Knitting Bones

October 8, 2007
In Ferris's 11th crafty cozy (after Sins and Needles
), former cop Betsy Devonshire, now proprietor of the Crewel World needlework shop in Excelsior, Minn., tries to solve a mystery from home while recovering from a horseback riding accident. At the annual Embroiderers' Guild of America convention, which Betsy missed thanks to her busted leg, National Heart Coalition exec Robert Germaine accepted a check for a substantial charitable donation and then disappeared with it. Betsy reluctantly takes on the case when Germaine's wife begs for her help and Godwin “Goddy” Dulac, Betsy's overeager assistant, offers to do the legwork. Meanwhile, Tony Milan, an ex-con who was planning to mug Germaine for the check, wakes up three days later with a concussion. He's lacking some vital memories thanks to a car wreck, but he knows something's up when he discovers he arrived at the hospital wearing Germaine's suit and watch. Serious mystery readers might yawn at this less than intricate yarn, but Ferris's fans will be charmed.

August 1, 2007
A hobbled Betsy Devonshire and store manager Godwin try to capture the man who stole the Embroiderers Guild donation check in the 11th series title.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2007
In her eleventh adventure, Betsy Devonshire, amateur sleuth and owner ofa Minnesotaneedlework shop called Crewel World, is sidelined by a broken leg, forcing her to rely on her assistant, Godwin, to ferret out the information necessary to solve a crime. Her injury keeps Betsy from attending a convention where the Embroiders Guild of America presents a check to Bob Germaine of the National Heart Coalition. Unfortunately, after the banquet, Germaine and the check both disappear, and Bobs wife, believing he isnt a thief, asks Betsy to figure out what happened. Meanwhile, petty criminal Tony Milan, suffering from amnesia after a bad car accident, begins to remember how he had planned to steal the check. With both Tony and Betsy on the trail of the missing check, matters are complicated by an injured crow that Besy is illegally babysitting and planning to smuggle out of state. The insiders look at running a needlecraft shop provides an engaging frame forthis suspenseful but still light mystery. Cozy fans will respond to Ferris cast ofappealing, folksy characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

December 15, 2007
Bob Germaine receives a check for $24,000 for the charity he works for and promptly disappears. Betsy Devonshire, laid up with a badly broken leg, must rely on her friends to investigate. With a pattern or two included to cheer the needleworker, this charming series will appeal to cozy fans. Ferris lives in Minnesota. [See Prepub Mystery, "LJ" 8/07.]

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.