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A Needlecraft Mystery #3
A Stitch in Time
When a damaged tapestry is discovered in a small-town church closet, needleworkers join to stitch together the clues which lead to a crafty crime.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
54 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Monica Ferris
27 books491 followersHas published as
Mary Monica Pulver (real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier — Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents’ home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter – a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery”.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones. Threadbare will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
Mary Monica Pulver (real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier — Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents’ home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter – a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery”.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones. Threadbare will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
July 10, 2017
Good book. This one was my favorite so far! New information about several of the recurring characters was introduced and I started relating to them more. I thought the mystery was interesting, with the tapestry and the symbols. :) Definitely gonna read the next one. :)
December 21, 2013
Her publisher bills this as a needlecraft mystery, and it is. But readers need not be stitchers, nor needlecraft workers of any sort to appreciate and enjoy this third outing in a fine series. A strong 3.5 stars.
Betsy Devonshire, who rode into Excelsior Minnesota and was forced to solve her sister's murder, has almost settled in to being a needlecraft shop owner, and she has developed some interesting relationships with a couple of cops in town, her staff and some normal people and even with some of the slightly dotty residents.
This is good crime fiction. That means the writing is smooth and even elegant at times, the characters, including Old Man Winter, act in logical ways, the dialogue is crisp and the story progresses through suspense and tension and readers will learn a bit about the patience, discipline and the subtlety of stitchery.
It is nearing Christmas in Minnesota, with all the joys and sorrows, and even menace, that winter can bring in these parts. Renovation of a local church is going forward, when a worker finds a bundle containing a long-lost tapestry. Local craftspeople volunteer to repair the work, and Betsy offers to supply the materials as her contribution. This simple act of kindness tangles her in yet another maze of wrongdoing, theft and death.
One of the difficulties for any writer, and therefore for readers, of series featuring amateur detectives, is the believability of asingle individual being so frequently involved in criminal activity. Author Monica Ferris has cleverly placed her main character on a stage that gives her logical opportunity to intersect many different people in a wide variety of circumstances. She has the town itself, her store and its staff and customers, her church and the wider community of the Twin Cities region. She uses all of these resources to good effect.
A Stitch in Time, like the previous two books in this series, is a comfortable fit for mystery readers who want to spend an enjoyable time with interesting characters, without polemics or political attitudes. A very cozy cozy.
February 6, 2016
3rd book in the needlecraft series.
Betsy, the protagonist, is a professional needlecrafter and owns a shop called Crewel World. There are a number of experienced and quirky crafters that come into her shop and these were fun to read about. When an old tapestry is found hidden in a local church, Betsy is willing to provide the materials and necessary knowledge to repair it. But bad things keep happening to her and it soon becomes obvious that someone doesn't want the tapestry to be found it's secrets reveled.
Betsy, the protagonist, is a professional needlecrafter and owns a shop called Crewel World. There are a number of experienced and quirky crafters that come into her shop and these were fun to read about. When an old tapestry is found hidden in a local church, Betsy is willing to provide the materials and necessary knowledge to repair it. But bad things keep happening to her and it soon becomes obvious that someone doesn't want the tapestry to be found it's secrets reveled.
June 25, 2007
Third in the "A Needlecraft mystery" series. It's right before Christmas, Besty finds herself involved with the mystery of a cryptic tapestry. On top of trying to make sense of the tapestry, someone is trying to kill her. All this and financial woes to keep the shop on track. In this one we get to know some of the secondary characters more and someone from Betsy's past makes an appearance. Fun and fast to read. Exactly what I needed last weekend in order to move beyond all the rain outside.
August 21, 2016
Another Needlecraft mystery done, this one the third in the series. This one was a little different than the previous two books in that it seems focused on an attempted murder of our beloved Betsy as opposed to the discovery of a murder victim, but that didn't stop the action. As always with cozy mystery, one is never enough and it just fuels your desire to read even more. Four stars.
March 8, 2021
This was a freebie on Audible and I did not realize when starting this that it's part of a series, so some of the referencing was a bit strange.
Betsy run's a small needlework shop in a small town. She's also an amateur sleuth solving some murder mysteries in previous books and the mystery behind a old, worn tapestry in this one.
This was not really for me. The needleworking scene's bored me to tears and the whole town and story a bit to wholesome for my liking.
Betsy run's a small needlework shop in a small town. She's also an amateur sleuth solving some murder mysteries in previous books and the mystery behind a old, worn tapestry in this one.
This was not really for me. The needleworking scene's bored me to tears and the whole town and story a bit to wholesome for my liking.
December 17, 2022
This one took a bit longer for me to get into, because it felt that at least the first third of the book wasn't moving very fast. When I finally figured out what the mystery was, it moved a bit more but it was like watching a horror movie. You see the main character doing something patently stupid and you're like "NOOOOOOO". Anyway, once the actual mystery started, it moved well and I enjoyed it well enough.
January 9, 2018
My least favorite of the series so far, but still prompted me to go out and get the next book from the library. So, my 2 star, "it was okay" rating, really means it was okay. :)
March 21, 2014
I gotta say, this was my least favorite so far in this series. I wonder if the mysteries will keep getting easier to solve as the books go on, because it seems so obvious that the culprit is going to be one of the few new characters introduced. In this book, the new characters were the pastor, Patricia, and Betsy's ex Hal. Everyone suspected Hal, so it obviously wasn't him, and I didn't think that the author would go so far as to make the pastor the bad guy. Even though she didn't shy away from making prior church folk into bad guys. I suspect that John, Godwin's BF, will be a future bad guy, if existing characters are going to be. He's being built up as a heartless jerk. And he'll have a good reason to resent Betsy, since she's taking up all of Godwin's time and even wrote him into her will. What John should do is get himself into Godwin's will, then kill them both.
Jill started to get on my nerves in this book. Between announcing to Patricia that Hal was the one trying to kill Betsy (when he hadn't been charged and they didn't have any real proof) and the questionable search she and Betsy did of Joe Michel's office, she's really toeing ethical lines. I guess Joe never said that he didn't consent to a search, and he's obviously a creep, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have rights. Maybe the small-town setting lends to people being less suspicious of the police? Like they think of them as just friends, and don't recognize that they're cops? I mean, Patricia completely spilled her guts as if Mike Malloy and Jill were not standing there at all. By the time Mike told her that she had the right to remain silent, she'd already confessed to everything.
I think that Jill is secretly gay, and in love with Betsy, hence her excitement over moving in with Betsy to provide her round-the-clock police protection, and her lack of interest in her boyfriend Lars. She didn't even think about him while spending Christmas cross-country skiing with Betsy.
Jill started to get on my nerves in this book. Between announcing to Patricia that Hal was the one trying to kill Betsy (when he hadn't been charged and they didn't have any real proof) and the questionable search she and Betsy did of Joe Michel's office, she's really toeing ethical lines. I guess Joe never said that he didn't consent to a search, and he's obviously a creep, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have rights. Maybe the small-town setting lends to people being less suspicious of the police? Like they think of them as just friends, and don't recognize that they're cops? I mean, Patricia completely spilled her guts as if Mike Malloy and Jill were not standing there at all. By the time Mike told her that she had the right to remain silent, she'd already confessed to everything.
I think that Jill is secretly gay, and in love with Betsy, hence her excitement over moving in with Betsy to provide her round-the-clock police protection, and her lack of interest in her boyfriend Lars. She didn't even think about him while spending Christmas cross-country skiing with Betsy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2014
I think that I actually enjoyed this book more than I had the previous one in the series. There were some intense moments for me - like during the first attempt on Betsy's life. I started reading this book this past Sunday and finished it by the next Thursday (yesterday). It was a quick read and there was quite a bit of action.
I really love the way the characters interact with each other. I'm glad to get to know more about Godwin and his boyfriend. I look forward to see what comes of their relationship in later books. I'm beginning to enjoy Joe and how he and Betsy interact. Sophie is such a typical cat that I think the author must have one. She has the feline nature down perfectly.
As with the previous books, I'm really pleased that all the clues are there for the reader. If you're paying attention to them, it's possible to solve the mystery along with or ahead of Betsy. I was caught up in the drama of the story in this case, so I was really surprised when the culprit was revealed.
All in all, it was really well-written. I truly am enjoying this series and I'm very much looking forward to picking up the next book this coming Sunday. I'll also be working the cross-stitch patterns from at least the last two books on crochet fabric and making a little blanket out of them. I'm looking forward to seeing how that comes out.
I really love the way the characters interact with each other. I'm glad to get to know more about Godwin and his boyfriend. I look forward to see what comes of their relationship in later books. I'm beginning to enjoy Joe and how he and Betsy interact. Sophie is such a typical cat that I think the author must have one. She has the feline nature down perfectly.
As with the previous books, I'm really pleased that all the clues are there for the reader. If you're paying attention to them, it's possible to solve the mystery along with or ahead of Betsy. I was caught up in the drama of the story in this case, so I was really surprised when the culprit was revealed.
All in all, it was really well-written. I truly am enjoying this series and I'm very much looking forward to picking up the next book this coming Sunday. I'll also be working the cross-stitch patterns from at least the last two books on crochet fabric and making a little blanket out of them. I'm looking forward to seeing how that comes out.
July 6, 2016
I am liking this series more and more. It seems like the author is really in her stride and I can finally see some real character development happening. I think I have most of the towns people straight and really enjoy reading about Betsy's sleuthing. I cannot imagine trying to investigate why someone would want to murder me, but Betsy is sharp and smart and has good friends around her to help. I will enjoy continuing this series.
July 12, 2019
This is the first book of this series that I read, and at the beginning I was little lost with the character's back stories, but I picked it up quickly enough. The story about the tapestry and the Saint symbols was very interesting, and although the perpetrator did not surprize me, the reason behind did. I was way off on motive! Oh well. Needlework is not one of my interests, but if I ever catch up with my wish list I may come back and read others of the series.
December 16, 2008
The third book in the Needlecraft Mystery Series.
I liked that this wasn't a murder mystery so much as a mystery. Living in MN and knowing a thing or two about the small towns in this area - too many murders in a few months time is kind of crazy. But a mystery - well - I know small towns have one or two of those. Everybody knows everything about everyone - and yet.... do they?
I liked that this wasn't a murder mystery so much as a mystery. Living in MN and knowing a thing or two about the small towns in this area - too many murders in a few months time is kind of crazy. But a mystery - well - I know small towns have one or two of those. Everybody knows everything about everyone - and yet.... do they?
January 13, 2017
Not a bad entry in the series. A book without a murder, but there is still much mystery to solve as someone appears to be trying to kill Betsy. Is it her ex-husband? Her landlord? Or someone else?
March 27, 2019
Note: couldn’t get very far. Thought it would be cute cozy small town stitchery shop but instead the usual artsy fartsy claptrap. NOT for people who like traditional.
December 8, 2023
This is an interesting series, and I’m not sure what to think of the main character. Betsy Devonshire inherited her sister’s needlecraft store in frozen Minnesota when someone murdered her sister. Betsy was at first reluctant to take on the responsibility of the store. She knew nothing about needlecraft. That’s part of the earlier books in the series; I mention it here to give you some continuity.
It's Christmastime as the book opens, and Betsy is worried about the store’s bottom line. Her fiscal overseer gripes at her about what could be a year of loss for the store. He urges employee hour cuts.
Meanwhile, they’re doing renovations to the old Episcopal church in town, and someone finds an old tapestry that the wife of a previous pastor donated. The tapestry is a mildewed mess, but Betsy figures she can do restorative work on it and get some free publicity for her somewhat struggling store.
It isn’t long before the tapestry points to tragic secrets hidden by church officials and others, and before the book ends, someone will attempt to poison poor Betsy.
I didn’t see the end of this coming, and it was a short one-evening read. I have some ambivalence toward the series, but I’m inclined to continue with it for now.
It's Christmastime as the book opens, and Betsy is worried about the store’s bottom line. Her fiscal overseer gripes at her about what could be a year of loss for the store. He urges employee hour cuts.
Meanwhile, they’re doing renovations to the old Episcopal church in town, and someone finds an old tapestry that the wife of a previous pastor donated. The tapestry is a mildewed mess, but Betsy figures she can do restorative work on it and get some free publicity for her somewhat struggling store.
It isn’t long before the tapestry points to tragic secrets hidden by church officials and others, and before the book ends, someone will attempt to poison poor Betsy.
I didn’t see the end of this coming, and it was a short one-evening read. I have some ambivalence toward the series, but I’m inclined to continue with it for now.
August 26, 2019
I'll admit when I started the first book in the series, Crewel World, I was not sure this series would be for me. My mind was quickly changed and I am a huge fan of this series. In fact, I have been trying to find the books I am missing when I visit used bookstores.
Book 3 takes place during the Christmas season and is not your typical murder mystery. Why? Well, we do not have a murder but an attempted murder on Betsy herself. I loved the fact that it took place at Christmas with LOTS of snow while I have been sweltering in a heatwave with no rain until last night. I actually felt cooler while reading as Monica Ferris does a great job with her descriptions.
If you are leery about the book being too religious since it centers around a religious tapestry found in a church you have no worries. Religion is not a focal point. You do learn about saints and attributes but I found that very interesting. Especially the fact that symbols may represent more than one saint.
A free needlepoint pattern for a snowflake is included at the end of the book.
I don't give 5 stars too often but A Stitch in Time felt very worthy of the perfect rating.
Book 3 takes place during the Christmas season and is not your typical murder mystery. Why? Well, we do not have a murder but an attempted murder on Betsy herself. I loved the fact that it took place at Christmas with LOTS of snow while I have been sweltering in a heatwave with no rain until last night. I actually felt cooler while reading as Monica Ferris does a great job with her descriptions.
If you are leery about the book being too religious since it centers around a religious tapestry found in a church you have no worries. Religion is not a focal point. You do learn about saints and attributes but I found that very interesting. Especially the fact that symbols may represent more than one saint.
A free needlepoint pattern for a snowflake is included at the end of the book.
I don't give 5 stars too often but A Stitch in Time felt very worthy of the perfect rating.
August 27, 2019
Betsy Devonshire had recently moved from California to Minnesota to take over her sister’s needlework store after her sister’s death. Her accountant had just given her the bad news that the store was not doing well. The store may not even make a profit in the coming Christmas season. Although not handy with a needle herself, she had made many good friends in town, especially the women who were gifted needle workers. Also in transition was the local church. It was starting a major renovation project after the Christmas holidays. In cleaning out the rooms they found a tapestry that was made by a previous rector’s wife. It was an excellent work but needed some cleaning and repair before it could be in a spot of honor after the restoration. Betsy volunteered to provide the materials for the renovation of the tapestry… thinking that she would get free advertising for doing so as well as helping the church. Little did she realize that the tapestry actually contained the clue to solving a mystery. == A better than average cozy mystery.
September 5, 2022
Monica Ferris is hitting her stride with this third entry in the Needlecraft series.
A long-forgotten needlepoint tapestry is found during the renovation of a local church. A group decides to repair the tapestry so it can be hung in the church's library. The tapestry, created by the wife of the previous rector, creates a stir and problems for MC Betsy Devonshire. Betsy decides to donate the wool needed for the restoration and finds herself the target of someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. On top of it all, Hal the Pig (Betsy's ex-husband) appears on the scene, wanting to do anything to woo her back--but does it really have to do with the millions Betsy will inherit from her late sister Margot's estate?
It's fun reading Betsy's development as a person, along with such characters as Jill (one of the local cops and patron of Crewel World) and especially Godwin (who is my favorite character in this series). The ways Betsy deals with her ex-husband made me giggle and Godwin's snark is welcomed. Looking forward to reading more from the Needlecraft series.
A long-forgotten needlepoint tapestry is found during the renovation of a local church. A group decides to repair the tapestry so it can be hung in the church's library. The tapestry, created by the wife of the previous rector, creates a stir and problems for MC Betsy Devonshire. Betsy decides to donate the wool needed for the restoration and finds herself the target of someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. On top of it all, Hal the Pig (Betsy's ex-husband) appears on the scene, wanting to do anything to woo her back--but does it really have to do with the millions Betsy will inherit from her late sister Margot's estate?
It's fun reading Betsy's development as a person, along with such characters as Jill (one of the local cops and patron of Crewel World) and especially Godwin (who is my favorite character in this series). The ways Betsy deals with her ex-husband made me giggle and Godwin's snark is welcomed. Looking forward to reading more from the Needlecraft series.
February 24, 2025
Monica Ferris does her homework and always provides us with information about a subject that we may not have known a lot of before. I really enjoy the setting of the needlework store and hearing about the designs and flosses and yarns. Her characters have distinct personalities and are very relatable. I didn’t guess who the killer was until nearly the end. If you pay close attention the clues are there. I admit there was a red herring that did have me going in the wrong direction for a while. The downside of these books is that the main character feels very old fashioned. Parts of the story feel old like who drinks milk with dinner? It was odd. Godwin her store employee is a bit of a stereotypical gay man yet somehow it’s fine. When she writes about him I picture Jack from Will and Grace. I like his character and her friend Jill the Gibson girl looking police officer. If you are into cross stitch needlepoint or knitting you may enjoy this series.
July 23, 2019
"A Stitch in Time" by Monica Ferris begins with the renovation of a church and a tapestry is found. Seems the former pastor's wife created it and with help from other stitchers, they did the needlework. But it has had a visit from some moths and is mildewed, but church members who loved their former pastor and his wife want to save it so Betsy is contacted about materials to replace the problems. The lady who created it was known to have secret messages in any of her needlework -- it could be her name or other names, and it was always a mystery. Betsy tries to figure out the message. Her ex husband comes from California and wants to make up. Then Betsy's life is in danger from a series of attempts. It points to her ex-husband because Betsy is soon to inherit millions and she thinks her down and out former spouse wants his share, but is it really?
September 24, 2022
I read this book many years ago. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Betsy is learning the art of running the craft storeshe inherited from her sister. When a damaged tapestry turns up at the local church, Betsy is asked about donating the threads to restore it. However something is odd about this. The person who created the work was the wife of a former Pastor. within the stitches, Besty finds symbols that relate to different Saints. She also learns that the woman was famous for hiding names within her work. The work soon disappears along with betsiy's notes on the work. Then she has some strange and unnerving events happen.
This is a fun cozy. I enjoy learning about needlepoint, crewel work, and cross stitch. The characters are fun and the story is engaging.
This is a fun cozy. I enjoy learning about needlepoint, crewel work, and cross stitch. The characters are fun and the story is engaging.
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June 26, 2020Monica Ferris never disappoints me! This is the 3rd in the Needlecraft Mystery series and I loved it just as much as the other 2! From the jacket: The cold, blustery Midwest winters don't exactly agree with Betsy Devonshire, but since moving to Excelsior, Minnestoa, she sure has met a lot of warm, friendly people. So she isn't too surprised when the town's most talented needleworkers volunteer to restore a damaged tapestry that was found in the basement of a local church. Betsy even offers to donate materials for the project, thinking that the free publicity will boost sales at her financially troubled needlecraft shop. But soon Betsy is afraid of losing more than her business-because her good intentions have unleashed some deadly secrets.
January 19, 2022
A stitch in time is an excellent mystery.
A tapestry is uncovered during a church renovation. Betsy & her shop offer to provide materials to restore the tapestry.
Then Betsy's ex comes to town, trying to convince her to take him back.
Not long after an attempt is made on Betsy's life. Now the murder Betsy needs to solve is her own, before her mysterious enemy succeeds for good.
I loved this mystery! For most of the book I didn't know what was going to happen next. My first thought was that the mystery was what really happened to the pastor & his wife (spoiler- it's not), that someone had caused the heart attack & stroke (perhaps I've been reading murder mysteries too long). But no the mystery is much more complex then that.
A tapestry is uncovered during a church renovation. Betsy & her shop offer to provide materials to restore the tapestry.
Then Betsy's ex comes to town, trying to convince her to take him back.
Not long after an attempt is made on Betsy's life. Now the murder Betsy needs to solve is her own, before her mysterious enemy succeeds for good.
I loved this mystery! For most of the book I didn't know what was going to happen next. My first thought was that the mystery was what really happened to the pastor & his wife (spoiler- it's not), that someone had caused the heart attack & stroke (perhaps I've been reading murder mysteries too long). But no the mystery is much more complex then that.
December 20, 2022
This is a mystery series set in Minnesota that involves needlecraft, as you can see in the title. While I am not into sewing or textiles, it was fun to read about the small town of Excelsior. The protagonist in this story is Betsy Devonshire, and she inherited a store from her sister who was murdered (in a previous book). Betsy has a knack for sleuthing . . .
Which is a good thing, because someone is trying to kill her in this book! With a cast of characters to choose from, we begin to understand the new community that Betsy is in and who would want to eliminate her. It is easy reading, somewhat predictable, but entertaining all the same.
This series is no longer in print, but the books can be found in independent bookstores. The only place to shop . . .
Which is a good thing, because someone is trying to kill her in this book! With a cast of characters to choose from, we begin to understand the new community that Betsy is in and who would want to eliminate her. It is easy reading, somewhat predictable, but entertaining all the same.
This series is no longer in print, but the books can be found in independent bookstores. The only place to shop . . .
October 3, 2017
4 stelle e mezza
Bella storia, senza morti ammazzati, per una volta, e un mistero che risale a una dozzina di anni prima. Devo dire che ero arrivata al colpevole un po' prima della protagonista e avevo "intravisto" il motivo, ma è stata una lettura comunque piacevole. Mi piace che, al contrario di quanto accade in quasi tutti gli altri cozy mysteries, l'autrice segua anche le azioni e i pensieri di altri personaggi, oltre che della protagonista. E inizio ad apprezzare sempre di più la protagonista e alcuni degli altri personaggi. Sono proprio contenta di aver deciso di comprare tutta la serie!
Bella storia, senza morti ammazzati, per una volta, e un mistero che risale a una dozzina di anni prima. Devo dire che ero arrivata al colpevole un po' prima della protagonista e avevo "intravisto" il motivo, ma è stata una lettura comunque piacevole. Mi piace che, al contrario di quanto accade in quasi tutti gli altri cozy mysteries, l'autrice segua anche le azioni e i pensieri di altri personaggi, oltre che della protagonista. E inizio ad apprezzare sempre di più la protagonista e alcuni degli altri personaggi. Sono proprio contenta di aver deciso di comprare tutta la serie!
January 7, 2018
Reread - and I still like that one. It's maybe not the most traditional of mysteries in that it is all about the everyday life and troubles, and the mystery is lurking somewhere in behind, but I think it fits, makes the story more natural - "I discovered something mysterious! I'll definitely figure it out - as soon as I deal with hospital, legal issues and Christmas shopping!"
I feel a bit sorry for the culprit whom I kind of liked, and for the culprit's family especially - if that tapestry was never found, they could have continued their normal life.
Also, each book just makes me itch to cross-stitch and to start all the projects at once.
I feel a bit sorry for the culprit whom I kind of liked, and for the culprit's family especially - if that tapestry was never found, they could have continued their normal life.
Also, each book just makes me itch to cross-stitch and to start all the projects at once.
October 7, 2019
This was really interesting. A church tapestry with symbols of the Saints and what the particular Saint stood for. An old Tapestry is found and Betsy tries to figure out the symbols, the Tapestry goes missing, while in the middle of translating the meanings. Interesting, because I had never even thought about religious symbols as being able to spell out a message. Betsy is getting closer to the meanings but she is also the recipient of 3 murder attempts! Betsy figures it out in the end, and also gets some big surprises about her sister, and the will....her ex-husband tries to win her back...all in one little book! Very good. Excellent Narration by Susan Boyce!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2022
The Crewel World needlework shop is gearing up for Christmas, and Betsy is encouraged by her accountant to do more advertising and increase sales. When a fabulous but damaged tapestry is discovered at a local church, several of her Monday Bunch step in to repair help restore it and Betsy decides to donate the materials as a way of building up the shop’s reputation for community service. She discovers several curious symbols on the tapestry, and suddenly finds herself the target of a series of deadly pranks - a cut brake line, a fire, and poisoning. Who wants her dead, and why? The answer was unexpected. I’m getting to like these characters so I’ll be reading Book 4 soon.
July 19, 2019
This is my guilty pleasure kind of book. Anything that takes place around a local yarn shop, knitting circle, quilting bee, book store or library, no matter how terrible, I can't help but check it out. I rarely have the patience to read them though, so I almost always listen. And this one did not disappoint on being mediocre and mindless and therefore just what I was expecting and kind of fun. If you are also into my kind of guilty pleasure, give it a shot, if not, I'd leave it on the shelf.
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