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Gasper's Cove Mysteries #1
Crafting for Murder
Beware! A crafty killer lurks in Gasper's Cove.
Seamstress, crafter, and empty-nester Valerie Rankin has plans to open a crafter's co-op that will put Gasper's Cove, Nova Scotia on the map. One month before opening day, she still has to pin down a venue, patch up the family business, iron out corruption in the town council, and unravel why anyone who tries to help her ends up dead. With the help of her Golden Retriever, an ex-con who loves cats, and a community of first, second, and third cousins, she just might pull it off.
Seamstress, crafter, and empty-nester Valerie Rankin has plans to open a crafter's co-op that will put Gasper's Cove, Nova Scotia on the map. One month before opening day, she still has to pin down a venue, patch up the family business, iron out corruption in the town council, and unravel why anyone who tries to help her ends up dead. With the help of her Golden Retriever, an ex-con who loves cats, and a community of first, second, and third cousins, she just might pull it off.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2023
71 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Emodi
18 books24 followersBarbara Emodi has written sewing how-to books and now writes cozy mysteries set in Nova Scotia, Canada. Gasper’s Cove doesn’t really exist but it will seem awfully familiar to anyone who lives where she does. The community is based all she believes matters in life - extended family, companion animals, good food, and more sewing, crafting, quilting, and knitting projects than any reasonable person would take on.
Barbara writes what she likes to read - whimsical, witty, warm books that reflect her belief that there is nothing ordinary about ordinary people. She also likes clever surprises, important in mysteries, and promises one at the end of each book. To visit Gasper’s Cove yourself you can read Barbara’s novels in her Gasper’s Cove Mysteries series or her Gasper’s Cove Quick Cozies novella series.
Barbara writes what she likes to read - whimsical, witty, warm books that reflect her belief that there is nothing ordinary about ordinary people. She also likes clever surprises, important in mysteries, and promises one at the end of each book. To visit Gasper’s Cove yourself you can read Barbara’s novels in her Gasper’s Cove Mysteries series or her Gasper’s Cove Quick Cozies novella series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 26, 2024
This book was your average cozy mystery with quirky characters and of course a murder or two. I enjoyed the setting and the characters and will probably continue the series.
March 2, 2023
Crafting for Murder is the first book in the Gasper's Cove Cozy Mystery series by Barbara Emodi and readers will want to move to Gasper's Cove immediately....and if you have a knack for making something crafty, you will be totally in your element.
In Crafting for Murder Valerie Rankin has moved back to Casper's Cove and is staying in her aunt's house while her aunt is in Florida deciding if she wants to live there. Valerie hasn't just moved back home to be somewhere famiiar and be around family and friends, she has a big plan !! She wants to renovate the second floor of the family's General Store and open a crafting co-op. And she has made the first step after planning it, she goes and does a radio interview and lays out her plan and ideas. Unfortunately before the interview is aired Gerry the radio's "Voice of the Waves" announcer and interviewer is found dead at the bottom of the stairs at the station. And if that isn't bad enough for Valerie a building inspector comes into the store and inspects the second floor and fails it for further renovations until they put new stronger beams in.
So seeing as Valerie has time on her hands she decides to look into Gerry's murder as well as try to get the store deemed an historical site so that the co-op could happen. Unfortunately she has to go up against a committee of councilors who were untrustworthy crooks and liars. But with the help of Gerry's assistant from the radio station, Noah and her new engineer friend, Stuart, she may get everything she hopes for and then some......until another murder rocks their quiet and safe town.
Valerie doesn't know what she is getting into when she moves back to her hometown....a town that doesn't lock their cars or front doors, where everyone knows everyone and everyone gets along....but she soons learns with Gerry's death and someone stealing a big, heavy sewing machine from her car when it was in her own driveway, that it is not the same town that she left years ago. But she is one determined person and she will open the co-op....
Readers will fall in love with Gasper's Cove, the people and the businesses and will want to contribute to the co-op once it opens. And you will be right there along side Valerie as she looks into the murder and bringing justice to the town she loves !!! And this series will be one on your watch list so that you can get back to Gasper's Cove as soon as the next book is out !!!!
In Crafting for Murder Valerie Rankin has moved back to Casper's Cove and is staying in her aunt's house while her aunt is in Florida deciding if she wants to live there. Valerie hasn't just moved back home to be somewhere famiiar and be around family and friends, she has a big plan !! She wants to renovate the second floor of the family's General Store and open a crafting co-op. And she has made the first step after planning it, she goes and does a radio interview and lays out her plan and ideas. Unfortunately before the interview is aired Gerry the radio's "Voice of the Waves" announcer and interviewer is found dead at the bottom of the stairs at the station. And if that isn't bad enough for Valerie a building inspector comes into the store and inspects the second floor and fails it for further renovations until they put new stronger beams in.
So seeing as Valerie has time on her hands she decides to look into Gerry's murder as well as try to get the store deemed an historical site so that the co-op could happen. Unfortunately she has to go up against a committee of councilors who were untrustworthy crooks and liars. But with the help of Gerry's assistant from the radio station, Noah and her new engineer friend, Stuart, she may get everything she hopes for and then some......until another murder rocks their quiet and safe town.
Valerie doesn't know what she is getting into when she moves back to her hometown....a town that doesn't lock their cars or front doors, where everyone knows everyone and everyone gets along....but she soons learns with Gerry's death and someone stealing a big, heavy sewing machine from her car when it was in her own driveway, that it is not the same town that she left years ago. But she is one determined person and she will open the co-op....
Readers will fall in love with Gasper's Cove, the people and the businesses and will want to contribute to the co-op once it opens. And you will be right there along side Valerie as she looks into the murder and bringing justice to the town she loves !!! And this series will be one on your watch list so that you can get back to Gasper's Cove as soon as the next book is out !!!!
May 21, 2024
Crafting for Murder, by Halifax author Barbara Emodi, is the first book in a cozy mystery series set in the fictional old town of Gasper's Cove in rural Nova Scotia. Valerie Rankin, a single mom who moved back to her hometown after her kids left the nest, wants to set up a Craft Co-op on the second floor of the Rankin’s General Store, a business that has been in her family for generations. To advertise her intent of forming the co-op she gets an interview on the local radio station, CKGC by Gerry Richards, Voice of the Waves. Gerry then turns up dead at the bottom of the stairs the next day by foul means and it turns out Valerie was the last person, except the killer to see him alive. This starts Valerie’s very amateur investigation into the murder, while also trying to save her family’s business.
I enjoyed the wide variety of colourful characters brought to life in this small town, including an ex-con named Duck, her cousin Darlene who is a hairdresser, her other cousin, who is a former psychologist and now runs the family store, who may or may not be practicing his trade in his office between customers, and Polly, a business-smart, wise beyond her years 12-year-old. I also liked the descriptions of all the crafts, some familiar and some not, being submitted for the co-op. I am looking forward to visiting this Nova Scotia coastal town again in the second installment, Crafting Deception.
I enjoyed the wide variety of colourful characters brought to life in this small town, including an ex-con named Duck, her cousin Darlene who is a hairdresser, her other cousin, who is a former psychologist and now runs the family store, who may or may not be practicing his trade in his office between customers, and Polly, a business-smart, wise beyond her years 12-year-old. I also liked the descriptions of all the crafts, some familiar and some not, being submitted for the co-op. I am looking forward to visiting this Nova Scotia coastal town again in the second installment, Crafting Deception.
November 29, 2023
I am new to the cozy mystery genre, only having read a few other books; however, so far, this one is my favourite, not just because it is set in my home province of Nova Scotia, but it kept me guessing until the end, which to me indicates a good mystery novel.
Emodi provides some thoughtful details of our beautiful Nova Scotia as well as the atmosphere and people who make up a small town, in this case the fictional Gasper’s Cove. Here an interesting collection of characters including Valerie Rankin, the initially reluctant detective who is also a seamstress; Noah, a young reporter who helps her along the way; Duck, an ex-con and Rollie, a cousin and former prison psychologist, who work in the store where Valerie is hoping to add a crafters’ co-op; Darlene, Valerie’s cousin and hairstylist to everyone; the wise-beyond-her- years Polly, and a wide assortment of others. And, of course, all good investigators need their four-legged helpers, in this case, golden retriever Toby and store cat, Shadow.
After the first murder, Valerie, who had met with the victim earlier that day, becomes part of the investigation. As the story continues, Valerie continues to work on setting up her crafters’ co-op but seems to be running into problems at each step, which further leads into the murder investigation. The stakes become higher when there is another murder, and just when I thought I had the murders solved, Emodi lead me down another track. The book had good pacing with reasonably short chapters to make bedtime reading easier; however, I must admit to a later evening when I was nearing the end.
Interwoven with the mystery are Valerie’s sewing analogies and tips, and though I’m not a sewer, I enjoyed them. Valerie seems like an authentic character who cares about others and is true to herself and her beliefs. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what mystery Valerie can solve next time.
Emodi provides some thoughtful details of our beautiful Nova Scotia as well as the atmosphere and people who make up a small town, in this case the fictional Gasper’s Cove. Here an interesting collection of characters including Valerie Rankin, the initially reluctant detective who is also a seamstress; Noah, a young reporter who helps her along the way; Duck, an ex-con and Rollie, a cousin and former prison psychologist, who work in the store where Valerie is hoping to add a crafters’ co-op; Darlene, Valerie’s cousin and hairstylist to everyone; the wise-beyond-her- years Polly, and a wide assortment of others. And, of course, all good investigators need their four-legged helpers, in this case, golden retriever Toby and store cat, Shadow.
After the first murder, Valerie, who had met with the victim earlier that day, becomes part of the investigation. As the story continues, Valerie continues to work on setting up her crafters’ co-op but seems to be running into problems at each step, which further leads into the murder investigation. The stakes become higher when there is another murder, and just when I thought I had the murders solved, Emodi lead me down another track. The book had good pacing with reasonably short chapters to make bedtime reading easier; however, I must admit to a later evening when I was nearing the end.
Interwoven with the mystery are Valerie’s sewing analogies and tips, and though I’m not a sewer, I enjoyed them. Valerie seems like an authentic character who cares about others and is true to herself and her beliefs. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what mystery Valerie can solve next time.
June 10, 2024
Curling up to read the first book in the Gasper’s Cove series of books was a perfect way to spend a morning. The characters are quirky and relatable. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series to see if there becomes a blooming relationship between Valerie and Stuart ! The murder mystery in this cute coastal town keeps you guessing. The heat is on for the city council and I hope it is for Valerie and Stuart too ( nudge nudge wink wink ). I’m starting book two now. ❤️
May 23, 2025
Who doesn't dream of opening their own little shop? Finding out there are more expenses than you are ready for, & a murder happening right as you start trying to figure out how to make it all work. Realizing the people whom you've known for years are not exactly who you thought they were. Learning how you were wrong about them as you try to figure out who and why Gerry was murdered.
October 20, 2023
Excellent! What more can I share about an entertaining book that offers a Reader's Guide plus a map of the small town where all the action takes place ? At times it felt like there were too many characters to follow. Then again, each one had something special to add. Such as, distinctive personalities, history with Gasper's Cove, or being related to the main character, Valerie. I think Stuart Campbell helped Valerie to change her views about people, places and their motives the most. Valerie met Stuart at his engineer's office when she needed to work out planning details for renovations to her family's property and business. As more action happened in the area and more contact between Stuart and Valerie was required, Valerie grew to trust Stuart's ideas. In this book, the reader will enjoy details about small town life and how familiar everyone is with each other. We learn facts about Nova Scotia and why preservation of historical buildings matter to residents. Valerie teaches sewing classes and wants to allow her neighbors to have a place to sell their creations to others. It seems anyone in town could have murdered the one who may have fallen down a staircase.... This is only Book One in the series! I can't wait to see where this goes. 5 stars
July 28, 2024
OK this is not great literature, but here's what it has:
Canada- specifically Nova Scotia
Crafting - all kinds, including knitting
Dog - a Golden Retriever named Toby
Cat - a gray cat named Shadow
Tea - the main character prefers tea to coffee
If you have ever spent even 2 minutes with me, you would know that the above list contains 5 of the things I most love in life. Having said that, if the story containing them was crap, I'd be more than willing to to say so.
This is a really good cozy mystery. The main character, Valerie Rankin, is an empty nester who returns to Gasper's Cove, Nova Scotia, hoping to open a crafts co-op on the second floor of the family's grocery store, a local landmark. But between the likely murder of a local radio personality, and things she finds out while trying to get a heritage designation for the building, you have to wonder if her plans will ever work.
One of the things I liked about this book is that Valerie is wrong about some of her suspects in a big way. She's not someone who automatically seems to hone in on things, so her character is not smooth and always right.
I will definitely look for another in this series. Because it was so much more than I had expected, it gets 4 stars.
Canada- specifically Nova Scotia
Crafting - all kinds, including knitting
Dog - a Golden Retriever named Toby
Cat - a gray cat named Shadow
Tea - the main character prefers tea to coffee
If you have ever spent even 2 minutes with me, you would know that the above list contains 5 of the things I most love in life. Having said that, if the story containing them was crap, I'd be more than willing to to say so.
This is a really good cozy mystery. The main character, Valerie Rankin, is an empty nester who returns to Gasper's Cove, Nova Scotia, hoping to open a crafts co-op on the second floor of the family's grocery store, a local landmark. But between the likely murder of a local radio personality, and things she finds out while trying to get a heritage designation for the building, you have to wonder if her plans will ever work.
One of the things I liked about this book is that Valerie is wrong about some of her suspects in a big way. She's not someone who automatically seems to hone in on things, so her character is not smooth and always right.
I will definitely look for another in this series. Because it was so much more than I had expected, it gets 4 stars.
December 15, 2023
A new Atlantic Canadian mystery series has come to the comfy reading chair here at Atlantic Book Reviews - Reading and Reviewing Atlantic Canadian Books.
If your season's stress has become so bad you find yourself considering real life murder, why not try a cozy mystery read instead. All the murderous feels without the chance of a prison term.
THE GASPERS COVE MYSTERY series books #1 (CRAFTING FOR MURDER) and the just released #2 (CRAFTING DECEPTION)provided me with some great reading.
Set in Nova Scotia with a cast of characters sure to become some of your favourite small town "heroes and villains." Fast paced, perfectly executed, believable plots and an amateur detective who is not a favourite of the local RCMP.
I have enjoyed getting to know the "locals." Book two gave me the opportunity to revisit some endearing characters. It also provided the pleasure of seeing some not so endearing characters sent away in handcuffs never to be seen in Gaspers Cove again.
Barbara Emodi Author I am looking forward to book #3.
If your season's stress has become so bad you find yourself considering real life murder, why not try a cozy mystery read instead. All the murderous feels without the chance of a prison term.
THE GASPERS COVE MYSTERY series books #1 (CRAFTING FOR MURDER) and the just released #2 (CRAFTING DECEPTION)provided me with some great reading.
Set in Nova Scotia with a cast of characters sure to become some of your favourite small town "heroes and villains." Fast paced, perfectly executed, believable plots and an amateur detective who is not a favourite of the local RCMP.
I have enjoyed getting to know the "locals." Book two gave me the opportunity to revisit some endearing characters. It also provided the pleasure of seeing some not so endearing characters sent away in handcuffs never to be seen in Gaspers Cove again.
Barbara Emodi Author I am looking forward to book #3.
March 31, 2023
What do a crafters co-op and a murder have to do with one another? Surprisingly, quite a lot!
When Valerie Rankin, craft mistress of the island, announces the opening of a crafters co-op in just one month, on the tiny Nova Scotia island of Gasper's Cove, she sets off a string of murders and mayhem.
As with all the best cozy mysteries, Valerie sets off to find the murderer and to discover just who has been fiddling with her sewing machine. Assisted by her rescue dog Toby and cat named Scratch, Valerie questions neighbors, relatives, and life-long residents of Gasper's Cove, digs into dark corners, and susses out clues. You'll have to read this cleverly constructed mystery to find out just who was the murderer and which suspects were playing with Valerie's sewing machine.
I can't wait to read Barbara Emodi's next crafty cozy.
When Valerie Rankin, craft mistress of the island, announces the opening of a crafters co-op in just one month, on the tiny Nova Scotia island of Gasper's Cove, she sets off a string of murders and mayhem.
As with all the best cozy mysteries, Valerie sets off to find the murderer and to discover just who has been fiddling with her sewing machine. Assisted by her rescue dog Toby and cat named Scratch, Valerie questions neighbors, relatives, and life-long residents of Gasper's Cove, digs into dark corners, and susses out clues. You'll have to read this cleverly constructed mystery to find out just who was the murderer and which suspects were playing with Valerie's sewing machine.
I can't wait to read Barbara Emodi's next crafty cozy.
June 2, 2024
Eeeeppp! Canadian author, Canadian setting -- a rare cozy mystery find! And I absolutely love the Nova Scotia vibes in this story! I got a real sense of the area and culture and it was unique enough to stand out. This story wouldn't work set in any other place. So good!
A fabulous, if somewhat exasperating amateur sleuth hot on the trail of her first mystery. Valerie definitely leaps to conclusions...frequently...but, honestly, I'd probably be the same if I was trying to solve a mystery. I mean, I make up outrageous assumptions passersby when I people watch so, who am I to judge? And it makes for a fun read.
A solid mystery which kept me guessing -- my suspect was innocent as it turns out. :-) Such fun when an author stumps me. Now I'm anxiously waiting for my library hold on the second book to come in. So excited to have found another new-to-me cozy mystery series!
A fabulous, if somewhat exasperating amateur sleuth hot on the trail of her first mystery. Valerie definitely leaps to conclusions...frequently...but, honestly, I'd probably be the same if I was trying to solve a mystery. I mean, I make up outrageous assumptions passersby when I people watch so, who am I to judge? And it makes for a fun read.
A solid mystery which kept me guessing -- my suspect was innocent as it turns out. :-) Such fun when an author stumps me. Now I'm anxiously waiting for my library hold on the second book to come in. So excited to have found another new-to-me cozy mystery series!
March 22, 2023
Crafting for Murder is a delight. Barbara Emodi writes with evocative details and a warmth that engages the reader in this funny, fast-moving whodunit set in Gasper's Cove, a fictional setting that Barbara brings to life with an array of characters that sparkle. The pacing of this book keeps the reader interested in the plot, while the characters and their relationships with each other in this small town where everyone knows everyone and has since high school provide depth and color. You don't have to love crafts to enjoy this book, but if you do, it will be more relevant. Those who love to make things know that the process of trying is where the real joy is. In the case of this book, the outcome is pretty swell, too.
April 20, 2024
"Crafting for Murder (A Gasper's Cove Cozy Mystery #1)" by Barbara Emodi is the first book in a series around crafting and a small island town in Nova Scotia. Valerie is trying to start up a co-op home crafted shop in the unused space above her family's historic general store. Of course there will be issues and then there are murders. The issues of the town council are now bigger than that of her own building permit problems.
With my background in sewing and crafting, there were some references I feel I probably understood better than those who are just starting in the world or have no experience at all. This also tied in a little to the mystery too. The mystery part kept me guessing. I really didn't have one specific person until about the time the main character did.
With my background in sewing and crafting, there were some references I feel I probably understood better than those who are just starting in the world or have no experience at all. This also tied in a little to the mystery too. The mystery part kept me guessing. I really didn't have one specific person until about the time the main character did.
March 28, 2023
This book was such a fun and cozy read. It made me want to book a trip Gasper’s Cove immediately. The town is filled with intriguing characters with many hidden secrets, friends that are like family and many creative talents. Each one of the characters had such interesting personalities and it made me want to know more about all them.
The story had such good pacing with plot pints that kept you reading. Nothing felt out of pocket and each detail had its purpose. I loved the writing style with the funny one liners and the descriptive words that really brought the town of Gasper’s Cove to life.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
The story had such good pacing with plot pints that kept you reading. Nothing felt out of pocket and each detail had its purpose. I loved the writing style with the funny one liners and the descriptive words that really brought the town of Gasper’s Cove to life.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
September 15, 2025
From the get-go, I loved how the author captured the Down East speech patterns so I could hear the voices of the Nova Scotian characters as I read. I was further endeared by her portrayal of a cat-loving ex-con and the main character’s rescue dog, and I enjoyed the story’s bias towards heritage preservation. Not that the plot itself wasn’t engaging, but since I myself read as much to spend time with the characters as to exercise my grey cells, Crafting for Murder didn’t disappoint on either count. Add the lovely heartwarming descriptions of crafts and crafters, this becomes one of my favourite books I’ve read this year.
June 17, 2025
This book is a cozy mystery set in Nova Scotia, that also features a craft store. Since I love mysteries, Nova Scotia and I dragged my son in so many craft stores when he was young, he called them 'crap stores', I had to give it a read. It is both short and light, but also a fun, easy read. There was humour, murder, a hint of romance and an ending that I did not see coming. While this is not great literature, I found it entertaining and will pick up next one in the series the next time I need to escape to something fun and easy. 3.5/5 stars
June 18, 2024
This book takes place in Nova Scotia. Our MC Valerie has her work cut out for her. After her interview with Gary at the radio station he's found dead. His apprentice seems to think it's murder. Gary was working on something big. What was it? And how did it get him killed. Will you figure out who the killer is before the big reveal?
I picked up this book at my local library and it was a joy to read. So naturally I picked up book two. If you love mystery this is for you.
I picked up this book at my local library and it was a joy to read. So naturally I picked up book two. If you love mystery this is for you.
September 1, 2024
A crafting series unlike any other. This is a cozy mysteries that takes place in Gasper's Cove Nova Scotia. Where there are shady things going on in town. Valerie Rankin decided to open a COOP specializing in crafts made by local individuals. After a radio interview the interviewer is murdered and there are no shortage of suspects. Between shady goings on in local politics. I didn't see the ultimate suspect until towards the very end.
October 22, 2023
Not a great first in a series
Not an easy first book to read.I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters and the mystery. It didn't help that the main character kept jumping to the wrong conclusions. It made things very confusing. By the end of the book I felt a little better about the characters and I am thinking about the next book.
Not an easy first book to read.I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters and the mystery. It didn't help that the main character kept jumping to the wrong conclusions. It made things very confusing. By the end of the book I felt a little better about the characters and I am thinking about the next book.
January 14, 2024
I read the two first instalments in this series and it was a great way to relax and have fun.
A lovely setting, well rounded and relatable characters, solid mysteries full of twists and hints that keep you guessing.
I loved them and hope there will be more
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A lovely setting, well rounded and relatable characters, solid mysteries full of twists and hints that keep you guessing.
I loved them and hope there will be more
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 28, 2024
Cozy murder mystery, set in Nova Scotia. Valerie, house sitting her aunts’ home, has returned to her childhood community after raising her three sons and a divorce. Small town, cousins, and history remembered by all. She is a seamstress and snoop. I liked the story and look forward to reading two more of This series.
July 23, 2023
DNF at 16%. The main character is such a b**ch that she stomps out when a building engineer tells her that the upper floor of their old family general store is unsafe for the added load of a retail space. Nobody is likable in the first few chapters.
October 3, 2023
Great start to this series. I found the characters very enjoyable and would love to visit Gasper's Cove. I look forward to reading other books in this series. I only wish I could be one of the talented, crafty people.
March 26, 2023
A great read! Can't wait to see what's next for Valerie and the people of Gasper's Cove.
March 31, 2023
Fluff. Will read 📚 in the series!
October 30, 2023
Interesting characters in a lovely location. The mystery had me hooked.
November 16, 2023
This was such a fun cosy book. I really loved how it panned out and the story was so easy to read.
Was given an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Was given an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2023
Quick read very short. That much depth in the storytelling not much character development.
March 13, 2024
Loved it! First in a new series. I'm looking forward to the next book.
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May 21, 2024Last of the stack donated to my LFL. All the elements included.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews