This second novel in the series known as 'A Southern Quilting Mystery,' was a treat. Not only did the murder mystery remain in the main view of the reader throughout, often the novel had me laughing out loud.



Retired Art Folk museum docent, Beatrice Coleman has moved to Dappled Hills, North Carolina to be nearer her only daughter and to learn how to 'retire.' In the first novel we are introduced to Beatrice's neighbor, Meadow Downey, a quilter. Although Beatrice had many dealing with quilters and

This second novel in the series known as 'A Southern Quilting Mystery,' was a treat. Not only did the murder mystery remain in the main view of the reader throughout, often the novel had me laughing out loud.



Retired Art Folk museum docent, Beatrice Coleman has moved to Dappled Hills, North Carolina to be nearer her only daughter and to learn how to 'retire.' In the first novel we are introduced to Beatrice's neighbor, Meadow Downey, a quilter. Although Beatrice had many dealing with quilters and their remarkable art projects, she herself, had never tried to quilt. Meadow, with her well intentioned pushing soon has Beatrice working on learning the art as a member of the 'Village Quilting' guild. In fact the town seems divided into the two active quilting groups, The Cut-Ups, and the Village Quilters.



In this novel, we find membership is declining as all clubs experience. This will not do for Meadow and she begins a campaign to find new members worthy of joining the guild. Meadow's eye falls upon the local mail carrier, Jo Paxton, and it doesn't hurt that Jo is also a quilting judge. Beatrice is not so comfortable with the choice of new member as she experiences arguments, threats, and the fact that Jo was 'asked' to leave the 'Cut-Ups.' Then the unthinkable occurs...death. During a monster rain storm, Jo's mail truck careens off the mountain road and Jo is killed. We soon learn, to the dismay of Police Chief, Ramsay Downey, Meadow's husband who would rather read Thoreau than solve crimes, it is a case of murder!



I really enjoyed Beatrice's mental dialog, and her deductive reasoning of the crime. I felt as though I was a house guest being allowed to follow each step of the journey with Beatrice. The ending was a great chase scene and I really laughed as the killer was brought to justice.



I'm eager to read the next novel which Obsidian tempts us with a taste of after the novel ends. It comes out in late 2013. Don't miss it...unfortunately, no title is given yet. Enjoy this series.