What do you think?
Rate this book
Crime By Design
Crime By Design Series #1-3: Boxed Set
What would you do if everyone you cared about was a thief? Meet Phoebe McCabe. Even love puts a gun to her head. Hurled deep into the black market underbelly, Phoebe runs for her life while hunting ancient artifacts, rare textiles, and wayward men. Only Phoebe is shocked by what she's willing to do to protect what and whom she loves.
Love, adventure, suspense, intrigue, and fun-the Crime by Design series weaves these elements into every chapter. Funny and sometimes heartbreaking, the first three books of the series takes you on a thrilling ride through the art and antiquities world, accompanied by a rich tapestry of characters and settings, plus a strong but conflicted woman to keep you company along the way.
Book 1 begins in Nova Scotia and Bermuda, Book 2 races across Turkey, and Book 3 features the Amalfi Coast, each location adding to the gang of vibrant characters and settings so vivid, you'll thing you're there. Fasten your seatbelts. This series is a fun, suspense-filled thrill-ride.
Love, adventure, suspense, intrigue, and fun-the Crime by Design series weaves these elements into every chapter. Funny and sometimes heartbreaking, the first three books of the series takes you on a thrilling ride through the art and antiquities world, accompanied by a rich tapestry of characters and settings, plus a strong but conflicted woman to keep you company along the way.
Book 1 begins in Nova Scotia and Bermuda, Book 2 races across Turkey, and Book 3 features the Amalfi Coast, each location adding to the gang of vibrant characters and settings so vivid, you'll thing you're there. Fasten your seatbelts. This series is a fun, suspense-filled thrill-ride.
768 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2016
317 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 17, 2020
I've just finished the 1st book. I have highlighted several errors on my Kindle which aren't syncing to GR. The most glaring error is the use of 'sexton' instead of 'sextant'. I also saw a "you're" vs "your" error. Was this book proofread at all? I'm going to continue to book 2 in the hope that the plot will stay interesting enough to overcome any annoyance at errors.
I also agree with some other readers that the title implies a more significant use of craft/textiles than actually appears in the book. Other than indicating Phoebe's dedication to her knitting, it doesn't add to the story at all.
Update : I have finished all 3 books. The plots were interesting enough...
I also agree with some other readers that the title implies a more significant use of craft/textiles than actually appears in the book. Other than indicating Phoebe's dedication to her knitting, it doesn't add to the story at all.
Update : I have finished all 3 books. The plots were interesting enough...
April 16, 2016
Enjoyable drama/mystery with just a touch of romance. Great character development. I seem to really "know" the main characters. They can be annoying, but in a good friend can be annoying, but you still like them way.
Phoebe somehow gets herself involved in dangerous situations that started out innocent enough. Can be irksome that she doesn't back off when she has the chance to avoid danger, but then we wouldn't have much content for the book.
I heard about these books because the author is a knitter. So she includes Phoebe's knitting projects throughout, which for non crafty people could be a waste of content, but for knitters, it brings us closer to Phoebe. Although her abstract designs are not my style, I still feel the camaraderie of knitting friends.
Phoebe somehow gets herself involved in dangerous situations that started out innocent enough. Can be irksome that she doesn't back off when she has the chance to avoid danger, but then we wouldn't have much content for the book.
I heard about these books because the author is a knitter. So she includes Phoebe's knitting projects throughout, which for non crafty people could be a waste of content, but for knitters, it brings us closer to Phoebe. Although her abstract designs are not my style, I still feel the camaraderie of knitting friends.
December 31, 2021
I am enjoying this series! Fun, fast paced and funny. Pirates, treasure, family drama and a bit of romance - what's not to love? I first downloaded The Carpet Cipher and realized that, while it's a new series, it is a continuation of her first series - the Crime By Design books.
I am reading this in the middle of COVID, the elections and all that's wrong with 2020! It's a great escape series - perfect right now.
P.S. I wish the editor would go in and fix some obvious typos. I think the Carpet Cipher series got more publicity than her earlier works. It would behoove the editor to clean up the first four books.
I am reading this in the middle of COVID, the elections and all that's wrong with 2020! It's a great escape series - perfect right now.
P.S. I wish the editor would go in and fix some obvious typos. I think the Carpet Cipher series got more publicity than her earlier works. It would behoove the editor to clean up the first four books.
May 3, 2016
Great series.
The characters are believable. Fast action makes it hard to put down. I love that Pheobe is a knitter. All good. Now I am waiting for the next one.
The characters are believable. Fast action makes it hard to put down. I love that Pheobe is a knitter. All good. Now I am waiting for the next one.
August 30, 2017
Who could predict that a very accomplished knitter could also be an accomplished mystery writer. It was a fun series to read and kept me happily entertained.
February 4, 2019
Not what I expected
I was expecting it to be more about craft and textiles, as is implied in the introduction. I am not sure whether the author (or the character?) really knows much about knitting, as she seems to pick it up at odd moments for therapy, I read a few chapters but there are too many mistakes.....I gave up when I got to 'sexton' instead of 'sextant'. A sexton is a PERSON, someone who looks after church premises. A bit of proof-reading would have helped.
I was expecting it to be more about craft and textiles, as is implied in the introduction. I am not sure whether the author (or the character?) really knows much about knitting, as she seems to pick it up at odd moments for therapy, I read a few chapters but there are too many mistakes.....I gave up when I got to 'sexton' instead of 'sextant'. A sexton is a PERSON, someone who looks after church premises. A bit of proof-reading would have helped.
May 15, 2020
Does not disappoint
Just finished the Crime By Design Omnibus books 1-3. Each is filled with adventure and plot twist. Every time I think I have it figured out something happens to set me in a new direction, not usually the way the book ends. I enjoy the intertwining if history and the details of the fabrics. Can’t wait to start book 4.
Just finished the Crime By Design Omnibus books 1-3. Each is filled with adventure and plot twist. Every time I think I have it figured out something happens to set me in a new direction, not usually the way the book ends. I enjoy the intertwining if history and the details of the fabrics. Can’t wait to start book 4.
September 12, 2022
A “Grown-Up” Version of Nancy Drew
The Crime by Design series is just the ticket when you want to read something light and entertaining and to draw you into a story and away from your daily life. Jane Thornley’s vivid description of exotic locations and history is very entertaining. I will certainly plan to finish this series.
The Crime by Design series is just the ticket when you want to read something light and entertaining and to draw you into a story and away from your daily life. Jane Thornley’s vivid description of exotic locations and history is very entertaining. I will certainly plan to finish this series.
October 7, 2022
Love the fascinating exploits of this heroine!
I read her other series first and decided to backtrack for the origins story and totally loved this series, too!
Sorry, but I did highlight some typos or misprints. I would be happy to volunteer as a proof reader for Jane’s next books!
Fran Williams 🏡
I read her other series first and decided to backtrack for the origins story and totally loved this series, too!
Sorry, but I did highlight some typos or misprints. I would be happy to volunteer as a proof reader for Jane’s next books!
Fran Williams 🏡
February 7, 2019
These started off slow for me and a little repetitious. But once it picked up the first book was a good read. The second carried on from the first. Not as good, but still not bad. The third was better still. I loved reading them. I’ll definitely carry on with this series.
February 19, 2020
I have just finished reading this boxed set, and enjoyed it. I t was well paced and kept your interest throughout each part, I felt however that there was no need for the knitting to be included it added nothing to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2021
Crime by design
I absolutely got taken into the characters and couldn't stop. When I finished I hated it because I wanted to know what happened between Phone and Noel! Can't wait for book 4.
I absolutely got taken into the characters and couldn't stop. When I finished I hated it because I wanted to know what happened between Phone and Noel! Can't wait for book 4.
March 22, 2018
Enjoyed so much, I’ve just bought the next two in the series!
April 5, 2021
I really enjoyed each book but the proof reading was
so bad it was destracting.
so bad it was destracting.
June 16, 2021
I love Jane Thornley
Her characters are adorably flawed! I just read six of her Phoebe McCabe books in a row. The plots are not predictable and the travelogue is great!
Her characters are adorably flawed! I just read six of her Phoebe McCabe books in a row. The plots are not predictable and the travelogue is great!
August 17, 2021
I could not finish this book. The errors and omitted words took my attention away from the story. If this doesn't bother you, then you will probably like this book.
September 12, 2024
Phoebe!
What a wonderful character you have created. Ok, wait, they are all amazing! Thank you for creating this world for your readers.
What a wonderful character you have created. Ok, wait, they are all amazing! Thank you for creating this world for your readers.
April 12, 2016
My vacation read. I thought they were well written, but kind of had some dry spots in the middle book. Nothing really about knitting. Enjoyed the characters.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews