A Crafter Hooks a Killer:
A Handcrafted Mystery
by Holly Quinn
About the Book
A Crafter Hooks a Killer: A Handcrafted Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Crooked Lane Books (June 11, 2019)
Hardcover 274 Pages
ISBN-10: 1643850121
ISBN-13: 978-1643850122
Digital ASIN: B07MGS1XDW
Community Craft proprietor Sammy Kane suspects that a tantalizing thread links the deaths of her best friend and a bestselling author. But can she weave together the clues?
Samantha “Sammy” Kane is settling into her new life in idyllic Heartsford, Wisconsin, running her late friend Kate Allen’s craft shop, Community Craft when one early June day, bestselling crochet author Jane Johnson visits Heartsford. Captivated by Community Craft, Jane devotes a chapter in her new book, Behind the Seams, to the store. Sammy is honored, though satisfaction quickly turns to shock when she finds Jane strangled to death—her cold hands clutching a copy of her most recently published book, with the words “THE END” raggedly scratched into the cover.
Heavens to Etsy! Not only must Sammy contend with the author’s inauspicious demise, she has to untie some knotty details from her own past. It turns out Kate’s death was not what it seemed, and instead somehow hooked to Jane Johnson’s demise. Handsome Detective Liam Nash is on the “skein”, more than happy to see the shop owner again, if less than enamored by her sleuthing interventions. But this was Sammy’s best friend—she has to know.
Fortunately, Sammy has a “lace” in the hole. As a child, she formed the S.H.E. detective team with her cousin, Heidi, and her sister, Ellie. Having already reconstituted their partnership, the S.H.E. team searches for a pattern behind the latest death. As the case starts to unravel, will Sammy and team be able to sidestep Liam quick enough to stitch together the clues?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Heartsford, Wisconsin, and it’s summertime. Sammy Kane is planning for a big event at Community Craft. A book signing with Jane Johnson, The Queen of Crafts. Jane is also writing a new book that will include one chapter about Community Craft and its original owner, Sammy’s best friend, Kate Allen.
The author surprises Sammy by arriving in town early and requesting a private meeting with her. They agree to meet on a bench by the river. Sammy arrives a short time after Jane, but she is waaayyyy too late. The author is dead and holding her last book. The killer has scratched a deadly message too, “THE END” on the book. Sammy knows the author wanted to talk to her about Kate and the store, but why would anyone kill her over that?
The death brings Sammy back together with Detective Liam Nash which seems to make them both very happy. But Liam tells her to let him handle the case. There is no way Sammy can do that. This case has something to do with Kate and she can’t just back away. She quickly assembles the S.H.E. team (Sammy, her cousin, Heidi, and her sister, Ellie) to help her untangle the clues. Together they are going to chain the information together to find the killer and get to the truth they all seek.
___
I was so excited to get back to Heartsford. I really enjoy the part the community plays in Holly Quinn’s stories. This time when the murder ruins Sammy’s big plans, she starts to plan another event that will benefit the town.
The core characters in this series are strong and realistic. Sammy’s mother gets on my nerves a little bit but in ways reminds me of my own mother in certain ways. I was surprised that the relationship between Sammy and Liam didn’t progress at all, while Heidi and Officer Tim’s relationship is progressing nicely. Ellie is taking advantage of her parents being in town to get a little bit of “me time” while they babysit their grandson Tyler. Even if that “me time” means manning the store so Sammy can investigate. When Ellie can’t step in employee/crafter/friend Deborah takes over and keeps the shop running. Of course, Sammy’s lovable golden retriever returns. That dog just steals my heart. Like my dogs, Bara is usually by Sammy’s side or very close by.
I really appreciate the way Ms. Quinn has laid out this mystery. She gives her protagonist a gift of “seeking and finding the truth” and gives us a detective that is man enough to know her information is important. He does his best to rein her in and keep her safe at the same time but Sammy is pretty headstrong. She may have her S.H.E. team to help, but she and Liam make a good team too.
The plot is full of twists, and I loved the way the author crocheted everything together but I did figure this one out before Sammy. Even with that, I was entertained reading and following along as all the clues fell into place right up to the exciting ending. Holding back saying more but Sammy rocked!
Fun characters, a great theme, not 1 but 2 mysteries all set in my neck of the woods. Books like this one are what first pulled me into the cozy mystery genre. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Read my review of A Crafter Knits A Clue
About Author Holly Quinn
Holly Quinn has published two stand-alone fiction novels in another persona. She graduated from Carroll University in Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in business and a minor in marketing. This is her second Handcrafted mystery. Visit her @ www.authorhollyquinn.com
Praise for A Crafter Hooks a Killer: A Handcrafted Mystery
by Holly Quinn
This one was a quick read for me – once I got started it was very hard to put down!
~The Book’s the Thing
A Crafter Hooks a Killer has three curious ladies, two complex crimes, one disgruntled detective and a delightful doggie.
~The Avid Reader
Author Links – Website – Facebook – GoodReads
Purchase Links –
Amazon – B&N – BAM – IndieBound – Powell’s Books – Walmart
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
June 11 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
June 11 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE
June 12 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
June 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 13 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
June 14 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT
June 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
June 15 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
June 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 16 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 18 – Author Teresa Watson – REVIEW
June 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 19 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
June 20 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
June 21 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
June 21 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 22 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 23 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
June 24 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This sounds like an excellent book! I can’t wait to get it so I can read!
I like the craft theme.
Thank you for your review on “A Crafter Hooks a Killer” by Holly Quinn. Sounds like a wonderful book and one that I would love the opportunity to read. Love the cover!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Great giveaway, Thanks for your generosity.
Welcome Holly. I recently started reading cozies. I am so enjoying them. I also am a crafter. So this would be combining both wonderful worlds. I have your book on my list now. Thanks for the give a way. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Thanks for an intriguing review. I have an autographed copy of A Crafter Knits a Clue and would love to add the second book in the series to my library!
I love the sound of this book! Definitely on my TBR list!
I love when you review, you speak from the heart. I appreciate the time you spend so that us readers can decide easily what we want to read next (obviously I will push this up in my TBR list to much sooner than later! lol) Thanks for the giveaways for some of us it may be the only chance we have of reading some books! Have a wonderful day!
This sounds like a good series. Thanks for the contest.
Great cover – like the craft theme.
Thank you so much for hosting this tour and your kind review. Sometime I hope our WI paths will cross!! ❤️
Congrats on the new release! Love the cover.
This looks like a great book, and since I love crafts, this is right up my alley! Thank you for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.