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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae is the sixth A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery. Kath Rutledge owns the Weaver’s Cat in Blue Plum, Tennessee. Kath shares her office with Argyle, the shop cat and Geneva, a temperamental ghost. The town is looking forward to the opening of the Blue Plum Vault which is housed in the old bank and houses small co-op shops. The recently deceased Garland Brown spearheaded the project. The Spivey twins stop by to tell Kath the rumors circulating around town that Nervie Bates embroidery patterns were not created by her. They also suggest that Kath stop by the Vault to check out the vintage linens being sold by Belinda Moyer. Kath visits Belinda’s shop, Belle’s Vintage & Antique Linens and falls in love with an Arts & Crafts tablecloth done with silk embroidery thread. She is surprised by the animosity between Belinda and Nervie. The next day, Kath is shocked when she gets a call from Joe that the beautiful tablecloth has been found in shreds. Before Deputy Cole Dunbar can arrive, the shreds disappear. All of Blue Plum turns out for the grand opening including Geneva. Kath hears Geneva singing a dirge in a storage closet. When the door is opened, they find Belinda face down with a pair of scissors in her back. Geneva says she saw the killer, but her recollections leave a lot to be desired. Kath and TGIF members along with Geneva establish their murder board and set out to unravel this perplexing mystery.
Crewel and Unusual is the sixth delightful installment in the unique A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. If you have not read the previous books in the series, you will not be lost. Everything a new reader needs to know is included. Blue Plum is a cozy small town with charming shops and friendly residents. Kath is slowly discovering her special gifts and how they work. Geneva is a humorous addition to the story. She is dramatic, moody and observant. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Kath and Geneva. I am glad that Ardis can now see Geneva as well. I found Crewel and Unusual to be a slow starter as the author introduces the characters, town, shops, etc. There are many descriptive details that help bring the story alive (visually). The mystery has multiple suspects and misdirection to keep readers off the trail of the real killer. If you pay careful attention, you will find the clues that will lead you to the guilty party. It is a complicated mystery, and I appreciated how everything tied together in the end. I am giving Crewel and Unusual 4 out of 5 stars. I wish the pace had been peppier and that there had been a smoother flow. I was happy to return to Blue Plum in Crewel and Unusual. I look forward to further adventures with Kath and Geneva in A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series.
Crewel and Unusual is the sixth delightful installment in the unique A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. If you have not read the previous books in the series, you will not be lost. Everything a new reader needs to know is included. Blue Plum is a cozy small town with charming shops and friendly residents. Kath is slowly discovering her special gifts and how they work. Geneva is a humorous addition to the story. She is dramatic, moody and observant. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Kath and Geneva. I am glad that Ardis can now see Geneva as well. I found Crewel and Unusual to be a slow starter as the author introduces the characters, town, shops, etc. There are many descriptive details that help bring the story alive (visually). The mystery has multiple suspects and misdirection to keep readers off the trail of the real killer. If you pay careful attention, you will find the clues that will lead you to the guilty party. It is a complicated mystery, and I appreciated how everything tied together in the end. I am giving Crewel and Unusual 4 out of 5 stars. I wish the pace had been peppier and that there had been a smoother flow. I was happy to return to Blue Plum in Crewel and Unusual. I look forward to further adventures with Kath and Geneva in A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series.
tabithar's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun romp around Blue Plum, TN with the usual gang. The story progressed a little more with the lives of the characters and was satisfying all the way around. I reserve 5 stars for books that leave me at a point of ready to reread their series or that I can't help sharing with others. This isn't quite there but it is a series I have recommended to friends.
I recommend to those looking for an Appalachian regional mystery or who enjoy cozy mysteries.
Bonus: The author usually includes a recipe and fiber related project at the end of each book.
I recommend to those looking for an Appalachian regional mystery or who enjoy cozy mysteries.
Bonus: The author usually includes a recipe and fiber related project at the end of each book.
melli80's review against another edition
3.0
I started this book but I just could not get into it.. it is slow paced and its not what I thought that it would be. not saying that I might not finish it but as of today I am going to put it to the side for now. I have read this author before with no issues but this one just wasn't for me.
graypeape's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick, fun enough read, but slow paced at the beginning, and a bit convoluted at times. There's so much set-up that the murder doesn't happen until about halfway through the book. Now, this is the sixth in a series, and I haven't read the rest, so I'm sure I would have enjoyed all the set-up more had I read the other books, but without the back stories, I don't think I cared about the characters as much. There were so many red herrings it was hard to keep track of them all, even with the amateur sleuth group's notes. I really wanted to like this book more, but it just didn't do a lot for me. I did connect with Kath, the main character, over her love of textiles- the way the author wrote the feelings of wonder, awe, yearning for the objects of one's desire, was so real and touching, and I totally understand those feels!
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I think it’s lovely when a new instalment of a beloved series is out after a long time but unfortunately it also mean that there are quite high expectations.
You remember the other books in this series as a lot of fun to read, engaging and entertaining and expects that the new one will mirror your memories.
As a matter of fact you have reconsider your expectations and enjoy the book for what it is.
It was a pleasant and entertaining read, a bit slow at the beginning.
It was great to meet again the lovely cast of characters, both ghostly and human.
I loved the depiction of the small town life with gossips and some nasty rumors.
The mystery is full of twists and turns, it kept me guessing till the end and I couldn't put the book down.
This is a lovely addition to this series even if it can fully appreciated by anyone who already read the previous instalments.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Pegasus Books for this ARC
You remember the other books in this series as a lot of fun to read, engaging and entertaining and expects that the new one will mirror your memories.
As a matter of fact you have reconsider your expectations and enjoy the book for what it is.
It was a pleasant and entertaining read, a bit slow at the beginning.
It was great to meet again the lovely cast of characters, both ghostly and human.
I loved the depiction of the small town life with gossips and some nasty rumors.
The mystery is full of twists and turns, it kept me guessing till the end and I couldn't put the book down.
This is a lovely addition to this series even if it can fully appreciated by anyone who already read the previous instalments.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Pegasus Books for this ARC
annarella's review
4.0
I think it’s lovely when a new instalment of a beloved series is out after a long time but unfortunately it also mean that there are quite high expectations.
You remember the other books in this series as a lot of fun to read, engaging and entertaining and expects that the new one will mirror your memories.
As a matter of fact you have reconsider your expectations and enjoy the book for what it is.
It was a pleasant and entertaining read, a bit slow at the beginning.
It was great to meet again the lovely cast of characters, both ghostly and human.
I loved the depiction of the small town life with gossips and some nasty rumors.
The mystery is full of twists and turns, it kept me guessing till the end and I couldn't put the book down.
This is a lovely addition to this series even if it can fully appreciated by anyone who already read the previous instalments.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Pegasus Books for this ARC
You remember the other books in this series as a lot of fun to read, engaging and entertaining and expects that the new one will mirror your memories.
As a matter of fact you have reconsider your expectations and enjoy the book for what it is.
It was a pleasant and entertaining read, a bit slow at the beginning.
It was great to meet again the lovely cast of characters, both ghostly and human.
I loved the depiction of the small town life with gossips and some nasty rumors.
The mystery is full of twists and turns, it kept me guessing till the end and I couldn't put the book down.
This is a lovely addition to this series even if it can fully appreciated by anyone who already read the previous instalments.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Pegasus Books for this ARC
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