Customer Reviews

Embroidered Truths (Needlecraft Mysteries)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I'm quite a fan of Monica Ferris' Crewel World mystery series, honesty compels me to admit that the books in the series have been a mixture of hits and misses. "Embroidered Truths" unfortunately, is a bit of a miss. It starts off really well, and Monica Ferris does an excellent job of presenting to readers the close relationship that exsists between Betsy Devonshire, the owner of Crewel World and amateur sleuth, and her manager, Godwin; giving a really good thumbnail sketch of the kind of tempestuous relationship that good-natured and slightly flaky Godwin has with his richer, controlling boyfriend, John; and establishing why, when John is found murdered and Godwin is arrested for the crime, Betsy and the women who patronise Crewel World, pull out all the stops in order to help establish Godwin's innocence. The thing is, though, it is this "filler" bits that are good and engaging -- the character developments, establishing the storyline, and the setup for the murder. Once "Embroidered Truths" settles down to becoming a book about Betsy working to find other culprits and motives, the book looses steam and becomes a trifle bland, mainly because there really was very little investigation and uncovering of deep, dark secrets and murderous tendencies. Also how she eventually figures out who the murderer is, could be chalked down to pure luck than due to her investigative effots. On the other hand, "Embroidered Truths" does introduce one of the most interesting characters to grace the series in a while: lawyer Susan Lavery, who chucks her job at the big law firm in order to become a private detective. I do hope that we will be seeing more of her in future installments. So, would I recommend "Embroidered Truths" as a worthwhile read given that the mystery fizzled a bit towards the end? That would depend on what you're looking for in a mystery book. If you're looking for a cunning and intriguing read, that is fast paced and full of plot twists, you might want to give this book a miss. However, if you're looking for a warm and charming cozy that is full of engaging and likable characters, then you'll want to read "Embroidered Truths," because, in spite of my fault finding, I did enjoy reading this Crewel World installment, and found it to be a nice relaxing 3 star sort of read.

Things are going well at Crewel World, the needlework shop owned by Betsy Devonshire, until her good friend and employee, Godwin comes to work, upset that his boyfriend, John has thrown him out again.

He still hasn't recovered from the last time when John threw all his clothes to the curb. This time he sends them to the shop, but "horrors" mixed the dirty clothes with the clean. John must really be serious about dumping him this time.

Sleeping in Betsy's guest room, Godwin becomes worried when John's office calls (he's an attorney) to ask if he knows where John is? Since John never misses work, Godwin convinces Betsy to go back to the house with him to be sure John's all right.

Unfortunately, John isn't ok, as Godwin discovers him laying on the floor with his head bashed in. It's even more unfortunate when Godwin is arrested for the crime.

Who would want to kill him? Someone he worked with? A jealous lover? Or did it have something to do with the secrets that are uncovered in John's computer?

It's up to Betsy and her needlepoint group to discover the answers, before Godwin finds himself locked up for good.

Highlights:

The relationship between Betsy & Godwin. I think Betsy see's Godwin as the son she never had.

Godwin's reactions to finding his lover dead and getting arrested for it. All true to his character.

The Monday Needlecraft group who come to work at the shop to free Betsy up to do the investigation.

Monica Ferris really brings her characters to life and I found myself crying along with Godwin.

Lowlights:

Not enough use of the minor characters. Jill Larsen is barely in the story.

A convaluted plot. I had to read the ending twice and am still not sure what was going on.

Killing John, who has been a character from the beginning of the books.

Although Betsy and the other ladies didn't like him, I always thought he was the perfect partner for Godwin. Sort of the rock for Godwin to steady himself on. If your husband flirted and came on to as many people as Godwin does, you'd throw him out too. It wasn't the perfect relationship but after 8 years, it seemed to work for them.

I'm sure that the next book will be better, and the series itself is very good and well worth reading.

I've enjoyed the Monica Ferris books since book one (Crewel World). In Embroidered Truths, John kicks Godwin DuLac out of the house - again. Betsy takes him in assuming that it will follow the usual pattern and they will make up soon. But when John's office calls to see if Godwin knows why John missed work ... well Godwin begs Betsy to come with him to check the house and they find John dead.

Godwin is devastated especially when he is arrested for the crime. The Monday Bunch swings into action to run the store while Betsy tries to hire a lawyer, learn the ins and outs of Bail bondsmen pricing, and investigates the crime and John's life and workplace in order to get her employee back. Add to that John's homophobic brother in town to close out the estate and you've got a large cast of characters.

There's the usual wonderful descriptions of needlework projects, multi-dimensional characters, lovely settings, action, adventure, and office intrigue. These are great mysteries with a wonderful set of continuing characters and we seem to have more with each book -- join in the fun now or go back to the beginning with Crewel World.

For those of us who are into needlecraft of some kind (it's knitting for me), Embroidered Truths is fun and entertaining, while at the same time a murder mystery.

The primary focus on crafts is embroidery, cross stitch (free tlatolli pattern included) and needlepoint in the shop Crewel World owned and operated by millionaire businesswoman, Betsy Devonshire. (Having not read other Ferris books and, therefore, not privy to earlier events in Betsy's life, my eyebrows shot up when I read she was worth three million buckaroos!) In this story, Betsy's shop manager and dear friend, Godwin DuLac, is thrown out of his lover's home and a few days later, John Nye, is found dead in his home. Actually, it's Goddy and Betsy who find him after receiving a call from Nye's law firm wondering why he hadn't shown up for work yet. It isn't long before Goddy is arrested and charged with the murder. Amateur sleuth Betsy is horrified that anyone would think Goddy capable of such a thing. Friends and shop customers take over the shop while Betsy sets out to find the real killer.

This book is very light fare; fun and easy to read. I was amused at the way Ferris expresses herself on occasion. Having had it pointed out to me by my editor that I sometimes go about a phrase the long way `round, I had to chuckle a few times at Ferris's style. Example: at the top of page 116 she writes (with regard to the hiring of an attorney for Goddy), "...overworked fellow still blowing on the ink on his law degree to dry it." I could hear my editor saying that to state that the same overworked fellow might still be "blowing the ink dry on his law degree" would have worked as well.

Friendship is important in Betsy's world and she certainly proves herself a loyal one, indeed.

Carolyn Rowe Hill

I really enjoy the Betsy Devonshire mysteries, and this one is no exception, but it does fall a little short of the other books in the series. While we get to know a great deal more about Godwin and his relationship with John, there seems to be more description of setting than actual plot development. And to be perfectly honest, Ms Ferris almost gives it away about 2/3 of the way through. The character development was good, and there were a few surprises scattered throughout the book, but they seemed to distract from the story line.
A good read, but not one of my favorites by this author

Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World, is Excelsior, Minnesota's own amateur sleuth. When Betsy's friend and store manager, Godwin (Goddy) DuLac has a fight with his lover, attorney John Nye, the resulting break-up sends Godwin to temporarily reside with Betsy in her home above Crewel World.

When Betsy and Godwin discover the theft of his jewelry, and then John's very dead body in his home, grief sets in for Godwin. But then Godwin is arrested when the police learn that he would benefit from John's will. Betsy knows in her heart that her friend is innocent -- and it is up to her to prove it. The investigation leads Betsy and the others helping her, to a discovery about John's life that no one, including Godwin, knew about. And this leads to the why and who.

Monica Ferris writes delicious, cozy mysteries and Embroidered Truths is one of her best. I love her characters and found the plot interesting. As a needlecraft lover, I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Armchair Interviews says: Embroidered Truths is a fun read!

It centered too much on the gay employee and didn't put a very good image of him forward. After the first 50 pages I wasn't interested in finishing.

Very good book. I have read all of the books in thit series and this is as good as the others. Anyone who enjoys mysteries and needlework of any kind should enjoy this book. Wonderful characters.

In Excelsior, Minnesota, Betsy Devonshire wonders where her best friend and shop manager of her needlecraft store Crewel World Godwin "Goddy" DuLac is as he is never this late. Goddy eventually shows up unshaven and wearing yesterday's clothing. His wealthy lover John Nye tossed him out of the house. Betsy helps Goddy cope with his personal crisis though being tossed is a recurring theme. The two men make up when Goddy takes his lover to Mexico for fun and sun although he maxed his credit to the limit and a shade beyond that.

Not long afterward, John throws Goddy out again. Quite depressed, he moves in with Betsy, but this time there is no reconciliation. Someone murders John with Excelsior Police Sergeant Mike Malloy arresting the deceased's former lover, who had the means, the opportunity, and the motive. Betsy knows Goddy could not hurt a fly so she investigates who actually killed John.

A stitch in time saves nine seems apropos as Betsy puts aside her needlepoint to prove Goddy is innocent, risking her life to do so. The story line is fast-paced with several cross stitch twists that will please amateur sleuth fans. Though the murder comes towards the middle of the tale, fans will understand the need to display indirectly the relationship between the gay couple as one becomes the victim and the other the prime suspect. Monica Ferris stitches together such a fine who-done-it that her readers will appreciate it and newcomers will seek the CREWEL WORLD backlist.

Harriet Klausner

moncia FERRIS HAS CREATED SOME ENDEARING CHARACTERS. i have read the entire series and they are all quite good and fit the american "cozy murder" genre nicely. if you are looking for some nice quick summer or winter reads these are great.
however, in the grand scheme of cozy murders, there are a flood of them on the market, so if you are not interested in needlework this might not be to your taste.