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A Needlecraft Mystery #4
Unraveled Sleeve
The art of needlecraft requires patience, discipline, and creativity. So, too, does the art of detection. Just ask Betsy Devonshire—who’s learning that life in a small-town needlecraft shop can reveal an unexpected knack for knitting…and a hidden talent for unraveling crime.
Betsy Devonshire has settled into her new home in Excelsior, Minnesota, as owner of the town’s needlecraft shop. So why is she suffering from terrifying nightmares? She hasn’t a clue—but she thinks maybe it would help to get away for a while. With her friend Jill in tow, she heads north for a “stitch-in” at a remote, rustic lodge. But her nightmares only get worse—especially after she finds a dead woman no one else had seen. Then the body disappears—and she knows she won’t get any rest until she untangles the mysterious threads of the crime….
Betsy Devonshire has settled into her new home in Excelsior, Minnesota, as owner of the town’s needlecraft shop. So why is she suffering from terrifying nightmares? She hasn’t a clue—but she thinks maybe it would help to get away for a while. With her friend Jill in tow, she heads north for a “stitch-in” at a remote, rustic lodge. But her nightmares only get worse—especially after she finds a dead woman no one else had seen. Then the body disappears—and she knows she won’t get any rest until she untangles the mysterious threads of the crime….
245 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
39 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Monica Ferris
27 books492 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 190 reviews
September 26, 2018
Unraveled Sleeve by Monica Ferris is the 4th book in the Needlecraft Mystery series. Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World, is experiencing nightmares following being involved in previous murders and goes off with her friend policewoman Jill for a stitch-in holiday. It is not long before she comes across another body. An interesting mystery although it seemed a bit drawn out and slow for me. There was a lot of talk of needlework and frustrations with mistakes which seemed to get a bit tedious. It was nice as to how knowledge of needlework helped in the mystery. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I was a needleworker.
May 28, 2017
This was a very entertaining story and, like Lea Wait's books, made me want to pull out my cross-stitching!
December 16, 2008
The 4th book in the Needlecraft Mystery Series.
This is the book I think of when I think back to this series. In this one - Betsy and Jill go to a Knit In retreat - something I have often thought of but will probably never do. What I liked about this book more than the others was the insight into Betsy and Jill's relationship and how Betsy has to grow up a little bit in this book. I like that the main character in these books is not perfect - she makes mistakes and errors in judgement. She is so much more approachable as a reader in my eyes because of that. (Although I do occasionally shake my head no no no! as I am reading.)
This is the book I think of when I think back to this series. In this one - Betsy and Jill go to a Knit In retreat - something I have often thought of but will probably never do. What I liked about this book more than the others was the insight into Betsy and Jill's relationship and how Betsy has to grow up a little bit in this book. I like that the main character in these books is not perfect - she makes mistakes and errors in judgement. She is so much more approachable as a reader in my eyes because of that. (Although I do occasionally shake my head no no no! as I am reading.)
December 4, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
When I started this series, I wasn’t sure about Betsy (the MC), but she’s grown on me over the last couple of books. I like the way she’s trying to expand her needlework knowledge and skills, and the way she’s not afraid to ask for help or suggestions. She has some good friends she can rely on to steer her in the right direction, in business and in her personal life, and who doesn’t need that kind of friend?
A good deal of time in this book was spent on the “was there a murder or not?” question, but we all know there was or there wouldn’t have been a book. While it first appeared that the victim was well-liked, as the story progressed, several possible suspects emerged, each with a different motive. I had part of the solution figured out, but was surprised by the rest of it – and the motive. I’ve already added the next book in the series to my to-read list, and look forward to my next visit to Minnesota.
When I started this series, I wasn’t sure about Betsy (the MC), but she’s grown on me over the last couple of books. I like the way she’s trying to expand her needlework knowledge and skills, and the way she’s not afraid to ask for help or suggestions. She has some good friends she can rely on to steer her in the right direction, in business and in her personal life, and who doesn’t need that kind of friend?
A good deal of time in this book was spent on the “was there a murder or not?” question, but we all know there was or there wouldn’t have been a book. While it first appeared that the victim was well-liked, as the story progressed, several possible suspects emerged, each with a different motive. I had part of the solution figured out, but was surprised by the rest of it – and the motive. I’ve already added the next book in the series to my to-read list, and look forward to my next visit to Minnesota.
Read
July 15, 2020A series fav so far.
Added interest is the geographic and geological connections re- Canadian shield . Seasonal descriptions accurate.
Believable characters and reactions.
Added interest is the geographic and geological connections re- Canadian shield . Seasonal descriptions accurate.
Believable characters and reactions.
January 26, 2024
---Synopsis---
When Betsy Devonshire finally settles her late sister’s estate and receives her inheritance, she finally accepts her shop assistant’s plea to go on a much-needed vacation. As the employees and customers of Crewel World debate where Betsy should go, Betsy’s bestfriend friend Jill tells her about a “stitch in” which will take place in Naniboujou, Minnesota. Convinced that needlecraft retreat is exactly what she needs to get away from her business and her increasingly violent nightmares, Betsy agrees to accompany Jill to the Canadian border in the middle of winter.
Once Betsy and Jill arrive at Naniboujou Lodge, they learn that the leader of the stitch in cannot attend because of an illness and will be replaced by another expert in the industry, Sharon Kaye Owen of Escapade Design. Unfortunately, Sharon is nowhere to be found.
As the stitch in guests wait for their teacher to show up, Betsy accidently takes the wrong set of stairs and finds Sharon dead in her ex-husband’s room. But when the lodge’s owner checks the room, the body is gone. Earlier that day, Betsy had briefly met Sharon and therefore knew what she looked like. However, since Betsy also suffered from vivid and violent dreams, she had difficulty convincing Jill of what she saw.
---Thoughts---
Unraveled Sleeve was the most suspenseful book in the Needlecraft series and for that reason was one of my favorite installments. Without a body, Betsy cannot convince law enforcement that Sharon was murdered.
Although other reviewers on Goodreads disliked the book because of its slow pacing, I didn’t mind because I was drawn into the mystery surrounding Sharon’s body. I also read the Needlecraft series primarily for the characters and the setting. I hope to visit Minnesota in the next year.
The book’s only weakness was the ending. The perpetrator confessed too easily and the case wrapped up too quickly. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal. In my view, this was a solid installment in the series.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
When Betsy Devonshire finally settles her late sister’s estate and receives her inheritance, she finally accepts her shop assistant’s plea to go on a much-needed vacation. As the employees and customers of Crewel World debate where Betsy should go, Betsy’s bestfriend friend Jill tells her about a “stitch in” which will take place in Naniboujou, Minnesota. Convinced that needlecraft retreat is exactly what she needs to get away from her business and her increasingly violent nightmares, Betsy agrees to accompany Jill to the Canadian border in the middle of winter.
Once Betsy and Jill arrive at Naniboujou Lodge, they learn that the leader of the stitch in cannot attend because of an illness and will be replaced by another expert in the industry, Sharon Kaye Owen of Escapade Design. Unfortunately, Sharon is nowhere to be found.
As the stitch in guests wait for their teacher to show up, Betsy accidently takes the wrong set of stairs and finds Sharon dead in her ex-husband’s room. But when the lodge’s owner checks the room, the body is gone. Earlier that day, Betsy had briefly met Sharon and therefore knew what she looked like. However, since Betsy also suffered from vivid and violent dreams, she had difficulty convincing Jill of what she saw.
---Thoughts---
Unraveled Sleeve was the most suspenseful book in the Needlecraft series and for that reason was one of my favorite installments. Without a body, Betsy cannot convince law enforcement that Sharon was murdered.
Although other reviewers on Goodreads disliked the book because of its slow pacing, I didn’t mind because I was drawn into the mystery surrounding Sharon’s body. I also read the Needlecraft series primarily for the characters and the setting. I hope to visit Minnesota in the next year.
The book’s only weakness was the ending. The perpetrator confessed too easily and the case wrapped up too quickly. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal. In my view, this was a solid installment in the series.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
October 1, 2018
I am still deciding how I feel about this series. I enjoy the mysteries themselves and still cannot correctly guess the culprits. This one had quite a twist thrown into the reveal, which is why it was so hard to figure it out. I also really enjoy all the tidbits about cross stitch and the other crafty arts that I really know nothing about. I like Jill and Betsy., though I feel like their characters don't grow much. It's hard to be invested in them when we don't see any rapid change in their personal lives. Also the characters just seemed so vague in this story and I couldn't get much of a mental picture of them before it was over. I might continue the series to see if it gets more interesting.
February 2, 2025
3 stelle e mezza
Gran parte del libro passa a capire se ci sia stato un omicidio oppure no, anzi a trovare un corpo, se c'è un corpo da trovare. Poi, alla fine c'è una accelerazione e accade tutto nel giro di poche pagine. Ho avuto anche la netta impressione che sia stato tagliato un pezzo: la protagonista sta parlando con una investigatrice della scientifica e nella frase successiva fa due telefonate (e la tipa dove è finita?), subito dopo parte la scena della grande rivelazione. Sono poco convinta...
Gran parte del libro passa a capire se ci sia stato un omicidio oppure no, anzi a trovare un corpo, se c'è un corpo da trovare. Poi, alla fine c'è una accelerazione e accade tutto nel giro di poche pagine. Ho avuto anche la netta impressione che sia stato tagliato un pezzo: la protagonista sta parlando con una investigatrice della scientifica e nella frase successiva fa due telefonate (e la tipa dove è finita?), subito dopo parte la scena della grande rivelazione. Sono poco convinta...
August 14, 2018
Cute, but not particularly deft. I don't read many mysteries, and certainly not many cozies, but I enjoy them when I do, and I did enjoy this. Some of the descriptive language -- especially for landscapes -- were beautiful. That being said, it was not a particularly suspenseful mystery, and some of the characters fell very, very flat for me, especially towards the end.
December 25, 2022
Another pretty decent entry in the series, though SERIOUSLY showing its age. Some things in the book just feel very dated. I'll continue this series as I have time/need light things.
December 18, 2015
Ughhhh if, in the future, I think it's a good idea to listen to another one of these needlecraft mystery books, I need to look back at this review and remember:
1. These books are all the same and kind of boring! The best part is imagining a love affair between the main character, Betsy, and her BFF Jill. I was excited that they went away for a long weekend together and the only available room had only one bed, but then Betsy got all gay panicky and was sooo detailed in her avoidance of touching Jill in bed.
2. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator sounds like she could be reading a grocery list.
3. Betsy is so annoying, all "oh I hate solving mysteries and just want a normal life" and then immediately questioning strangers like she's a cop.
4. The bad guy always confesses everything to Betsy and Jill and anyone else who happens to be nearby with no lawyers, no trial, no sense of self-preservation, it just seems so stupid.
1. These books are all the same and kind of boring! The best part is imagining a love affair between the main character, Betsy, and her BFF Jill. I was excited that they went away for a long weekend together and the only available room had only one bed, but then Betsy got all gay panicky and was sooo detailed in her avoidance of touching Jill in bed.
2. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator sounds like she could be reading a grocery list.
3. Betsy is so annoying, all "oh I hate solving mysteries and just want a normal life" and then immediately questioning strangers like she's a cop.
4. The bad guy always confesses everything to Betsy and Jill and anyone else who happens to be nearby with no lawyers, no trial, no sense of self-preservation, it just seems so stupid.
January 11, 2018
My favorite in the series so far. I enjoyed this Betsy Devonshire/needlecraft outing immensely.
Great things about the story included the sense of place--Betsy and her friend Jill drive up to a needlecraft retreat at Naniboujou Lodge near the Canadian border. This is a real retreat that hosts real stitch-ins, and it was pure escapism reading about this place. I also love how the author tends to teach me something in these books...whether it's learning a bit about the geography and history of Minnesota, to surviving outdoors, to, of course, needlework.
Once again, I was reminded that part of what I enjoy about this series is how old fashioned the writing itself feels. It reminds me a bit of a Nancy Drew mystery. Unraveled Sleeve can definitely be read as a standalone mystery, and would be a great introduction to the Needlecraft Mystery series.
Great things about the story included the sense of place--Betsy and her friend Jill drive up to a needlecraft retreat at Naniboujou Lodge near the Canadian border. This is a real retreat that hosts real stitch-ins, and it was pure escapism reading about this place. I also love how the author tends to teach me something in these books...whether it's learning a bit about the geography and history of Minnesota, to surviving outdoors, to, of course, needlework.
Once again, I was reminded that part of what I enjoy about this series is how old fashioned the writing itself feels. It reminds me a bit of a Nancy Drew mystery. Unraveled Sleeve can definitely be read as a standalone mystery, and would be a great introduction to the Needlecraft Mystery series.
March 13, 2011
I give this five stars because, although it's a quick light read, I felt as if I'd been on the stitching retreat along with Betsy and Jill. Fortunately for me I didn't have to do the cross country ski but I ate every meal with them and looked at everyone's stitching. I was sorry when we all packed up and went home but hopefully, next time I am in that mood, I will join Betsy again and solve another mystery along the way.
February 27, 2016
My mother gave me a few of Monica Ferris' books for Christmas as I like to sew. Enjoyed them so much I splurged on the whole series. They're all wonderfully entertaining, but this one stands out due to the exploration Ferris devotes to the impact of murder on the detective. Cozies are lovely, but you have to wonder how anyone can stumble across so many bodies. Nice to see the writer think about it.
November 2, 2020
This book seemed slow for me. Betsy was at a stitch in with Jill and of course became involved in a case even though she was trying to get away from murders. This did make me want to work on a cross stitch again with all the different descriptions of everyone's projects. #readforkimberly
September 22, 2012
I read this book in one sitting, it was such a good book.
August 15, 2022
Betsy and Jill can't even get away from home without being in the middle of the crime. Hope Betsy can get a grip on the murder and stop the nightmares.
May 7, 2017
Another good read from the Monica Ferris needlework series. This is one of the earlier ones. Betsy has just inherited the store (and a good deal of money) from her sister. Godwin is back as the good-guy-who-has-Betsy's-back, and store manager. Jill, the police detective from Excelsior is also back. Without that trio, the book would have some trouble hanging together. Besty is exhausted from owning, needleworking, sleuthing, and mourning, so she heads up to Northern Minnesota (in January) for a retreat. Jill had registered months ago, so they share a room.
Betsy has nightmares, talks to an instructor, wanders into the wrong room to find the instructor dead, and then spends the rest of the book trying to find the body as well as the killer.
It's an interesting book, and the killer is not the person I suspected, so it holds suspense. But I'm taking a break in these books. A rich woman, running a store for fun, and sleuthing as a hobby is a bit close to Nancy Drew. But hey, I read four of them in a row. And they are easy, fun, mystery reads, particularly if you love hearing about different kinds of needlework.
Betsy has nightmares, talks to an instructor, wanders into the wrong room to find the instructor dead, and then spends the rest of the book trying to find the body as well as the killer.
It's an interesting book, and the killer is not the person I suspected, so it holds suspense. But I'm taking a break in these books. A rich woman, running a store for fun, and sleuthing as a hobby is a bit close to Nancy Drew. But hey, I read four of them in a row. And they are easy, fun, mystery reads, particularly if you love hearing about different kinds of needlework.
September 14, 2022
While I like the Needlecraft series (as I crochet and cross-stitch), I found this book a bit on the dry side and I struggled a bit to finish it.
I liked how MC Betsy and her BFF Jill attended a "stitch-in" aka needlecraft retreat at an actual hotel, Naniboujou Lodge in northern Minnesota. Based on the author's description of the lodge, it's definitely a must-visit for me and the photos on the website are a must-see. I've attended a cross-stitch retreat in the past and reading this book brought back wonderful memories of the retreat and the new friendships I made there.
I felt it took awhile for the book to pick up the pace regarding the mystery, which was the mysterious death of a needlework designer. Betsy initially discovered the body, which later disappeared (which reminded me of the book Fear of Frying by Jill Churchill, #9 in the Jane Jeffery series). I didn't guess the culprit before the reveal and I did like how the story kept me guessing.
I liked how MC Betsy and her BFF Jill attended a "stitch-in" aka needlecraft retreat at an actual hotel, Naniboujou Lodge in northern Minnesota. Based on the author's description of the lodge, it's definitely a must-visit for me and the photos on the website are a must-see. I've attended a cross-stitch retreat in the past and reading this book brought back wonderful memories of the retreat and the new friendships I made there.
I felt it took awhile for the book to pick up the pace regarding the mystery, which was the mysterious death of a needlework designer. Betsy initially discovered the body, which later disappeared (which reminded me of the book Fear of Frying by Jill Churchill, #9 in the Jane Jeffery series). I didn't guess the culprit before the reveal and I did like how the story kept me guessing.
June 9, 2024
Like all the books in this series, the action does not start in the first chapter, although it gets going sooner than in the previous stories. And there is a significant clue right at the beginning you have to pay attention for.
In this installment, our reluctant heroine is still reluctant, to the point of PTSD nightmares. Yet she finds herself in an almost-locked-room scenario and witness to a death. Was it natural causes? Or murder? As per usual, the story is full of detail, from seemingly mundane bits of conversation, to local geology, to the indigenous culture around Lake Superior. There is an extended subplot about the frustrations of counted cross stitch. My favorite bit in "Unraveled Sleeve" is of all the possible scenarios presented to keep the reader guessing, one is murder via an object you get at your local craft store.
If you are already at this point in the series, you know whether you like these books. If you liked the previous ones, you will like this one.
In this installment, our reluctant heroine is still reluctant, to the point of PTSD nightmares. Yet she finds herself in an almost-locked-room scenario and witness to a death. Was it natural causes? Or murder? As per usual, the story is full of detail, from seemingly mundane bits of conversation, to local geology, to the indigenous culture around Lake Superior. There is an extended subplot about the frustrations of counted cross stitch. My favorite bit in "Unraveled Sleeve" is of all the possible scenarios presented to keep the reader guessing, one is murder via an object you get at your local craft store.
If you are already at this point in the series, you know whether you like these books. If you liked the previous ones, you will like this one.
January 16, 2022
After helping to solve three murders in a short time, Betsy is plagued by nightmares of her own murder. Her friends encourage her to go away for a relaxing trip, and her friend Jill suggests a “stitch-in” retreat on the northeastern tip of Minnesota. Once there, she meets some friendly stitchers - but then finds one of them dead. But by the time the authorities arrive, the body is gone. The missing woman is identified as the guest demonstrator for the weekend, and more questions arise when they discover her ex-husband is a guest at the hotel. As much as she hates getting involved Betsy is drawn in. I’m still enjoying the characters and the way Betsy goes about solving the mysteries - although the way the villains blurt out their entire confessions all at once seems a bit contrived - so I’ll be going on to the next book in the series.
January 19, 2022
Long & drawn out to start, which was fine & even a bit fun, but the conclusion wrapped up so quickly it felt rushed.
Betsy & Jill attend at stitch in at a distant hotel & almost immediately Betsy gets herself involved in a mystery. I loved the stitch & even the mystery. Unfortunately Unraveled Sleeve was a bit of a convoluted mystery with a rushed ending.
Though I must say that the clues to the identity of the murderer were liberally scattered throughout the story. The revelation threw me for half a loop & was done in such a way that it felt like the author was trying to tie up the story in a hurry.
SPOILERS
The reason I say it feels rushed is because one of the murderer practically jumps up & yells "it was me!". Just as everyone is packing up to leave the stitch in with the murder unsolved, the murderers tell Betsy everything.
Betsy & Jill attend at stitch in at a distant hotel & almost immediately Betsy gets herself involved in a mystery. I loved the stitch & even the mystery. Unfortunately Unraveled Sleeve was a bit of a convoluted mystery with a rushed ending.
Though I must say that the clues to the identity of the murderer were liberally scattered throughout the story. The revelation threw me for half a loop & was done in such a way that it felt like the author was trying to tie up the story in a hurry.
SPOILERS
The reason I say it feels rushed is because one of the murderer practically jumps up & yells "it was me!". Just as everyone is packing up to leave the stitch in with the murder unsolved, the murderers tell Betsy everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2024
Betsy Devonshire, who owns a fictional needlecraft store in Minnesota, deals with nightmares, and she thinks a get-away might solve the problem. With her friend, Jill, she escapes to a rustic lodge where she joins other women in a stitch-in—several days of catching up on unfinished projects and learning new techniques from one another.
But on the first day of the experience, Betsy goes to the wrong room, and she finds a dead woman on the bed. Five minutes later with a cop and the resort manager in tow, she returns to the room to find no body. It simply disappeared.
I thought that was a decent attention-getting way to start a mystery, and the book stayed engaging to the back cover. I didn’t figure out the solution until I needed to, and it was worth a smile or two to see Betsy plunge back into sleuthing when she swore off it with such vehemence early in the book.
But on the first day of the experience, Betsy goes to the wrong room, and she finds a dead woman on the bed. Five minutes later with a cop and the resort manager in tow, she returns to the room to find no body. It simply disappeared.
I thought that was a decent attention-getting way to start a mystery, and the book stayed engaging to the back cover. I didn’t figure out the solution until I needed to, and it was worth a smile or two to see Betsy plunge back into sleuthing when she swore off it with such vehemence early in the book.
February 7, 2024
Betsy Devonshire, who owns a fictional needlecraft store in Minnesota, deals with nightmares, and she thinks a get-away might solve the problem. With her friend, Jill, she escapes to a rustic lodge where she joins other women in a stitch-in—several days of catching up on unfinished projects and learning new techniques from one another.
But on the first day of the experience, Betsy goes to the wrong room, and she finds a dead woman on the bed. Five minutes later with a cop and the resort manager in tow, she returns to the room to find no body. It simply disappeared.
I thought that was a decent attention-getting way to start a mystery, and the book stayed engaging to the back cover. I didn’t figure out the solution until I needed to, and it was worth a smile or two to see Betsy plunge back into sleuthing when she swore off it with such vehemence early in the book.
But on the first day of the experience, Betsy goes to the wrong room, and she finds a dead woman on the bed. Five minutes later with a cop and the resort manager in tow, she returns to the room to find no body. It simply disappeared.
I thought that was a decent attention-getting way to start a mystery, and the book stayed engaging to the back cover. I didn’t figure out the solution until I needed to, and it was worth a smile or two to see Betsy plunge back into sleuthing when she swore off it with such vehemence early in the book.
June 18, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this. I did not like that there was not much Goodwin. Betsy's waffling about whether or not she was going to investigate was irritating. Stop saying you aren't going to do something when you are clearly doing it. Her nightmares were the only reasonable thing in this story. The way they wrapped everything up was super convoluted. Her kids were in on it together! It came out of left field. The sponge was a good clue, but I still do not know how the sponge led her to realizing it was the kids... It should have been a fast read, but I was getting a little frustrated with it which made it hard to focus. However, I have enjoyed the previous books so I will continue to read this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2022
3.5 stars
This was not my favorite of the 4 books I have read in the series. It wasn’t bad just not my favorite. It was a little slower than I like so I ended up listening to the audiobook during the middle of the book. I absolutely love anything Susan Boyce narrates.
Betsy goes with her friend and local cop to northern Minnesota to a stitch-in at a lodge on Lake Superior. She hopes to forget her near death experiences and criminal investigating but finds herself in the middle of a missing body murder.
I will continue with this series as I like it. Betsy is a mature sleuth that leads an interesting life.
Every book included a free needlecraft design.
This was not my favorite of the 4 books I have read in the series. It wasn’t bad just not my favorite. It was a little slower than I like so I ended up listening to the audiobook during the middle of the book. I absolutely love anything Susan Boyce narrates.
Betsy goes with her friend and local cop to northern Minnesota to a stitch-in at a lodge on Lake Superior. She hopes to forget her near death experiences and criminal investigating but finds herself in the middle of a missing body murder.
I will continue with this series as I like it. Betsy is a mature sleuth that leads an interesting life.
Every book included a free needlecraft design.
July 27, 2024
Betsy Devonshire, having inherited Crewel World,, a needlecraft shop, from her deceased sister, is beseeched by investors, real estate, brokers, charities, etc. to help her spend her $3 million inheritance. She is also suffering nightmares from her own close call when someone attempted to murder her. Officer Jill Cross, a close friend of Betsy’s, suggests they head north to get away for a few days at a rustic Lodge for a “stitch in.” No telephones, no TVs, no Internet. Sounds wonderful. And it is until Betsy stumbles across a dead body in one of the rooms. Once again she is involved in investigating a murder.
January 1, 2016
"Unraveled Sleeve, A Needlecraft Mystery, #4" by Monica Ferris, 10/14/15
"... They looked out over the water until Betsy's troubled spirit grew a little more calm, then she asked, "Do you go swimming when you come up here in summer?"
"Gosh, no," said Jill. "Lake Superior is never warm enough to swim in. It stores up cold all winter." She stepped off the snow-covered lawn onto the narrow, thickly pebbled beach. "Well, actually I suppose it might be warm enough for a short dip in September, after absorbing heat all summer. But by then the air is too chilly.
Superior holds onto its summer heat so well it never freezes when winter comes again. At least this part of it doesn't. Further north cars can drive on the ice out to the islands. And of course Duluth Harbor freezes. They make a big deal of the ice finally going out in the harbor so shipping can resume."
She stooped to pick up a stone, rub it with a mittened thumb to see if it was worth keeping, and throw it far out into the water. She threw like a man, putting her back into it, and the stone went surprisingly far. "The average life expectancy of someone falling off a boat into Lake Superior is eight minutes."
A great swath of lake began lightening into a sky blue. "Why do big bodies of water change colors like that?" asked Betsy.
"Beats me," said Jill. "But have you noticed how each one seems to have its own set of colors? The Gulf of Mexico has a light green you never see up here, and there's a shade of blue on Superior I haven't seen anywhere else."
"Yes, it's about a what, DMC 312?"
Jill laughed. "And you still think you're not a stitcher! ..." (Page 127)
"Unraveled Sleeve" is the fourth "Needlecraft Mystery" by Monica Ferris. All the mysteries involve the owner and/or the patrons of "A Crewel World," a needlework store in the village of Excelsior, located about 15 miles west southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Betsy Devonshire, who fled a bad divorce in her longtime home of San Diego, has been in Excelsior less than a year. She originally came in the summer to spend several weeks or months with her sister, Margot Berglund, who started and owned Crewel World. Betsy figured that she would remain in Excelsior until she decided what to do next.
But Margot was murdered a few days after Betsy arrived. Betsy helped solve Margot’s murder and planned to stay until her will was probated and Betsy could wrap up the legal paperwork and close the store. But Betsy found she liked both needlework and Excelsior, so she's still running Crewel World and solving murders – two more since her sister's death.
Now it's the middle of winter, and Betsy is having heart-pounding nightmares about murders and murderers. Her best friend and fellow needleworker, Officer Jill Cross of the Excelsior police force, convinces Betsy that she needs to get away from the village for a while and go on a weekend stitching retreat. So Jill and Betsy head off to Naniboujou Lodge on Lake Superior, at the far northeastern corner of the state.
The lodge, a real place, was started in the 1920s as a private club where rich people from Duluth could ignore Prohibition in relative safety. The Canadian border – and all the liquor they could drink – were just a few hours away. The club failed after the 1929 stock market crash, however, and was sold. Fortunately, the building survived and today is a rustic hotel and restaurant.
Jill and Betsy have barely arrived when Betsy, knitting by herself in the lodge's small lounge as Jill unpacks in their room, meets a thin, blonde woman and fellow stitcher. They talk for a while, then the woman, who appears somewhat ill, leaves. Betsy nods off, then wakes up after dreaming about the woman. It's dusk and she's surprised that Jill hasn't come looking for her. Betsy goes to their room, but instead of Jill, she finds the thin woman lying on a bed, cool to the touch and apparently dead.
She blunders out of the room and downstairs to the hotel desk to get help. The manager leads Betsy back to their room. Jill is there and they wake her up from a sound nap, but the dead woman has vanished. Betsy describes the woman, but no one has seen her, dead or alive. So much for a stitching retreat from murder – it seems to follow Betsy around.
These are fun mysteries to read, especially if you are familiar with any kind of needlework. Each book comes with a free cross-stitch pattern. The needlework references make sense, and the association with needlework and needleworkers doesn't seem too strained.
I also enjoy these mysteries because they are set in interesting and/or scenic locations. The Naniboujou Lodge still exists; you can book a room there. Here's its website: http://naniboujou.com/index.php . It's named for Naniboujou, the Cree god of the outdoors, of joy and pranks, as well as of peace.
Down the road apiece, as we say in the Great State of Texas, there's a wonderful and mysterious place called "Devil's Kettle Falls," where one half of Minnesota's Brule River disappears underground. It's mysterious because no one has yet figured out where all the water goes – most likely it ends up in Lake Superior somewhere, but the "where" remains unknown. It's a real place, too, check it out: https://roadtrippers.com/stories/myst... .
These mysteries are well-written, the characters are well-drawn, and the plots are compelling. Author Monica Ferris covers all the bases. "Unraveled Sleeve" is well worth a read if you like cozy mysteries.
"... They looked out over the water until Betsy's troubled spirit grew a little more calm, then she asked, "Do you go swimming when you come up here in summer?"
"Gosh, no," said Jill. "Lake Superior is never warm enough to swim in. It stores up cold all winter." She stepped off the snow-covered lawn onto the narrow, thickly pebbled beach. "Well, actually I suppose it might be warm enough for a short dip in September, after absorbing heat all summer. But by then the air is too chilly.
Superior holds onto its summer heat so well it never freezes when winter comes again. At least this part of it doesn't. Further north cars can drive on the ice out to the islands. And of course Duluth Harbor freezes. They make a big deal of the ice finally going out in the harbor so shipping can resume."
She stooped to pick up a stone, rub it with a mittened thumb to see if it was worth keeping, and throw it far out into the water. She threw like a man, putting her back into it, and the stone went surprisingly far. "The average life expectancy of someone falling off a boat into Lake Superior is eight minutes."
A great swath of lake began lightening into a sky blue. "Why do big bodies of water change colors like that?" asked Betsy.
"Beats me," said Jill. "But have you noticed how each one seems to have its own set of colors? The Gulf of Mexico has a light green you never see up here, and there's a shade of blue on Superior I haven't seen anywhere else."
"Yes, it's about a what, DMC 312?"
Jill laughed. "And you still think you're not a stitcher! ..." (Page 127)
"Unraveled Sleeve" is the fourth "Needlecraft Mystery" by Monica Ferris. All the mysteries involve the owner and/or the patrons of "A Crewel World," a needlework store in the village of Excelsior, located about 15 miles west southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Betsy Devonshire, who fled a bad divorce in her longtime home of San Diego, has been in Excelsior less than a year. She originally came in the summer to spend several weeks or months with her sister, Margot Berglund, who started and owned Crewel World. Betsy figured that she would remain in Excelsior until she decided what to do next.
But Margot was murdered a few days after Betsy arrived. Betsy helped solve Margot’s murder and planned to stay until her will was probated and Betsy could wrap up the legal paperwork and close the store. But Betsy found she liked both needlework and Excelsior, so she's still running Crewel World and solving murders – two more since her sister's death.
Now it's the middle of winter, and Betsy is having heart-pounding nightmares about murders and murderers. Her best friend and fellow needleworker, Officer Jill Cross of the Excelsior police force, convinces Betsy that she needs to get away from the village for a while and go on a weekend stitching retreat. So Jill and Betsy head off to Naniboujou Lodge on Lake Superior, at the far northeastern corner of the state.
The lodge, a real place, was started in the 1920s as a private club where rich people from Duluth could ignore Prohibition in relative safety. The Canadian border – and all the liquor they could drink – were just a few hours away. The club failed after the 1929 stock market crash, however, and was sold. Fortunately, the building survived and today is a rustic hotel and restaurant.
Jill and Betsy have barely arrived when Betsy, knitting by herself in the lodge's small lounge as Jill unpacks in their room, meets a thin, blonde woman and fellow stitcher. They talk for a while, then the woman, who appears somewhat ill, leaves. Betsy nods off, then wakes up after dreaming about the woman. It's dusk and she's surprised that Jill hasn't come looking for her. Betsy goes to their room, but instead of Jill, she finds the thin woman lying on a bed, cool to the touch and apparently dead.
She blunders out of the room and downstairs to the hotel desk to get help. The manager leads Betsy back to their room. Jill is there and they wake her up from a sound nap, but the dead woman has vanished. Betsy describes the woman, but no one has seen her, dead or alive. So much for a stitching retreat from murder – it seems to follow Betsy around.
These are fun mysteries to read, especially if you are familiar with any kind of needlework. Each book comes with a free cross-stitch pattern. The needlework references make sense, and the association with needlework and needleworkers doesn't seem too strained.
I also enjoy these mysteries because they are set in interesting and/or scenic locations. The Naniboujou Lodge still exists; you can book a room there. Here's its website: http://naniboujou.com/index.php . It's named for Naniboujou, the Cree god of the outdoors, of joy and pranks, as well as of peace.
Down the road apiece, as we say in the Great State of Texas, there's a wonderful and mysterious place called "Devil's Kettle Falls," where one half of Minnesota's Brule River disappears underground. It's mysterious because no one has yet figured out where all the water goes – most likely it ends up in Lake Superior somewhere, but the "where" remains unknown. It's a real place, too, check it out: https://roadtrippers.com/stories/myst... .
These mysteries are well-written, the characters are well-drawn, and the plots are compelling. Author Monica Ferris covers all the bases. "Unraveled Sleeve" is well worth a read if you like cozy mysteries.
May 9, 2022
Betsy Devonshire is suffering from terrifying nightmares and decides to attend a stitch in with her friend Jill at a remote rustic lodge. Unfortunately for Betsy finding dead bodies seem to follow her, Betsy discovers a dead body in one of the rooms. But when she summons help from the front desk, the woman’s body has disappeared. Betsy is mystified and asks her friend Jill, a Police Officer for assistance. I enjoyed the mystery but found it a bit long. I didn’t enjoy the narrator and found the narration disjointed and wooden.
June 4, 2024
I'm pleasantly surprised how well Ferris can blend cozy mystery charm with a realistic emotional trauma response to previous murder mysteries in the series. Most series gloss over how consistently discovering dead bodies and solving murders would affect the sleuth protagonist. This series takes the consequences seriously without detracting from the coziness or making the book feel too heavy. Plus the dream sequences are convincingly real and crafting descriptions are accurate to my knowledge and experience!
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