Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
In her eleventh adventure, Betsy Devonshire, amateur sleuth and owner of a Minnesota needlework 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 Bob's wife, believing he isn't 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 insider's look at running a needlecraft shop provides an engaging frame for this suspenseful but still light mystery. Cozy fans will respond to Ferris' cast of appealing, folksy characters.--O'Brien, Sue Copyright 2007 Booklist
Kirkus Review
Theft, murder and knitting in Minnesota. Betsy Devonshire, who was instrumental in helping the Embroiderers Guild raise more than $20,000 for the National Heart Coalition, breaks her leg in a riding accident before she can attend the convention. Her store manager, Godwin DuLac, who goes in her place, reports that a major scandal is brewing. Bob Germaine, who accepted the check for the Coalition, is missing along with the proceeds. His wife, certain Bob is innocent and in danger, begs Betsy to find him. Goddy, whose gaydar went off when Bob smiled at him, is sure that Bob took the opportunity to start a new life out of the closet. But Betsy is doubtful. Unable to get around and ask questions, she tutors the eager Goddy, who cruises the gay community and comes up with the name of Bob look-alike Stoney Durand. When Bob's naked body is found in the trunk of his car, both the police and Goddy must abandon their theories. At length, Betsy and Goddy come up with an alternative scenario. The housebound Betsy is harboring an injured crow awaiting transport to another state whose laws do not include euthanizing injured wild animals. Betsy, Goddy, the police and the crow all play a role in solving the case. A simple case for Betsy (Sins and Needles, 2006, etc.), and a quick and easy read. The hardest part of the exercise is the obligatory knitting pattern. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
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.] (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
