The Lover's Knot

June 30, 2008
A stitch above most craft cozies, O'Donohue's sweet debut introduces Nell Fitzgerald, a Manhattan publishing professional whose broken engagement leads her to the Hudson River town of Archer's Rest, where her grandmother, Eleanor Cassidy, runs Someday Quilts. After her grandmother takes a nasty fall, Nell decides to help Eleanor recuperate and expand the store with the assistance of Marc Reed, a handsome handyman. The unexpected arrival of Ryan, Nell's ex-fiancé, during a tender moment with Marc causes a major fight. Things get worse after Marc turns up at Someday Quilts “scissored” to death. Local police chief Jesse Dewalt, an attractive widower, has a roster of suspects, including Ryan. Ryan offers to reconcile, but first Nell must clear Ryan's name by helping Jesse solve Marc's murder. O'Donohue sensitively depicts Nell's romantic quandary of Ryan vs. Jesse within a solid smalltown whodunit.

Starred review from August 15, 2008
When Nell Fitzgerald's fianc postpones their wedding, heartbroken Nell abandons New York City for the quaint town of Archers Rest, NY, where her grandmother owns a quilt shop. The friendly townspeople welcome Nell, and the Friday night quilters gather 'round to help when grandma breaks her leg. Then the flirtatious town handyman is murdered in the shop, and the prime suspect is Nell's errant fianc, who has come to talk. In the capable hands of first-time novelist O'Donohue, Nell solves the crime and learns some life lessons. O'Donohue is a TV writer/producer who produced HGTV's popular quilting show, "Simply Quilts". Cozy fans and those who enjoy Monica Ferris's knitting mysteries will snap this up. Not to be missed. For all mystery collections.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2008
ODonohue debuts her Someday Quilts Mystery series with a promising story about womens friendships and quilting. It is a pleasant, even a gentle readexcept for the cheating boyfriend and the murder. Nell Fitzgerald is excited to receive a beautiful, handmade lovers-knot quilt as an engagement gift from her grandmother, Eleanor. But then things begin to go horribly wrong. Her fianc', Ryan, suddenly decides to call off the wedding. Nell leaves New York to visit her grandmother in the small town of Archers Rest. As the grieving Nell becomes acquainted with her grandmothers quilt shop, calledSomeday Quilts, and her circle of friends, two more unfortunate events take place: her grandmother breaks her leg, and the body of a flirtatious handyman is found in the quilt shop. Nell turns her attention to solving the mystery, while the quilters begin to teach her about their art. Fiction about quilting is popular right now, and fans will make the connection to Jennifer Chiaverinis Elm Creek Quilts books and Emilie Richards Shenandoah Album series. Mystery readers will also think of Earlene Fowlers terrific Benni Harper series. Look forward to Nells further adventures in Archers Rest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)