Where to Start Reading Arlene Sachitano's Books
If you are new to Arlene Sachitano, the best place to start is with the first book of her signature series, the Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery series: Quilt as Desired (2007). This book introduces the fictional town of Foggy Point, Washington, along with the core characters and the local quilting guild, the Loose Threads. Reading this series in order is highly recommended, as the relationships, personal lives, and small-town dynamics develop and change from one book to the next.
If you prefer knitting over quilting, you can start with Double Knit (2020), which kicks off the Permelia O'Brien Mystery series. For readers who enjoy a slightly different flavor of mystery with a touch of early-2000s high-tech corporate espionage, starting with Chip and Die (2003), the first book in the Harley Spring series, is a fantastic choice.
Harriet Truman / Loose Threads Mystery Series
This is Sachitano’s longest-running and most popular series. It follows Harriet Truman, a widow who returns to Foggy Point, Washington, to help run her Aunt Beth's quilting business. Alongside the members of her quilting guild, the Loose Threads, Harriet constantly finds herself unravelling real-life murder mysteries alongside her quilting patterns.
To get the most out of the developing character arcs and local relationships, it is best to follow the publication order:
- Quilt as Desired (2007) – Harriet returns to Foggy Point, Washington, inherits her aunt's long-arm quilting business, and quickly becomes a prime suspect in a local murder.
- Quilter's Knot (2008) – A quilting retreat turns deadly, forcing Harriet and her friends to find a killer among their fellow crafters.
- Quilt as You Go (2009) – A historic Civil War reenactment in Foggy Point becomes the backdrop for a modern murder.
- Quilt by Association (2010) – Harriet and the Loose Threads work to clear a guild member's name when a local developer is found dead.
- The Quilt Before the Storm (2012) – Stormy weather and secrets collide when a body is discovered during a severe Pacific Northwest storm.
- Make Quilts Not War (2013) – A peace rally and a quilting exhibition spark conflict and culminate in a suspicious death.
- A Quilt in Time (2014) – Foggy Point's historical heritage is explored when a time capsule opening reveals more than just old keepsakes.
- Crazy as a Quilt (2015) – The guild takes on a special challenge quilt, but the project is interrupted by a bizarre homicide.
- Disappearing Nine Patch (2016) – A classic quilt pattern serves as the theme when a member of the community suddenly vanishes, leaving behind a trail of clues.
- Double Wedding Death (2017) – Wedding bells are ringing in Foggy Point, but a wedding planner's murder threatens to ruin the big day.
- Quilts Make a Family (2018) – Harriet digs into long-hidden family secrets and past grudges that resurface with fatal consequences.
- The 12 Quilts of Christmas (2019) – A festive holiday mystery where a series of themed quilts holds the key to solving a winter crime.
- A Quilt of a Different Color (2021) – The town is shook by a mysterious newcomer whose arrival coincides with a fresh crime.
- Quilts of a Feather (2025) – The latest installment sees Harriet and her guild investigating a suspicious death at a local birdwatching festival.
Permelia O'Brien Mystery Series
In this spin-off series, Sachitano shifts her focus from quilting to knitting. The books star Permelia O'Brien, an enthusiastic knitter who lives in Oregon and frequently visits local craft circles. This series is lighter, centering on Portland's craft scene and offering plenty of community warmth mixed with clever sleuthing.
Read this series in the following order:
- Double Knit (2020) – Permelia is pulled into an investigation involving a murder victim who was leading a complicated double life.
- Louie's Knit Shop (2023) – Permelia travels to a Portland yarn shop to teach a knitting class, only to find a body with a knitting needle in its ear.
Harley Spring Mystery Series
Before launching her craft-themed cozy mysteries, Sachitano drew on her 30-year background in the electronics industry to write the Harley Spring series. Set in Hillsboro, Oregon, these novels feature Harley Spring, a single mother and supervisor at a computer chip manufacturing company called Sil-Trac. The tone is a blend of corporate suspense and amateur detective work.
Read this duology in order:
- Chip and Die (2003) – Harley Spring must navigate high-tech corporate espionage and clear her own name when a colleague is murdered.
- The Widowmaker (2009) – Harley investigates dangerous secrets surrounding a semiconductor manufacturing tool known as "The Widowmaker" that lives up to its ominous nickname.
What to Know Before You Start
Arlene Sachitano's books are beloved for their authentic representation of fiber arts. Having spent decades as a quilter and knitter, Sachitano ensures that the technical details of long-arm quilting, fabric selection, and knitting stitches are accurate, making them a double treat for craft enthusiasts.
There are no complex timeline shifts or alternate universes to worry about. The chronology of the Harriet Truman series matches the publication order, with characters aging, marrying, and experiencing life transitions in real-time. Because of this strong continuity, skipping around is not recommended, as you will miss major developments in the personal lives of the Loose Threads guild members.