Unraveled Sleeve (Needlecraft Mysteries, No. 4)

I haven't read it as of yet, but it arrived in very good condition. I can't wait to start on it. Karen

The perfect book to curl up with when you are tired. You will not have to think much when you read this book, the author's habit of spelling everything out for you, makes this a nice light read.

I didn't know so many people already knew about Naniboujou Lodge on the North Shore of Minnesota -- the setting for this novel. It is a beautiful, romantic place with a slightly confusing arrangement of staircases. That's what gave me the idea of setting a mystery novel there, those confusing staircases. And when I walked back to the mysterious Devil's Kettle waterfall, it confirmed my opinion that here was a place crying out to have a cozy little murder ...I am so pleased at the positive response I'm getting to the Betsy Devonshire mystery series. Even people not fond of needlework are buying and reading these novels. I hope people also not fond of antique cars will be interested in the next one, in which Lars buys a Stanley Steamer.

If Jessica Fletcher didn't get away from Cabot Cove every once in a while, there would be no residents left living in that small town on the coast of Maine. It's the same deal with Betsy Devonshire of Excelsior, Minnesota. After she inherits her sister's needlecraft store, Crewel World, she finds herself getting involved in the investigation of several local murders. And she ends up solving the mysteries. (see _Crewel World_, _Framed in Lace_, and _A Stitch in Time_) And even though Betsy is a newcomer to Excelsior, people are starting to turn to her in expectation of her quick work at locating criminals. The local police chief is still a bit leery of her ideas and techniques, but Betsy has conveniently befriended a female cop named Jill who can offer official help and insight. It works.In this fourth episode, however, Betsy and Jill have ventured far afield to attend a Stitch-In in Naniboujou, Minnesota, along the Lake Superior shoreline. When the key speaker doesn't show up, both women become suspicious and start nosing around, and eventually they are the ones who find the body. Now, if you've read the other mysteries in this series, you shouldn't mind Betsy asking a lot of questions and following her conclusions. But if this is the first Monica Ferris book you pick up, I think Betsy might rub you the wrong way. You might think she's a butt-in-ski who has no business investigating a murder which shouldn't concern her. You might think it's pretentious of her to walk into an unfamiliar hotel and start asking questions. You might think it's a gutsy move to confront the victim's children and ex-husband with pointed accusations. And you'd be right, sort of. But read one of the other volumes first. You'll like Betsy a lot better, and you'll have more tolerance for her style.I read all four of the Needlecraft Mysteries in one weekend and am ready for some more. Fans of this series would like Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper mysteries as well.

In Excelsior, Minnesota Betsy Devonshire inherits the million dollar estate of her late sister Margot. Betsy also suffers nightmares from her homicide investigations which include a friend trying to kill her. Then there is the invading army of people trying to hit on Betsy for a piece of her inheritance. Listening to her friends, Betsy accompanies police officer Jill Cross on a wintry vacation to Nanitoujou for a stitch-in convention.At the Lake Superior resort, Betsy meets a sad woman who says she is trying to reconcile with her spouse. Later, Betsy enters her room only to find that same woman dead. She obtains assistance from lodge employee James, but reenter her room only to wake up Jill with no corpse in sight. After talking with Jill, Betsy realizes that she went up the wrong stairwell and entered the wrong room. With James and Jill, Betsy retraces her steps. In the room where she saw the body, they meet Eddie Owen, who insists he is alone and estranged from his wife, leading Betsy and Jill to begin to investigate.The third needlecraft mystery (see CREWEL WORLD and FRAMED IN LACE) is an entertaining amateur sleuth tale. The murder mystery is fun due to the strong cast though it relies too heavily on coincidence to begin the happenings. Betsy is a great character having trouble sleeping and struggling with the horde of individuals wanting her cash. The Excelsior residents add depth to Betsy while the lodge individuals augment the who- done-it. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Monica Ferris' UNRAVELED SLEEVE.Harriet Klausner