Title: A Stitch in Time
Author: Monica Ferris
First published July 1, 2000
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780425175118 (ISBN10: 0425175111)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
In the quaint village of Willowbury, a group of dedicated needleworkers stumble upon a mysterious tapestry hidden away in the attic of an old mansion. As they begin to unravel the secrets woven into the fabric, they realize that there may be more to this antique piece than meets the eye.
With their stitching skills and sleuthing abilities, the group embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind the tapestry and the crafty crime that may have been committed to keep it hidden for so long. Join these amateur detectives as they thread together the clues and solve a puzzling mystery in A Stitch in Time by Monica Ferris.
About the Author
Mary Monica Pulver is an author with multiple pseudonyms, including Margaret Frazer and Monica Ferris. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Pulver spent most of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She served as a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years, including two years in London. Afterward, she attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Pulver sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine in 1983. Since then, she has sold over two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines across the world, including Germany, England, Italy, and France.
Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. She went on to publish more books, including The Unforgiving Minutes, Ashes to Ashes, Original Sin, and Show Stopper, featuring detective Peter Brichter.
Under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer, Pulver wrote six medieval mysteries in collaboration with Gail Frazer, published by Berkley Diamond. The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, and The Murderer’s Tale feature detective Dame Frevisse, a nun and a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son.
In 1998, Pulver began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. The series includes Crewel World, Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Embroidered Truths, Sins and Needles, Knitting Bones, Thai Die, Blackwork, and Buttons and Bones.
Threadbare was published in December of 2011, and she is currently working on And Then You Dye. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris and have been widely popular.
Pulver has taught courses on mystery writing to children and adults and has spoken at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic. Additionally, she has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels.
Pulver is a member of Sisters in Crime and volunteers for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.
Editoral Review
In her book A Stitch in Time, Monica Ferris takes readers on a cozy mystery journey through small-town Minnesota. Ferris is an American mystery author who has written over 20 novels in the Needlecraft Mystery series.
She is known for her unique storytelling style, blending mystery, romance, and humor to create captivating narratives. A Stitch in Time is a classic mystery novel that centers around Betsy Devonshire, the owner of a needlecraft shop in Excelsior, Minnesota.
The story begins with the murder of one of Betsy’s regular customers, an elderly woman named Rose. Determined to solve the crime and bring the culprit to justice, Betsy embarks on a dangerous journey that leads her to discover the many secrets hidden within her quaint hometown.
Ferris has created a richly detailed and layered setting that transports readers into the heart of Excelsior. Through vivid descriptions of the town and its inhabitants, Ferris paints a picture of a place that is both charming and complex.
Her characters are well-rounded and relatable, each with their own unique quirks and flaws. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end.
One of the strengths of A Stitch in Time is Ferris’s ability to seamlessly blend together elements of mystery, romance, and humor. The resulting narrative is both engaging and entertaining, making it the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day.
However, at times the narrative can feel a bit predictable, and some readers may find that the storyline drags on in certain parts. Despite these limitations, A Stitch in Time is a delightful read that is sure to leave readers feeling satisfied.
Ferris expertly weaves together elements of cozy mystery with themes of friendship, love, and community, creating a narrative that is as heartwarming as it is thrilling. Overall, I would highly recommend A Stitch in Time to anyone who loves mysteries, cozy novels, or just a good old-fashioned page-turner.
Monica Ferris has created a world that is both immersive and captivating, filled with richly drawn characters and twisty plotlines. I give this book a solid four out of five stars.
