Molly Pink and her crochet group, the Tarzana Hookers, are thrilled when one of their own gets a shot at the spotlight—but Molly soon learns that life in the entertainment biz can be deadly… The crochet group’s informal leader, actress CeeCee Collins, has a movie out, and she’s scheduled to appear on a famous talk show. Molly and the girls are excited to tag along, but when one of the Hookers is ejected from the audience for her excited behavior, she manages to drag Molly along with her. It’s no fun being stuck in the waiting room, but things really unravel when a producer drinks a cup of coffee with poisoned sweetener. To make matters worse, CeeCee’s niece Nell—a production assistant on the show, is the one who served up the spiked drink. Molly and the Hookers must set aside their crochet projects to clear Nell’s name and find the killer—before someone else becomes the next Hollywood headline…
I grew up on the south side of Chicago and in a very busy weekend, got married, graduated college and moved to Los Angeles.
Although my degree is in Fine Arts, all I ever wanted to be was a writer and I've been doing it in one form or another for as long as I can remember. My shining moments in elementary and high school always involved stories or poetry I'd written. I wrote news stories and a weekly column in my college newspaper. My first job out of college was working on the newsletter of a finance company. I worked for a public relations firm and wrote press releases and biographies. Later I wrote proposals for video projects and television shows that went through various stages of development.
I tried writing screenplays and wrote three. I sold one and another was a winner in a Writers' Digest contest.
I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom and did all kinds of volunteering at my son's schools including editing and writing several newsletters.
I wrote essays and small pieces that ran in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News and Woman's Day among others. My short romantic and mystery fiction appeared in Woman's World, and Futures magazine.
From time I was a thirteen-year-old babysitter cooking for the kids I babysat, I dreamed of writing a book about babysitting. It took a little longer than I'd expected, but BLUE SCHWARTZ AND NEFERTITI'S NECKLACE was published in 2006.
My affair with crochet began in Las Vegas. I had always had a fascination with crochet, particularly granny squares, but thought there was some magic involved with making them that was beyond me. And then everything changed that day in Vegas when I saw the kids' kit in FAO Schwartz. If the instructions were easy enough for kids, I thought they might work for me.
My first granny square was missing a corner, but when I tried again, all four corners were there. I was in awe of my own accomplishment. I had found the magic. I went granny square crazy until pretty soon I didn't need directions anymore. Then I learned there were more squares than just basic grannies and I made squares with sunflowers in the middle and other patterns. I moved beyond squares and made flowers, hearts, bookmarks and more.
I was in love with crochet and began to make scarves, purses, afghans, and shawls. I started carrying my hooks everywhere. A plane trip became a pile of granny square wash cloths, or part of a shawl. A vacation in Hawaii turned into a tote bag.
Molly and her crocheting gang of sleuths are back on the hunt for a killer when a new member of the hookers is accused of murdering an overbearing boss. While on the hunt for the killer, things are heating up in Molly's personal life as she has some big decisions to make. Excellent plotting keeps the story relatable and exciting, you really won't want to put the book down or in my case, stop listening as up to this point the entire series has been available on audio. While you wouldn't have to read the entire series to enjoy this book, it would enhance you pleasure as you gain a lot of background foundation building for personalities and ongoing story lines.
I have read all the books in this series, but I am done. Adele needs to be removed, she is very irritating, over the top and getting way to much page time. She is a cartoon character and really lowers the quality of this series. Plus we are to believe she is in charge of the children's section of a book store. If I were a parent I would not let my child near this nutcase.
Molly and her crochet group are at a filming of a talk show, promoting CeeCee’s new movie. While in a waiting room, a producer drops dead in front of Molly, and CeeCee’s niece gets blamed for the death. It’s one thing after another as Molly runs around, trying to get proof to save Nell. Her relationship with Barry takes a hit, too. Enough scary things happen to keep readers involved and flipping pages, and like too many serial books, it ends on a cliff-hanger. Well written and with interesting and entertaining characters, this series just keeps getting better.
I enjoy a story where the main character(s) are mature (as in not 20- or 30-something)
The "bad guy" was a little bit of a surprise in this one, and as I listened, I continually wondered why Molly was with Barry instead of the more caring and reliable Mason.The book does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger.
The narrator read a little slow, I had to alter the speed on my listening device.
Molly Pink is a widow who works as an events coordinator for a local bookstore, and also belongs to their crocheting club, the Tarzana Hookers. She reluctantly attends a program taping of a show that their celebrity member, CeeCee Collins, is going to be on, and unfortunately, it's because CeeCee has asked her to control another member, Adele. It seems Adele isn't happy that the host of the show is going to be having another program about knitting being calming, and Adele would rather the woman learn to crochet instead.
When Adele causes a scene -- as everyone knew she would -- Molly gets caught up in the ruckus as she and Adele are escorted backstage for the rest of the duration. But the woman watching them, Robyn, isn't happy about her situation, and demands that the production assistant -- CeeCee's niece Nell -- bring her tea. Then she demands that she bring her the special sweetener she uses, and when Robyn drops dead in front of them it isn't long before Nell is accused of murdering her.
A frantic CeeCee begs Molly to investigate and find the real murderer, and Molly finds herself secretly sleuthing again...but that's not the only thing going on: her private life is in havoc, too. Her love interest, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, is pressuring her to get married, sell her home, and move into a condo. Molly's hemming about it right now, but she knows she'll have to make a decision soon -- unless the killer finds her first, then the decision will be made for her...
This is the sixth book in the series and I've probably enjoyed it more than the rest. It was a little more involved, with Molly's investigating front and center, and I liked that. I also liked the fact that she can think fast, and doesn't put herself knowingly in situations that can harm her and she doesn't run head first without someone else there with her.
It also had Adele - Molly's one-time nemesis - opening up a little, and that was nice to see. It was interesting to learn a little more about one of Molly's other co-workers. I like this little insight into their lives, one at a time. It makes you part of their "family."
The book also kept the murderer at bay, but I figured out who it was a lot earlier than Molly did; but then again, as I've stated before, I read a lot of mysteries so I can follow the clues pretty easily. However, I did like the way the murderer was caught, and it was definitely a different take on catching a killer. That being said, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
I did enjoy this book, the whole series so far in fact. There are just 2 problems I have with the books - 1. Adele - omg this character is SO annoying. What purpose does she serve? Comic relief? She's not that funny, just overwhelmingly annoying! 2. Barry - He just creeps me out. Very controlling. Trying to get Molly to do his will. Too reminiscent of an abuser for me. This book just made up my mind for me. Going behind her back and talking to her son and Mason? Seriously? Mason is a FAR better choice.
Molly Pink finds herself caught up in another murder investigation, this time with one of the Tarzana Hookers Crochet Group as the prime suspect. On top of trying to clear her friend's name, Pink is juggling her job as Event Coordinator at the bookstore, her relationship with her detective beau, and the continuation of the love triangle with her attorney friend. I enjoyed this installment of the series and found it to be stronger than previous entries, but the crocheting didn't seem to be as much of focus as the mystery at hand this time. It's been over two years since I picked up this series, but with this cliffhanger ending I'll be reading the next one soon!
Format: Ebook via Libby Rating: 3.5 stars Book 56 of 2024
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series and it was fun to get back to it. I like most of the characters and the ones I don’t like I think I’m supposed to not like. The mystery was good and I didn’t start to suspect until the end. Molly’s personal life seems be going through a much needed (IMO) shake up, so looking forward to seeing what happens.
Boring and improbable. I'd have given it a two-star rating because it had nice touches of humor, but I got to the cheap lead-on cliffhanger at the end and the small amount of pleasure I'd derived from sticking with it and reading to the end unraveled.
I think this was my favorite of the series so far. The setting, with a talk show and various backstage personalities, was different and interesting. I love what happens in Molly’s personal life. Several of the underdogs of the series get their day, which was nice. We also get to do a tad bit of traveling, which I always enjoy. The killer was pretty obvious but I didn’t figure out the motive.
This one was an uninspired addition to the series. I've often thought the author overshot "normal relationship problems" with Barry and landed in "dump this mf already", but she managed to make him even worse in this one. I was cheering when they broke up, but the ending has me worried. I'm not sure what Hechtman is going for. She's made Barry so incredibly unlikeable that I don't see how anyone could root for him.
Then the mystery in this one wasn't much of a mystery. The killer was fairly obvious and the reveal was broadcast early on.
Hechtman also seems to struggle a bit with her characters. She started off pretty strong, but lately there's been a revolving cast of 2D characters who add nothing to the book. If Elise and Rhoda disappeared, nothing in the plot would change.
Finally, whoever the proofreader for this was needs to be hit over the head with a dictionary, repeatedly. "Your" and "you're" were mixed up so many times that it was clear this wasn't a typo, but someone honestly not understanding the difference. Then there was "beating the wrap" instead of rap, putting an apostrophe in "whites" of their eyes, another in the possessive "its"... The amount of mistakes and shoddy proofreading in a professionally published book is just embarrassing. It took me out of the story more than once.
I have been enjoying the series so far, so hopefully this was a temporary lapse in quality, and the next will return to its* cheesy fun.
*Its. Not it's, you horrid proofreader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm taking a bow. I had this murder mystery figured out before I was halfway through the book. Yep. I knew who the murderer was. I knew why. I knew how (but then everyone else knew how, too, because Betty Hechtman conveniently told us.
Still . . . woohoo me!
Molly Pink and her friends are in the audience of a famous talk show host to watch fellow Tarzana Hooker CeeCee as she glowed in the limelight as the featured guest. Murder ensues, of course, and the main suspect is CeeCee's niece, who just happens to be a production assistant on the show. Molly steps up to solve the crime.
But let's talk about Barry for a moment. Molly really needs to give him the boot.
Barry is not supportive of Molly's efforts to ferret out information to solve crimes. He doesn't even take actual evidence to the investigating officer, just to shut down Molly's efforts. He is controlling and manipulative. He wants to uproot her from her life and from her friends. He is trying to push Molly into accepting a relationship she doesn't want.
Dump him, already.
I know. I know. Molly and readers have too much emotional investment into Barry just to kick him curbside. Plus, we like Jeffrey.
Still, given the ending of "Behind the Seams," Barry had better experience a change of heart.
I read the ninth novel in this series first, and now, I'm going through the series from the beginning. This sixth novel of the series was just as interesting and entertaining as the other books of the series I've read. As was also the case with the other novels in the series, I found the writing style to be good, and the plot was fun. I really enjoyed the novel and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
One of the reviewers said Adele needs to be removed. I agree. Her character is ruining the flow of the book as i think she is used as a bridge to make things happen but her antics make the scenes irritating and awkward. She's not funny and I skim the pages she is in. Unfortunately, she seems to be appearing more. Make her less offensive or get rid of her.
I just finished Behind the Seams by Betty Hechtman, the sixth book in the Crochet Mystery series. This time, Molly and the Tarzana Hookers trade their usual meeting spot for the world of television production, and it makes for a fun change of scene.
The plot kicks off when CeeCee Collins, the crochet group's informal leader, is scheduled to appear on a big daytime talk show. Molly and the girls tag along for the Hollywood excitement, but things take a dark turn fast when CeeCee's niece, Nell, who works on the show, is accused of poisoning one of the producers.
It was enjoyable to watch the "Hookers" navigate the fast-paced, high-stress world of the Barbara Olive Overton Show, contrasting their cozy fiber projects with the deadly drama backstage. The mystery itself was decent and had enough suspects to keep me guessing, but I felt the plotting leaned heavily on coincidence at times. Still, it’s a charming and light read that delivers on the cozy atmosphere and the strong camaraderie of the group.
Another cozy mystery featuring Molly Pink, bookstore employee, beginning crocheter, and busybody. One of the crochet group which meets at the bookstore is an actress with Oscar buzz about her new movie. Her niece, Nell, is a production assistant on a TV news show. When her boss demands Nell bring her some sweetener for her drink, Nell brings a packet of sweetener from her boss' desk. Immediately after taking a sip, her boss drops dead. And guess who becomes the main suspect? Why, Nell, of course. Molly steps in to help solve the crime. Molly is sometimes slow on the uptake. She is again wishy-washy about her feelings for her boyfriend and when they break up she is heartbroken. Her boyfriend is pushy and plans things without her. Again, all the characters were irritating. I couldn't wait to finish this book. It was boring. I won't read another by this author. Very disappointed in this series.
I picked this up from the library without having read the previous books in the series. I thought it was a fun light read and I liked the crochet theme as I crochet as well. I didn't have too much trouble starting with this one but had trouble remembering who was who of the minor side friends (Rhoda, Sheila, Elise). Molly's narration had some funny moments. The pacing overall was good, and the twists and turns in the case kept me interested. I liked the slice of life parts like the square dance that developed the characters and their relationships even if they didn't directly advance the mystery plot. On the other hand, several scenes involving the police seemed a bit too silly and over the top. There were also a distracting number of grammar errors/wrong word use for a published book. I haven't read "cozy" mysteries before but as I know there are lots out there, I plan to read some more, maybe including the rest of this series.
The crochet group’s informal leader, actress CeeCee Collins, has a movie out, and she’s scheduled to appear on a famous talk show. Molly and the girls are excited to tag along, but when one of the Hookers is ejected from the audience for her excited behavior, she manages to drag Molly along with her. It’s no fun being stuck in the waiting room, but things really unravel when a producer drinks a cup of coffee with poisoned sweetener. To make matters worse, CeeCee’s niece Nell—a production assistant on the show, is the one who served up the spiked drink. Molly and the Hookers must set aside their crochet projects to clear Nell’s name and find the killer—before someone else becomes the next Hollywood headline. [amazon synopsis]
Fun read in the series. Hopefully, Mason will become more than a friend.
Molly is drawn into helping CeeCee’s niece after they witness the death of Nell’s superior in the production company for a local television station; the cops suspect the girl because she provided the sweetener that, unknown to her, was laced with cyanide. As she begins learning more about the victim, Molly realizes Barry is putting more pressure, both overt and subtle, on her to make a more permanent change to her life, but is she willing to let him call the shots?
This author seems to understand what so many other cozy writers don't. Those unpleasant side characters, often friends, co-workers or police officers - they need to change, to grow, to improve. Most people, and I definitely count myself as one, don't want to read about nasty people. Adele was a nightmare in the first book, but she is improving. Maybe not quickly, but she is much more bearable now. So when the MC is forced to spend time with her, I still enjoy the book and the mystery.
I have been trying to read these in order but they come up differently as to the order depending on where you look. So I read this one out of order but I enjoyed it and am warming up to the author. A warning - for those who feel that sexual relations outside of marriage are not of their belief, this author is not against such relationships and while she isn't overt in any way so far with those descriptions or details, the implications are strongly there.
Somehow I skipped from book 2 to book 6 but it still worked since the major characters are all familiar. The plot was decent although I did figure out the bad guy before Molly did.
It was interesting to hear the crochet patterns at the end but if I was actually trying to do them, I would want the book format.
The relationships are horrible and toxic. If Molly was my friend, I'd stage an intervention. Neither of the men are good characters. I can't think of a single good moment she has spent with them. I just keep hoping she tells them both to get lost. Even the Commander has changed. It's sad.
Molly investigates a murder connected to a television show. The producer of the show is later found dead by Molly. A local celebrity's niece is suspected of the crime. While Molly juggles her work and personal life she helps bring the murderer to justice. I love all of the side characters in the series.
I listen to these in my car and am totally bummed that this is the last audiobook for this series. BUT....I LOVE this series. It makes me laugh and think and get my head out of whatever might be going on in my life, even if just for a little bit.
I can’t stand Barry anymore. I didn’t really like him from the beginning. He’s given off abuser vibes the entire time. This book solidified it for me. Also, I want more of Dinah’s (idk how to spell her name I’ve been listening to the audiobooks haha) dynamic again.
3.5 STARS! I wouldn’t say this book series is particularly good but I’m invested in the characters at this point, so I’m continuing it. That being said, this was probably my favorite of the ones I’ve read so far, but if Molly goes back with Barry- I will be PISSED!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I like this read I got to know more about Mason he have won my heart for Molly and Adele is a mess, there is so much going on in the mystery , Molly life that there was not a lot of crocheting happening, the ups and downs of the solving of the murder kept me very much engaged.