The town of Heartford is preparing for the annual Fire and Ice Celebration. Sammy Kane wants her store to be a standout during the celebration. She is sponsoring a live window mannequin contest. Wanda on of the crafters is ready to shine with her hand made quilt. When Wanda’s time is up they find that the reason Wanda’s performance as a mannequin was so good is that she is dead. Once the police start to investigate the find out Wanda was murdered. Can Sammy and the other S.H.E. members, Heidi and Ellie, solve the murder before someone else meets the same fate.

This is a fun well-crafted mystery. The characters continue to evolve over the series and have great chemistry. At first, I wasn’t a fan of Sammy and enjoyed Heidi’s and Ellie’s character more, but after three books Sammy has now grown on me. The storyline moves at a steady pace with several twists and turns and well place red herrings to keep the reader guessing. The culprit was a complete surprise to me.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

This is the first book in the series I read but I didn't feel lost or unable to follow along. Holly Quinn has a wonderful way of making you feel like you're right there with the characters and the whole time I read the book I was freezing cold! Sammy can be a little pushy, especially with the police, but I liked her anyway, along with sister Ellie and cousin Heidi. Sammy is also relentless and a little impulsive, which gets her in trouble but she does help work out who did it in the end. The story was interesting and twisty, with lots of red herrings, and kept my interest right to the end. I also liked learning a little about quilting. I'm not a big fan of romance in cozy mysteries (an anomaly, I know) so Sammy's obsession with Detective Nash was a bit much for me, but most readers probably will eat that right up. Either way, it was a well written book that I enjoyed very much.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A Crafter Quilts A Crime is the third book in the A Handcrafted Mystery series.

Samantha “Sammy” Kane has been trying to come up with a store window display for the Fire and Ice festival to draw more customers into the Community Craft Shop. Sammy has decided on “live” mannequins to display the crafts they make. It seems to be working at foot-traffic is picking up. When Wanda goes in for her stint, everyone that comes in is commenting on the excellent job she is doing. Wanda’s time is up and Sammy goes to let her know her time is up but doesn’t get any response. Heidi, who works at the hospital checks of Wanda and tells Sammy that she is dead. The police try to notify her husband, but he is nowhere to be found. Soon, Ellie’s husband Randy becomes a suspect and S.H.E. needs to get into action and find the killer.

One afternoon, Sammy is heading home and happens to see Wanda’s husband driving is Wanda’s car. She gets him to stop and gets into the car to tell him about his wife. The only thing he is concerned about is getting out of town. He takes Sammy to an old barn where he ties her up and puts her in an RV he owns. Now Hiedi and Ellie need to also worry about finding Sammy so that S.H.E. doesn’t end up becoming H.E.
It’s always an enjoyable time visiting with the folks in Heartsford, WI. The stories are always well-written and the residents are well-developed and believable. The book kept me guessing until the end.

Also included with the book is a quilt block pattern and delicious-sounding recipes.

I will be watching for the next book in this cozy series.

A Crafter Quilts a Crime is the first book written by Holly Quinn for me to read. I have seen my taste in reading material moving towards cozy mysteries more and more. The fact that this book includes crafts further attracted me. While this is the third book in the Handcrafted Mystery Series I had no problems with the characters or the relationship between any of them. One could consider it a stand-alone.

The Heartsford, Wisconsin winter setting is aptly described making it vivid in my mind especially the area where the store is located. The character development is strong with the individual personalities of Sammy, Ellie, and Heidi shining through. The plot is solid with plenty of clues and red herring to keep the reader guessing. I thought I had the right culprit pegged so it was gratifying to find that I was correct by the end. Now this is a series on my TBR list along with being on the lookout for new books.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

S.H.E. is at it again. The sisters and cousin are adults that still get into trouble with the law. Cute and clever mystery. A loveable dog. All the talk of snow and cold made me glad I live in a warmer climate. I look forward to reading the further adventures of this delightful trio.

I definitely enjoyed this 3rd in the Handcrafted Mystery series! To me, the characters are like visiting with delightful friends active in their community. It is a challenging whodunit that includes the charm of historic farms and crafts of the Midwest and plot twists that kept this reader on her toes. I am already looking forward to coming back again!

Sammy is preparing for the evening’s Fire and Ice Event, an annual town festival in January every year. Shopkeepers at the downtown Heartsford stores, including her Community Crafts store, celebrates with special sales. The stores stay open late and everyone gathers at the bonfire to finish out the night.

Community Crafts offers various needlework-related classes and sells goods made by specialty crafters in the community that include anything from knit socks to woodworking. Its importance in town includes people coming together as friends as well as to plan and make things to help others in the community. Sammy will captivate shoppers’ this year with special mannequins in the display window. Those who make and sell their crafts will display them in the window, as real-life, albeit still, mannequins.

Heidi, Sammy’s cousin, is the first person in the display window in a gorgeous Ice Princess costume, and next will be Wanda, an excellent local quilter and yoga instructor. Wanda, who isn’t feeling well, sits with her heirloom-quality lap quilt. Ellie, Sammy’s sister, oversees the cash register. Sammy and Heidi step outside to see how Wanda looks. Wanda seems to be doing a great job of sitting without moving. Until Heidi, a nurse, notices Wanda’s lips are turning color, and knows that it is not cold in the display. They race to see if she is okay, which she is not. Wanda is dead. The next day they learn her husband is missing.

On the case are Tim, a police officer and Heidi’s boyfriend, and Liam, a detective who may have an interest in Sammy, and she in him. When Sammy, Heidi, and Ellie get into full S.H.E. mode (Sammy-Heidi-Ellie), they sometimes step on the men’s toes but often get leads that the police can’t. S.H.E. is a group started when the sisters/ cousins were growing up and went on adventures to solve mysteries in the neighborhood. Sammy is typically the ringleader, but Heidi and Ellie willingly participate. This time they may have met their match, especially when they are trying to protect Ellie’s husband from being a suspect and become privy to information that they are told to keep from the police. Heidi and Tim might be over for good this time, and Sammy and Liam may never make it to a first date.

What a great plot! The twists and turns point to only a couple suspects, but something doesn’t feel quite right. Watching the S.H.E.’s, especially Sammy, wind their way through the town in the below zero Wisconsin winter! This is a riveting adventure as the cousins try to determine the role of an heirloom-quality lap quilt and a vast number of farms have lost many of their crops. I was surprised to discover the real whodunit and just how wrong a terrible plan played out. The end is very satisfactory with all loose ends tied. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy challenging cozies set in the deep, cold, Midwest winter, quilts, and women who work well together!

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

It’s winter in Heartsford, Wisconsin. Our main character, Sammy Kane is preparing for the annual Fire and Ice event with a live mannequin window display contest at her store, Community Craft. When a member of the quilt group dies during the contest, and her husband goes missing, Sammy, her sister Ellie, and her cousin Heidi work together to find the culprit.

I found the premise intriguing, the plot well thought out and executed. Sammy enticed customers and vendors to perform as live mannequins by offering a contest.

The only thing that does irk me at times is that Sammy seems not to think before acting. She puts herself in unnecessary dangerous situations. I have read book number 2 and found this to be even better.

Looking forward to the next one.

I was given an electronic advanced copy of the book by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

I really enjoyed A Crafter Quilts a Crime. For one thing, I love reading books that are set during the winter. I don’t like winter because it’s cold, gets dark early, rains as soon as it starts to warm up, snows just enough to make driving difficult…I could go on and on. However, I like reading about it! It makes me feel warm and cozy, and I have zero clue why. Do you know what I mean? It’s like I told you in my Bonbon With The Wind review. I like reading about storms and tornadoes and stuff, but I don’t want it to happen to me!

Well, A Crafter Quilts a Crime is set in mid-January where temperatures in Wisconsin are way below zero! And, I think I have it bad in Ohio?! Those temperatures come into play during the book as Sammy, Heidi and Ellie (AKA S.H.E.) try to figure out what happened to Wanda Wadsworth. Of course, they’re not supposed to be trying to find this out since they’re not police, and it’s dangerous! That doesn’t stop their inquisitive minds though…especially when the police think Ellie’s husband might be involved.

Though this is the first book I’ve read in the A Handcrafted Mystery series, it was easy for me to get a grip on the characters. I appreciate when authors don’t give you major plot points from the prior books because I like to go back to read the ones I’ve missed sometimes. Holly Quinn does a great job of developing the characters enough for us to understand and know them without giving away too much of what happened (like who the murderers are) before.

A Crafter Quilts a Crime is a cozy mystery that you’ll get through quickly since you won’t want to put it down! I definitely recommend you check this one out soon.

Let's begin with that beautiful cover! Ain't that doggie so sweet? I love stories and covers with animals on them especially dogs!

I enjoyed reading this because of the setting, the characters, and because it had to do with crafting things. It's a small town setting where pretty much everybody knows everybody else's business or thinks they do and the characters were so fun and so "real" just like characters should be.

The mystery was thrilling and enjoyable right up til the end and quite surprised me! While this was the 3rd book in the series, it was easy to dive into and totally could be read as a stand alone.

Less than half way through the first book in this series, I knew and said it was going to be one of my favorites. Having now finished this third book, I stand by my word.

Author Holly Quinn has created something special with her Handcrafted Mysteries. With a good number of cozy mysteries getting “edgier” (Not a word I think of when I think of cozies), Ms. Quinn has stayed true to the roots of the genre, and I for one am thrilled.

A CRAFTER QUILTS A CLUE was a fast paced read from cover to cover. Feeling as though I was a participant in every scene, I was totally invested in finding out who killed a local woman and why they did it. With skillful plotting and a knack for knocking the reader off track, the author had me duped right up until the reveal.

I’m sure I said this about the second book of this series, but I think A CRAFTER QUILTS A CLUE may be my favorite book in this series so far. It’s been delightful watching the characters grow from book to book, and I feel this story shows them at their best and strongest yet. The feeling of community was palpable and I enjoyed being a part of it.

With A CRAFTER QUILTS A CLUE is the perfect book to treat yourself to a dose of cozy.

Once again, Sammy and her S.H.E. Squad are up to their eyebrows in trouble, and this time it might mean the end of everything. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. It’s sweet and funny, filled with dramatic tension and awe-worthy small-town moments. This story had so many wonderfully diverting twists, I never saw the ending coming – I was completely surprised by the villain. And as frustrating as the dynamic between Sammy and Liam is to me, I love watching the friction between them. Their chemistry is palpable, and it hurt my heart to see the distance between them in this book. I also think it’s wonderfully appropriate that while I read this book, I’m surrounded by my own blizzard-y weather after several weeks that made us all wonder if spring would make an extra early appearance. This is kind of important to me, because the weather’s almost a character of its own in this story. (And anyone who’s ever survived a northern “prairie” winter can attest that winter weather is an entity all of its own.) Already I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Heartsford next after they dig themselves out from beneath this storm.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

This is book three in the Handcrafted mystery series and my favorite so far! Sammy and the S.H.E.'s club, are back at it again.
Community Craft is involved with the latest town event. Sammy finds poor Wanda dead, her husband gone and poor Ellie's husband Randy is implicated in the murder!. As usual, Liam and Sammy butt heads during the case. With the ending, I have a great deal of hope these two can work out their relationship issues.

Author Holly Quinn shines for me in this book. I have admittedly enjoyed the previous two books but there is something about this book that makes me smile just remembering it! I re-read this story many times and still feel like I could happily read it again.

Just how much trouble can the S.H.E.’s get into? How much fun would it be to hang with these ladies? I would love to have a place like Community Craft, either to own or just visit. This book has an interesting story line that may have a surprise twist or two. I love these characters and enjoyed hanging with them for a while. I can’t wait till we can meet up again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

It’s winter in Wisconsin and Sammy Kane is rapidly putting on the final touches for her display window of Community Crafts. Sammy has gone all out in preparation for the Fire and Ice festivities with the plan to have live mannequins creating a Christmas scene. All the volunteers are lined up and ready to go, with each presentation lasting 20 minutes. First up, Sammy’s cousin Heide, who did an excellent job by not moving, drawing people to the display as well as inside the store. Next is Wanda, a much-loved citizen and fellow crafter, with her lap quilt. When Heidi comes in to tell Sammy what a great job Wanda was doing, take a peek into the window. Once they realized her lips were turning blue, they sprang into action! Heidi started CPR while Sammy called 911. Unfortunately, Wanda was dead! Although Wanda was considered a health nut, the first thought was a heart attack. When Wanda’s spouse suddenly goes missing, it begins to look a lot more like murder! Sammy, Heidi, and Ellie (S.H.E) go into investigative action. Forming the group during their childhood, they have been fairly successful in solving cases. Involving themselves in a murder investigation aggravates the handsome Detective Nash, as it’s always a challenge to keep the trio safe.
I am really enjoying this series, each one better than the last. With the descriptions throughout the book I can visualize the cold, Wisconsin winter. Sammy has a tenacity that gets her into trouble, which sometimes, like Detective Nash, can drive me crazy. I love that her deep concern and care for others keeps her going to bring a killer to justice. The plot was skillfully thought out keeping the question of did he, or didn’t he in the forefront of my mind. Each character is well developed and likeable, adding their own element to the story. The ending was suspenseful as I really thought I knew who the suspect was, yet once again I was caught off guard. A well-crafted and entertaining cozy! I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. #Netgalley #crookedlanebooks #hollyquinn #amazon

I enjoyed this read, my mind kept jumping as to whom the guilty party was, and then I would come to another conclusion.
Now this is my first book in this series that I have read, and no I wasn’t lost, and the author did a great job of keeping everything updated without being redundant.
Now I’m a quilter and also have a farm and barn, so right away my interest was piqued, and I loved the barn blocks, and the trail, and a wonderful job was done to make it part of the story. Even to putting the binding on the quilt, it all added to the mystery.
Yes, surprises abound here, and I loved the ending, wow!!

I received this book through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. and was not required to give a positive review.

I loved this cozy mystery because it was full of suspense. I loved the main character and how, when her friend had a fight with her boyfriend over their involvement with the investigation, she stood up and took responsibility. I also liked the romantic subplot. Anyone who wants to read a good story, look no further. I received an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting mystery with a good twist that I never figured out. As much as I really like these characters, Sammy while lovable as a puppy, still kind of bothered me with how she managed to twist someone's words into something she was afraid was hurtful or what she saw as untrue. It's not like she was trying to do that for any terrible reason. I think she simply couldn't help it. Her lips moved faster than her brain sometimes, lol. It just seemed to continually get her in trouble with Liam, the detective she had a crush on. Sometimes they'd be joking like they always had, and other times she'd be reading something else into what he told her.

After a wild ride of investigating, getting into hot water with the police and someone that could be a killer, Sammy eventually helped once again bring another killer to justice. And she got a super sweet ending from it too which I loved!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is such a fun and entertaining series. I love the concept of the "community craft" area in the store and the characters are wonderful people that I want to meet. This series started out with sadness as Sammy's friend, Kate, died unexpectedly and Sammy inherited her shop but Sammy has turned it into a gathering place for all, especially crafters. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy! 📚

In Heartsford, Wisconsin, townsfolk are getting ready for the annual winter festival, the Fire & Ice event. However, the evening turns deadly when local quilter, Wanda Wadsworth, is discovered dead in Sammy Kane's shop, Community Craft. Together with her sister, Ellie, and cousin, Heidi, Sammy decides their detective trio (named S.H.E.) must put their heads together to solve the crime!

Oh, how much I loved A Crafter Quilts a Crime! This was my first trip to Heartsford, Wisconsin, but it most certainly won't be my last. Heartsford is full of the cozy town charm, that all cozy mystery readers love. I quickly became smitten with the cutesy-named shops and their occupants. However, one step inside Community Crafts and my crafty soul was singing for joy! I loved the mix of crafts and the community atmosphere, and I could just imagine myself sitting down with my quilting and ready to listen to all the gossip.

Of course the real reason we pick up cozy mysteries is for the mystery... and this one left me absolutely stumped! I couldn't figure out who would want Wanda dead. She seemed sweet enough, if a bit of a "health nut", and certainly not someone I'd pick for an early grave! When the final denouement was unravelled I let out a little gasp!

With a charming town and a thrilling page-turner of a mystery, A Crafter Quilts a Crime was a 5-star read for me. I leapt into this series with this book, and I didn't feel lost at all. I liked that I was able to dive right in. By the end of the book I felt like I need more of the S.H.E. gang and will definitely be reading their earlier adventures.

A Crafter Quilts a Crime is recommended for fans of "crafty" cozies and those that are looking for a good mystery to read by the fire in these chilly February days!

This is the 3rd installment of the Handcrafted Mystery series. Sammy Kane runs the Community Craft shop in Heartsford Wisconsin and the town is gearing up for their Fire and Ice event in January which brings everyone into town for shopping and a giant bonfire. To draw attention to her store, Sammy has come up with the idea to have a “live” mannequin in her store window and each person has to sit in the window for 20 minutes and the best mannequin is voted on by the public. Sammy’s cousin Heidi is the first up and dresses up in an ice queen costume and is great. Wanda a regular quilter in the store is up next but is a little under the weather but sits on a seat with a quilt on her lap. As people are outside checking the store window they are in awe that she has not moved at all. Heidi notices her lips are blue and immediately calls 911 and starts CPR (Heidi is a nurse). Wanda does not make it and at first everyone assumes she must have had a heart attack. Wanda’s husband is missing and it is learned she died of poisoning. Sammy finds a weird quote hidden in the quilt Wanda was holding and can’t figure out what it means. The ladies decide to visit Wanda’s brother Jackson on his farm to offer condolences and to deliver a casserole when Jackson receives a ransom note for Marty. They promise not to tell the police but they give him 24 hours to figure out what to do. The ladies decide they are going to break into Wanda and Marty’s house to see if there is anything in there to help clear Randy (Ellie’s husband) and the realtor on the house. Detective Nash has indicated that he is going to be brought in for questioning. Detective Nash warns Sammy to stay away from it but Ellie is determined to clear her husband. After the S.H.E’s (Sammy, Heidi and Ellie) barely escape getting caught at the house both Detective Nash and Officer Tim (Heidi’s boyfriend) arrive at Sammy’s house. They tell them what they know about the kidnapping and Nash gives Sammy a real hard time and Tim breaks up with Heidi. The FBI are called in for the kidnapping and Sammy really needs to stay out of it or risk getting arrested. Another snowstorm comes in and Sammy decides to close the store and head home and work on the quilt angle when she sees Marty at his house. She stops to talk to him and he kidnaps her. Fortunately the S.H.E’s eventually find her the next day and Sammy fills in Detective Nash and Tim on everything that happened. This is a good solid cozy and you think you have figured it out then another clue takes you in another direction. I really like the characters and I am glad Sammy and Liam finally get their stuff together. I hope there are more in this series.