Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Crewel World
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Monica Ferris
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Crafts Woman Main Character
Series: Betsy Devonshire # 1
Berkley, Mar 1999, $5.99, 256 pp.
Betsy's marriage ends when her husband dumps her for a much younger woman. Though they have not been close in years, Betsy's sister Margot invites her to stay with her in her apartment in Excelsior, Minnesota. Betsy accepts and moves into the apartment over Margot's shop CREWEL WORLD. Betsy quickly learns that the townsfolk adore Margot, who returns their feelings.
However, the residents and Betsy are stunned when Margot is murdered in what seems to be a burglary. Out of respect for Margot and a general liking of Betsy, the townsfolk adopt the grieving sibling. Once her numbness fades, Betsy theorizes that her sister was a victim of premeditated murder made to look like a store robbery gone bad. She sets in motion a plan to flush out her sibling's killer even if it means placing her own life in jeopardy.
CREWEL WORLD, the opening gamut in Monica Ferris' new series combines "free needlepoint patterns" within a wonderful amateur sleuth tale. Hobbyists and amateur sleuth lovers will enjoy the novel due to the deep, believable characters that provide local color to an interesting story line. Halfway through the book, many armchair detectives will probably guess who the perpetrator is, but the fun lies in watching Betsy working her way to do likewise. This novel hopefully establishes a pattern that provides readers with plenty of entertainment.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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