A Stitch in Crime

I had great expectations for this fourth installment of the Molly Pink crochet mystery series, and I was not disappointed a bit. I especially liked the way Molly's relationships between her and Mason, and her and Barry, are developing. Her dealings with her sister (and fellow) crocheters/Hookers are deepening as well and in the most satisfying ways. Of course there is the mystery to play out, and it is fairly and intricately constructed and resolved. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the locale and the additional players, too. The wit of Molly is ever present. There is also no way I can read one of Betty Hechtman's books without wanting to enjoy the goodies she includes the recipes for at the end of the book. A really fun ride.

This book may be the best one in the series. It had humor and interesting plot twists. You'll never quess who did it!

This book in the Crochet Mystery Series (4) takes place in Monterey CA. Molly Pink has been given the responsibility of controlling a craft workshop weekend. Of course, there is the battle between those who crochet and those who knit. In addition, there is a death (murder or accident?).

Molly Pink works as an event coordinator at Shedd & Royal Books and More. Her boss Mrs. Shedd hands over her rhinestone clipboard placing Molly in charge of the "Get Out of the Heat and Light Your Creative Fire" retreat weekend on the Monterey Peninsula. Her employer's only admonition for Molly is not to get involved in a homicide investigation as is her inclination (see By Hook or Crook and Dead Men Don't Crochet). Pink thinks that will prove no problem since a crafts retreat is an unlikely setting for a murder. She soon finds her theory wrong when one of the instructors, famous Izabella Landers is found on the beach. Rushed to the hospital she is dead from anaphylactic shock due to exposure to peanut butter that she is allergic to. Certain odd details make Molly wonder if a murder occurred even though the police believe a tragic accident happened; the coroner backs up the cops. Determined to find out whether her theory is correct, Molly almost gets killed too. Even more sure a killer is loose; Molly and the Tarzana Hookers investigate. Betty Hechtman has written an enjoyable amateur sleuth featuring a likable lead protagonist who has reinvented herself one stitch at a time several years after her husband died. Although reckless, a bi-product of her spouse's death as she believes life is to be lived every moment one has and her late mate would admire her for doing so; that zest for taking chances adds to her charm. The whodunit is fun as the woman carrying the symbol of power, the rhinestone clipboard, searches for a killer who may not exist. Harriet Klausner