A Stitch in Time

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries #9

by Elizabeth Ludwig

Cheryl Cooper loves helping out a friend, so when Naomi Miller asks for a ride to visit a sick relative, she is happy to comply. They make numerous stops along the way, including one to a large estate sale. When Cheryl's bids to buy a uniquely patterned quilt lead to a puzzling confrontation, she is more determined than ever to make it her own. Once she has her prized purchase, several attempts are made to steal the quilt, including a break-in at her home. Cheryl, determined to figure out what makes the quilt worth stealing, sets out to decipher its mysterious message. In the process, she stumbles across a twenty-year-old secret. With reputations and careers hanging in the balance, she must decide if searching for treasure is worth exposing the past.

Genres: Mystery, Amish, Amish Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction

252 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Elizabeth Ludwig is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Book three in her popular EDGE OF FREEDOM series, Tide and Tempest, was named a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Elizabeth was also named a finalist in the 2015 Selah Awards for her novella “One Holy Night”, part of the bestselling anthology collection, Christmas Comes to Bethlehem, Maine. Most recently, she was honored to be awarded a HOLT Medallion for her book, A Tempting Taste of Mystery, part of the SUGARCREEK AMISH MYSTERIES series from Guideposts. Her latest releases include Sheeps Passing in the Night, part of the MYSTERIES OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD series, also from Guideposts, and The Coffee Club Mysteries from Barbour Publishing. To learn more, visit ElizabethLudwig.com.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheryl and Naomi got on a trip and stop at several sales, at an estate sale they buy a beautiful quilt.
Other people try to buy the quilt and it gets unpleasant. Several attempts are made to steal the quilt, including break ins at Cheryl’s house. Cheryl tries to figure out why so many people want the quilt and stumbles on a twenty year secret. She continues to grow closer to Levi, in spite of their pasts and the fact that he is Amish and she isn’t. 0

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale was similar (in some ways) to the Prodigal Son, but leaned more toward shame and pride. Still, Cheryl Cooper and her Amish friend, Naomi Miller, discover (through a handmade quilt bought at an estate sale) that families who keep secrets only hurt themselves and one another.

A squeaky-clean read all around, but do hope some sort of progress is made between Cheryl and Levi, Naomi's stepson. Maybe confessing they like each other? That would be a good start.

Look for a pot roast recipe at the end!

[Ramcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amé totalmente esta frase "A man will never fill the hole in your heart that God created for Himself. You need to put him first, let him ease the loneliness inside you, and then see if this man You are attracted to is the one that God has for you. Get those two things out of order and you are in for a heartbreak for sure" uuuuuf cuánta verdad! Todo lo que nos podríamos evitar si primeramente nos llenamos de Dios y después que sea Él quien ponga en nuestro camino a la persona correcta!

Muy bueno el libro! Superó mis expectativas. Casi siempre resuelvo la trama antes que pase la mitad del libro pero aquí hubo varios giros que me dejaron pensando una cosa y resultó ser otra.

Prácticamente hay dos tramas.

El desarrollo de la amistad/ relación entre Cheryl y Levi, ya que creo que este es el libro en donde Levi más ha aparecido y me encanta eso. Amé la atención y la preocupación que él mostró en todo el libro hacia ella. 😁El descubrimiento de los sentimientos de Cheryl hacia Levi y cómo se va manejando la situación de él con Emma, cómo Cheryl le ayuda a ver que aún sigue cargando con una culpa que debe dejar ir para poder continuar , me pareció muy lindo.🥺 Realmente amé el desarrollo de ambos personajes en este libro. Ya es hora porque es el libro #9 de la saga y necesito más de la relación entre estos dos! 😂


La segunda trama que es el eje central de todo el libro es toda la historia que sigue el quilter que Cheryl compra y cómo ella , Naomi, Levi y varios más les toca resolver el misterio de por qué tanta gente quiere el bendito quilter !

Mientras más pasaban las páginas más se enredaba la historia de Katie, Amalie, Isaac, Catherine, Hunter. Triste historia por demás.

Sinceramente me gustó que la relación con Catherine no se haya resuelto para bien, ya que lo veo más realista así . Me pareció algo horroroso lo que la 'suegra' y la abuela le hicieron a Katie en nombre del 'amor'! 😡 más bien no supieron manejar la situación de un embarazo adolescente; es horroroso el que le hayan arrebatado a su hija de los brazos y la hayan dado en adopción y que para colmo el padre biológico nunca se haya enterado que tuvo una hija!

Lo recomiendo!

Váyase con sus 4.3 ⭐

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series authored by Elizabeth Ludwig. Going back to look at my thoughts in the review I did of Where Hope Dwells, I was reminded that I particularly enjoyed that installment of The Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. I wasn't surprised by that, given how much I liked this one as well.

What I liked about A Stitch in Time:
A really well executed mystery - In addition to liking the way the mystery was constructed, I liked that the topic was once again engaging but not a murder. Every bit of it felt believable, including Cheryl's involvement. It even had the appropriate amount of "creep factor" to be a satisfying cozy mystery.
The life lessons were good ones - Keeping painful secrets, leaving important words unsaid, and not trusting God's plans for our lives all held necessary reminders. We make life so complicated for ourselves in these ways, which various characters illustrated throughout the story.
The progression of Cheryl's internal thoughts - I appreciate the pace at which Cheryl is coming to terms with her feelings about a particular individual.

What I didn't care for:
Missing one tiny piece of resolution - We never did get to find out how things played out with a certain meddling character in the book. I have found that these small failures to tie up all the loose ends happen frequently in this series. While it usually pertains to lesser details, it still drives me a little crazy. I like resolution with my mysteries!

I always forget how much I like this series. The characters are endearing, the situations feel reasonably realistic, and they are extra cozy in the mystery department. They are often exactly what I need.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stitch in Time is a very inspiring mystery written by Elizabeth Ludwig in the Sugarcreek Amish Mystery series. The author has done an amazing job weaving the past with the present in this exciting story. When Amish lady Naomi Miller ask her very dear friend to drive her to visit a sick relative neither one knew the mystery they would get involved in. Stopping at an estate sale on their way back to Sugarcreek Cheryl discovers a beautiful quilt that she has made an offer for. But unexpectedly an Amish man tries to buy it out from under her. When Cheryl received the quilt weird things start happening. It starts with being followed as they leave the sale and then several attempts to steal the quilt along with several break-ins at her house. What mystery does this quilt hold? When Cheryl and Naomi start piecing this mystery together something interesting emerges and now they are lead down another mysterious path. When all set rets are revealed this mystery will leave the readers in tears. This story is filled with forgiveness, family, and faith.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.

Each of the stories in this series can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading them all.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

9th book in series. Cheryl and Naomi are off for a day of antique shopping after Naomi visits a friend who's been sick. When they run across an estate sale and Cheryl finds a beautiful quilt. Shes buying it and an old Amish man and his nephew try to buy it out from under her. She buys the quilt and as shes leaving she notices a young women starring at her and the quilt. Then on their way home there's a dark sedan that seems to be following them. They try to loose them but can't. She tries to get the license number but only get part of it. In the next week the store and her home are broken into 3 times, but nothing is taken. Cheryl is now sure whoever is doing this is after the quilt. Now she and Naomi have to ind out what is so special about this quilt.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written story. The underlying theme is how the decisions of the past affect today and not only us, but others. Parents sometimes make a decision they feel is in the best interest of their children and generations suffer. We also are slow to forgive ourselves when we feel we have done a wrong.
Beautiful story!

[Brittany Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this at the thrift store, and thought the cover looked perfect! I wanted something easy, sweet, and pretty. I love the Amish! Sometimes their books can be a bit boring, so this one has become probably one of my favorite Amish books. I hated to hear that the author had lost her son.

[Abby (Hersh.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and the unique story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entered as today as unknown when read.

[Carrie Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is my favorite of the series (so far). The part at the end with the cousin got a little convoluted, but otherwise it was good and fun.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner! Def couldn't put it down, and it's only book #9

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the mystery and how it was unraveled.

[♡Avery Kort♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are so fun to read!!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this one a lot! So much Cheryl and Levi. Such a gripping story. Suspenseful. Read it in a day. 1-1-24

[Lynn Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS SERIES OF SUGARCREEK AMISH MYSTERIES IS PUBLISHED BY GUIDEPOSTS BUT IS A SURPRISINGLY GOOD READ FOR A COZY MYSTERY AND ONE I AM CURRENTLY ENJOYING. IT HELPS TO START WITH THE BEGINNING BOOK AND READ THROUGH THE SERIES IN ORDER THOUGH.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl buys a quilt at an estate sale and then unravels the mystery of who it was suppose to be for.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another in Guidepost's Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series. I always enjoy reading about Cheryl Cooper, who left a busy city life to run her aunt's gift shop in the Amish community of Sugarcreek, Onio.

She finds herself involved in one mystery after another, aided by her good friend, Naomi.

This book deals with secrets that eventually have devastating effects on several lives, and the relief that comes when those secrets come to the light of day, where forgiveness is possible. It also addresses how keeping our shame, anger, or sorrow within only causes it to fester and grow. Lots of food for thought to be found within a few hundred pages . . . along with a good story!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 9th book on the series: Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. Cheryl buys a quilt at an estate sale that leads her to several mysteries to solve. Forgiveness is strong in this book.

[Mary Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nice read. Kept me reading