Customer Reviews

Hanging By A Thread

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Betsy Devonshire, the "reluctant" sleuth of Excelsior, Minnesota, is called upon once again to use her detecting instincts to aid the police in solving a crime. This time the mystery is a five-year-old murder. The alleged murderer is shunned in town , as the general public believes him guilty, however the police were never able to prove his guilt. He asks Betsy to help him prove his innocence, and , believing him, she takes on the task. Much of the story takes place right in Betsy's needlework shop, so readers of her previous books will be pleased to recognize the familiar characters of the town. References to cross stitch and knitting are sprinkled throughout the book, giving this book extra appeal to needleworkers. The plot of this book is strong, with an unexpected solution. A terrific read for a long winter's afternoon.

I'll admit that for the first few chapters "Hanging By a Thread" proved to be a bit of a frustrating read as it did take a while to unwind. But, by about a quarter way into the book, I suddenly found that I was quite firmly absorbed with the goings-on that was unfolding before my eyes, and that I really did begrudge any distractions that kept me from finishing the book.

For the past few years, Foster Johns has been living under a cloud. Everyone in the small town of Excelsior, Minnesota, believes that he murdered his mistress, Angela, and her husband, Paul, in a fit and jealousy and rage (even though the police have never really found any evidence to connect him to the murders). Now, however, he's pinned his hopes of finally being able to establish his innocence on Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World (a needlecraft store owner) and an amateur sleuth. Betsy is intrigued by the mystery and Foster's plight; and because she cannot really see Foster as the cold-blooded murdering type, she agrees to look into the case for him. But Betsy soon finds this case proving to be quite perplexing as she tries to sort out alibis and motives and how these perfect murders were committed...

I rather thought this latest Betsy Devonshire mystery novel to be a rather good one (and at least quite a bit better than the last few). Although, truth to tell, it was more in the nature of a brain teaser than it was a mystery novel -- the clues are strewn all over the place (some even towards the end of the book), so that the challenge is to see if you can solve the mystery before Betsy does. I'll admit I couldn't. I was able to correctly deduce who had committed the murders and why, but not how these murders were accomplished.

"Hanging By A Thread" was a rather fun read. Some bits were unnecessary (like Goodwin's campier than usual behavior -- is it my imagination or is Goodwin becoming a bit of a caricature?); but if you like puzzles and the small town mystery feel, than "Hanging By A Thread" is just the book for you.

I enjoyed this installment of Betsy Devonshire's sleuthing escapades. This novel was a more thoughtful story than the previous ones, the clues a little more subtle and the characters interesting. I found Betsy's love interest a little shadowy...not very well defined...and if this is the first book you read in the series, you might find yourself at a loss to connect with many of the people in the book. Betsy, herself, came alive a little better than previously. I am a needleworker, but I think people who aren't, and read these stories, would find her constant references to specific needlework items and people a little disconcerting. It's almost as if the author is trying to throw in her 'knowledge', but in an awkward way.
Even with these criticisms, I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to the next one.

The latest in this mystery series from Monica Ferris is one of the best. Good suspenseful plot, great atmosphere, and excellent characters (disclaimer - my hubby has taken up reading this series after me, and he HATES Godwin!) I only wish I'd been reading this closer to fall and Halloween - it was a little difficult to get into reading about hauntings and chilly weather when it was 95 degrees outside on the 4th of July. I should have saved it til the season was right. If you enjoy 'cozy mysteries' and/or needlework, you'll like this one.

Betsy Devonshire owns Crewel Jewel, a needlework craft shop located in Excelsior, Minnesota, that is doing quite well. Thanks to the old Minnesota winters, Betsy needs extensive roof work done and she hires general contractor Foster Johns to perform the roofing. All her friends, workers, and customers are appalled and concerned because everyone believes Foster murdered his mistress Angela and her husband Paul.

After the roofing job is completed to Betsy's satisfaction, Foster asks her to find the evidence that will clear his name. He swears he killed neither of them and Betsy intuitively believes him. During her questioning she learns that Paul was an abusive husband and Angela was a battered wife who had an affair with Foster. She also learns that Paul's airtight alibi doesn't hold up which means that he could have killed his wife. Now she has to prove it as well as find the weapon that killed both victims in the hopes that clues will lead to answers.

This is the sixth installment in the popular cozy series and it is every bit as good, if not better, than the first five novels. The heroine has shown tremendous growth as a character and the support cast makes the story line both colorful and humorous. There is no way anyone will guess how the victims died but once presented to the audience it becomes understandable and believable. Instead of knitting on a Minnesota wintry night, this a perfect work to read.

Harriet Klausner

This was a fun mystery to write. I love ghost stories and got to repeat some of my favorites here. The solution is a little strange -- but, as claimed in the story, it's based on something that actually happened. I think Denise Williams is getting better at designing the patterns at the back of the books with every new title. I hope my readers continue to enjoy these books as much as I enjoy writing them.

Betsy Devonshire now owns the building where her needle craft shop Crewel World is located. Unfortunately, ownership includes having to put a new roof on the building and she hires local contractor Foster Johns.

When Foster comes in to collect his payment, the Monday Bunch of needle crafters stop in their tracks. Didn't Betsy know that Foster was a murderer? That five years ago he had killed his lover Angela Schmitt and then a few days later her husband Paul Schmitt.

Angela was shot in the locked bookstore where she worked. Paul was beaten and shot by the same gun in their home. Foster admitted to having a romance, (they weren't lovers) with Angela but he didn't kill her or Paul. There wasn't enough evidence and Detective Mike Malloy had to let him go and the murders have remained unsolved.

Foster asks Betsy to investigate the crime and clear his name.

Betsy found it hard to investigate as everyone seemed to be certain Foster was guilty. Paul and Angela were such nice people, that there just couldn't have been anyone else who would have wanted to kill them. Angela was such a sweet, shy person. And Paul always had a smile on his face, willing to help everyone.

Betsy's investigation found that people aren't always what they seem to be and the clues led her to a solution that would surprise everyone.

Highlights:

The Monday Bunch telling Ghost Stories on Halloween. This group gets bigger each book and they're all great characters. Always help to Betsy, as they know all the gossip in town.

Every one in the Monday Bunch, especially Godwin melting over Rik Lightfoot, a gorgeous, rich man who does needlecrafts when he comes into Crewel World, making Betsy wonder if Godwin's boyfriend John didn't have a point about him flirting with other guys.

Godwin, still melting until Rik tells him a long, long story about his passion.

The mystery was very interesting. I enjoyed how Betsy had to go back five years and try and get people to remember things that weren't colored with their suspicion that Foster was guilty.

No Lowlights. A very satisfying mystery.

While I've enjoyed the previous books in this series, this one seemed slow and lacking in suspense. Perhaps it was because the murders in question take place several years before the present. The non-mystery aspects of the book (Betsy's romance) also seemed flat, and characters from previous books could have used more 'screen time'.

The 6th Crewel World mystery is in the best Agatha Christie mood: the slightly ditsy Betsy Devonshire is asked to clear up a mystery deeply shadowing several lives. Is a murderer escaping justice, or is an innocent man suffering calumny? Although the plot is slight, it's engaging as a believable example of the currents in small town life. The reader wants Betsy to discover the truth and relieve the grief of various characters. Ferris has diversified the Excelsior population; none of the characters or interests are fully developed yet, but they're promising! It's always enjoyable to see needlework treated as a serious interest of sensible people...

Great adult "Nancy Drew" and very entertaining...interesting for needleworkers.