"Eighth installment in this series of cozy mysteries combining murder with needlework."

Betsy Devonshire, owner of needlework shop Crewel World, and her employee, Godfrey, have traveled to Tennessee to attend the International Needlework Retailers Guild market. They are looking forward to a weekend full of classes and shopping for the latest in fabrics, threads, patterns and other goodies for their shop. A freak snow storm strands them and their friend, policewoman Jill Larson, in town for a law enforcement seminar at the hotel. The festivities are interrupted Saturday morning by a piercing scream. Belle Hammermill, another market attendee, has gone over the railing and fallen to her death from the 9th floor.

Betsy witnesses the plunge and insists that the victim was alone and her death a tragic accident. Jill is not so sure, especially when she learns that at least three people at the market hated Belle enough to wish her dead. Back home, Betsy is well-known for her talent as an amateur detective, and with the snow storm not only keeping people from leaving but the authorities from getting to the hotel, Betsy reluctantly begins to investigate what happened.

This is number eight in a series of mysteries by Ferris featuring Betsy Devonshire and combining murder with needlework. While the mystery is well-written and captures your attention, you're left with the feeling you need to have read the previous books to get a handle on the characters and their relationships. All in all, I enjoyed the book, and it captured my imagination enough to make me want to read the previous entries. An added bonus is the inclusion of the pattern for a Christmas ornament. If you enjoy mysteries and are into needlework, this is a series you should check out.

Reviewed by Tish Glasson
Posted September 20, 2004

Summary

Part-time sleuth and full-time owner of the needlework shop Crewel World, Betsy Devonshire likes to have a hand in anything crafty-from knitting to solving crime. In this latest yarn in the bestselling series, Betsy prepares for a chilling holiday season filled with mistletoe-and murder.

This year's needlework convention is tragically interrupted when one shop owner tumbles nine stories to her untimely death. Now Betsy, Godwin, and other knitting hands must unravel the clues that will put the killer to rest...for a long winter's night.