Let’s be real. If we’re talking about a day in my life, Martha Rose, we’re usually talking about sewing quilts. And if the day is Tuesday, we’re talking about stitching quilts with my best friends Lucy Mondello (tall redhead, who always dresses with a theme) and Birdie Watson (former hippie with a long white braid who recently had her driver’s license confiscated).
At fifty five years old, I’m the youngest of the group. I am also the only one who is no longer married, although I’m not always single. My hair style hasn’t changed since the seventies except my shoulder-length curls are now salt and pepper. I’d describe myself as having a typical Jewish figure; I’m pleasantly plump with a large bosom and womanly curves. Okay, I wear size sixteen jeans, but I’m working on it.
My only family is a daughter, Quincy, who lives in Boston, and my eighty five year old uncle who lives in nearby West Los Angeles. I frequently spend Friday evening Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, with Uncle Isaac. He and my grandmother (may she rest in peace) raised me and even though I’ve been on my own for years, he still worries about me. It’s a nice feeling.
My friends and I live in Encino, California, a suburb located in the San Fernando Valley. One unforgettable Tuesday morning we headed to nearby Woodland Hills to sew with a seriously talented quilt artist. Claire Terry was only in her forties, but when friends get together to quilt, age doesn’t matter. The younger ones bring new experiences to the circle, the older ones bring wisdom and great stories. It’s all good.
Anyway, Lucy drove us in her vintage black Cadillac, the kind with the shark fins in back. Her husband Ray is a successful auto mechanic who restores old cars. Birdie sat in front and I settled in back, sinking into the new cream colored leather seats. (Have you ever noticed how leather doesn’t stick to your clothes like the synthetic cloth they usually use in cars? It also doesn’t retain heat like vinyl does. I’m really sensitive to the properties of different materials because of my quilting.)
When we got to Claire’s house we discovered her dead body. Then we had to stay and give a statement to the police. I have to admit that I got all flustered because the detective working the case, Arlo Beavers. was really good looking. And he wasn’t wearing a ring. And he was the right age. And he had a white mustache. I have a thing for neat facial hair in men.
That night I called my daughter Quincy to tell her about discovering Claire’s body. By that time my fibromyalgia kicked in and I was in a lot of pain. I get flare-ups of fibro and migraine headaches when I’m stressed out. When that happens I take medication and rest. At least I try to rest. But finding a corpse really stressed me out.
As it turns out, discovering Claire’s body was only the beginning. A couple days later her quilt, Birdie’s quilt and my Civil War Reproduction bed sized quilt were stolen from the big show, right in front of several witnesses. And guess which detective was involved in investigating the theft of the quilts since one of them was Claire Terry’s?
Now I no longer have any quilty days or nights. I feel compelled to discover who killed Claire. So if we’re talking about a day in my life, we’re talking about solving a murder and finding our quilts. (And thinking about that hunky detective.)
This is the 4th stop on the Forget Me Knot Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. For other stops on this tour, click HERE
You can read more about Martha in Forget Me Knot, the first book in the new “Quilting” mystery series, published by Kensington. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on January 11, and you will be entered to win a copy of Forget Me Knot. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Born and raised in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, writer Mary Marks earned a BA in Anthropology from 
UCLA and an MA in Public Administration from the American Jewish University.
Marks became an award winning quilter after her retirement from UCLA administration. Writing about her quilts led her in a new creative direction, writing cozy mysteries. Forget Me Knot is the first book in her quilting mystery series set in the San Fernando Valley.
Marks is also a reviewer of cozy mysteries for the New York Journal of Books online.
Visit Mary at her website or on Facebook
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
It looks like you have another great book for us to read. I love mysteries, a little bit of spice, and a book on quilts reminds me of my late mother -in-law who made the most beautiful quilts. Thank you so much
I haven’t read any of the books in this series, but this review has peaked my interest! I’m definitely going to check out the first book in the series and cross my fingers that I’ll win this one:)
Sounds like another great series! Thank you for the giveaway!
I LOVE this cover!!! love the brightness!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Wow, the covers of cozies are always so eye catching! As a quilter, this one looks marvelous! Thanx for the opportunity
Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’d love to win this one, but I’m going to lood for the others too.
Very colorful cover – looking forward to trying this new series. Thanks.
Beautiful title , can’t wait to read this one!
I’d love to win!
Love quilts so the book sounds great! Happy Friday!
This book sounds great, lol, I think I know the people in it, their my friends (at least sound just like them) Would love to read this
I would like to try this book out. Thank you.
This book appears to be filled with characters who not only entertain, but teach me things about creating exquisite quilts.
Please Dru, I’d rather “knot” be left out of this one, so please toss my hat into the ring.
Definitely want in on this one! Thanks, Dru for the review & giveaway opportunity.
Gorgeous cover and I love quilts, although I’ve only ever made quillows. Please include me in the giveaway. Thanks.
This sounds like it is just my type of book – can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Im reading this book, and love it! =)
( Im not entering your contest, but wanted to say how much I enjoy this series )
I love quilts (which I have no talent for) and with her being 55 (which I’m catching up to quickly), this sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great start to a new series!
I love, love quilting cozies but with the main character having Fibromyalia, I salute the author. So very happy that she expanding Fibro Awateness. I have and it doesn’t get much press!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This sounds like another really great cozy mystery series. I do just about every basic craft there is, but I don’t yet quilt, but I have read another series about quilting and I loved the stories so I am anxious to read this one. I am happy to read about Mary’s achievements on this blog and will now go to FB and LIKE her page. Wishing you much success in your writing Mary. Would be delighted to hear that I won this book. Thank you for the giveaway, Dru and Mary.
Cynthia
Thanks Mary for introducing us to Martha and her friends.
contest is closed.
Thank you everyone for your kind words. You give me such encouragement. And congratulations to the winner! Thank you so much Dru Ann for hosting me on your blog.
Happy reading, all.