Quilt City Murders
Book One, Named Best Mystery of 2022 by the National Indie Excellence Awards
Hadley Carroll’s life is already falling apart when she finds her ex-fiancé’s body in the Ohio River.
Demoted from reporter to newspaper courier, recently dumped without explanation, and struggling to keep her anxiety in check, Hadley thought she’d hit bottom. Then, while tossing unsold papers from her delivery route, she discovers Matt Ackerman dead—snagged beneath a dock in her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky, nicknamed Quilt City.
Hadley knows she’ll never find peace unless she understands why Matt left her—and who killed him.
As QuiltWeek Paducah, one of the world’s largest quilting events, descends on the small river town, more bodies surface. With thousands of visitors flooding Quilt City, tensions rise, protests erupt, and fear spreads faster than rumors. The mayor urges calm. The police are overwhelmed. And someone is very good at hiding in plain sight.
Drawing strength from her close-knit quilt guild and the resilience forged by a troubled childhood, Hadley starts asking questions no one wants answered.
Smart, well-read, and armed with a sharp sense of humor, she follows the truth wherever it leads—even when it threatens the fragile stability she’s fought hard to build.
Quilt City Murders is a thoughtful, character-driven cozy mystery featuring an intelligent, emotionally complex heroine, rich community ties, and a story that balances warmth, grief, humor, and justice—one careful stitch at a time.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Cozies with depth and real-world stakes
- Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
- Small-town mysteries where relationships matter as much as clues
- For readers who want more time with Hadley, see Quilt City Cookbook, a companion book narrated by Hadley herself.
"Quilt City Murders is an absolute must-read cozy mystery, and I do not say that lightly. I give this book a 5+ star rating!" —Jenny Raith, owner of CozyMysteryBookshop.com
Best-ever murder mystery about Quiltmakers!
"Many of the other 5-star reviews here are eloquent and on-target, so I'll just add that this is the first 'quilt' mystery I've read whose story could stand on its own no matter the milieu, and whose details re quilting and quilters were credible. I enjoyed it, feel like I got a free trip to the quilt mega-festival in Paducah, and will look forward to further series titles."
— A review on Amazon
Quilt City: Panic in Paducah
Book Two
Hadley Carroll never planned to become a hero.
But when a routine shopping trip turns into a violent robbery, Hadley risks her own safety to save a fellow quilter. When the heist ends in tragedy, the journalist—and newly announced mayoral candidate—vows to uncover the truth behind the crime.
As Paducah reels, a seemingly unrelated murder and two ominous messages land on Hadley’s desk at Paducah Pulse, the newspaper she owns and runs. With the help of the newsroom staff, she begins to ask questions that powerful people would rather leave unanswered.
In the midst of rising tension, Hadley allows herself a rare moment of happiness: her first real date with Detective Brandon Green at Barbecue on the River, Paducah’s beloved annual festival. But even there, danger follows close behind.
With the city on edge, threats mounting, and her political rival circling, Hadley must balance justice, ambition, and a fragile new relationship—all while racing to stop a conspiracy that’s far larger than it first appears.
Panic in Paducah is a smart, character-driven cozy mystery about courage under pressure, the cost of leadership, and the risks we take for the people we love.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Cozies with depth and real-world stakes
- Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
- Small-town mysteries where relationships matter as much as clues
- For readers who want more time with Hadley, see Quilt City Cookbook, a companion book narrated by Hadley herself.
"Hadley being Hadley will have the reader laughing out loud with her wit and sarcastic responses in juxtaposition to the dire circumstances she faces. Her sardonic humor gives a break from the intense twists and turns of the plot. I can’t wait to see if Leonard’s next release can top 'Panic in Paducah.'"
—A review on Amazon
Panic in Paducah "relies on dialogue to weave a clever mystery through likeable characters and believable relationships. Panic in Paducah lead me deeper into Hadley Carroll's world, which I gladly followed, offering me several good evenings of reading by the woodstove. I look forward to the next one."
—A review on Amazon
Quilt City: Measure Once, Cut Twice
Book Three
Hadley Carroll has a lot on her plate. In fact, it’s overflowing.
While writing a cookbook, supporting a friend in pain, worrying about a depressed young housemate, and running a mayoral campaign she’s expected to win, Hadley is stretched thin. Then a fellow quilter voices suspicions about a coworker’s death—and Hadley’s instincts tell her the concern is justified.
As personal stress collides with professional danger, Hadley prepares to meet Detective Brandon Green’s family and braces for a visit from her younger sister, Jenny, whose arrival brings old wounds and new complications.
When bricks shatter Hadley’s windows, worry turns into real threat. Soon after, people across Paducah begin dying in what may be a public health crisis—and the city looks to Hadley for answers.
With the help of private investigator Garrett Hunt, Hadley digs into the truth. But when secrets from her late mother’s past surface, Hadley is forced to confront painful questions about her own identity—and whether the future she’s built can withstand the truth.
Measure Once, Cut Twice is a powerful cozy mystery about resilience, family legacy, and the strength it takes to persevere when a newfound reality forces you to reassess who you are and what you believe.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Cozies with depth and real-world stakes
- Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
- Small-town mysteries where relationships matter as much as clues
- For readers who want more time with Hadley, see Quilt City Cookbook, a companion book narrated by Hadley herself.
"Quilt City: Measure Once, Cut Twice is the BEST book Bruce Leonard has written! I loved Quilt City Murders and couldn't see how it could have been any better, but then he goes and writes this excellent mystery, full of laughs, weighty issues, and fully realized characters, and I'm once again blown away by its awesomeness."
—Jenny Raith, owner of CozyMysteryBookshop.com
"Measure Once, Cut Twice is a lot of things wrapped in a cozy mystery: real characters with hopes and dreams that sometimes blossom and sometimes get dashed on the rocks. Somehow the author takes all that plus a mystery, plus family drama and some of the harsher realities of the world and spins it all into a beautiful story that was not what I expected and not the least bit cookie-cutter. As always, I love the humor."
—A review on Amazon
Quilt City: Proving a Negative
Book Four
Hadley Carroll is looking forward to a rare, fun-filled weekend.
Plans include a trip to the National Quilt Museum, time with friends and family, a birthday party, and watching a Hollywood film crew shoot an action scene in downtown Paducah. For once, life feels balanced.
Then reality hits.
As troubling news arrives from two people Hadley loves, a dangerous stunt goes horribly wrong—and the crimes that follow threaten to unravel the city that she now leads as mayor.
With Paducah on the brink, Hadley and her trusted circle begin to track down the truth. But when someone close to her goes missing, the case turns deeply personal, pushing Hadley into unfamiliar territory where systems fail and certainty disappears.
Calling on her partner, Detective Brandon Green, and private investigator Garrett Hunt, Hadley fights for justice—but this time, doing the right thing may not be enough.
Proving a Negative is a tense, emotionally rich cozy mystery about leadership under strain, the power of Hollywood magic, the joys of family, and the frightening moment when you realize that even after giving your all, you could still fall short.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Cozies with depth and real-world stakes
- Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
- Small-town mysteries where relationships matter as much as clues
- For readers who want more time with Hadley, see Quilt City Cookbook, a companion book narrated by Hadley herself.
"Overall, "Quilt City: Proving a Negative" is a robust addition to the Hadley Carroll mysteries, proving once again that Bruce Leonard understands how to weave suspense with human drama. This book will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next adventure, as Hadley Carroll continues to prove she's as formidable as she is endearing. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this installment is not to be missed."
—A review on Amazon
"It is not only funny, it will put you on the edge of your chair not wanting to put it down. A great binge read, just like the first 3. Now I am waiting patiently for the next of the series. I also will get the audio versions as they come out. They will be a great entertainment as I drive. Bruce Leonard has quickly jumped to the top of my favorite authors list."
—A review on Amazon
Quilt City: SafetY Second
Book Five
In mid-winter, Paducah is pushed to the breaking point.
After a violent incident outside a law office leaves a bystander dead and her close friend Dakota injured, Hadley Carroll and the staff of Paducah Pulse begin covering a story that quickly taxes their limits.
Then an ice storm descends on the city. Power lines fall. Cell towers freeze. Roads become impassable. With a shelter-in-place order in effect, Hadley and her colleagues hunker down in the newspaper office as Quilt City grinds to a halt.
As mayor, Hadley must coordinate rescue efforts, oversee repairs, and keep her city functioning—while a building collapses, a family crisis erupts, and new crimes further strain her already-fragile mental health.
Determined to protect her community and to hold the perpetrators accountable, Hadley rallies her friends and staff once more—all while planning her upcoming wedding.
Safety Second is a gripping cozy mystery about responsibility, resilience, and the quiet heroism required to show up when everything is on the line.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Cozies with depth and real-world stakes
- Strong, witty female protagonists who lead with empathy and intelligence
- Small-town mysteries where relationships matter as much as clues
- For readers who want more time with Hadley, see Quilt City Cookbook, a companion book narrated by Hadley herself.
"Wow! Another Hadley mystery filled with twists and turns! I loved this one as much as the first 4. When is Book 6 coming out?"
—A review on Amazon
"Hadley is so special. I love the banter between her and Brandon, makes me read it slower to understand the humor."
—A review on Amazon
Quilt City Cookbook
A Funny Companion Book to the Hadley Carroll Mysteries
Welcome to Hadley Carroll’s kitchen.
In Quilt City Cookbook, Hadley steps away from crime scenes and deadlines to share the food, memories, and stories that shaped her—told in her signature voice: witty, self-aware, and quietly vulnerable.
This is not just a collection of recipes. It’s a companion to the Hadley Carroll Mysteries, narrated by Hadley herself and filled with personal anecdotes, character backstories, and glimpses into her troubled childhood, her chosen family, and the small comforts that help her feel whole.
The recipes are the real thing. Many come from a working bakery in Ventura, California—developed by the author during the years he owned and operated The Blues Bakery—along with savory dishes contributed by his wife. These are practical, well-tested recipes meant to be cooked, shared, and enjoyed.
Along the way, Hadley reflects on food, survival, humor, and the ways we take care of ourselves and each other. She sprinkles in jokes, reflections, and even the occasional hint of future mysteries—because once a reporter, always a reporter.
Quilt City Cookbook is perfect for:
- Fans of the Hadley Carroll Mysteries
- Readers who enjoy narrative cookbooks with heart
- Home cooks who appreciate stories as much as recipes
Pull up a chair. Hadley has something to say—and something good in the oven.
"I didn’t hesitate …. Made the pumpkin muffins first thing !!! Scrumptious!!!! Can’t wait to try the shrimp and grits."
—A review on Amazon
"Pictures/descriptions/ history- loved it all."
—A review on Amazon