Search - A Murderous Yarn (Needlecraft Mysteries)

A fun mystery involving antique automobiles and a murder during one of the car races. I never knew much about antique vehicle racing, but the setting was quite educational. As usual, Betsy's cast of characters was familiar and comfy. The needlework references rang true according to this stitcher! All in all, a quick cozy mystery!

Betsy Devonshire moved away from California after her divorce seeking solace with her sister who owned a needlepoint shop in Excelsior, Minnesota. When her sister was murdered, Betsy discovered the identity of the perpetrator. She stayed on in Excelsior, owning and operating the Crewel World shop established by her deceased sibling. Betsy has made a place for herself in the community while solving several other homicides.

Lars, a local police officer, buys a Stanley Steamer antique automobile, which Betsy agrees to sponsor in the Antique for Run from New London to New Brighton. In an exhibition run that stops at Excelsior, Betsy becomes friendly with Charlotte Harrison. When Charlee's husband Bill is found murdered along the road, she asks Betsy to find the killer. Considering that Betsy never said a word to Bill, she manages to acquit herself quite nicely.


A MURDEROUS YARN is a delightful cozy that entertains as well as educates the audience. The heroine is a believable character whose investigations seem totally in character and very authentic though why the widow chooses an amateur sleuth rather than a pro to investigate always lingers in the back of the reader's mind. Monica Ferris is a talented writer who knows how to keep the attention of her fans throughout her latest novel. There is a secondary character that readers will want starring as a delightful private detective in his own series.

4 stars

Another great cozy mystery about Betsy Devonshire, her yarn shop, and her ability to help the police solve crimes! The scene is an antique car race, and oh, the facts I learned about antique cars like the Stanley Steamer and the Maxwell, among others!

Fun fun to read, especially for someone who enjoys both mysteries and needle work!

This is a fun series of you like cross stitch or even if you don't. Knowing about needlework isn't necessary to enjoy this series

I love the Monica Ferris books; warm fuzzy and a fun read.

wonderful cozy mystery series!

5th in the series and my favorite so far. I loved the antique cars featured in this novel and the atmosphere. Also, the hint of a possible romatic relationship for Betsy. The woman needs more in her life than her work and her murder solving! The writing has definitely improved since the first novel, Crewel World, and I can only hope it continues to do so. This is turning out to be a great series.

These characters are starting to feel like friends. But in this book, I felt as smart as Betsy--I figured out whodunnit fairly early on. However, my hunch wasn't confirmed until the last few pages so I kept reading in every spare moment.

BOOK5
Car enthusiasts will enjoy this one! Amazing how B gets herself into these things! :o)

Love this series!!

Quick, fun read...don't have to think too hard

Another needlework mystery...........a one nighter!!!

I'm terrible at thinking ahead in the plot, but I'd worked out who was the murderer before even half-way thru. If you like antique cars tho, you'd probably like it.

Old cars, needlework, and murder -- what else could you ask for in a cozy? A quick, fun read.

A very fun read and a good mystery.

A little slow getting started but once it did the action just kept on coming....very good once it got going..

Good book my Monica Ferris, one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. Her books are fun and always include a lot of references to needlework.