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Patchwork and Quilting Terms: What are Quilt Mysteries?
What is a Quilt Mystery?
Quilt mysteries are books and videos about mysteries that is somehow related to quilting. They are suspenseful stories about puzzling events that eventually get solved at the end of the story. As they are books written for adults, the puzzling event tends to be a crime of some kind. Sometimes a murder or other crime takes place in a quilt shop. Other times the person solving the mysteries is a quilter. Sometimes a victim or perpetrator is a quilter. Often, the detective is a quilt shop owner.
Like many mysteries, these quilt mysteries tend to be made into a series of books. While some series include quilters in one of their mysteries, quilt mystery series focus on quilters throughout the series.
Quilt Mysteries on Amazon
Quilt Mystery Series
Some popular quilt mystery series include:
- Benni Harper Mystery Series by Earlene Fowler. This is probably the most popular and well-known quilt series. Each of the books is based on a different quilt block pattern.
- Someday Quilts Mysteries by Claire O'Donahue
- Shipshewana Amish Mysteries by Vannetta Chapman involves the owner of Daisy's Quilt Shop.
- Harriet Truman/ Loose Threads Mysteries by Arlene Sachitano is about Harriet who inherits a quilt shop called Loose Threads.
- Killer Quilts Mystery Series by Karen Buck
- Elizabeth Blair Mysteries by Lizbie Brown is set in Bath, England.
- Queens Bees Mystery Series by Sally Goldenbaum is set in Massachusetts.
- Quilting Mystery Series by Terri Thayer involves Dewey who inherited the store, Quilter Paradiso, from her mother.
- Patchwork Mystery Series is written by a number of different Guidepost writers.
Quilt Mysteries and Mystery Quilts
Because quilt mysteries and mystery quilts sound so similar, but are two completely different things, it is important to be careful with the terms you use to so that you can be sure you are getting what you want. Even if you use the right term, it is possible that the person you are talking to is thinking of the other one.
Reading Quilt Mysteries
Quilt mysteries tend to be fun and fast, lighthearted reads, as long as you don't get too caught up in the fact that there was a murder involved. Most, but not all, of the books are written with a mature audience in mind, which means you are not likely to find curse words, risqué sex scenes, or gory descriptions of blood and guts.
Some quilt mysteries may also provide recipes or patterns for quilt blocks or even quilts. You can learn quilt terms and other information about quilting in a fun and casual way.
Quilt mysteries are great to read when you don't have time to make a quilt, like when you are commuting on a bus or train, or waiting at a doctor's or dentist's office. You can read these books and be involved in quilting without actually pulling out fabric or thread.
They also make great gifts for quilters and for mystery lovers.
Related
Comments
Yes, it was fun. She's a sweetie. She said that her publisher wanted a book that would be coming out October or November of --- either '12 or '13, not sure.
Then, she paused, and said, "Well, . . . "
The attendees started chuckling, because we caught her drift: October or November will not work for the Quilt Expo folks, because Quilt Expo is early September, usually the weekend after Labor Day.
Volunteering is always fun, as well. Such a great bunch of folks there. I've been volunteering each year since --- I think '08? or '09? Still don't know a darn thing about quilting, though. LOL! ---- Well, okay, maybe a few things. (Like --- the quarter - inch seam? OUCH!! I'm lucky to be able to maneuver a five - inch seam. LOL)
I made a couple of blocks ---- which eventually may actually get together somehow. ----- Not sure how, though :-)
Yes, I have seen that title. Sheesh! I'm way behind. I think I've not read any of them in a couple of years, really. It will be really fun to get back. Thanks for the reminder.
- Author
Huntgoddess, how great it must have been to meet her! And great that you volunteered at the show. The Giving Quilt is the most recent one - the Quilters get together to make quilts for Project Linus.
What is the latest one? I've been away from the series for a while, and don't want to finish it too quickly. ---- Although, with my lack of memory, I usually have to read things over several times anyway, so not to worry :-)
I attended Jennifer's talk at the Quilt Expo this year. I was a little late, but it was still good. She is really just a nice person, as well as a great writer. She gives out little door prizes, based on ticket number. I thought that was really sweet.
I actually found out about her from the attendees at the Quilt Expo, when I volunteered at "Will Call" in 2009. Ladies kept coming in, excitedly asking, "Where's Jennifer's talk going to be?"
I figured I had to find out more. Now I'm addicted.
- Author
Yes thanks Huntgoddess. I am reading the latest book of the Elm Creek Quilts series now. I do enjoy reading this series very much.
Yes, I agree, and I'm sure I will love the genre.
You probably know about the The Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini ? They're not specifically mysteries, but there are mysteries in them.
There's also almost anything you can think of, that makes for a great read: life, death, birth, happiness, history, friendship, etc. --- Oh, yeah, -- and quilting. LOL
- Author
Thanks Huntgoddess, I enjoy a good mystery, and when it can be combined with a love of quilting, that makes it all the more better. I hope you enjoy this new genre.
Wow, I'm so glad to find this information. I love cozy mysteries, and I've been looking for some quilt mysteries, but did not know exactly which series were about quilting. So glad to know.
Thanks. Up, useful, interesting!!
- Author
Thanks susanm23b, they are a lot of fun to read. The quilt mysteries don't inundate the reader with the quilting part, and generally describe the terms as they mention them. If you don't understand something though, come back here and ask me. I'll be happy to explain.
This is new to me, and I enjoy learning something new :) I am a sewer but have never made a quilt--though I have always wanted to. I love quilts and am fortunate to own several made by my grandmothers :) I will definitely check out these mysteries!
- Author
Thanks homesteadbound. I am learning quite a lot of new things as well.
I have never heard of a quilt mystery. Here at hubpages, I have been able to learn so many things and be exposed to things. And quilt mysteries is one of those things.
- Author
Thanks for visiting my hub and leaving a comment. I was trying to explain mystery quilts, and just had to provide an explanation for quilt mysteries as well.
Thanks for the explanation. Didn't realize before of the differences. voted you up and useful.
- Author
Hi Kris, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Yes, quilters like to read, especially about quilting, so books that combine both topics are especially popular among quilters.
I hadn't realized there were so many quilt mystery series. I've red most of the Benni Harper ones. Looks like I have more to check out!
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