Raining Quilts and Dogs

Heatherton Quilting Cozy Mysteries #1

by Kathryn Mykel

Raining Quilts and A Quilting Cozy Mystery (Heatherton Series Book 1)

A crafty new series from award-winning author Kathryn Mykel stitches levity and suspense together with the charm of a fictitious small town on the coast of Maine, in this page-turning cozy mystery.

Will the roof cave in on Elizabeth’s new endeavor, or will she catch the murderer before she’s basted.

Interior designer Elizabeth Purdy has a notion to restore the Saint Christina's Monastery into a quilting retreat center but torrential downpours threaten to destroy the historic landmark before she even begins.

When Elizabeth finds Heatherton’s favorite neighbor and retired private investigator, Mr. Jenkins, murdered, face down in a puddle, she realizes that Mother Nature, isn’t the only villain on the loose.

With the deed and keys to the nunnery in hand, Elizabeth is in a race against time to pin down the culprit before tensions rise like the flood waters in this quiet, oceanside town. The quilters just wanna quilt, the neighborhood pets are barking maine-iacs, and the town is completely cut off from their emergency services.

Raining Quilts and Dogs is the gripping first book in this new Quilting Cozy Mystery series. Stitched with suspicion, calamity and threads of doubt, it will leave you needling for the next book.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2024

About the author

Kathryn Mykel, is an award-winning author of best-selling Sewing Suspicion, book 1 in the Quilting Cozy Mystery Series.

Inspired by the laugh-out-loud and fanciful aspects of cozies, Kathryn Mykel writes lighthearted, humorous cozies surrounding her passion for the craft of quilting. She's an avid quilter who was born and raised in a small New England town.

For more fun content and new releases, follow https://www.authorkathrynmykel.com

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or join her and her thReaders on Facebook at @AuthorKathrynMykel or the Books For Quilters FB Group.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Purdy had returned home to Heatherton, the small village on the coast of Maine, with the St Christina's Monastery now her own, a gift from her father for her birthday. Her plans of a quilting retreat were put on hold by a vicious storm which ripped through the area, flooding everything, and when Elizabeth went to check on her Uncle Joe (Jenkins), she discovered him dead outside, near a tree which had fallen on his house. Max, the local policeman, was unable to come to the village because of the flooding, so Elizabeth and her Sip & Stitch friends decided to work out who had murdered Joe.

Raining Quilts and Dogs is the 1st in the Heatherton Quilting Cozy Mystery series by Kathryn Mykel and to me, there was little depth to the story, plus a few unanswered questions at the end. Bentley, Elizabeth's dog, was adorable, with the Sip & Stitch group making waves. If you love cozies, love quilting and craft work, this one could be for you :)

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the charming, fictitious coastal town of Heatherton, Maine, nestled on a peninsula, suspense and tranquility are intricately woven together in Kathryn Mykel’s gripping novel, Raining Quilts and Dogs: A Quilting Cozy Mystery. The story follows Elizabeth Purdy, an interior designer whose failed business in New Jersey prompts her return to her hometown. Determined to prove her independence, Elizabeth is unexpectedly gifted the deed to the dilapidated Saint Christina's Monastery by her father, along with a blank check for repairs. Her dream to transform the historic monastery into a quilting retreat center is immediately threatened as a fierce storm isolates the town by destroying the old bridge connecting it to the mainland. The torrential rains threaten to further damage the monastery, adding urgency to Elizabeth’s plans and her desire to avoid staying with her family.
As the storm rages, Elizabeth’s concern for her neighbors drives her to check on them. It is during these rounds that she stumbles upon the body of Mr. "Uncle Joe" Jenkins, a beloved retired sheriff, lying face down in the mud. Realizing that a murderer is on the loose and the town is cut off from emergency services, Elizabeth finds herself thrust into a race against time. With Deputy Sheriff Max Brooks unavailable, Elizabeth must navigate the flooding streets to preserve evidence and transport the body to the morgue, all while unraveling the mystery to prove she is more than just a rich girl living off her father's fortune. Her journey to solve the murder is as much about self-discovery as it is about justice, showcasing her determination, intelligence, and compassion amidst the chaos.
Kathryn Mykel crafts a cozy atmosphere with vivid portrayals of small-town dynamics and picturesque settings that transport readers to Heatherton. The storm not only serves as a thrilling backdrop but also enriches the plot with its elemental threats, creating a locked-room mystery vibe by cutting off the peninsula from the mainland. Elizabeth emerges as a relatable and engaging protagonist, whose inner thoughts and motivations are brilliantly explored, making her journey all the more compelling. The supporting cast adds depth and intrigue with their diverse personalities and quirky characteristics, enhancing the narrative through clever dialogue and witty exchanges. The introduction of an enigmatic new arrival just before Elizabeth’s return stirs the status quo, adding an intriguing twist.
Quilting enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the crafty hobbies interwoven into the tale, as the group of quilting crafters serves as a perfect sounding board for Elizabeth, enriching the story with their passion and camaraderie. The plot is peppered with a perfect balance of suspects, red herrings, and twists, keeping readers on their toes. Raining Quilts and Dogs captivates with its inventive plot elements, (like the moving of the body through floodwaters), and will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment of the Heatherton Quilting Cozy Mysteries - Quiltload of Trouble. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a crafty twist, this novel will surely stitch itself into your heart and imagination.
Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue/Narrative: 4.75/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Cover Design: 4.5/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.95/5.0 (Rating will be rounded up due to platforms not allowing partial ratings.)

[Linda Mundorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Purdy is a 35-year-old interior designer from Heatherton’s Maine. when her business venture in New Jersey fails, her wealthy father offers her a gift – the keys to old Saint Christina’s Monastery to turn into a quilting retreat center. (her favorite hobby).Unfortunately, her welcome home is drowning in a torrential storm, flooding her coastal town, flooding the Monastery and almost washing away the dead remains of long-time retired resident Mr. Jenkins.
The town is completely cut off from all emergency services, including the detective who is needed to investigate Mr. Jenkins’ murder. Since Elizabeth found the body, and called it in to the police department, she has been instructed to move the body to the morgue! Well, talk about being smack-dab in the middle of a murder mystery! Elizabeth decides she must figure out who murdered poor Mr. Jenkins, help the other elderly retirees in town, and save her beloved Monastery, before Mother Nature decides otherwise.
Delightful story, fantastic cast of characters, well written and if you are a quilter, you will love the crafty scenes interwoven throughout this book. Maine is one of my favorite destinations and coastal towns are dotted all along these regions. Breath-taking views and the perfect backdrop to this cozy murder mystery story. I highly recommend this one!

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raining.Quilts and Dogs is the.debut cozy mystery in Kathryn Mykel's Heatherton Quilting Cozy Mysteries. This is a fun, light story with likable characters, friends, a potential romance with two potential men (Philip and Max) and a mystery that kept me guessing. Elizabeth has returned to town and her wealthy father buys her an old monastery to convert into a quilting retreat. A huge storm hits.and the town floods. Elizabeth checks on a few of her neighbors and finds Mr. Jenkins dead. The part where Elizabeth has to get him to the coroner is funny. Her friends that are part of the quilting group, The Sip & Stitch Ladies, are good friends and helped a little with sleuthing. There were a few eye rolls when Elizabeth was trying to figure out the culprit and Max just told her everything she wanted to know, but that is common in cozy mysteries. The friendships and Elizabeth's dog Bentley make this an enjoyable book. There are some quilting patterns at the end .of the book. I received an advance copy for free from Kathryn Mykel and I voluntarily leave this review. #RainingQuiltsAndDogs #HeathertonQuiltingCozyMysteryies

[MileHighSunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book to read and a terrific start to a new book series! The action begins immediately on the plane as Elizabeth is on her way home to Heatherton after a failed business attempt. With two overachievers for sisters, she’s been trying to figure out a way for her to stand out in her quaint community.

If that wasn’t enough, the day after she arrives, a storm of the century blows in as she and some quilting friends of the Sip & Stitch group have gathered. Well, we all know the saying about things going downhill….

You will be totally entertained as the group works with Elizabeth to try to solve an apparent murder that she discovered during the storm. Since the storm has cut off their peninsula from all help, Elizabeth hopes she can solve the mystery to help her shine.

Lots of twists and turns to keep you busy as you cut through the deceptive clues to stitch together what really happened!

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizebeth Purdy and her dog Bentley are moving back home. Elizabeth does not know how her successful sisters will react, one a veterinarian and one a doctor Shortly after getting home there was a flood and a murder. Because their only way off the peninsula was a bridge that collapsed there was no one to help, including police so Elizabeth sets out to find murderer. Her friend Luella is helping solve the murder since police can’t get to the peninsula yet, along with a group from Sip & Stitch, a quilt store. This book is humorous in places. A really enjoyable read. I had a hard time putting it down. Very well written and very enjoyable

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This case is sewn up!

Elizabeth Purdy felt like she was coming back home to Maine with her tail between her legs. She was determined to not be the only failure in her family, but disaster followed her in the form of flooding, lightning, and death. Everything seems to be conspiring to prevent her from opening her Quilting Retreat at the historic monastery. The only way she and the residents of her small seaside town will feel safe is for her to find the murderer.

This cozy series is off to a good start. Elizabeth’s canoe trip through town had me in stitches! The characters are likable and the plot kept me guessing. I like stories with animals and Bentley is the perfect fit for Elizabeth’s character. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Just another day in Heatherton.”

I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Sip and Stitch gals! They’re an eclectic and colorful group of women that have the potential to be unstoppable once they get another case or two under their belts and Deputy Sheriff Max better keep an eye on them! The ‘love’ triangle between Liz, Phillip and Max definitely earned my attention, there was just enough of a tease that it didn’t distract from the mystery. And I really loved the original catastrophe mucking things up in this one, a flood that turns what I pictured idyllic Heatherton into a detective’s worst nightmare. Overall this was a great introduction to a new quilting series that should be added to any cozy readers to be read pile!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly Pawsome charming mystery by Kathryn Mykel. Genius quilting mystery story. Heatherton series starter and what a first! Suspenseful story that will have you in stitches ,excuse the pun but it is so punning funny too. Interior designer Elizabeth Purdy has a notion to restore Saint Christina’s Nunnery into a quilting retreat centre. But Mother Nature has other ideas it it’s not Mother Nature that has done for Mr Jenkins , Heatherton’s favourite neighbor and retired private investigator. He’s face down in a puddle . Murdered! Unravelling this mystery is a task indeed! There’s Elizabeth’s dog Bentley and the Sip & Stitch ladies to lend a hand in the sleuthing . Very well written , perfectly done with a bit of fun

[Javon50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interior designer Elizabeth Purdy plans on restoring St. Christina’s Nunnery into a quilting retreat but torrential downpours are threatening to destroy the historic landmark and her dreams. When she visits a friend to assure his safety she finds instead the body of a beloved local PI. With the bridge out and no police help in sight, Elizabeth begins to investigate the death knowing that someone nearby could in fact be the killer. This was an entertaining, enjoyable book. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth returns to her hometown just in time for a flash flood. As she checks on her neighbors she finds a dead body. This was not the homecoming she was hoping for. With so few clues due to the storm she tries to solve the mystery with the help of her quilting friends. There are a lot of twists and turns and a couple of other smaller mysteries that are resolved by the end of the book. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb cozy mystery!

An absolutely superb cozy mystery by one of my favourite authors. I love the characters and the plot as Elizabeth and her quilting friends investigate a murder in their small town. I also love the lighthearted humor interspersed throughout the book and of course, all the pets from feathered to furry ones. A definite must read first book in what will clearly be a fabulous new series.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth is returning to her home town and is taking over the monastery, when after a rain storm she finds a body. Who could be a killer in her peaceful town? A wonderful cozy mystery with quite a few twists and turns. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. Wonderfully written with great characters, lots of humor and a surprising storyline. Great to relax and forget the world around you.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

She goes home after a long time
Her parents threw her a surprise party!! She joins a quilting club . . . and loves it. And one day she finds a dead man and because of the storm she covers him with a quilt she has, in a canoe and takes him in it to the mortuary, BUT HOW DID HE DIE? IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT A NATURAL DEATH!!! This is a great mystery that will keep you guessing. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own

[Sue Ellen]

This book was so confusing I finally had to give up on it. There's a thunderstorm with lightning so close they can only count to 2 Mississippi before the thunder crashes, but they decided to get out in the storm and walk to somebody's house? Then she finds somebody dead in the back yard and the law enforcement officer tells her she needs to get his body to the coroner? Really? That's where I gave up.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read! Windbag is a hoot! I loved the humor even during serious moments. Fun and light mystery with great characters I’m excited to get to know better in future books! I loved the quilt pattern also included in the book! I read an advance copy of this delightful book and these are my opinions.

[Debbie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Amateur Sleigh Mystery

Elizabeth moves s back to her small hometown of Hetherton, Maine after a 10 year absence. As she falls into her new routine with her old friends, she's suddenly thrust into the heart of a murder mystery. Join Elizabeth and her Sit and Stitch friends as she puzzles out who killed "Uncle Joe " Jenkins and why!

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raining Quilts and Dogs: A Quilting cozy mystery Heather ton Quilting book 1

As Delivery comes home to start a new chapter inner life a horrible rain storm hits the island not an island flooding, and cutting it it off from main side Maine. There is a murder, some laughs, hint of of romance a delightful read.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! It's full of suspense, drama and you have two mysteries to solve. It has wonderful characters and a great small-town setting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean mystery.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book, fun to read. Elizabeth decides to go home, when things don’t work out for her. Getting involved in a mystery wasn’t a part of the going home. How will this all turn out. Loved it.

[Jess B · Rating 2 out of 5]

enjoyed for what it was. not enough to want to read any more of the series when they come out. maybe a little too cozy for me?

murder happened by page 28 - great
murderer randomly discovered on 1 page within the last 10-15 pages of the book
everything in between - kind of cute, kind of meh.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a relaxing and enjoyable easy read. I really appreciated character definitions at the end and a quilt pattern. This book would be a wonderful read for a junior high school student but certainly could be enjoyed by any age reader.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This book was filled with twists and turns from start to finish. You won't believe what happens.

[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many issues with this to make it enjoyable. The writing style is decent enough, but some of the choices were unfortunate.

[Aimee Snider · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

[Patty Bertrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and I loved the pace of the book about to start the second one of this ten book series.

Love this author

[Malgorzata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading this book. It is great read for funs of quilting and mystery which are nicely intertwined in the story. Characters are authentic and interesting, and a plot is suspenseful and funny as well.