What do you think?
Rate this book
A Needlecraft Mystery #6
Hanging by a Thread
"Monica Ferris has a talent for vivid detail," raves the Old Book Barn Gazette. And her heroine, needlecraft shop owner Betsy Devonshire, is "a great character" says Midwest Book Review. Now it's up to Betsy to unravel a five-year-old murder case that refuses to die...
Betsy is still new enough to Excelsior, Minnesota, to not know a scandal when she causes one. So, when she hires Foster Johns to fix her roof, the resulting uproar has her needled. The whole town has pinned a five-year-old unsolved double murder on him. Betsy believes Johns when he says he isn't guilty. But she'll have to use every stitch of her sleuthing skills to tie up all the loose ends that will prove his innocence once and for all.
Betsy is still new enough to Excelsior, Minnesota, to not know a scandal when she causes one. So, when she hires Foster Johns to fix her roof, the resulting uproar has her needled. The whole town has pinned a five-year-old unsolved double murder on him. Betsy believes Johns when he says he isn't guilty. But she'll have to use every stitch of her sleuthing skills to tie up all the loose ends that will prove his innocence once and for all.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 7, 2003
53 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Monica Ferris
27 books485 followersHas published as
Mary Monica Pulver (real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier — Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents’ home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter – a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery”.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones. Threadbare will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
Mary Monica Pulver (real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier — Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents’ home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter – a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery”.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones. Threadbare will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
October 24, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was a little different since the whole case in this one was a cold case, no ties to any current day murder. I do continue to like Betsy more as the series goes on.
Read
February 26, 2021Love this series!!
October 14, 2023
I had never read one of the Needlecraft Mystery series books though I was intrigued by the titles as I am a needlecrafter myself. They sat on my "one of these days" shelf. A County Library challenge drew me to select this title and I quite enjoyed it. As usual, one exception I think, I figured out early who did it and how and was completely wrong. As a particular point, I really enjoyed the brief sections in which the author talks about the group doing needlework as they discuss the mystery. "The way I do a french knot is ..." OH!, I think. Good idea!
I liked all the characters and the mystery was interesting. If you are the fan of cozy mysteries, you might want to give this series a shot.
I liked all the characters and the mystery was interesting. If you are the fan of cozy mysteries, you might want to give this series a shot.
November 23, 2021
Hanging by a thread by Monica Ferris is the 6th book in the Needlecraft Mystery series. Betsy Devonshire, owner of needlecraft shop Crewel World, is asked by her roofing contractor to look into a 5 year old unsolved double murder of which he had been accused but not convicted due to lack of evidence, but of which he claims his innocence. A nice addition to the series. I did find the talk about ghosts a bit strange but am getting to know the characters a bit more. Betsy is getting more accepted by the townspeople and her reputation at solving crimes is increasing. A nice mystery but overshadowed a bit by needlecraft information.
April 29, 2022
3.5 stars
December 31, 2022
Cute story trying to prove a character’s innocence. As usual, Betsy proves that the local investigator is a buffoon. And yet, does so in a charming way. Last book of 2022
May 11, 2024
I loved it. It felt like it took too long to come to a conclusion. But it was very good
April 13, 2025
A favorite author. The wrap up was just OK. All her discussions about crafting always interest me. A quick read
February 5, 2023
Another mystery solved by Betsy. This one is a cold case.
December 1, 2007
Monica Ferris is doing a great job of keeping this series fresh. It could get old quickly, with the troubles Betsy faces as a new-ish needlecrafter and a newer business owner. But I really enjoy how her characters continue to flesh out, and how Ferris disproves the "Minnesota Nice" by giving her recurring characters edges. Not everyone is sweet and simple -- they have prejudices, challenges, and troubles of their own.
In this "episode," Betsy is taken to task for employing a "known" murderer. She lashes back at the Monday Bunch and sets out to prove what happened, once and for all, in a five-year-old double murder.
The resolution is unique and the book kept my attention all the way through. Criticisms -- by taking on a five-year-old murder, in which she knew neither of the victims and isn't particularly well acquainted with the accused, Betsy loses some of our interest. Why should we really care about this couple, or Foster Johns? In the previous books, the need to find out "what really happened" was more critical. But all in all, a well-written addition to the series.
In this "episode," Betsy is taken to task for employing a "known" murderer. She lashes back at the Monday Bunch and sets out to prove what happened, once and for all, in a five-year-old double murder.
The resolution is unique and the book kept my attention all the way through. Criticisms -- by taking on a five-year-old murder, in which she knew neither of the victims and isn't particularly well acquainted with the accused, Betsy loses some of our interest. Why should we really care about this couple, or Foster Johns? In the previous books, the need to find out "what really happened" was more critical. But all in all, a well-written addition to the series.
December 17, 2008
The 6th book in the Needlecraft Mystery Series.
In this episode of As the Needle Turns - Betsy befriends the towns pariah - the man that the town thinks got away with killing his mistress and her husband. Betsy - being new to town and not knowing his reputation - cannot believe the stories her friends tell her and decides to look into the murders and clear the mess up once and for all. Problem is - the murders happened five years ago. Is Betsy up to the task? You Betcha she is!
In this episode of As the Needle Turns - Betsy befriends the towns pariah - the man that the town thinks got away with killing his mistress and her husband. Betsy - being new to town and not knowing his reputation - cannot believe the stories her friends tell her and decides to look into the murders and clear the mess up once and for all. Problem is - the murders happened five years ago. Is Betsy up to the task? You Betcha she is!
September 22, 2012
I read this book a few years ago but I can't remember it so I think I will read it again,though I am sure it was a great book:)
March 9, 2024
The Needlecraft Mystery series by Monica Ferris is currently my go-to cozy series. I love returning to Excelsior and hanging out with Betsy, Godwin, and Jill.
---Synopsis---
In Book 6 of the Needlecraft series, Betsy enters into conflict with her friends for hiring a suspected killer. Godwin and most of the members of the Monday Bunch insist that Betsy's roofing contractor Foster Johns murdered a couple five years previously. Unfortunately, the the ever-incompetent police inspector Mike Malloy was unable to prove Foster's guilt. The only member of the Monday Bunch who believes Foster's innocence is Alice. She tells Betsy that while Paul put on a great show in public, he privately abused his wife. Alice insists that Paul killed his wife and framed Foster Johns, but was then killed by someone who knew Paul's true character. When Foster asks Betsy to investigate the cold case and help clear his name, Betsy once again has to put on her amateur sleuthing hat.
---Thoughts---
This was another solid mystery in the Needlecraft series. Set during Halloween season, the story includes some discussion of ghosts. One of Betsy's customers is suspected of housing a poltergeist. Although I usually love Godwin's character, he is especially irritating in this book. Godwin enjoys spreading gossip about Foster Johns and reinforcing the town's hatred toward him. In Hanging by a Thread, Monica Ferris highlights the harm that gossip can inflict on an individual. This may be one of my favorite books in the series.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
---Synopsis---
In Book 6 of the Needlecraft series, Betsy enters into conflict with her friends for hiring a suspected killer. Godwin and most of the members of the Monday Bunch insist that Betsy's roofing contractor Foster Johns murdered a couple five years previously. Unfortunately, the the ever-incompetent police inspector Mike Malloy was unable to prove Foster's guilt. The only member of the Monday Bunch who believes Foster's innocence is Alice. She tells Betsy that while Paul put on a great show in public, he privately abused his wife. Alice insists that Paul killed his wife and framed Foster Johns, but was then killed by someone who knew Paul's true character. When Foster asks Betsy to investigate the cold case and help clear his name, Betsy once again has to put on her amateur sleuthing hat.
---Thoughts---
This was another solid mystery in the Needlecraft series. Set during Halloween season, the story includes some discussion of ghosts. One of Betsy's customers is suspected of housing a poltergeist. Although I usually love Godwin's character, he is especially irritating in this book. Godwin enjoys spreading gossip about Foster Johns and reinforcing the town's hatred toward him. In Hanging by a Thread, Monica Ferris highlights the harm that gossip can inflict on an individual. This may be one of my favorite books in the series.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
May 22, 2021
When Betsy hires contractor Foster Johns to fix the roof of her store/apartment, she didn't realize she'd be courting scandal. Her friends and customers waste no time in telling Betsy that Foster Johns got away with murder five years ago when not enough evidence could be found to implicate him in the double murder of the woman he was seeing and her husband.
Soon after, Foster asks Betsy to look into the crime. He claims he's innocent, and the dark cloud hanging over his head has affected his business. Betsy has had some luck in solving crimes, and she delves into the investigation. What she learns is that Paul Schmitt was an abusive, controlling husband. It seems far more likely that he murdered his wife, but if that was the case, then who killed Paul? He had an alibi for the night Angie was killed, but so did Foster. The weapon in both crimes was the same, although it was never found. It's up to Betsy to unravel one man's alibi and find the murder weapon, which will solve this cold case once and for all.
I found this story to be quite bland. The premise of a cold case was at least interesting and unusual for a cozy. However, I never got much of a feel for any of the characters, including Betsy. There was far more needlework minutiae than was necessary (in my opinion), which I found distracting. The clues and information Betsy stumbled upon were unrealistically serendipitous, but at least the ending was satisfactory.
I have one more book in this series, which I will eventually read, but I won't be seeking out any more. Average book, average score.
Soon after, Foster asks Betsy to look into the crime. He claims he's innocent, and the dark cloud hanging over his head has affected his business. Betsy has had some luck in solving crimes, and she delves into the investigation. What she learns is that Paul Schmitt was an abusive, controlling husband. It seems far more likely that he murdered his wife, but if that was the case, then who killed Paul? He had an alibi for the night Angie was killed, but so did Foster. The weapon in both crimes was the same, although it was never found. It's up to Betsy to unravel one man's alibi and find the murder weapon, which will solve this cold case once and for all.
I found this story to be quite bland. The premise of a cold case was at least interesting and unusual for a cozy. However, I never got much of a feel for any of the characters, including Betsy. There was far more needlework minutiae than was necessary (in my opinion), which I found distracting. The clues and information Betsy stumbled upon were unrealistically serendipitous, but at least the ending was satisfactory.
I have one more book in this series, which I will eventually read, but I won't be seeking out any more. Average book, average score.
May 31, 2022
I have not read any of the previous stories in this series, but if they’re as good as this one, I’ll be a fan.
Why?
1. She’s an amateur sleuth, who methodically asks questions, but is not hindered by having an emotional connection to the investigating Detective. Therefore, there are not the tedious requests for her not to be involved.
In fact, strangely, she is somewhat assisted by the local (& national) police.
2. She actually solves the case, by her thorough investigation and deductive skills. The perpetrator doesn’t give themselves away by trying to kill her to keep her quiet, thus requiring a last minute rescue from aforementioned law enforcement boyfriend!
This is a refreshing Cozy tale. Quite low key and just as balanced about the craft shop as the crime solving. I shall now try book 1 to see how she got to this laidback stage.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title read by Susan Boyce. Her character delineations aren’t great, she doesn’t have a wide range of female voices, so it’s easy to get them confused. But, with a bit more focus than I usually give, it was tolerable.
Why?
1. She’s an amateur sleuth, who methodically asks questions, but is not hindered by having an emotional connection to the investigating Detective. Therefore, there are not the tedious requests for her not to be involved.
In fact, strangely, she is somewhat assisted by the local (& national) police.
2. She actually solves the case, by her thorough investigation and deductive skills. The perpetrator doesn’t give themselves away by trying to kill her to keep her quiet, thus requiring a last minute rescue from aforementioned law enforcement boyfriend!
This is a refreshing Cozy tale. Quite low key and just as balanced about the craft shop as the crime solving. I shall now try book 1 to see how she got to this laidback stage.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title read by Susan Boyce. Her character delineations aren’t great, she doesn’t have a wide range of female voices, so it’s easy to get them confused. But, with a bit more focus than I usually give, it was tolerable.
June 2, 2024
I didn’t entirely despise this book, and I don’t regret reading it as long as I never have to again. Here’s my gripe:
This could have, and should have, been a three-fold brochure. There’s so much ghost silliness in here that it hugely detracts from the story and has little to do with the solution.
Betsy Devonshire operates a needlepoint store in Excelsior, Minnesota. She inherited it from her sister whose murder Betsy solved soon after arriving in town to take over the shop.
It’s not quite Halloween as the book opens. A group of needlepoint devotees have gathered at Betsy’s store. Her contractor comes in with news about her roof, and the entire group goes frigidly silent. It turns out Betsy hired a guy who everyone in town new killed his mistress and, days later, her husband. There wasn’t enough evidence to charge him, but the town had no problem pronouncing him guilty. He begs Betsy to use her amateur sleuthing ability to find the real killer and clear his name.
This isn’t a bad plotline, but the stupid ghost stories are irrelevant and not particularly impressive. It should have been a brochure. Ah, what the heck! It should have been a haiku.
This could have, and should have, been a three-fold brochure. There’s so much ghost silliness in here that it hugely detracts from the story and has little to do with the solution.
Betsy Devonshire operates a needlepoint store in Excelsior, Minnesota. She inherited it from her sister whose murder Betsy solved soon after arriving in town to take over the shop.
It’s not quite Halloween as the book opens. A group of needlepoint devotees have gathered at Betsy’s store. Her contractor comes in with news about her roof, and the entire group goes frigidly silent. It turns out Betsy hired a guy who everyone in town new killed his mistress and, days later, her husband. There wasn’t enough evidence to charge him, but the town had no problem pronouncing him guilty. He begs Betsy to use her amateur sleuthing ability to find the real killer and clear his name.
This isn’t a bad plotline, but the stupid ghost stories are irrelevant and not particularly impressive. It should have been a brochure. Ah, what the heck! It should have been a haiku.
May 30, 2023
I am enjoying this series, but it seems to be moving away from the emphasis on various forms of needlework that were so prominent in the first couple of books. I liked learning about different skills and miss that when it’s not a part of the story.
Betsy, the MC, is still learning about life in Minnesota, but she has a good group of friends to help her deal with problems that arise. In this book, though, she was at odds with most of them over events that happened several years ago.
The murders in this story are cold cases, but there were still several viable suspects, although clues to that killer’s identity were few and far between. Betsy didn’t let that stop her, though, and she eventually figured it all out, even though the police were more than a little skeptical until she demonstrated how her theories played out.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series, but hope we get a bit more talk about needlework. I’m not familiar with cutwork, and it appears that will be the focus of the next book, so I’m eager to learn about it :)
Betsy, the MC, is still learning about life in Minnesota, but she has a good group of friends to help her deal with problems that arise. In this book, though, she was at odds with most of them over events that happened several years ago.
The murders in this story are cold cases, but there were still several viable suspects, although clues to that killer’s identity were few and far between. Betsy didn’t let that stop her, though, and she eventually figured it all out, even though the police were more than a little skeptical until she demonstrated how her theories played out.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series, but hope we get a bit more talk about needlework. I’m not familiar with cutwork, and it appears that will be the focus of the next book, so I’m eager to learn about it :)
February 21, 2022
In this installment, Betsy is drawn into an unsolved murder from several years ago. Now that she owns the building that houses her business as well as several apartments, she hires a contractor to make repairs to the roof. Foster Johns, the contractor she hires to get the work done, seems like a pleasant man, but the town suspects him of a murder that happened several years before. Betsy and one of the Monday Bunch aren’t so quick to believe the rumors, and before long Betsy is involved in finding out the truth. Since the town is divided on Foster’s guilt, she has a tough time digging for clues, especially since the murder weapon was never found. Other than the two chapters full of ghost stories (the mystery takes place in October), this was a fun read.
October 21, 2019
In de handwerkwinkel Crewel World van Betsy wordt vlijtig gewerkt. De klanten komen bij elkaar en roddelen er op los.
Als het dak van de zaak reparatie nodig heeft, huurt Betsy een aannemer in, maar ontdekt snel, dat er roddels over de man de ronde doen. Jaren geleden zou hij twee mensen vermoord hebben. Betsy gelooft daar niets ven en gaat, zoals gewoonlijk op onderzoek uit.
Er werd wel heel veel herhaald, het werd zo nu en dan een beetje saai. En al die namen van ontwerpers van borduurwerken, hoef ik ook niet zo nodig te weten.
Verder wel weer ontspannende, snel lezende lectuur.
Als het dak van de zaak reparatie nodig heeft, huurt Betsy een aannemer in, maar ontdekt snel, dat er roddels over de man de ronde doen. Jaren geleden zou hij twee mensen vermoord hebben. Betsy gelooft daar niets ven en gaat, zoals gewoonlijk op onderzoek uit.
Er werd wel heel veel herhaald, het werd zo nu en dan een beetje saai. En al die namen van ontwerpers van borduurwerken, hoef ik ook niet zo nodig te weten.
Verder wel weer ontspannende, snel lezende lectuur.
January 15, 2018
A good way to make Betsy's cases more varied! However, I found the scenes with the fishing guy to be a bit pointless (unless it's to remind us all that good-looking heterosexual guys also do needlework). Also, I was a bit surprised by the Monday Bunch almost as a whole (I love Alice, btw) believing Foster was guilty - and that after seeing Betsy's previous cases, eagerly believing in Betsy's talent and for some (like Martha) being even accused of murder themselves.
August 3, 2019
Betsy hires Foster Johns to fix her roof and she finds out the whole town thinks he murdered a woman and got away with it. Foster Johns asks Betsy to look into the 5 year old murder. As Betsy starts asking questions, she finds that the woman was abused by her controlling husband. Her husband is diabolical and evil. He puts brother against brother. He tries to frame Foster for Angela's murder. But, Betsy figures it out and she finds the murder weapon up the chimney! Another good read!
June 26, 2022
Betsy Devonshire hires contractor Foster Jones to repair her roof. But the whole town is up in arms over this, apparently, Foster Johns has been the prime suspect in a double homicide five years earlier. Foster Johns begs Betsy to look into the matter. Betsy believes the man is innocent. A fairly good mystery but I found the audiobook dragged in places. I had quickly figured out the possible cause before Betsy took so long to reveal the true culprit and the circumstances of the crime.
September 23, 2024
I really enjoyed the book. I’m assuming it’s set in the early 90s. I always find the 80s or 90s a comforting time to read about. Not sure why lol
I found the characters, the town, and the shop charming.
I did enjoy the book and found it well written but the ending… It didn’t add up or really make any sense to me and I found her reasoning very odd. I think if there had been more clues or more explanation I would say it was a 5 star book.
I found the characters, the town, and the shop charming.
I did enjoy the book and found it well written but the ending… It didn’t add up or really make any sense to me and I found her reasoning very odd. I think if there had been more clues or more explanation I would say it was a 5 star book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
This is a cute, light-hearted mystery set in Excelsior, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It's always fun reading about a place that's familiar to me and this was no exception. The characters are a very diverse group brought together by their love for needle crafts. The main character owns the local needle craft store and fancies herself an amateur sleuth.
November 19, 2019
Significantly better than the first books in this series. Betsy is still kind of a bully in how she treats Godwin and some of her customers but in this book she did a lot of actual investigating. A lot of the pointless description of random things was gone and in it's place dialogue that was actually interesting to read.
January 6, 2019
I’m getting hooked. So far this one left me guessing. It seems like a simple murder-suicide but how Devonshire solves it is quite compelling. One question not related to the mystery: what is a Gibson girl? There are some references like this that I don’t know and am too lazy to google.
August 14, 2020
Very repetitive descriptions - JIll always has a 'gibson girl face' and the bell is 'annoying chime' EVERY time the door opens and the writer seems to take pride in and thinks having an obese pet is cute and to be encouraged
December 29, 2022
Oh, my--this was such a great book! It delves into the sundries of small towns including gossip and guilty until proven innocent. The twist at the end was a bit unexpected and I really appreciated it.
August 5, 2023
The owner of a needlecraft store, who is a part time sleuth, is trying to solve a cold case. Story line was ok, but conversations between characters went on forever about nothing . A little boring.
February 12, 2024
I could tell I got this one a little out of order. Godwin had already got his premonition. a couple of relationships were behind. still an enjoyable read. I have ordered a couple of other in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews