Revenge of the Crafty Corpse

Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries #3

by Lois Winston

Anastasia Pollack’s dead louse of a spouse has left her with more bills than you can shake a crochet hook at. Teaching craft classes at her mother-in-law’s assisted living center seems like an easy way to supplement her meager income. But when Lyndella Wegner—a 98-year-old know-it-all with a penchant for ruffles and lace—turns up dead, Anastasia’s cantankerous mother-in-law becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Upon discovering that Lyndella’s scandalous craft projects—and her scandalous behavior—made her plenty of enemies, Anastasia sets out to find the real killer before her mother-in-law ends up behind bars.Yo-yo craft projects included.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Cozy

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

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USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.

Visit Lois and Emma at www.loiswinston.com and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog, www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com. Follow everyone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth.

Reviews

[Jackie Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun crafty cozy and I enjoyed reading it.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia is a great leading character. Her life is a mess, but she keeps on going and doing the best she can. She’s funny, smart, creative, and loyal. The supporting characters in this book are a hoot. You have her mother-in-law whose as spiteful as can be, her own mother, whose on the look-out for husband number 6, and Zach, her mystery solving sidekick, tenant, and who she has just started dating. The plot was creative and kept your attention from the moment the narrator started talking. I had listen to a previous Anastasia book and found the narrator a bit hard to listen to. Because I was use to her style, I was able to enjoy this book better. I would recommend reading book one to know the backstory to certain characters and moments. I haven’t read book two in the series yet, but I didn’t find it difficult to follow along with this book.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

[Text Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book, although I didn't realize it was third in a series. I have to wonder if the first two will be spoiled for reading due to the rough plot summaries provided in this one; I guess I'll have to see.

The main character, Anastasia Pollack, is lively and engaging, the secondary characters are vivid and interesting, the plot works out pretty well. The victim was so fascinating, actually, that she almost overshadowed the rest of the cast - despite appearing only once and being dead for most of the book. The research aspect of the story was great for me, of course.

A few minor issues kept me from enjoying it more. One, I'm not entirely convinced about the uptight nursing home manager's connection with things. Two, nobody chided Anastasia about the dumb mistake she made that nearly got her killed. Three, the way Anastasia denigrates herself when thinking about how her hot photographer tenant seems to have fallen for her does not make me feel in sympathy with her, it makes me wonder why the author is insisting on having such an absurd relationship in the book.

In general, too, it's a middle-of-the-series book. Quite a few personal things are going on with Anastasia and her family, which have been ongoing for a while, and nothing is resolved. Except Anastasia's relationship with Zack, which I have the aforementioned troubles with.

Also, the book has a minor formatting problem. The info-about-crafts sections are stuck into the middle of the text in a way that I find annoying, just separated from the regular text with a line, sometimes with the story continuing after it in the same chapter (if I recall correctly). Of course, it doesn't help that I really don't care about crafting with yo-yos, but I still think these bits should be separated out as mini-chapters between the regular chapters.

ETA: And there's another thing that's bugged me for over a year - it plays the dumb "guess my race!" game. I'm thinking particularly of the nursing home's receptionist; the overall description screams stereotypical black gal, but the book very, very carefully does not mention her skin color - just her clothing choices. Or maybe we're supposed to assume only black people wear dreadlocks?

[Hope Smash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am forever wishing there were half stars. If there were this book would be a 3.5. I really enjoyed the plot of this and Anastasia as a main character was endearing. My main issue was with the level of tropes that were used, the spelling/grammatical errorsand the repetition. We get it Anastasia, you're broke! That fact should have been referenced maybe max 5 times, the rest was just gratuitous. I didn't realise this was the 3rd book on the series until I had already started. I feel like the author covered the plot well enough they I don't need to read the first 2, but I may look for the other books in the series in the future.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally published on I Feel So Unnecessary

Crafts editor Anastasia Pollack takes an extra job in an assisted living facility leading a crafts class to earn some extra cash. When her mother-in-law's roommate is killed. Anastasia sets out to prove her um, difficult mother-in-law is not the killer. But will Anastasia's craftiness lead to her demise?

My review: This is book 3 in the series and the first one I've read. I found it to be a humorous read with a neat mystery and well developed characters. I'll definitely be checking out the other books in the series.

[Cheryl Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lois Winston has crafted a character to remember in the form of Anastasia Pollack. In book 3, Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, Winston continues to vividly depict Anastasia’s challenging journey as a widowed mother, strapped with debt and struggling to provide for her family. Winston's portrayal of Annabel is so authentic it's hard not to feel for her. Her success as an amateur detective is not so much due to her astuteness at unraveling mysteries but more so because of her deep-rooted sense of duty that drives her to relentlessly and methodically work to solve the case—just as she shoulders the responsibility of caring for her family.

As compelling a character as Anastasia is, it’s the author’s depiction of older adults fighting to maintain their vitality and complexity that truly steals the show in this book. Winston creates older characters with their own follies and indiscretions, a refreshing deviation from the stereotype. The author boldly broaches the subject of seniors leading active sexual lives—a facet often omitted in literature. Despite the disapproval of other characters within the story, this element contributes to a more rounded portrayal of seniors.

Despite tackling mature themes, Winston maintains discretion in her narrative. There are no overly graphic descriptions, thus staying true to the cozy mystery genre.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Lois Winston’s Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries that I have read or listened to. I own 6 other installments and plan on starting them from the beginning after listening to this one.
I feel for Anastasia. You can’t pick family and she has both her mother-in-law and mother living with her. Neither appreciate all that she does for them. I’m surprised she hasn’t packed them off.

If her mother can afford $450 dollar dresses, then maybe she can afford an apartment of her own. Her mother-in-law is a real piece of work. She wouldn’t be living with me with her current attitude. I find it appalling the way she treats Anastasia.

I’m so happy she has Zach in her life.
I did not figure out who the killer was since we didn’t have all the info. The mystery was interesting.

I listened to this and thought the narrator did a good job and added to the overall entertainment value of the story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: I thought that book 3 of the "An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery" series was somewhat darker than the first two books. Anastasia was pulled into a murder investigation, as her mother-in-law was the prime suspect. The story presented some dark themes through the subtext of the tale. I appreciated that the author didn't go into graphic details. I enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit was based on the clues found within the story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Alexandra Bitton-Bailey's performance kept the ambiance of the story. My only issue was the way that the dog's name was pronounced. The dog's name was Manifesto, but the way it was pronounced sounded as if there was an e in the first syllable instead of an a, which I found a little distracting. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia’s grumpy mother-in-law Luella has had surgery for a brain tumor and is now in rehab. Anastasia is still deeply in debt and takes on a second job at the rehab center teaching craft classes. But soon after she begins, Luella’s roommate is discovered dead in her bed. Anastasia pulls all kinds of strings trying to prove to police that her feisty relative was not at fault, but soon another resident is dead and Anastasia’s in hot water with the center’s director. In the meantime, a long-lost relative of her dead husband arrives, unearthing all sorts of buried family secrets. Also, things are heating up between Anastasia and Zack Barnes, the photojournalist who’s been renting her upstairs apartment, and Anastasia’s mother seems to have found her next husband.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

Trouble never ceases to find Anastacia when it comes to dead bodies.

Thinking she’ll get retrieve from her mother-in-law who must do rehab at a home but it only the start of her troubles as she manages to get a part time job to pay off ct. dead husband debts. Soon her mother-in-law’s roommate is found dead, and she is the prime suspect.

Seems the dead woman was not well liked by all as Anastacia will discover a secret past that made her prime target for murder. Can she figure out who wanted her dead and why before bodies start to pile up?

A sharp funny read that will keep you entertain.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good and humorous read. There was action from the start. The characters are well written and believable. They also add to the story line. There is a love story too in spite of the dead louse of a spouse. The retirement home provides a group of characters that seem real. They worry about giving out information in case of internet fraud. I am looking forward to her next book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my favorite book in this series. The subject matter is something that I avoid and therefore like cozy mysteries so it was quite unexpected to be reading about someone's sexual activities. But other than that, I enjoyed the humor and the mystery. Hopefully the next book will be a little less racy.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm - was expecting this one to get better just like the second one did after the first but no such luck. Love her kids, Zack, and whatever sassy sidekick she finds at the murder venue but besides that the grandmothers are both disgusting and the plot was weird.

[Coralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

learned about making sewed yoyos - definitely going to make some decorative pillows!

[Anita Glover Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this cozy mystery. Look forward to reading many more from this author.

[Joanne Drinnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny, vengeful book reminiscent of Stephanie Plum and her woes, although I admit to being surprised by the ending.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quirky cozy features Anastasia Pollack, recently-widowed crafts editor of American Woman magazine. Anastasia's late husband had gambled away their life savings leaving her household in a mountain of debt. What's worse: Anastasia's family has the makings of World War III under her roof with her communist-loving mother-in-law clashing with her multiply-married (and widowed) mother sharing space with Anastasia, her two teenage sons, and their assorted pets.

In this third installment, Lucille, the mother-in-law is convalescing at Sunnyside nursing home following her recent brain surgery. When Anastasia learns there is an opening for a weekend crafts instructor, she jumps at this chance to chisel away at her financial hole. Turns out that Lucille's roommate ends up murdered and police initially suspect Lucille. As much as she can't stand her mother-in-law, Anastasia does not believe Lucille is a murderer and sets out to prove her innocence.

Fun cozy with quirky memorable characters. Seems like the author has fun with the police detectives in her stories and Anastasia must deal with a guy named Sam Spader (ha! ha!). Also an interesting subplot involving Flora, Anastasia's mother, who may be onto husband number seven! Plus things are brewing romantically between Anastasia and Zack, who's renting her upstairs garage. Those who like Janet Evanovich and Jess Lourey will like this series!

[Suspense Magazine]

Revenge of the Crafty Corpse
By Lois Winston
“Revenge of the Crafty Corpse,” the third in the Anastasia Pollock crafting mysteries by Lois Winston, has taught me many things. Among them: I will not wear purple (it doesn’t look that great on me anyway, so that’s not much of a sacrifice); I will not, under any circumstances, open my home to both my Commie-leaning mother-in-law or my often-wed but soon-divorced, desperately-seeking-sex mother. Nor will I ever check into an assisted living/rehab center in the entire state of New Jersey.

Particularly one called Sunnyside.

Here’s the problem: Anastasia’s recently deceased louse of a spouse has left her with a pile of bills, and the care of his mother. Who has recently fallen, broken a bone, and needs physical therapy. Anastasia checks Lucille into Sunnyside. Oops. Bad choice.

Lucille’s roommate turns out to be an ex-madam, who’s still turning tricks at the ripe old age of ninety-eight. Heck, we all need a career goal. Maybe this is mine? Nah. Anyway, roommate Lyndella is also a champion crafter, and has a load of secrets hidden in her how-to-craft journal. And when she turns up dead, mama-in-law Lucille becomes the prime suspect in her death. Leave it to Anastasia to ferret out the real story.

You’ll be both surprised and entertained by this terrific mystery. I can’t wait to see what happens in the Pollock household next.

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to grab this book from Netgalley. Even though this is the third in the series and I have book one on my Kindle, a freebie, I was not completely lost with historical facts. The author does make reference to prior events but provides enough detail to not be completely lost on a new reader.

I absolutely loved this cozy mystery. Anastasia is a great main character. She’s tough and caring. Having been through the wringer in prior books, she is trying to make her life better. As she takes on the part-time job at the assisted living center, she finds herself strapped for time and away from the house. This situation creates freedom for several family members living at her home and definitely adds to events happening at her house while she is gone

Oh and the bird, it quotes Shakespeare. Amazing! But hilarious at times when situations are tight and questionable.

The crime was not easy for me to figure out, but was a lot of fun to follow. Very clever how Anastasia was able to find the link when the cops could not. I really enjoyed following her path to solving the crime.

I would highly recommend this book to readers of cozy mysteries. I am definitely going to read book one which is waiting for me on my Kindle very soon.

[Marge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Third book in the series, I have read them all. Author needs to start moving forward with the characters. We know Anastasia is broke, we hear about it every other page and in this book we know she sweats, again constant descriptions of sweaty clothes. Both mothers are cartoon characters and what purpose did bringing Ira into the book accomplish.

Its time she stood up for herself and set some unbreakable ground rules in her own home. I find it totally unbelievable that Zach wants to be involved with this dysfunctional family. Also she is so busy with work, but when she gets home she spends hours reading craft instructions to find a killer. The whole Lucille as murder suspect was never real and hardly mentioned after the first few pages. A book filled with complaints, sarcasm and hostile comments is not a cozy mystery in my opinion.

Done with this series

[Nancy Rogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this crafting mystery series and I enjoyed it as much as the first two. I like all the crafting references and the easy reading style. It has a dog, a cat, a parrot and a little romance thrown in as well as a mystery with a nice twist - just what a cozy should be. The idea of living with a mother and mother-in-law who are constantly bickering and totally out of touch with reality gets a little old, but at least Anastasia stands up for herself and doesn't give them everything they want. In the last book, Anastasia gets a bonus that helps towards her late husband's debt legacy. It would be nice for a few more things like that to happen so that there is a little light at the end of her tunnel. The lack-of-money issue is integral to the storyline, but every now and then she deserves a break - to make US feel better.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable third read in the Anastasia Pollack series with Ms. Pollack taking a second job as a weekend crafts director at the retirement facility where her mother-in-law is rehabilitating after an injury. Holding court is a 96-year-old woman who has two major talents; all kinds of crafts from needlework to making her own clothes (she can do anything with her hands) and well, to put it delicately, she "entertains" the gentlemen of the home nightly...which leads to raucous situations with the residents and staff until there is a murder and Lucille (the mother-in-law) becomes the prime suspect. Throw in the usual family drama (Anastasia's mother on the prowl for husband number 6, financial woes, etc..) as well as 100 degree heat and you have the makings of a quick, light cozy mystery...looking forward to the next installment.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first two books of the series. Liked the first book well enough to go for the second. Should have stopped there.

Nothing to recommend here. The plot wasn't really all that interesting. The characters are mostly unlikeable. The language could be improved. This book just mostly left me cold. I'm not sure why I bothered to continue to read it, except perhaps I kept hoping it would get better.

This particular book was just too fraught with bad role models, unbelievable actions by barely believable characters and weak-willed people.

Won't be reading anything more by this author under any name. Remember: this is a subjective forum, this is just my personal opinion.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anastasia is trying to survive after her husband dies, leaving lots of debts. She has 2 teenage boys, a pain-in-the-ass mother-in-law and a husband-seeking mother all living with her. So when the opportunity arises that Anastasia could earn some extra money at a second job, she takes a chance. Now she is working 2 jobs. Her mother-in-law is in a rehab nursing home for her recent brain surgery and the nursing home needs a arts and crafts instructor. That is Anastasia's new part-time job. But she is not so sure about the job when the Queen of gaudy crafts is killed in her room, the one she shared with Anastasia's mother-in-law, who is a suspect.

[Mary]

Book three in this hilarious, two-starred series Welcome to the dysfunctional world of crafts editor Anastasia Pollack. After her gambling husband croaked and left her with more bills than you can shake a knitting needle at, Anastasia takes a part-time job leading a crafts class for a group of unruly seniors at Sunnyside Assisted Living Center. When one of the craftier residents, Lyndella Wegner, turns up dead, Anastasias cantankerous mother-in-law becomes a prime suspect. Anastasia discovers that Lyndella was more notorious than her fabric yo-yos and x-rated dryer-lint paintingsand her scandalous past may just help solve the murder.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucille, Anastasia Pollock's mother-in-law from hell, is unwillingly in a rehab facility and Anastasia is given what seems like the golden opportunity to make a few extra bucks by filling in as a weekend art teacher. Since her husband died leaving her with a lot of debts, Anastasia is eager for the chance, even though that means cutting back on things like sleep. Lucille becomes a murder suspect when her roommate is killed, and Anastasia can't let an innocent woman (well, of murder) be punished.

[Linda Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia Strikes Again

Anastasia Pollack is back and her life is crazier than ever. Still looking for ways to pay of her late husband's debt, she takes a job at the home currently housing her communist mother-in-law. When a resident ends up dead, Anastasia ends up investigating. Like the other books, this one has a side of crafts to go with the murders. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and I really enjoyed the development of the characters and the relationship between Anastasia and her hunky neighbor. Great read!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For something I am only willing to give 2 stars, I really did enjoy it. I'm wavering between 2 and 3. It was easy, fluffy, sort of interesting navigation of a nursing home mystery. The inserted instructions on how to make fabric crafts was a novelty, but I skipped it; not what I was there for. Publishers' Weekly said it was full of laughs--eh, notsomuch, but lighthearted and the protagonist was mostly relatable.

[D.L. Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, centers around a woman whose husband gambled away their funds and then died, but not before dumping his Mother in his wife's lap. This time around, Anastasia has (temporarily) dumped her mother in law in a retirement home so she can get physical therapy. In the mean time, she is approached to lead the arts and crafts at the home while the real teacher is out having a baby. When two of the women are snuffed out, Anastasia takes it upon herself to figure out who-dunnit.