Hanging by a Thread (Needlecraft Mystery) [Kindle Edition]

Monica Ferris (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Monica Ferris has a talent for vivid detail," raves the Old Book Barn Gazette. And her heroine, needlecraft shop owner Betsy Devonshire, is "a great character" says Midwest Book Review. Now it's up to Betsy to unravel a five-year-old murder case that refuses to die.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 429 KB
• Print Length: 276 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0425187144
• Publisher: Berkley (January 7, 2003)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001QKSWOO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,406 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Monica Ferris is the USA Today bestselling author of several mystery series under various pseudonyms.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Betsy gets better and better!, January 24, 2003

By 

"christie20_98" (Henrietta, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hanging By A Thread (Paperback)

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.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a good puzzler..., February 2, 2003

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hanging By A Thread (Paperback)

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best so far!, February 17, 2003

By 

C. S. Boland "cjbcsb" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hanging By A Thread (Paperback)

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.