Embroidered Truths

A Needlecraft Mystery #9

by Monica Ferris

After her friend Godwin has a nasty quarrel with his significant other, John, Betsy Devonshire finds herself with a roommate. But heartbreak turns to grief when Betsy and Godwin discover John dead in his home, and Godwin is arrested for the murder. Betsy sets out to prove him innocent, and finds that John had some dishonest dealings that made him a lot of money--and a lot of enemies. Now Betsy has to untangle a cat's cradle of lies if she's going to save Godwin... before the murderer decides to cut off all the loose ends for good.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Crafts, Mystery Thriller

273 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Has published as
Mary Monica Pulver (real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)

[from the author's own website)

Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier — Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents’ home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.

She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.

Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.

She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter – a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery”.

Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.

In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones. Threadbare will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its eighteenth printing!

Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.

She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all Monica Ferris's books that I've read so far (I'm reading them in order), I think this was the least satisfying of them all. The writing was consistent with her previous work: an easy-going casual style. The plot though had too many holes in it; there were too many questions left unanswered. It seemed as if the author wasted too much time on describing how Betsy hired a lawyer and debated bailing Goddy out and then suddenly realized she had hit some mystery page limit and had to finish the book lickity-split. The ending itself was unsatisfying: one chapter the murderer is arrested, the next is months later and we are told how everything has resolved. Except everything isn't explained… like how the police could conclude that someone who committed other crimes could also be responsible for Nye's murder. Why did the murderer decide to kill Nye now, rather than months earlier? Why would the police not be able to break the passwords on Nye's computer and the encryption, when Betsy's teen friend did it in a few hours? If they did, why didn't the police suspect that there might be other people besides Goddy who might murder Nye? What evidence did the police have that made Goddy a suspect? How did the police figure out that Betsy couldn't give Goddy an alibi? And more fundamentally: why did Nye make the secret plans he did? Why was he finally tossing Goddy out? Maybe it is me, but just saying that he is a conflicted homosexual doesn't explain his actions. Ferris's books are light and fluffy-- that's one of the reasons I like them-- but they usually are light, fluffy but solidly thought out mysteries. This one wasn't.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more books I read in this series the more I enjoy it. At first I felt like I didn't know these characters at all, but deeper into the series I feel like I do and I really like them. (Though Officer Mike is still a complete mystery to me, I wish we saw more of him in this one). The writing style is flowing more easily (in my opinion) and I like how the story unfolded. Poor Gody! I could tell I was attached to these characters when he was arrested and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what happened. It was also interested to really dislike the murder victim in this case, but still need to know who killed him. I was very surprised by many of the secrets that came out, though not surprised that someone at his work killed him. These are easy to read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Note: I've been listening to this series on audio-book and I really like the narration.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars The best of the series so far

[Cassie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oooof this one did not age well. I was surprised to see it was from 2006 based on some of the descriptions. Wow.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series does keep getting better. I enjoyed Betsy's sleuthing in this one.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Embroidered Truth, by Monica Ferris, b-plus, narrated by Melissa Hughes, produced by BBC Audio Books-America, downloaded from audible.com.

Monica Ferris is a local author who writes about Minneapolis and the suburbs along Lake Minnetonka. Melissa Hughes’ narration was a little irritating. The voice she chose for Godwin, a gay male character, was whiney and somewhat effeminate. And she kept mispronouncing the name of one of the suburbs: Wayzata in the twin cities is not pronounced as it sounds, but is pronounced “Wyzetta, with a long “I” sound for the “y”.

The book itself is a cozy. Betsy Devonshire is a woman who owns and runs a yarn shop and her greatest hobby for leisure is knitting, well and helping the police solve crimes, even if they don’t want her help. Betsy is wealthy, which is good because the yarn shop isn’t terribly financially successful, although it has its loyal shoppers and knitters. Godwin is her best employee and he has had good ideas about expanding the product in the shop. Godwin’s boy friend, John, is a lawyer, and he got in a fight with Godwin and threw him out. Godwin moved in with Betsy but grieved about the loss of the relationship. When John’s secretary called him one day to ask why John wasn’t at work, he and Betsy went back to the house and found John dead. Of course Godwin was the immediate suspect and was arrested. Betsy put her mind to work to solve the murder, finding out that John was involved in some money-making schemes and other things, not known to Godwin, which may have gotten him killed. I like this kind of book as a breather from the noire I usually read. These ladies are suburbanites who knit, buy complicated knitting patterns and discuss how to work the patterns, go to coffeehouses, etc. Monica Ferris definitely knows Minneapolis, and part of her story happened at a real coffeehouse, Vera’s, which is just a couple of blocks from my house. I’ll read other books by this author.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris is the 9th book of the Needlecraft Mystery series set in contemporary Minnesota. Betsy Devonshire inherited needlework shop Crewel World from her sister. She runs the shop with the help of her gay manager Godwin. When "Goddie' and his lover John fight, and John throws him out (yet again) Betsy offers her guest room. This time they don't make up; instead John is found murdered, Goddie is arrested and sent to jail. Betsy can't afford the shocking $100,000 non-refundable bail fee - so she has to solve the mystery to get Goddie out of jail. She finds out - no big surprise - John was up to no good. Tedious story, but with a happy note regarding Lars and Jill. Glad this one is out of the way, on to the next in the series...

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another light, slightly fluffy read - perfect for a cold miserable weekend. In this one Betsy's shop manager Godwin is in a lot of trouble, as he is arrested for Murder. Thankfully Betsy comes to his aid, and begins her own investigation into the murder. Godwin is my favourite character in this series so it was great having him so much in middle of the story. There were a few places where I though Goddy's reactions to things were unrealistic, especially bearing in mind his boyfriend has just died. If I was being horribly picky I would have to say the characters have little depth to them in general, but this is a light cosy read, and not meant to be anything else.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betsy and her friends at Crewel World are once again embroiled in a murder investigation, only this time it is personal. When Godford's partner is killed just days after their breakup he becomes the chief suspect in the murder. Naturally Betsy is immediately on the case to try and find out who actually killed John, and why.

With little snippets of helpful advice for knitting, cross stitch, needlepoint and other needle arts scattered in the narrative this is a fun series for someone who loves needlework.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I've been expecting this scenario from the very beginning; it was just set up a little too much. This is not a bad thing, in fact I wanted it to happen very much. Not the murder, just the innocent accused of it, because I knew Betsy would prove herself again. I was not disappointed!

If that gives away anything about the plot, I'd be surprised haha. Hopefully people still go into this a surprised, although I believe if you've read the rest of the series you'll expect this too. I adored this book, and this was an excellent example of the series.

Five stars!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I am not a "needlecrafter" myself I enjoy this series (and others that deal with sewing, quilting, crochet, knitting....). Betsy Devonshire is a very likeable character and I love her shop manager, Godwin. I would recommend this series whether you are a needlecrafter or not because it is a "goodread".

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a highly readable book in the series. Betsy Devonshire operates a needlecraft shop in Minnesota, which she inherited from her murdered sister.

Her assistant manager is flamboyantly gay, and his boyfriend constantly kicks him out. But this time, the boyfriend toss seems real. The obnoxiously vain Godwin is unhoused and unhinged, and he winds up in Betsy’s apartment just so he has a place to sleep. They know the breakup is real when a large box filled with Godwin’s clothes arrives at the needle shop.

Betsy and Godwin decide to visit John, a successful lawyer and Godwin’s boyfriend. When they arrive, they learn that John isn’t up for visitors. Instead, you could say he’s down for the count. Someone used a heavy statue and rearranged the topography of John’s skull.

The cops arrest Godwin for John’s murder, and a crusading amateur sleuth like Betsy can’t help but get involved.

This isn’t a twisty gasping kind of ending, but it wasn’t one I predicted either, so that’s good. It’s a relatively quick read; I started it just before bedtime and finished it in the early hours of the morning. The narrator does an excellent job with the characters, and she’s highly listenable.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Godwin DuLac, Betsy’s friend and most valuable employee, has had frequent run-ins with his partner John, so when he’s kicked out of the house they share, no one is worried. But when John doesn’t come to work, Godwin enlists Betsy’s help to look for him. They find him in the house, the victim of a brutal murder. Since Godwin can’t verify his whereabouts the previous night, he’s the main suspect, and the local prosecutor is certain that he’s got the murderer. It’s up to Betsy to prove him innocent. Her investigation uncovers unpleasant truths about John’s business dealings, pointing the finger at some dangerous characters. My local library has the next book on its shelves, so I’ll be picking it up soon!

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris is the 9th book in the Needlecraft Mystery series. Returning from a Mexican holiday, Godwin quarrels with his partner John and is thrown out, only for John to be murdered, and when Godwin is arrested, Betsy finds herself investigating another murder. I love that Betsy is more confident with her sleuthing and that she enlists help when needed. I like that she is smart and has good business sense. I enjoyed learning a little about needlecraft along the way. An interesting and fun cozy mystery.

[Karen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listen to the audio books. I like the series, the characters, and the mysteries, but this is a new reader and I don't like the reader as much as the one who has been reading the eight books before this. So I found that I didn't like this book as well as the previous ones, but it may not have had anything to do with the book. If you haven't read any of this series, I recommend starting with an earlier book than this one.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

After picking several, lousy books, I purposefully sought out something I knew would not be lousy. I think it greatly adds to the context of the story, if a reader is a needleworker of some form, which I am a needlepointer. I enjoyed the mystery, and though it’s not nice, I’m glad John’s gone from the stories. He just wasn’t a kind person. I like Betsy’s sleuthing, Mike’s grudging respect, that we see a little more of Lars, and the routineness of Crewel World woven in to the story.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy bigotry batman. the racism...the lead character, a woman in her 50s, is so shocked that nobody 'warned' her that the lawyer was black, that she stared at him in stunned silence and then took people - other black people so its not like she's enver seen one before - for not 'warning' her in advance he was black. she assumes all black people know each other.
all gay people are flaming, bitchy queens only interested in money and their looks, even in jail.

[Lida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, though it was about murder. It never ceases to amaze me that the town detective can keep arresting people with nothing but circumstantial evidence. (Motive, but no murder weapon or prints on the murder weapon: no problem!) However, if he didn’t, Betsy wouldn’t have any cases to solve. The events of this book take place close to home, so there is plenty about the Excelsior characters, who really give the book its heart.

[Mary Skelton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am definitely giving up this series. I am not even going to finish this book. The obvious bigotry in this book is disturbing. Being shocked because your lawyer is black. The comments about the guy community had me speechless. It was gross. I am glad I have been getting these from my library and I have not supported this series financially. I am so disappointed.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite cozy mystery series, and this time the murder was very close to home for Betsy. Well thought out and well written, with a lovely setting and a good, developing, ongoing cast of characters.

[Lynn Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS NEEDLECRAFT MYSTERY SERIES IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES BECAUSE EACH ONE HAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BASIS OF THE MYSTERY THAT BETSY SOLVES. IT'S BEST BECAUSE SHE INHERITS THE SHOP AND LEARNS THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF STITCHES. I LOVE WHEN SHE RUNS INTO PROBLEMS WITH HER STITCHING!

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betsy and Godwin find their lives in turmoil again. Monica Ferris seems to always offer up a few suspects. I always seem to pick the wrong one. I like this series and have loved the ride of the books.

[Tommie Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book in this series (you don't have to read in order with these books). Godwin and John (his partner) have a major fight. Before Godwin and John can make-up, John is found murdered in his living room. Godwin is arrested and Betsy must look into John's past to find the real killer

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betsy Devenshire’s friend and coworker Godwin is charged with the murder of his partner John.
Betsy is certain that Godwin is innocent and investigates others who may have reasons to want John dead.
I enjoyed the audiobook and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Kathleen Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

R-word. Homophobia, though it doesn’t go unchecked by the MC. Mild racism, though for once it was actually addressed, unlike the rest of the prolific casual racism. Mention of SA. I feel invested in these books, but the ignorance is really wearing on me.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Plot was intriguing but the storyline was dull. Most of the characters were fun but that Godwin was annoying to say the least. What a whinner. He got on my nerves fast. There were some good twists and turns. I liked how she gradually developed her clues. Recommend.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite in this series so far. Goodwin is such a darling character I loved having him being the center of attention for this book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what I would call a cozy mystery with a sleuth / knitter at the helm to help someone who is wrongfully accused of murder.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing how many murderers hang around this crafter's store!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully lightweight.