Quilting has become a very popular theme in cozy mysteries, and rightfully so! Many more people are now enjoying quilting as a favorite hobby, and even more are reading cozy mysteries!
Lizbie Brown writes the Elizabeth Blair Mystery Series, which is set in Bath, England… where Brown resides.
The Elm Creek Quilts Series is not a mystery series but it is very popular with quilters, as well as non-quilters! This series is written by Jennifer Chiaverini. Chiaverini also has accompanying instructional books that feature the quilts in the novels.
Elizabeth Craig (aka Riley Adams & Elizabeth Spann Craig) writes the Southern Quilting Mystery Series, which is set in North Carolina.
Earlene Fowler writes the Benni Harper Mystery Series. Each of the novels is named after a different quilt pattern.
Sara Hoskinson Frommer writes the Joan Spencer Mystery Series. While the series is not a quilting mystery series, the second book in the series is called Buried in Quilts.
Sally Goldenbaum writes the Queen Bees Quilt Mystery Series isAND the Seaside Knitters Mystery Series which is set in a Massachusetts coastal town.
Clare O'Donohue writes the Someday Quilts Mystery Series. O'Donohue is an ex-journalist and writing teacher who has worked for the HGTV network on the "Simply Quilts" show. She mixes quilting with romance and mystery.
The Patchwork Mystery Series is a Guidepost mystery series which will have, as its sleuth, a woman who is good with the needle AND who is good at solving mysteries.
Emilie Richards writes the Ministry is Murder Mystery Series. She also writes a non-mystery series which is called the Shenandoah Valley Series. The novels in this quilting series are named after different quilting patterns, and they have accompanying books that Leisure Arts publishes which actually have the directions for the quilts featured in the Shenandoah Valley Series. I think that's very clever…. and only wish that I quilted!
Arlene Sachitano writes the Harriet Truman Loose Threads Mystery Series. Harriet inherits a quilting shop…
Terri Thayer writes the Quilting Mystery Series, which features a computer technician who inherits a quilt shop.
♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦
25 comments - click here to see the comments or to add yours
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Marnette Falley seems to have taken over writing the Queen Bees Quilting mystery series.
She has a book out called Dog-Gone Murder. I havent read it yet. You can get it on Amazon website but only in America.
Thanks for letting us know, Tania. I will add Marnette Falley to the Sally Goldenbaum page…
I love reading Earlene Fowler’s series and Jennifer Chiaverini’s series. They make me want to go out and take quilting classes. One day…..
You and me, both, Vickie!
Hi
I have just read a new author: Clare O’Donohue. Not sure if you have tried her, but she’s brilliant. I couldn’t stop reading her book, and was sorry when it was finished.
It’s a quilting mystery. Nell (the main character) is dumped by her fiance and goes to vist her grandmother (who has her own quilting shop) for the weekend but ends up staying longer when her Grandmother breaks her leg. During this time the local handyman is murdered and Nell becomes involved in trying to solve the murder.
Not sure if this is a series but I really hope it will be and can’t wait for the next one.
At the moment you can’t get it on Amazon in Britain, but you can still get it in America on Amazon.
Sorry I forgot to give you the title of the book by Clare O’Donohue it’s The Lover’s Knot a Someday Quilts Mystery
Hi Tania,
Thanks for telling us about Clare O’Donohue!
I am a quilter and love to read stories about quilters especially mysteries. Now I have a mystery. I recently read a story but do not remember the title or the author. The story is about a women (Theo Abernathy) who owns a quilt shop, her husband is the sheriff. I believe the story takes place in California. There was a mystery quilt called “Springtime In The Smokies” by Theo Abernathy. All the directions for the quilt was given as clues. Help me with the title and author.
Hi Meg,
The author you are looking for is Barbara Graham. The title of the book is Murder by Serpents.
Good luck on the quilt!
I would love to read some of these series on tape. Any suggestions of where I can get them? I did check my local library and netlibrary.
Jan,
My husband and I have been members of audible.com for years… and by that, I mean YEARS! We were with them (almost) from their very humble beginnings. That is where we get out audio books.
I love the Jennifer Chiaverini series. I am not a quilter but love the history and how the stories enfold. Great read and getting to know the characters makes me want to go to quilt camp!
Judy, I know Chiaverini doesn’t write mysteries, but I simply HAD to include her on the Cozy Mystery site!
I don’t believe Terri Thayer is writing her quilting series any more. I have tried contacting her but no response.
That’s a shame, Terri. Maybe her Stamping Sisters Mystery Series is doing so well that she has decided to put all of her writing efforts into it… (?)
@Danna,
Oh no, I just started reading Terri’s quilting series, I hope she continues.
Rede, I have no idea about this…
I read a couple of books about a woman who takes over her aunt’s long arm quilting business, it was set outside the Seattle, Washington area on one of the islands across the Sound….
Anyone have hints or ideas on who the author was/is…?
thanks
Sounds like the ‘Harriet Truman / Loose Threads’ series by Arlene Sachitano. The first one is “Quilt as Desired”.
Thanks, Susan, for identifying Arlene Sachitano! (Also, for reminding me that I forgot to add Sachitano to my Quilting Mystery Series list…)
Just saw on GoodReads that Terri Thayer has the next book in the quilting mystery series coming out in May 2012. I just read the first one; glad to know there’s one more in the series before I run out now!
Sandy, I know that a lot of people who visit the Cozy Mystery site enjoy Terri Thayer’s Quilting Mystery Series. I’m guessing that her May release (Monkey Wrench) is on a lot of TBR lists!
I like the Sandra Dallas books. She was not mentioned in the list. She always has quilting mentioned, although it is not the center of the story. Alice’s Tulips and the Persion Pickle Club refer to quilts. Persion Pickle is what they called Paisley in the 30′s.
Jean
Thank you, Jean, for telling us about Sandra Dallas and the “Persion Pickle”!
I read a book years ago about a woman who designed a quilt block that was made from a new mathematical equation. a person used the equation to further their mathematical career and never told anyone that the equation was not his. i hope this is enough information as i really enjoyed the book and would love to re-read it.
Further to the above comment i forgot to mention that i am looking for the title of this book.
thanks