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Tied Up with Strings
An Imajin Qwickies® Mystery/Crime Novella
Big mysteries often come in small packages…
When curmudgeonly private detective Betty Grape visits a young friend, who is housesitting in a remote village in England for Christmas vacation, something seems out of place. Her friend, Catia, is visibly nervous. Is she worried about the young men in the decrepit caravan in next door’s back garden? Or is Catia involved in the disappearance of the homeowner’s invalid wife?
As an American, Betty discovers the locals are full of friendly gossip but taciturn about solid facts. Though they are determined to keep Betty from butting in on their territory, she blunders through the social morass of narrow-minded foreigners and their broad Dorset accents. Can she unravel the tight knots of this mystery? Will she find the perpetrator under thickly thatched rooves or behind floral chintz curtains?
Big mysteries often come in small packages…
When curmudgeonly private detective Betty Grape visits a young friend, who is housesitting in a remote village in England for Christmas vacation, something seems out of place. Her friend, Catia, is visibly nervous. Is she worried about the young men in the decrepit caravan in next door’s back garden? Or is Catia involved in the disappearance of the homeowner’s invalid wife?
As an American, Betty discovers the locals are full of friendly gossip but taciturn about solid facts. Though they are determined to keep Betty from butting in on their territory, she blunders through the social morass of narrow-minded foreigners and their broad Dorset accents. Can she unravel the tight knots of this mystery? Will she find the perpetrator under thickly thatched rooves or behind floral chintz curtains?
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Published December 11, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Imajin Books has launched an imprint, Imajin Qwickies – “Qwickies” Are Novellas Ranging From 20,000-30,000 Words. In my opinion that while this story was very good it could have been great as a full-length novel.
The story opens with Betty Grape arriving in England to spend the holidays with the daughter of one of her friends. She had not seen the daughter in years. Apparently, Betty is a “part-time private investigator”. Here is one of the places a longer story would have helped me as a reader immensely. Background on Betty was almost non-existent. Betty is supposedly part of a firm with 2 other “investigators”. They are all senior citizens. Anyway, something seems off to her almost immediately. Catia, her friend’s daughter is housesitting for a professor and his invalid wife. They are two young men staying in a caravan next door. There is also a missing cat. Betty overhears some things, listens to the gossip and starts to realize things are not what they seem.
I really like Betty and want to know her better. She seems to have much life experience and is very intuitive. But this novel reads like the 2nd or 3rd book in the series, assuming I know these things already, rather than it being the first book and readers meeting her for the first time. I enjoyed her subtle way of investigating. Sometimes she is just in the right place at the right time. She makes some keen observations and starts to pull the clues together. She also has a low key way of passing on what she learns. I really enjoyed her as an American learning British ways, food, and slang.
There is a young man in the story that Betty quickly realizes is autistic. He plays a key part in the mysteries. His character was very well written, but until Betty pointed out he was autistic I had not reached the conclusion by what I had read. Because she is close to someone at home that has autism she recognized what others like me may not have tuned into right away.
The mysteries themselves were very interesting. It really reminded me of an old-time British cozy. Again with only 85 pages things had to unfold quickly. I was surprised by one part but figured out some of the other elements before Betty. The book does have a few nice twists. I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked one thing verified before everything was all tied up.
I would like to visit with Betty again and maybe get to know her friends in San Jose, California at the Serebral Senior Home. Like I said for a “Qwickie” this is a very good story. I hope future installments are longer so we can get to know the characters better.
Imajin Books has launched an imprint, Imajin Qwickies – “Qwickies” Are Novellas Ranging From 20,000-30,000 Words. In my opinion that while this story was very good it could have been great as a full-length novel.
The story opens with Betty Grape arriving in England to spend the holidays with the daughter of one of her friends. She had not seen the daughter in years. Apparently, Betty is a “part-time private investigator”. Here is one of the places a longer story would have helped me as a reader immensely. Background on Betty was almost non-existent. Betty is supposedly part of a firm with 2 other “investigators”. They are all senior citizens. Anyway, something seems off to her almost immediately. Catia, her friend’s daughter is housesitting for a professor and his invalid wife. They are two young men staying in a caravan next door. There is also a missing cat. Betty overhears some things, listens to the gossip and starts to realize things are not what they seem.
I really like Betty and want to know her better. She seems to have much life experience and is very intuitive. But this novel reads like the 2nd or 3rd book in the series, assuming I know these things already, rather than it being the first book and readers meeting her for the first time. I enjoyed her subtle way of investigating. Sometimes she is just in the right place at the right time. She makes some keen observations and starts to pull the clues together. She also has a low key way of passing on what she learns. I really enjoyed her as an American learning British ways, food, and slang.
There is a young man in the story that Betty quickly realizes is autistic. He plays a key part in the mysteries. His character was very well written, but until Betty pointed out he was autistic I had not reached the conclusion by what I had read. Because she is close to someone at home that has autism she recognized what others like me may not have tuned into right away.
The mysteries themselves were very interesting. It really reminded me of an old-time British cozy. Again with only 85 pages things had to unfold quickly. I was surprised by one part but figured out some of the other elements before Betty. The book does have a few nice twists. I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked one thing verified before everything was all tied up.
I would like to visit with Betty again and maybe get to know her friends in San Jose, California at the Serebral Senior Home. Like I said for a “Qwickie” this is a very good story. I hope future installments are longer so we can get to know the characters better.
October 17, 2018
This charming and intriguing novella takes place during Christmastime in a picturesque village nestled in the English countryside. Betty Grape, a retiree from California, arrives to spend the holidays with the daughter of a dear friend. Her friend’s daughter, Catia, is house sitting for a college professor who is on holiday. Betty has not seen Catia, since the girl was quite young and Betty hardly recognizes the young woman who greets her. Betty immediately senses something is amiss, but at first attributes her uneasiness to jet lag. I think readers will appreciate the feisty and spry Betty who immediately acquaints herself with the quirky village residents. Betty uses her observation skills and natural friendliness to gather information in order to discount her anxieties about the much-changed Catia, the odd relationship between two brothers who live nearby, and the mysteriously absent Professor Braithwaite. I felt like I was just getting acquainted with Betty and the village residents when the story ended unexpectedly! Although Betty had successfully untangled some of the puzzlements, I was left dangling in regards to other unanswered questions. This novella certainly left this reader anxious for a sequel!
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October 16, 2018Ok
Good book. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Amazing description and plot. Will be reading more from this author
Good book. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Amazing description and plot. Will be reading more from this author
October 9, 2018
Betty Grape visits a young friend who is house sitting
in a remote English village. This girl is the daughter
of one of Betty’s friends named Catina.
Betty works part time for a detective agency. She
is a resident of the Serebral Senior Home located in
San Jose, California. This is a Christmas vacation trip.
The home she is visiting is owned by a professor and
his disabled wife. They are away and Catia is house
sitting. The house lacks basic comforts you would
expect to find. The village is very close knit but full
of gossip. Something does not seem right about the
whole situation.
There are two brothers that live in a caravan behind
the house. One of the brothers who plays a key part
in the mystery is autistic. Betty works with an autistic
lad in the States so she is able to tell by the brother’s
mannerisms. His character is very well written and
interesting.
Secrets, a missing cat, murder, a mysterious package
left on the doorstep tied up with string.....all combine
for a wonderful British cozy mystery.
This is a very short read but gets a high rating as to
the quality of the characters, plot, descriptions and
mystery involved.
I volunteered to read Tied Up with Strings. Thanks to
the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
A Recommended Read!!
in a remote English village. This girl is the daughter
of one of Betty’s friends named Catina.
Betty works part time for a detective agency. She
is a resident of the Serebral Senior Home located in
San Jose, California. This is a Christmas vacation trip.
The home she is visiting is owned by a professor and
his disabled wife. They are away and Catia is house
sitting. The house lacks basic comforts you would
expect to find. The village is very close knit but full
of gossip. Something does not seem right about the
whole situation.
There are two brothers that live in a caravan behind
the house. One of the brothers who plays a key part
in the mystery is autistic. Betty works with an autistic
lad in the States so she is able to tell by the brother’s
mannerisms. His character is very well written and
interesting.
Secrets, a missing cat, murder, a mysterious package
left on the doorstep tied up with string.....all combine
for a wonderful British cozy mystery.
This is a very short read but gets a high rating as to
the quality of the characters, plot, descriptions and
mystery involved.
I volunteered to read Tied Up with Strings. Thanks to
the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
A Recommended Read!!
October 14, 2018
Betty Grape has flown to England and ultimately Devon, to visit her old friend's Daughter, Catia. She has promised her mother to check up on her. She finds the cottage is seven miles from town and the nearest neighbor are two brothers living in a caravan in a field. Katia is babysitting the house for a Professor Braithwaite and his wife. On the first day that Betty arrives someone has left a package with a cat collar in a box. While visiting the outside loo she finds a lot of medicine that belongs to the Professor's wife. Her bedroom though, has been cleaned out and is cold and sterile. This will lead to a two-fold mystery.
I found Betty a strong, opinionated, character. She obviously would like to convert the British to American ways and food. I can see that the character could be amusing. Katia has a sad history with a fiance that committed suicide. She is working on a thesis but remains sullen more than friendly. But there is a surprising twist to the Novella. I liked the characters of Peter and Paul and the introduction of a character in Peter that is not mainstream.
The questions throughout the plot threw me out of the story a few times. I felt as though I had no background about Betty's Detective Agency. The premise deep in Devon with a mysterious death looming over it has a lot of promise-but there is an odd, jerky quality to the plot. The heart of the story was the mystery and possible murders but they sizzle out without a definite end. I am rating this three stars.
I found Betty a strong, opinionated, character. She obviously would like to convert the British to American ways and food. I can see that the character could be amusing. Katia has a sad history with a fiance that committed suicide. She is working on a thesis but remains sullen more than friendly. But there is a surprising twist to the Novella. I liked the characters of Peter and Paul and the introduction of a character in Peter that is not mainstream.
The questions throughout the plot threw me out of the story a few times. I felt as though I had no background about Betty's Detective Agency. The premise deep in Devon with a mysterious death looming over it has a lot of promise-but there is an odd, jerky quality to the plot. The heart of the story was the mystery and possible murders but they sizzle out without a definite end. I am rating this three stars.
July 11, 2018
If you are looking for a mystery that is condensed into a novella that gives you all the wonder of a longer book, then look no further. While only 85 pages in length, the book wraps up a murder and introduces some intriguing characters that will leave you very satisfied at the end.
How fun it would be to visit England at Christmas time. That is what Betty Grape is doing - visiting the daughter of a friend and making sure she is not alone for the holiday. But something seems off about the house that Cat is housesitting and there is something about the owners. Many things do not add up in her mind. It's a good thing she is a detective because she puts those skills to good use.
I liked that there was a character on the Autism spectrum. I thought that his characteristics were much like I see in those on the spectrum. All of the characters were interesting and in a small way, I wish the book had been longer so I could get to know them all better.
I can't say too much because this is a novella and the story moves along at a good pace, and to reveal much more would give away the ending.
How fun it would be to visit England at Christmas time. That is what Betty Grape is doing - visiting the daughter of a friend and making sure she is not alone for the holiday. But something seems off about the house that Cat is housesitting and there is something about the owners. Many things do not add up in her mind. It's a good thing she is a detective because she puts those skills to good use.
I liked that there was a character on the Autism spectrum. I thought that his characteristics were much like I see in those on the spectrum. All of the characters were interesting and in a small way, I wish the book had been longer so I could get to know them all better.
I can't say too much because this is a novella and the story moves along at a good pace, and to reveal much more would give away the ending.
July 6, 2018
Review: TIED UP WITH STRING by Madeline McEwen
A heartwarming British cosy by a British ex-pat in America, TIED UP WITH STRING recalls adorable Village Mysteries with amateur--usually female senior citizens--sleuths. I have to admire Betty, resident of the Serebral Senior Home in San Jose, California, partner in a part-time detective agency. Nothing part-time about her intuition and cleverness, though, and her patience with the autistic (gained from a younger partner in the agency) enables her to stack up clues and solve not one, but three, mysteries. I look forward to future cozies in this series.
A heartwarming British cosy by a British ex-pat in America, TIED UP WITH STRING recalls adorable Village Mysteries with amateur--usually female senior citizens--sleuths. I have to admire Betty, resident of the Serebral Senior Home in San Jose, California, partner in a part-time detective agency. Nothing part-time about her intuition and cleverness, though, and her patience with the autistic (gained from a younger partner in the agency) enables her to stack up clues and solve not one, but three, mysteries. I look forward to future cozies in this series.
September 30, 2018
I enjoyed the characters in Tied up with strings. And the descriptions of the countryside were good. I felt the plot line was not developed enough. The story was over too quickly. Just when I felt I was getting to know the characters and started getting into the story, it was over. There wasn't enough backstory to let you know what was happening and what the prior relationships were. This story has a lot of potential and I would definitely read more of the series if they were longer.
I received a copy of this book from the author the opinions expressed are my own
I received a copy of this book from the author the opinions expressed are my own
October 17, 2018
This was the first I have ever read anything by Madeline McEwen. This was designed as a novella but that was actually problematic. I feel that this would have been better if it was longer in length. The part time private eye Betty came to the UK to visit the daughter Catia of her long time friend. There was no back story about Betty or Catia. There was little development of them or of two other main characters Paul and Peter. There was not enough information about the mysteries which left me confused. I thought it was me because I started the book, had to stop for a couple of days, then picked up where I left off. After I finished the book I went back and re-read the beginning which showed me that this needed to be a full-length novel rather than a novella. I thought the ending was too abrupt and left me with unanswered questions. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone so I won't give away any plot twists. I liked the book but would rather it have been longer and more developed.
September 23, 2018
Tied Up with Strings is a novella and as such is a quick read. What made this story different was that it involved a senior citizen and a person with autism. It was fun seeing how the American Senior handled a visit to England to see a friend's daughter. There were some interesting cultural differences. I am hoping that there will be a follow up to this book to help provide some closure to this story. Without giving away the ending, it would be interesting to know what happens to the professor upon his return.
May 2, 2018
I'm not usually a reader of mysteries, but I came across this book and had to give it a try! (Especially since I'm a senior myself!) It was easy to read in one sitting on a beautiful spring day. I loved the fish-out-of-water status of Ms. Grape as she arrives in England for a Christmas holiday with a young family friend who's house-sitting. As she learned bits of history and Britticisms, so did I, and it was delightful. Even though Ms. Grape indicates that she's not the real detective in her private investigations firm, she certainly finds enough strange goings-on to dig into!!
As the parent of children on the autism spectrum, I truly appreciated the portrayal of the character Peter, from sensory issues to his need to speak the flat truth--we all know how black and white these special people can be. Finding such a character in this story was a bonus. The more we see them in the mainstream, hopefully the more they will be accepted for who they are in our world.
As the parent of children on the autism spectrum, I truly appreciated the portrayal of the character Peter, from sensory issues to his need to speak the flat truth--we all know how black and white these special people can be. Finding such a character in this story was a bonus. The more we see them in the mainstream, hopefully the more they will be accepted for who they are in our world.
February 25, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: TIED UP WITH STRINGS
Author: Madeline McEwen
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 5/10
Cover: 6/10
Of the 16 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
14 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
14 felt it was too short and the ending was too abrupt.
Readers’ Comments
‘The author’s strength is her ability to describe setting in an interesting way. She’s wonderful at it. Her weakness, however, is her plotting.’ Male reader, aged 53
‘Betty is a charming character reminding me very much of Miss Marple. A little bit of a snoop, and very clever with it. The mystery is interesting although the ending left me dangling, wanting to know more. In a way, the development of the plot is strangled by the short length of the story. Lots of potential.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘Simply too short to do justice to the characters or plot. There is very little in the way of character development, and hardly any backstory of the principle characters. The ending lacked power and was, simply, too sudden. The author is a good writer. There are elements of comedy, and the mystery is cleverly written. But then it just droops at the end. I think the author needs to properly work out the plot, and then write a novel of sufficient length to fully develop that plot.’ Female reader, aged 67
‘It’s so important for a reader to get to know the characters so they start to care about them. I never got a chance to do that. Then the author seemed to run out of steam and it ended. A story with so many twists and mystery needs to be much longer. Remember, the end of the story is the part the reader remembers the best.’ Male reader (publisher), aged 53
To Sum It Up:
‘A clever mystery with a hero reminiscent of Miss Marple.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: TIED UP WITH STRINGS
Author: Madeline McEwen
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 5/10
Cover: 6/10
Of the 16 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
14 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
14 felt it was too short and the ending was too abrupt.
Readers’ Comments
‘The author’s strength is her ability to describe setting in an interesting way. She’s wonderful at it. Her weakness, however, is her plotting.’ Male reader, aged 53
‘Betty is a charming character reminding me very much of Miss Marple. A little bit of a snoop, and very clever with it. The mystery is interesting although the ending left me dangling, wanting to know more. In a way, the development of the plot is strangled by the short length of the story. Lots of potential.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘Simply too short to do justice to the characters or plot. There is very little in the way of character development, and hardly any backstory of the principle characters. The ending lacked power and was, simply, too sudden. The author is a good writer. There are elements of comedy, and the mystery is cleverly written. But then it just droops at the end. I think the author needs to properly work out the plot, and then write a novel of sufficient length to fully develop that plot.’ Female reader, aged 67
‘It’s so important for a reader to get to know the characters so they start to care about them. I never got a chance to do that. Then the author seemed to run out of steam and it ended. A story with so many twists and mystery needs to be much longer. Remember, the end of the story is the part the reader remembers the best.’ Male reader (publisher), aged 53
To Sum It Up:
‘A clever mystery with a hero reminiscent of Miss Marple.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
July 20, 2018
TIED UP WITH STRINGS by Madeline McEwen
The First Serebral Seniors Mystery
American Betty Grape has come to a remote English village to spend Christmas with her friend's daughter. Once in Abbeyvayle however, Betty discovers the young woman behaving oddly. Why is she so unpleasant to the neighbors? Why is she so forgetful? And what's the real story behind the professor and his wife, whose cottage Catia is house sitting. There seem to be more questions than answers this holiday season.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a traditional mystery with a traditional setting-a remote English village during Christmastime. There is not much time to develop plot or characters in novellas and short stories. Neither were developed here, particularly the plot. What might be considered the prime mystery involved heinous crimes, but we never even meet the victims. When the truth is discovered, it's merely stated that the police will take care of it. It's a throw away.
I did like the concept of this novella. The story itself, interesting, if only it were flushed out. If we got to meet the professor, his wife, and Marmalade and focused on that part of the mystery we as readers might be more invested. As it is we have a disagreeable young woman acting oddly and the protagonist trying to sort things out. When the secondary mystery is resolved we get a nice ending, but incongruous behavior.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a novella with promise that ultimately let me down.
The First Serebral Seniors Mystery
American Betty Grape has come to a remote English village to spend Christmas with her friend's daughter. Once in Abbeyvayle however, Betty discovers the young woman behaving oddly. Why is she so unpleasant to the neighbors? Why is she so forgetful? And what's the real story behind the professor and his wife, whose cottage Catia is house sitting. There seem to be more questions than answers this holiday season.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a traditional mystery with a traditional setting-a remote English village during Christmastime. There is not much time to develop plot or characters in novellas and short stories. Neither were developed here, particularly the plot. What might be considered the prime mystery involved heinous crimes, but we never even meet the victims. When the truth is discovered, it's merely stated that the police will take care of it. It's a throw away.
I did like the concept of this novella. The story itself, interesting, if only it were flushed out. If we got to meet the professor, his wife, and Marmalade and focused on that part of the mystery we as readers might be more invested. As it is we have a disagreeable young woman acting oddly and the protagonist trying to sort things out. When the secondary mystery is resolved we get a nice ending, but incongruous behavior.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a novella with promise that ultimately let me down.
July 4, 2018
No one should be alone during winter holidays. When Catia's parents are unable to visit her in the UK, her mother sends a long time family friend to check in on her.
This is a very subtle mystery with several unusual things going on.
Betty Grape is a part time private eye but usually resides in a residential home for seniors. The seemingly medieval house that Catia is staying in seems to lack some basic, essential comforts of home. From the very beginning, something feels "off" and Betty is not sure exactly what is causing her unease.
The story unfolds layer by layer. We meet interesting characters and get a bit of a comparison between American and British mannerisms.
There is one brutal element to the story but otherwise it is as gentle as murder can be.
Overall I found it to be an enjoyable story.
I accepted this book to read. The review opinions are my own.
This is a very subtle mystery with several unusual things going on.
Betty Grape is a part time private eye but usually resides in a residential home for seniors. The seemingly medieval house that Catia is staying in seems to lack some basic, essential comforts of home. From the very beginning, something feels "off" and Betty is not sure exactly what is causing her unease.
The story unfolds layer by layer. We meet interesting characters and get a bit of a comparison between American and British mannerisms.
There is one brutal element to the story but otherwise it is as gentle as murder can be.
Overall I found it to be an enjoyable story.
I accepted this book to read. The review opinions are my own.
July 13, 2018
It was a short novella with a good main character. I liked Betty but I wish the mystery had been done differently. I felt like I was plopped into the middle of the series. We are not given much information on Betty. I will share my full review soon.
June 25, 2018
Elderly detective Betty Grape journeys from Silicon Valley to Devon, UK, to spend Christmas with her friend’s daughter Catia who is housesitting a home old enough to still have an outdoor toilet. Betty, intrigued with the English lifestyle and beguiled by the jargon, settles in to reminisce and play matchmaker for Catia. As Christmas approaches in their cold remoteness miles from the nearest village, Bette ponders multiple strange events: the cat collar left on the doorstep and their nearest neighbors living in a trailer, two guys with strange disparate personalities.
If you like charm stirred with a dash of mystery, you’ll enjoy this quick read.
If you like charm stirred with a dash of mystery, you’ll enjoy this quick read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews