Knot in My Backyard (A Quilting Mystery)

This is the second book in the Quilting Mysteries series by Marky Marks. It features Martha Rose and her friends, Lucy and Birdie. I enjoy seeing these older characters enjoying life and solving crimes. This book also includes a new romantic interest for Martha in Crusher, Yossi Levy, an ex-con, motorcycle rider and his friends from the Valley Eagles. When Martha decides she needs to lose weight for her boyfriend and detective Arlo Beavers she buys new tennis shoes to go walking every day. This does not work out so well for Martha or her shoes. On her first wearing, she stumbles upon the dead body of the mouthy, bullying baseball coach at the upscale private school. The school recently built a huge, state of the art stadium on public show more grounds which also has ruined the quiet community as well as blocking their beautiful views. When Martha's friend and neighbour Eric is arrested for the crime, she ramps up her investigation skills to find the real killer. The only thing that bothers me about this series is that Martha puts herself in danger many times without thinking about the consequences. In this book on of her decisions which goes completely against what Arlo requested of her, almost results in the death of his dog. This causes a series of events that throw Martha's personal life into an upheaval. There are several twists in this book that will keep you interested. Once again, I did not figure out who was behind the murder until just before it was revealed in the book. There were a lot of suspects and red herrings which made me keep reading beyond bedtime to see what was going to happen next. The ending tied up all the loose ends nicely, but has set up a bit of a love triangle for the next book. I love the gutsy women and neighbours in the book. They are smart, fun, interesting and stick up for one another. I hope we see more of them in the next book. Of course, being a quilting book, there are some quilting activities, I learned a little about quilting and there are some tips at the back of the book. I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who like a crafty mystery. show less

Martha Rose is feeling a bit unbeautiful. Heading toward her golden years with a few extra pounds, she decides to s tart a walking regimen to try and lose a few pounds. On her first walk, she discovers a body behind the private school baseball field. She recognizes the victim as the baseball coach who had a n altercation with her friend and neighbor, Ed. Certain he was not responsible for the murder, Martha works with Ed's biker friends to find potential homeless witnesses and solve the murder. Romantic issues arrive for her along with the danger of the investigation.

4 STARS

This is book two in A Quilting Mystery. The issues in this cozy mystery dealing with the homeless was sad but also shows a way too that anyone can do something and if you get a group together can help. She also shows us how greed and corruption can do a lot of damage. I did not put the book down till I finished and look forward to the next book.

It is very relatable to me. I really like Martha and her friends. I could not decide who I wanted Martha to choose. Arlo really let her down in so many ways. Crusher I liked but she really does not know a lot about him.

Martha has been dating Arlo for four months since she met him. Martha loves quilting, is feisty, curious and loyal. She also has issues of trusting men. I share some of show more the same health issues and close to the same age but I don't try to solve murders or find dead bodies.

Martha finds a dead body while out for a walk. She calls her boyfriend LAPD homicide detective Arlo Beavers. She knows that the easy suspect is her neighbor but she believes he is innocent and she wants to help him. She can get people to talk to her because of she is no threat.

I like that we see more than just Martha finding suspects and trying to help her neighbor. We see a lot of everyday life around Martha and feel with her about the trouble she is facing.

The setting in this book is San Fernando Valley, CA. It is a regular neighborhood with a rich private school who rushed into hurry and build a big ball park in the neighborhood. I felt like I was their with them.

I was given this ebook to read and in return I agreed to give honest review of Knot In My Backyard and be part of its book tour. show less

I just love taking a break now and then and reading a cozy mystery. I usually read Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown, but I've read so many I decided to try something new and I enjoyed this. I'm going to check out the next book because I'm hoping Martha gives a long hard thought to Yossi......

Mystery