Book Review: Crewel Yule

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Crewel Yule     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Monica Ferris
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Crafts   Woman Main Character
Series: Betsy Devonshire # 8
Berkley, Oct 2004, $19.95, 256 pp.

Instead of working at her stitchery store, Crewel World in a small Minnesota town, Betsy Devonshire and her employee Godwin are in Nashville attending the annual cash and carry market hosted by the International Needlework Retailer’s Guild. Their friend Sergeant Jill Larson is also in town attending a police conference. The three friends meet for dinner at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. However a freak snowstorm strands Jill at Betsy’s hotel.

Belle Hammermill, co- owner of Belle’s Samples and More in Milwaukee, falls off the balcony to her death in the atrium below. Betsy saw the incident and feels a misfortunate accident occurred as no one was in the vicinity of the victim. Jill has doubts and accompanied by Betsy questions people quickly learning that at least three women wanted Belle dead, but which one and how did that person escape eye witnesses accounts of not seeing the culprit perform the deed.

There is a sad irony to this entertaining sleuth tale as the victim was an amoral nasty piece of work who some will say deserved what she got while the killer is a beleaguered troubled person who performed the homicide on impulse and regrets her actions. Thus readers will empathize with the killer. Jurisdiction aside, Monica Ferris stitches together a delightfully clever yarn that will get the audience into the holiday spirit.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner