Review of Cathedral Windows by Clare O'Donohue

Publisher: Plume
Series: Someday Quilts Mysteries #4.5
Format Read: eGalley
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   OmniLit

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Christmas is just around the corner in the Hudson Valley. Nell and her friends at the Someday Quilts shop should be making eggnog and finishing up the stitching on their last homemade gifts, but when an arsonist strikes and a beloved teacher becomes a suspect, the ladies rally behind him to clear his good name. Will they succeed in time for him to spend Christmas among loved ones or will this be a chilly winter for the town of Archers Rest?

Quote:

There was no answer from Charlie, none that I could hear anyway, and despite every instinct to interfere, as well as a reputation for being the town's Nancy Drew, it wasn't my business. 

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

I had no trouble reading this story as a stand-alone despite it's being the fifth entry in the series and is a good introduction. It was quick, sweet and tugged all of the heart-strings.

"Cathedral Windows" is a quilting pattern and all that Charlie, a beloved teacher, has left when his house burns down. Although a hometown boy, he was away for awhile serving overseas in Afghanistan. He returns home, the last of his family, and different from the boy the town knew. He has trouble fitting back in and when he becomes the suspect in his house fire, the town is prepared to believe in his guilt. Nell isn't so sure and she sets out trying to help him.

The story is tightly written, without any wasted details. I did guess who the arsonist was but not until almost the end of the story. Things get sugary-sweet as Nell rouses support for Charlie but then, it is a Christmas story. O'Donohue does a nice job with characterization given the length constraints and the story never feels rushed. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it. I might get some of other books from the library but I'm not in a rush. I gave the story 3 stars on goodreads.

I received an eGalley from the publisher for review.