Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ferris's spooky 13th needlecraft mystery (after 2008's Thai Die) finds Betsy Devonshire, owner of the Crewel World needlework shop, preparing for the upcoming Halloween festivities in Excelsior, Minn., along with a host of other locals, including Leona Cunningham, a Wiccan and senior partner in a microbrewery pub, who's mixing a new brew called Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Ale. When Ryan McMurphy, an auto mechanic who's offered his restored antique fire truck for the parade, turns up dead in a friend's basement sewing room, Betsy once again puts on her sleuthing cap. Some of the stitchers, who serve as a sort of friendly Greek chorus, are into blackwork, an intricate reversible form of embroidery. Instructions for a blackwork pattern, Witchwork, appear at the end. (Oct.)
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Product Description

The beloved USA Today bestselling Needlework mystery series continues.

It's Halloween-and Betsy Devonshire, owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth, is haunted by murder...

In the town of Excelsior, Minnesota, Leona Cunningham, owner of a popular microbrewery, is a practitioner of Wicca, the nature-based religion often mistaken for black magic. But that doesn't bother the thirsty crowds. Then, after one too many pints, a local blames Leona for the series of "accidents" that have happened throughout town. When he ends up dead without a mark on his body, Leona's the main suspect. But Betsy's on the case, and that spells trouble for the killer.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425229904
• ISBN-13: 978-0425229903
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,491 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Update from the Crewel World, October 17, 2009

By	Edie Dykeman - See all my reviews

It is Halloween and the owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth Betsy Devonshire has so far unraveled a number of mysteries.

This time of year, when the goblins and witches are out in full force, people are easily spooked. Leona Cunningham is the owner of a popular microbrewery called The Barleywine, and a practitioner of Wicca.

Leona is troubled by the accusations of alcoholic Ryan McMurphy as he tells everyone around town that she is a real witch. He is starting to have an affect on her business.

As the Monday Bunch meet for their weekly get-together at Crewel World to work on their respective projects, the news and views of the small town are thoroughly discussed, including a recent destructive attack on Leona's property.

When Ryan is found dead in a locked room without any marks on his body, Leona becomes the main suspect.

Although reluctant to become involved, Betsy is soon on the case and the killer is in trouble as a growing number of clues lead Betsy through a series of suspects to the unexpected culprit.

Monica Ferris has constructed another interesting mystery that will keep most readers guessing to the end. Those who are not comfortable with reading about the practice of Wicca may not enjoy this book as much as the other books in the series.

As is usual with any theme cozy mystery, there is much talk about the main topic - in this case, crewelwork and its themes, patterns, and stitches. At the end of the book, a crewel pattern of a witch's hat is included. Directions are provided as well as a website address for further information.

The novel's theme fits into the Halloween season and could become a popular yearly fall read.

Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Clumsy, November 4, 2009

By	no one of consequence (USA) - See all my reviews

The charm of this series has worn off. While I appreciate the research done into beer brewing, it's inserted so clumsily into the storyline that I wonder if whole sections weren't just copied from email correspondence the author had with Field experts.

In addition, the way the author writes the character of Godwin is condescending. He is a gay man, who when he's excited, speaks in italics. She writes him as a young, naive, histrionic person (going so far as to have his new boyfriend nickname him, "Little Sparrow"). It's a simpering stereotype and a little bit goes a VERY long way.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real Halloween page-turner, October 15, 2009

By	B Squared "cat gal" (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews

Monica Ferris is at it again with her lively sleuth and shop-owner, Betsy Devonshire.

This time, the prime suspect is a member of the Wicca religion - many people blame her because the murder is not easily explained and her religion not understood. So what they don't understand, they condemn.

But the careful reader can see what's going on. There are no real twists and turns and sudden surprising revelations. (I guessed the murderer - but it's not easy). If you pay attention to the details, everything makes a lot of sense - extremely satisfying.

The new characters are both believable and likable. Personally, I'd like to see more of the shop and less of the surrounding village politics. But the mystery is straight forward and an ideal entertainment for the Halloween season.