Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
The beloved USA Today bestselling Needlework mystery series continues.
It’s Halloween-and Betsy Devonshire, owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth, is haunted by murder…
In the town of Excelsior, Minnesota, Leona Cunningham, owner of a popular microbrewery, is a practitioner of Wicca, the nature-based religion often mistaken for black magic. But that doesn’t bother the thirsty crowds. Then, after one too many pints, a local blames Leona for the series
Rating: 
(out of 11 reviews)
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Review by Edie Dykeman for Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
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It is Halloween and the owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth Betsy Devonshire has so far unraveled a number of mysteries.
This time of year, when the goblins and witches are out in full force, people are easily spooked. Leona Cunningham is the owner of a popular microbrewery called The Barleywine, and a practitioner of Wicca.
Leona is troubled by the accusations of alcoholic Ryan McMurphy as he tells everyone around town that she is a real witch. He is starting to have an affect on her business.
As the Monday Bunch meet for their weekly get-together at Crewel World to work on their respective projects, the news and views of the small town are thoroughly discussed, including a recent destructive attack on Leona’s property.
When Ryan is found dead in a locked room without any marks on his body, Leona becomes the main suspect.
Although reluctant to become involved, Betsy is soon on the case and the killer is in trouble as a growing number of clues lead Betsy through a series of suspects to the unexpected culprit.
Monica Ferris has constructed another interesting mystery that will keep most readers guessing to the end. Those who are not comfortable with reading about the practice of Wicca may not enjoy this book as much as the other books in the series.
As is usual with any theme cozy mystery, there is much talk about the main topic – in this case, crewelwork and its themes, patterns, and stitches. At the end of the book, a crewel pattern of a witch’s hat is included. Directions are provided as well as a website address for further information.
The novel’s theme fits into the Halloween season and could become a popular yearly fall read.
Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
Review by B Squared for Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
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Monica Ferris is at it again with her lively sleuth and shop-owner, Betsy Devonshire.
This time, the prime suspect is a member of the Wicca religion – many people blame her because the murder is not easily explained and her religion not understood. So what they don’t understand, they condemn.
But the careful reader can see what’s going on. There are no real twists and turns and sudden surprising revelations. (I guessed the murderer – but it’s not easy). If you pay attention to the details, everything makes a lot of sense – extremely satisfying.
The new characters are both believable and likable. Personally, I’d like to see more of the shop and less of the surrounding village politics. But the mystery is straight forward and an ideal entertainment for the Halloween season.
Review by no one of consequence for Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
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The charm of this series has worn off. While I appreciate the research done into beer brewing, it’s inserted so clumsily into the storyline that I wonder if whole sections weren’t just copied from email correspondence the author had with Field experts.
In addition, the way the author writes the character of Godwin is condescending. He is a gay man, who when he’s excited, speaks in italics. She writes him as a young, naive, histrionic person (going so far as to have his new boyfriend nickname him, “Little Sparrow”). It’s a simpering stereotype and a little bit goes a VERY long way.
Review by T Reader for Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
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Betsy Devonshire, the main character, is the owner of needlecraft store Crewel World.
When a man dies after taunting a Wiccan (who after all, must have cast a spell on the poor man), ta-da!, Betsy must investigate.
Now, there is absolutely no reason for Betsy to become involved in the crime. However, Betsy and the townspeople (and it seems, some of the local police, rather frightening), feel that Betsy is The Only One who can solve the crime. Betsy goes around asking people for alibis, and people talk to her instead of telling her to get lost. What’s up with that?
In addition to the unappealing smugness that Betsy is the Only One who can solve the crime, Betsy is a rather bland character. The characters surrounding her are rather bland. There really is nothing to this series. I don’t think I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next installment. Hopefully the Wiccan won’t put a curse on me for saying that
Review by M. C. Carter for Blackwork (Needlecraft Mystery)
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I have never really understood the charm of this series although I’m guilty of reading most of the entries. (I think I probably read for some needlepoint information actually) In the beginning I kept waiting for Betsy’s character to become truly likable and I don’t think she really has. ALL of the characters are treated in a somewhat condescending manner, not just Godwin’s. And where do all of these ‘exotic’ new characters keep coming from? I also never cease to be amazed at how much time and money secondary characters have to spend on their hobbys….the same bunch of people are in the same little shop ALL the time and I know crafting supplies are expensive.
Initially I got the impression that Excelsior was not a very large town, rather rundown and past its prime. Now we have trendy condos, etc littering the stage. And in addition to being condescending and somewhat boring, Betsy has become a know-it-all…..another of the characters in the cozy mystery genre who insert themselves into crimes that really have nothing to do with them….and they just blunder around with their little notebooks, asking question after question until they happen to find the right person to question and ask just the right question, generally putting themselves in harms way. If I were the police in a lot of these situations, I would first lock-up the busy-body BEFORE I went to investigate the crime!
I don’t usually try to figure out who-done-it and spoil the ending for myself, but this time, the guilty party and the method and manner of the killing practically hit the reader over the head with a needlepoint frame!