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Yarn Retreat Mystery #3
Wound Up In Murder
In the newest Yarn Retreat Mystery from the national bestselling author of Silence of the Lamb’s Wool, dessert chef Casey Feldstein continues to develop her hidden talents for knitting…and solving murders.
With two yarn retreats in the bag, Casey is looking forward to running her third one at Cadbury by the Sea’s Vista Del Mar hotel on the Monterey Peninsula. This time, each knitter will get a Mystery Bag of knitting materials to turn into a personal project.
But Casey gets tangled up in another retreat at the same hotel, when the organizer and his wife have a very public spat. As Casey is delivering her baked goods later that night, she finds the woman dead in the bushes with a magician’s silk scarf nearby—just like the scarf Casey’s ex-boyfriend, Sammy, used during his magic act at the retreat. As Sammy takes center stage as the prime suspect, Casey and her friends will have to stitch together the clues before the real killer pulls a disappearing act...
Includes knitting patterns and a recipe
With two yarn retreats in the bag, Casey is looking forward to running her third one at Cadbury by the Sea’s Vista Del Mar hotel on the Monterey Peninsula. This time, each knitter will get a Mystery Bag of knitting materials to turn into a personal project.
But Casey gets tangled up in another retreat at the same hotel, when the organizer and his wife have a very public spat. As Casey is delivering her baked goods later that night, she finds the woman dead in the bushes with a magician’s silk scarf nearby—just like the scarf Casey’s ex-boyfriend, Sammy, used during his magic act at the retreat. As Sammy takes center stage as the prime suspect, Casey and her friends will have to stitch together the clues before the real killer pulls a disappearing act...
Includes knitting patterns and a recipe
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
106 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Betty Hechtman
34 books718 followersI 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.
And now I get to write about it...
** Sourced from authors website
Series:
* A Crochet Mystery
* Yarn Retreat
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.
And now I get to write about it...
** Sourced from authors website
Series:
* A Crochet Mystery
* Yarn Retreat
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 16, 2019
The mystery bags for the yarn retreat are not the only mystery afoot in this installment of the series, we have the identity of the possible heir to hotel, but the little issue of a murder that has the local magician on the hook for being the villain! Casey is on the hunt to solve the murder and get her magic friend off the hook, but she better do it quickly before she becomes the next victim! Great plotting with an excellent twist to bring it home all wrapped around wonderful characters. I can't wait to hear what comes next as this series is all available via audiobook so I'm listening my way through the series!
October 1, 2018
I liked this one. Still not a fan of the hotel manager, but I love how agitated the sheriff gets when he has to talk to Casey about anything. It's quite comical. All the characters are great and I can't wait to see how the next yarn retreat plays out.
July 1, 2015
New and returning readers alike are really going to enjoy this installment in the Yarn Retreat Mysteries. The book starts off with a nice recap that helps new readers to this series feel right at home. No guessing on how series lead, Casey Feldstein ended up where she is doing what she does. That being said, do get the first two books anyway, because who wants to miss out on a good thing? Oh . . . and you don’t have to know how to knit to read this series!
Author Betty Hechtman certainly knows how to write a story that holds your attention. This was one of those books that I was thinking about when I couldn’t be reading it. It has something for everyone. It’s packed with likeable characters, which include Casey’s black cat, Julius, a beautiful setting, yummy food, and a captivating mystery.
WOUND UP IN MURDER is a perfect book for your summer/vacation reading list. It would also make a wonderful gift for any cozy mystery fan, or if you have someone in your life that loves to knit. No matter who you get a copy for, you just can’t go wrong.
Keep reading once the story is done for fun knitting patterns and sweet recipes!
Author Betty Hechtman certainly knows how to write a story that holds your attention. This was one of those books that I was thinking about when I couldn’t be reading it. It has something for everyone. It’s packed with likeable characters, which include Casey’s black cat, Julius, a beautiful setting, yummy food, and a captivating mystery.
WOUND UP IN MURDER is a perfect book for your summer/vacation reading list. It would also make a wonderful gift for any cozy mystery fan, or if you have someone in your life that loves to knit. No matter who you get a copy for, you just can’t go wrong.
Keep reading once the story is done for fun knitting patterns and sweet recipes!
August 20, 2023
A great cozy mystery that will keep you engaged to the very end of the book.
September 18, 2017
AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall: 4 Narration: 3 Story: 4
Starting with a quick recap and introduction gave me the perfect amount of information to not feel lost in this first for me story, while never stepping over the line of too much information. Hechtman has a light touch with her prose: she presents each character with clear purpose, giving them a voice and presence from the start that serves as a base from which to build. Casey is a relative newcomer to Cadbury by the Sea, after her mother’s despairing of her ever sticking with any place or career. Well-known as a pastry chef, she’s now on her 3rd yarn retreat, and seems to be really enjoying the process and settling in. Her bestie, Julius the cat, seems to enjoy his life now as well: serving as both companion and sounding board to Casey’s every thought. Together the two have formed a unique partnership; Julius’ lack of speech allows Casey to sort through the details as she works to solve problems.
Two mysteries are wrapped in this story. The first is the ongoing search for the now grown woman, daughter of the original owner of the resort Vista del Mar, and niece of Margaret. Casey’s friend. This mystery here is an ongoing on, dropping in and out throughout the story, and allowing the friendship between Casey and Margaret to have moments that are clever and fun, and give us insight into Casey’s personality and curiosity. But, there has to be some conflict, and this begins with a Best of 1963 gathering at Vista del Mar, taking up much of the facility’s space and coming with it’s own unique restrictions. Casey’s Yarn Retreat is also scheduled, and the two groups need to shuffle, compromise and even share moments within the resort to make it all work. When the ex-wife of the leader of the 1963 party is found dead, with scarves used in an opening act / magic trick, and discovered by Casey the story really starts to take flight.
Casey’s friends, from the men vying for her attention, through Lucinda and others, and even the subtle and not so barbs from her mother have a place. Unique and rather eccentric moments (1963 clothing, speech, music and technology) add to the fun of the story, and the mystery bags for participants in the yarn retreat are all woven into an eminently readable and satisfyingly intriguing and twisty mystery: dancing on the edge of ‘too much’ but never flying over the cliff. Reasons for the who did it and why are clearly explained, after several miscues and misdirected moments as the clues are sorted out and brought to light, as well as another few moments of insight into the ongoing thread of the mystery woman. Easy to pick up, this is a perfect story for fans of yarncraft and cozies, although one doesn’t need to understand or know how to work with yarn, even as you will want to try it.
Narration for this title is provided by Margaret Strom, and her broad, middle American accent suits the characters, if not wholly embracing the different nuances that exist in the regions of the west coast. There weren’t any large missteps, but there also weren’t any moments that stood out as exceptional: and while that isn’t a bad thing, there was more emoting that could have been present to pull emotions from the readers, pauses used more effectively to imbue tension in moments that called for it, or even gave the moments of regroup or pondering some more weight. It wasn’t a bad performance, and I won’t avoid an audio title from this narrator, but I hope that truly enjoying the story that she is presenting becomes a more apparent trait for Strom.
Overall, this was an interesting story with plenty to love – and who knew that there were such things as “yarn retreats’ where you can perfect, explore and experiment with all things yarn?
I received an AudioBook title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Stars: Overall: 4 Narration: 3 Story: 4
Starting with a quick recap and introduction gave me the perfect amount of information to not feel lost in this first for me story, while never stepping over the line of too much information. Hechtman has a light touch with her prose: she presents each character with clear purpose, giving them a voice and presence from the start that serves as a base from which to build. Casey is a relative newcomer to Cadbury by the Sea, after her mother’s despairing of her ever sticking with any place or career. Well-known as a pastry chef, she’s now on her 3rd yarn retreat, and seems to be really enjoying the process and settling in. Her bestie, Julius the cat, seems to enjoy his life now as well: serving as both companion and sounding board to Casey’s every thought. Together the two have formed a unique partnership; Julius’ lack of speech allows Casey to sort through the details as she works to solve problems.
Two mysteries are wrapped in this story. The first is the ongoing search for the now grown woman, daughter of the original owner of the resort Vista del Mar, and niece of Margaret. Casey’s friend. This mystery here is an ongoing on, dropping in and out throughout the story, and allowing the friendship between Casey and Margaret to have moments that are clever and fun, and give us insight into Casey’s personality and curiosity. But, there has to be some conflict, and this begins with a Best of 1963 gathering at Vista del Mar, taking up much of the facility’s space and coming with it’s own unique restrictions. Casey’s Yarn Retreat is also scheduled, and the two groups need to shuffle, compromise and even share moments within the resort to make it all work. When the ex-wife of the leader of the 1963 party is found dead, with scarves used in an opening act / magic trick, and discovered by Casey the story really starts to take flight.
Casey’s friends, from the men vying for her attention, through Lucinda and others, and even the subtle and not so barbs from her mother have a place. Unique and rather eccentric moments (1963 clothing, speech, music and technology) add to the fun of the story, and the mystery bags for participants in the yarn retreat are all woven into an eminently readable and satisfyingly intriguing and twisty mystery: dancing on the edge of ‘too much’ but never flying over the cliff. Reasons for the who did it and why are clearly explained, after several miscues and misdirected moments as the clues are sorted out and brought to light, as well as another few moments of insight into the ongoing thread of the mystery woman. Easy to pick up, this is a perfect story for fans of yarncraft and cozies, although one doesn’t need to understand or know how to work with yarn, even as you will want to try it.
Narration for this title is provided by Margaret Strom, and her broad, middle American accent suits the characters, if not wholly embracing the different nuances that exist in the regions of the west coast. There weren’t any large missteps, but there also weren’t any moments that stood out as exceptional: and while that isn’t a bad thing, there was more emoting that could have been present to pull emotions from the readers, pauses used more effectively to imbue tension in moments that called for it, or even gave the moments of regroup or pondering some more weight. It wasn’t a bad performance, and I won’t avoid an audio title from this narrator, but I hope that truly enjoying the story that she is presenting becomes a more apparent trait for Strom.
Overall, this was an interesting story with plenty to love – and who knew that there were such things as “yarn retreats’ where you can perfect, explore and experiment with all things yarn?
I received an AudioBook title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 14, 2022
This one was fine. Not my favorite, not the worst. Just a decent enough cozy!
April 7, 2021
There's just something about this series that loses my interest but I don't know what it is. Casey is somewhat unlikeable and a little boring. The story itself is OK but too many of the typical cozy mystery tropes - overbearing mother, ex-boyfriend that won't give up, nemesis waiting for her to fail, constant baking - bog the story down and make me not care who the killer is.
September 5, 2024
-1 star for Sammy being absolutely useless this book, honestly being a hindrance and then trying to set him up as part of a love triangle
Otherwise another fun trip back to a wool retreat. The solution is kinda over the top but in a camp way that cozy mysteries are.
Otherwise another fun trip back to a wool retreat. The solution is kinda over the top but in a camp way that cozy mysteries are.
June 11, 2016
One of the things I enjoy the most about Hechtman's Yarn Retreat cozy series is that readers get a good feel for the business of conducting these things. Not only that, but we can watch Casey commit several beginner mistakes and actually learn from them.
In Wound Up in Murder, Casey's instructors work together like oil and water, and her "early bird" friends take up so much slack during the retreat while Casey is off investigating that I actually missed the knitting parts that were in the first two books in the series.
Casey does have a bit of background in the private investigation business, which I like. Not only does she have a murder to solve, she's also trying to identify the possible heir to a local fortune. She's the amateur sleuth with the heart of gold (bringing an elderly woman out of her shell) who just so happens to bake tasty treats that will make your mouth water and your tummy rumble.
Hechtman has a solid, enjoyable cast of characters, and both mysteries are strong ones. The only thing that makes me slightly nervous is that Casey is in the middle of a love triangle with two handsome, eligible men in town. I swore off love triangles when I stopped reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mysteries, so I hope this one is resolved. Quickly.
In the mean time, I find Betty Hechtman's setting, characters, and mysteries-- which are leavened with yarn and chocolate-- irresistible!
In Wound Up in Murder, Casey's instructors work together like oil and water, and her "early bird" friends take up so much slack during the retreat while Casey is off investigating that I actually missed the knitting parts that were in the first two books in the series.
Casey does have a bit of background in the private investigation business, which I like. Not only does she have a murder to solve, she's also trying to identify the possible heir to a local fortune. She's the amateur sleuth with the heart of gold (bringing an elderly woman out of her shell) who just so happens to bake tasty treats that will make your mouth water and your tummy rumble.
Hechtman has a solid, enjoyable cast of characters, and both mysteries are strong ones. The only thing that makes me slightly nervous is that Casey is in the middle of a love triangle with two handsome, eligible men in town. I swore off love triangles when I stopped reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mysteries, so I hope this one is resolved. Quickly.
In the mean time, I find Betty Hechtman's setting, characters, and mysteries-- which are leavened with yarn and chocolate-- irresistible!
August 16, 2015
Every part of this series makes me wish I lived somewhere close to a yarn retreat or that I traveled well. Could you imagine a retreat with your fellow yarn addicts? This part had the same awesome characters. As you may recall, I bonded with Casey because she is real, messes up, a reminds me of someone I would sit down and knit with, especially if she brought the muffins.
The Vista Del Mar, where the retreat takes place, has really grown on me and so has Kevin the slightly unpleasant manager. I really like Sammy, Casey's friend/ex and since he was the one the bumbling detective was focused on, I was totally routing for Casey to figure this out. Of course, I always route for her... I was turning pages fast and furious, up all night, and bang, I never saw it coming. There was a very cool explanation that left me feeling satisfied and, as usual, longing for the next part. Of course, while you are waiting for the next part there are patterns and recipes to try in the back of the book.
If you are not reading this series, start, start now, grab them all while you are shopping and make sure you also grab the Crochet Mystery while you are at it - you can't go wrong with Betty Hechtman.
The Vista Del Mar, where the retreat takes place, has really grown on me and so has Kevin the slightly unpleasant manager. I really like Sammy, Casey's friend/ex and since he was the one the bumbling detective was focused on, I was totally routing for Casey to figure this out. Of course, I always route for her... I was turning pages fast and furious, up all night, and bang, I never saw it coming. There was a very cool explanation that left me feeling satisfied and, as usual, longing for the next part. Of course, while you are waiting for the next part there are patterns and recipes to try in the back of the book.
If you are not reading this series, start, start now, grab them all while you are shopping and make sure you also grab the Crochet Mystery while you are at it - you can't go wrong with Betty Hechtman.
June 8, 2018
I am most amazed by the fact that for only the second time in my memory, an author has come up with two potential love interests for the female detective that I can actually tolerate. Usually, I want to push one of them off a cliff and can’t understand the indecisiveness. And this one doesn’t really come off as a love triangle, which I still despise.
The deaths are no longer being connected to the yarn retreats directly, which makes me more comfortable. Still don’t know how many deaths Cadbury by the Sea can reasonably have before the place is burned as being cursed, but so far, given the length of time between retreats, and that most of the deaths are out of towners, I am going with it because the other elements of the mystery are entertaining enough.
The deaths are no longer being connected to the yarn retreats directly, which makes me more comfortable. Still don’t know how many deaths Cadbury by the Sea can reasonably have before the place is burned as being cursed, but so far, given the length of time between retreats, and that most of the deaths are out of towners, I am going with it because the other elements of the mystery are entertaining enough.
June 20, 2017
Wow!! The ending of the book had me floored. I suspected a lot of people as the killer but not the actual killer or the twist that occurred with it!! Casey's discovery of the heir was also interesting, can't wait to see if she clues others in or not. I was a little disappointed that Casey let others handle most of the retreat. She was too busy with sleuthing and left her early bird retreaters to handle a lot of it. I did enjoy seeing more of Madeline Delacourte and her being more of a "regular" person. Tag was a lot of fun in this book too!
May 6, 2020
Perfect series for me to read during a pandemic. I feel like I go on a yarn retreat with Casey and her friends. Fun! Recipes, patterns supplied for the articles to be made at the retreat -- this one has a scarf and a worry doll (did I mention this is the perfect series to read during a pandemic?!?). Recipes that made my mouth water and a black cat. YeeHaw! On to book number four in the series!
July 9, 2017
Fun! Fun! Fun! I love mysteries and I love knitting. Put that combination together and Betty's Hechtman's book are certain winners for me. There is always a special twist as to "Whose Done It" and I love the surprise endings. This third book in the series did not disappoint!
July 6, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/wo...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Casey Feldstein sounds like a wonderful friend and member of her community, Cadbury by the Sea in California. Even though she has not lived there long, Casey had visited there when she was growing up and as adult. In spite of her mother despairing of her ever sticking with any job or situation, Casey is currently preparing to lead her third yarn retreat at the beautiful Vista Del Mar resort – and enjoying it. At least until learning that the entirety of the resort is reserved for the Favorite Year 1963 convention except for the yarn retreat. Casey, a top-notch dessert chef, also baked cupcakes and various pastries for the local restaurants and coffee shops, and continued her aunt’s business, ‘Yarn2Go Retreats’. She also has a sleek black cat, Julius, who she talks to about everything, and many times that it seems her purring confidante not only understands her, but helps her out with his antics.
The third novel in the “A Yarn Retreat Mystery” series, Wound Up In Murder can be read as a stand-alone; the author, Betty Hechtman, who writes cozy mysteries with excellence, has gracefully stitched in any necessary particulars that help us know the history or background of the regular characters and situations. There are two mysteries in this novel, one of which seems to have been introduced in a prior book in the series and continues into the next in series. Casey has a photograph of a tiny infant girl from 1962 and knows the name of the father, Edmund Delacorte, the original owner of the Vista Del Mar, and brother to Madeleine Delacorte, the 70-something lady who sticks to Casey like a teenaged best friend. The birth mother and the location of the now-grown woman are still a mystery. It is critical to find the now-grown woman as there is a quite valuable inheritance awaiting her. It is interesting to see how Casey and her best friend Lucinda Thornkill work and bounce ideas off of each other in an effort to identify the young woman.
The yarn retreat, top priority for Casey and Lucinda, begins when the Favorite Year 1963 people are getting into full swing for their retreat. Thankfully, Vista Del Mar is almost across the street from Casey’s home, inherited from her beloved deceased aunt, so she is able to easily run back and forth as needed. And figure out what to do with the two men in her life – Dane Mangano, a neighbor who is also a police officer and hopeful suitor and Dr. Sammy Glickman, who Casey used to date in Chicago and when she moved to California, he moved his practice there as he needed a change in his life.
The early birds of the retreat arrive the day before it starts and help Casey set up what she can with the other retreat in full swing. The primary craft of the retreat will be found in the contents of a Mystery Bag, a seemingly unrelated assortment of yarn colors and textures with beads and other fancies. Doesn’t that sound like fun – to actively work on a craft project, possibly in a totally foreign craft than usually participated in? It does to me!
In the same room that they will welcome their participants, the 1963 people are receiving their guests, also. Vista Del Mar has agreed to some unique requirements of the other retreat coordinators, however. All of their participants will dress in clothing unique to that year. There will be no technology allowed or available that wasn’t readily available in 1963 – no cell phones, hi-def and/or color televisions, cordless phones, laptops or personal computers of any type. Pay phones were in the primary receiving room, and a bulletin board where messages would be left for others. And the Yarn Retreat folks could join some of the activities, most preferably in 1963 costume. There are a select few things that this reader remembers from 1963, perhaps more if left to ponder. It was fun to be reminded of some of the singers and TV series that showed a more family-oriented time.
The main organizer for the 1963 group was Norman Rathman, a charismatic and well-liked man. His assistant, Sally Winston, was available to meet any of the group’s needs if Norman was unavailable. Kind of like the elephant in the living room, Norman Rathman’s soon-to-be-ex-wife appeared. She was a show-stopper all on her own, with non-1963 attire, a bad attitude and bad manners dumped on anyone around her. Dr. Sammy had been hired to do magic tricks at the retreat – his hobby – and Diana Rathman was horribly rude to him. She yanked the silk scarves, part of his act, out of his sleeve, ruining one of his tricks. And hours later after Casey delivered her baked goods for the next morning, her flashlight picked up something shiny off the path. Unfortunately, she went to see what it was, and found the dead body of Diana Rathman. And with her body is also found the silk scarves that she pulled from Sammy’s sleeve. When Casey returns home, she finds a very drunk and disheveled Sammy on her doorstep who remembers nothing of the evening. She sends him into the guest house to sleep it off. And hide, as he will probably be a prime suspect when the silks are identified. Some of these extra-curricular jobs just seem to cost more than they should….
I truly enjoy and appreciate Casey, from the barbs of her mother to the way she wants to help everyone resolve their challenges and get on with a better life. Her closest friends, including the now happier-go-lucky Madeleine, are also as fun and adventurous. The characters are developed well. Even the eccentric 1963 retreat participants have depth and texture that brings them to life. The author has a talent to step into the shoes of several people at once so that the reader can feel a kinship with most of them.
Betty Hechtman also has a gift for planning and executing a plot that can be involved yet not confusing. As the successful author of the Crochet Mystery series, her knowledge of various types of needlework is impressive. Where, I, to have access to, and sufficient means to attend a yarn retreat, it sounds like the kind of long weekend that would be productive while still being relaxing. This novel shows the retreat, and Casey’s friendships, in a lovely woven tapestry of camaraderie, learning, and the pure joy of handling the yarn. And I love the idea of the mystery bags – how fun would that be? The primary mystery of the murder of Diana Rathman had its ups and downs, especially for Sammy. There were enough suspects to keep even Columbo happy, and the final twist that this reader absolutely did not anticipate. It was fun to follow the riveting investigation and Casey’s search for the murderer while trying to anticipate Edmund Delacorte’s mistress and daughter might be.
Wound Up in Murder is an exciting, fun romp through Cadbury by the Sea that I highly recommend to fans of Betty’s and those who enjoy needlecraft mysteries. The one drawback to this reader is the serial mystery that began in an earlier novel in the series and continues into the one following this. Many readers enjoy this connection between the series books and eagerly anticipate the next novel to continue their ideas for the “who is it”. I find it a little less than positive part of a cozy mystery series. If I am picking up a book in the middle of the series, I would want to know more about the source of the mystery; since it may be several months to a year before the next book in the series is released, I will have forgotten the specifics before it is released. And I am the kind of reader who appreciates all the loose ends to be tied up by the last chapter of the mystery I am reading. All that being said, I still highly recommend Wound Up in Murder as the latest exciting book in the Yarn Retreat mysteries, as overall I really enjoyed Casey and her friends, and the links to the past through the Favorite Year retreat. Betty Hechtman has penned another mystery sure to be a great seller – just ask Julius, the starring feline!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Casey Feldstein sounds like a wonderful friend and member of her community, Cadbury by the Sea in California. Even though she has not lived there long, Casey had visited there when she was growing up and as adult. In spite of her mother despairing of her ever sticking with any job or situation, Casey is currently preparing to lead her third yarn retreat at the beautiful Vista Del Mar resort – and enjoying it. At least until learning that the entirety of the resort is reserved for the Favorite Year 1963 convention except for the yarn retreat. Casey, a top-notch dessert chef, also baked cupcakes and various pastries for the local restaurants and coffee shops, and continued her aunt’s business, ‘Yarn2Go Retreats’. She also has a sleek black cat, Julius, who she talks to about everything, and many times that it seems her purring confidante not only understands her, but helps her out with his antics.
The third novel in the “A Yarn Retreat Mystery” series, Wound Up In Murder can be read as a stand-alone; the author, Betty Hechtman, who writes cozy mysteries with excellence, has gracefully stitched in any necessary particulars that help us know the history or background of the regular characters and situations. There are two mysteries in this novel, one of which seems to have been introduced in a prior book in the series and continues into the next in series. Casey has a photograph of a tiny infant girl from 1962 and knows the name of the father, Edmund Delacorte, the original owner of the Vista Del Mar, and brother to Madeleine Delacorte, the 70-something lady who sticks to Casey like a teenaged best friend. The birth mother and the location of the now-grown woman are still a mystery. It is critical to find the now-grown woman as there is a quite valuable inheritance awaiting her. It is interesting to see how Casey and her best friend Lucinda Thornkill work and bounce ideas off of each other in an effort to identify the young woman.
The yarn retreat, top priority for Casey and Lucinda, begins when the Favorite Year 1963 people are getting into full swing for their retreat. Thankfully, Vista Del Mar is almost across the street from Casey’s home, inherited from her beloved deceased aunt, so she is able to easily run back and forth as needed. And figure out what to do with the two men in her life – Dane Mangano, a neighbor who is also a police officer and hopeful suitor and Dr. Sammy Glickman, who Casey used to date in Chicago and when she moved to California, he moved his practice there as he needed a change in his life.
The early birds of the retreat arrive the day before it starts and help Casey set up what she can with the other retreat in full swing. The primary craft of the retreat will be found in the contents of a Mystery Bag, a seemingly unrelated assortment of yarn colors and textures with beads and other fancies. Doesn’t that sound like fun – to actively work on a craft project, possibly in a totally foreign craft than usually participated in? It does to me!
In the same room that they will welcome their participants, the 1963 people are receiving their guests, also. Vista Del Mar has agreed to some unique requirements of the other retreat coordinators, however. All of their participants will dress in clothing unique to that year. There will be no technology allowed or available that wasn’t readily available in 1963 – no cell phones, hi-def and/or color televisions, cordless phones, laptops or personal computers of any type. Pay phones were in the primary receiving room, and a bulletin board where messages would be left for others. And the Yarn Retreat folks could join some of the activities, most preferably in 1963 costume. There are a select few things that this reader remembers from 1963, perhaps more if left to ponder. It was fun to be reminded of some of the singers and TV series that showed a more family-oriented time.
The main organizer for the 1963 group was Norman Rathman, a charismatic and well-liked man. His assistant, Sally Winston, was available to meet any of the group’s needs if Norman was unavailable. Kind of like the elephant in the living room, Norman Rathman’s soon-to-be-ex-wife appeared. She was a show-stopper all on her own, with non-1963 attire, a bad attitude and bad manners dumped on anyone around her. Dr. Sammy had been hired to do magic tricks at the retreat – his hobby – and Diana Rathman was horribly rude to him. She yanked the silk scarves, part of his act, out of his sleeve, ruining one of his tricks. And hours later after Casey delivered her baked goods for the next morning, her flashlight picked up something shiny off the path. Unfortunately, she went to see what it was, and found the dead body of Diana Rathman. And with her body is also found the silk scarves that she pulled from Sammy’s sleeve. When Casey returns home, she finds a very drunk and disheveled Sammy on her doorstep who remembers nothing of the evening. She sends him into the guest house to sleep it off. And hide, as he will probably be a prime suspect when the silks are identified. Some of these extra-curricular jobs just seem to cost more than they should….
I truly enjoy and appreciate Casey, from the barbs of her mother to the way she wants to help everyone resolve their challenges and get on with a better life. Her closest friends, including the now happier-go-lucky Madeleine, are also as fun and adventurous. The characters are developed well. Even the eccentric 1963 retreat participants have depth and texture that brings them to life. The author has a talent to step into the shoes of several people at once so that the reader can feel a kinship with most of them.
Betty Hechtman also has a gift for planning and executing a plot that can be involved yet not confusing. As the successful author of the Crochet Mystery series, her knowledge of various types of needlework is impressive. Where, I, to have access to, and sufficient means to attend a yarn retreat, it sounds like the kind of long weekend that would be productive while still being relaxing. This novel shows the retreat, and Casey’s friendships, in a lovely woven tapestry of camaraderie, learning, and the pure joy of handling the yarn. And I love the idea of the mystery bags – how fun would that be? The primary mystery of the murder of Diana Rathman had its ups and downs, especially for Sammy. There were enough suspects to keep even Columbo happy, and the final twist that this reader absolutely did not anticipate. It was fun to follow the riveting investigation and Casey’s search for the murderer while trying to anticipate Edmund Delacorte’s mistress and daughter might be.
Wound Up in Murder is an exciting, fun romp through Cadbury by the Sea that I highly recommend to fans of Betty’s and those who enjoy needlecraft mysteries. The one drawback to this reader is the serial mystery that began in an earlier novel in the series and continues into the one following this. Many readers enjoy this connection between the series books and eagerly anticipate the next novel to continue their ideas for the “who is it”. I find it a little less than positive part of a cozy mystery series. If I am picking up a book in the middle of the series, I would want to know more about the source of the mystery; since it may be several months to a year before the next book in the series is released, I will have forgotten the specifics before it is released. And I am the kind of reader who appreciates all the loose ends to be tied up by the last chapter of the mystery I am reading. All that being said, I still highly recommend Wound Up in Murder as the latest exciting book in the Yarn Retreat mysteries, as overall I really enjoyed Casey and her friends, and the links to the past through the Favorite Year retreat. Betty Hechtman has penned another mystery sure to be a great seller – just ask Julius, the starring feline!
November 10, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
Wound Up in Murder by Betty Hechtman is the third book in the Yarn Retreat Mystery series, and while it's an enjoyable read, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the first two. Casey Feldstein is back at Vista Del Mar for another yarn retreat, this time with a fun twist where each knitter gets a Mystery Bag of materials to create their own project. But things get complicated when another retreat happening at the same hotel goes sideways. The organizer and his wife have a very public fight, and later that night, Casey finds the wife dead in the bushes with a magician's silk scarf nearby. The problem? It matches the scarf Casey's ex-boyfriend Sammy used in his magic act, making him the prime suspect.
The Mystery Bag concept is fun, and I always enjoy the retreat setting at Vista Del Mar. The addition of the magic retreat running alongside the yarn retreat adds an interesting layer. However, the mystery itself felt a bit predictable this time around. I had a good idea who the killer was pretty early on, which took some of the suspense out of it.
Casey remains a likable protagonist, and her baking skills continue to make me hungry while reading. The romance subplot with Sammy felt a little drawn out for my taste, but if you're invested in their relationship, you might feel differently.
#WoundUpInMurder #BettyHechtman #YarnRetreatMystery #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #Bookstagram #BookReview #KnittingMystery #BookLovers #MysteryReader #BookCommunity #InstaBooks #AmReading #BookNerd #CozyReads #BookBlogger #ReadersOfInstagram #Booktok #BookstagramCommunity #MysteryAddict #BookObsessed #BooksOfInstagram #BookRecommendations #ReadingCommunity #BookAddict #Whodunit #CrimeFiction #MysteryNovels #BookLife #Bibliophile
Wound Up in Murder by Betty Hechtman is the third book in the Yarn Retreat Mystery series, and while it's an enjoyable read, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the first two. Casey Feldstein is back at Vista Del Mar for another yarn retreat, this time with a fun twist where each knitter gets a Mystery Bag of materials to create their own project. But things get complicated when another retreat happening at the same hotel goes sideways. The organizer and his wife have a very public fight, and later that night, Casey finds the wife dead in the bushes with a magician's silk scarf nearby. The problem? It matches the scarf Casey's ex-boyfriend Sammy used in his magic act, making him the prime suspect.
The Mystery Bag concept is fun, and I always enjoy the retreat setting at Vista Del Mar. The addition of the magic retreat running alongside the yarn retreat adds an interesting layer. However, the mystery itself felt a bit predictable this time around. I had a good idea who the killer was pretty early on, which took some of the suspense out of it.
Casey remains a likable protagonist, and her baking skills continue to make me hungry while reading. The romance subplot with Sammy felt a little drawn out for my taste, but if you're invested in their relationship, you might feel differently.
#WoundUpInMurder #BettyHechtman #YarnRetreatMystery #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #Bookstagram #BookReview #KnittingMystery #BookLovers #MysteryReader #BookCommunity #InstaBooks #AmReading #BookNerd #CozyReads #BookBlogger #ReadersOfInstagram #Booktok #BookstagramCommunity #MysteryAddict #BookObsessed #BooksOfInstagram #BookRecommendations #ReadingCommunity #BookAddict #Whodunit #CrimeFiction #MysteryNovels #BookLife #Bibliophile
September 10, 2018
Wound Up in Murder Casey and her Knitting Retreat people are getting together again for another Retreat. This time they are sharing the Inn with a Group called My Favorite Year. They are celebrating the year 1963. When the wife of the My Favorite Year Leader shows up unexpectedly there is a fight between them and the woman takes great pride in destroying Dr. Sammy and his magic. Sammy is so upset, he takes a pitcher of martinis and goes to the beach to drink alone. He then wanders up to Casey's house and she hides him the entire time the police look for him because the woman was found dead on the Inn property, by Casey.
At the same time, Wanda and Crystal cannot get along and battle over the projects for the Retreat and trying to get people to do the work they want them to do.
I am reading these stories out of order as I am getting them as I can from the library and my daughters chose this one to listen to in the car while we were "raiding" with the PokemonGo Crowd on Saturday.
At the same time, Wanda and Crystal cannot get along and battle over the projects for the Retreat and trying to get people to do the work they want them to do.
I am reading these stories out of order as I am getting them as I can from the library and my daughters chose this one to listen to in the car while we were "raiding" with the PokemonGo Crowd on Saturday.
April 2, 2018
This book was so much fun! I loved the characters and how they continue to grow!
I really hope the knitting group gets another male knitter in it in the coming book, though, because even though Scott loves knitting and is really growing in his role of knitting teacher, I still think he’s a bit lonely.
I think the only downside of this book as compared to the others in the series is that the original characters that attended the knitting retreats, Bree, Olivia, Lucinda, and Scott, are taking a back seat to the murderers. One of the things that made the first books so magical to me was the group
Dynamics and they were kind of missing from this one.
Only 2 books left in this series (for now)! Onto the next book!
I really hope the knitting group gets another male knitter in it in the coming book, though, because even though Scott loves knitting and is really growing in his role of knitting teacher, I still think he’s a bit lonely.
I think the only downside of this book as compared to the others in the series is that the original characters that attended the knitting retreats, Bree, Olivia, Lucinda, and Scott, are taking a back seat to the murderers. One of the things that made the first books so magical to me was the group
Dynamics and they were kind of missing from this one.
Only 2 books left in this series (for now)! Onto the next book!
August 16, 2021
The main mystery was well paced. She did a good job giving the reader clues, but withholding the critical pieces until the very end so that the reader couldn't guess correctly too early. The secondary mystery was okay. It played no role in the plot and could have easily been left out.
I hated the main character, and I disliked a few of the other characters too, who lacked redeeming qualities. She lacked depth, and I couldn't understand some of her decisions, even though we were in her head. I was also annoyed that she seemed to not even attend the retreat she was hosting. Why even bother?
I also got tired of hearing the same things repeated over and over again, like the author had written the story over a period of years as separate pieces and forgot to cut out the recaps.
I hated the main character, and I disliked a few of the other characters too, who lacked redeeming qualities. She lacked depth, and I couldn't understand some of her decisions, even though we were in her head. I was also annoyed that she seemed to not even attend the retreat she was hosting. Why even bother?
I also got tired of hearing the same things repeated over and over again, like the author had written the story over a period of years as separate pieces and forgot to cut out the recaps.
December 12, 2018
Egads! Dr. Sammy is the prime suspect in the latest murder that just happens to coincide with yet another yarn retreat at Vista Del Mar. Perhaps, Casey should find a new locale for her retreats.
Granted, this time Casey had personal reasons for investigating the murder. Dr. Sammy, after all, is a former beau. Still, I wish she spent a little more time working with her retreat attendees. I really think she needs to practice the projects prior to each retreat.
Enough about me, though.
As usual, the novel was light and glib. I thought for sure that I knew who committed the murder. I was wrong.
Granted, this time Casey had personal reasons for investigating the murder. Dr. Sammy, after all, is a former beau. Still, I wish she spent a little more time working with her retreat attendees. I really think she needs to practice the projects prior to each retreat.
Enough about me, though.
As usual, the novel was light and glib. I thought for sure that I knew who committed the murder. I was wrong.
April 4, 2020
A mystery yarn retreat coincides with a “Back to the Year 1963” event at Vista Del Mar. But the tote bag of various unknown yarns for the retreat goers isn’t the only mystery. When Doctor Sammy tries to curtail the arguments of an obnoxious woman at the retreat, she ruins his magic act. And when she is found murdered later that night, strangled with one of Sammy’s scarves, he becomes the prime suspect. And he beseeches Casey to find the real murderer. It takes her a while to put the pieces together, and Sammy is ready to bolt. Author Betty Hechtman does a good job of disguising the clues to keep readers guessing whodunit.
November 22, 2020
Casey's next yarn retreat she will be prepared for. Each guest will get a mystery bag of yarns and materials they will turn into something unique and personal. That is, until the wife of another retreat organizer at the hotel is found dead. She was strangled with the scarves Dr. Sammy [Casey's ex-boyfriend] used in his magic act at the hotel. Casey hides Sammy in the guest house behind her home until the murderer is found. Really? Noone discovers him there? An okay read. Casey is out of her element organizing these retreats and feels guilty that Sammy has moved there to pursue her. The characters at her retreats are far more interesting than Casey.
December 11, 2017
Casey has taken over her aunt's yarn retreat business, although she's only learning fabric arts herself. This time, her group is sharing the resort with a much larger group that celebrates past years. When one of the 1963 people is found murdered, Casey's magician friend, a doctor who has moved from Chicago, she fears, because he's still not over her, becomes a suspect. Casey hides him in her tiny guest house while she tries to investigate the murder and avoid the handsome policeman who lives just down the street.
April 10, 2021
Casey is starting her next yarn retreat. She is more confident and ready for this one to be a good one. They will be sharing the space with a large retreat who enjoys going back in time. When As usual Casey stumbles across another body. Thankfully this time the person isn't connected to her retreat, however, someone she's close to may be blamed.
I'm really getting into this series. The characters and the story are good. Although, I hope Casey soon realizes she deserves to be in one spot for a while and that she deserves to be happy. As always, I can't wait to see what happens next.
I'm really getting into this series. The characters and the story are good. Although, I hope Casey soon realizes she deserves to be in one spot for a while and that she deserves to be happy. As always, I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 10, 2022
Casey is back, and her ex has gotten tangled up as the suspect of a murder this time! At least the deceased isn't one of the people from her yarn retreats this time! She's got to find the real killer so that Dr. Sammy doesn't get hailed off to jail.
These books are exactly the goofy cozy murder mysteries I love, and the yarn angle is always fun. I have to wonder, since I'm listening to them rather than reading the book, if they end up with yarn patterns in the ends. Even if they don't, they're still fun to listen to while I'm getting things done.
These books are exactly the goofy cozy murder mysteries I love, and the yarn angle is always fun. I have to wonder, since I'm listening to them rather than reading the book, if they end up with yarn patterns in the ends. Even if they don't, they're still fun to listen to while I'm getting things done.
February 29, 2024
This is the 3rd book in this series and while I really enjoyed the first two, this one seemed a little disjointed and lacking in development. It seemed a bit rushed to me too. I did enjoy returning to Cadbury and I love joining in on Casey's knitting retreats. This book seemed to fall short on the warmth and welcome to the knitting retreat and also the murder story. I'm looking forward to the next one to see if the author can create the same level of enjoyment as the first two books. I also hope that Dane and Casey get to go on a real date.
December 4, 2020
Sometimes when you read a series you kind of get tired of certain details being repeated over and over again. It should be a rule that you HAVE to read a series in order. This way you get the details needed as the story develops & minimal repeats.
That being said, I love this series. I never guessed that Bobbie was really his cousin Frankie! And I’m so glad she finally revealed who the Delecorte heir is. I’m excited to see how this plays out in the next books of the series.
That being said, I love this series. I never guessed that Bobbie was really his cousin Frankie! And I’m so glad she finally revealed who the Delecorte heir is. I’m excited to see how this plays out in the next books of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
Casey has to help her ex boyfriend when he is sought after by the police. A new group has come to Vista Del Mar for a retreat. This is a large group and Sammy is hired to entertain them on opening day. But one of the retreaters is mean and ruins Sammy's tricks. He gets upset and heads for the martini bar. The next day she is found dead and Sammy cannot remember what he did the night before. Could Sammy have actually killed her? Casey has to find out who killed the woman to save her friend.
September 23, 2021
I like Casey and her sensible little town of Cadbury with the cloudy cool weather. Ye Olde Nothing! :D I love the idea of the yarn retreats, though there wasn't much detail in this edition. I love Julius the cat, Sammy the Magician, Frank and Tag Mr. OCD. I like how she calls her ex-boss for sleuthing ideas. I like the overarching mystery of the lost heir. All in all a great series that I always enjoy.
April 13, 2022
A cute cosy mystery that mixes a knitting retreat with a 1963 retreat put on by the hotel and its bossy, surly manager. It was interesting picturing the music, movies, and clothes of the 1963 era—the Jackie Kennedy look, hairdo and pillbox hat. Nevertheless, there is a murder, and the magician, Sammy, is hunted by the police; but, of course, is not the murderer, who is found out by our knitting-retreat sleuth. (I have no idea what “stink fish” is, but Julius certainly likes it.)
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