Cover Image: A Thread of Darkness

A Thread of Darkness

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Member Reviews

I like Sally Goldenbaum's books. They dwell more on the humanity of the characters and are thought-provoking. I enjoyed this book greatly. #AThreadOfDarkness #NetGalley

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I'm a fan of Ms. Goldenbaum's knitting series, and have now become a fan of her quilting series. Her characters have dimension and spark and personalities each of their own. The descriptions of the quilts are enough to make you want to pick up your needles and find a group of women to quilt with and hope they're as smart and talented as these.

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In this new book, the Crestwood Quilters on pins and needles when a killer strikes close to home.

As owners of a popular bistro restauranteurs Picasso and Laurel are the most popular couple in Crestwood. Chef Picasso’s culinary skills delight the women of the quilting club and they make him as part of their "family", despite his wife Laurel's confusing ways.
Laurel is spotted in what is a lovers spat, unbeknownst to Picasso, and the quilting girls try to protect him.
Though the gossip travels very quickly, there are sinister things happening, like Laurel's murder, then her "supposedly lover" is murdered.
Picasso is suspected, and the quilting girls gather to prove their friend’s innocence, and along the way uncover a long secret of Laurel's and the answer as to where the magnificent quilt hanging in Picasso's and Laurel's home.
Lots of fun with this group of quilters, turned mystery solvers. Looking forward to the next one.

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Po, Kate and the quilters are creating a new quilt, enjoying delicious French food at a new restaurant and solving a murder! When the talented Chef Jacques's young, beautiful wife is murdered, suspicion falls on the chef and Po and the rest of the group believe him to be innocent. Now all they have to do is prove it!I

The second book in the series was enjoyable. I love the interaction between the group members and the fact that each are so very different from the other. It makes for interesting "takes" on the mystery and life in general. The mystery was well-paced and had many "red herrings" that kept me guessing.

I'm curious to read the next book and imagine the next quilt!

I received an ARC, from NetGalley, for a fair and honest review of this book.

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The second installment in this Kansas based quilting mystery is another good read. The ladies are making a special quilt for their new friend, Jacques, who has just opened a restaurant next to the quilting shop. His wife, Laurel, is not so chummy and ends up murdered. The ladies race to clear Jacques' name and also to finish his quilt. One character stuck out for me as the possible culprit and I was proven correct. I liked the descriptions of springtime in Kansas and the story behind the prickly Laurel.

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Having enjoyed the first in this series, I was excited for this one. Quilting, friends, and food make for a fantastic read and series. The characters continue their development picking up where the first book finished, well written and enjoyable. Can't wait for more.

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The rating for this is low because there are mistakes throughout which spoils the flow and is very annoying this is a shame as the story is great For example as the newly arrived French bistro owner is called Picasso in the book description you would think he would be that in the story, nope, he's Jaques! I hope this will be rectified by the publication date.

A Thread  of Darkness is the second book in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mysteries and, discounting the issues, was as absorbing as the first. There is a list of characters at the front which I didn't need so much this time but would have been welcomed in the previous instalment!

The main characters are still present and correct, quilting regularly and enjoying all the small town of Crestwood has to offer. The added details of the quilting bee is great for a quilter like me but doesn't overload the storyline so non quilters needn't worry.  Although the making of a quilt is mentioned throughout it facilitates the weekly quilting meetings which are used as a great opportunity to discuss a double murder and who might be responsible.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would hope the errors will be addressed as without them this book is a definite 4 but presently it is unfortunately only a 3.

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Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Kensington Books and Lyrical Underground.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Popular bistro married owners are a hit in town but that it does not apply to their own relationship. Seems the wife was seen with another man in a heated dispute.

When she ends up dead, husband is the main suspect since she once accused him of domestic abuse calling the police. Thrown in rumors of her discretions into the mix things do not look well for him.

The quilting club will stitch all the information together to find the killer and keep their favorite bistro from closing. A satisfying cozy read.

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A Thread of Darkness is a great cozy mystery with a quilters delight. Friends, small town, murder, and quilting. Well written and great characters.

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A Thread of Darkness by Sally Goldenbaum is the second installment to the Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mystery series.

This book starts where the first left off, continuing the character development of the group of lovely and relatable small-town Kansas gang from the first novel.

I loved learning more about Po, Kate, PJ, Max, Phoebe, Selma, Susan, Eleanor, Maggie, and Leah. The main characters that continue are Po and Kate, however we get to see more of PJ, Max, and a little more of Maggie.

The murder mystery component with the French chef, Jacques and his wife, Laurel, make for an excellent who-dun-it.

I loved the interweaving of the character histories, interactions, and developing relationships. Those components can make or break a series. These characters are realistic, relatable, and like-able...they are also interesting and worth the investment.

I enjoyed the first book, but I enjoyed the second even more. I can’t wait till the next one comes out.

5/5 stars. This has been posted to GoodReads upon completion of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my voluntary and unbiased review.

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Sally Goldenbaum has to be one of the best cozy authors currently writing. Both of her series' are totally mesmerizing. She has a true gift of giving life to her characters, as well as crafting an exciting murder mystery. Po, like Nell, in the sister series, personify strong, intelligent, independent, giving women, as do the supporting cast of characters. This is one of her best, yet. If you've never read her books, you better get started, because you're truly missing a literary treat. 5+++++ stars. Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy, it was wonderful!!!

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Okay whose idea was it to add murder mysteries with quilters, it was sheer brilliance lol. Sally Goldenbaum has a way of telling a story that will hook you until the end, with characters who seem like they are your next story neighbors. A thread of darkness will keep you guessing unto the end. NetGalley I come to you to find awesome books and I get it lol.

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This is a wonderful cozy mystery filled with good friends, delicious food and one of my favorite hobbies, quilting. Portia Paltrow (Po) is a member of the Crestwood Quilters, a group of women of disparate ages who join together on Saturday mornings to engage in their favorite hobby of quilting. They also enjoy dining out together at The French Quarter, a new restaurant in town owned by Jacques St. Pierre, new to town along with his wife Laurel. While the women are all extremely fond of Jacques, and are in fact designing a quilt to hand in the restaurant, they have reservations about Laurel, especially when Kate, one of the group, sees her involved with another man and rumors fly that there have been other indiscretions. So when Laurel is found murdered, and Jacques emerges as the leading suspect, the women get together to prove his innocence. This book has many things going for it - a wonderful small town atmosphere, delicious food and interesting characters, but for me what makes it stand out is the close relationship between all of the quilters - neither age nor differing economic status will interfere with their friendship and love of each other.

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