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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
5.0
Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks is the seventh A Quilting Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you have not had the opportunity to read the rest of the novels in the series. Martha Rose is a smart, perceptive woman with a big heart who loves to quilt. Martha is divorced, engaged to ATF agent Yossi “Crusher” Levy, and suffers from fibromyalgia. The author accurately portrays what it is like to suffer from this painful and debilitating disease. Martha’s daughter, Quincy is expecting her first child which Martha is eager to spoil. There are a variety of quirky characters like Jazz, Sonia, and Giselle. Martha’s half-sister, Giselle has no filter and her comments provides levity. Marigold Poppy Sarah Halaby aka Poppy is a sweet, precocious child who has gone through something no individual, much less an eight year old, should go through in their life. The characters are realistic, developed and round out the story. Knot on Her Life is an engrossing story with a perplexing whodunit. It is a mystery that is atypical for cozy mysteries which I liked. There are a variety of suspects, a red herring and twists that will surprise readers (I love a good twist). I found it hard to put down this book because I wanted to discover who was the reprobate that killed Poppy’s parents. I particularly enjoyed the take-down scene. It was interesting to learn more about Jewish and Muslim customs which are explained in an easy to understand manner. There was one little matter at the end that I found disappointing because I was rooting for a different resolution. I like the author’s engaging writing style with steady pacing and smooth transitions. I hope Birdie Watson, a member of Martha’s Tuesday quilting group, returns soon because I miss her. Knot on Her Life has a wholesomeness to it that is welcoming. Knot on Her Life has a plucky young lady, a menacing killer, a complex crime, a brawny protector, and one determined lady sleuth.
thisandthatwithkaren's review
5.0
"Knot on Her Life" the 7th installment in the "Quilting Mysteries" by Mary Marks. I wasn't sure if I had read any in the series but after a few pages it all came back to me. I am very glad I read this installment and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Martha and her Tuesday quilting bee/group. I had no problem reading the book as a stand alone novel. But I am planning on reading the other 5 I haven't read in the series
While quilter Martha Rose awaits the birth of her granddaughter, a neighborhood girl appears at her door with a mystery that can’t be pinned down . .
Martha’s eager to finish the baby quilt she’s making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha’s neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. When Poppy’s doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she’ll have to unravel more about Poppy’s parents to stitch a broken family back together again—and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .
Protagonist Martha Rose, is a strong, educated woman, and the side characters are realistic, slightly quirky too like her sister Giselle and Sonia. The characters are/were well rounded.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I even learnt something about Jewish and Muslim customs and religious life along with quilting tips which is always a binus.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
While quilter Martha Rose awaits the birth of her granddaughter, a neighborhood girl appears at her door with a mystery that can’t be pinned down . .
Martha’s eager to finish the baby quilt she’s making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha’s neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. When Poppy’s doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she’ll have to unravel more about Poppy’s parents to stitch a broken family back together again—and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .
Protagonist Martha Rose, is a strong, educated woman, and the side characters are realistic, slightly quirky too like her sister Giselle and Sonia. The characters are/were well rounded.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I even learnt something about Jewish and Muslim customs and religious life along with quilting tips which is always a binus.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
managedbybooks's review
3.0
Martha's eager to finish the baby quilt she's making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha's neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. When Poppy's doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she'll have to unravel more about Poppy's parents to stitch a broken family back together again--and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .
Going into this, I had no idea it was part of a series until I went to add it to my Goodreads! I was able to follow along without any background knowledge quite well.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Going into this, I had no idea it was part of a series until I went to add it to my Goodreads! I was able to follow along without any background knowledge quite well.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
ireadwhatuwrite's review
3.0
This is my first book from this author and I was quite excited to read it. I wasn't as excited to finish it.
The book is filled with terrific, dynamic characters who obviously have a history with each other and the protagonist Martha Rose, this being the latest book in a substantial series, yet I never felt lost or left out of that history. The cozy itself was fun and quick-paced and though I did figure out the bad guy, it was only near the end and by sheer luck. I did enjoy learning more about both the Jewish and Muslim cultures. Also, the small sewing background I have was enough to thoroughly enjoy the quilting scenes. It is quite obvious that Martha and her quilters are experts and they are an enjoyable addition to the story. The story contained lovely elements.
My issue is Martha, I just don't like her. She is quick to judgment, quick to anger, and totally insecure. Those traits drag what would otherwise be an entertainable read far down. All good characters have flaws, however, I often felt that she was severely overreacting to the point that I felt sympathetic toward those who drew her ire, even though they might have deserved it.
I believe I would enjoy reading other books by this author, but I don't think I will be reading any more of this series.
The book is filled with terrific, dynamic characters who obviously have a history with each other and the protagonist Martha Rose, this being the latest book in a substantial series, yet I never felt lost or left out of that history. The cozy itself was fun and quick-paced and though I did figure out the bad guy, it was only near the end and by sheer luck. I did enjoy learning more about both the Jewish and Muslim cultures. Also, the small sewing background I have was enough to thoroughly enjoy the quilting scenes. It is quite obvious that Martha and her quilters are experts and they are an enjoyable addition to the story. The story contained lovely elements.
My issue is Martha, I just don't like her. She is quick to judgment, quick to anger, and totally insecure. Those traits drag what would otherwise be an entertainable read far down. All good characters have flaws, however, I often felt that she was severely overreacting to the point that I felt sympathetic toward those who drew her ire, even though they might have deserved it.
I believe I would enjoy reading other books by this author, but I don't think I will be reading any more of this series.
annarella's review
5.0
An entertaining, engrossing and somewhat unusual cozy mystery that kept me hooked till the end.
It was the first I read in this series and I loved the unusual characters and the originality of the plot.
The cast of characters is well developed, the plot keeps you hooked and the mystery is clever and full of twists and turns.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was the first I read in this series and I loved the unusual characters and the originality of the plot.
The cast of characters is well developed, the plot keeps you hooked and the mystery is clever and full of twists and turns.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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