Spin a Wicked Web

Home Crafting Mystery #3

by Cricket McRae

Things are getting serious between Sophie Mae and Detective Barr Ambrose. But Sophie Mae has a new love in her life - spinning. Pursuing her newfound passion is great fun ... until her fellow co-op member, Ariel, is found strangled to death with Sophie Mae's very first skein of yarn. Young, pretty Ariel had used her feminine charms to lure married men. Was she truly a gold digger? Or just a troubled girl who met a bad end? It's all Sophie Mae can do to unravel this tightly knitted mystery - without coming undone herself!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Chick Lit, Crafts, Mystery Thriller

373 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Cricket McRae enjoys home crafts like food preservation, cheese making, candle making, and fiber arts. She writes the Sophie Mae Reynolds Homecrafting Mystery Series. As Bailey Cates, she also writes the Magical Bakery Mysteries.

For two years Cricket managed her own soap making business, including all product design, manufacturing and marketing. The recipes included in her first book, Lye in Wait, are all Cricket's original formulations. She has also worked in a variety of other fields ranging from drivers license examiner to program manager for a major software firm. This fulfills her mothers warning that shed never have a regular job if she insisted on studying philosophy in college.

The sixth Home Crafting Mystery, Deadly Row to Hoe, released November, 2012. Her books are also available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Ibooks and Google E-books.

Series:
* Home Crafting Mystery

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and easy to jump back into the series since it's been a while since I read the previous book. I like the characters and the story kept me interested and guessing as to who the culprit was. Glad I'll be reading the next book later this month as the ending made me want to know what happens next.

[Veronica Noechel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read of this series, the more I like it. Sure, there are some persnickety things I could mention, like how the protagonist calls her boyfriend, Barry, "Barr" for short--one of those names that is really annoying to read off the page because it's hard not to hear it in my head as sounding like "bar" as in, a place to drink, vs. "bear" the way one would pronounce Barry-without-a-Y. I don't know what the solution is. It distracted me every single time it showed up in the story which was a *lot*. I think I'd rather see it spelled "Bear" but the whole issue could have been sidestepped by naming her boyfriend Julian. Those persnickety things must not matter too much, though, since I found myself purchasing the next book in the series without the slightest hesitation when my Kindle suggested I do so. Not only that, I surprised myself with how happy I was when I discovered there were two more books in the series after the one I just purchased.

One of the things I found appealing outside of the mystery storyline itself (I solved the mystery before the reveal, but not far enough before to be a drawback.) and the craftsy atmosphere (even though this book's craft was one I have absolutely zero interest in trying once, let alone pursuing) was the way the characters managed to fit the "cozy" mystery profile without being excessively prudish or goody-two-shoesish. They felt like real, unique, and fun people who weren't perpetually clutching their pearls in moral indignation at every slightly coarse turn of phrase, nor were they overcome with the vapours at the idea that unmarried individuals stay overnight with one another (ahem) and aren't monsters or fiends for doing so.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Mae is learning to spin, as a co-op member Ruth was teaching her the art of spinning when Sophie Mae discovers the body of a member. Sophie Mae finds her strangled with the very first skein of yarn she had spun. Ariel, the co-member that was killed, was not a very nice person. Sophie Mae wants to know why she was killed using her yarn.

[Jennifer Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the cliffhanger ending, but I did like the story, although a little far-fetched. I like that you don't know who the murderer is right away, but it's starting to get a little annoying that you think it's this person, then this one, oh wait, maybe this one, etc...

[Donna Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!!!

I am loving this whole series. The characters are likeable. The stories are fun mysteries. I recommend this series if you like Joanne Fluke. I am kinda sad to learn that it stops at book 6.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! some weird ways of talking about women in this writing but ultimately i read this very quickly!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find!
Interesting characters!
Great plot!
Steady flow!
Don't miss!

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, do not recommend. All the characters are misogynistic as hell.

[Smith Children · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find her books to be a bit cheesy, but they are lighthearted despite being murder mysteries.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, intriguing mystery. So many suspects! Kept me guessing.

[Tove R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been awhile since I read the previous two, so I‘d forgotten most about the people. Did however get back into liking the town and it‘s quirky people. Sophie‘s co-op member is found strangled with Sophie‘s yarn. Strange things are happening. Sophie‘s bf is inspecting the case, and so is Sophie. Fast cozy read, especially recommended for crafting fans.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a cozy mystery. And I like it. That makes it something wonderful and unique. Trust me on this. If you knew the number of cozy series I'd tried to read and ended up throwing across the room at the wall....you would understand how tickled I am to find one I like. I mean...sometimes it's just nice to have something quiet to read at bedtime where people aren't getting eviscerated and stuff, you know?

I started the series a couple of years ago when I was doing a book challenge where one of the categories was to find a book with a main character who shared either your first or last name. (The main character in this series is Sophie Mae Reynolds.) Once I found it, I realized I was actually interested in it, because SMR is a soapmaker, and she actually makes real soap the way I do. (Cold process.) (Unlike a couple of other series that were supposed to be about soapmaking, but were really about melt and pour soap decorating.) Even though the two subsequent books have featured other crafts at the forefront, I've still enjoyed both books, and I really like the main character and her supporting cast. I hope it continues on!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. McRae has an ability to make me want to begin the craft being showcased in each novel in her Home Crafting mystery series. So, now I want to learn spinning wool.

Sophie Mae and Detective Barr Ambrose have some serious changes coming in their relationship. However, before we, the readers, can settle in on page one, sirens and flashing blue lights storm past their vehicle and change their plans and attitudes.

As Barr does a complete turn about and asks Sophie Mae to gossip about the woman she found dead at the craft store/studio, Sophie Mae has to deal with a slightly psycho ex-wife, and she didn't even know Barr had been married!

Solving two murders and perhaps more keeps us guessing and I found myself following happily along.

This is a great crafting murder series and I can't wait to read her next book.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the series of her Home Crafting Mysteries - Cricket McRae gives us another fun and witty mystery to figure out. Sophie Mae cannot, it seems, keep out of the way of the murders that happen in her small town in Washington, while she tries keeping her personal life and business in order.
Last mystery I actually figured it out before the last page; this time it took me by surprise - I love that in a mystery, don't you? I am moving on to #4 in the series, Something Borrowed, Something Bleu. If you haven't read Cricket McRae's mysteries yet, start at the beginning with Lye in Wait. Each mystery is one in it's own right, but Sophie Mae's personal life developes more fully with each new book, so it make sense to read them in order.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable installment in this series. Again the murder and plot made sense and Sophie Mae's involvement in the investigation once again did not feel like a glaring plot hole you have to ignore to be able to read the book. I also really enjoyed the secondary plots character interactions outside of the mystery and I'm finding myself very engaged in their lives.

I also found myself really enjoying her descriptions of the people, places and crafts more than before, I've enjoyed this aspect in her other books, but I feel the author is getting stronger with this aspect of writing with each book. She adds just enough detail to give you a feel of the location or the people but does not overwhelm you with to much description.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, the thing I liked best about this book was the crafting content - mainly spinning and soapmaking. I didn't especially like the main character, Sophie Mae. There were times when I just wanted to slap some sense into her! Why do so many cozies have sleuths that rush off to confront murder suspects in secluded places, without even letting someone know where they're going, without taking a charged cell phone...? It helps the story move along, I guess, but I have trouble relating to characters with so little common sense.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soapmaker Sophie Mae has joined a crafters' group, but when she finds the dead body of one of the artists, Ariel, she fears she's in over her head. She promises herself and her house mate that she will not interfere, but circumstances seem to keep drawing her into the puzzle, especially since her friends in the craft co-op are among the main suspects. But Sophie Mae has more problems on her hand when her policeman-boyfriend's ex-wife, a woman who looks much like Sophie Mae herself, shows up and wants to insinuate herself back into his life.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spin a Wicked Web is the third book in the series by McRae. I thought it was a light and easy read and the plot had me guessing until the very end. The characters have grown on me, although I wish Sophie Mae would think before she speaks when she questions suspects. But that's seems to be part of her nosy personality and Barr seems to accept her as she is. Ahh, true love. Enjoyed learning a bit about the soap making and yarn spinning crafts.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I couldn't resist the cover when I saw this book at the library, and I'm glad I didn't! Spin a Wicked Web was a well-written and enjoyable read; it managed to avoid the cloying sweetness that too many craft-related books contain. I plan to read the other books in this series - and I wish I'd read the others first, as this turns out to be the third book."

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid fun. I think part of the appeal for me about this series is the setting in the Seattle area - it's fun that I recognize many of the places where the action occurs. Tho I did want to smack Sophie Mae a couple times for going off on a tangent and shooting off her mouth without thinking first, but I guess that's part of the impulsiveness of her character. Overall, an enjoyble book.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a mystery can keep me guessing til the end. I completely enjoy this series. I have to admit though, I'm starting to not like Megan very much. She's so motherly to Sophie Mae, and is coming off like a know-it-all. She's really the only character that I don't care for. Can't wait to get started on the next book.

[Gizzard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok cozy mystery. Some of this one was silly, but overall it was ok. These are easy entertainment, good for a couple bucks. But like many by this publisher, if you want a few more, the 10 price tag is mind boggling. If a book is short and formulaic, and often mediocre in the writing, then they shouldn't cost more than a series romance.

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. Sophie Mae is learning to spin and has joined a group of artists in a co-op. Her first skein of yarn ends up as a murder weapon. Barr's past is coming back to haunt him and Sophie Mae. Good characters and a very nice cozy. 3.5 stara

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, no.4 has been ordered! McRae strikes the right balance of humour and information about the crafts and gardening. I can't wait to find out what happens next with Sophie-Mae and Barr.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series and it keeps getting better. Different crafts in each book but her hints on them are mild and not an intrusion into the mystery, but often actually help solve the murders.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful quick read. The author will be speaking at our library and I wanted to read a couple of her books.

[Katie Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was enjoyable due to the local scenery/streets and spinning/knitting references, but... Well, I think I've grown out of murder mysteries.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better crafting mysteries I've read lately.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really easy read, murder mystery. Part three in a series and part of the series discusses crafts (such as spinning, sewing.) I really liked it and would read another.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library and found it disappointingly bland. Standard murder mystery in what could have been a great setting, if it had been better fleshed out.