15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
a nice and charming cozy, August 8, 2005
This review is from: Embroidered Truths (Needlecraft Mystery) (Hardcover)
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.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
But I Don't Look Good In An Orange Jumpsuit, August 15, 2005
This review is from: Embroidered Truths (Needlecraft Mystery) (Hardcover)
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.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Betsy investigates murder again -- better and better plots, April 28, 2006
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.
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