What do you think?
Rate this book
Mainely Needlepoint #3
Thread and Gone
When a priceless antique is stolen, murder unravels the peaceful seaside town of Haven Harbor, Maine. . .
Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group's Fourth of July supper with a question about an antique needlepoint she's discovered in her family attic, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.
Angie's best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If Angie's right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in a safe in her office. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins. . .
Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group's Fourth of July supper with a question about an antique needlepoint she's discovered in her family attic, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.
Angie's best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If Angie's right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in a safe in her office. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins. . .
290 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 29, 2015
226 people are currently reading
1061 people want to read
About the author
Lea Wait
40 books509 followersMaine author Lea Wait writes the NYT-praised 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the latest of which is SHADWS ON A MORNING IN MAINE, and the USA Today best-selling Mainely Needlepoint series which debuted with TWISTED THREADS in January, 2015, and was followed by THREADS OF EVIDENCE in August, 2015, THREAD AND GONE, in January, 2016, DANGLING BY A THREAD in late October, 2016, and TIGHTENING THE THREADS in March, 2017. Wait also writes acclaimed historical novels for ages 8 and up set in 19th century Maine, the latest of which, UNCERTAIN GLORY, takes place in a small northern town during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea's LIVING AND WRITING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, about being an author and living year 'round in Maine with a husband who's an artist also includes writing tips. Lea did her undergraduate work at Chatham College (now University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her graduate work at New York University. While she was raising the four daughters she adopted as a single parent she worked as a manager for AT&T. Now she writes full time and speaks at schools and libraries. She loves rowing, visiting historical sites, and, of course, reading and writing. See her website,
www.leawait.com, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, http://www.mainecrimewriters.com, friend her on FB and Goodreads, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at leawait@roadrunner.com
www.leawait.com, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, http://www.mainecrimewriters.com, friend her on FB and Goodreads, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at leawait@roadrunner.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
January 19, 2021
Thread and Gone is this third book in Lea Wait's Mainely Needlepoint cozy mystery series. I know little about knitting but I am keen to move to Maine, so it seemed like a good series to start. Once I did last month, I couldn't stop... just finished this one and already ordering the fourth of about nine in total. If you're a fan of light mysteries, wonderful settings, and particularly in this book, historical royal lineage, you will be excited.
Angie's learning to live in her grandmother's house on her own. She used to reside alone in Arizona, but after her mother's killer was brought to justice, she returned and temporarily decided to stay in Maine. Her grandmother recently remarried and moved in with her new husband. Then, the brother of the local detective whom she had a crush on in high school comes by with his new girlfriend. "Do you think this needlepoint is worth anything?" Angie works with the other needlepointers to determine whether it belonged to Queen Mary of Scots, and if so, how did the girl's family know them ~ five hundred years ago. Shortly after giving the needlepoint to a lawyer friend, the woman is found murdered. Was it connected? Or did the woman have other problems that someone came after her for?
One of my favorite aspects of this mystery was how they trace the provenance of the needlepoint through paperwork, internet research, and chatting with folks around town. It all came together in a very intriguing manner; however, the cast of suspects who'd possibly stolen and killed for it wasn't very plausible. I tend to go with vague connections but in this one, I think the book was a bit too short and rushed. I could've found a stronger path if we'd spent more time on connecting the victim and the relationships she had above and beyond the needlepoint. It was still fun though, and I like the series a lot. Will definitely keep reading for the setting and main character alone.
Angie's learning to live in her grandmother's house on her own. She used to reside alone in Arizona, but after her mother's killer was brought to justice, she returned and temporarily decided to stay in Maine. Her grandmother recently remarried and moved in with her new husband. Then, the brother of the local detective whom she had a crush on in high school comes by with his new girlfriend. "Do you think this needlepoint is worth anything?" Angie works with the other needlepointers to determine whether it belonged to Queen Mary of Scots, and if so, how did the girl's family know them ~ five hundred years ago. Shortly after giving the needlepoint to a lawyer friend, the woman is found murdered. Was it connected? Or did the woman have other problems that someone came after her for?
One of my favorite aspects of this mystery was how they trace the provenance of the needlepoint through paperwork, internet research, and chatting with folks around town. It all came together in a very intriguing manner; however, the cast of suspects who'd possibly stolen and killed for it wasn't very plausible. I tend to go with vague connections but in this one, I think the book was a bit too short and rushed. I could've found a stronger path if we'd spent more time on connecting the victim and the relationships she had above and beyond the needlepoint. It was still fun though, and I like the series a lot. Will definitely keep reading for the setting and main character alone.
January 5, 2016
This is an author review -- so, first, I want to share how much fun I had doing the research for THREAD AND GONE, and then writing it. Connecting Mary Queen of Scots to Marie Antoinette and then to the coast of Maine was a challenge, but I found amazing ways in which it worked. I'll admit I love history, but I hope even if you don't, you'll enjoy the puzzle. (And don't forget to read my Author's Note at the end, in which I share my own personal connection to this story.) Of course, most of the book is set in Haven Harbor, Maine today .. . and there's nothing better than a July week on the coast of Maine. So welcome back to Haven Harbor, and Angie Curtis and her Mainely Needlepointing friends. And stay tuned! They'll next be seen in DANGLING BY A THREAD, in November, 2016!
September 17, 2018
Angela Curtis and the Mainely Needlepointers are on a quest to find out the details about a unique piece of delicate embroidery that was brought to them for analysis by Mary Clough, a seventeen year-old girl, who found it in the attic eaves of her family’s old house. At least one of the Needlepointers believes it could date back to 16th century Elizabethan times and may even have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots. If so, it’s quite valuable, so Angela proposes that the embroidery be secured within an attorney’s office for safe keeping since Mary’s fiancé voices his concerns about it getting lost or even stolen by the Needlepointers. But when the safe is broken into and the embroidery is stolen along with some valuable jewellery, and the attorney is found dead, the Needlepointers find themselves with more than a needlepoint mystery on their hands to solve.
Lea Wait is my go-to author for highly intelligent, well-constructed cozy mysteries. Her intricately woven plots are so impressive that I often forget that I’m reading a cozy. I can always look forward to acquiring new and interesting facts when I read her books. There’s usually some historical facts that factor into the mystery, and I always come away feeling wiser about fascinating subjects I wasn’t previously familiar with. In Thread and Gone, I received a lesson in who Mary, Queen of Scots was, and how needlepoint was a major part of her life. I also learned about Marie Antoinette and several other details that made me think of how much research went into preparing this mystery for the reader’s enjoyment.
Lea Wait is a heavyweight in this genre. If you enjoy a solid mystery, but without the profanity and gratuitous violence present in some traditional mysteries, I highly recommend that you try Lea Wait’s Mainely Needlepoint series. You will NOT be disappointed.
Lea Wait is my go-to author for highly intelligent, well-constructed cozy mysteries. Her intricately woven plots are so impressive that I often forget that I’m reading a cozy. I can always look forward to acquiring new and interesting facts when I read her books. There’s usually some historical facts that factor into the mystery, and I always come away feeling wiser about fascinating subjects I wasn’t previously familiar with. In Thread and Gone, I received a lesson in who Mary, Queen of Scots was, and how needlepoint was a major part of her life. I also learned about Marie Antoinette and several other details that made me think of how much research went into preparing this mystery for the reader’s enjoyment.
Lea Wait is a heavyweight in this genre. If you enjoy a solid mystery, but without the profanity and gratuitous violence present in some traditional mysteries, I highly recommend that you try Lea Wait’s Mainely Needlepoint series. You will NOT be disappointed.
June 11, 2017
From the cover: Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group's Fourth of July supper with a question about an antique needlepoint she's discovered in her family attic, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter. Angie's best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If Angie's right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in a safe in her office. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins.
I have read another in this series (not in order). This book was like the other in that the main characters are strong and an interesting plot that brought in some history. I like the main female lead Angie as the amateur sleuth (she had worked for a detective agency before) and she gets help from other in her group, the Mainely Needlepointers. The story can get a little tedious with always pointing out that so many people in the small town worked hours for little pay and were tired. But that then lead to having lots of suspects. This is a good and fast read cozy mystery and I do plan to read the others in the series.
I have read another in this series (not in order). This book was like the other in that the main characters are strong and an interesting plot that brought in some history. I like the main female lead Angie as the amateur sleuth (she had worked for a detective agency before) and she gets help from other in her group, the Mainely Needlepointers. The story can get a little tedious with always pointing out that so many people in the small town worked hours for little pay and were tired. But that then lead to having lots of suspects. This is a good and fast read cozy mystery and I do plan to read the others in the series.
February 24, 2016
This book ticked all my boxes. Needlework? Love it. Cozy Mystery? Heck yeah. History? Give me more. You'd think that combining all my major loves into one book would mean an instant 5 star read, right? Yeah. No. Sadly this book was a huge waste of potential. The characters were one dimensional and dull, the story was barely even a story, and the pacing was just off.
At no point was there a real mystery that our protagonist (sorry, don't remember her name and don't care enough to look it up) actively tried to solve. She just seemed to wander around and occasionally someone with important information would talk to her. Heck, in the climax, This book suffered from a serious case of "tell-don't-show-itis".
Also, like I mentioned earlier, the pacing was so strange, even down to the break up of the chapters. The chapter breaks almost felt like the publisher/author expected this book to be read on the bus or in the line at the grocery store. Chapters would literally end and the next pick up mid-conversation when there was no natural breaking point. It was jarring and unnecessary. Slightly spoilery example: Now, that whole chapter was unnecessary and the break was so jarring, especially as each chapter begins with historical quotes (which actually were my favorite parts of the book). Then there's another serious slump in pacing until the end with a rather silly action scene. Nope. Not feelin' it.
Ok. Now, this is the thing that bothered me the most, although I admit, it's rather silly. The series is called "Mainely Needlepoint" series. The term "needlepoint" is used SEVERAL times in this book, both in general and to describe the stolen artifact. Problem is...there's no needlepoint in this book. At all. None. The piece that the story revolves around is embroidery, not needlepoint. They are not the same. Some times the characters use the right term of "embroidery", but 90% of the time, "needlepoint" was used. If only the author had used the term "needlework", I'd have one less thing to complain about.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
At no point was there a real mystery that our protagonist (sorry, don't remember her name and don't care enough to look it up) actively tried to solve. She just seemed to wander around and occasionally someone with important information would talk to her. Heck, in the climax, This book suffered from a serious case of "tell-don't-show-itis".
Also, like I mentioned earlier, the pacing was so strange, even down to the break up of the chapters. The chapter breaks almost felt like the publisher/author expected this book to be read on the bus or in the line at the grocery store. Chapters would literally end and the next pick up mid-conversation when there was no natural breaking point. It was jarring and unnecessary. Slightly spoilery example: Now, that whole chapter was unnecessary and the break was so jarring, especially as each chapter begins with historical quotes (which actually were my favorite parts of the book). Then there's another serious slump in pacing until the end with a rather silly action scene. Nope. Not feelin' it.
Ok. Now, this is the thing that bothered me the most, although I admit, it's rather silly. The series is called "Mainely Needlepoint" series. The term "needlepoint" is used SEVERAL times in this book, both in general and to describe the stolen artifact. Problem is...there's no needlepoint in this book. At all. None. The piece that the story revolves around is embroidery, not needlepoint. They are not the same. Some times the characters use the right term of "embroidery", but 90% of the time, "needlepoint" was used. If only the author had used the term "needlework", I'd have one less thing to complain about.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
November 24, 2015
Thread And Gone is the third book in the Mainely Needlepoint series. Another great story for this enjoyable series.
With Grams and Pastor Tom off on their honeymoon, Angie is preparing her first 4th of July dinner for her friends, the Mainely Needlepointer's. As they are about to begin their dessert, Mary Clough and her boyfriend Rob Trask show up and ask to speak with Angie. Ethan Trask, Rob's brother, and a state trooper has told them to talk to Angie about what appears to a very example of needlepoint. Mary, who is close to her 18th birthday, has been busy cleaning out the family home she has inherited. Angie and Sarah feel sure that the needlepoint piece may date back to the late 1500's and was made by Mary Queen of Scots. Mary and Rob plan on getting married soon and Rob wants Mary to sell the piece so he can get a down payment for a lobster boat and a double-wide trailer. Angie convinces Mary to let her give the piece to Lenore Pendleton, a lawyer, to put in her office safe until she and Sarah can authenticate it and possibly get a provenance for it.
Then the day after Angie leaves the piece with Pendleton is found dead in her office, the safe wide open and the needlepoint piece gone. Naturally, Angie feels bad about Pendleton being murdered, but even more that a needlework which had in intrusted to her is missing. Angie and Sarah continue to pursue the background of the piece and find are able to find a link the piece with Mary,Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette. Now if they can just find the missing needlepoint work so it can be returned to Mary, they also just might be able to find the murderer.
Wait also provides chapter headings that describe various needlepoint works through the ages. She also provides the reader with a short history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Marie Antoinette and the sea captain that bought the piece to America in the late 1700's. Delicious sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I love this series, even though I'm not a needlepointer, as Wait provides the reader with an interesting look at the life in a small seaport of Maine and it's interesting residents.
Will definitely be watching for the next books in this series.
With Grams and Pastor Tom off on their honeymoon, Angie is preparing her first 4th of July dinner for her friends, the Mainely Needlepointer's. As they are about to begin their dessert, Mary Clough and her boyfriend Rob Trask show up and ask to speak with Angie. Ethan Trask, Rob's brother, and a state trooper has told them to talk to Angie about what appears to a very example of needlepoint. Mary, who is close to her 18th birthday, has been busy cleaning out the family home she has inherited. Angie and Sarah feel sure that the needlepoint piece may date back to the late 1500's and was made by Mary Queen of Scots. Mary and Rob plan on getting married soon and Rob wants Mary to sell the piece so he can get a down payment for a lobster boat and a double-wide trailer. Angie convinces Mary to let her give the piece to Lenore Pendleton, a lawyer, to put in her office safe until she and Sarah can authenticate it and possibly get a provenance for it.
Then the day after Angie leaves the piece with Pendleton is found dead in her office, the safe wide open and the needlepoint piece gone. Naturally, Angie feels bad about Pendleton being murdered, but even more that a needlework which had in intrusted to her is missing. Angie and Sarah continue to pursue the background of the piece and find are able to find a link the piece with Mary,Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette. Now if they can just find the missing needlepoint work so it can be returned to Mary, they also just might be able to find the murderer.
Wait also provides chapter headings that describe various needlepoint works through the ages. She also provides the reader with a short history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Marie Antoinette and the sea captain that bought the piece to America in the late 1700's. Delicious sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I love this series, even though I'm not a needlepointer, as Wait provides the reader with an interesting look at the life in a small seaport of Maine and it's interesting residents.
Will definitely be watching for the next books in this series.
December 29, 2015
Author Lea Wait has embroidered mystery and needlepoint to create a masterpiece of a cozy!
I started this series with book two, THREADS OF EVIDENCE and instantly fell for this delightful series. Protagonist Angie Curtis and her group of Mainely Needlepointers are a great cast of characters. The setting of Haven Harbor, Maine sounds like just the sort of place I’d love to visit.
With THREAD AND GONE, author Wait has penned an excellent mystery that kept me rooted to my chair. The intrigue started right away, and I wasn’t about to stop reading until I knew all the answers. With an exciting conclusion that lasted for at least two chapters, I was out of breath by the time I finished they story!
On a side note…I love that each chapter starts with a quote or tidbit. They’re fun and interesting to read.
Make sure to check out the back of the book for a yummy recipe, and an excerpt of DANGLING BY A THREAD, book four in this wonderful series!
I started this series with book two, THREADS OF EVIDENCE and instantly fell for this delightful series. Protagonist Angie Curtis and her group of Mainely Needlepointers are a great cast of characters. The setting of Haven Harbor, Maine sounds like just the sort of place I’d love to visit.
With THREAD AND GONE, author Wait has penned an excellent mystery that kept me rooted to my chair. The intrigue started right away, and I wasn’t about to stop reading until I knew all the answers. With an exciting conclusion that lasted for at least two chapters, I was out of breath by the time I finished they story!
On a side note…I love that each chapter starts with a quote or tidbit. They’re fun and interesting to read.
Make sure to check out the back of the book for a yummy recipe, and an excerpt of DANGLING BY A THREAD, book four in this wonderful series!
December 29, 2015
The Mainely Needlepointers receive an old tapestry from Mary Clough to learn about its history. Angie Curtis takes the stitching piece to her lawyer so it can be put in a safe. There is story about the needle work was done by Mary, Queen of Scots; if so it is very valuable. Later the lawyer is found strangled to death.and the contents of the safe missing. Angie and friends search to find answers to the questions.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
December 30, 2015
I do enjoy this series and this entry didn't disappoint. Of course, I may be slightly biased since my pseudonym turned up in the text and my real name was in the author's note. As always, Lea Wait does a superb job of portraying life on the coast of Maine. My only complaint is that I have to wait until November to see what happens next in Angie's life.
September 17, 2018
On the surface, this is very much not a me kind of series. But nonetheless I really like it. The characters work, I like the setting, and find it a lot more enjoyable than a lot of the other crafty cozy series.
December 29, 2015
I discovered two brand-new cozy mystery series in 2015 that I absolutely love, and Lea Wait's Mainely Needlepoint series is one of them. Wait has a knack for combining strong characters and intriguing plots filled with fascinating historical tidbits, and I find it irresistible.
In Thread and Gone, one piece of extremely old needlepoint has possible ties to Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots, and all of the Scottish queen's attendants who were also named Mary. (It's not as confusing as it sounds.) Wait also highlights a connection between Maine and France that I'd forgotten, and I appreciated the memory jog. In addition, the author's inclusion of quotes at the beginning of each chapter gives a real sense of the history of needlepoint.
So many of those on the suspect list are locals living in a poor area dependent on tourism. Times are hard. Money is scarce. Wait does an excellent job of showing us people who are tired of working endless hours to barely make ends meet, and she does it in a subtle way to root us firmly in the setting. (It also makes it more difficult to pinpoint the killer!)
As always, Wait's characters shine. Level-headed, smart Angie Curtis previously worked for a detective agency, and this makes her one of the best amateur sleuths around. This time she's not aided by her grandmother, who's on her honeymoon in Canada. I did miss her, but the elderly Ruth filled in very well. One of the Mainely Needlepointers, Ruth is crippled by arthritis and helps Angie with online research. The fact that Ruth also writes and publishes erotica adds a little spice to a character too many would dismiss simply as a crippled old woman.
i think you can see by now why I enjoy this series so much. There are three books in the series so far, and I've read all three this year-- something that I very, very seldom ever do. All I can say is bring on number four!
In Thread and Gone, one piece of extremely old needlepoint has possible ties to Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots, and all of the Scottish queen's attendants who were also named Mary. (It's not as confusing as it sounds.) Wait also highlights a connection between Maine and France that I'd forgotten, and I appreciated the memory jog. In addition, the author's inclusion of quotes at the beginning of each chapter gives a real sense of the history of needlepoint.
So many of those on the suspect list are locals living in a poor area dependent on tourism. Times are hard. Money is scarce. Wait does an excellent job of showing us people who are tired of working endless hours to barely make ends meet, and she does it in a subtle way to root us firmly in the setting. (It also makes it more difficult to pinpoint the killer!)
As always, Wait's characters shine. Level-headed, smart Angie Curtis previously worked for a detective agency, and this makes her one of the best amateur sleuths around. This time she's not aided by her grandmother, who's on her honeymoon in Canada. I did miss her, but the elderly Ruth filled in very well. One of the Mainely Needlepointers, Ruth is crippled by arthritis and helps Angie with online research. The fact that Ruth also writes and publishes erotica adds a little spice to a character too many would dismiss simply as a crippled old woman.
i think you can see by now why I enjoy this series so much. There are three books in the series so far, and I've read all three this year-- something that I very, very seldom ever do. All I can say is bring on number four!
November 13, 2015
I was excited to read this new book in the needlepoint series. While I enjoyed the history regarding Mary, Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette, I was not as engaged in the story as I hoped I would be.
I missed the needlepoint group as a whole, when they got together it made the story more enjoyable. I felt that some of the mystery was left unsolved, but maybe the author is holding out until the next book.
I did not like Rob Trask at all, he was not portrayed as a nice guy and I had a hard time getting through the story because he was such an unlikable character.
My other issue is with Angie and her drinking. I'm not sure if the author is intentionally making her drinking an issue, but I am a bit tired of all the innuendos surrounding her habits. Again, maybe this topic will be answered in her future books, but this time I was a bit disappointed by the story as a whole. There were some really interesting parts, but some very disjointed parts as well. I will not give up on the series, I am hoping the next book will answer some of my questions.
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing in exchange for my fair and honest review.
I missed the needlepoint group as a whole, when they got together it made the story more enjoyable. I felt that some of the mystery was left unsolved, but maybe the author is holding out until the next book.
I did not like Rob Trask at all, he was not portrayed as a nice guy and I had a hard time getting through the story because he was such an unlikable character.
My other issue is with Angie and her drinking. I'm not sure if the author is intentionally making her drinking an issue, but I am a bit tired of all the innuendos surrounding her habits. Again, maybe this topic will be answered in her future books, but this time I was a bit disappointed by the story as a whole. There were some really interesting parts, but some very disjointed parts as well. I will not give up on the series, I am hoping the next book will answer some of my questions.
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing in exchange for my fair and honest review.
May 10, 2023
Three times wasn’t a charm with this third installation of the Mainely Needlepoint series. This is so similar to Barbara Ross’s books that I think they are using the same outline and just changing the names and locale. Angie has had a crush on Trask since she was 12, just like Julia’s been pinning for Chris from her school days. C’mon.
Why is Angie always drinking? Does she have a hidden problem? I hope Mary wises up and dumps Rob. He is just a hateful piece of garbage. Maybe the next book will tell me.
The history of the “Marys” was boring and confusing and pretty far fetched. I’ll continue with these stories just to see how the characters all end up. The author died in 2019 so the series must end, unless Barbara Ross was authorized to carry on the torch.
PS - in the two previous books the hair salon is Mane Waves - now it’s Maine Waves. How come? Because the previous owner was a murderer?
Why is Angie always drinking? Does she have a hidden problem? I hope Mary wises up and dumps Rob. He is just a hateful piece of garbage. Maybe the next book will tell me.
The history of the “Marys” was boring and confusing and pretty far fetched. I’ll continue with these stories just to see how the characters all end up. The author died in 2019 so the series must end, unless Barbara Ross was authorized to carry on the torch.
PS - in the two previous books the hair salon is Mane Waves - now it’s Maine Waves. How come? Because the previous owner was a murderer?
September 2, 2024
A little more history than I like, but a decent read.
January 14, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was so impressed with this story. Could you imagine having a piece of needlework that could be from the 1500’s? What a treasure, until it goes missing. They had thought a lawyer’s safe would be secure but sadly it wasn’t and the attorney was killed when it was stolen. I think I would have gone over the edge. But Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers keep their heads about them and do the research and investigate not only the provenance of the stitched piece but do everything to catch a murderer too.
This was one of those stories that once you start reading you just can’t stop. I really enjoyed all the history. The many Mary’s of Scotland and the connection to France and Maine. It was so interesting and tickled my memory. I probably learned all about it back in school and this story brought it all back and more.
Lea Wait also shines a light on the local economy which reflects the economy nationwide as we all are working harder just to get by. It really helped me to identify with the characters in the story. Gram is away on her honeymoon for most of this story but Angie is getting much more comfortable running the business. Sarah Byrne, one of the Mainely Needlepointers, played a big part this time with her knowledge of history and antiques. They were also assisted by fellow needlepointers, Dave Percy and Ruth Hopkins. Dave teaches biology at the high school. Ruth is elderly and arthritis in her hands makes it hard to do much stitching but she a huge help investigating.
Each chapter starts with verses that were stitched on samplers from the past.
“When idle drones supinely dream of fame the industrious actually get the same.” – Verse stitched on sampler by Sally Alger at Miss Polly Balch’s School in Providence, Rhode Island, 1782
Another marvelous mystery from Lea Wait.
I was so impressed with this story. Could you imagine having a piece of needlework that could be from the 1500’s? What a treasure, until it goes missing. They had thought a lawyer’s safe would be secure but sadly it wasn’t and the attorney was killed when it was stolen. I think I would have gone over the edge. But Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers keep their heads about them and do the research and investigate not only the provenance of the stitched piece but do everything to catch a murderer too.
This was one of those stories that once you start reading you just can’t stop. I really enjoyed all the history. The many Mary’s of Scotland and the connection to France and Maine. It was so interesting and tickled my memory. I probably learned all about it back in school and this story brought it all back and more.
Lea Wait also shines a light on the local economy which reflects the economy nationwide as we all are working harder just to get by. It really helped me to identify with the characters in the story. Gram is away on her honeymoon for most of this story but Angie is getting much more comfortable running the business. Sarah Byrne, one of the Mainely Needlepointers, played a big part this time with her knowledge of history and antiques. They were also assisted by fellow needlepointers, Dave Percy and Ruth Hopkins. Dave teaches biology at the high school. Ruth is elderly and arthritis in her hands makes it hard to do much stitching but she a huge help investigating.
Each chapter starts with verses that were stitched on samplers from the past.
“When idle drones supinely dream of fame the industrious actually get the same.” – Verse stitched on sampler by Sally Alger at Miss Polly Balch’s School in Providence, Rhode Island, 1782
Another marvelous mystery from Lea Wait.
April 7, 2016
Starting a new book in this series is like curling up with a warm blanket and a cup of tea on a cold and dreary day. It's so comfortable and I'm immediately pulled back into the world of Angie Curtis and Haven Harbor, Maine. This visit to Haven Harbor takes place in July and the lobster boats are bringing in tons of fresh lobster. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book as it filled in a bit of what life in Haven Harbor is really like.
I loved the research done on the needlepoint. Wait always pulls in a historical mystery in some way and this one involving Mary, Queen of Scots was fascinating. I especially enjoyed the note at the end where she explains what is really true and her own personal connection to the story.
Angie's personal life is still meandering along and I enjoyed seeing her friendship with Sarah as well as her relationship with her grandmother and the changes that her grandmother's marriage are going to bring. I was pleased that there was less emphasis on Angie's drinking. In the last book Angie spent a lot of time drinking heavily and that was distracting. There were a few mentions in this book but it seemed less prevalent.
As for the murder itself it definitely kept me turning pages. I had a few suspicions of what was going to happen but I didn't have everything figured out. This is a series that is proving to be tried and true. I'm looking forward to the next book to catch up with the residents of Harbor Haven and see what mess they land themselves in next!
Full Review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot...
I loved the research done on the needlepoint. Wait always pulls in a historical mystery in some way and this one involving Mary, Queen of Scots was fascinating. I especially enjoyed the note at the end where she explains what is really true and her own personal connection to the story.
Angie's personal life is still meandering along and I enjoyed seeing her friendship with Sarah as well as her relationship with her grandmother and the changes that her grandmother's marriage are going to bring. I was pleased that there was less emphasis on Angie's drinking. In the last book Angie spent a lot of time drinking heavily and that was distracting. There were a few mentions in this book but it seemed less prevalent.
As for the murder itself it definitely kept me turning pages. I had a few suspicions of what was going to happen but I didn't have everything figured out. This is a series that is proving to be tried and true. I'm looking forward to the next book to catch up with the residents of Harbor Haven and see what mess they land themselves in next!
Full Review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot...
December 24, 2015
Thread and Gone, the newest installment of the Mainely Needlepoint mystery series is easily as good or better than its predecessors. Lea Wait knows how keep readers enthralled on multiple levels.
In Thread and Gone, a local lawyer is murdered and everything in her safe, both jewelry and a potentially valuable piece of needlework is stolen. On another level, there is also the mystery of the origin of the needlework itself, delving into the history and the possible connection of the piece to Mary Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette. While some of the historical connections within the novel are fiction, Lea Wait's research adds depth and interest to the novel. It’s difficult to say which mystery is more fascinating.
Angie Curtis puts her PI skills to good use in her search for the missing piece of embroidery and the killer. The knowledge of her friends and fellow needlepointers comes in handy, as they are able to research the origins of the embroidery and the links to the Clough family. The two mysteries blend well, as do the skills of Angie and her friends.
I also liked the inclusion of quotes from pieces of needlework at the start of each chapter. They add to the unique flavor of this delightful cozy series.
Whether you are an avid fan of needlework or simply enjoy reading an entertaining cozy mystery, you can't go wrong with picking up a copy of Thread and Gone.
5/5
Thread and Gone is available for preorder and will be released December 29, 2015.
I received a copy of Thread and Gone from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
In Thread and Gone, a local lawyer is murdered and everything in her safe, both jewelry and a potentially valuable piece of needlework is stolen. On another level, there is also the mystery of the origin of the needlework itself, delving into the history and the possible connection of the piece to Mary Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette. While some of the historical connections within the novel are fiction, Lea Wait's research adds depth and interest to the novel. It’s difficult to say which mystery is more fascinating.
Angie Curtis puts her PI skills to good use in her search for the missing piece of embroidery and the killer. The knowledge of her friends and fellow needlepointers comes in handy, as they are able to research the origins of the embroidery and the links to the Clough family. The two mysteries blend well, as do the skills of Angie and her friends.
I also liked the inclusion of quotes from pieces of needlework at the start of each chapter. They add to the unique flavor of this delightful cozy series.
Whether you are an avid fan of needlework or simply enjoy reading an entertaining cozy mystery, you can't go wrong with picking up a copy of Thread and Gone.
5/5
Thread and Gone is available for preorder and will be released December 29, 2015.
I received a copy of Thread and Gone from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
November 18, 2015
Thread and Gone is the third book in the Mainely Needlepoint series. This is the first one I've read of the series, and there are a few references to the earlier books, but nothing that was confusing or made me feel lost.
The setting, a small town in Maine, is quaint and cozy; who can't picture small town New England? It's an easy setting to lose yourself in, vivid and picturesque. Likeable characters, especially the main character, Angie, are easy to relate to and realistic. I really enjoyed the plots, both the investigation into the murder and the history and intrigue about the embroidery. The story was paced well, although there was a lot of internal dialogue that recapped the story. As I read the book straight through, it wasn't needed for me but I could see how it would help refresh things for people who didn't read it all at once, like I did.
The only thing that detracted from the story is that the story ended with the embroidery being found, but didn't resolve whether it was valuable. It was a loose thread (pun intended) that left the story a bit unfinished for me. Perhaps it will be picked up in the next book.
Overall an enjoyable read and a big thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
The setting, a small town in Maine, is quaint and cozy; who can't picture small town New England? It's an easy setting to lose yourself in, vivid and picturesque. Likeable characters, especially the main character, Angie, are easy to relate to and realistic. I really enjoyed the plots, both the investigation into the murder and the history and intrigue about the embroidery. The story was paced well, although there was a lot of internal dialogue that recapped the story. As I read the book straight through, it wasn't needed for me but I could see how it would help refresh things for people who didn't read it all at once, like I did.
The only thing that detracted from the story is that the story ended with the embroidery being found, but didn't resolve whether it was valuable. It was a loose thread (pun intended) that left the story a bit unfinished for me. Perhaps it will be picked up in the next book.
Overall an enjoyable read and a big thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
June 1, 2019
Angie Curtis has returned and is living
in Haven Harbor, Maine. She has taken
over the business her Gram started called
Mainely Needlepoint.
On July Fourth ,Angie has a dinner for her
Her group of stitchers that help her create
the pieces sold.
A you g couple arrives at her door bringing
with them an ancient piece of needlework
plus a better written in French. The young
woman found these in her attic.
Is it worth anything? Could it be from the
1500’s? Could this connect Mary, Queen of
Scott’s and Marie Antonette to Maine?
Angie takes the antique and letter to her
lawyer who has a safe.
The lawyer turns up murdered plus the safe
was robbed of the needlework,letter and the
lawyer’s jewelry. So the mystery begins.
Then a tourist is found murdered.
What is happening in Haven Harbor?
Angie is on the job investigating.
Each chapter starts with a verse and
description of ancient samplers with the
source of publication and the stitchers history.
This is a intriguing, intricate complex mystery
filled with historical fiction that will keep the
reader glued to the book from the first to the
last page.
There is an array of characters from the local
to the tourist that portrays the economy of the
time.
This is book # 3 in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery
Series. It can be read as a stand alone.
in Haven Harbor, Maine. She has taken
over the business her Gram started called
Mainely Needlepoint.
On July Fourth ,Angie has a dinner for her
Her group of stitchers that help her create
the pieces sold.
A you g couple arrives at her door bringing
with them an ancient piece of needlework
plus a better written in French. The young
woman found these in her attic.
Is it worth anything? Could it be from the
1500’s? Could this connect Mary, Queen of
Scott’s and Marie Antonette to Maine?
Angie takes the antique and letter to her
lawyer who has a safe.
The lawyer turns up murdered plus the safe
was robbed of the needlework,letter and the
lawyer’s jewelry. So the mystery begins.
Then a tourist is found murdered.
What is happening in Haven Harbor?
Angie is on the job investigating.
Each chapter starts with a verse and
description of ancient samplers with the
source of publication and the stitchers history.
This is a intriguing, intricate complex mystery
filled with historical fiction that will keep the
reader glued to the book from the first to the
last page.
There is an array of characters from the local
to the tourist that portrays the economy of the
time.
This is book # 3 in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery
Series. It can be read as a stand alone.
January 18, 2016
Review: THREAD AND GONE by Lea Wait
The Mainely Needlepoint-ers are on their third adventure in the popular summer destination of Haven Harbor, Maine, a port community with its own lighthouse, near Three Sisters Islands. This eclectic group of dedicated enthusiasts commit to researching a potentially priceless embroidered "Byrd of America" (sic) which quite possibly may be a work of love by that 16th century controversial historical personage, Mary Queen of Scots (temporarily Queen of France). Provenance seems a moot question when the attorney keeping the needlepoint and it's accompanying missive in French in her safe is found murdered, and the trusted items disappear.
I enjoy a crafting cozy such as THREAD AND GONE, with its emphasis on craft and talent, and historical research into crafters of past time. Then, too, it's intriguing to watch characters play out their motivations, and compare them to real-life individuals we know. THREAD AND GONE is heartwarming and encouraging. I intend to read the series, too.
The Mainely Needlepoint-ers are on their third adventure in the popular summer destination of Haven Harbor, Maine, a port community with its own lighthouse, near Three Sisters Islands. This eclectic group of dedicated enthusiasts commit to researching a potentially priceless embroidered "Byrd of America" (sic) which quite possibly may be a work of love by that 16th century controversial historical personage, Mary Queen of Scots (temporarily Queen of France). Provenance seems a moot question when the attorney keeping the needlepoint and it's accompanying missive in French in her safe is found murdered, and the trusted items disappear.
I enjoy a crafting cozy such as THREAD AND GONE, with its emphasis on craft and talent, and historical research into crafters of past time. Then, too, it's intriguing to watch characters play out their motivations, and compare them to real-life individuals we know. THREAD AND GONE is heartwarming and encouraging. I intend to read the series, too.
April 30, 2022
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first two for a variety of reasons. I found the plot pretty basic and not as interesting as I'd hoped, considering it involves the theft of a piece of embroidery done by a queen and rescued from the French Revolution by a Maine sea captain! The characters made several decisions that made no sense other than plot convenience, for example the main character Angie, by herself, knowingly confronts someone who has a gun and may have killed other people. I'm not an expert on provenance, but is a vaguely worded letter written 400 years ago really proof that a specific piece of art is legitimate? It seemed like it could've referred to any number of other artwork or furniture and makes no mention of anything specific to the piece of embroidery in question. It felt like most of the detective work was done by other characters off screen while Angie repetitively rehashed suspects and motives ad nauseum as she wandered around town. Also, reading paragraph after paragraph of 4-5 word sentences got tiresome after a while.
September 20, 2016
I don't find myself hanging on every word in this series. I can easily read just 1 or 2 chapters before turning out the light - no staying up all night to finish.
And Angie begins acting plain stupid, starting in Chapter 41. The confrontation and denouement pretty much left me dissatisfied. (And that whole bit about the mysterious pastries / timeline in Ch 37 - why was that only halfway developed? Not a full red herring but sort of.)
(Maybe only 2 stars?)
And Angie begins acting plain stupid, starting in Chapter 41. The confrontation and denouement pretty much left me dissatisfied. (And that whole bit about the mysterious pastries / timeline in Ch 37 - why was that only halfway developed? Not a full red herring but sort of.)
(Maybe only 2 stars?)
November 29, 2018
Mainly Needlepoint #3. Liked the intrigue of origins of Needlepoint piece found in Maine attic and possible connections to Mary Queen of Scots. Did not care for bullying, and conniving underhandness of Rob Trask and his pals, or his treatment of orphaned, underaged Mary, his fiancée. The ending was too abrupt, solution wrapped up
In two paragraphs.
In two paragraphs.
December 20, 2016
Read for back to school bingo. I thought the book well written but the ending very abrupt. Not up to her previous standards but enjoyable anyway.
April 18, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
August 9, 2018
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as previous but it was still very good.
July 5, 2024
This got bumped up from 2.5 stars to a full 3 stars rather than down because of the marvelous cross stitch sampler and needlework book quotes at the start of each chapter. They were simply marvelous! I especially loved this one heading Ch. 32:
Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it. She loves to read much more.
—Stitched by Patty Polk, age nine, Kent County, Maryland, circa 1800
Angie is hosting her first 4th of July traditional Maine supper in anticipation of the fireworks in the harbor when a knock on the door introduces young Mary Clough and her fiance Rob with an old piece of needlepoint Mary found in the attic of her family's home. Being coastal Maine and descended from ships captains, the house dated from the 18th Century, and, after looking at the needlepoint, it's possible it dates back a long way too. All agree that while looking into its history and value, Angie will have local lawyer Lenora store it in her safe. The only problem with this plan is that mere hours after security it with her, Lenora is murdered and everything in the safe taken, including the needlepoint.
It's a thin plot even for a cozy, but there is marvelous fun to be found as Angie and her friends piece together the history and provenance of the needlepoint while Angie, who spent many years working for a PI in Arizona, tries to find the stolen stitching and assist the police in solving the murder. The actual provenance is made up of course, but there are plenty of accurate historical bits to make it feasible that needlework made by a Queen of France made its way into an attic in Maine. This is the 3rd in the series and I have not yet read the first 2, so a few things puzzled me here and there, but generally it read well as a standalone.
Steeplechase Summer Celebrations - 4th of July
Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it. She loves to read much more.
—Stitched by Patty Polk, age nine, Kent County, Maryland, circa 1800
Angie is hosting her first 4th of July traditional Maine supper in anticipation of the fireworks in the harbor when a knock on the door introduces young Mary Clough and her fiance Rob with an old piece of needlepoint Mary found in the attic of her family's home. Being coastal Maine and descended from ships captains, the house dated from the 18th Century, and, after looking at the needlepoint, it's possible it dates back a long way too. All agree that while looking into its history and value, Angie will have local lawyer Lenora store it in her safe. The only problem with this plan is that mere hours after security it with her, Lenora is murdered and everything in the safe taken, including the needlepoint.
It's a thin plot even for a cozy, but there is marvelous fun to be found as Angie and her friends piece together the history and provenance of the needlepoint while Angie, who spent many years working for a PI in Arizona, tries to find the stolen stitching and assist the police in solving the murder. The actual provenance is made up of course, but there are plenty of accurate historical bits to make it feasible that needlework made by a Queen of France made its way into an attic in Maine. This is the 3rd in the series and I have not yet read the first 2, so a few things puzzled me here and there, but generally it read well as a standalone.
Steeplechase Summer Celebrations - 4th of July
June 19, 2022
Is it possible that nearly 18-year-old Mary Clough found a needlepoint in her attic dating back to Mary Queen of Scotts? Seems impossible, and yet it appears that’s what she found while cleaning an attic in preparation for selling a house she inherited.
Mary brings the needlepoint to Angie Curtis and the rest of the Mainely Needlepointers, and they agree to help her establish its value. But Angie doesn’t want it in her house if it has a lot of value. So, she takes it to her attorney, who serves as Mary Clough’s attorney as well. The woman agrees to keep it in her safe. Mary’s boyfriend is especially fascinated by the needlepoint. His goal is to sell it and come up with money to buy his own lobster boat. The kid comes across as a real jerk in the book, by the way.
Not long after the lawyer takes possession of the needlepoint, someone enters her office and murders her, scattering the contents of the safe and taking jewelry and the needlepoint. It’s up to Angie and the other needlepoint members to figure out who killed the woman. Before they do, another young woman will die while wearing a piece of the stolen jewelry.
I enjoy this series. It isn’t quite as saccharine and cloying as the Sally Goldenbaum knitting series, but it has that small-town New England flavor that makes it interesting.
Mary brings the needlepoint to Angie Curtis and the rest of the Mainely Needlepointers, and they agree to help her establish its value. But Angie doesn’t want it in her house if it has a lot of value. So, she takes it to her attorney, who serves as Mary Clough’s attorney as well. The woman agrees to keep it in her safe. Mary’s boyfriend is especially fascinated by the needlepoint. His goal is to sell it and come up with money to buy his own lobster boat. The kid comes across as a real jerk in the book, by the way.
Not long after the lawyer takes possession of the needlepoint, someone enters her office and murders her, scattering the contents of the safe and taking jewelry and the needlepoint. It’s up to Angie and the other needlepoint members to figure out who killed the woman. Before they do, another young woman will die while wearing a piece of the stolen jewelry.
I enjoy this series. It isn’t quite as saccharine and cloying as the Sally Goldenbaum knitting series, but it has that small-town New England flavor that makes it interesting.
June 15, 2024
"Thread and Gone (Mainely Needlepoint #3)" by Lea Wait has a very tiny hint of 4th of July in the first couple of chapters before it rolls into the mystery around a missing needle point and passing of the lawyer who had it stored in her office vault.
This one also had one of my biggest pet peeves in literature, encouraging underage girls to marry or date men who older than, specifically older enough to technically be illegal in most states. Seriously, can we stop making this seem like a normal thing. The outcome of this story is at least an example of why they shouldn't be settling down or hyper fixating on a guy in their late teens to young 20's. The one who got in over head because of a guy will have life long health problems and be in jail because of him. The other is going to at least have her property back, if her fiancé doesn't talk her into selling it. I have to say, he probably couldn't get anyone his age to date him because they wouldn't put up with his domineering personality. Hopefully she starts putting her foot done with him.
The mystery part had some twist and turns to it. There were a couple of times I changed up who I thought could have done it. Especially after a couple of suspects kept repeating essentially the same conversation over and over with Angie (the main character). In the end one of my scenarios was correct.
This one also had one of my biggest pet peeves in literature, encouraging underage girls to marry or date men who older than, specifically older enough to technically be illegal in most states. Seriously, can we stop making this seem like a normal thing. The outcome of this story is at least an example of why they shouldn't be settling down or hyper fixating on a guy in their late teens to young 20's. The one who got in over head because of a guy will have life long health problems and be in jail because of him. The other is going to at least have her property back, if her fiancé doesn't talk her into selling it. I have to say, he probably couldn't get anyone his age to date him because they wouldn't put up with his domineering personality. Hopefully she starts putting her foot done with him.
The mystery part had some twist and turns to it. There were a couple of times I changed up who I thought could have done it. Especially after a couple of suspects kept repeating essentially the same conversation over and over with Angie (the main character). In the end one of my scenarios was correct.
March 10, 2017
I love Lea Wait's books. I love visiting Haven Harbor, Maine. I love seeing the Mainely Needlepointers and all the fun and friendship that they all share. I enjoy the trouble and involvement that Angie Curtis gets into when she does not listen to the police when she gets involved with the latest murders in Haven Harbor!
This book had two murders, one a woman lawyer and a tourist who Angie only met once, but she had to figure out what happened to both of them.
Of course, the story kept me up all night and I read until the early morning.(4AM) Then I could not go to sleep at all so I started to read another book.
This book was well written and I enjoy Lea's beginning of each chapter. I am intrigued with it so much that I am looking in to learning how to do needlepoint.
Keep up the good work, Lea. I just ordered the latest book do out on March 27th my Granddaughter's birthday.
This book had two murders, one a woman lawyer and a tourist who Angie only met once, but she had to figure out what happened to both of them.
Of course, the story kept me up all night and I read until the early morning.(4AM) Then I could not go to sleep at all so I started to read another book.
This book was well written and I enjoy Lea's beginning of each chapter. I am intrigued with it so much that I am looking in to learning how to do needlepoint.
Keep up the good work, Lea. I just ordered the latest book do out on March 27th my Granddaughter's birthday.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews