Rating: 
Summary: A delightful needlecraft cozy
Review: A STITCH IN TIME is the 3rd book in this needlecraft series by Monica Ferris. Betsy, the protagonist, is a novice at needlecrafts, but she is aided by a number of knowledgeable and quirky crafters in running her shop, Crewel World. When a tapestry is found hidden in the local church, Betsy donates the materials necessary to repair it. It soon becomes obvious that someone didn't want the tapestry found, and Betsy is nearly killed several times in order to maintain the secret of the tapestry. The killer's identity was obvious to me halfway through the book, but I very much enjoyed the book anyway. I think most cozy lovers will find this series delightful.
Rating:
Summary: entertaining
Review: Betsy Devonshire even when she doesnt want to her cusiosity takes her to help discover the secret behind the tapestry. This is an entertaining book that keeps you wondering what is going to happen next with this lady. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Go, Betsy, go!
Review: Betsy Devonshire is certainly busy stitching and sleuthing. With each book in the series she is getting better at both, as is Ms. Ferris's writing. This was the best so far. The characters feel real and are getting to be my friends. I miss them when the book is over. Though from the South, I understood and enjoyed the hot dish and Lutheran references. Stitching, humor, and a good mystery--who could ask for anything more! I can hardly wait for the next book. One problem: reading makes me want to cross stitch and stitching makes me want to read. What's a girl to do?
Rating:
Summary: A Stitch in Time
Review: Betsy Devonshire, the new owner of The Crewel World, has suddenly become the victim of a series of nasty accidents. Could it all be coincidence? Or could it have something to do with the sudden appearance of her ex-husband? Or perhaps it might actually have something to do with her charitable impulse to donate the materials neccesary to repair the damage done to a lovely piece of tapestry recently discovered at the local Episcopal church...This is a mystery novel that really involved reader response! I groaned out loud each time Besty took a wrong turn when investigating who was out to get her. And even though it was fairly obvious who the culprit was, I'd still recommend this book (and series) as an enjoyable "cozy" worth curling up .
Rating:
Summary: What a comfortable and cozy book!
Review: Having enjoyed the first in this series, I somehow missed the second. I won't miss any more, that's for sure. This third book is as comfy and cozy to wrap yourself up in, as a much-loved, hand-knitted sweater or afghan. Betsy Devonshire is a marvelous character, one that you can easily believe in, and wish to have as a friend; furthermore, she's a perfect match for Excelsior, Minnesota. Betsy had returned to the cold midwest from San Diego for a much-needed respite from her immediate past while renewing the relationship with her sister, Margo. Unfortunately, Margo was the victim in book one, but she left her business "Crewel World" to Betsy, who, in spite of knowing little about the world of needlework, endeavored to settle into it. Learning how to run a business, as well as learning about needlework exposes her to all sort of people and situations, while allowing her to use her not inconsiderable curiosity to help the small-town police department solve persistent puzzles. In this episode, it's very near to Christmas, and while Trinity Episcopal Church prepares for the holiday season, it is also preparing for a major renovation. To the surprise of all, a mildewed, hand-worked tapestry is discovered hidden away in a closet. When it's discovered to be the work of the previous rector's wife, all concerned decide to restore the piece as a decoration for the new addition. Immediately, strange things begin to happen to Betsy, who has agreed to furnish any yarn necessary for the renovation of the tapestry. One of the strangest, while totally unconnected, is a visit from her former husband, Hal the Pig, who seems to sincerely want to mend his fences and re-establish the relationship with Betsy. Not surprisingly, she is of the totally opposite opinion. With the help of Jill, the policewoman, the mysteries--old and new--are all eventually resolved. Hal is sent on his way, and we're left with a warm feeling towards the inhabitants of Crewel World and Excelsior, Minnesota, in spite of all that fluffy white stuff all over the ground. My only niggle is: where are the recipes for all those great sounding hot dishes?
Rating: 
Summary: This May Keep You in Stitches!
Review: I always seem to be writing out of season. The third Betsy Devonshire novel is set in small-town Minnesota in December, and it is released in July. They didn't give it a Christmas cover, though Betsy celebrates as best she can while trying to figure out who wants to kill her. And why. At one local book signing (July 22, Once Upon A Crime), I am decorating the shop for Christmas and serving hot dishes -- Minnesotan for casseroles. Authors have no shame.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable!
Review: I found all three of her books enjoyable. They were interesting, fast to read and also great characters. If you are looking for a nice entertaining book to read, please read one of her books. I read all three in about a week and can't wait for her next one! Even lost sleep, since I couldn't put them down.Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable book
Review: I've read all three of the "Crewel World" books and found this to be the best yet. I gave up my usual ritual of stitching nightly, so I could get to the end.
Rating: 
Summary: An Old Tapestry Brings New Clues
Review: It's the Christmas Season and everything should be cheery. Betsy Devonshire is still recovering from the murder of her sister Margot and is trying to get into the Holiday mood by immersing herself in her work at Crewel World, the needlecraft shop that Margot had left her. She also left Betsy several million dollars, but the estate is still being settled.
Things are really buzzing a Trinity Episcopal Church, where renovations are underway. Hidden away in a room, they come across a huge tapestry that had been completed by Lucy Abrams, wife of the former rector, Keane.
Just before retiring, Keane had collapsed from a major stroke and Lucy had a fatal stroke as she tried to help him up from the floor. The current rector of the church, John Rettger is thinking about naming a room after the Keane, who now resides in a nursing home, unable to move or communicate.
It's decided that along with naming a room after Keane, they will restore the tapestry and hang it on the wall as a tribute to the late Lucy. Betsy volunteers to donate all the supplies necessary to repair the tapestry and while looking it over, (Worrying because she hadn't anticipated there would be so much work, or that it was so big), she notices little icons sewn onto the tapestry. Betsy wonders if they have some meaning and copies several of them down and borrows a book of Icons for John Rettger to try and decipher them.
Deciphering icons doesn't seem as important when Betsy has an accident while driving in a blizzard and having to spend the night in a freezing car, where she learns the important lesson of why people in Minnesota always have a survival kit in their car. When it's discovered that the brake line was cut, Betsy starts to worry, and then when she suffers arsenic poisoning and her building catches on fire, she begins to wonder if someone is trying to kill her.
There's no lack of suspects. Maybe Joe Mickels has decided to get her out of the building once and for all. Then there's Hal "The Pig" Norman, Betsy's ex-husband, whose last coed girlfriend turned him into the college and he's now jobless and homeless and swears undying love for Betsy and really, really wants to get back together with her. Does the fact that she is about to inherit millions have anything to do with it, and what about the will she had written shortly after their marriage where she left everything to him. Was that still valid.
Or did it have something to do with the tapestry? Especially when all Betsy's notes and then the tapestry itself disappears. Would she be able to solve this mystery before she finally ends up dead?
Highlights:
The supporting characters are wonderful Jill Cross & Mike Malloy, who are police officers. The Monday Bunch - a group of needle crafters, who get together on Monday's in Crewel World to do needlework. Even Joe Mickel is likeable.
Goodwin - her full time employee who knows everyone and everything and has an obnoxious boyfriend John.
Hal "The Pig" arriving at Betsy apartment with a Christmas Tree. (I was reading this part at break and couldn't quit laughing. My office mates thought I was nuts).
Lowlights:
The mystery. No murder. The reason behind the attempts on Betsy's life are lame. There was no reason for anyone to know the mystery that was trying to be hidden and a few words to Betsy would have stopped everything. It just seemed ridiculous.
But I enjoyed the book right up to the ridiculous ending, so it's not a waste of time.
Have already started Unraveled Sleeve.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of fun!
Review: Needlework shop owner Betsy Devonshire is once again pushed into investigating a crime, despite her protests that she's not a detective. Everyone in Excelsior, Minnesota is now convinced that she can solve any crime, even when, as here, the criminal is trying to kill Betsy herself. She manages to survive the murder attempts, while trying to figure out why someone is attempting to kill her, and also deciphering a cryptic code in a recently-discovered needlepoint tapestry. The conclusion is satisfying and logical, as is Betsy's refusal to consider a reconciliation with "Hal the pig," her philandering ex-husband. As a needleworker, I enjoy seeing needlework portrayed as an avocation of intelligent, creative people, both men and women, and I enjoy the Crewel World books. If Ms. Ferris keeps sending members of the Monday Bunch to jail, though, she'll have to form a Tuesday Bunch!
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