Knit Your Own Murder
A Needlecraft Mystery, Book #19
By Monica Ferris
ISBN13: 9780425270127
Author website: http://monica-ferris.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
In the USA Today bestselling Needlecraft Mysteries, Betsy Devonshire has her hands tied between running her needlework shop and turning her sharp eye for deduction to solving crimes…
The Monday Bunch and other local knitters are participating in a fundraising auction to save a community center, creating a growing pile of stuffed animals and toys right in front of the auctioneers as the audience bids. Among those contributing the most knitted goods is temperamental businesswoman Maddy O’Leary—who keels over halfway through the event.
After she is pronounced DOA at the hospital, an autopsy reveals that Marsha had been poisoned. But how? And by whom? One of the prime suspects is her ruthless business rival Joe Mickels, who lost a bitterly contested property bid to Marsha.
When Mickels pleads his innocence to Betsy, she reluctantly believes him. But if Betsy is going to uncover the real murderer’s identity, she must first untangle the knots Marsha made in her relationships throughout her life…
Review:
I really enjoy this cozy series and it is still going strong even with Knit Your Own Murder being the 19th book. “A Needlecraft Mystery” series is always fun, always entertaining and always seems to have just the right punch. This is another excellent mystery written by fabulous author Monica Ferris. The protagonist, Betsy Devonshire is just a bit different from so many amateur detectives I usually see in my favorite genre cozy mysteries. Betsy tries to work with the police, worries about jumping to conclusions, does not want to hurt anyone’s reputation. She is methodical and intelligent and has a wonderful caring heart. Her group of friends is a wonderful eclectic pack of great people. Starting with her boyfriend Connor, her assistant Godwin and all of the fellow knitters in her Monday Bunch. Her store Crewel World is a hive of activity at least on Mondays, even if sales have dropped off badly.
One of the Monday Bunch, Bershada came up with an exciting way to help their local community center. Have an auction selling handmade knitted animals. The knitters have been busy bees getting all they could done. Several locals are assisting as well. They are making cute little critters from Paddington Bear to fruit bats. The piece de resistance is a dragon made by a local famous artist. The knitters that made the most animals will be on stage knitting while the auction goes on. Even rude and always angry businesswoman Maddy O’Leary. She is not excited about being on stage, Betsy thinks she may just be shy. During the auction a tragedy occurs. Maddy falls over dead, poisoned by pure nicotine. Who would have done such a horrible thing?
A few days before the auction, local business man Harry Whiteside is found dead in his home. The police think it may be a robbery gone wrong. Things seem pretty suspicious after Maddy is killed. The two dead citizens were just involved in a serious real estate battle with Betsy’s old landlord Joe Mickels. Maddy won the battle, but what will happen now that she is dead. Joe comes to Betsy asking for her help to prove he is innocent. Her past experience helping to solve murders has earned her a reputation. She is very careful and always seems to let the local police to know what she is doing and what her suspicions are. She uncovers a tangle of business dealing between the 3 and more about the two deceased that bring several things to the surface. With her determined help and insight, the killer(s) are finally discovered. A wonderful twist is just perfect!
Several things set Knit You Own Murder and this series apart from most cozies. One the book is told in several different voices. Each character has their own voice and it is not hectic, jumping from one to the other. It flows and is seamless. Also Betsy is a careful and determined investigator. She does not put herself in careless danger and harm’s way. She learns things from listening, from observing. Her surrounding characters are enjoyable and assist with small things, but also do not go off willy nilly. You do not have to have read any of the other books in this wonderful series to thoroughly enjoy this read. Each can stand alone, but it is a wonderful long lasting series that just keeps getting better.
