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A Hadley Carroll Cozy Mystery #2
Quilt City: Panic in Paducah
After performing a daring rescue of a fellow quilter during a robbery at a Walmart in Paducah, Kentucky, also known as Quilt City, journalist and mayoral candidate Hadley Carroll vows to bring the perpetrators to justice after the heist turns tragic.
Then, a seemingly unrelated murder and two ominous messages cause Hadley to ask the staff at Paducah Pulse, her weekly newspaper, to find answers. Amid the turmoil, Hadley and Detective Brandon Green finally enjoy their first date at Barbecue on the River, the city’s largest annual event, only for mayhem to disrupt the festivities.
Now, employing the diligence and perceptiveness that helped her solve the Quilt City Murders, Hadley investigates the killings that follow, connecting the invisible dots. As Paducah panics, the Pulse staff sheds light on a wide-ranging conspiracy. Hadley tangles with her nemesis and mayoral opponent, Nick Stoddard, and endures various threats. But she’s determined to solve the crimes and to nurture her budding relationship with Brandon. At least that’s her plan.
Then, a seemingly unrelated murder and two ominous messages cause Hadley to ask the staff at Paducah Pulse, her weekly newspaper, to find answers. Amid the turmoil, Hadley and Detective Brandon Green finally enjoy their first date at Barbecue on the River, the city’s largest annual event, only for mayhem to disrupt the festivities.
Now, employing the diligence and perceptiveness that helped her solve the Quilt City Murders, Hadley investigates the killings that follow, connecting the invisible dots. As Paducah panics, the Pulse staff sheds light on a wide-ranging conspiracy. Hadley tangles with her nemesis and mayoral opponent, Nick Stoddard, and endures various threats. But she’s determined to solve the crimes and to nurture her budding relationship with Brandon. At least that’s her plan.
282 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2022
About the author
Bruce Leonard
27 books67 followersHello, Readers,
An Amazon reviewer wrote the following about Quilt City Murders, the first Hadley Carroll Mystery, named Best Mystery of 2022 by the National Indie Excellence Awards:
“I love a good mystery, and this is definitely one. The characters are believable. The dialogue is clever. The setting is perfectly described. The world of quilting is flawlessly portrayed from quilters' quirky ways to brilliant descriptions of fiber art. The plot is well woven and keeps the reader guessing. The author’s use of English Language was very entertaining for a Grammar Nerd like me. It left me wanting more.”
An appreciative fan of the Hadley Carroll Mystery series wrote:
“Thank you for creating a world that feels this alive and characters who feel like real people. Hadley isn’t just solving crimes. She’s healing, growing, and pulling all of us along with her. I don’t say this lightly: your work matters. And it’s clear your heart is in every word.”
Quilt City Murders is a thoughtful, character-driven cozy mystery featuring an intelligent, emotionally complex heroine, rich community ties, found family, and a story that delivers warmth, grief, humor, and justice.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Cozies with depth and real-world stakes that feature a strong sense of place and a found family
Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
Small-town mysteries in which relationships matter more than clues
Across the series, Hadley navigates grief, anxiety, complicated family bonds, civic responsibility, and an evolving relationship with Detective Brandon Green. The mysteries unfold against the backdrop of real-world challenges, but violence is minimal, relationships are treated with care, and emotional truth matters as much as clues. Many readers have said the the humor in the series is its most-memorable element.
And then there are the countless jokes and dozens of delicious recipes inside of Quilt City Cookbook, narrated by Hadley at her funniest and most vulnerable.
Multiple award-winning Hard Exit is the most personal of the seven novels I've written. It takes place in Malibu and south Los Angeles and is narrated by grieving private eye Jack Drake, who lives in a Malibu beach mansion with movie star Amanda Bigelow.
Unlike the Hadley novels, Hard Exit isn't a cozy mystery. It contains cursing, a sex scene, and some violence. However, fists don't fly every twenty pages, and Jack doesn't subdue half a dozen armed foes with his wits and a handful of wet pork rinds.
I think Hard Exit—a love story wrapped in a murder mystery, and vice versa—will appeal to a broader readership than the Hadley novels. I hope you enjoy it.
The audiobooks of the first five Hadley novels are available now, as is the audiobook of Hard Exit. The audiobook of Quilt City: Payment Declined, the sixth Hadley Carroll Mystery, will be available soon-ish.
All of my books are available through my website, https://bruceleonardwriter.com
and the usual channels.
Please follow my author page at: https://www.amazon.com/author/brucele...
Thank you tremendously for your support.
All the best,
Bruce
An Amazon reviewer wrote the following about Quilt City Murders, the first Hadley Carroll Mystery, named Best Mystery of 2022 by the National Indie Excellence Awards:
“I love a good mystery, and this is definitely one. The characters are believable. The dialogue is clever. The setting is perfectly described. The world of quilting is flawlessly portrayed from quilters' quirky ways to brilliant descriptions of fiber art. The plot is well woven and keeps the reader guessing. The author’s use of English Language was very entertaining for a Grammar Nerd like me. It left me wanting more.”
An appreciative fan of the Hadley Carroll Mystery series wrote:
“Thank you for creating a world that feels this alive and characters who feel like real people. Hadley isn’t just solving crimes. She’s healing, growing, and pulling all of us along with her. I don’t say this lightly: your work matters. And it’s clear your heart is in every word.”
Quilt City Murders is a thoughtful, character-driven cozy mystery featuring an intelligent, emotionally complex heroine, rich community ties, found family, and a story that delivers warmth, grief, humor, and justice.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Cozies with depth and real-world stakes that feature a strong sense of place and a found family
Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
Small-town mysteries in which relationships matter more than clues
Across the series, Hadley navigates grief, anxiety, complicated family bonds, civic responsibility, and an evolving relationship with Detective Brandon Green. The mysteries unfold against the backdrop of real-world challenges, but violence is minimal, relationships are treated with care, and emotional truth matters as much as clues. Many readers have said the the humor in the series is its most-memorable element.
And then there are the countless jokes and dozens of delicious recipes inside of Quilt City Cookbook, narrated by Hadley at her funniest and most vulnerable.
Multiple award-winning Hard Exit is the most personal of the seven novels I've written. It takes place in Malibu and south Los Angeles and is narrated by grieving private eye Jack Drake, who lives in a Malibu beach mansion with movie star Amanda Bigelow.
Unlike the Hadley novels, Hard Exit isn't a cozy mystery. It contains cursing, a sex scene, and some violence. However, fists don't fly every twenty pages, and Jack doesn't subdue half a dozen armed foes with his wits and a handful of wet pork rinds.
I think Hard Exit—a love story wrapped in a murder mystery, and vice versa—will appeal to a broader readership than the Hadley novels. I hope you enjoy it.
The audiobooks of the first five Hadley novels are available now, as is the audiobook of Hard Exit. The audiobook of Quilt City: Payment Declined, the sixth Hadley Carroll Mystery, will be available soon-ish.
All of my books are available through my website, https://bruceleonardwriter.com
and the usual channels.
Please follow my author page at: https://www.amazon.com/author/brucele...
Thank you tremendously for your support.
All the best,
Bruce
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 26, 2022
As the fabric of Paducah, Kentucky, begins to unravel again with a string of crimes and murders, veteran investigative journalist Hadley Carroll and her new love interest Brandon Green begin to iron out the town’s problems and restore order. Author Bruce Leonard cuts on the bias, doesn't miss a stitch, and delivers this fast-paced who-done-it with smooth prose, wit, and just the right amount of sarcastic color. Grab some cookies and hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a warm quilt, and enjoy this cozy mystery; you’ll be happy you did.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book.
August 18, 2024
I picked up this book on a trip to the Paducah Quilt Museum because of my passion for f0r quilting and I do love a GOOD mystery. I didn't look at the author before starting to read the book and was a little disappointed that it was a male author trying to write in the voice of a woman (I could tell right away.). The plot and the characters weren't particularly gripping, believable or "page-turner". This would make a light, non-thinking book. The quilting was very peripheral.
Summary: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
"After performing a daring rescue of a fellow quilter during a robbery at a Walmart in Paducah, Kentucky, also known as Quilt City, journalist and mayoral candidate Hadley Carroll vows to bring the perpetrators to justice after the heist turns tragic.
After performing a daring rescue of a fellow quilter during a robbery at a Walmart in Paducah, Kentucky, also known as Quilt City, journalist and mayoral candidate Hadley Carroll vows to bring the perpetrators to justice after the heist turns tragic.
Then, a seemingly unrelated murder and two ominous messages cause Hadley to ask the staff at Paducah Pulse, her weekly newspaper, to find answers. Amid the turmoil, Hadley and Detective Brandon Green finally enjoy their first date at Barbecue on the River, the city's largest annual event, only for mayhem to disrupt the festivities.
Now, employing the diligence and perceptiveness that helped her solve the Quilt City Murders, Hadley investigates the killings that follow, connecting the invisible dots. As Paducah panics, the Pulse staff sheds light on a wide-ranging conspiracy. Hadley tangles with her nemesis and mayoral opponent, Nick Stoddard, and endures various threats. But she's determined to solve the crimes and to nurture her budding relationship with Brandon. At least that's her plan."
Summary: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
"After performing a daring rescue of a fellow quilter during a robbery at a Walmart in Paducah, Kentucky, also known as Quilt City, journalist and mayoral candidate Hadley Carroll vows to bring the perpetrators to justice after the heist turns tragic.
After performing a daring rescue of a fellow quilter during a robbery at a Walmart in Paducah, Kentucky, also known as Quilt City, journalist and mayoral candidate Hadley Carroll vows to bring the perpetrators to justice after the heist turns tragic.
Then, a seemingly unrelated murder and two ominous messages cause Hadley to ask the staff at Paducah Pulse, her weekly newspaper, to find answers. Amid the turmoil, Hadley and Detective Brandon Green finally enjoy their first date at Barbecue on the River, the city's largest annual event, only for mayhem to disrupt the festivities.
Now, employing the diligence and perceptiveness that helped her solve the Quilt City Murders, Hadley investigates the killings that follow, connecting the invisible dots. As Paducah panics, the Pulse staff sheds light on a wide-ranging conspiracy. Hadley tangles with her nemesis and mayoral opponent, Nick Stoddard, and endures various threats. But she's determined to solve the crimes and to nurture her budding relationship with Brandon. At least that's her plan."
November 7, 2023
Book two in the Quilt City Murder series features a mass shooting in downtown Paducah, a theft of quilts from the National Quilt Museum, a kidnapping, and so much more.
Intrepid Hadley Carroll takes her newspaper editorship and research seriously, inserting herself into the investigation of the crimes and getting herself into trouble.
Bruce Leonard takes a charming beginning, shopping for quilt stuff, and builds it into a crime spree and intense investigation. The story will suck you in as the mystery twists and turns like a drunkards’ path. There’s plenty about quilts for quilters and more about the city of Paducah.
Can’t wait for #3.
Thanks to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah for stocking Bruce Leonard’s mysteries.
Intrepid Hadley Carroll takes her newspaper editorship and research seriously, inserting herself into the investigation of the crimes and getting herself into trouble.
Bruce Leonard takes a charming beginning, shopping for quilt stuff, and builds it into a crime spree and intense investigation. The story will suck you in as the mystery twists and turns like a drunkards’ path. There’s plenty about quilts for quilters and more about the city of Paducah.
Can’t wait for #3.
Thanks to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah for stocking Bruce Leonard’s mysteries.
December 30, 2023
This Hadley Carrol mystery takes us to Paducah and the arts and quilting city with a quilting museum.
Besides Hadley, who runs a free weekly paper with website updated daily for this small community by the river and her eager newspaper staff and small quilt group, the characters are varied with a few criminals scattered here and there. The museum is robbed of 26 quilts made by people of color and the insurance has lapsed for thieft. The robbers want money for these rare quilts, the plot thickens, as citizens are threatened. Add a splash of romance between a detective on the police force for Hadley and the FBI coming to town. Some humor and a spenceful mystery make for a quick read.
Besides Hadley, who runs a free weekly paper with website updated daily for this small community by the river and her eager newspaper staff and small quilt group, the characters are varied with a few criminals scattered here and there. The museum is robbed of 26 quilts made by people of color and the insurance has lapsed for thieft. The robbers want money for these rare quilts, the plot thickens, as citizens are threatened. Add a splash of romance between a detective on the police force for Hadley and the FBI coming to town. Some humor and a spenceful mystery make for a quick read.
April 30, 2024
Great read with well developed characters. They are very three dementional with well developed personalities. I enjoyed the intrigue of the story and loved the developing romance between Hadley and Officer Green. It's a nice clean romance and has developed over quite some time. The quilting is always interesting to me as I'm an avid quilter myself.I really enjoyed watching Hadley become such a strong, pretty well rounded character. She has made quite a few advancements in herself since the loss of her fiancé. She's come to believe in herself and to stand on her own two feet. You go Hadley. She stood up for herself and came out better off.
July 24, 2024
Quite a Pair
Hadley and Brandon make quite the pair. Brandon's abilities as a police officer and Hadley's inquisitive mind as a newspaper reporter make solving theft and kidnapping crimes in Paducah expand into other misdeeds. These misdeeds turn into a death threat for Hadley. Keeps you on your toes. If you knows a page or two while listening to the story make sure you go back to the last page you remember otherwise you'll miss out on characters and clues. Great job. Thank you.
Hadley and Brandon make quite the pair. Brandon's abilities as a police officer and Hadley's inquisitive mind as a newspaper reporter make solving theft and kidnapping crimes in Paducah expand into other misdeeds. These misdeeds turn into a death threat for Hadley. Keeps you on your toes. If you knows a page or two while listening to the story make sure you go back to the last page you remember otherwise you'll miss out on characters and clues. Great job. Thank you.
January 26, 2023
There is so much happening in Paducah! Seemingly unrelated deaths/murders within one week. What ties an elderly wheelchair bound woman, college student, struggling family man, and alcoholic together? Newspaper reporters and police are working to piece together leads. Quilts are being burned! Add in a blooming romance and a run for Mayor. I enjoyed this and look forward to the third book in the series. Have to check out the Quilt City Cookbook also.
May 17, 2023
Back to Paducah
Thanks for taking me back to Paducah. My husband ani I lived there between 1975 - 1985. It's a great place to live and raise children.
I liked the way you start the mystery in the beginning and progress with Hadley picking up pieces and fitting them together as the story moves through to the solution and end.
I enjoyed reading the first two stories and look forward to more.
Thanks for taking me back to Paducah. My husband ani I lived there between 1975 - 1985. It's a great place to live and raise children.
I liked the way you start the mystery in the beginning and progress with Hadley picking up pieces and fitting them together as the story moves through to the solution and end.
I enjoyed reading the first two stories and look forward to more.
July 18, 2023
Quilters must read
I just finished books 1 and 2 and cannot wait for book 3. Bruce Leonard’s characters are articulate and funny. A must read for all quilters whether you have been to Paducah, KY or not. I feel like I have been there, as I referred to a Google map at every mention of a street or landmark. I know you will enjoy these mysteries, as I have. Who doesn’t love quilting and eating. And, I now know where Hancock (a large fabric store) is located in Paducah.
I just finished books 1 and 2 and cannot wait for book 3. Bruce Leonard’s characters are articulate and funny. A must read for all quilters whether you have been to Paducah, KY or not. I feel like I have been there, as I referred to a Google map at every mention of a street or landmark. I know you will enjoy these mysteries, as I have. Who doesn’t love quilting and eating. And, I now know where Hancock (a large fabric store) is located in Paducah.
September 24, 2024
enjoyable book
I’ve been to Paducah and the quilt museum a couple times, so I loved the references to both throughout the book. It was interesting how Hadley started the newspaper and managed to run the paper and be a detective at the same time. I need to go back now and read the first book in the series to see how she was involved in solving murders in it.
I’ve been to Paducah and the quilt museum a couple times, so I loved the references to both throughout the book. It was interesting how Hadley started the newspaper and managed to run the paper and be a detective at the same time. I need to go back now and read the first book in the series to see how she was involved in solving murders in it.
April 9, 2026
This book was filled with action and mystery! The quilting took a very big back seat to the murder mystery and Hadley's romance. But that was okay. I also have a hard time thinking that anyone would want to rob a quilt museum, and the robbers' scheme seemed a bit over the top. But it was still fun and interesting reading.
November 10, 2022
Great read!
I began reading this book and was drawn right in. I had a hard time putting it down to sleep at night. Well written and kept me interested. Hadley Carroll is a very interesting character. Looking forward to the next book.
I began reading this book and was drawn right in. I had a hard time putting it down to sleep at night. Well written and kept me interested. Hadley Carroll is a very interesting character. Looking forward to the next book.
March 6, 2023
My hometown!
As I read about Hadley and Brandon and friends, I am seeing my hometown. I see the scenery described through memories as they travel around Paducah and Western Ky. Thank you, Sir for bringing me back home until I can get back there
As I read about Hadley and Brandon and friends, I am seeing my hometown. I see the scenery described through memories as they travel around Paducah and Western Ky. Thank you, Sir for bringing me back home until I can get back there
April 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book, even more than the first. It incorporated familiar places with current social problems. It was written with a lot of humor, as well.
I am looking forward to the next installment!
I am looking forward to the next installment!
May 9, 2023
Quilt City mysteries- Very enjoyable reads
Love the building of the character Hadley Carroll and the background character of Paducah. Makes me want to go to Paducah. Excellent, thank you, Bruce Leonard!
Love the building of the character Hadley Carroll and the background character of Paducah. Makes me want to go to Paducah. Excellent, thank you, Bruce Leonard!
May 20, 2023
want the next novel
I want to see Big Nick go down in flames how long do I have to wait. Please understand that I am a quilter with quilts to make but most importantly I am 81 so before I go I want the next novel. Please and thank you. Catherine
I want to see Big Nick go down in flames how long do I have to wait. Please understand that I am a quilter with quilts to make but most importantly I am 81 so before I go I want the next novel. Please and thank you. Catherine
May 30, 2023
It was wonderful to spend a few hours with Hadley again. I tried to slow down just to stretch out the pleasure but I could not stop turning the pages. The first chapter, set in a WalMart, is one of the most exquisite mixtures of hilarity and horror I have ever read.
January 25, 2024
Couldn't put it down!!
An engaging murder mystery that captivates you in the first chapter. The main characters are well developed and the story twists and turns in an unanticipated manner. A good read even if you aren't a quilter!
An engaging murder mystery that captivates you in the first chapter. The main characters are well developed and the story twists and turns in an unanticipated manner. A good read even if you aren't a quilter!
February 19, 2024
Great Book
This book combined one of my favorite towns Paducah Ky and my love of quilts. It was the type of book that you were excited to read because it held your attention and left you wanting to know more about the main character.
This book combined one of my favorite towns Paducah Ky and my love of quilts. It was the type of book that you were excited to read because it held your attention and left you wanting to know more about the main character.
October 4, 2024
Again it’s a quilting mystery on in name. Not much quilting going on. Also, the pages of descriptions are BORING! I don’t need to know the name of all the streets in Paducah.
My second and last book in this series.
My second and last book in this series.
November 3, 2022
Love Hadley and Brandon
Perfect secquel to Quilt City Murders. Hadley Carroll understands quilting which is a p!us. Hope this series continues. Could follow Ash or Dakota.
Perfect secquel to Quilt City Murders. Hadley Carroll understands quilting which is a p!us. Hope this series continues. Could follow Ash or Dakota.
January 26, 2023
Great book
Love the characters in this book. I live close to Paducah and like all the references to places I know and love. Can't wait for the next one!
Love the characters in this book. I live close to Paducah and like all the references to places I know and love. Can't wait for the next one!
Read
March 17, 2023Very enjoyable.
March 19, 2023
Quick read
Enjoyed the main character getting over loss of her fiance & finding a loving growing relationship. The quilting aspect could have been a little stronger.
Enjoyed the main character getting over loss of her fiance & finding a loving growing relationship. The quilting aspect could have been a little stronger.
October 26, 2023
This had all the elements of a cozy mystery but I just couldn't get into it.
November 14, 2023
good read, many threads to tie together
Great plot. Took a while to tie it all together. Good plot, love the Ky references. Thanks, will read the 3rd one!
Great plot. Took a while to tie it all together. Good plot, love the Ky references. Thanks, will read the 3rd one!
November 16, 2023
It was good, but tended to drag at times. I had no trouble sitting it down and coming back to it later.
January 11, 2024
Good second book in the series. I have ordered the third book and look forward to finishing the series
March 25, 2024
Great second book for this series I think it was a little better than the first!
July 13, 2024
Pretty good read and I know all the places!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews