The Sign of the Calico Quartz

by Jan Drexler

Emma Blackwood’s favorite pastime is solving literary murder mysteries…until the body in her living room makes everything a little too real.
When Emma comes to the Black Hills to work at her Aunt Rose’s B&B, the Sweetbrier Inn, she is hoping for a quiet break from the corporate treadmill. But she hadn’t expected murder and intrigue to mar this peaceful setting.
As she wades through too many clues to identify the murderer, she soon finds that the culprit isn’t stopping at only one homicide and may even have placed Emma herself on the list of targets. With the help of her friend Becky, and a deputy sheriff who grudgingly lets them join in on the investigation, Emma tracks down the killer. But will it be in time to save the next victim?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

276 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2022

About the author

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspiration for her stories. Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of thirty-eight years, where she enjoys hiking in the Hills and spending time with their expanding family.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Emma Blackwood’s Aunt Rose has asked her to come to the Black Hills to help with The Sweetbrier Inn, her B&B that is really starting to take off. Emma is happy to help as she is just getting out of a bad relationship and could use a diversion from the corporate grind too. But she never expected that diversion to be a murder investigation with her at the top of the suspect list. Okay, the dead body was found in her suite, but she has no idea who the man is until she is informed he had been hired to take some of the guests prospecting. While Emma does her best to sort out a myriad of clues she learns her Aunt Rose is being threatened. Then another guest is strangely ill and another goes missing. Can Emma find a way to corner the killer or will she be the next victim?

First, I have to compliment that cute book cover. The cat is named Tim and Emma is his person. The Corgi is Thatcher and he belongs to Rose. The cover was all the push I needed to want to read and review this book.

I liked Emma immediately. She is smart and funny and ready to help her aunt in any way she can. Aunt Rose has an interesting past but she is totally in her element when chatting up the guests and telling them about things to do in the area. Wil, Rose’s chef, and partner has big ideas for the inn but Rose is pretty happy with how things are. Becky delivers baked goods to the inn every morning and she and Emma become fast friends. Deputy Cal Cooper entered the scene when the dead body is found and immediately put Emma in the hot seat. These characters are interesting and develop well over the course of the story.

Readers are introduced to several new characters in the form of the guests at the inn. Rose’s long-time friend Clara is booked for a two-week stay. Montgomery, a friend from Rose’s past has also checked into the inn to do a little research. Ghost hunter Paul Peterson hopes to film an episode at the inn or in the area. His assistant, Mary Walters is at his beck and call. Fans Roger and Annie would love to be part of his ghost hunting team. Sam Nelson and his wife Nora have checked in and are excited to do a little prospecting. It’s an eclectic group and I loved that Emma used mnemonics to keep all the guests straight and that helped me as a reader too.

Emma was clearly being framed so she had to mine through a lot of clues to solve this mystery. She teams up with Becky to make a crime board to try to put some order to the information they have so far. I will say the guilty party was on my personal suspect list but I was mystified for quite a while as to their motive. I loved following along with Emma as she continued her investigation but Deputy Cal knows she may have pushed the killer too far. Of course, that sets up a very entertaining reveal.

I also enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the Black Hills. Back in the 1980’s my husband and I along with our infant son traveled through South Dakota and saw all the sights. We even panned for a little gold. I had never heard of “calicoes” but I found the information fascinating.

The Sign of the Calico Quartz has set the Sweetbriar Inn Mysteries off to a great start. Ms. Drexler has written several Amish and Christian Romance stories but this is the first time she has ventured into the cozy realm. I am really excited to see where she takes these characters and this series.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeepppp!!!!
Just...
Eeeeeeeppppp!!!

I stumbled across this book on some social media site...Instagram maybe?...and did a double take because I am familiar with Jan Drexler's historical Amish fiction as well as her Love Inspired Historical novels...but a cozy mystery??? I was more than intrigued and rushed to order it and then rushed to read it the second it hit my doorstep. And I'm all kinds of giddy-tizzy over the Sweetbriar Inn Mysteries series.

First, do you see that corgi on the cover? That's Thatcher and he's the author's very own canine companion. I'd already met Thatcher through social media posts from puppyhood to adulthood and now he's the canine hero in his very own mystery. Give the pup a deputy's badge! (Okay, so maybe it's really Emma's mystery, but Thatcher plays a pivotal role.)

And the setting, the Black Hills of South Dakota is near and dear to the author's heart as well and that's conveyed in her descriptions. If you like to armchair travel along with your armchair sleuthing, this is definitely the cozy for you.

Love the way the series is set up in this first book, with a possible romance, a surprising backstory for one of the secondary characters, and the hint at some trauma in Emma's own past. All will hopefully be expanded upon in future books 'cause I'm all kinds of curious.

A solid mystery with plenty of plausible subjects and some subtle and not-so-subtle clues kept me on the edge of my seat trying to pieces it all together. I picked up on a significant one way before Emma did (patting myself on the back and preening modestly.)

A stellar cozy mystery debut and the second book is supposed to come out at the end of the summer which is very soon! Yeehaw!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Blackwood arrives at her Aunt Rose’s Sweetbrier Inn in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Emma needs a change after the end of a bad relationship. Emma is upstairs during teatime when she notices that her cat, Tim is out of their suite. She goes into her suite with her cat and finds a man dead on the floor. Unfortunately, Emma finds herself at the top of the suspect list. It soon becomes apparent that someone is framing Emma. Emma needs to figure out who is behind the murder before she ends up in the poky. The Sign of the Calico Quartz by Jan Drexler is the debut of The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries. I like Emma’s mysterious Aunt Rose. She seems to have a unique past. I enjoyed the lovely descriptions of the Black Hills. The mystery is interesting. It is a busy mystery. There are a handful of suspects, misdirection, and good clues. I did feel that the solution was a bit obvious. It was fun following along Emma looked for clues, questioned the inn’s guests, and stumbled upon evidence. There was more action in the second half that kept the story propelling toward the end. I was left with a few questions regarding the case when I finished. I liked Deputy Cal Cooper who was in charge of the case. He is a nice man who takes his job seriously. I hope we get to know Emma and Rose more in the next book. I loved Becky, a baker, who is Emma’s new friend. Thatcher, Rose’s corgi, is a cutie and helpful as well. It will be interesting to see what happens next in The Case of the Artist’s Mistake. The Sign of the Calico Quartz is a charming cozy with the beautiful Black Hills, a cute corgi, a murdered man, scrumptious scones, cagey guests, cowboy Cal, and enquiring Emma.

[Ausjenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw the cover I wanted the book and the blurb sounded interesting. I enjoy cozy mystery but the cat sold it.

I am glad I bought the book as it was a good mystery. The cat Timmie and dog Thatcher both are more than cover fodder. They are part of the story. We see Emma arriving at the inn to help her Aunt Rose for the Summer. She is involved with serving, cleaning and administration jobs. The Inn is a Bed and Breakfast with around 6 suites for guests. We start with a murder and from there everyone is a suspect. Each morning one of the locals, Becky, brings some supplies for the Inn and becomes friends with Emma and we have the local police investigator who just happens to be Becky's cousin and single.

The story had me wondering who the murder was and towards the end I thought I had worked it out and at one stage wanted to scream to the characters don't forget so and so. The story held me to the end and I am looking forward to the next one in the series. I haven't read any books by the author although I think I do have a couple of her Love Inspired books. I will be reading more. The book is also a Cozy mystery with only a small amount of romance but if it goes anywhere it will happen across the series. For those who prefer not to have much romance in a mystery this will suit you well.

Cozy mystery is becoming my favourite genre at the moment.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sign of the Calico Quartz
The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries #1
By Jan Drexler
Narrated by Gillian Wiggin

After working all over the world, the Sweetbrier Inn in the Black Hills seems like the perfect change of pace to Emma Blackwood. The chance to get to know her Aunt Rose is a bonus. Everything seems perfect, even with the grumpy chef, that is until she finds a body in her room.

Emma is sure she can help Deputy Sheriff Cal find the killer. Cal is less sure, and everyone is a suspect, even Emma, until she's not.

Solving a murder isn't as easy as Emma thought it would be. Especially when more murders occur. And there are several suspects in Emma's opinion. But who is most likely the murderer? Emma just needs to dig deeper with her new friend, Becky. She's sure together they can figure it out.

This is definitely a cozy mystery. There is a warm feeling throughout even though there are bodies to contend with. I love the interactions between Cal and Emma. And I absolutely adore Thatcher, everything is better when there are dogs involved.

The narration by Gillian Wiggin is great. There are shifts in the reading when the dialogue switches between characters, making it easy to follow. The story is well paced and engaging. At just over seven and a quarter hours it is the perfect length of a commute or an all day listen.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I would provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Mindy Obenhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sign of the Calico Quartz is a delightful read filled with twists and turns and plenty of quirky characters you can't help but love. This cozy mystery was just plain fun and has me eager to revisit the Black Hill of South Dakota. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads)]

a sweet cozy mystery, perfect for reading this time of year!

emma blackwood has barely settled in for her stay at the sweetbriar inn when she finds a dead body in her room... of course, she's a suspect—but she can't help looking into the other characters around the inn, too. there are clues aplenty, but not without some danger (and another body, too). can she uncover the murderer's identity (against the deputy sheriff on the case) before she becomes a victim?

the sign of the calico quartz is a quick, entertaining read. the characters are likable, and i was always intrigued to see how emma would interpret a clue. the audiobook, too, makes the story easy to follow and enjoy.

it's a delightful mystery for any reader looking for a cozy mystery to read during spooky season.

(i received a complimentary copy from the publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)


considerations:
—language: none
—spice: none
—faith: mention of church
—content: murder, investigation danger

[Wendy Andrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I'll admit it: what drew me first to this audiobook is the cover. I love Corgis! And cats. I've recently learned that I enjoy a good cozy mystery now and then. The Sign of the Calico Quartz audiobook is a fun listen.

Gillian Wiggin does a decent job narrating, with voice changes for each character, which makes for an enjoyable listen. In addition, the Black Hills have a special place in my heart, since my first honeymoon was spent there.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery, grab a copy. Listening to audiobooks is one great way to pass the time during a hurricane, or in the aftermath (I say, as I am sitting here in Florida, waiting for Hurricane Milton to make landfall...)

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good, cozy mystery, especially this time of year! I enjoyed getting to know Emma and her aunt Rose, as they work together in the Bed and Breakfast and then have their cozy hamlet threatened by a murder. Emma has clearly been framed for it, with the victim having been found in her room, and it will take some work to figure out who would go to such lengths.
I enjoyed the setting, since my family lived in the Black Hills when I was little. I also loved the variety of characters in the story. It's fun that the author had such a motley crew of guests at the end, with their being several of Emma's friends, as well as a ghost hunter. I can't wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun start to a new series!

I’m a fan of this author’s previous books … and I’m a fan of cozy mysteries …. so the combination of the two had me really eager to read The Sign of the Calico Quartz. I’m so glad she’s writing in this genre now, and I’m very pleased to report that I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the Sweetbrier Inn.

Emma is an immediately likable protagonist, and so is her aunt Rose who is the majority owner of the B&B in the Black Hills where Emma now finds herself. Worn out from the corporate rat race and nursing some still-smarting wounds from a past relationship, Emma hopes that staying with her aunt – and helping her out with the B&B over the summer – will give her the rest she needs. Of course, since this is a cozy mystery, we all know that things won’t work out as Emma planned. Good news for us, since we get an entertaining story out of it; bad news for poor Emma lol.

The book doesn’t waste much time introducing us to the main players in this mystery, nor does it take long for the first murder to occur. It also doesn’t get bogged down in superfluous details, and it doesn’t stop the story flow for a recipe or a crafting lesson. The pace is steady, and the clues & red herrings are dropped evenly throughout the book for us to sift through. I loved the layered characters – the ones that will likely be consistent throughout the series as well as the supporting players in this particular installment – and I also loved the easy flow of the narrative.

Drexler’s engaging writing voice helps readers feel as though they are immersed in the daily life at the Sweetbrier Inn – possibly taking in all the events from a room off that second floor lounge, hiking along with Thatcher’s daily walks, curiously pondering the mysterious undercurrent between Aunt Rose and her friends Clara & Montgomery – and, of course, sampling chef Wil & baker Becky’s delectable food. As Emma thoughtfully observes each guest whenever they’re all together, we can easily imagine ourselves standing next to her and doing our own casual surveillance. We can even turn that surveillance back on Emma as we smile from the front porch at the romantic tension between her & deputy sheriff Cal.

Bottom Line: The Sign of the Calico Quartz is an entertaining start to a new cozy mystery series! It’s a series that I hope will give us many more adventures with Emma, Aunt Rose, sheriff Cal, and the other great characters we meet in this first book. Not to mention Rose’s adorable corgi Thatcher and Emma’s cat Tim. The mystery was nicely plotted, and even though I figured out whodunnit I didn’t put all the pieces in place until the reveal. I loved (loved!) the brewing romance between Cal and Emma, and I’m definitely eager to see where that goes in future books. If you’re looking for a great mystery to cozy up with this weekend, grab a copy of The Sign of the Calico Quartz and enjoy!

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute start to a new series!

This is the first novel that I’ve read by this author, and I fell in love with her writing style and overall storytelling. I liked Emma from the start with her astute and playful personality and love that the murder mystery began quickly, seeping you into the charade swiftly. There are quite a few players quickly thrown in but the impressive writing and energetic narration by the talented Gillian Wiggin made it feel seamless and coherent. I quickly fell in love with the Sweetbriar Inn and all of the cast of characters, especially Emma’s aunt Rose, the always professional Sheriff Cal, and the adorable four-legged friends Thatcher the corgi and Tim the cat.

I enjoyed the overall mystery though I figured out who was behind the shenanigans before the final reveal. Honestly, it didn’t even matter. I loved the ending so much and it’s got me hungry for more from this series. I think that the experience from some books is enhanced when you can listen to them and The Sign of the Calico Quartz is a great example of this. Listening to the audiobook really brought this world to life and it was so fun following this mystery while I handled household chores. It made cleaning so much more enjoyable and was overall a pleasure to listen to.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cozy mystery will keep your attention, especially if you listen to the audio version, as I did. The Sweetbriar Inn is full of possible murderers so you’ll be left guessing until the end.

I really enjoyed the characters in the story. They were so human. Selfish, caring, mysterious, and just plain odd. A great collection of personalities. And let’s not forget the corgi and the cat. They are really cute.

I received an audio copy of the book, and it was pretty well done. The reader did a good job of using different voices for each person. That must have been difficult as there were several characters in this story. She kept it interesting through voice inflections and everything else you would like to hear when read a story.

Set in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the story has gold mines, and adventure. I recommend getting a copy of print or audio and seeing if you can figure out who dun it!

I received a complimentary audio copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun audiobook to listen to! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fit it in, but I did!

I enjoyed getting to know Emma and the rest of the cast! The story definitely gave me Clue vibes along with Agatha Christie! People are dying left and right, but who in the world is doing it? Each time I thought I might know for sure, another clue shows it might not be that person. I even thought maybe it was Emma at one point and the author was just messing with us. hahahaha

Emma's aunt Rose suspects Emma, new friends suspect her, and even the Sheriff thinks it could be her. Somehow, she has to prove she's being set up! I found myself liking a character one minute and giving them the stink eye the next. Might've been because Emma was feeling the same way! hahahaha

The narrator did a great job! There were accents and lots of characters to voice. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series!

*I received the audiobook for review. This is my personal opinion.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I found this series, but I'm really glad I did! I loved this first book and can't wait to eventually borrow the second book. I knew from the first few pages this was just gonna be the type cozy I really love to read. From the characters and the setting to Tim the cat and Thatcher the corgi, for me it was the perfect cozy mystery.

I started suspecting whodunit after some clues were dropping and I was right. The showdown was a good one, and I was happy to see that Emma was possibly giving Cal a chance. She became besties with his cousin Becky who always talked about their big and crazy family. Oh and I thought it was fun how Emma came up with a mnemonic to remember everyone's names. And I tended to agree with all of them, lol. The hope the author has plans to take the series beyond book two, but at least I know that's what I can borrow next.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this read, the beautiful Black Hill of South Dakota.
We join with our girl Emma arriving at the Inn her Aunt owns, she is going to spend the summer working here. With her is her tabby Tim, and she is greeted by her Aunt’s Corgi, and the Inn’s co-owner Will, also the renowned gourmet cook!
The setting for the perfect summer, right? Nope! Soon a body appears in Emma’s room, of all places! Why?
Now, we add more characters, but Emma is on the suspect list, and we are now looking at whom is the guilty party, and why!
This is a mystery that keeps you thinking, and guessing! We also wonder who is going to be left when the last page is turner! Yes, you will be page turning for answers!

[P.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I usually don’t read Cozy Mysteries. I cannot remember what attracted me to this book when I purchased it from Amazon. Starting with the first chapter, I truly hadn’t high hopes due to the author’s introduction to most all of the cast seemingly at once. I feared most of the book would be an “info dump” with most of it being more Tell than Show. Boy, was I wrong.

Ms. Drexler wove an interesting tale full of misleading clues and complex personalities. This book ended up being a real page-turner and I look forward to reading the second book in The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries and hopefully many more after that.

PS – The recipes she included look delicious!

[Lisa Cobb Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sign Of The Calico Quartz by Jan Drexler has all the elements cozy mystery fans love. The setting, the Sweetbriar Inn in the Black Hills, is a short drive to a small town, providing both the small town ambiance and enough isolation to add tension and fuel unease. The cast of characters are each quirky, likeable, and yet deserving suspicion. The protagonist, Emma, is extremely likeable. And the whodunit plot keeps readers guessing, right up until the very end. This first novel in The Sweetbriar Inn Mysteries is certain to create a following of cozy mystery fans!

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another great cozy mystery debut. This one is set in the Black Hills of South Dakota at an Inn The main character, Emma, is very organized and uses pneumonics a lot, she leaves the city and her corporate job behind to help aunt Rose at her inn. It's a fun setting and a treat. Emma has a cat named Tim, and her aunt has a Corgi, adding to the cozy themes. The mystery was fun to figure out.

[Melampus · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cozy read, look no further. Even if you have a suspect or suspects early on, the twists will keep you guessing, and the descriptions of South Dakota and the food are fantastic.

I listened to the audio book and the narrator was fantastic. Hoping she stays on for the rest of the series.

[Elle Kay]

While the story presented in this book is undeniably engaging, the pacing could have been a tad more dynamic to maintain momentum throughout. Even though the identity of the suspect seemed quite apparent early on, readers may still find themselves hoping for an unexpected twist or clever red herrings to keep them on their toes. Unfortunately, the ultimate reveal may feel somewhat unsurprising, which could be an area for improvement in future installments.

However, the book does not lack charm, with its delightful animal companions like the lovable dog and the enigmatic, slightly aloof cat. These characters add warmth and depth to the story, making it a pleasure to read.

The cast of human characters is equally well-developed, and their interactions drive the narrative forward. Their captivating personalities and relationships have laid a strong foundation for the upcoming books in the series.

In conclusion, despite a few shortcomings in pacing and the predictability of the suspect, this novel offers an enjoyable story with a memorable cast of characters. I look forward to exploring the next book in the series and witnessing the continued development of these engaging characters and their adventures.

[Karla Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sign of the Calico Quartz is a cozy mystery set at a bed-and-breakfast in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The protagonist, Emma, is the niece of the inn’s owner, Rose. Emma comes to help out for the summer, bringing along her cat Tim, who is the perfect counterpart to Aunt Rose’s corgi Thatcher. Pets with personalities like these guys always add a lot of fun to a story.

What’s not so fun is when Emma finds a dead body in her suite. The search is on for clues as to whodunnit! It was an exciting story as Emma tried to work through the complexities of the mystery.

I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator, Gillian Wiggin, did a great job with the various voices and accents of the different characters. Overall, it was a great listen!

Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary Audible code from the author. All views expressed are my own.