What do you think?
Rate this book
A Needlecraft Mystery #5
A Murderous Yarn
The art of needlecraft requires patience, discipline, and creativity. So, too, does the art of detection. Just ask Betsy Devonshire—who’s learning that life in a small-town needlecraft shop can reveal an unexpected knack for knitting…and a hidden talent for unraveling crime.A Murderous Yarn
Heavens to Betsy Devonshire! She never intended to get so caught up in this year’s antique car race. But as sponsor of one of the entrants, she can’t help but keep a close eye on the outcome—and it’s not pretty. One of the drivers never makes it to the finish line. His car is found exploded in flames. Now Betsy and her crafty friends must determine if it was an accident or the work of a jealous competitor. The answer may be in a piece of needlework, but pinning down a suspect won’t be easy…
Heavens to Betsy Devonshire! She never intended to get so caught up in this year’s antique car race. But as sponsor of one of the entrants, she can’t help but keep a close eye on the outcome—and it’s not pretty. One of the drivers never makes it to the finish line. His car is found exploded in flames. Now Betsy and her crafty friends must determine if it was an accident or the work of a jealous competitor. The answer may be in a piece of needlework, but pinning down a suspect won’t be easy…
243 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 5, 2002
36 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Monica Ferris
27 books486 followersHas 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
June 10, 2017
A 3.5-4 star read for me. It was a nice change that the mystery was set around an antique car run. Lots of information on old cars ... at times a little too much for my taste. The murder happened quite a bit into the story and "whodunnit" was pretty obvious. But even though the investigation was fun and entertaining and made for a quick read.
August 21, 2019
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris is the 5th book in the Needlecraft Mystery series. Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World, sponsers a fried in an antique car run and when one of the entrants is murdered, she is asked to investigate. A nice typical cozy mystery with a lot of information about antique cars in this book. The solution was fairly obvious with the mystery taking a back seat to the antique cars. Gordons relationship problems and whining was rather grating though. An enjoyable book overall.
May 20, 2017
Good little mystery. I liked the antique cars in this one, that was a fun addition. Good sleuthing on Betsy's part.
May 17, 2025
This is part of a needlework themed series but it is much more about the antique cars taking part in an event. Note that it is not a race, repeat, NOT a race. The book is full of automotive information and history. I was startled to learn that the Stanley Steamer handles 400 psi - pounds per square inch pressure - so I took that to a weekly gathering of model railroaders I attend to check that with a couple of steam locomotive people. They were startled too but checking agreed with the figure so comments in the book about the strength of the Steamer's boiler were completely explained.
As the book progressed it became eminently clear that MS Ferris had attended at least one antique car rally and the details of the event brought the story to life. I thought the confusion of some drivers as to which side of their car the banner went on was revelatory of the humans involved. It doesn't matter how many times people are given instructions or how many ways they are given there will always be individuals who mis-hear.
As the book progressed it became eminently clear that MS Ferris had attended at least one antique car rally and the details of the event brought the story to life. I thought the confusion of some drivers as to which side of their car the banner went on was revelatory of the humans involved. It doesn't matter how many times people are given instructions or how many ways they are given there will always be individuals who mis-hear.
June 9, 2017
Have been reading the series in order, and this book is quite delightful. I was relieved that for once Betsy neither got hurt nor was in imminent threat of being killed. I enjoyed the mystery itself, the characters and story line, and the bonus of a smattering of information about antique autos.
March 5, 2018
Not my favorite book in the series. The mystery took a back seat to the antique cars and their description.
December 11, 2024
Great bookclub pick!
June 7, 2019
A needle shop owner finds the murderer during a antique car race.
As a needleworker myself who is always leaving little bits of thread all over my house, it was interesting that the murder was solved because of the lack of bits of thread, known as orts.
I hadn't known that word before'
As a needleworker myself who is always leaving little bits of thread all over my house, it was interesting that the murder was solved because of the lack of bits of thread, known as orts.
I hadn't known that word before'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2014
When her best friend's boyfriend Lars bought himself a 1912 Stanley Steemer, Betsy Devonshire was fascinated enough to offer to sponsor him for a local antique car run. She figured it would be good advertising for her needlework shop, Crewel World, in Excelsior, Minnesota. What she doesn't figure on is one of the owners being burned to death beneath his own car, and the owner's wife--who had spent the day with Betsy--asking her to investigate.
While I enjoyed the antique cars in this one, and now wish I could go for a ride in a Victoria touring car by Renault, this wasn't much of a mystery. I figured out the killer and the alibi pretty much immediately, they were so obvious. For readers of the series, the only reasons to read this one are if you like antique cars, or want to witness Betsy's first encounters with Maury Steffens, who features in many of the later books.
While I enjoyed the antique cars in this one, and now wish I could go for a ride in a Victoria touring car by Renault, this wasn't much of a mystery. I figured out the killer and the alibi pretty much immediately, they were so obvious. For readers of the series, the only reasons to read this one are if you like antique cars, or want to witness Betsy's first encounters with Maury Steffens, who features in many of the later books.
August 22, 2016
I kind of derped on the suspects this time, and couldn't work out exactly what happened beforehand even with all the hints. Looking back, there WERE hints, I was just too blind to see them. This made the entire mystery more enjoyable to me, because I was wondering what the heck was going on right up to the final review.
Lots of antique cars in this one, which I'm sure my boyfriend would have enjoyed reading about more than I did. As it was, I prefer hearing about needlecraft, something I know zero about, than cars, which is something I hear about every day, haha. Still, the facts and conversations here were interesting, and added to the feel of the novel.
Another Needlecraft mystery down, on to the next book!
Lots of antique cars in this one, which I'm sure my boyfriend would have enjoyed reading about more than I did. As it was, I prefer hearing about needlecraft, something I know zero about, than cars, which is something I hear about every day, haha. Still, the facts and conversations here were interesting, and added to the feel of the novel.
Another Needlecraft mystery down, on to the next book!
June 26, 2012
Another in the Needlework mysteries. This was different because it didn't center around Betsy's shop. Her friend Jill's boyfriend becomes an antique car enthusiast and Betsy sponsors him in an antique car run. Of course, there's a murder and, of course, Betsy is able to help solve it. What is her clue? Floss orts, of all things, and unless you do cross stitch, you probably don't know what floss orts are
1
1
May 3, 2016
This 'needlecraft mystery' is about antique cars, with very little about needlecrafts. But well written and enjoyable. Betsy once more saves the day, and once more a Stanley Steamer is also a hero.
March 29, 2024
Almost anyone who reads this review can think of someone you know who restored an old car at some point in life. I had a neighbor whose ancient car played havoc with my CB radio. He would have to advance or retard the spark to start it, and I could hear that clearly in the radio. Once he got the engine running, it, too, caused no end of interference. Reviving classic cars is perhaps less popular than it was decades ago, but I suspect it still has its devoted adherents.
Betsy Devonshire, who owns a fictional needlepoint store in Minnesota, is initially fearful and eventually fascinated by a Stanley Steamer car a cop friend of hers buys. There’s an antique car race on a June Saturday between two Minnesota towns, And Betsy agrees to sponsor her friend’s car. She becomes a volunteer for the event, and you get a ringside look at the history of car manufacturing in the early 20th century. Trust me, the plot and old-car information will draw you into the story, and it will fascinate you even if you’ve never so much as touched the hood release of a car. I found the book entirely charming as it explores both the early manufacture of these old machines and the passion and devotion of those who collect and rebuild them in the 21st century. This peak into antique cars is almost better than the mystery element of the book.
As to that mystery element, someone murders the owner of an old car during the race then causes the car to explode assuming that will hide the evidence of the murder. Alas for the killer, the fire didn’t burn the dead guy so badly that the gunshot wound to the chest became invisible.
This is a fun read, and you needn’t read the previous four books in the series to enjoy this. Naturally, it helps to have some background, but it’s not necessary.
Betsy Devonshire, who owns a fictional needlepoint store in Minnesota, is initially fearful and eventually fascinated by a Stanley Steamer car a cop friend of hers buys. There’s an antique car race on a June Saturday between two Minnesota towns, And Betsy agrees to sponsor her friend’s car. She becomes a volunteer for the event, and you get a ringside look at the history of car manufacturing in the early 20th century. Trust me, the plot and old-car information will draw you into the story, and it will fascinate you even if you’ve never so much as touched the hood release of a car. I found the book entirely charming as it explores both the early manufacture of these old machines and the passion and devotion of those who collect and rebuild them in the 21st century. This peak into antique cars is almost better than the mystery element of the book.
As to that mystery element, someone murders the owner of an old car during the race then causes the car to explode assuming that will hide the evidence of the murder. Alas for the killer, the fire didn’t burn the dead guy so badly that the gunshot wound to the chest became invisible.
This is a fun read, and you needn’t read the previous four books in the series to enjoy this. Naturally, it helps to have some background, but it’s not necessary.
August 26, 2019
This is the first book I have read by Monica Ferris and I will definitely be reading more!
I found this story to be delightfully entertaining and a light read. Sure, there is a mystery, but the book focuses much more on the people than on the gruesome details of murder as some mysteries do. I found that this particular story focused less on the needlepoint/crafting angle and more on a new interest in antique cars. Most likely this is due to our protagonist (Betsy's) best friend Jill's boyfriend Lars purchasing an antique car, which Betsy then proceeds to volunteer to sponsor. On an antique cars run, Betsy is recording the departure and arrival times of the cars. When one never makes it to the destination, someone is sent back to check on it and finds the car destroyed and the driver dead. Betsy is pulled into the mystery of the death by being the alibi of a suspect and at the request of the deceased's family.
I love that our amateur detective Betsy does not pretend to be a professional or even talented in solving mysteries, rather telling people point-blank that she is a rank amateur who has simply had good luck in solving mysteries by asking lost of questions and getting to know the people involved. She is very observant and has a knack for putting together scenarios that is unusually accurate. She is also completely down-to-earth and I love that she combines two of my favorite pastimes--mysteries and crafting.
I look forward to reading more of her adventures and would definitely recommend this book.
I found this story to be delightfully entertaining and a light read. Sure, there is a mystery, but the book focuses much more on the people than on the gruesome details of murder as some mysteries do. I found that this particular story focused less on the needlepoint/crafting angle and more on a new interest in antique cars. Most likely this is due to our protagonist (Betsy's) best friend Jill's boyfriend Lars purchasing an antique car, which Betsy then proceeds to volunteer to sponsor. On an antique cars run, Betsy is recording the departure and arrival times of the cars. When one never makes it to the destination, someone is sent back to check on it and finds the car destroyed and the driver dead. Betsy is pulled into the mystery of the death by being the alibi of a suspect and at the request of the deceased's family.
I love that our amateur detective Betsy does not pretend to be a professional or even talented in solving mysteries, rather telling people point-blank that she is a rank amateur who has simply had good luck in solving mysteries by asking lost of questions and getting to know the people involved. She is very observant and has a knack for putting together scenarios that is unusually accurate. She is also completely down-to-earth and I love that she combines two of my favorite pastimes--mysteries and crafting.
I look forward to reading more of her adventures and would definitely recommend this book.
February 22, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
I didn’t start reading this series until just a couple of years ago, but am enjoying the books I’ve read so far. As a lifelong crafter, it’s fun watching Betsy, the MC, attempt some of the crafts that fall into the domain of her needle work shop. The descriptions of the cross-stitch projects completed by one of the characters in this particular book had my head spinning – I can’t imagine even attempting anything that complicated!
Aside from a few situations, though, the needle work wasn’t really much of a factor in this book, which was disappointing but probably necessary to keep the series from becoming stale. I enjoyed reading and learning about vintage cars, and will admit that most of the cars mentioned were completely foreign to me... but I’d still love to ride in one some day :)
There were several viable suspects to consider here, but as we learned more about some of them, it became pretty obvious how the murder happened. Why it happened wasn’t quite so clear, but given who was responsible, it made sense. I look forward to my next visit to Excelsior, Minnesota, to see what happens next with Betsy and her friends.
I didn’t start reading this series until just a couple of years ago, but am enjoying the books I’ve read so far. As a lifelong crafter, it’s fun watching Betsy, the MC, attempt some of the crafts that fall into the domain of her needle work shop. The descriptions of the cross-stitch projects completed by one of the characters in this particular book had my head spinning – I can’t imagine even attempting anything that complicated!
Aside from a few situations, though, the needle work wasn’t really much of a factor in this book, which was disappointing but probably necessary to keep the series from becoming stale. I enjoyed reading and learning about vintage cars, and will admit that most of the cars mentioned were completely foreign to me... but I’d still love to ride in one some day :)
There were several viable suspects to consider here, but as we learned more about some of them, it became pretty obvious how the murder happened. Why it happened wasn’t quite so clear, but given who was responsible, it made sense. I look forward to my next visit to Excelsior, Minnesota, to see what happens next with Betsy and her friends.
October 25, 2017
Betsy Devonshire may own a needlepoint shop but she is no stranger to solving murder mysteries!
This time she finds herself sponsoring her friend and his Stanley Steamer in an antique auto rally. That isn't too bad until one of the drivers turns up dead on the side of the road under his car. The mystery is that he didn't die in the fire that fried his car...it was the bullet to the chest that did him in.
The dead man's widow asks Betsy to look into it, as the two ladies spent time together at the time of the man's death. Or did they? Things become more interesting when the oldest son tells Betsy to stay out of his father's death and other siblings want her to continue.
Some help comes from her Stanley Steamer friend as he is one of the local cops, along with her best friend Jill. A little inside information helps to clear up some of the mystery.
This is a cozy mystery that hums along at a nice pace.
This time she finds herself sponsoring her friend and his Stanley Steamer in an antique auto rally. That isn't too bad until one of the drivers turns up dead on the side of the road under his car. The mystery is that he didn't die in the fire that fried his car...it was the bullet to the chest that did him in.
The dead man's widow asks Betsy to look into it, as the two ladies spent time together at the time of the man's death. Or did they? Things become more interesting when the oldest son tells Betsy to stay out of his father's death and other siblings want her to continue.
Some help comes from her Stanley Steamer friend as he is one of the local cops, along with her best friend Jill. A little inside information helps to clear up some of the mystery.
This is a cozy mystery that hums along at a nice pace.
March 9, 2024
---Synopsis---
I always enjoy returning to the Needlecraft series. The nerdy facts about hobbies keep me returning to the series. In this book, Betsy Devonshire volunteers to time contestants at an antique car race. But when one of the racers is found dead under a burning car, Betsy agrees to do what she does best: amateur sleuthing. With the help of Officer Jill Cross and Jill’s antique car enthusiast boyfriend, Lars, Betsy investigates the murder and brings the perpetrator to justice.
---Thoughts---
Monica Ferris is clearly an antique car enthusiast because the story was filled with fascinating facts about early 20th century vehicles. As such, this book is a departure from the previous four books in the series. There are hardly any details about needlecraft in A Murderous Yarn.
However, the characters and setting were excellent as always. Jill and Betsy have such a wonderful friendship and make a great sleuthing duo. Godwin is also getting my heart. He is Betsy’s gay employee and a near-professional fiber artist. In this book, Goddy is not his usual cheerful self but sulks over a breakup. I hope that he finds someone who will allow him to be his true self.
The only weakness was the mystery. It was run-of-the-mill and surprisingly predictable. It seems that Ferris wanted to focus more on the characters and antique car hobby than the investigation.
Although I wouldn’t recommend A Murderous Yarn to new readers of the series, I am pleased with this installment because it brought me even closer to the main characters and allowed me to learn about antique cars. As a certified nerd (TM), I approve of cozies that celebrate unique interests.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
I always enjoy returning to the Needlecraft series. The nerdy facts about hobbies keep me returning to the series. In this book, Betsy Devonshire volunteers to time contestants at an antique car race. But when one of the racers is found dead under a burning car, Betsy agrees to do what she does best: amateur sleuthing. With the help of Officer Jill Cross and Jill’s antique car enthusiast boyfriend, Lars, Betsy investigates the murder and brings the perpetrator to justice.
---Thoughts---
Monica Ferris is clearly an antique car enthusiast because the story was filled with fascinating facts about early 20th century vehicles. As such, this book is a departure from the previous four books in the series. There are hardly any details about needlecraft in A Murderous Yarn.
However, the characters and setting were excellent as always. Jill and Betsy have such a wonderful friendship and make a great sleuthing duo. Godwin is also getting my heart. He is Betsy’s gay employee and a near-professional fiber artist. In this book, Goddy is not his usual cheerful self but sulks over a breakup. I hope that he finds someone who will allow him to be his true self.
The only weakness was the mystery. It was run-of-the-mill and surprisingly predictable. It seems that Ferris wanted to focus more on the characters and antique car hobby than the investigation.
Although I wouldn’t recommend A Murderous Yarn to new readers of the series, I am pleased with this installment because it brought me even closer to the main characters and allowed me to learn about antique cars. As a certified nerd (TM), I approve of cozies that celebrate unique interests.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
February 21, 2022
Betsy’s friend Jill is upset when her boyfriend Lars invests in an antique car. It’s an expensive and time-consuming hobby, but Betsy is intrigued by the Stanley Steamer, decides to sponsor him in a local race and volunteers to help out. But her excitement is dampened when one of the racers is found dead under his car and the death is ruled a homicide. Betsy is again pulled into helping solve the crime. There are a couple of secondary plot lines that don’t seem to go anywhere, and I’m wondering if they’ll be dealt with in later books. The bulk of Betsy’s time is spent away from the Crewel World needlework shop. The murder, of course, is solved and the answer was a surprise. I’ll be curious to see if the hint of a romance for Betsy is developed in the next book.
February 25, 2019
Betsy Devonshire, owner of the needlework shop Crewel World, decides to sponsor her friend Lars in an antique car run after he buys a Stanley steam car. In a pre-run event one car driver is found under his car, shot and burned. The mans widow asks Betsy to investigate. I'm not at all interested in antique cars so all the information on cars in this book bored me. I'm not majorly into needlework but at least I found the previous cases which involved needlework to be interesting. I also solved the case very early on. One thing I do like is that Betsy is independent and doesn't have a boyfriend/significant other unlike most females in cozy mysteries.
July 18, 2019
Betsy and her friends help out with an antique car race. Lars has a Stanley Steamer, which I didn't even know existed! I learned a lot about the Stanley Steamer along with other antique cars. During the race, one of the members is found underneath his car. It is assumed that when the car exploded; he was killed but later it is discovered that he had a gunshot wound to his head. Interesting characters lead you to believe that his son killed him but it wasn't his son. I like the way the author puts the murderer right in front of you and yet she doesn't actually reveal that person until almost the last chapter. Another good read!
January 19, 2022
Lots of classic cars but very little mystery
If you're into needlecraft & ever wanted to know more about classic cars, then this mystery might be for you. If however you were looking for a mystery to delve into this isn't it.
I love the introduction of classic cars, unfortunately it felt more like this mystery existed just so the author could write about them. The mystery was very haphazardly tossed together & Betsy barely did an snooping or investigating. The answers practically jumped out at you. There was barely any mystery to this cozy mystery, but lots of classic cars & some character development.
If you're into needlecraft & ever wanted to know more about classic cars, then this mystery might be for you. If however you were looking for a mystery to delve into this isn't it.
I love the introduction of classic cars, unfortunately it felt more like this mystery existed just so the author could write about them. The mystery was very haphazardly tossed together & Betsy barely did an snooping or investigating. The answers practically jumped out at you. There was barely any mystery to this cozy mystery, but lots of classic cars & some character development.
April 24, 2021
This is a pretty solid mystery series and I can’t usually read multiple books in a series in a row, but listening to these are fun. The narrator’s physical voice and annunciation style bothered me in the first book, but not anymore. This mystery was set around an antique car club, and being more interested in needlework than cars, I found that a little tedious. The dead body doesn’t show up until Chapter 6, after a whole bunch of exposition around the Stanley Steemer, the real star of this book.
June 7, 2022
More & More Interesting
This series is very engaging, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I think it’s a cut above most of the usual female sleuth Cozies because there is no distracting ‘love interest’, the focus is on her Day Job and we gain insights into what that is. It’s interesting.
Secondly, it is understood that she is not, and does not pretend to be, a licensed private detective-she just has a knack for asking salient, relevant questions (& sometimes she just gets lucky), but she is also very observant.
This lends itself to an innovative Cozy Mystery.
This series is very engaging, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I think it’s a cut above most of the usual female sleuth Cozies because there is no distracting ‘love interest’, the focus is on her Day Job and we gain insights into what that is. It’s interesting.
Secondly, it is understood that she is not, and does not pretend to be, a licensed private detective-she just has a knack for asking salient, relevant questions (& sometimes she just gets lucky), but she is also very observant.
This lends itself to an innovative Cozy Mystery.
June 23, 2022
There is much more about antique cars (especially Stanley Steamers) in this book than about needlecraft! Even the necessary murder takes a back seat to the world of antique car owning and antique car meets (not races). Most of the cars involved with this story are pre 1920 vehicles. Betsy gets involved when the wife of the deceased asks for Betsy’s help in finding out who murdered her husband and made it look like it was an accident with his Stanley Steamer during a car meet. –Lots of information about this costly hobby
April 1, 2022
Having a renewed interest in counting cross stitch crafting, I'm loving the new advice and vocabulary I'm learning and using in my handiwork. Love Betsy Devonshire's Monkish skills of deductive reasoning used to solve her "cases." Maybe because her influence, I was able to deduct the murderer in this one. Time to start savinging my "orts" for the future. On to Book 6 in this series, Hanging By A Thread!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2022
Another winner from Monica Ferris! MC Betsy finds herself volunteering to help with an antique car race and gets swept into another murder mystery when one of the competitors is found dead alongside the road.
I was able to correctly guess the culprit about halfway through the book, but still found it enjoyable. Secondary characters Jill, Lars, and Godwin make appearances (and Godwin steals his scenes).
I plan to continue the series.
I was able to correctly guess the culprit about halfway through the book, but still found it enjoyable. Secondary characters Jill, Lars, and Godwin make appearances (and Godwin steals his scenes).
I plan to continue the series.
August 7, 2023
This is a story which is mostly the author showing their research on antique cars, and less heavy on the mystery and needlecrafts.
There's also a fair bit of character work in the ensemble, including , which makes it more enjoyable and less of an infodump. That being said, the mystery was easy to solve, as I figured it out halfway through.
Still a cut above most other cosy mysteries I've tried.
There's also a fair bit of character work in the ensemble, including , which makes it more enjoyable and less of an infodump. That being said, the mystery was easy to solve, as I figured it out halfway through.
Still a cut above most other cosy mysteries I've tried.
August 13, 2020
For once it was Jill and not Betsy that was insufferable. How her boyfriend chooses to spend HIS money is none of her concern and her not only lack of support but downright rudeness about something he was excited about was disappointing.
again the writer has an isue with gay romances that she isn't covering well - none of the rleationships are healthy yet are put forward as goals.
again the writer has an isue with gay romances that she isn't covering well - none of the rleationships are healthy yet are put forward as goals.
January 5, 2022
I enjoy these Needle raft mysteries. I am an affidavit cross stitcher, knitter, crocheted, and needlepoint worker. I so enjoy how the author incorporates all those stitching terms and information. I love it when she describes a technique or pattern and I have worked it myself. The narrator on the audio books speaks in a very halting and unusual way but I have decided to ignore the aggravation.
July 19, 2025
Enjoyable book. The storyline and plot were well done. The characters were great and there was a lot less of Godwin in this book, thank goodness. There were some interesting twists and turns. What I loved about the book was the Minnesota landscape. After attending school in Minnesota, most of these cities and towns I recognized. That was pretty cool. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews