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Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery #3
Quilt as You Go
When the dust settles after the Foggy Point Civil War re-enactment, one casualty turns out to be really dead, and his identity sends shockwaves through the community. Does a long-lost quilt that suddenly re-appears hold a clue? Harriet and the Loose Threads must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. And who is the mysterious young man with the military bearing who's drawn the admiration of Carla, the young woman the Threads have taken under their wing? Is he what he claims to be, or something much more sinister?
264 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
About the author
Arlene Sachitano
19 books54 followersArlene also teaches a group of creative women in the coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon how to make interesting things by wrapping string around two sticks. Supporting Arlene in her writing endeavors are her husband, children and her feline companion Lydia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 31, 2021
Interesting story of how they linked a man’s death into a square on a quilt.
October 22, 2024
It's obvious that reviewers have their own standard for reviewing books. I am reading another cozy mystery by a different author, and the writing is superior to this one. Yet some reviews of this book gave it five stars and then mentioned the grammatical errors, poor sentence structure, errors in editing, stilted dialogue, etc. - all of which I agree with. Go figure! There was also too much detail every time anyone eats, drinks, or what clothes they're wearing every time the group gets together. Take tea for example - how it was prepped, what flavor, who it was served to and who served it, what was put in it like milk, etc. ad nauseum through out the book. There was a unique plot, and I learned some quilting techniques.
Harriet Truman is a member of the Loose Threads Quilting Group which also includes Carla Salter, Jenny Logan, Mavis Willis, DeAnn Gault, Robin McLeod, Sarah Ness, Connie Escorcia, Lauren Sawyer, and Harriet's Aunt Beth. When it comes to sleuthing they all help investigate murders. Harriet is also a member of the Foggy Point (WA) Business Association and head organizer of an upcoming Civil War re-enactment. The members of Loose Threads are making Civil War period reproduction quilts to sell at the Sutler's booth in the vendor's area. After a meeting Harriet takes the eldest member Mavis home, and they discover that the door to her house is open. In the sewing room they discover a worn flannel quilt that Mavis hasn't seen in 20 years. It belonged to her deceased husband Gerald who died on a business trip to Malaysia 20 years previously. Who returned it to her?
Then during the reenactment, Mavis and Harriet climb to the top of the bleachers to watch the battle when Harriet notices that one of the "farmers" at the edge of the field doesn't get up after the event. They cross the field and discover he is dead; and when Mavis sees him, she faints. He turns out to be her deceased husband Gerald who supposedly has been dead for 20 years. Later, it is discovered that he had changed his name to Gerard Van Auken, was living in the Netherlands, and married again 15 years previously. Why? He had worked as a chemist who figured out formulas for synthetic fibers that could be used in various types of protective gear at, what is now known as, the Foggy Point Fire Protection Company. The company is now owned by an incompetent man named Carlton Brewster and his ditzy wife Bebe. Mavis and Harriet find a firm square of dense dark-grey fiber material sewed inside the flannel quilt. Scissors can't penetrate it until a cup of warm tea is accidently spilled on it. When Harriet returns to the field for a little sleuthing, she bends down to pick up a small blue cylinder she spies in the grass, and someone clubs her on the shoulder. It's Terry (see below) who finds her and knows what the blue cylinder is.
Harriet's boyfriend Aiden Jalbert is a veterinarian and in need of a housekeeper. The Loose Threads think of Carla whom they are mentoring, because she is a homeless young unwed mother. She moves into his house while he stays in an apartment above the garage. Carla has a new friend named Terry Jansen. Harriet is suspicious of him. He claims to be in the area doing some genealogy research on his father, but he keeps breaking dates with Carla and Harriet feels he might be taking advantage of her. She tends to be vulnerable because of her past. The funniest scene in the book is when the Loose Threads are tailing Terry to find out where he goes at night, stashing cars around town, and communicating with cell phones like spies. Another one is when they are planning the tailing event and Jorge Perez, the owner of the Mexican restaurant called Tico's Tacos. He has fixed up a back room especially for them to meet in and through an intercom he installed, he can listen and give advice as a disembodied voice.
Mavis's five sons come to town to help plan the 2nd funeral. So does Gerard's current wife who has followed him to America because she knew he was lying about where he was going. Later, the whole Netherlands family arrives for the funeral. Carla and Aiden go missing. What's going on? Is Terry involved? The ending is kind of abrupt. It was also difficult to keep track of the Loose Threads because they aren't developed as yet. I would recommend, but put it lower on your list. There are better quilter series out there.
Harriet Truman is a member of the Loose Threads Quilting Group which also includes Carla Salter, Jenny Logan, Mavis Willis, DeAnn Gault, Robin McLeod, Sarah Ness, Connie Escorcia, Lauren Sawyer, and Harriet's Aunt Beth. When it comes to sleuthing they all help investigate murders. Harriet is also a member of the Foggy Point (WA) Business Association and head organizer of an upcoming Civil War re-enactment. The members of Loose Threads are making Civil War period reproduction quilts to sell at the Sutler's booth in the vendor's area. After a meeting Harriet takes the eldest member Mavis home, and they discover that the door to her house is open. In the sewing room they discover a worn flannel quilt that Mavis hasn't seen in 20 years. It belonged to her deceased husband Gerald who died on a business trip to Malaysia 20 years previously. Who returned it to her?
Then during the reenactment, Mavis and Harriet climb to the top of the bleachers to watch the battle when Harriet notices that one of the "farmers" at the edge of the field doesn't get up after the event. They cross the field and discover he is dead; and when Mavis sees him, she faints. He turns out to be her deceased husband Gerald who supposedly has been dead for 20 years. Later, it is discovered that he had changed his name to Gerard Van Auken, was living in the Netherlands, and married again 15 years previously. Why? He had worked as a chemist who figured out formulas for synthetic fibers that could be used in various types of protective gear at, what is now known as, the Foggy Point Fire Protection Company. The company is now owned by an incompetent man named Carlton Brewster and his ditzy wife Bebe. Mavis and Harriet find a firm square of dense dark-grey fiber material sewed inside the flannel quilt. Scissors can't penetrate it until a cup of warm tea is accidently spilled on it. When Harriet returns to the field for a little sleuthing, she bends down to pick up a small blue cylinder she spies in the grass, and someone clubs her on the shoulder. It's Terry (see below) who finds her and knows what the blue cylinder is.
Harriet's boyfriend Aiden Jalbert is a veterinarian and in need of a housekeeper. The Loose Threads think of Carla whom they are mentoring, because she is a homeless young unwed mother. She moves into his house while he stays in an apartment above the garage. Carla has a new friend named Terry Jansen. Harriet is suspicious of him. He claims to be in the area doing some genealogy research on his father, but he keeps breaking dates with Carla and Harriet feels he might be taking advantage of her. She tends to be vulnerable because of her past. The funniest scene in the book is when the Loose Threads are tailing Terry to find out where he goes at night, stashing cars around town, and communicating with cell phones like spies. Another one is when they are planning the tailing event and Jorge Perez, the owner of the Mexican restaurant called Tico's Tacos. He has fixed up a back room especially for them to meet in and through an intercom he installed, he can listen and give advice as a disembodied voice.
Mavis's five sons come to town to help plan the 2nd funeral. So does Gerard's current wife who has followed him to America because she knew he was lying about where he was going. Later, the whole Netherlands family arrives for the funeral. Carla and Aiden go missing. What's going on? Is Terry involved? The ending is kind of abrupt. It was also difficult to keep track of the Loose Threads because they aren't developed as yet. I would recommend, but put it lower on your list. There are better quilter series out there.
November 19, 2018
It's possible that this book just has too much quilting minutiae for a non-sewer like me. I did wonder, though, if it would have too little for dedicated quilters. Harriet discovers a dead body on the field after a Civil War reenactment that her quilters' group is helping to sponsor. Amazingly, it turns out to be Gerald, the husband of her friend--a man who was supposed to have died twenty years ago. Shock follows shock, as the group learns that he has been remarried for fifteen years, and has a new life in the Netherlands. Harriet and her friends find the culprit(s), though it endangers her life, too. It does seem to me that the police were rather slow in figuring out the method of the murder, but the solution didn't seem too challenging. Don't think I'll pursue the rest of the series.
August 25, 2025
Excellent read. Well worth my time.
Excellent read. Well worth my time. I really wanted to know what Carla was so upset about that Aiden had to go home immediately from Harriet's house but that was never addressed. And, there wasn't a really good reason for Gerald to fake his death and abandon his family. He really had other alternatives. It was a poor choice. Also, the tens of millions of dollars Gerard had made from his patent never came up again.
Excellent read. Well worth my time. I really wanted to know what Carla was so upset about that Aiden had to go home immediately from Harriet's house but that was never addressed. And, there wasn't a really good reason for Gerald to fake his death and abandon his family. He really had other alternatives. It was a poor choice. Also, the tens of millions of dollars Gerard had made from his patent never came up again.
August 12, 2020
Great
I love this story. It has just enough romance to keep the storyline moving. But it also has mystery and murder to entice the imagination. Plus it's simply fun to read. I feel good after reading this author's books and love the interesting referrals to various quilt blocks the group is working on, gets me inspired to quilt.
I love this story. It has just enough romance to keep the storyline moving. But it also has mystery and murder to entice the imagination. Plus it's simply fun to read. I feel good after reading this author's books and love the interesting referrals to various quilt blocks the group is working on, gets me inspired to quilt.
October 24, 2025
A very serviceable mystery that is the third in the series. This series is better read in order.
The premise is unusual and I found it to not be quite believable. It seems that the relatives in Amsterdam would have had some contact with their cousin's wife and the whole scheme would have been uncovered years ago. Otherwise, this is an enjoyable book.
The premise is unusual and I found it to not be quite believable. It seems that the relatives in Amsterdam would have had some contact with their cousin's wife and the whole scheme would have been uncovered years ago. Otherwise, this is an enjoyable book.
May 29, 2018
Good
I have really enjoyed the first three books in this series. But gave them three stars because of all the errors in editing. One especially bothered me --- every time a word was in italics there was no space between it and the next word. But the stories are very enjoyable
I have really enjoyed the first three books in this series. But gave them three stars because of all the errors in editing. One especially bothered me --- every time a word was in italics there was no space between it and the next word. But the stories are very enjoyable
December 31, 2018
Good story line
Liked the mystery plot and characters. Couldn't put the book down. Recommend to anyone looking for a quick fast paced read. Thought I figured out who the murderer was but a twist on the book proved me wrong.
Liked the mystery plot and characters. Couldn't put the book down. Recommend to anyone looking for a quick fast paced read. Thought I figured out who the murderer was but a twist on the book proved me wrong.
March 2, 2022
another great read
As we get to know the characters in this series, their skills and talents blend together beautifully. The mystery in this episode is once again quite engaging.
Bravo for another good read.
As we get to know the characters in this series, their skills and talents blend together beautifully. The mystery in this episode is once again quite engaging.
Bravo for another good read.
July 6, 2017
Very entertaining series. Enjoy the people and envy the friendships.
February 11, 2018
Very entertaining, love the characters and seeing them in each book
May 26, 2018
Enjoyed the mystery. The characters are very human likeable despite their flaws.
January 18, 2019
I loved this book. It was a really fun read and just a nice diversion from real life.
November 21, 2019
Confusing and then I discovered it's the third in the series.... Part of my trialing books for the old ladies quilter's library
February 28, 2022
Another easy read mystery, solved with lots of quilting references. It’s pure fluff, but I like this series.
February 11, 2023
The storyline wasn't bad, but the writing was forced. I finished it but would not recommend it.
March 4, 2026
I felt it was too 'Nancy Drew-ish'
A read to keep you busy but I didn’t like the man character in it this time.
A read to keep you busy but I didn’t like the man character in it this time.
April 23, 2012
Quilt As You Go is the third book of the Loose Threads mystery series by Arlene Sachitano, set in modern-day fictional small town Foggy Point in Washington state.
Harriet owns and operates her aunt Beth's quilting business, and is an active member and unofficial leader of the town's quilt guild, the Loose Threads. Harriet dates the young veterinarian Aiden, who recently hired young quilter Clara as housekeeper. Harriet senses something is not quite up-and-up with Clara's new boyfriend.
At the town's annual Civil War re-enactment, all goes well until a dead body is discovered on the field after a simulated battle, and Harriet's close friend Mavis recognizes him.
Harriet diligently pursues the mystery of the body, and also keeps track of Clara's boyfriend, with the enthusiastic help of the Loose Threads. They frequently meet for delicious snacks and to talk strategy. Harriet plans a hilarious shadowing scheme with all quilters deployed around the town and communicating via cell phones.
Mavis' 5 sons descend upon the town, plus other surprise relatives, and pow-wows are held at Harriet's, catered by the Loose Threads.
In between their sleuthing, the quilters make Civil War reproduction quilts, comfort quilts, charity quilts and work on their own designs. An interesting history of Dutch chintz is described, and a time-saving technique for threading multiple quilting needles. Each of the quilters has a distinct personality, and sparks fly between them at times, which adds entertainment to the story.
This is a delightful mystery especially for quilters, but beware - you're likely to gain an appetite for the delicious snacks mentioned so often!
Harriet owns and operates her aunt Beth's quilting business, and is an active member and unofficial leader of the town's quilt guild, the Loose Threads. Harriet dates the young veterinarian Aiden, who recently hired young quilter Clara as housekeeper. Harriet senses something is not quite up-and-up with Clara's new boyfriend.
At the town's annual Civil War re-enactment, all goes well until a dead body is discovered on the field after a simulated battle, and Harriet's close friend Mavis recognizes him.
Harriet diligently pursues the mystery of the body, and also keeps track of Clara's boyfriend, with the enthusiastic help of the Loose Threads. They frequently meet for delicious snacks and to talk strategy. Harriet plans a hilarious shadowing scheme with all quilters deployed around the town and communicating via cell phones.
Mavis' 5 sons descend upon the town, plus other surprise relatives, and pow-wows are held at Harriet's, catered by the Loose Threads.
In between their sleuthing, the quilters make Civil War reproduction quilts, comfort quilts, charity quilts and work on their own designs. An interesting history of Dutch chintz is described, and a time-saving technique for threading multiple quilting needles. Each of the quilters has a distinct personality, and sparks fly between them at times, which adds entertainment to the story.
This is a delightful mystery especially for quilters, but beware - you're likely to gain an appetite for the delicious snacks mentioned so often!
September 2, 2014
I just have to say that I really enjoy this series. As I've said in my reviews of the first two books they are just fun, light and easy reads.
In this the third novel in the series, Harriet Truman and her sewing group , the Loose Threads, are busy sewing quilts and setting up for a civil war reenactment. After the first reenacted battle one man doesn't get up, Harriet finds it odd and walks onto the field to check on him. Of course this being a mystery, she finds him dead. What she doesn't realize is he is the already deceased husband(supposedly for 20 years) of one of the loose threads members. Mavis, the widow, is shocked and angry realizing he has been alive this whole time and she raised all their sons on her own.
Of course that is just the beginning and the author gives us many twists and turns with little bits of helpful information for solving the murder but not helpful enough until you get all the bits to equal the whole.
Gerald or Gerard, the dead man has been living a whole other life in the Netherlands with another family. Why? That is the big question all the characters are trying to figure out and if they can piece it together then they will solve his murder and get answers to their questions.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I did give this 5 stars because I just couldn't put it down, the writing was good and kept my attention.
Happy reading!!!
In this the third novel in the series, Harriet Truman and her sewing group , the Loose Threads, are busy sewing quilts and setting up for a civil war reenactment. After the first reenacted battle one man doesn't get up, Harriet finds it odd and walks onto the field to check on him. Of course this being a mystery, she finds him dead. What she doesn't realize is he is the already deceased husband(supposedly for 20 years) of one of the loose threads members. Mavis, the widow, is shocked and angry realizing he has been alive this whole time and she raised all their sons on her own.
Of course that is just the beginning and the author gives us many twists and turns with little bits of helpful information for solving the murder but not helpful enough until you get all the bits to equal the whole.
Gerald or Gerard, the dead man has been living a whole other life in the Netherlands with another family. Why? That is the big question all the characters are trying to figure out and if they can piece it together then they will solve his murder and get answers to their questions.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I did give this 5 stars because I just couldn't put it down, the writing was good and kept my attention.
Happy reading!!!
September 30, 2012
In this third novel from the 'Harriet Truman/Loose Threads Mystery' series, our amateur sleuth, Harriet finds herself deep in a murder investigation.
The Loose Threads quilting group are busy manning the sutler's booth at the reenactment of a Civil War battle being held in Foggy Point, Washington. Not only have each woman quilted the minimum of one quilt, they have also done joint quilts. Harriet was put in charge due to her Aunt's position in the town.
Finally getting a break from selling, Harriet joins Mavis to see the 'battle' from the top of the bleachers. Both of them note one of the reenactors doesn't get up when his fellow actors do. Hurrying over to see what is up, they find a dead man. Not just any man, but Mavis' husband, who has been dead for twenty years, or at least she thought he was...
We quickly learn this is not just a simple murder case but a case filled with secrets spanning two continents. Possible Industrial espionage and more.
Ms. Sachitano has an unique ability to create new and fresh mysteries is a beloved setting. I do enjoy reading these mysteries.
The Loose Threads quilting group are busy manning the sutler's booth at the reenactment of a Civil War battle being held in Foggy Point, Washington. Not only have each woman quilted the minimum of one quilt, they have also done joint quilts. Harriet was put in charge due to her Aunt's position in the town.
Finally getting a break from selling, Harriet joins Mavis to see the 'battle' from the top of the bleachers. Both of them note one of the reenactors doesn't get up when his fellow actors do. Hurrying over to see what is up, they find a dead man. Not just any man, but Mavis' husband, who has been dead for twenty years, or at least she thought he was...
We quickly learn this is not just a simple murder case but a case filled with secrets spanning two continents. Possible Industrial espionage and more.
Ms. Sachitano has an unique ability to create new and fresh mysteries is a beloved setting. I do enjoy reading these mysteries.
February 5, 2014
The third installment has Harriet and the Loose Threads making quilts in Civil War reproductions to sell at the local reenactment and street fair. When one of the ‘soldiers’ doesn’t get up after the ‘battle’, Harriet is dismayed to find he is dead. Not only that, but he was married to one of the Loose Threads and was thought to have died 20 years ago. Of course there is a quilt involved, that appears without warning in Mavis’ house, a quilt she made for that husband years earlier and hadn’t seen since before he ‘died’. There is a lot to sort out here, including finding out about a stranger that appears to be interested in Carla, another Loose Threads member. The romance between Harriet and Aiden heats up a little too. I enjoyed this book as much as the first two, a nice easy read, with a lot of quilting thrown in.
April 25, 2011
Quilt shop owner, Harriet Truman, is in charge of the Foggy Point Civil War Battle re-enactment. The mystery begins when a body is found close the the re-enactment. The mystery grows stranger when Mavis Willis identifies the victim as her husband who had supposedly been dead for twenty years. Stranger still when a second wife shows up. Could it have anything to do with the quilt Mavis made for her husband long ago?
I actually ordered this book by accident some time ago when I was ordering fabric. I thought it was actually about the quilting technique "quilt as you go". It was a pretty good little mystery, though.
I actually ordered this book by accident some time ago when I was ordering fabric. I thought it was actually about the quilting technique "quilt as you go". It was a pretty good little mystery, though.
January 26, 2017
This series is definitely growing on me as I get to know the characters. In this one, the husband of one of the quilters in the Loose Threads, who died 20 years previously, turns up dead in Foggy Point, WA, and Harriet Truman and her friends are on the hunt for answers as to where he's been and why he left. A second theme is a new boyfriend for Carla and whether or not he is involved in the murder.
June 14, 2012
Stilted dialogue. Unnecessary verbiage (do we really need a description of how she got the paper towel off the under-counter rack)? Wildly implausible plot. Still, I bought it, so I read it. That's hours of my time I'll never get back.
Skip this author and go straight to Jennifer Chiaverini. Much better series.
Skip this author and go straight to Jennifer Chiaverini. Much better series.
June 17, 2012
It was an ok book. I wish the author had been more descriptive with the quilt patterns. I liked the Cougar romance of the main character :). Didn't see the villain coming at all. The end seemed a bit tacked on.
December 10, 2016
I picked up this book at the Houston Quilt Show and got to meet the author there. I don't think I have read this author before. I found Harriet just a tad bit irritating but it was a quiet gentle read.
January 28, 2011
This was an enjoyable mystery and I learnt something about quilting at the same time.
May 14, 2011
Harriet and her friends travel down the coast and find new techniques, friends and of course a mystery to solve.
September 11, 2011
I love this group of quilters who manage to solve so many mysteries together.
January 4, 2013
Liked the characters and a unique mystery - for a cozy mystery series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews