A Catered Quilting Bee
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For sisters and business partners Bernie and Libby Simmons, catering a quilting showcase is about as tame as it gets--until murder put them in a bind! Quilts, quiet, and delicious food. That's exactly what Bernie and Libby expect as they build the menu for the Longely Sip and Sew Quilting Circle's first-ever exhibition hosted at the local library. The eclectic ladies of the group couldn't appear more harmlessly wholesome if they tried, especially mild-mannered kindergarten teacher Cecilia Larson, who hired A Little of Taste of Heaven to cater the event. So it's a complete shock when disturbing news drops about member Ellen Fisher, found hanging from a plant hook in her otherwise pristine sewing room . . . All are very quick to deem the tragic death a suicide. All except for Cecilia. She believes something else happened to her best friend--who was busy adding the finishing stitches on her greatest work yet in hopes of displaying it at the exhibition--and looks to Bernie and Libby to expose the truth . . . and the killer. As Ellen's patchy past comes into focus along with a mysterious connection to a missing seven-hundred-year-old quilt fragment, can the sisters unravel the victim's final thread before another turns up dead?
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6 primary booksA Mystery with Recipes
A Mystery with Recipes is a 6-book series with 6 primary works first released in 2003 with contributions by Isis Crawford.
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Book Review: A Catered Quilting Bee by Isis Crawford
Rating: 3 stars
In A Catered Quilting Bee by Isis Crawford, sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons find themselves catering a seemingly tranquil quilting showcase until murder disrupts the peace. The plot unfolds as they navigate through a web of mysteries surrounding the death of a quilting circle member, Ellen Fisher.
The book delves into the world of quilting, delicious food, and a quaint setting, setting the stage for what promises to be a cozy mystery. The author weaves a well-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged in uncovering the truth behind Ellen's demise. Despite being the 18th book in a series, this installment stands strong as a standalone, making it accessible to new readers.
While the writing was good and mystery plot well plotted, the characters fell flat for me. The juvenile bickering between the sisters, Bernie and Libby, felt forced and detracted from the overall story. Additionally, some of their actions felt unrealistic and left me questioning their decision-making processes, such as stumbling upon a dead body, tampering with evidence at the crime scene, venturing to search the deceased man's house, all without notifying authorities of their discovery. It left me amused and slightly incredulous.
Overall, A Catered Quilting Bee is an okay read that balances a captivating mystery with cozy elements. The book's cute cover and well-constructed plot make it an enjoyable choice for fans of the genre. However, the character development and some aspects of the narrative may leave readers wanting more depth and realism in the interactions between the protagonists.
If you're looking for a light-hearted mystery with a touch of quilting charm, A Catered Quilting Bee offers an engaging storyline that will keep you guessing until the final reveal.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
