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 … 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 . . .
Praise for Mary Marks and her Quilting Mysteries
“A pleasurable and satisfying addition to any quilting mystery fan’s reading list.”
—Library Journal on Knot in My Backyard
“A mystery combined with wry humor.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Knot My Sister’s Keeper
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*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Every time I pick up a book in this series it makes me want to be a quilter even if I don’t have the time to. Martha has some skill and she is creating what sounds like a gorgeous quilt for upcoming birth of her first grandchild. While working on it she gets interrupted by a sweet young girl names Poppy who needs her help with the neighbor she is staying with. The health crisis brings the two of them together is a sweet way letting them bond which causes Martha’s curiosity to rise when she learns more about Poppy. It was remarkably heart warming to see all of the usual characters come together to protect one child that needs them all. The addition of cranky families, alphabet soup agencies, and a mystery really brings the whole thing together. A fantastic read that will warm your heart while it keeps you guessing. Beautifully written. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
WOW that was exciting. I just finished and my emotions are still running high as I write this review.
While this is a crime story, it is just as much a love story. It is abut family and secrets and hopes and dreams and learning to live when life does not turn out as planned.
When two people marry against their families wishes, the ripple effect is massive. No one could predict all the people affected. Then there is the greed aspect underlying motivations. Caught in the center is a little girl, wiser beyond her eight years.
A deeply complicated mystery involving murder, secret communications, and more than one very determined woman.
Along the way we learn ethnic and religious customs, get some fabulous quilting tips and enjoy delicious food. Some of it has the potential to be heartbreaking yet there is underlying hope.
Overall – EXCITING. And you can follow along even if you have not read previous books in this wonderful series.
“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.
Knot On Her Life is the first book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read more! Martha Rose is working on a baby quilt while awaiting the birth of her granddaughter when Poppy, the foster child of her neighbor Sonia, appears at her door asking for help Martha knows something isn’t right. She finds her neighbor unresponsive on the floor. What happened? It turns out Poppy’s parents were murdered and the killer never found. When they find out Poppy saw the killer they begin to fear for her life. Has the killer tracked her down? How? And are they all in danger? I loved all the characters and the mystery is very well written. Definitely recommend!
Martha Rose is back and expecting a grandchild any day now. While she’s waiting, she’s making a quilt for the new baby. When her neighbor Sonia’s new foster child, Poppy, comes knocking because there’s been a medical emergency under suspicious circumstances, Martha’s attention is diverted. Poppy’s parents were murdered, and the killer was never apprehended, raising suspicion in both Martha and her fiancé, Crusher. Circumstances behind how Poppy ended up in the foster care system puzzle Martha, as well, since both of her parents come from wealthy, prominent families. Be prepared for an emotional trip that will not only tug at your heartstrings but infuriate you, as well.
Martha Rose has really developed as a crime solver/fighter. She does the best she can in the situations presented to her. She’s not nearly as daft and is a little bit better at taking precautions. She still bends the laws on occasion but either it’s not as often as in the first few books or I’m just getting used to her methods. In this book, she manages to accomplish more than those assigned to the murder case. When you have a rapport with people like Martha does, it’s no wonder she gets adults and children to open up to her.
I love all the characters in the Quilting Mysteries by Mary Marks. The relationship between Martha and Crusher is sweet and I’m honestly glad she is with him. He is so devoted to Martha and her to Crusher. The quilting group, which now includes Giselle, Martha’s half-sister, is a riot and totally have Martha’s back. I really feel like they are all my friends since we’ve now been together for seven books. I hope we continue to get more books in this series.
Mary Marks does another wonderful job building up the mystery and keeping everything a secret. The truth of the situation is revealed at the perfect time and the person responsible is not the person I thought it would be. The writing flows well and is concise. The author’s writing style is fluid and smooth and so easy to get lost in. The romantic elements of Knot on Her Life are subtle and don’t overshadow the mystery. The entire novel is engaging; never a dull moment.
This is the second book in this series that I have read, and yes, I enjoyed it as much as the last one.
Our girl Martha Rose is still meddling, but she has such a good heart that you quickly understand why she is putting herself in danger.
We, of course, are still quilting, and having our Tuesday morning get together, with chuckles and love, I want to come.
Of course, not all of this book is warm and fuzzy, and the horror of the crime, and the after ramifications, our girl had to get involved.
While we welcome a new addition to her family, the book did not end as I wanted, but, that being said, there is a promise of another new character, and I can’t wait to meet them!
I received this book through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
The Quilting Mysteries by Mary Marks center around the thoroughly likeable quilter Martha Rose, who is much more than a lady who quilts. She’s a thoughtful, intelligent, and talented middle-aged lady who cares about her family and sometimes quirky friends – and when murder touches any of their lives, that protectiveness and intuitiveness kicks into overdrive. The characters are richly developed, there’s lots of family drama, and the mystery is complex. Every book I’ve read in this series is very good, but Knot on Her Life just might be my favorite so far. It can definitely stand alone, but I recommended reading the stories in order for their character development.
The suspense begins when Poppy (Marigold Poppy Sarah Halaby), the foster child of Martha Rose’s neighbor, comes seeking help after finding Sonia in a diabetic coma, which might not be as straightforward as it seems at first. Poppy is the daughter of a Muslim father and Jewish mother, and it is soon discovered that she possibly witnessed her parents’ murder. With Poppy and Sonia whisked off into witness protection, Martha Rose begins to seek answers from relatives on both sides of Poppy’s family, as well as through the law enforcement connections of her fiancé, ATF agent and “gentle giant” Yossi, and son-in-law, Noah. I loved the growing relationship between Martha Rose and Yossi, and am crazy about her half-sister, Giselle, who has no filter when it comes to speaking her mind.
One of my comments about a previous book was that, although Martha Rose was Jewish, nothing was shown of her faith or lifestyle, and I loved how that was fleshed out in this book. We learn a lot about Jewish culture and religious rituals – especially the Shabbat, or Sabbath dinner – and some Muslim traditions also, all seamlessly woven into the texture of the story. The theme of being respectful of other people’s religious beliefs is something I appreciated. The only thing I didn’t understand is, with Martha Rose and Yossi being so devout in their faith, why do they live together before marriage?
I also loved how the fellowship of quilting – “Women helping women. A sisterhood as old as the species” – is such an integral part of the story, especially the way Poppy opened up and came to trust Martha Rose through the sharing of this art.
Another strong theme is that of legalism vs. grace, and I loved these words spoken by Martha Rose to Rabbi Katzenozen: “You may be the world’s greatest authority on Jewish law … but from what I’ve seen, you don’t know the first thing about the spirit of the law, which is compassion and the preservation of life. For all living things. Including your own flesh and blood.”
The mystery itself is well crafted, the final revelation logical but unsuspected by me. I welcomed the surprise twists and could never figure out if the murder of Poppy’s parents was religious driven or related to her dad’s undercover work with the FBI. And then there’s the question of Poppy’s future, as adoption is sought by three different families. While the solution might not have been what my heart wanted, it was a wise and legally ethical decision, and she will be loved. I don’t know if we’ll see more of Poppy in future stories, but I certainly hope so. Meanwhile, the ending sets the stage for another child in need to enter the lives of the delightful Sonia and her new intriguing husband, Malo.
I highly recommend Knot on Her Life, as well as the whole Quilting Mysteries series.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Knot on Her Life is the seventh book in Mary Marks Quilting Mystery series. The storyline is well-plotted, and the affable characters are well developed. Ms. Marks’ witty and humorous writing style flows smoothly in this complex mystery, and the book is an easy read. The author provided enough background information that this book can be read as a standalone. There are lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
Martha Rose, Lucy Mondello, Jazz Fletcher-Watson, and Martha’s younger half-sister, Giselle Cole, get together every Tuesday morning in her Encino home to work on their current quilting projects. Martha’s daughter, Quincy, is married to LAPD Detective Noah Kaplan, and expecting their first child, so Martha is working on a special quilt for her first grandchild. Martha is engaged to Yossi Levy, a/k/a the Crusher, who is an undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Martha’s friend and neighbor, Sonia Spiegelman, recently applied to become a foster parent. When a young girl shows up on Martha’s doorstep telling her Sonya won’t wake up, she drops everything and rushes to her friend’s house. Sonya is admitted to the hospital in a diabetic coma, and Martha and Crusher take the young girl, Marigold Poppy Sarah Halaby, into their home. As facts are revealed, Sonya’s coma appears to be suspicious and Poppy, whose father was Muslin and mother was Jewish, may have witnessed the murder of her parents and unborn sister, Martha and Yossi realize Poppy needs a bodyguard, so he calls upon his friend and fellow ATF agent, Hector Fuentes, a/k/a Malo to watch over her. Martha is determined to keep Poppy safe, find out who murdered her family, as well as figure out why none of the estranged family members would allow Poppy to live with them rather than being placed in the foster care system, and find a loving home for her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
this is a good story if you like mystery and children you will like the book, a little girl sees her parents killed and is now a foster child, someone is after her but Martha starts to help out and she if they can protect the child and themselves. a good story. I was given a copy of netgalley but this is an honest review
I am loving this series of books. The characters are wonderful and their development just where it should be. The plot is entertaining and full of interesting twists and turns that keep you guessing. I did not even have the eventual killer on my radar, but knowing what I know now, I should have. The ending was disappointing but also full of hope. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!