juliezs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun, thoroughly entertaining read, with a great unexpected ending. I don't read a whole lot of mysteries, so I'm always pleased when an ending can surprise me. Loved the setting, makes me want to go to Asilomar even more, for quilting or just for a visit.
Dewey Pellicano is a character that I wish I knew in real life, and several of the others are ones that I'm seriously glad to NOT know in real life. As Dewey's story continues I'm really interested in what will come next in her life.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptionally fun to read because it's about our local area. I can relate to some of the characters, but I won't mention which ones...Terri, I especially like the Saddlerack comment. We weren't line dancing, but Bo Bice was awesome! I didn't see the end coming. My only negative comment would be that the editors need to proof it better.

[Corky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of Dewey Pellicano, quilt store owner and amateur sleuth. This time, she has decided since she is keeping her mother's quilt shop, she really should learn something about quilting. To achieve this she signs up for a week long set of classes by famous teachers. One of whom is sure to wind up dead putting Dewey on the case.

[Peggy Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quilt mystery is a new adventure for me, as I have not been a mystery reader previously. However, that may change as I really enjoyed this book. I could barely put it down and read in only a few hours. Nicely woven plot with interesting characters and a beautifully detailed setting. Should be an interesting read for both quilters and non-quilters alike.