Review: Framed in Lace

Framed in Lace Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Monica Ferris
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Crafts Woman Main Character
Series: Betsy Devonshire # 2
Berkley Prime Crime; 1999; $5.99; pp 243

Set in a needlecraft shop in Minnesota named Crewel World, this is series about a woman who inherits it but who doesn't know much about needlecraft and doesn't care to be an investigator but solves mysteries anyway. In this extremely cozy story a skeleton is found when a sunken ship is raised after 50 years. The only real clue is a piece of lace found with the body.

I really enjoyed the whole premise and group of characters in this work. I enjoyed the immersion in the various needle arts that filled the book, and the daily goings on of the staff, and the regular group of crafters who meet there. It was like working in a needlecraft shop again, and I have missed that. I also enjoyed the reference to the culture of RCTN, an internet newsgroup I occasionally visit myself, and its relevance to solving the mystery.

Intricate knowledge by the reader of the various needle arts involved is not required to figure out the solution but it is amore pleasurable read in those circumstances I'm sure. The book fit solidly in the cozy genre, including all the classic elements. There are no recipes but needlework pattern is included. The references to the previous life in San Diego of the main character seemed out of kilter. I've vacationed in San Diego 3 times, and they didn't ring true for me, nor my husband who lived in San Diego for years. But that was partly offset or perhaps used to balance the character coping with a Minnesota fall/winter for the first time in many years.

This is one of the few books I have read where a gay character is not the victim, the murderer or the motive. However I was a little put off by the apparent necessity felt by the author of explaining this character was gay almost as an excuse for his working in the shop. It was the first thing about this character we were told and it was totally irrelevant to the plot or the rest of his character. There were plenty of other characters whose sexual orientation was not revealed so I don't see the necessity for this one.

And in my experience the vast majority of males who frequent needlecraft shops, and practice any sort of needlecraft are very comfortable heterosexuals. Not only that, but the reasons they enjoy needlecraft are more interesting than the stereotypical gay who is good with colors. I think it would have been a more daring choice to make the fellow against stereotype and more real by having him be straight.

Barring that, it would have been nice to also have a straight male as a customer, or one of the experts consulted. There was a dearth of males in this story other than suspects and officials, if they didn't wear a tool belt, or some badge/symbol as a professional identifier they didn't exist. Yet there were plenty of places men could have easily been written in. I did enjoy the fact that Betsy, the female amateur sleuth was a Vietnam Vet. I think that's a first in my reading experience.

Book Review: Framed in Lace