The Quilt That Knew (The Porch Swing Mysteries #1) (2024)

What do you get when you combine an old Amish woman past her prime, a retired sheriff who knows more about the Amish than an normal Englischer would, and an old murder case? The first in the The Porch Swing Mysteries!

Interestingly enough, the only book in Patrick Craig’s Hershberger saga (Apple Creek Dreams series and The Paradise Chronicles series) that I’ve read is The Mennonite Queen, which, incidentally, is actually the start of the whole saga. So for me, this a fitting place to start this new series!

That said, The Quilt That Knew is a wonderful story, and it’s great to see Mr. Craig veer away from Amish HEA into a new mystery series involving one of his old characters! And he used a perfect character with which to do it. I’m certain in the Amish genre this will come as something altogether new and different. I hope it is well received. I certainly enjoyed it! And one of the best things Craig did is create a scenario which isn’t contrived to segue from Amish HEA into Amish Mystery. It is a very natural transition. And well done!

Years after the end of the previous series, Jenny Hershberger, Amish writer/historian and widow, now 62, is living alone in Paradise… Paradise, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Rachel lives nearby with her family, and an old friend, Sheriff Bobby Halverson, “Uncle Bobby”, lives just up the driveway on Jenny’s land. Both are getting bored in their advancing years and looking for something more to do with their lives, something more than wasting away, staring at sunsets. Little do they realize the change that seeks them out—solving a forty year old murder of a young girl buried in the woods in a wooden box of Amish quality and wrapped in an Amish blanket. This murder, however, will have a profound affect on Jenny as she and Bobby help a local detective in Apple Creek, Ohio—Jenny’s hometown—investigate. But it is not the homecoming Jenny expects or wants as she must pry into the lives of a people who do not take kindly to outsiders, even members of their own faith, to upset things with their questions. But who was the girl, and how and why did she die? And why was her disappearance never reported?

Mysteries and secrets abound, and it is up to Jenny and her connection to the Amish community to unravel them, no matter the difficulty or heartbreak it may cause.

So, how good was it? Well, I read it straight through in a day! And it’s a great start to what will surely be a wonderful mystery series! And my favorite line: “And I was thinking that the Amish community is not the peachy-keen, perfect world that most people think it is, especially those Englischers who buy those ‘Amish fiction’ books off the shelf at Walmart. Amish fiction, indeed!”

And, perhaps, my friends, that line best encapsulates what Patrick Craig does best—pure and honest portrays of the Amish as people with real passions and faults, and not the idealistic fantasies of so many others. And that, is refreshing.

I was given a complimentary ARC of this novel by the author with no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A murder mystery set in an Amish community is surprising in itself; but a story that involves multiple murders? A popular cliche that we hear when discussing old houses is, if those walls could talk. In this tale by Patrick E. Craig, the investigators wish the quilt could talk. A retired sheriff and his Amish neighbor are called back to their old stomping grounds to assist in a 40 year old cold case that has been just recently uncovered. Jenny, with her knowledge of the Wooster, Ohio Amish community history finds that her mother’s quilting journal is a key component to solving the crime. While trying to narrow the suspects, they encounter another related cold case and have to consider a current murder besides. Stitching all of this information together becomes quite the dilemma and following the action will keep you on pins and needles. Get yourself a copy of this yarn and try to piece it together for yourself.

In "The Quilt That Knew," author Patrick E Craig crafts an enthralling tale of mystery and suspense that unfolds in the quaint village of Apple Creek, Ohio. With a skillful blend of chilling intrigue and emotional depth, the story takes readers on a gripping journey through the past and present, unraveling secrets that have long been buried.

The narrative opens with a haunting premise: a young girl buried in the woods for forty years. This enigmatic beginning immediately draws readers into a world shrouded in darkness and secrets. As Jenny Hershberger, the protagonist, returns to her childhood village, the atmosphere becomes palpable with tension and a sense of impending danger. Hershberger's journey to solve a heinous crime is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The author's mastery in creating a vivid and immersive setting allows the village of Apple Creek to come alive on the pages. The close-knit community is depicted with intricate detail, and the intertwining relationships among the characters add layers of complexity to the plot. The reader is not only a spectator but a participant in the investigation, as the suspenseful atmosphere grows with each new revelation.

Hershberger's relentless pursuit of truth and justice is at the heart of the story, and her character is skillfully developed, making her struggles and triumphs deeply relatable. The book navigates the dual timelines with finesse, allowing readers to gradually uncover the connections between the buried secrets and the present-day events. As the plot unfolds, the elements of a mysterious quilt and a golden ring add an intriguing layer to the narrative, contributing to the sense of mystery and anticipation.

Patrick E Craig's prose is engaging and evocative, effortlessly bringing emotions and tension to life. The pacing is well-crafted, ensuring that the reader remains engrossed from start to finish.

If you have read the Apple Creek Series by this author and even if you haven't, you will love this new book by Patrick E. Craig! What a mystery! It totally kept me wondering about "Who dun it". And I kept trying to figure it out and my mind changed as I continued to read. I just wasn't sure till the very end. It was a really good mystery and so well written. I could not stop reading until every last page was read. This book brought back the mystery lover in me and add that with an Amish setting, I was hooked! I was completely invested in this book. I loved the characters that returned from the previous books and I loved that the Amish aren't perfect, and that they are human as are we all.
I received an ebook copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

This book was definitely different from the sweet Amish books that usually come from this genre.
I thought it was a wonderful blend of both suspense/mystery and Amish. The ending was gritty and gripping.
The twists and turns had me guessing and pausing to wonder who the actual killer was of the girl in the box.
Many clues were unraveled by Jenny, a 60 something Amish widow and retired Sheriff Bobby Halverson who she refers to as “Uncle Bobby”.
When asked to join the investigation of the 40 year old cold case Jenny and Bobby traveled from Paradise, Pennsylvania to Apple Creek, Ohio.
Non stop action leads to a current murder as well as the two unsolved ones.
Jenny had great sleuthing skills that led to a bittersweet ending.
Pick up a copy and don’t miss reading The Quilt That Knew.

The Quilt That Knew is another great book by Patrick E. Craig.
Working on a cold murder case , this book had you sitting on the
edge of your seat trying to figure out who done it. Once I started
reading it I could not put it down until I finished it.
There were so many surprises and twists. When Jenny and Bobby started
looking at clues this started to happen, First the dead girl in box,
then another dead body was found.There was also an overdose if a guy.
This is a must read for everyone. I loved this book.

I think I have found a new favorite author, this book is amazingly good. Each and every page brought a new step toward a deeper understanding of just how this mystery unfolds. It has wonderful characters that seem to draw you into their world, you find yourself understanding their decisions, hoping that when the mystery comes to light you will know why those decisions were made. This author has a way with developing such an in-depth storyline. This book is the first in a series but could be read as a stand alone for sure. Pick up this book and happy reading.

I had a great time reading The Quilt that Knew. It was my first foray into Amish suspense and I loved that it was. Craig takes a meta approach in the book, scattering his other books in the pages, and re-introducing us to one of his earlier characters. Also, he does a phenomenal job of giving us a view of the Amish that isn't rosy or bright-eyed, being sure to tell the reader that being Amish doesn't make a person not have problems.

The mystery twists and turns and the bodies keep falling, keeping you guessing until the end.

All in all, a wonderful read!