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Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery #3
Spinning in Her Grave
Kath Rutledge is settling in as the owner of the Weaver’s Cat, a fiber and fabric shop in Blue Plum, Tennessee. But nothing, not even the ghost haunting her shop, prepares her for the mystery that will leave the whole town spinning....
It’s time for Blue Plum’s annual historical festival, and everyone—including Kath and her spunky fiber and needlework group, TGIF—is getting in on the action. Expert spinners are being gathered, and a businessman has approached Kath about using the second-floor windows of her store for part of a reenactment. But the reenactment ends in real-life bloodshed when local baker Reva Louise Snapp is shot—with a bullet from a modern-day gun.
Kath has her theories about who wanted to end Reva Louise’s life. But there’s also talk of a sniper stalking Blue Plum, and Kath’s shop is suspected to be the murderer’s hideout. Now Kath, her TGIF pals, and the gloomy ghost, Geneva, must unravel the mystery quickly, or someone else might be left hanging by a thread....
It’s time for Blue Plum’s annual historical festival, and everyone—including Kath and her spunky fiber and needlework group, TGIF—is getting in on the action. Expert spinners are being gathered, and a businessman has approached Kath about using the second-floor windows of her store for part of a reenactment. But the reenactment ends in real-life bloodshed when local baker Reva Louise Snapp is shot—with a bullet from a modern-day gun.
Kath has her theories about who wanted to end Reva Louise’s life. But there’s also talk of a sniper stalking Blue Plum, and Kath’s shop is suspected to be the murderer’s hideout. Now Kath, her TGIF pals, and the gloomy ghost, Geneva, must unravel the mystery quickly, or someone else might be left hanging by a thread....
331 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
79 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Molly MacRae
23 books839 followersMolly MacRae spent twenty years in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upper East Tennessee, where she managed The Book Place, an independent bookstore; may it rest in peace.
Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.
MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.
Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.
MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
February 3, 2018
Well, she got me with this one. I had picked the wrong killer. Good job!! I love the whole Kath-Geneva element in these books. So clever.
October 18, 2015
To convey my feedback in a way you’ll understand, let me describe the ideal fiction novels for which I am perpetually searching. They are adventures or mysteries that are either mystical, non-religiously spiritual, or downright paranormal. To be truthful, I yearn for adult literature about ghosts; enchanting, not silly. In second place, I am excited about adult literature featuring psychic abilities, hidden places or clues, secret languages or codes, and witches. In any of these scenarios, I yearn for protagonists who are at least 35 and writing that is superb. Alas you can imagine: in the ‘cozy’ genre, this scarcely exists!
When I discovered Molly MacRae, I loved her humour and writing, this protagonist is a great age, the mysteries are good, and there appeared to be ghosts and witches all in one setting. Unfortunately there is nothing enchanting or likeable about Geneva and the witch heritage was an unfulfilled innuendo. I enjoyed ”Dyed In The Wool” far less than volume I. A mystery was slow to stir up in "Spinning In Her Grave" but this time I don't mind; whether because Geneva is lower key, or Molly's straightforward, comical narrative is back in form. Their group wasn’t cheesy about wanting to be sleuths either, nor was the dislikeable police officer as prevalent. A death in public gives TFIF’s interest justification and credence.
Molly should get cracking on Kath's witch heritage and Geneva’s only intriguing aspect. Prolonging action is flagging each topic, not heightening them. They are the attractants to this series and I'm waiting to sink my teeth into them. I would like to see Kath dating her beau a great deal more too. Regarding Geneva’s history: nailing down one conversation, in which Kath doesn't back down for fear of riling that whiner, would procure the answers we need!
When I discovered Molly MacRae, I loved her humour and writing, this protagonist is a great age, the mysteries are good, and there appeared to be ghosts and witches all in one setting. Unfortunately there is nothing enchanting or likeable about Geneva and the witch heritage was an unfulfilled innuendo. I enjoyed ”Dyed In The Wool” far less than volume I. A mystery was slow to stir up in "Spinning In Her Grave" but this time I don't mind; whether because Geneva is lower key, or Molly's straightforward, comical narrative is back in form. Their group wasn’t cheesy about wanting to be sleuths either, nor was the dislikeable police officer as prevalent. A death in public gives TFIF’s interest justification and credence.
Molly should get cracking on Kath's witch heritage and Geneva’s only intriguing aspect. Prolonging action is flagging each topic, not heightening them. They are the attractants to this series and I'm waiting to sink my teeth into them. I would like to see Kath dating her beau a great deal more too. Regarding Geneva’s history: nailing down one conversation, in which Kath doesn't back down for fear of riling that whiner, would procure the answers we need!
June 25, 2017
Blue Plum is having its annual historical festival in Spinning in Her Grave, Molly MacRae’s third Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery. This festival highlights local arts and crafts, so The Weaver's Cat features prominently in the festivities, with the members of TGIF, Thank God It's Fiber, the select group of fabric enthusiasts, doing special demonstrations on spinning yarn from various types of fiber, even including dog fur. The town always holds a special play to commemorate the “Piglet War” of 1859, but this year the new head of the play wants to spice things up, with guns stationed throughout the town. But Kath, the new proprietress of The Weaver's Cat since her grandmother passed away and left her everything, is less than amenable to having guns pointed out her upper window and rejects the request. But then as the play progresses, Kath overhears teens talking about how realistic a dead person in the play performs her job, but Kath knows better. Reva Louise Snapp, a highly unpopular woman who has caused all sorts of trouble for anyone who dares to go into business with her, is definitely dead.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
May 16, 2021
I absolutely loved this installment of this cozy series. The culprit surprised me in the end! I love that McRae actually has mystery in her cozy mysteries (instead of very obvious solves). Also the ghost is growing on me ngl
July 31, 2022
I still feel like there are too many characters to keep track of easily in this series. I did quite enjoy the pun about Ardis’s “Spivey” sense, however.
September 2, 2022
Great characters.
May 28, 2022
An adequate cozy mystery. Like Laura Child's Tea Shop mysteries, the yarn shop and it's staff are always more interesting and entertaining than the mystery itself. The whole Geneva ghost thing seems distracting and unnecessary.
February 25, 2024
Great characters, interesting mystery, I Love the laughter!
September 19, 2021
3,5 stars
November 4, 2019
I can’t keep going with this series although my library has such limited cozy mysteries. I HATE the main character. Is “witch” a play on words, because Kath is one with a capital B?!
The characters I like the most are her dead Grandmother (who must have been the queen of unconditional love to adore Kath) and apologetic, blind-as-a-bat Ernestine. Everyone else is annoying.
Kath decides to hate or like others for completely arbitrary reasons that baffle me. Like in the first book when she read her grandmother call herself “Crazy Ivy” and be ok with it, she STILL hated the Sheriff for calling her that. There was no humble moment where she realizes she was wrong...ever... She’s completely self absorbed. How many times do we have to hear her describe herself as logical and all manner of other attributes she doesn’t possess?
Sure, Coleridge Dunbar is a flat character, but he still has a better personality than Kath. Every teasing sarcasm is met with seething hatred when any other cozy mystery would have had the main character breakdown in self realizing giggles and make peace with the guy in book 1. She’s still calling him “Clod” in the third book and I’m over it. Even when he told her he cares about the people in the town and even showed concern for her well being (book 2), it fell on deaf ears and the author let the moment die. WTH?
So she introduced a new character who is too awful
to be believed (that boxed lunch fiasco), I’m convinced, due to the fact that every other character is just a normal level of awful.
I’m glad that character died and I wish she would’ve taken Kath with her.
The characters I like the most are her dead Grandmother (who must have been the queen of unconditional love to adore Kath) and apologetic, blind-as-a-bat Ernestine. Everyone else is annoying.
Kath decides to hate or like others for completely arbitrary reasons that baffle me. Like in the first book when she read her grandmother call herself “Crazy Ivy” and be ok with it, she STILL hated the Sheriff for calling her that. There was no humble moment where she realizes she was wrong...ever... She’s completely self absorbed. How many times do we have to hear her describe herself as logical and all manner of other attributes she doesn’t possess?
Sure, Coleridge Dunbar is a flat character, but he still has a better personality than Kath. Every teasing sarcasm is met with seething hatred when any other cozy mystery would have had the main character breakdown in self realizing giggles and make peace with the guy in book 1. She’s still calling him “Clod” in the third book and I’m over it. Even when he told her he cares about the people in the town and even showed concern for her well being (book 2), it fell on deaf ears and the author let the moment die. WTH?
So she introduced a new character who is too awful
to be believed (that boxed lunch fiasco), I’m convinced, due to the fact that every other character is just a normal level of awful.
I’m glad that character died and I wish she would’ve taken Kath with her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2015
I have admit it, I'm a pushover for a good ghost story. (I'm halfway in love with Cleo Coyle's Jack Shepherd.) And Molly MacRae's Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries are wonderful for ghost lovers! The ghost in question is Geneva, an argumentative, manipulative, but charming ghost who haunts the fiber and fabric shop that Kath Rutledge inherited from her aunt. Kath also seems to have inherited a few of her aunt's unusual powers, for instance, not only can Kath see and converse with Geneva, but she has developed the ability to sense a person's emotions just by touching an item of their clothing. The shop, known as The Weaver's Cat, also hosts a whole slew of regulars who call themselves TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber.)
In SPINNING IN HER GRAVE, an unpleasant, possible criminal newcomer to Blue Plum, Tennessee, is murdered during a reenactment of the Blue Plum Piglet War, and Kath and her friends seem to be the only ones with a clue. Although there's plenty of danger, This book is laugh out loud funny, especially the parts about Kath's seemingly impossible love life.
It's well written and the plot is as outrageous as the premise. Read it!
In SPINNING IN HER GRAVE, an unpleasant, possible criminal newcomer to Blue Plum, Tennessee, is murdered during a reenactment of the Blue Plum Piglet War, and Kath and her friends seem to be the only ones with a clue. Although there's plenty of danger, This book is laugh out loud funny, especially the parts about Kath's seemingly impossible love life.
It's well written and the plot is as outrageous as the premise. Read it!
September 20, 2019
I had several good laughs while reading this. The characters are believable, the setting is clear and it all made so much sense reading it during festival season. I love the name of their celebration - Blue Plum Preserves is perfect for an historical event.The Pig War, the original, that is, is part of West Coast history but for the fun MacRae had with it we'll let her have it. Those piglets running down the street! I don't think the SPCA would sanction the event, though.
The drifting ghost whom no one but our heroine can see is a very different take on a haunting. The most interesting part is that we don't know where she came from. who she was, just her name. Finding out her story is obviously going to stretch out through the series, a nice temptation.
It was a fun read for sure.
The drifting ghost whom no one but our heroine can see is a very different take on a haunting. The most interesting part is that we don't know where she came from. who she was, just her name. Finding out her story is obviously going to stretch out through the series, a nice temptation.
It was a fun read for sure.
October 11, 2019
I have to admit that the mystery and other characters in this series are taking a back seat with me. I found that I mainly focused on Geneva(the ghost) and her awesome dialog with the main character, as well as the ongoing mystery of who she was in life and how she died.
March 26, 2014
Loved it!!
May 31, 2020
#3 in the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery Series. This 2014 series entry by author Molly MacRae is a seerviceable cozy and enjoyable. Despite my antipathy towards supernatural elements, I keep reading this series. The author doesn't overdo the ghost and keeps her whimsical, if moody. Kath Rutledge, the protagonist and shop owner, is quite likeable, as are her supporting cast members. The victim was unlikeable in the extreme, and seemed lekely from the first to be done away with.
What should have been a lighthearted festival complete with a historical reenactment goes dark when one of the locals is shot and killed. Worse yet, the victim, Reva Louise, was shot from the upstairs window of Kath Rutledge's shop, the Weaver's Cat. Quick as can be, the TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) group rallies around to solve the case. Reva was related to one of the TGIF members, but her behavior encouraged murderous impulses in many; she was a husband stealer and a small-time embezzler. At the same time, Kath continues to slowly unravel the mystery surrounding Geneva, her shop's sad ghost, collecting clues and aiming to bring the spirit some peace.
What should have been a lighthearted festival complete with a historical reenactment goes dark when one of the locals is shot and killed. Worse yet, the victim, Reva Louise, was shot from the upstairs window of Kath Rutledge's shop, the Weaver's Cat. Quick as can be, the TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) group rallies around to solve the case. Reva was related to one of the TGIF members, but her behavior encouraged murderous impulses in many; she was a husband stealer and a small-time embezzler. At the same time, Kath continues to slowly unravel the mystery surrounding Geneva, her shop's sad ghost, collecting clues and aiming to bring the spirit some peace.
October 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this one! Much more humorous than the previous book, Spinning in Her Grave had a lot of activity and we spent a lot of time with several of the secondary characters. Ardis, Thea, and Ernestine become more endearing with each book. Kath isn't much of a sleuth when it comes to naturally figuring out the villain but she is great at asking questions and taking notes and accidentally giving the villain an opportunity to show themselves. Kath's relationship with the Dunbar brothers is comical in its own way. Let's be honest, Clod's a big oaf and Joe has a tendency to either be fishing or breaking and entering... she needs to put her sleuthing skills to better use and find a decent guy! Geneva's theatrics keep things entertaining and Kath's ability to keep Geneva a secret is getting more and more difficult which just makes the story more funny. The "Piglet War" was funny and made for a great backdrop to the whole story! Molly MacRae is a great writer! Her witty dialogue and twisted mysteries are very entertaining!
January 31, 2024
No real spoilers, but an idea that I have to make the series so much more interesting. I keep trying to figure out what this series' ultimate goal is--trying to figure out Geneva's death or Kath falling in love or just a cozy series with no goal in mind??
As a reader, I want more. And personally, I have my own ideas. Consider this - Kath is interested in the gruff, but unsuspecting and "inferior" brother ("Clod") ; they're always fighting but something is simmering underneath. Instead of an annoying ghost, it's a melancholy ghost who can only remember her death in snippets. No so-called magic or witches, just an inheritance of a shop with a ghost in it. The series is about trying to figure out the ghost's murderer and the protagonist (Kath) slowly falling in love with the frustrating idiot. Now doesn't that sound more interesting than an idiot police officer, a boorish fisherman love interest, and unanswered questions about an annoying ghost?
As a reader, I want more. And personally, I have my own ideas. Consider this - Kath is interested in the gruff, but unsuspecting and "inferior" brother ("Clod") ; they're always fighting but something is simmering underneath. Instead of an annoying ghost, it's a melancholy ghost who can only remember her death in snippets. No so-called magic or witches, just an inheritance of a shop with a ghost in it. The series is about trying to figure out the ghost's murderer and the protagonist (Kath) slowly falling in love with the frustrating idiot. Now doesn't that sound more interesting than an idiot police officer, a boorish fisherman love interest, and unanswered questions about an annoying ghost?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2024
Kath does a pretty good job of creating a confusing mess of the murder investigation and her fledgling love life in "Spinning in Her Grave."
Mel, who owns and operates the local diner, apparently has sister relations of which we were unaware. One turns up dead during a festival dedicated to a runaway piglet. Worse yet, the murderer strikes from within the Weaver's Cat.
Kath and her fiber cohorts decide to investigate. We get a few suspects, muddled motivations and not a ton of action until Kath and Clod Dunbar almost get roasted. Unadvised kissing ensues.
On the plus side, Kath finds out a little more information regarding Mattie and Sam and Geneva's strong emotions regarding the pair.
"Spinning in Her Grave" is a fairly standard installment in the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. Readers who've read the earlier books know what to expect.
Mel, who owns and operates the local diner, apparently has sister relations of which we were unaware. One turns up dead during a festival dedicated to a runaway piglet. Worse yet, the murderer strikes from within the Weaver's Cat.
Kath and her fiber cohorts decide to investigate. We get a few suspects, muddled motivations and not a ton of action until Kath and Clod Dunbar almost get roasted. Unadvised kissing ensues.
On the plus side, Kath finds out a little more information regarding Mattie and Sam and Geneva's strong emotions regarding the pair.
"Spinning in Her Grave" is a fairly standard installment in the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. Readers who've read the earlier books know what to expect.
July 29, 2017
# 3 in series. I am not sure if the library has # 2 so it is on to #4!
I did like the book, as my friends often say "it needed some editing"......I might not have noticed the errors if some other reader hadn't circled them though. That is my pet peeve.
Kath has taken over the yarn shop after her grandmother died..........not knowing that a ghost came along with the shop. A friendly ghost. Kath can see and hear her, and does a lot of thinking with Geneva (the ghost) as her sounding board. I think that would be rather fun, once you get use to it.
Kath and her friends work together to solve a murder mystery.
I did like the book, as my friends often say "it needed some editing"......I might not have noticed the errors if some other reader hadn't circled them though. That is my pet peeve.
Kath has taken over the yarn shop after her grandmother died..........not knowing that a ghost came along with the shop. A friendly ghost. Kath can see and hear her, and does a lot of thinking with Geneva (the ghost) as her sounding board. I think that would be rather fun, once you get use to it.
Kath and her friends work together to solve a murder mystery.
July 22, 2018
This delightful cozy revolves around the death of the obnoxious new member of Blue Plum TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) during the Blue Plum Piglet War. Fortunately, there's lots of knitting, weaving, spinning, and more spinning at the Weaver's Cat as the intrepid members of TGIF and the Fast and Furious (knitters) suss out the culprit and set things right in their fair town. Argyle the kitten and Geneva the ghost are cleverly woven into this latest adventure.
Molly MacRae writes charming cozies where you'll root for the intrepid self-designated investigators over the police any day. If you want to smile while you read, check out this and MacRae's other mysteries.
Molly MacRae writes charming cozies where you'll root for the intrepid self-designated investigators over the police any day. If you want to smile while you read, check out this and MacRae's other mysteries.
November 20, 2018
Kath is back, enjoying Blue Plum's historical festival - until someone is shot in what the onlookers initially think is part of the town-wide reenactment but turns out to be murder. That someone is Reva Louise, who isn't universally liked but doesn't seem to have any secrets. It seems the bullet came from Kath's store, and that means the place has to be shut down for the investigation. Kath is motivated to find the murderer so that things can go back to normal. Kath is stuck with Cole Dunbar more than her beau and his brother, Joe, and she finds out a little more about Geneva along the way.
August 26, 2017
You know... out of the four I've read in this series, this one is my least favorite. I think it's mainly because the mystery is built over the course of the whole book, lending a nice feeling of tension and suspense... then the entire thing is solved in the space of 2 sentences, and the book ends just a couple of pages later with very few explanations or a feeling of closure. Extremely disappointing. I still love the characters and it's nice to see them continue to develop, but this particular book left me feeling flat and more than just a little bit disgruntled.
April 26, 2021
Enjoyable Cozy mystery. I didn't think I would like a cozy mystery, but I really got into this book. This is book 3 in a series, but I wasn't to lost not having read book 1 or 2. I didn't solve the mystery until the end, but I enjoyed working with the knitting group in this book who were trying to solve the murder. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Recommend read!
July 24, 2017
This series isn't bad. I love that it comes with knitting patterns AND recipes. My one issue, and this is a major "me problem" is that when Kat calls the sheriff's deputy "clod" I hear it in the voice of Paridot from Steven Universe.
December 18, 2017
Like the previous books in this series, this book was more about the overarching mysteries in the backstory than the mystery particular to the book. If you like the characters and backstory, you should enjoy this book.
January 9, 2018
This installment didn't keep my interest. I didn't get to learn much more about the characters that I like, and there weren't enough spinning and fiber related jokes for my taste. This was still light and enjoyable, though.
June 6, 2018
Read this out of order and realized it when I didn't understand references to earlier books. I still wasn't all that impressed and didn't rush to pick the book up anytime I thought about it. Will go back and read the first in the series and see if that makes any difference.
September 18, 2020
This is a light-hearted yarn (ie story) about a yarn store that comes complete with its own ghost with whom I've become very fond. I also am intrigued by the developing characters and look forward to their next mystery.
April 15, 2021
Fast paced plot in a cozy mystery. If you can suspend disbelief about the ghost who whines, complains, and gives clues, these are worth the time.
The murderer was fairly obvious. The setting that is pleasant enough to spend the time.
The murderer was fairly obvious. The setting that is pleasant enough to spend the time.
March 8, 2022
The more I read these, the more I genuinely enjoy them! At first I thought they were a little campy, but it's been genuinely joyful to get to know the characters and to see their relationships with each other develop. I can't wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews