Quilt Whisperer Mysteries

In this delightful cozy crafting mystery set in fictional Banburyport, Massachusetts, self-described quilt whisperer Caroline Platte finds creative inspiration in New England’s vibrant fall color palette—while a killer finds it a perfect backdrop for murder.

As associate director of the local Arts and Crafts Museum, Caroline is excited to be including a prized antique quilt borrowed from one of Banburyport’s wealthiest residents in an upcoming exhibit. Arriving at Nancy Critchley’s house to pick up the quilt, however, she finds the quilt missing and Nancy dead.

All of Banburyport is abuzz with theories, including the regulars at the Farrow Square coffee shop, but museum intern Amber Foster is the top suspect. She’s the author of a blog that offers a scathing critique of both Banburyport’s wealthy and the sources of their wealth.

Caroline and her good friend Libby are convinced of Amber’s innocence, but Caroline suspects the identity of the true killer indeed lies in the secrets that connect Banburyport’s past with its present . . .

“The kickoff to a new series perfect for readers who love crafts and history.”–Kirkus

“Solid character development, a well-crafted plot with history and art pointing the way, and a heartwarming side-story make this a satisfying and enjoyable read.”—FirstClue

Click here to order from Amazon. Click here to order from Barnes & Noble. Click here to order from Bookshop.org. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

Here’s the audio cover, from RB Media:

Click here for more information about the audio version.

MAKE IT

Flying Geese Phone Case

Flying Geese is a very old, very traditional patchwork quilt pattern. In The Quilt Whisperer Investigates, it’s the pattern Susanna Bennet chose in 1830 when she made the quilt that became a priceless heirloom handed down to her descendants. Here’s a fun project that uses a miniaturized version of the pattern to create an eye-catching smart phone case. Directions appear at the end of The Quilt Whisperer Investigates.

Scroll down for some in-progress photos.

Here is a link for a PDF with the patterns for the goose triangles and the background triangles. It will print as the correct size on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper. Be sure to cut the notches. They are crucial in lining your goose triangles up with your background triangles before stitching. The patterns allow for a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Goose and background triangles:

Here’s a quick way to cut out the background triangles if you are using the same fabric for them all. Cut a piece of background fabric 9″ by 6″, divide it into 3″ squares and then divide the squares into triangles as you see here.

Cut along the lines, and then clip the corners and add the notches.

To create your flying geese design, start by pinning the background triangles to the goose triangles, right sides together. It’s important to match the notches.

Pin and stitch one side at a time. Here are four geese half done.

When all six geese are half done, do the other side of each.

All six are done, fronts facing up on the right and down on the left.

Here is the finished front panel, with the geese in flight against the solid-color background.

The next step is to attach the side panels to the goose panel, pinning and basting first.

The back is attached to the front, right sides together, pinning and basting first.Here the back has been stitched to the front, and you see the reverse of the front (kind of messy, I know).

Here the case has been turned right side out, with the aid of a helpful chopstick to get the corners sharp.

The batting is stitched by hand to the wrong side of the lining.

The sides have been stitched and the seam allowances and corners clipped.

Here’s look at the lining in place. It’s fun to put a cute print inside, even though it will barely be visible.

And the completed phone case, with a phone inside.

Here’s another one, with a slightly different color scheme.

BAKE IT

Farrow Square Coffee’s Sweet Mince Bars

Sweet Mince Bars can often be found among the treats displayed in the bakery case at Farrow Square Coffee. With a taste that evokes mince pie, they are particularly appropriate to the season against which The Quilt Whisperer Investigates unfolds, with its chilly winds and vibrant autumn leaves. The recipe for Sweet Mince Bars appears at the end of The Quilt Whisperer Investigates.