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A Flock & Fiber Mystery #2
Murder Comes Unraveled
It’s a beautiful afternoon in May and set up for The Black Hills Fiber Gathering is in full swing. Martha Williamson, owner of The Spider’s Web—a shop specializing in spinning and weaving, is looking forward to four glorious days of selling and talking fiber and fiber tools as she organizes her booth and gets her alpaca settled in their stall. Then Falcor, her Great Pyrenees, finds a body, and she is pulled into the agony of a terrible accident.
Or is it? As one person after another seems to have reason for wanting the victim dead, Martha is more and more certain there was no accident. However if it was murder, who did it and why? When there is another attack and Martha is threatened, it becomes obvious that she needs to find the answers.
With her steadfast Great Pyrenees, Denali and Falcor, by her side, Martha begins to unravel the mystery, but will she be fast enough to forestall a killer’s hand?
968 KB
Or is it? As one person after another seems to have reason for wanting the victim dead, Martha is more and more certain there was no accident. However if it was murder, who did it and why? When there is another attack and Martha is threatened, it becomes obvious that she needs to find the answers.
With her steadfast Great Pyrenees, Denali and Falcor, by her side, Martha begins to unravel the mystery, but will she be fast enough to forestall a killer’s hand?
968 KB
252 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
46 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 26, 2025
Enjoyable and informative cozy mystery! Drawbacks—Bad language, which is normally not found in a cozy, and IMO, didn’t need to be in this one; murderer also killed a pet, which is also a no-no in a cozy. Otherwise, great characters, and farm animals, and teaches all about fiber spinning and knitting.
April 7, 2013
This murder mystery takes place at the Black Hills fiber Gathering in Washington state. We find Martha Williamson, owner of the Spider's Web attending the function with a sales stall for spinning, weaving looms, wools and other products. Being that she uses Great Pyrenee: Denali and Flocar as Guardian Livestock Dogs (GLD's) she sets up next to the stall for introduction to the breed. Martha also has brought a pair of Alpaca to show.
This book has a murder, and it is a particularly nasty one, in my opinion. The draw to me for the book was the great detail given to the subjects of the fleece, spindals, looms and especially the Alpacas, and Great Pyrenees. In fact, I would have loved the book without the murder.
The murder was violent and the causation was all too realistic. It was a murder mystery and although set within a cozy atmosphere, was unsettling to me. As a murder should be. This is an adult mystery.
This book is the second in the series and treats us to interesting Hawaiian facts as well. I wish the author had included a recipe for the Hawaiian donuts. Perhaps the next volume?
This book has a murder, and it is a particularly nasty one, in my opinion. The draw to me for the book was the great detail given to the subjects of the fleece, spindals, looms and especially the Alpacas, and Great Pyrenees. In fact, I would have loved the book without the murder.
The murder was violent and the causation was all too realistic. It was a murder mystery and although set within a cozy atmosphere, was unsettling to me. As a murder should be. This is an adult mystery.
This book is the second in the series and treats us to interesting Hawaiian facts as well. I wish the author had included a recipe for the Hawaiian donuts. Perhaps the next volume?
September 7, 2013
Story dragged a bit; felt like there was a lot of filler to pad the pages. Story line was good but could have used more character development. Instead of spending pages telling every move the main character makes, some of the other characters could have been fleshed out a little with more back story.
January 10, 2019
Some people can't take No for an answer.
Terrific. Loved the plot and the twists that made guessing the killer a real toss up as I had narrowed it down but could see a good motive for my suspects. The characters just get better and the real winners are the animals from the LGD's to the llama's (especially as most literature has them as being really bad tempered).
The Gathering was a big event for their community. Days for people to buy handmade items, fiber and all the accessories they desired as well as training on how to pick fleeces and use equipment. Although the Great Pyrenees stall was also there to provide security for small holders. Therefore hearing the organiser and one of the stall holders in an argument was a surprise. The same person then had an argument with her brother in a phone call and her long term lover that she had turned off the farm in a temper. Finding her dead in a stall with a llama shouldn't have been a surprise but everyone, except the police, thought that the llama was innocent of causing the death. With her having found the body, she starts to look further into things. Why would someone want her dead? Okay she was abrasive with people but had a definite knack with any four legged creature. When her longtime lover is found barely alive (stabbed numerous times) in a locked closet the stakes get higher. Can her sleuthing point her in the right direction?
Terrific. Loved the plot and the twists that made guessing the killer a real toss up as I had narrowed it down but could see a good motive for my suspects. The characters just get better and the real winners are the animals from the LGD's to the llama's (especially as most literature has them as being really bad tempered).
The Gathering was a big event for their community. Days for people to buy handmade items, fiber and all the accessories they desired as well as training on how to pick fleeces and use equipment. Although the Great Pyrenees stall was also there to provide security for small holders. Therefore hearing the organiser and one of the stall holders in an argument was a surprise. The same person then had an argument with her brother in a phone call and her long term lover that she had turned off the farm in a temper. Finding her dead in a stall with a llama shouldn't have been a surprise but everyone, except the police, thought that the llama was innocent of causing the death. With her having found the body, she starts to look further into things. Why would someone want her dead? Okay she was abrasive with people but had a definite knack with any four legged creature. When her longtime lover is found barely alive (stabbed numerous times) in a locked closet the stakes get higher. Can her sleuthing point her in the right direction?
November 17, 2019
~Good cozy mystery
~This is the second book in a series, and I’m sad that I missed the first. This book is a very enjoyable way to spend a couple evenings. The mystery story itself moved along at a good pace…the main characters are interesting…and there were some interesting twists.
~I enjoyed the characters and their interaction with each other. Being that this is a cozy novel, the romantic element was well done.
~I sew and belong to a quilting guild, so I have some knowledge of the craft. There was a whole lot of information and discussion concerning Alpacas, fiber, and spinning tools. I realize that a certain readership will completely love all the devotion to details…however, I will admit to being a little lost on some of the sections.
~I would definitely recommend this book.
~This is the second book in a series, and I’m sad that I missed the first. This book is a very enjoyable way to spend a couple evenings. The mystery story itself moved along at a good pace…the main characters are interesting…and there were some interesting twists.
~I enjoyed the characters and their interaction with each other. Being that this is a cozy novel, the romantic element was well done.
~I sew and belong to a quilting guild, so I have some knowledge of the craft. There was a whole lot of information and discussion concerning Alpacas, fiber, and spinning tools. I realize that a certain readership will completely love all the devotion to details…however, I will admit to being a little lost on some of the sections.
~I would definitely recommend this book.
September 4, 2018
More please
Interesting characters and plot with lots of local color. I only have two criticisms: sometimes the characters speaking style is slightly stilted and could benefit from the use of contractions. The other criticism is that there seems to be one cat with 2 names.
That being said, I look forward to more books.
Interesting characters and plot with lots of local color. I only have two criticisms: sometimes the characters speaking style is slightly stilted and could benefit from the use of contractions. The other criticism is that there seems to be one cat with 2 names.
That being said, I look forward to more books.
May 17, 2020
The story was fun...kind of made up for the local sheep & wool festival that had to be cancelled,this year due to pandemic concerns. Going to read book #3 next 😁
I have one negative criticism and it involves consistency and it might be more an editing issue than a writing one. Somebody needs to decide if the cat’s name is Samantha or Sable......small issue, but jarring just the same.
I have one negative criticism and it involves consistency and it might be more an editing issue than a writing one. Somebody needs to decide if the cat’s name is Samantha or Sable......small issue, but jarring just the same.
February 19, 2021
It's lovely to find a cozy mystery where the characters are intelligent and thoughtful. The inclusion of the information on yarn, fleeced animals, and BWD was comprehensive, but didn't bog down the story or make the plot lag.
June 7, 2021
Great Read
Just like the first book it was well written and fun to read. This author does a great job with detail on everything going on and that makes it so easy for me to imagine it in my mind.
Just like the first book it was well written and fun to read. This author does a great job with detail on everything going on and that makes it so easy for me to imagine it in my mind.
August 4, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
January 19, 2020
I found this book rather dull. However I am not enamoured with dogs or weaving. Too much discussion of these two items and not enough of the plot b
January 29, 2021
Murder comes unraveled
Another great story from this author. The book keeps you interested and I love the characters both human and animals
Another great story from this author. The book keeps you interested and I love the characters both human and animals
February 20, 2017
Week 7 of the 2017 Reading Challenge: A book with an animal on the cover or in the title.
It was an easy read and it had dogs in it so that was a plus! It kept me entertained on a cross country flight. However, the author spent waaaay too much time talking about different types of wool and how to spin it, etc. I was so not interested in that.
It was an easy read and it had dogs in it so that was a plus! It kept me entertained on a cross country flight. However, the author spent waaaay too much time talking about different types of wool and how to spin it, etc. I was so not interested in that.
July 26, 2013
This was such an unusual niche for a cozy mystery writer to carve out for themselves that I decided to sample it: this is the second in a series of murder mysteries solved by a widow sleuth who lives in Washington state, runs a spinning & yarn shop, loves to teach, raise, and sell things related to fleece and fiber, and also promotes the distinctive dog breed of Great Pyrenees.
To be frank—this is weak writing. No discrimination about what details to include or omit, so there is a lot of annoying repeated exposition whenever a new character shows up (catching them up on everything that has happened) and some very boring detailed descriptions of mundane activities (for example, we need to remember to shut the gate or the Great Pyrenees will roam, so every time anyone goes in or out the gate we must be given the details of opening and shutting and why this is so important not to forget—starts to really drive you crazy, as there is a double gate arrangement, though I suspect it’s intended to be soothing).
This is the second in the series, but no need to read the first as it’s all summarized so often and broadly here. The mystery component lacked mystery or suspense. It was interesting to learn about the Grand Pyrenees, a breed I knew little about. Most of the story takes place at a convention gathering for wool/fabric promotion, so whenever anyone new dropped by our heroine’s booth throughout the story (every few pages) it provided the author an opportunity to explain another aspect of this subculture and how to succeed creatively and financially in it. This has more potential as a “how to” book than as fiction. I did like the alpacas accused of commiting murder—that’s not something you worry about every day.
To be frank—this is weak writing. No discrimination about what details to include or omit, so there is a lot of annoying repeated exposition whenever a new character shows up (catching them up on everything that has happened) and some very boring detailed descriptions of mundane activities (for example, we need to remember to shut the gate or the Great Pyrenees will roam, so every time anyone goes in or out the gate we must be given the details of opening and shutting and why this is so important not to forget—starts to really drive you crazy, as there is a double gate arrangement, though I suspect it’s intended to be soothing).
This is the second in the series, but no need to read the first as it’s all summarized so often and broadly here. The mystery component lacked mystery or suspense. It was interesting to learn about the Grand Pyrenees, a breed I knew little about. Most of the story takes place at a convention gathering for wool/fabric promotion, so whenever anyone new dropped by our heroine’s booth throughout the story (every few pages) it provided the author an opportunity to explain another aspect of this subculture and how to succeed creatively and financially in it. This has more potential as a “how to” book than as fiction. I did like the alpacas accused of commiting murder—that’s not something you worry about every day.
August 20, 2013
Martha Williamson knows a lot about spinning, weaving, knitting, and crocheting as well as about Great Pyrenees dogs. By the end of the book, the reader will as well.
Most of the action is set at a fiber gathering where people come to show, look, and buy wool, yarn, spindles, looms, sheep, goats, and other necessities of the fiber worker. The fleeces are judged and sold. Interestingly, the prices must be set before the judging so their ranking will not influence the price and buyers might get good bargains.
The first victim, a rather nasty woman, shows up at the very beginning of the book and is quickly identified by any regular mystery reader. After that, the plot involves finding her murderer and discovering the motive, especially when other people become targets. That takes up very little of the story.
Most of the book discusses the activities that go on at the gathering, especially the processes necessary to get the wool or hair from the animals to the yarn project. If you are a weaver, spinner, knitter, or crocheter, you would likely find a lot of interesting information in MURDER COMES UNRAVELED. If you want to read a book for the mystery plot, this one is rather thin. The characters don’t seem to be realistic when they are not discussing fiber. One person is missing for a considerable length of time yet not much effort is made to locate her. Clues about the murderer are not followed by the police as quickly as one would expect.
The author has some pronoun problems. One sentence includes that and a punctuation error: “Then I put both she and Falcor in with Juan and Joseph?” There is also a lot of repetition.
This book was a free Amazon download.
Most of the action is set at a fiber gathering where people come to show, look, and buy wool, yarn, spindles, looms, sheep, goats, and other necessities of the fiber worker. The fleeces are judged and sold. Interestingly, the prices must be set before the judging so their ranking will not influence the price and buyers might get good bargains.
The first victim, a rather nasty woman, shows up at the very beginning of the book and is quickly identified by any regular mystery reader. After that, the plot involves finding her murderer and discovering the motive, especially when other people become targets. That takes up very little of the story.
Most of the book discusses the activities that go on at the gathering, especially the processes necessary to get the wool or hair from the animals to the yarn project. If you are a weaver, spinner, knitter, or crocheter, you would likely find a lot of interesting information in MURDER COMES UNRAVELED. If you want to read a book for the mystery plot, this one is rather thin. The characters don’t seem to be realistic when they are not discussing fiber. One person is missing for a considerable length of time yet not much effort is made to locate her. Clues about the murderer are not followed by the police as quickly as one would expect.
The author has some pronoun problems. One sentence includes that and a punctuation error: “Then I put both she and Falcor in with Juan and Joseph?” There is also a lot of repetition.
This book was a free Amazon download.
August 28, 2013
Thank heavens this was a freebie from Amazon. If I need to read about the main character handing out another business card I may scream. The writing is stilted and the conversations boring. So far my favorite character is the dog.
Finished this one. Won't get any more of them, even for free. I was surprised that this wasn't a first effort for the author ... it really felt like a beginner's exercise. A huge amount of the dialog was with customers of the main character, around wool and spinning tools. Aside from the fact that the writing of the conversations was awkward, these vignettes didn't have anything to do with the actual plot or the mystery ... most of the customers disappeared after their two page cameo, never to be seen again. Conversely, people who we DO see again (like the MC's brother's new girlfriend) just pop in and the author seems to expect that we will instantaneously know who they are and how they fit in. Maybe if I'd just finished the first book, but it didn't work for me. The police also seemed more like keystone kops ... there were some clues that they didn't follow up on at all. In once scene, a character who has been missing for a day is found stabbed and near death ... and the cops delay the EMTs from putting this person in an ambulance so that they can photograph the crime scene with the victim in place. Lawsuit much?
Finished this one. Won't get any more of them, even for free. I was surprised that this wasn't a first effort for the author ... it really felt like a beginner's exercise. A huge amount of the dialog was with customers of the main character, around wool and spinning tools. Aside from the fact that the writing of the conversations was awkward, these vignettes didn't have anything to do with the actual plot or the mystery ... most of the customers disappeared after their two page cameo, never to be seen again. Conversely, people who we DO see again (like the MC's brother's new girlfriend) just pop in and the author seems to expect that we will instantaneously know who they are and how they fit in. Maybe if I'd just finished the first book, but it didn't work for me. The police also seemed more like keystone kops ... there were some clues that they didn't follow up on at all. In once scene, a character who has been missing for a day is found stabbed and near death ... and the cops delay the EMTs from putting this person in an ambulance so that they can photograph the crime scene with the victim in place. Lawsuit much?
August 14, 2013
I will always give a chance to a book that features knitting, spinning, fiber arts, woolly critters, etc, so I started this one with a great deal of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I ended it thinking "Well, I learned some things about Great Pyrenees, so there's that."
Although the author obviously knows her stuff about the fiber arts, the writing is painfully stilted throughout most of the book. To abuse the old cliche, a good author should SHOW, not TELL, but Ms. Grace TELLS us the book from beginning to end. At times it almost felt like she was recounting aloud the events from years later. The "mystery" aspect is a formality at best.
As other readers have also noted, the amount of repetition is grating...yes, let's close the gates again. AND AGAIN. And I think Martha mentioned handing out almost as many business cards as come in a box.
My favorite character? Ellen! I'm hoping the next installment in this series involves her throttling Martha when her "best friend" ditches her with unpaid booth-duty for hours on end again, day after day!
Although the author obviously knows her stuff about the fiber arts, the writing is painfully stilted throughout most of the book. To abuse the old cliche, a good author should SHOW, not TELL, but Ms. Grace TELLS us the book from beginning to end. At times it almost felt like she was recounting aloud the events from years later. The "mystery" aspect is a formality at best.
As other readers have also noted, the amount of repetition is grating...yes, let's close the gates again. AND AGAIN. And I think Martha mentioned handing out almost as many business cards as come in a box.
My favorite character? Ellen! I'm hoping the next installment in this series involves her throttling Martha when her "best friend" ditches her with unpaid booth-duty for hours on end again, day after day!
August 17, 2013
This book almost made me want to take up spinning! (I'll probably check out the YouTube videos mentioned in the text.) The author does an excellent job of introducing the reader to the fiber arts and the amazing Great Pyranees dog breed. Some may complain about the slower pace than found in many murder mysteries, but it really suits the characters and subject matter, creating a relaxed feel overall with momentary stresses caused by the naughty basher/stabber. Although there are a few copy errors, an occasional awkward construction, and a few other minor problems ("bloom" should be explained the first time the word appears rather than later, for example), these are not enough to seriously diminish enjoyment. It's very easy to see the characters as real people involved in the business of the Gathering. Even the romance (so often mishandled) fits the story and characters perfectly. Plenty of clues and suspects, spaced carefully through the action. The psychology works fine. While not for everyone, definitely recommended if you want an enjoyable, relaxing read.
November 26, 2013
This book had the potential to be a nice cozy mystery. I also really like fiction that adds a component where you learn about a new topic. This book had that with the fiber and spinning. Unfortunately it needed a good editor. There were several grammatical errors that were annoying and too much description of mundane details. We did not need to read verbatim dialog and descriptions of each of the customers that Martha had at the Gathering. For example we were told that she added her business card each time! Much of the dialog was on the silly side with "Will do" appearing too many times. We were introduced to many of her customers in detail but for no reason since they never appeared in the book again. The main characters should have been better developed so the reader would have a connection with them. I did enjoy reading about the dogs and alpacas. I would consider trying the next book in the series if I found out that the writing had improved
April 25, 2014
I so wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. An editor could have made this an excellent cozy. Unfortunately, I felt several characters shared some voicing quirks, a lot of things were told rather than shown, and often times repeatedly. If you are not a part of the knitting and handspinning community you might find the book bogs down at points with detailed instructions and/or information.
All in all, it was much better than many other self-published books I've read.The mystery itself was solid and believable, if somewhat predictable early on; for me, not unusual for the genre so that didn't mark against it for me. I liked the characters a lot too and wish to visit them more. I'd give another book or two a read to see if some of the issues get resolved.
All in all, it was much better than many other self-published books I've read.The mystery itself was solid and believable, if somewhat predictable early on; for me, not unusual for the genre so that didn't mark against it for me. I liked the characters a lot too and wish to visit them more. I'd give another book or two a read to see if some of the issues get resolved.
September 22, 2016
I enjoy the pleasant way the author writes, her assortment of both human and non-human characters and the concept of her story. All of these combine to create a book that provides a few hours of entertainment on a rainy afternoon.
The biggest flaw with this particular story is that I felt the author spent too much time in the fiber booth and dealing with customers and not enough time engaged in the actual murder mystery, which resulted in a book that has lots of scenes that do little to move the story forward. I hope she continues to write since I feel that with just a little more training, she’ll resolve the pacing issues and become one of my favorite authors.
The biggest flaw with this particular story is that I felt the author spent too much time in the fiber booth and dealing with customers and not enough time engaged in the actual murder mystery, which resulted in a book that has lots of scenes that do little to move the story forward. I hope she continues to write since I feel that with just a little more training, she’ll resolve the pacing issues and become one of my favorite authors.
May 20, 2014
This book what a very quick read. Again focusing on fiber and spinning craft with a murder and a half tossed in for good measure.
The way she writes some of her conversations are based on how older generations hold them, with respect and curtesy. The way she solves the mystery is in a methodical and analytical way. Start with the list of suspects and cross them off one by one.
This is an excellent rainy day read, gobbling up the fiber side of life, and just following the steps to a solution. There isn't a need to think.
The way she writes some of her conversations are based on how older generations hold them, with respect and curtesy. The way she solves the mystery is in a methodical and analytical way. Start with the list of suspects and cross them off one by one.
This is an excellent rainy day read, gobbling up the fiber side of life, and just following the steps to a solution. There isn't a need to think.
July 30, 2013
Sometimes all you want to read is a simple cozy mystery, and that's what this book is. I knew "who done it" long before the end of the book, but that was ok. I found the spinning and fiber information to be very interesting, and although the book was a bit simplistic, it was perfect for a lazy afternoon read.
December 4, 2013
Though it was a cozy cute story, the murderer wasn't a real mystery with lots of opportunity and motive. Also, this novel seemed to spend a lot of time describing mundane tasks e.g. getting dinner to the table, cleaning up dinner, etc. I really liked the information about spinning and knitting different animal fibers.
August 30, 2013
The story was entertaining, but this is not the best written book I've ever read. All the characters spoke exactly the same, and the author and whoever edited the book need some grammar lessons. The object of a preposition is in the objective case--her, not she. This book doesn't make me want to read anything else by this author, but I'm not sorry I read this book.
March 23, 2016
Lots of fun, good mix of mystery and fiber
A well written, enjoyable mystery, with a strong theme of fiber arts and animals. As I adore both, I found it an excellent read. I have read both flock and fiber mysteries several times, and I can only say: please write more of them! I would love to enjoy more adventures with Martha, Mark, Falcor, and Denali!
A well written, enjoyable mystery, with a strong theme of fiber arts and animals. As I adore both, I found it an excellent read. I have read both flock and fiber mysteries several times, and I can only say: please write more of them! I would love to enjoy more adventures with Martha, Mark, Falcor, and Denali!
April 17, 2016
Very repetitive writing. Talked way too much about things that did not matter, giving out business cards, opening and closing gates and what she's eating.
I wa amused by the fiber festival. She gave a great feel for what they are like. I have a hard time believing that dog hair in yarn is not going to smell. But I've never been around that kind of dog so maybe it doesn't.
I wa amused by the fiber festival. She gave a great feel for what they are like. I have a hard time believing that dog hair in yarn is not going to smell. But I've never been around that kind of dog so maybe it doesn't.
July 21, 2013
I found the book a bit rambling. Also as a frequent visitor of fiber festivals i found the way the customers where portrayed to be condescending. Also why are the police giving her all of this information. all in all i was disapionted in the book
July 19, 2013
Meh. Nothing terribly wrong with this book, but nothing all that right either. Lots of errands, lots of meals, lots of people introducing themselves but not a lt of substance. But I do love Great Pyrs (i have one!) so I enjoyed reading about the breed.
July 21, 2013
Murder mysterin in a small community. A nice afternoon read where you get acquainte with a whole community of people--some nice, some not so nice. Story is well written and characters are well developed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews