Hi. I’m Samantha Kane, but everyone in town calls me by my childhood nickname—Sammy. I own and operate Community Craft on Main Street, in the heart of Heartsford Wisconsin. My shop sells local handcrafted items, and I also host various experts who teach classes on skills like quilting, fiber art, and glass painting, just to name a few. Honestly, Community Craft is the last place I thought I’d be working. I was attending college as a non-traditional student (meaning, ahem. . .I was a few years older than the 18-year-old kids I was hanging with). I was studying psychology, when tragically my best friend from high school, Kate Allen, died far too young in a tractor accident. She was the brains behind Community Craft and created a sense of communal spirit like no other. It was the reason I had to step in and take over the store. I couldn’t let this amazing legacy die with her. Kate had created such a bond with the townspeople by not only selling their wares, but involving herself in the fiber of their lives. When people needed help, they came to Kate. She provided it by hosting fundraisers, shining a light on civic issues, and leading knitting groups to knit hats for newborns. You name it—she did it. Kate was a dear friend to this town, and I really miss her. Now, I’m just trying my best to fill her very big shoes.
Bara, my golden retriever, is the highlight of my life. Sometimes we walk to work because I rent a Cape house not far from town. He loves to come and greet the customers at Community Craft. His dog bed sits directly next to the cash register and many of my regulars bring him treats. Some of the crafters make him special scarves for winter so he’s always looking chic. Let’s just say my dog has it made.
People say I can be. . .well. . .impulsive? High spirited. . . maybe? Some may even say sometimes I come off a bit socially rude because I speak my mind, but I don’t see myself that way. I like to see myself as highly passionate, tenacious, okay maybe sometimes a little too impulsive. But my heart is in the right place. After all, I’m here, aren’t I? Back in Heartsford, a home I thought I’d left behind forever. I must admit, I have gained a few pounds since moving home. Only because my next-door work neighbor- Marilyn, owner of the Sweet Tooth Bakery, keeps bringing me tantalizing treats that I can’t refuse. Totally no fault but my own. My other neighbor, Douglas, across the street, satisfies my caffeine habit at his coffee shop, Liquid Joy. Things are good here.
Anyhow, lately it seems I’ve been getting into a lot of trouble with my sister, Ellie, and my cousin, Heidi. As kids we called ourselves the S.H.E. Detective Agency (S-Sammy, H-Heidi, and E-Ellie) and somehow for me the sleuthing didn’t stop with age. As a matter of fact, I seem to be ticking off the new detective in town, Liam Nash. He has recently moved to Heartsford from Minnesota. I’m not sure he realizes the rivalry between the Vikings and the Packers, so he’s moved himself into dangerous territory. I think he’s kind of a catch, but it seems we butt heads when it comes to me involving myself in places he thinks I should avoid. It’s just. . .I’ve come to care about the people of this town and I really want to help. And to be quite honest, I haven’t been looking for trouble; it’s not my fault murder and mayhem seem to fall in my lap. I’m actually pretty good at investigating, in my opinion. So, if you’re ever in town and you need a little help, just stop in Community Craft and say hello. I’d be honored to meet you and help you with anything you need. But if it’s about murder, please just don’t tell Detective Nash we spoke—wink-wink!
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of A Crafter Knits a Clue. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 10, 2018. Good luck everyone! Bonus question: Are you a crafty person? If so, what is your craft?
You can read more about Sammy in A Crafter Knits a Clue, the first book in the NEW “Handcrafted” mystery series, coming October 9, 2018.
For fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, the latest craft frenzy is Holly Quinn’s Handcrafted series debut.
Sammy Kane just moved back to her hometown to run a craft store. But when the owner of a nearby yarn shop is murdered, Sammy will needle little help finding the killer.
When a heartbroken Samantha “Sammy” Kane returns to her hometown of Heartsford, WI, for her best friend Kate’s funeral, she learns that Kate’s much-loved craft store is in danger of perishing with its owner. Confounding all her expectations of the life she would live, Sammy moves back home with her golden retriever and takes over Community Craft. A few doors down Main Street, fellow new arrival Ingrid Wilson has just opened the Yarn Barn, a real “purl” of a shop. But when Sammy strolls over to see if Ingrid could use a little help, she finds Ingrid’s dead body―with a green aluminum knitting needle lodged in her throat.
Detective Liam Nash is thrown for a loop as every single citizen of Heartsford seems to have a theory about Ingrid’s murder. And nearly everyone in town seems to be a suspect. But the last time Sammy did any sleuthing was as a little moppet. And this is not fun and games. Sammy is eager to help the handsome Liam―who seems to be endlessly inventive in finding reasons to talk with her―and when Liam arrests affable woodworker Miles Danbury, Sammy puts everything on the line to help clear Miles.
As the case comes dangerously close to unraveling, Sammy must stitch the clues together. But the killer has other plans―and if Sammy’s not careful, she may wind up in a perilous knot in A Crafter Knits a Clue, the first warm and woolly yarn of Holly Quinn’s new Handcrafted mysteries.
Purchase Link
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Meet the author
Holly Quinn is both an avid reader and crafter. Holly sells her artistic creations locally and dreamed of one day opening a gift shop to sell local artist’s handiwork. Instead, she began writing about it and thus her journey of the Handcrafted Mystery series was born.
Holly Quinn has published two stand-alone fiction novels in another persona. She graduated from Carroll University in Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in business and a minor in marketing. Visit her at authorhollyquinn.com.
All comments are welcomed.
I used to knit and crochet when I was in junior high school but am no longer crafty. I admire people who are.
This sounds like a lively new series, and I’d love to win a copy of the book! I used to embroider, but life (family and career) pushed that to a back burner!
Yays!!! A new series!!!
Thank you for the giveaway..
Yays!! A new series…
Thank you for the giveaway…
Oh darn…duplicate entry….sorry!!!
Thanks for hosting Sammy! Just so you know ladies, you don’t have to be a “crafter” to like this series. If you like a puzzle mystery this might be one to consider. Happy reading! 🙂
What a great new series! I have always wanted to own, or work at, a little shop that had crafts and a place to hold classes. I sew, crochet, cross-stitch, a little knitting and embroidery.
Thank you for this chance to win this book.
I like to cross-stitch 🙂
Thanks for hosting me today! 🙂
Sounds like another fun new series that you have found. Thanks
I am interested to read how the dog plays a role in the mystery.
Sounds like a good read
Cute cover. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this cozy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds like a fun book! Love the S.H.E. Detective Agency!! Reminds me of my daughter when she was younger.😁 Definitely want to read this.
I love craft cozies. It’s fun to read about people who enjoy doing things I am fumble phngrd with. I’d also love to be the luck winner of this book.
Toss my name into your Magic Contest Hat please Dru.
This looks like a fun read! Will definitely be on my TBR pile.
I am a crafty person. I do crocheting, cross stitch and sewing. This sounds like a great series – would love to win!
I don’t know how I have missed this author but I have her now on my list. Thanks Dru Ann for featuring Holly Quinn on your blog. It would be wonderful if I can also claim this book as a winner.
I love the idea of the S.H.E. detective agency–this sounds like a fun book
I love doing crafts! Love the cover on this book. I crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, plus other things. Go Pack Go! My Wisconsin roots are showing😉
I love crafts of all kinds but I lean towards painting and beadwork
I am a counted cross stitch person. I love the cover of this book and the story sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win!
A strong woman who speaks her mind? Sounds good.
I like to knit and do some beading. Looking forward to reading the book, sounds like a great start to a new series.
It sounds like a fun book – romance, sleuthing, and humor. Can’t wait to read it.
Sorry to say I am not crafty at all. I admire those who are though.
I enjoy knitting and stamped embroidery. I also do a little bit of scrap booking but my efforts in that are not as elaborate as seen in magazines.
I knit socks and currently my first vest! Love a mystery!
I’m not crafty, however, I like to see others’ projects.
I have not done craft for some time. It was fun. Now I’d love read about it.
On my library’s wait list for A Crafter Knits a Clue.
I really used to be a crafty person…lol I love to hook rugs, bake, and do scrap booking! I consider my baking a craft….but I cannot decorate cakes! I also love painting houses for my Halloween and Christmas villages and arranging them….and decorating for those holidays!
I am not a crafty person. I have done some beading, but I don’t do it anymore. The book sounds really good. I’m adding it to my TBR list.
Excellent read, so far. I better hurry!
I am not so much a crafty person as someone who wishes to be a crafty person. However, I am not working outside of the home any longer. We moved to help my mother-in-law since she has been having more difficulties with memory over the years. It is a fine time to go back to my attempts to cross-stitch and to crochet.
Sounds like a real good read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Book looks very interesting. Yes, I am a crafter, crochet, quilting, jewelry making, and several other crafts.
This book sounds wonderful! As a Minnesotan I can appreciate the rivalry with Wisconsin. I am a fan of Maggie Sefton’s so this sounds like a good fit. I knit a little bit and wish I was more crafty.
I love crafts, but haven’t gotten to do them much in recent years. Now it’s mainly making ornaments w/ the grandkids. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
**** WINNER ****
A Crafter Knits a Clue is bobbi makuch
Congratulations!