This book was a fun read and had the added bonus of being set at Christmas. It is about Sammy, who runs a craft shop / quilt shop in a small town, and her sister and cousin who team with her to solve a mystery. It all starts when someone is murdered and it all takes place in Sammy's shop during the busiest night of the year. Sammy and her team try to solve the mystery themselves which leads to hilarous capers and also some dangerous circumstances. This one is too much fun to put down so don't plan on getting too much accomplished except reading once you start it.

I like this author and I enjoy reading about the quilters and crafters that frequent the shop.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this books which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This is the third in the series. I haven’t read the previous two, but did not seem lost or that I had to read the others to read this one. Now, I am thinking I should, that I’d enjoy them as well. This is my introduction to Holly Quinn. I’ve noticed her name before on different titles while looking for other cozy mysteries. I just have not tried any before now. I’m not disappointed. Love the craft angle to the mystery. The story flow was smooth, and developed well. I wouldn’t say it’s fast paced, to me it was just right. Great read, well balanced. Five stars.

I really enjoyed that the novel was set in Wisconsin and that the murder mystery began early, quickly bringing me into the plot. The murder motive was interesting and I appreciated that it was very “Wisconsin”. The way quilts were tied into this book was also fascinating. My recommendation is to read the series in order and not begin with this book as it is the third in the series, so that you are familiar with the characters and their history.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #ACrafterQuiltsACrime #mystery #cozymystery

The S H E investigative team, Sammy, Heidi and Ellie, are back on the job to solve a murder at the annual festival. This team will keep you smiling all through their wandering investigation. The police really don't stand a chance! A great cozy mystery that I enjoyed immensely.

I enjoyed this book. The main characters are family and loyal to each other. They look after each other. The setting is different than the average cozy mystery and the murderer is a mystery right to the end. I was a bit surprised that Liam and Samantha got together at the end, since they were in conflict with each other throughout the book. #ACrafterQuiltsACrime #NetGalley

This is book 3 in the series and the first one I have read. I feel like this book took me forever to read, I just wasn't super engaged with the main character Sammy. The story is well written and the setting and the quilting were interesting. I just couldn't get past Sammy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 3rd book in the Handcrafted Mystery series but it's the 1st one I've read. This book could be read as a stand alone book as the author does a good job of introducing characters and giving pertinent background information.
I enjoyed the lady sleuths and the pace of the book was great. It kept my attention throughout the whole book. I look forward to reading the previous 2 books in this series and any future books by the author.

Sammy, is holding a contest at her craft store. People sign up for time to sit as mannequins. During a festival a woman is found dead in the window. Sammy and her friends nicknamed SHE for their initials are on the case. Of coarse they get in trouble with the local law enforcement. Fun quick read

A Crafter Quilts a Crime is a good cozy mystery with great characters. The storyline is entertaining and well written.

My first reaction was that this book was more “cozy” than “mystery”. I was wrong.

All small towns in Wisconsin are alike - for example, they each have their annual festivals. Oh, they may come at different seasons of the year, but they do occur. Heartford, Wisconsin’s “Fire and Ice” event took place in winter in the first weeks of January. It was scheduled to end with the bonfire late in the evening where the town would burn its collection of well-used Christmas Trees from the previous year’s advent celebration. Scheduled, but for some “Fire and Ice” would end hours earlier with the unexpected death of Wanda.

And with Wanda’s passing, the S.H.E.s (a group of two sisters and a cousin, Sammy, Heide, and Ellie) began gathering evidence; evidence which would eventually lead to a kidnapping. Much of the action centers around Sammy’s craft shop located across the street from Liquid Joy, the local coffee shop. But we also spend time on the rural farms and in the homes of local citizens impacted by Wanda’s demise.

Having spent six years living in a small town in southern Wisconsin, this reader felt right at home - though murder was not part of my personal experience, car theft was. For the reader looking for a book focusing on the Winter months with an interesting cast of characters, Holly Quinn’s latest work may be a worthwhile choice. Bundle up and open the book and find your newest vacation spot - including the quilt trail maps that define most of the region. After reading, you may want to schedule a spring or summer visit.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

This book had some interesting twists to it. However, I did find it somewhat repetitive. Some facts seemed to conflict with one another. For instance, at one point in the same chapter, it is said that Sammy had an over sized purse. Then a few sentences later, she puts her purse in the glove compartment of her car. Just didn't make sense to me. I think that one slipped past the editor. I did enjoy how the victim left a clue to her demise. Quilters will enjoy the plot.

This was an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the plot of the mystery along with the crafting element. The mystery kept me guessing and I also enjoyed the humor in the story. This is the first time I have read a mystery with this type of theme and I am anxious to read more books from this author. Being that This is the 3rd book in this series and I haven’t read the previous two, I will definitely be going back and picking them up also. If you enjoy cozy mysteries I recommend this book.

(This review will appear on my website January 8, 2020 - phlipside.wordpress.com)

A Crafter Quilts A Crime by Holly Quinn (2020) (Crooked Lane Books) - It’s the middle of winter in a small town in Wisconsin. Sammy Kane is looking for a way to stand out during the annual Fire and Ice event. So she invites friends to be store window mannequins for a contest. Customers would vote for the winner. It all seemed like a great idea until one of her friends is found dead in that window. Sammy follows the clues, despite being warned off by the local police and the FBI, searching for the answers.

This is part of a series of mysteries based in the little town of Heartsford and centered on Community Craft. It brings all of the small-town warmth readers would expect. Like Jan Karon’s Mitford stories, there isn’t pulse-pounding action. Life in a small town tends toward a slower tempo, even when murder is involved. Everyone knows everyone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t secrets lurking. Professional secrets in one man’s life result in death, and the challenge lands right on Sammy’s doorstep. Sammy Kane runs the local crafts shop in Heartsford, Wisconsin. Along with her sister Elli, and her cousin Heidi, she also solves local mysteries. The Heartsford police, especially the good looking detective Liam Nash, aren’t always enthused but she just can’t resist a mystery.

The characters bring a likability, and the story carries along just fine. The mystery behind the murder has enough twists to keep you guessing along the way. All the usual aspects show up as well, a bit of romance, some local flavor (life in farm country in the upper Midwest, especially in the depths of winter), which results in a nice, light mystery read.

For my tastes, the book is a bit over-written. Fans of the genre (call this one romantic mystery) probably won’t have the same issue. The other issue has to do with the dialogue. It never felt like Quinn catches a natural flow here. So it always feels a little awkward. Never enough to make me put the book down, but enough that it was a nagging, if minor, irritant.

If you’re looking for a little light reading, with a murder mystery that won’t keep you up at night worried about the images from the book, you’ll enjoy this one.

“A Crafter Quilts A Crime” hits the bookshelves in February.

Rating: *** Worth A Look
This review was done from an Advance Reader’s Copy provided by the publisher and is consistent with our Review Policy.

Sammy Kane owns and manages Community Craft, a retail store on Main Street in Heartsford, Wisconsin. It's the best shopping night of the year, the Fire and Ice Event, and Sammy has a brilliant idea to attract customers to her shop. She asked the vendors from Community Craft to be live-mannequins inside the storefront display window. The plan goes awry when one of the mannequins looks blue despite the bright lights. Sandy, her sister and cousin, in their childhood formed an investigative club nicknamed S.H.E. They decided to insert themselves into the murder investigation to discover who murdered their quilting friend, Wanda. Detective Nash is not amused when Sammy is kidnapped by the chief suspect and proposes a convoluted theory about a map and clues hidden in a quilt made by Wanda.

This cozy mystery provides a respite from everyday life. The characters are likable and predictable (in a good way) and will entertain you. The food mentioned in the book sounds delicious and Quinn has provided recipes and a quilt pattern. I will absolutely make Ellie's Meatball Soup and Sammy's Crustless Spinach Quiche. Well-written with just enough of a plot twist to keep the story from being like any other cozy mystery. Throw in a little romantic tension, and it's just right.

Heartsford, Wisconsin is cozy as can be in Holly Quinn’s mystery! Even if you’re not a crafter, you will enjoy reading about Sammy and her friends and their caper in a small town. I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC in exchange for my honest review

This was a fun cozy read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I plan to go back now and start reading at the first of the series.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is book 2 in the series, and the first one I've read. Centered around a group of crafter shops in Wisconsin, the premise is fun and I liked the characters for the most part. A few times I heard the author's voice instead of the characters though, which I found a little distracting, but this was not often, and was not a major issue. A fun cozy mystery, and a perfect read to curl up with on a cold wintery day. Would recommend.

The S.H.E.s are back again in Holly Quinn's A Handcrafted Mystery series. The story is a mix of lighthearted silliness and sadness at the loss of a friend and all that means. This juxtaposition is at the same time fantastical and very realistic, which might be confusing or not pleasant to some. I actually look forward to more and in seeing where Sammy, Ellie and Heidi and their significant others will take us.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

'A Crafter Quilts a Crime' by Holly Quinn is a fun cozy mystery with a silly side. The S.H.E. group, Sammie, her sister and her cousin, is a club that the girls formed while children to solve crimes, is full of shenanigans. At times I found the S.H.E. almost too rediculous. As Holly Quinn's A Handcrafted Mystery Series progresses the books are getting sillier. I read both previous books in this series before reading this third book. I enjoy Ms Quinn's storytelling abilities and the quality of her mysteries. I would not have agreed to read the third book in the series if I did not. However, this last book is my least favorite. I recommend this book because it is an easy fun read although I liked the first two books better. This is an honest review in exchange for a complimentary ebook. Thanks Netgalley.

romantic, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, quilting, investigation, murder, small-business, small-town, law-enforcement

Ah, Wisconsin in the depth of winter with celebrations, lots of snow, biting cold, and. ..murder? Two sisters and their cousin get caught up in investigating the death of a friend and the apparent disappearance of her husband. It becomes a real tangle complete with misdirection, red herrings, and romantic issues with a policeman AND the detective! It's a good story and well worth your time even if I won't give in to the spoiler temptation.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!