What do you think?
Rate this book
A Weaving Mystery #3
Weave of Absence
It’s a joyous time at Dream Weaver—Della Wright’s studio in small-town Briar Hollow, North Carolina—as part-time employee and full-time friend Marnie Potter is preparing for her upcoming marriage. Della has enlisted a tight-knit group of close friends to handweave a beautiful collection of fine household linens as a wedding gift for the happy couple.
But when Della notices Marnie’s suave fiancé engaged in a heated argument with one of her students at the engagement party, she starts to worry that there may be something wrong with Marnie’s Mr. Right. After the student turns up dead the next day, Della must weave together the clues to find the killer—before Marnie agrees to �Till death do us part.”
FEATURES WEAVING TIPS!
But when Della notices Marnie’s suave fiancé engaged in a heated argument with one of her students at the engagement party, she starts to worry that there may be something wrong with Marnie’s Mr. Right. After the student turns up dead the next day, Della must weave together the clues to find the killer—before Marnie agrees to �Till death do us part.”
FEATURES WEAVING TIPS!
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
11 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Carol Ann Martin
4 books51 followersMonique Domovitch (aka Carol Ann Martin) was born in the small town of Hearst Ontario. She is the oldest of ten children. “You can’t imagine the pressure,” she says,laughing. “Anything I did wrong—and I did plenty—was sure to lead my siblings into a life of sin. I therefore accept the blame for any wrongdoings by all member of my family.”
When she was twenty years old she moved to Montreal, where she became a successful model, winning the prestigious Modeling Association of American Contest and continuing on to an international career. During this time, she worked with many top photographers and graced many designer runways. “Modeling was a wonderful career,” she says. “I met so many interesting and talented people. I travelled all over the world. After ten years of facing cameras and audiences, I became very comfortable with the public. I had no idea at the time, just how much this ability would serve me later in life.”
At the age of thirty, Monique retired from modeling and founded Beauties Modeling Agency in Montreal. Through her tutelage, many Canadian models gained international renown. “I wanted to accept my age rather than try desperately to look young for an unforgiving camera. That was the main reason I retired from modeling on my thirtieth birthday.”
Following a difficult divorce and some health issues some years later, Monique sold her agency and turned her focus on the investment business. “The divorce had left me financially and emotionally bereft—by my own doing, I might add—because I just walked away from the financial fighting. It was just easier to sign on the dotted line and walk away than to prolong a painful fight. Even though it made the next few years difficult financially, I never regretted my decision, which propelled me to the next phase of my professional life.
At the age of forty two, Monique, by then a financial advisor with one of Canada’s largest investment firms, was picked to host her own television show, Her Money, a weekly financial-advice show aimed to a female audience. “Her Money, aired nationally for four years on The Women’s Network , and to this day, I still hear from women who tell me that my message, ‘you, and only you, are responsible for your financial security’, helped change their lives.”
During all these careers, Monique’s real passion was always writing. “I used to get up at 5:30 in the morning and write until I went to work. If I’d been alone, I would probably have put my energies into writing. But as a single mother, I had to provide for my children.”
Nowadays, Monique lives with her physician husband and their three dogs. They divide their time between their homes in Canada and La Jolla. “I got lucky. I met the love of my life at the age of fifty. The best advice I can give other women is, don’t settle for second best. I was alone for twenty years until Ed came along. If I’d decided that a mediocre marriage was better than no marriage, Ed and I would most likely have never met. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Monique also writes under the pen name of Carol Ann Martin, for Obsidian, an imprint of Penguin. “I borrowed the name from my children, combining my daughter’s—Carole Ann—and my son’s—Martin. Her first book in her new series, Looming Murder , will be published in 2013.
When she was twenty years old she moved to Montreal, where she became a successful model, winning the prestigious Modeling Association of American Contest and continuing on to an international career. During this time, she worked with many top photographers and graced many designer runways. “Modeling was a wonderful career,” she says. “I met so many interesting and talented people. I travelled all over the world. After ten years of facing cameras and audiences, I became very comfortable with the public. I had no idea at the time, just how much this ability would serve me later in life.”
At the age of thirty, Monique retired from modeling and founded Beauties Modeling Agency in Montreal. Through her tutelage, many Canadian models gained international renown. “I wanted to accept my age rather than try desperately to look young for an unforgiving camera. That was the main reason I retired from modeling on my thirtieth birthday.”
Following a difficult divorce and some health issues some years later, Monique sold her agency and turned her focus on the investment business. “The divorce had left me financially and emotionally bereft—by my own doing, I might add—because I just walked away from the financial fighting. It was just easier to sign on the dotted line and walk away than to prolong a painful fight. Even though it made the next few years difficult financially, I never regretted my decision, which propelled me to the next phase of my professional life.
At the age of forty two, Monique, by then a financial advisor with one of Canada’s largest investment firms, was picked to host her own television show, Her Money, a weekly financial-advice show aimed to a female audience. “Her Money, aired nationally for four years on The Women’s Network , and to this day, I still hear from women who tell me that my message, ‘you, and only you, are responsible for your financial security’, helped change their lives.”
During all these careers, Monique’s real passion was always writing. “I used to get up at 5:30 in the morning and write until I went to work. If I’d been alone, I would probably have put my energies into writing. But as a single mother, I had to provide for my children.”
Nowadays, Monique lives with her physician husband and their three dogs. They divide their time between their homes in Canada and La Jolla. “I got lucky. I met the love of my life at the age of fifty. The best advice I can give other women is, don’t settle for second best. I was alone for twenty years until Ed came along. If I’d decided that a mediocre marriage was better than no marriage, Ed and I would most likely have never met. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Monique also writes under the pen name of Carol Ann Martin, for Obsidian, an imprint of Penguin. “I borrowed the name from my children, combining my daughter’s—Carole Ann—and my son’s—Martin. Her first book in her new series, Looming Murder , will be published in 2013.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 21, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/we...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Della Wright, owner of Dream Weaver, a studio and storefront for all things about fabric weaving, is hostessing a wedding shower for her part-time employee Marnie Potter. Marnie and her fiance, Bruce Doherty, only met a few scant weeks earlier when he came to town for the first time, and their wedding was scheduled in the very near future. This shower is the opening scene for Weave of Absence, Carol Ann Martin’s third offering in the series, A Weaving Mystery, a fast-paced and exciting new mystery. One can easily read this novel as a stand-alone; there are no ill-prepared guests for this party!
There can be uncomfortable moments in the shower, however, as Marnie brought Bruce to the shower where – not only did one of the ladies slip Bruce her phone number on a scrap of paper, but one of Della’s new students had a very emotional discussion with him, complete with gestures and expressions of anger and contempt. Marnie tried to act as if she were oblivious to her new-in-town fiance’s encounters with her lady friends. The next morning, the student who was angry with Bruce the night before was found – dead – in her home by Della.
Thus begins the roller coaster ride of solving the murder, where people are not who they seem to be, clues don’t match with reality, and even those you are sure are innocent may have blood on their hands. And as sometimes happens when women get together, emotions flare, catty remarks are made, suspicions and spats occur, then are quickly forgiven. Especially when Marnie admits that Bruce, a “retired” financial planner who looks to be in his 40’s, talks her into buying a joint $1,000,000, first-to-die life insurance policy which pays only when the first spouse passes away. Della’s concern for her dear friend is not unfounded as she and her friends untangle the threads of outrageously more than they imagined about Bruce.
From the beginning, this reader’s attention was arrested by the excellent writing, plot, and characters! It was hard to put down, even harder to guess (correctly) what was going to happen next. The characters are one-of-a-kind, including Matthew, a childhood friend of Della who drops off his French Bulldog, Winnie (short for Winston) at her shop every day so he can complete his second novel. He is so much more than a friend to Della, especially when trying to save her from her selfless sleuthing. Marnie, the dear friend who Della wants to relieve of any concerns of Bruce’s involvement, is the kind of giving, caring person that everyone wants to befriend. And Jenny, owner of the coffee, tea, and pastry shop sharing space with Della, is an interesting mixture of friend and reader of auras, palms, tarot cards, and tea leaves. Marnie keeps Jenny supplied with delicious desserts and breakfast treats (mmm-hmmm, those scones sound sooo good) and Della with amazing woven goods.
The twists and turns in the plot were often completely unexpected, as is the reason for Helen’s murder and subsequent events. This reader was kept on her toes, and at the edge of her seat, trying to unravel whodunit in this cozy – and isn’t that why we read them? This author knows her craft well – both her talent for writing an excellent cozy mystery and her knowledge of the artistic skill of weaving combined with engaging characters and friendships prove Carol Ann Martin as an author extraordinaire. Not only would I now like to observe weaving techniques, but I am absolutely looking forward to seeing her upcoming novels!
I highly recommend Weave of Absence to adults of any age who love cozy mysteries that not only keep them up at night trying, with the protagonist, to outsmart the bad guy, but enjoy learning or reading about the art and skill of weaving. This series is a mixture of mystery, life-threatening suspense, and just enough romance to keep this reader anticipating more.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Della Wright, owner of Dream Weaver, a studio and storefront for all things about fabric weaving, is hostessing a wedding shower for her part-time employee Marnie Potter. Marnie and her fiance, Bruce Doherty, only met a few scant weeks earlier when he came to town for the first time, and their wedding was scheduled in the very near future. This shower is the opening scene for Weave of Absence, Carol Ann Martin’s third offering in the series, A Weaving Mystery, a fast-paced and exciting new mystery. One can easily read this novel as a stand-alone; there are no ill-prepared guests for this party!
There can be uncomfortable moments in the shower, however, as Marnie brought Bruce to the shower where – not only did one of the ladies slip Bruce her phone number on a scrap of paper, but one of Della’s new students had a very emotional discussion with him, complete with gestures and expressions of anger and contempt. Marnie tried to act as if she were oblivious to her new-in-town fiance’s encounters with her lady friends. The next morning, the student who was angry with Bruce the night before was found – dead – in her home by Della.
Thus begins the roller coaster ride of solving the murder, where people are not who they seem to be, clues don’t match with reality, and even those you are sure are innocent may have blood on their hands. And as sometimes happens when women get together, emotions flare, catty remarks are made, suspicions and spats occur, then are quickly forgiven. Especially when Marnie admits that Bruce, a “retired” financial planner who looks to be in his 40’s, talks her into buying a joint $1,000,000, first-to-die life insurance policy which pays only when the first spouse passes away. Della’s concern for her dear friend is not unfounded as she and her friends untangle the threads of outrageously more than they imagined about Bruce.
From the beginning, this reader’s attention was arrested by the excellent writing, plot, and characters! It was hard to put down, even harder to guess (correctly) what was going to happen next. The characters are one-of-a-kind, including Matthew, a childhood friend of Della who drops off his French Bulldog, Winnie (short for Winston) at her shop every day so he can complete his second novel. He is so much more than a friend to Della, especially when trying to save her from her selfless sleuthing. Marnie, the dear friend who Della wants to relieve of any concerns of Bruce’s involvement, is the kind of giving, caring person that everyone wants to befriend. And Jenny, owner of the coffee, tea, and pastry shop sharing space with Della, is an interesting mixture of friend and reader of auras, palms, tarot cards, and tea leaves. Marnie keeps Jenny supplied with delicious desserts and breakfast treats (mmm-hmmm, those scones sound sooo good) and Della with amazing woven goods.
The twists and turns in the plot were often completely unexpected, as is the reason for Helen’s murder and subsequent events. This reader was kept on her toes, and at the edge of her seat, trying to unravel whodunit in this cozy – and isn’t that why we read them? This author knows her craft well – both her talent for writing an excellent cozy mystery and her knowledge of the artistic skill of weaving combined with engaging characters and friendships prove Carol Ann Martin as an author extraordinaire. Not only would I now like to observe weaving techniques, but I am absolutely looking forward to seeing her upcoming novels!
I highly recommend Weave of Absence to adults of any age who love cozy mysteries that not only keep them up at night trying, with the protagonist, to outsmart the bad guy, but enjoy learning or reading about the art and skill of weaving. This series is a mixture of mystery, life-threatening suspense, and just enough romance to keep this reader anticipating more.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
August 14, 2020
A great third addition to the Weaving Mystery series by Carol Ann Martin, 'Weave of Absence' once more brings us into the antics of weaving shop owner and main sleuth Della Wright. When Marnie, her top weaver, is suddenly engaged to a mystery man Della has to know more. And when he shows up to the surprise engagement party planned for Marnie - and seems to anger several women in attendance, he's looking more like a culprit than a groom. It's no surprise that when some of those same women starting turning up dead that he's at the top of Della's suspect list...
I'm having a genuinely great time reading this series. This is the third book and knowing that there's only one more is pretty disappointing. What I love is the balance that Carol Ann Martin gives us as she's unveiling the plot. We're not too focused on the weaving business, the love interest, or the mystery itself - instead we get a truly well balanced blend of all three. No part of the story stagnates, and we always have something new to explore, or a new angle to consider. Our minds are racing to the finish line along with Della.
This is a series I like to keep reading straight through non-stop- it's easy to just read one more page, or one more chapter because it's that enticing. I'd say the only negative about this series is when there are moments that the characters are a little too abrasive and mean-spirited with their comments about one another. These moments of harshness are usually brief and not a main focus, but they jumped out at me while I was reading. A minor fault that doesn't diminish my enjoyment.
More Facts for Readers about our Sleuth:
Main Sleuth: Della Wright (age 35)
Business: Weaving Shop owner (Dream Weaver)
Pet: Winston, a French bulldog
Best-Friend(s): Jenny (age 35?), and Matthew (age 37)
Love Interest: Matthew, a criminology author
Family: Mother, long distance
Location: small town called Briar Hollow, North Carolina
Time of year: April
Any Cussing? Yes, very few and in context.
I'm having a genuinely great time reading this series. This is the third book and knowing that there's only one more is pretty disappointing. What I love is the balance that Carol Ann Martin gives us as she's unveiling the plot. We're not too focused on the weaving business, the love interest, or the mystery itself - instead we get a truly well balanced blend of all three. No part of the story stagnates, and we always have something new to explore, or a new angle to consider. Our minds are racing to the finish line along with Della.
This is a series I like to keep reading straight through non-stop- it's easy to just read one more page, or one more chapter because it's that enticing. I'd say the only negative about this series is when there are moments that the characters are a little too abrasive and mean-spirited with their comments about one another. These moments of harshness are usually brief and not a main focus, but they jumped out at me while I was reading. A minor fault that doesn't diminish my enjoyment.
More Facts for Readers about our Sleuth:
Main Sleuth: Della Wright (age 35)
Business: Weaving Shop owner (Dream Weaver)
Pet: Winston, a French bulldog
Best-Friend(s): Jenny (age 35?), and Matthew (age 37)
Love Interest: Matthew, a criminology author
Family: Mother, long distance
Location: small town called Briar Hollow, North Carolina
Time of year: April
Any Cussing? Yes, very few and in context.
October 29, 2017
I'd probably give this a 2.5 if I could. Nice concept, it felt jagged, like the story needed to jump around to get all the relevant parts in. Characters didn't feel fully developed, but for a cozy mystery, it was okay.
September 6, 2015
I found this to be a bit too repetitious with way too many characters. The victim and killer were pretty obvious from the start.
June 6, 2023
This is such a great series. Della and her friend Marnie were almost the next murder victims but thanks to friends and thinking fast they escaped !!
Della and Matthew finally admit their feelings for each other.
Della and Matthew finally admit their feelings for each other.
August 19, 2018
Great book! Series just keep getting better & better!
October 23, 2018
Gimme more!
July 26, 2020
Well done.
March 31, 2021
Another great book in this series. Enjoying these stories.
May 25, 2021
It was an enjoyable cozy
December 21, 2014
This is the 3rd book in Carol Ann's Weaving Mystery series. Not once was I bored by this book or disappointed that I read it. So many twists and turns had me entertained from start to finish. For the weavers out there, I'm sure that you will find the weaving hints helpful.
Old friends, new loves, old heartaches, new happiness, I do believe that Carol Ann has a hit on her hands.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review
Old friends, new loves, old heartaches, new happiness, I do believe that Carol Ann has a hit on her hands.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review
June 21, 2015
Della's good friend and assistant at her weaving shop, Marnie, has a whirlwind courtship and becomes engaged to a man Della instinctively mistrusts. Maybe it's the million dollar insurance policy he takes out on Marnie? When another woman in their circle is murdered, Della is very suspicious, but then other people are acting in a peculiar way, too. Then Marnie becomes the suspect in a second murder.
January 30, 2015
I'm happy to see a cozy series that features weaving, but I have reservations about Della. She's too often impulsive, quick to jump to conclusions, and I REALLY don't like her willingness to ignore or break the law. I know it keeps the story moving ahead, but - I just don't like characters like that.
February 16, 2015
this is a neat series about a weaver. Lots of action and fun characters. I'm not a weaver but I enjoyed the crafting comradeship of the ladies who come into her shop. Good looking boyfriend doesn't hurt either.
October 17, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed the edition to the series. Had plenty of twists that kept you guessing right up until the end. Look forward to seeing how Della & Matthew's relationship develops.
June 27, 2015
Nice cozy mystery with a weaving theme. Free pattern could be better, though.
December 12, 2015
Better than I expected. Fast read too. I really enjoyed it.
April 3, 2016
Gentle cozy starring weavers at a local weaving shop. Fun with some nice gentle twists.
January 24, 2016
A great Novel that keeps you guessing to the very end
April 21, 2016
Great series! I couldn't put it down!!
December 17, 2016
If you want a quick read this is it.
December 29, 2016
I need more of this series. I am loving the weaving. Makes me want to learn this craft. lol. Great series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews