Murder at a Scottish Halloween

A Scottish Shire Mystery Book 8

Author:    Traci Hall

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496757821

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$18.95; $9.99 Amazon

June 30, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder...

While Paislee will be celebrating All Hallow's Eve by handing out candy to the trick or treaters at her Cashmere Crush sweater shop, her teenage son Brody seems to have given up the ghost.  Uninterested in donning a superhero or monster costume, he's just going to attend a party with his friends at the ice rink.

But Brody got swept up in the spirit of the season after all.  Dared by the older kids, he went to the supposedly haunted Rait Ruins to capture video of a vengeful ghost.  The local legend of the Rait Wraith has been passed down for generations -- and still gives Paislee the creeps.  While no specter actually roams the grounds, the lifeless body of university student Ailis Barclay is discovered there.

Ailis was at the ruins dressed as the ghost to prank Brody, only something went wrong.  With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, it's up to Paislee to string together whether Ailis was a victim of the real Wraith of Rait Ruins -- or of someone dangerous among the living...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Paislee Shaw lives in the small Scottish town of Nairn along with her thirteen-year-old son Brody and her grandfather Angus.  They've built a good life, and are happy.  She's also navigating her first time in love with DI Mack Zeffer, which only somewhat confuses things.

Halloween is approaching, and while Paislee and Angus would rather stay home and hand out candy, Brody wants to join his friends at the ice rink for the evening.  But when Paislee arrives to pick him up, he's obviously traumatized, and she has a hard time getting him to talk.

When he tells her that the Wraith of Rait Ruins came for him -- calling him by name -- she thinks it was a prank.  But when they return to the ruins to find Brody's dropped phone, Paislee finds the body of a young university student, Ailis Barclay.  Paislee knows things aren't going to be the same, and with Brody as a possible suspect, she knows she's going to investigate, even though Mack tells her not to.

With Guy Fawkes Day fast approaching, there is another problem.  The Ladies of Nairn are asking for Paislee's help in finding out who is menacing them -- and one of them wants her to provide bespoke knitted items for her son's upcoming wedding.

With so much to attend to, and her best friend Lydia returning from Germany to be with her on Paislee's birthday, she wonders if she'll have enough time in the day to do what is tasked.

But when things begin to heat up, and the fireworks start, there's more than meets the eye, and Paislee may have just put a target on her own head...

This is the eighth book in the series, and I have read them all.  Ms. Hall is an extremely talented writer, and each book, as it progresses, brings us right to the village of Nairn and its people.  I love 'emotional traveling' (when you can't physically travel, and author takes you there mentally and emotionally), and Ms, Hall is excellent at this.

There is a lot going on here, from the night of Halloween, right up until Paislee's birthday.  And so much in between, with the problems in town and hidden secrets; lies and half-truths/  Fortunately, Paislee has learned enough to see through it all; and with the help of Angus she's able to help Mack.  Yes, DI Zeffer actually asks for her help, which is a twist that no one saw coming.

But when the ending finally comes, and we discover the identity of the killer, no one will feel sorry, and neither should they.  Evil exists, even if you don't always see it.  I am loath to add anything else because I do not want to ruin the story for anyone, but I urge you to read this one.  But there is a lovely silver lining that makes me want to read the next in the series right now.  Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Scottish-Halloween-Shire-Mystery-ebook/dp/

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8395997134

More on Traci Hall's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/traci-hall/

Murder By The Hook

Crochet Mysteries Book 16

Author:    Betty Hechtman

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781966322078

Beyond The Page Publishing

230 Pages

$14.99; $5.99 Amazon

March 26, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐

When the bookstore where she works closes for renovations, Molly Pink and the Tarzana Hookers hit the road for a relaxing crochet weekend in the quaint town of Pixie.  The getaway comes at the perfect time for Molly, who's been asked by her former beau to help finger a thief in Pixie who's been pilfering personal items from a friend.  Molly's plan is to attend a pre-wedding party at the friend's home and catch the culprit in the act, but her simple sleuthing turns deadly serious when the groom-to-be is found murdered.

To complicate matters, the victim was found on the property abutting the place where the Hookers are staying, and they and Molly soon get roped into the investigation as potential witnesses.  But Molly knows her list of possible petty thieves holds the name of the killer, and she'll have to rule them out one by one to nab the guilty party.  Certain she's on the right track when she receives a threatening note telling her to back off, Milly will have to sort through a tangle of clues before the wedding that became a funeral becomes a funeral for her...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

In the latest installment of the Crochet Mysteries, Molly Pink and her friends of the Tarzana Hookers are at a retreat during the renovation of the book shop where they work.  It all begins fine, until Molly's beau Mason asks her to help him in finding a thief at his friend's home, which is nearby.  Someone in the entertainment industry is getting wed, and the hosts want it all to go smoothly.  Mason introduces her as his cousin, and all seems to be going fine there as well until the groom-to-be is found murdered.

Now not only is Molly involved, but her ex, homicide detective Barry Greenberg is handling the case and doesn't like that she's involved...but it doesn't stop him from asking her what she knows.  Molly has her hands full with trying to find a killer and keep her fellow hookers from tearing each other's throats apart with fighting.  Hopefully, she'll come out of it alive...

I've read these books with interest, but I must admit that Molly's waffling between Barry and Mason had put me off for a while.  The reason being is that I absolutely detest love triangles.  Think of it this way: if it had been a man stringing along a woman you'd think him a dog or worse.  But it seems to be okay in books when a woman does it (shakes her head).  I'll never understand.

Getting that out of the way, Molly has come to some sort of conclusion at least.  The mystery is done very well, and the clues are there, although they are far between.  It's intriguing watching how Molly's mind works and she puts everything together.  Even when it seems it might be a waste of time, it isn't.  She definitely knows what she's doing.

To top it off, her fellow Hooker and sometimes nemesis Adele is having trouble in her marriage, and wants the other women's help without actually asking for it.  She tells them she's left her husband, but has she?  It seems the days of roses has left the bush, and she's not so willing to begin again.  

With all this to look forward to, along with a jealous girlfriend of Mason's, Molly knows she can't let the case go until it's solved.  Nor does she want to.  With both Mason and Barry looking on, Molly watches every step...until the one that might be her last...

The/e book was very good, and the plot was excellent.  The reason for the murder seemed like it wouldn't be worth it, but then again, I'm not as murderer.  Who knows what goes on in someone's mind when they're prepared to kill?  The subplot was rather funny, although these women would drive me up a wall if I had to spend time with them.

In the end, it all came together nicely and I did like how it ended (with my own opinions held aside that I disagreed with things); and I enjoyed the tale immensely.  For anyone who loves the Molly Pink mysteries, this one is just as good as the others.  Recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Hook-Betty-Hechtman-ebook/dp/B0F14JZQ32/ref=

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7788988776

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

Last Wool and Testament

 Knit & Nibble Mysteries Book 12

Author:    Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:    9781496749598

Kensington Cozies

288 Pages

$8.99; $7.99 Amazon

April 29, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spring has sprung in Arborville, New Jersey, and Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser are keeping busy with their knitting group, Knit and Nibble.  But it looks like April showers have brought May murders...

Fiber artist Ingrid Barrick has just been found dead in her ransacked house, but the fact that she'd seemed a bit troubled lately -- and had been obsessively doodling pictures of bees -- has the Knit and Nibblers wondering if this was really a burglary gone bad like the police think.  There had been tension with a neighbor who was fuming (and sneezing) over the ragweed in Ingrid's garden -- but allergies don't seem like grounds for murder.

As they chat with a local beekeeper, learn more about Ingrid's knitwear designer ex, and look into a suddenly cancelled tapestry exhibit, Pamela and Bettina are intrigued to find more nature-themed sketches by Ingrid.  The question is which of these many threads will lead to the truth about her unnatural death...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Pamela Paterson lives in a small town in New Jersey.  She's a widow with a grown daughter, and lives with her three cats; and her best friend Bettina Fraser lives down the street.  Pamela learns that a local artist has been killed, and she and Bettina visit the neighbor, who insists that it was a murder, not a burglary, as the police think.  She shows them doodles that Ingrid Barrick has been doing, all of bees.  But Pamela doesn't know what this has to do with the woman's death.

When she and Bettina attend a celebration of life for Ingrid, she hears two men arguing about her.  It seems heated, but the conversation never really gets to the crux of the matter -- only that one wants to write a book, and the other wants him to leave part of it out.  Later they discover that the men are an ex-boyfriend of Ingrid's, named Nestor, and the other is a professor, Eilert.  But are they suspects in Ingrid's death?  

Pamela soon discovers that not everyone was a fan of the woman -- including another neighbor, who hated Ingrid's garden because it caused her allergies to surge.  Is that enough to kill?  The neighbor on the other side, Coco, seemed to like Ingrid.  However, Pamela isn't ruling anyone out, and when something else occurs, Pamela wonders if the two incidents have anything to do with each other.  With the stakes raised, it's only a matter of time, but Pamela needs to put the pieces together sooner rather than later to find the truth...

This is the twelfth book in the series and I have read them all.  I do think the stories have progressed, and I liked the storyline of this book, which basically centered around the murder (as it should) leaving the subplots as interesting, but not interrupting the solving of the crime.

Finding the killer was the main, and there are clues throughout the story, although they aren't easy to find, nor to put together.  We discover that Ingrid -- although already deceased by the time the story begins -- was a multi-faceted woman, who loved her art yet had secrets of her own that she didn't wish to be revealed.  But in death, they usually are, right?

It is in this that we look into why the murder occurred, and the reasons aren't easy to discover.  I must say that I didn't know who the murderer was until the time that Pamela had it all figured out, so it came as a surprise, and I enjoyed that immensely.  I do love mysteries, but sometimes it is easy to find out who did the deed; in this case, it was not.

The reasons, as they were, are rather sad, yet murder itself is also sad.  In the end, the story was woven nicely and all threads came together at the end, leaving us an intriguing picture that left me feeling satisfied with the story.  I eagerly await the next in the series.  (There are also a couple of yummy recipes that I intend to try).  Recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Wool-Testament-Nibble-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DCK79XWP/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7403004892

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Murder at a Scottish Christmas

A Scottish Shire Mystery Book 6

Author:    Traci Hall

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496744395

Kensington Cozies

320 Pages

$17.95; $9.99 Amazon

September 24, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All Paislee wants for Christmas is for her new home to be finished, but it looks like she'll have to wait for New Year's Day.  Whether the paint on the walls has dried or not, she'll host a feast for her twelve-year-old son Brody, Grandpa, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and friends -- including police station receptionist Amelia Henry and her brother McCormac, whose black locks can fulfill the Scottish first-footer tradition that a tall, dark-haired man should be the first person to enter your home on New Year's to bring good luck.

But McCormac's luck is about to run out.  During Hogmanay -- when the Scots welcome the New Year with dancing, bonfires, and midnight fireworks -- he collapses as the sky brightens in a blaze of color.  A shooter has used the noise of the fireworks to hide a gun's blast.  Amelia is inconsolable, and Paislee vows to do whatever she can to help DI Zeffer solve the murder -- even if it puts her in the killer's sights next.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Paislee Shaw owns Cashmere Crush, a yarn shop in Scotland.  She lives with her young son Brody, her Grandpa, and their Scottish terrier Wallace.  Since a pipe burst in her home leaving her with an unusable house, she's been staying in her best friend Lydia's condo.  But it's the holidays, and she wants to be back in her own home for Christmas.  But it can't be done until the repairs are finished -- so she'll just have to make do.  

So she decides to have Christmas dinner at a local hotel, and invites her friend, police receptionist, Amelia Henry, to join her.  Amelia shows up with her brother McCormac, who's come from Ireland to see her.  It's obvious he's more than a little drunk, it's no hardship when he leaves early.

Fortunately, Lydia was able to offer incentive to the workers and Paislee is thrilled with her new kitchen.  So much so, she'll be able to offer the traditional buffet feast to friends and family.  But Hogmanay night -- New Year's Eve -- McCormac collapses, and everyone thinks he's just drunk.  Except he's not.  And now Amelia wants Paislee to find out who did this to McCormac, because she's been placed on leave from the station due to McCormac being her brother.  Can Paislee find the killer?  Or will it be something else that leads her to the truth?...

This is the sixth book in the series and I've enjoyed them all.  The first one was a tad confusing, with the Scottish dialect, but I've picked up on what the words mean in English, so it's a breeze to get through (Scotland, here I come!).  There are two plots in this tale -- one, the death of McCormac, and two, the pups that he gave to his sister and family as Christmas presents.  I will say no more on the subject, as giving too much away (what I've said in the beginning is done early on), and I will not spoil the book for others.

Paislee tries to keep out of the investigation, but Amelia is desperate on two counts, and unfortunately, Paislee is drawn in once again to a murder investigation.  There is also the problem of Hamish, who wants to keep seeing Paislee, and DI Zeffer, who is causing problems for her in more ways than one.

The clues are there along the way, but not easy to find; I appreciate this as I love nothing more than working my brain to put the puzzle together to find answers.  The murderer is indeed a surprise; again, another thing I truly enjoyed.  The ending comes together beautifully, and I will say that I hope things go in the direction that I think they are leading to.  A terrific cozy for Christmas, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review,

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Scottish-Christmas-Shire-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CR712ZJT/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6865259755

More on Traci Hall's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/traci-hall/

A Dark and Stormy Knit (Knit & Nibble Mysteries Book 11)

Author:    Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:    9781496749574

Kensington Cozies

336 Pages

$8.99; $7.99 Amazon

August 20, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser call their crafting group Knit and Nibble, in honor of its two main activities.  But on a stormy Halloween night, their peaceful chat over spiced cider and cookies is interrupted by homicide...

With the houses of Arborville, New Jersey, decked out in festively frightening decorations, it's easy to mistake a real dead body for a fake.  But Pamela and Bettina are alerted by the screams of teenage trick-or-treaters to the corpse next door.  Their neighbor Adrienne's sister, visiting from New York City, is slumped on the porch, fatally stabbed.  And with countless people traipsing around in costume, the killer might be as elusive as an apple in a bucket of water.

The victim was a charismatic college professor and fierce feminist, and soon the women are infiltrating her social and academic circles to collect clues.  But some scandalous local gossip also suggests that Adriene, not her sister, might have been the target.  Now, Pamela and Bettina will need all their creative skills to solve this ghoulish crime...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Pamela Paterson is lucky enough to work from home, a place she shares with her three cats and the occasional visit from her daughter, Penny.  She spends a lot of time with her best friend Bettina, who lives across the street.  Halloween night she, Bettina, and Bettina's husband Wilford, are enjoying the evening together when they hear a scream.  Going outside, they discover a group of teens who tell them that there is a dead body on the porch of Bettina's neighbor, Adrienne. 

Finding out that the dead woman is Adrienne's sister, Mel, everyone is wondering who could have killed her, and why; especially Adrienne herself.  She asks for Pamela and Bettina to help her, and of course, their curiosity allows them to agree.  Looking into Mel's current associates in the city, they discover that she was the head of a feminist group that eschewed men, and they wonder if one of the women could have killed her.  But there's more at stake here when they start looking deeper, and now Pamela thinks that something -- or someone -- in Mel's past may have the answer...

I have read all but one of these books, and have followed Pamela along her journey of solving crimes.  I did like the book, but I have to be honest and say: do we really need to know over and over again that Bettina has sage green pottery, Pamela constantly uses her wedding China, grinds her coffee beans for a pour over, and toasts multi-grain bread?  Saying it once is enough; saying it as often as Pamela does is completely redundant and unnecessary.

Having gotten my 'little rant' out of the way, I found the mystery to be quite interesting.  We have the usual meetings of the Knit and Nibblers, with their own snippets of gossip (sorry, Nell), that give Pamela some of the needed clues.  There are, of course, plenty of descriptions of everything that is happening and everything everyone is wearing, so we have no questions in that area.  

The pace starts out slow, but as the book progresses it moves forward, and, I am glad to say, that I connected the dots before Pamela as far as the motive for the murders; but -- and this is a big but -- I didn't know who the murderer was until they were unveiled, which is a very good thing indeed.  In the end, it all came together well, and I enjoyed the book.  Recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Stormy-Knit-Nibble-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0CNYJLP95/ref

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6525930829 

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Irish Knit Murder (A Knit and Nibble Mystery Book 9)

Author:    Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496738851

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$8.99; $6.99 Amazon

February 21, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A member of a prominent New Jersey family has been found dead on St. Patrick's Day -- and Pamela Paterson and her knitting club have a parade of suspects...

The Listers have been part of Arborville society for generations -- though seventy-something Isobel Lister doesn't fit the role of upper-crust heiress.  She's always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs.  But just minutes later, her body is found backstage.

It's hard to imagine who'd target such a harmless eccentric, but Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone.  There's the Wiccan who thought St. Patrick wasn't so saintly, the woman upset about cultural appropriation who feels the commercialization of shamrocks is a sham; the two men Isobel was seeing who could have been green with jealousy -- and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets.  But Pamela's on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

When Pamela attends a senior luncheon with her best friend Bettina, who is a journalist, she expects a pleasant afternoon eating and watching entertainment.  But then a lively senior, Isobel Lister, enters the room and starts singing, and things change.  Pamela notices that not everyone is enjoying the entertainment, and one woman even walks out.  

When the hostess goes to find ISobel, she comes back almost immediately with the news that Isobel is dead.  Who could have killed her?  And why?  When Bettina convinces Pamela that they must at least investigate, they discover that the Lister family might be hiding secret, and those secrets got Isobel killed.  But with so many suspects, how is Pamela going to figure out who killed the woman?  Will she be able to find a killer, or will they celebrate the holiday by getting away with murder?...

This is the ninth book in the series and I have read them all.  I've enjoyed most of them, too; quite a bit.  But there are things that have finally begun to irritate me.  There is too much repetition.  We already know Pamela insists on using her wedding china.  It doesn't have to be repeated every time she has a cup of coffee.  Same with Bettina's "sage green pottery," "whole wheat bread." and what is a 'serviceable compact?'  This could be what women keep in their purses to check their lipstick.  Why not just call it a car?   I do realize she is trying to acquaint new readers of these things, but they are not needed to be said every time she does something.  Unless she uses other plates, we don't need to hear of making whole wheat toast and putting it on wedding china.  I have ceramic hand-made dishes, but I don't tout it to everyone who will listen.  It's just gotten very annoying.

Sorry about the rant, but most of the book seemed to involve Pamela's day-to-day routine, with not as much attention to the mystery.  When she did, though, it kept me reading, and when the murderer was discovered it was a surprise, which is what a mystery should do.  There were clues, but many more red herrings.  The writing was very good, and I liked the fact that Pamela is finally trying to change her outlook on certain things.  (I will not say so as not to spoil the book for others).  Other than that, I enjoyed the book and will keep reading the series.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Knit-Murder-Nibble-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0B359W341/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5303237020

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

One for the Hooks (A Crochet Mystery #14)

Author:    Betty Hechtman

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781643857329

Crooked Lane Books

320 Pages

$17.04; $13,99 Amazon

August 10, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐

These are the dog days of August, but you won't catch the Tarzana Hookers crochet club napping.  While Molly Pink knits together an idea for a new project, Miami Wilson busily converts house she inherited into a rental property.  But Miami is left shorthanded when Sloan Renner, the woman helping her clean out the house ends up dead under a pile of smelly seafood.

A large drone had flown over the property discarding mollusk shells all over the backyard.  Was it an accident?  An ill-fated prank by neighbors up in arms about a rental house in their cul-de-sac?  Witnesses clam up when Molly's ex, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, tries to get information, but he thinks Molly may be able to get them to open up to her.

When Molly learns about Sloan's seafood allergy, she suspects that the woman's death was no accident.  Can she bait the hook to catch the culprit, or will the killer keep raising shell?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

When Molly Pink, assistant manager of Shedd & Royal Books & More, is asked by a friend if she wants to purchase a large stash of yarn for the store, she decides to look at it before making an offer.  But by the time she makes the visit, it's turned into an excursion -- Adele seems to insist on tagging along, because her 'knowledge' is more extensive and she wants to record it for her new vlog; and Elise, one of the Tarzana Hookers, is insisting because she's begun selling real estate and thinks she might be able to undercut the agent already there.  But it's never easy for Molly -- while at Miami Wilson's inherited home, the agent who invited Molly, Sloan Renner, is hit with a drone full of seafood shells, and killed.

Sure, the neighborhood is upset because Miami wants to turn her home into short-term rentals, and of course, this is a family street, so they don't want it; but someone has also been vandalizing her sign out front, and she refuses to be cowed.  But who hates her enough to do this?  With any one of the homeowners as suspects, even if the police think it was a freak accident, Molly's not so sure.

Then there's the problem of Molly's older son Peter, who has unexpectedly shown up at her home with his pregnant girlfriend in tow, moving in without notice, because his life has gone down the tubes.  How can she turn him away?  Although she seems to want to when the couple decide she might just be in their way while they entertain potential clients and want her to 'stay in her room'.  (Seriously?)

But the kicker is her new life is about to take off.  Her beau, high-powered attorney Mason Fields, has unexpectedly proposed marriage and Molly is stunned.  It means her life is going to change;  she'll be traveling with Mason, helping him on his Second Chance legal project, which helps innocent people get out of prison; and that also means she'll have to give up her job as assistant manager at Shedd & Royal.  And what about her numerous pets -- who just got a new addition with Sloan's little dog Princess?  It doesn't help that her ex, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, once again has asked for her help and doesn't like the idea of her going off with Mason.

Now Molly has a mountain of decisions to make, including who killed Sloan.  Is she in over her head?  Or will she be able to make this mountain into a molehill?...

This is the fourteenth book in the series, and I have read them all.  While I have liked some better than most (and really didn't care for the first, to be honest here,) I have watched the changes in Molly's life with interest.  Of course, there are things that bother me -- like Elise going crazy suddenly about being a real estate agent and trying to hound everyone into selling or using her services, including nagging Miami when she first meets her -- if I had an agent like her, I'd tell her I never intend to sell and don't know anyone who does.  Elise has become annoying as heck.  I also have to wonder about Peter.  He supposedly had this great job in Hollywood, but never put any money in the bank?  He has to move back in with his mother?  Did he blow every penny he made?  He should have had some sort of nest egg -- you'd think.  Or the fact that Molly never confronted either Peter or Gabby about their treatment of her.

But this is because I notice details -- a lot.  And though I let most details pass me by in books, because they are written for entertainment, after all -- I can't let them all pass by.  I should.  But I don't.  Anyway, back to the book...

I did like the mystery itself.  We have the woman die at the beginning, and it looks as if it's connected to Miami using her home for short-term rentals, and suddenly some of the neighbors recognize Molly going into the home and assume that she is having something to do with it.  So now she's involved, whether she wants to be or not, and when Barry asks for her help, she doesn't refuse.  Molly is supposed to be only asking questions (yeah, sure) but she and her best friend Dinah start playing their 'Sherlock Holmes' game to try and find out who the killer is.  This, of course, brings the killer's interest to Molly, and now she becomes a secondary target.

But watching Molly navigate her role in the bookstore and assure Mrs. Shedd that everything is just as it's supposed to be, try to figure out who the killer is, and decide who and what she really wants for her life is actually fun.  There's a lot going on here.

Then we have the ending -- which is more than we expected.  While it was a rather silly conclusion as far as the murder goes, there was a bigger surprise in store...and while I haven't made up my mind as to whether I'm happy or not, it gives me something to look forward to in the next book.  Recommended.

I was given a copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Hooks-Crochet-Betty-Hechtman-ebook/dp/B08N6SYPKK/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4610133926

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

Hooks Can Be Deceiving (A Crochet Mystery Book 13)

Author:    Betty Hechtman

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback (LP); Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781683318842

Crooked Lane Books

320 Pages

$37.11; $26.99; $12.99 Amazon

December 11, 2018

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Molly Pink's excitement level is off the hook.  The Craftee Channel's new cable talk show "Creating with Crochet" has scheduled an upcoming taping at the bookstore.  While she's there, TV host Rory Graham is to work with the Tarzana Hookers on a Make and Take bracelet project to draw bookstore customers to the yarn section.  It's a win-win...or so it "seams."

The situation gets a bit knotted when channel product Michael Kostner confides to Molly his concern that Rory may have oversold her ability as a crocheter.  When the producer's worst fears are realized, it's up to Molly to make sure Rory comes through.

Guiding Rory through crocheting-for-beginners will have to wait, though, as Molly suddenly has to untangle the mysterious death of a new Tarzana Hookers member.  Marianne Freeman and her live-in companion, Connie Richards, haven't exactly been gabby since they joined the Hookers, but Connie's voice is silenced permanently when she is electrocuted while walking on a wet lawn -- electrified by an old radio plugged into a faulty extension cord.  The fingers point at Marianne, but Molly is fast on the case to protect one of her own.  Was Marianne the killer...or the intended target?  Why does her younger brother want to keep her from talking to the cops?  And why is this whole case starting to remind Molly Pink of an old TV movie?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is finally starting to get her life in order -- again.  She's found out she's the 'contact person' for the Craftee Channel, who want to film a show at Shedd & Royal Books & More, where Molly works.  But her co-worker Adele isn't happy, since she thinks that she should be the right person.  And when Molly discovers that a young reality star, Rory Graham, is going to be the host, she's less than thrilled -- especially when she finds out Rory can't crochet.

But then the Tarzana Hookers are joined by two new members -- Marianne Freeman and Connie Richards.  Molly soon figures out that Marianne has some problems, and Connie is there to help her.  But she also learns that Marianne's brother Errol isn't happy about it, and wants to keep Marianne where he can see her.  

At least her love life is improving; she's back with high-powered criminal defense attorney Mason Fields, and they're starting all over, trying to make time for each other in their busy schedules.  Although her ex homicide detective Barry Greenberg isn't happy, he's trying to learn to deal with it.

But then Connie is found dead on Marianne's lawn, electrocuted, and now Marianne is a suspect.  She won't talk to the police, but Barry comes to Molly for help, which is a first, hoping she can get information from Marianne that the police can't.  Molly, who has an innate curious nature, is more than willing to help.

When Molly starts asking Marianne questions she begins to learn more about the quiet woman than she ever imagined.  It's obvious Marianne's brother doesn't want her in their home, but Molly persists, and Marianne is on Molly's side.

But Rory is another problem: if she's not ready for the show, everything will fall apart and Mrs. Shedd will be devastated.  So Molly enlists her fellow crocheters to help, tries to get Mariane to talk, is trying to set up a very different type of book signing, keep her relationship with Mason going, and keep Barry and Mason apart, all while helping Barry.  It's enough to make her take her eye off the killer so they can put theirs on her...

This is the eleventh book in the series, and there is a lot going on here.  Rory is more interested in showing off her dance moves than crocheting, figuring that Adele can do the job for her (of course she can't); and Molly is trying to keep her helping Barry on the down low, which is near impossible when her best friend Dinah is having her own problems and hiding out at Molly's intermittently.  

It's an interesting mystery that starts to come together slowly, with the clues being put together as Molly finds them.  Is Marianne guilty?  Molly doesn't think so, but Detective Heather Gilmore is sure of it, not even looking at other suspects.  Barry doesn't agree with her, which is why he's enlisted Molly's help.

Of course, Molly is still feeding anyone who shows up at her house, and I find that a bit overdone; people know how to feed themselves.  At least Adele has toned things down a bit in this book, and for that I am grateful.  (One note that I have to say is that I am a left-handed crocheter.  I have been crocheting since I was a child, learning from my mother, and never had any problem with patterns at all.)

  

When the ending comes and Molly puts everything together, the murderer is a surprise, which is always a nice thing.  I did enjoy reading this book and look forward to the next, waiting to see what lies in store for Molly and her friends.  Recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hooks-Can-Be-Deceiving-Crochet/dp/1683318846/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4600015570

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

On the Hook (A Crochet Mystery Book 12)

Author:    Betty Hechtman

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781683315650; 978168337982

Crooked Lane Books

336 Pages

$4.94; $15.95; $12.99 Amazon

May 8, 2018

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Molly Pink and the Tarzana Hookers are busy crocheting baby blankets for charity, but before long, they're tangled up in a mystery that may be their unraveling.  The Hookers are a tight-knit group, but some of the members harbor secret aspirations.  Adele dreams of becoming an actress, and her acting coach has filled her head with promises of a career as a crochet show host.  Elise Belmont has earned her real estate license and is itching to show her first house.  But when the house's tenant turns up dead from a pink squirrel cocktail laced with cyanide, the Hookers could be in double trouble.

It turns out that the dead man was Adele's acting coach, Timothy Clark.  And Molly gets wound up in the case after accidentally leaving a scarf she designed at the murder scene.  Detective Barry Greenberg, one of Molly's exes, quickly stitches together that the scarf is hers.  Lawyer Mason Fields (another of Molly's exes) has her head swimming in legalese.  For Molly, the only way out is by learning who really killed Timothy, and why.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is assistant manager at Shedd & Royal Books & More.  She's also their event coordinator, and a member of the Tarzana Hookers, a group of women who crochet together, usually making gifts for charity.  Her friend Elise Belmont confides that she has secretly gotten her real estate license -- because her husband Logan didn't want her to, thinking it might ruin his reputation as a realtor -- and wants to sell a house so she can show him that she's just as good as he is.  Conveniently, another friend (and both members of the hookers) Adele wants a home where she and her new husband can have some privacy away from his mother, because the three live in a condo together.

So Elise has a house she wants to show Adele, and Adele insists that Molly come along.  The three head out to an exclusive neighborhood, and shortly after arriving, Elise hustles them out because she received a text from her husband stating that he was going to show homes, and she's afraid that this will be the first one on the list.  However, in the rush, Molly's custom-made scarf (by her) is left behind.  And when Logan discovers the dead body of the owner, Timothy Clark, in the downstairs, it now becomes a crime scene.

When Detective Barry Greenberg -- Molly's ex -- realizes the scarf is hers, he tries to get her to admit it, but she won't, because she's promised Elise that she won't mention the visit to anyone.  Now she's stuck in the middle of another murder investigation, tap dancing around Barry, and asking another ex, criminal attorney Mason Fields, for help.  Then Molly starts receiving threatening notes, and she knows someone is watching her.  But are they real or just someone trying to get her to stop asking questions?  Unless Molly's careful, she might find that she's the next one in line to die...

This is the tenth book in the series, and I have read each one of them.  While some have been better than most, I did find that I enjoyed this one quite a bit.  Yes, it was definitely filled with Molly still trying to figure out if she wants a relationship or not, but having read them all, I understand her reasonings.  If others haven't, I understand their confusion.  While I absolutely hate love triangles, at least this wasn't exactly filled with that.

What I didn't like about the book is Molly's family just deciding to come over whenever they wanted and turn her house into a rehearsal hall.  She has enough problems at her home as it is.  Also, she should have gotten Barry's key when they broke up, and the worst is Adele - who somehow has gotten more annoying as the books go on.  Enough with the over-the-top crochet outfits.  Even I, a woman who loves to crochet, wouldn't even think of wearing it as everyday wear.  You actually would look ridiculous.  Also, why was Elise's husband calling her to tell her that he was showing a home?  Did he do this on a regular basis?  Check in with her every time he had a client?  It seemed odd...

At any rate, other than this, the book was interesting enough to keep me reading, and there were some fun scenes throughout.  But it seemed that some characters were bashing marriage, and I didn't understand that at all.  Marriage is compromise and respect for the other person, and you have to learn how to give and take.  If you don't do that, nothing about it will work at all.  Hopefully, her characters will learn how to do this.

As you can tell, this wasn't one of my favorites of the series but it was still very good.  However, as others have stated, the ending was odder than other books, with Molly telling us the fate of the people in the acting classes that Timothy gave (as if we really care about it) and the murderer came out of left field.  I prefer that we at least get a few clues here and there.  All in all, a nice cozy if you want to relax, but nothing too involved.  There are also crochet patterns in the back for those who are interested.

I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hook-Crochet-Mystery-Betty-Hechtman-ebook/dp/B075QJSFVH/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4597973989

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

If Hooks Could Kill (A Crochet Mystery Book 7)

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Available in LP)

ISBN #:  9780425252338

Kensington Publishing

352 Pages

$7.99; $7.99 Amazon

November 5, 2013

⭐⭐⭐

When a television crew descends on Tarzana, Molly Pink and the rest of her crochet group, the Tarzana Hookers, put up with the inconvenience as best they can -- until the residence of one of their own becomes a real-life crime scene...

The television crime show 911 has taken over Tarzana, making cinematic backdrops out of the town's most mundane locations, including the yard of Kelly Donahue, the newest member of the Tarzana Hookers.

And at the end of the day, the TV shoot isn't all that's wrapped.  It seems someone silenced Kelly -- permanently -- and no one heard a thing.  Without any leads, Molly and her pals must stich together the clues to catch the killer -- before someone else dials 911.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works at a local bookstore as an events coordinator.  She has also proven her worth as a part-time sleuth, much to the chagrin of her ex-boyfriend, Barry Greenberg, a homicide detective who's recovering at Molly's house after being shot in the line of duty.  He's also realizing he blew it with Molly, and is upset with the fact that she might be getting involved with Mason Fields, a local high-powered attorney, who's been eyeing Molly since she was in a relationship with Barry.

But Molly and her friends in the crochet group are busy watching the employees of the television show L.A. 911 film crew as they come in for their daily snack and coffee at the bookstore, and they're also filming near the house of one of the Hookers -- who doesn't seem to come to their meetings.  So Adele, who is outspoken (to put it mildly) decides to go to her house and demand that she give them the projects for their newest charity sale to benefit the animal shelter.  When they arrive, Kelly Donahue is short with them and wants them to leave.  But when someone is at her door, it's all she can do to hustle them out the back and hand them a box of crocheted items.

When they later learn that Kelly has been murdered, Molly finds it odd that anyone would want to kill her.  When all the evidence points to her husband Dan, Molly's not so sure it was him.  But she can't rule out other suspects, and even though Barry wants her to stay away, Molly just can't do it.  Little does she know that the killer's been watching her for the right moment to silence her permanently...

I've been binge reading this series (sometimes it's what I do), and while each book is different, I really get tired of Molly waffling back and forth as to what is going on in her love life.  Pick a guy and get it over with.  It distracts from the series, and while she says that she wants to be on her own, she also laments how empty her house seems when she's alone in it.  So, if that's the case, wouldn't it be better to have someone in your life permanently?  Being 'friends' is all fine and good, but it's not the same as being married.  Honestly, the 'will she or won't she' and the 'let's just be friends' is getting old.  It also distracts from the mystery.

As to the mystery, it was done well, but I would have liked some clues as to the murderer, and I do get tired of the cliffhangers at the end of every story.  Enough with them.  Cliffhangers are akin to holding the reader hostage in order to make them read the next tale.  The story should stand on its own without them.

So, I hope I've gotten my thoughts across as to these books.  I might have to take a break and read something else, because it doesn't seem like Molly wants a significant other in her life, and I would definitely like some clues to the killer so we can figure it out ourselves.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EXK1N6?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3813783317

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

Behind the Seams (A Crochet Mystery #6)

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book (LP; Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:  9780425241424

Berkley Publishing

304 Pages

$17.45; $7.99 Amazon

November 1, 2011

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Tarzana Hookers learn that the entertainment biz can be deadly.

The crochet group's informal leader, actress CeeCee Collins, has a movie out, and thanks to the Oscar buzz, she's scheduled to appear on the famous Barbara Olive Overton show.  Molly and the girls tag along, but when CeeCee's niece Nell -- a production assistant on the show -- is accused of poisoning one of the producers, Molly and the hookers must set aside their crochet projects to clear Nell's name.  And if they don't soon, someone else will be the next Hollywood headline.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works as an events coordinator for a local bookstore, and also belongs to their crocheting club, the Tarzana Hookers.  She reluctantly attends a program taping of a show that their celebrity member, CeeCee Collins, is going to be on, and unfortunately, it's because CeeCee has asked her to control another member, Adele.  It seems Adele isn't happy that the host of the show is going to be having another program about knitting being calming, and Adele would rather the woman learn to crochet instead.

When Adele causes a scene -- as everyone knew she would -- Molly gets caught up in the ruckus as she and Adele are escorted backstage for the rest of the duration.  But the woman watching them, Robyn,  isn't happy about her situation, and demands that the production assistant -- CeeCee's niece Nell -- bring her tea.  Then she demands that she bring her the special sweetener she uses, and when Robyn drops dead in front of them it isn't long before Nell is accused of murdering her.

A frantic CeeCee begs Molly to investigate and find the real murderer, and Molly finds herself secretly sleuthing again...but that's not the only thing going on: her private life is in havoc, too.  Her love interest, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, is pressuring her to get married, sell her home, and move into a condo.  Molly's hemming about it right now, but she knows she'll have to make a decision soon -- unless the killer finds her first, then the decision will be made for her...

This is the sixth book in the series and I've probably enjoyed it more than the rest.  It was a little more involved, with Molly's investigating front and center, and I liked that.  I also liked the fact that she can think fast, and doesn't put herself knowingly in situations that can harm her and she doesn't run head first without someone else there with her.

It also had Adele - Molly's one-time nemesis - opening up a little, and that was nice to see.  It was interesting to learn a little more about one of Molly's other co-workers.  I like this little insight into their lives, one at a time.  It makes you part of their "family."

The book also kept the murderer at bay, but I figured out who it was a lot earlier than Molly did; but then again, as I've stated before, I read a lot of mysteries so I can follow the clues pretty easily.  However, I did like the way the murderer was caught, and it was definitely a different take on catching a killer.  That being said, I will read the next in the series.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Seams-CROCHET-MYSTERY-Book-ebook/dp/B0052RE5QG/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3811429355

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

Murder Makes Scents (A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery #2)

Author:  Christin Brecher

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781496721419

Kensington Mystery

243 Pages

$7.99; $5.99 Amazon

February 25, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stella and her globe-trotting mom, Millie, have come home from a perfume industry conference in Paris, where their trip was marred by witnessing the stabbing death of a young man.  It's a relief for Stella to be back on her picturesque island, with the comforting company of her cat, Tinker.  but lingering danger may have followed them back across the ocean.

After someone breaks into her candle store, the Wick & Flame, Stella starts feeling spooked.  And just as things threaten to ignite, Millie suffers a blow to the head.  Stella receives an anonymous note claiming that her mother smuggled a secret formula out of France -- and threatening her life if it isn't returned.  Now Stella's picked up the scent of a cold-hearted criminal and an intriguing puzzle, and things are about to get wicked...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Stella Wright is the owner of the Wick & Flame, a candle making business in Nantucket.  But right now she's on vacation in Paris with her mother, Millie, and enjoying every minute of it.  Millie is attending a perfume industry show, since she specializes in scents and travels all over the world.  On this, their last day, she is giving a talk about the unusual scents that she's brought back from her visit to the Amazon.  But before she can speak, they hear someone scream, and run to the sound.  A man is dying from a knife wound to the back, and just before he expires, he makes eye contact with Stella.  Shaken, the conference is obvious over, and after being questioned by the police, they have just enough time to catch their flight home.

On the ferry back to the island, Stella notices a dark-haired woman staring at her from a nearby yacht; and it seems that Millie has met an old school friend, Nathaniel Dinks, who is there for a birthday party weekend for another school chum.  Millie is afraid of cats (silly woman), so Stella leaves Tinker in the shop all night, and when she returns the front of the shop has been torn through and she blames it on her cat.  But a strange note on her door is telling her different: that her mother has stolen a secret formula and if it's not returned, it will be the worse for her.

Now Stella is wondering what exactly they've gotten themselves into.  Why would her mother steal anything?  And when Millie has an accident and winds up in the hospital, it's up to Stella to sniff out who's after her.  But finding out she's involved with spies doesn't help.  Or that her boyfriend Peter is up to something.  Or the fact that the guests in her cousin's B&B could be the spies, or a nice English woman they met in Paris, or even any one of the men for the party.  All Stella cares about is finding the formula to keep her mom alive...now if she can do that...

This is the second book in the series, and although it's far-fetched, it doesn't matter because it's fun, and that's what books are all about.  There are secrets and spies, and Stella is caught up in it, and who hasn't wanted to experience the type of things James Bond seems to be up to?  (Although I can do without Mr. Bond's enemies).  

Stella finds herself right in the middle of an international mystery, and her job is to keep her mom safe and out of it.  Which means not telling anyone, including her journalist boyfriend Peter or her cop friend Andy.  Which also means she's working on her own, besides trying to ferret out the spy who wants the formula and find the formula itself.  Things are more difficult than she thinks, and she doesn't know who the killer is, and she has a lot of suspects who might be the guilty party.  But when the stakes are upped she knows she doesn't have time, and it's only through the grace of a US Government agent that she's able to figure things out.

What follows is a sprightly tale of intrigue, secrets, lies, murder, and Stella's own frustration, as she's chasing down a murderer to keep her mother safe.  Yes, it's rather unbelievable, but fun nevertheless, and it never gets bogged down in anything that's over the top.  Stella is an interesting character who, while she tries to figure it out, goes places I wouldn't go, but in the spirit of the book it can be forgiven.

Her mother Millie is a hoot.  She lives life to the fullest and has no idea what's going on with her daughter throughout the book -- although to be fair, she spends some time sleeping in the hospital.  I did wonder why Stella calls her Millie instead of mom; hopefully this will be explained in another book.  (If it was in the first, I might have missed or ignored it).  

In the end, when everything comes together after an adventurous climax, it gives a feeling of satisfaction and something to look forward to in the next in the series.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Scents-Nantucket-Candle-Mystery/dp/1496721411/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3423871168

More on Christin Brecher's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/christin-brecher/

Death Under Glass (A Stained-Glass Mystery #2)

Author:  Jennifer McAndrews
Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #:  9780425267967
Berkley Prime Crime
304 Pages
$7.99; $5.99 Amazon
July 7, 2015

⭐⭐

While Georgia has come to love her new hometown, her stained glass windows haven't exactly been raking in the dough.  So when her best friend, Carrie, offers her the opportunity to create a made-to-order window for Wenwood's latest bed and breakfast, Georgia jumps at the chance.

But when Carrie's ex-husband's office suddenly burns to the ground and Carrie's shop and apartment are robbed, Georgia has to put down her glass and cutter to get to the bottom of the trouble.  Carrie insists she doesn't have enemies, but Georgia is determined to do everything in her power to find out who's targeting her best friend - and why - before anyone else's life is smashed to pieces...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Georgia has moved back in with her grandfather, "Grandy," when her job fell apart as an accountant.  Now she works making stained-glass, and because of her friend Carrie, who owns an antique shop, she's set to make a nice window for a new B&B that's opening in town.  But while there, Carrie gets a call from the police, and rushing to the scene, Carrie sees that her ex-husband's office has been set afire.  Unfortunately, the police called her because they can't find Russ.  And neither can Carrie.  When Carrie's shop is rifled through, Georgia wants to know what's going on and where Russ might be.

I remember reading the first in the series and liking it.  But this second book is s-l-o-w.  So many descriptions and not enough action.  I had a difficult time getting through this book, waiting for something to happen.  I read up to page 146 and we still hadn't had a murder, nor did we know who the victim was likely to be.

I really wish I could have given this book a better rating, but it felt as if the author just didn't care enough to write it.  There was nothing to pull you into the story, and Georgia just isn't an interesting character, and neither is Carrie.  Carrie is dull and meek, and Georgia is afraid of her own shadow and thinks because she left the town she once called home she's an 'outsider,' so won't even stand up for herself.

I know that there is one more book in this series, but sadly, I don't think I'll be finishing it.  We have the beginning of a love triangle (which I absolutely loathe) and with as boring as this book was, I really don't care enough to continue on.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425267962?tag=speculativefic05&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3287910725

More on Jennifer McAndrew's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/jennifer-mcandrews/death-under-glass.htm

Hooked on Murder (A Crochet Mystery #1)

Author:  Betty Hechtman
Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; [Audio Book]; Digital Book
ISBN #:  9780425221259; [9781515905219]
Berkley Prime Crime Publishing; [Tantor Audio]
273 Pages
$7.52; [$31.95]; $7.99 Amazon
May 6, 2008

⭐

Molly Pink is about to discover the joys of crochet.  It's a relaxing escape from her hectic life as a bookstore event coordinator...and from the stress of being the latest murder suspect in Tarzana, California.

For Molly, the weekly crochet group at Shedd & Royal Books and More was just another event to manage.  Then she stumbled across the body of group leader Ellen Sheridan.  Molly's complicated past with Ellen has made her a prime suspect, and after being cuffed and questioned, she could use a diversion.  Never mind that she doesn't know how to crochet.  Granny squares don't look that hard to make...

But while Molly's fending off a detective with a grudge and navigating crochet-group politics, the real killer is at large.  And it's up to Molly to catch the culprit -- before she winds up in a tight knot...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works at a bookstore managing events, and is delivering a package to Ellen Sheridan.  But when she arrives at Ellen's home, the woman's dead.  Then a policeman enters the home, she's put in handcuffs, and now she's a suspect in the murder.  So Molly does the only thing she can do -- try to find a killer who wants to make her the next victim.

This is the first book in the Crochet Mysteries and I really wanted to like it.  Partly because there are so many knitting mysteries out there but very few ones centered on crochet.  Unfortunately, it took a turn almost from the beginning that made me realize this is not going to be put on my 'favorites' list any time soon.

The detective heading the case -- Detective Heather Gilmore is interested in Molly's boyfriend, Detective Barry Greenberg, even though Greenberg only has eyes for Molly.  So now we have the 'evil nemesis' in the form of Heather.  I absolutely detest the 'evil nemesis' in books.  It's not necessary to tell the story; it's not essential to have someone who hates the protagonist and wants to do them harm.  And, I'm going to add: if Detective Greenberg removed himself from the case because he's Molly's boyfriend (which is patently ridiculous because the neighbor who called the police called them because they saw her enter the home, so they know what time she arrived -- which was far too late to have killed Ellen, so she would be eliminated immediately and he could stay on the case); then Heather should have removed herself because she hates Molly.  End of discussion.

Then, I rather skimmed the rest of the book because of what I mentioned above, and discovered my other pet peeve: we're looking at a possible love triangle.  If there's anything I hate more than the evil nemesis, it's the dreaded love triangle.  Let's face it: if it were a man and he was waffling between two women, you'd think he was a dog, so why is it okay for a woman to waffle between two men?  Um, no.  I'm not interested in this. 

So, saying everything I've said, I will be fair and take a look at the second in the series, but if we still have Heather mooning over Barry, and the love triangle hanging around, I will be done with this series.  Pity.  I do love crochet.

https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Murder-Crochet-Mystery-Hechtman/dp/0425221253/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3241577601

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/