Title: Yarn to Go
Author: Betty Hechtman
First published July 2, 2013
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780425252215 (ISBN10: 0425252213)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
When Casey Feldstein inherits her aunt’s yarn retreat business, she’s in for a surprise. She’s a dessert chef and has no clue about knitting or crocheting.
But when the last retreat scheduled is about to happen, she decides to host it anyway. The retreat is set in a picturesque location in Monterey Peninsula, but things turn sour when a regular is found dead in her hotel room.
Casey feels responsible and starts investigating the murder. However, this puts her in danger as the killer is still on the loose.
Will Casey be able to unravel the mystery before it’s too late, or will she end up tangled in the web of danger? Read Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman to find out!
About the Author
Growing up on the south side of Chicago, I had a lot going on one weekend – I got married, graduated from college and moved to Los Angeles. Although my degree was in Fine Arts, writing was always my passion, and I’ve been doing it in some form ever since I can remember.
Even in elementary and high school, I always shone when it came to writing stories and poetry. In college, I wrote news stories and a weekly column for the college newspaper.
My first job out of college was at a finance company, where I worked on the newsletter. Later, I wrote press releases and biographies for a public relations firm.
I even wrote proposals for video projects and TV shows that were in various stages of development.
I dabbled in screenwriting and actually sold one of my scripts, while another won a Writers’ Digest contest. Once I became a stay-at-home mom, I did a lot of volunteering at my son’s school, and edited and wrote several newsletters.
My work has been published in various places, including the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World and Futures magazine. I’ve always had a fascination with crochet, especially granny squares, but I thought it was beyond me.
However, during a trip to Las Vegas, I saw a kids’ kit in FAO Schwartz and thought, if kids can do it, so can I. My first granny square was not perfect, but I kept at it until I mastered it.
Soon, I was making all kinds of different squares and patterns, and eventually moved onto making scarves, purses, afghans and shawls.
I fell in love with crochet and started taking my hooks everywhere I went. Plane trips became opportunities to make washcloths or shawls, while a vacation in Hawaii turned into a new tote bag.
And now, I get to write about my love for crochet.
Editoral Review
Betty Hechtman’s cozy mystery Yarn to Go is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys crafty mysteries with a side of humor. Published in 2013, this book follows the adventures of Casey Feldstein, a recent divorcee who moves to California to help her aunt with her yarn shop, Yarn2Go. Casey is an amateur sleuth who stumbles upon a dead body in the alley behind the shop.
As the only one who seems to care about the victim’s fate, Casey takes it upon herself to investigate the murder and find the killer. Along the way, readers are introduced to a cast of quirky characters, including Casey’s lovable aunt, a mysterious British man, and a group of feisty knitters.
Hechtman uses her background in knitting to give readers a delightful setting in the yarn shop, and her attention to detail is impressive. The descriptions of the various yarns and finished products will make readers want to pick up their own needles and start knitting.
The book is also sprinkled with fun knitting patterns for readers to try out. One of the strengths of Yarn to Go is its ability to balance the mystery element with lighthearted humor.
The banter between Casey and her aunt is charming, and the amusing interactions between the knitters add to the pleasant atmosphere of the story. Hechtman also does an excellent job of pacing the story, with each chapter providing new clues and revelations that will keep readers guessing until the end.
The book’s weakness, however, comes from the limited character development. While Casey is a likable protagonist, she lacks complexity, and some of the supporting characters are one-dimensional.
The plot is also predictable, and readers may find themselves guessing the identity of the killer midway through the novel. While Yarn to Go may not be groundbreaking in the mystery genre, it is a fun and enjoyable read for anyone who loves cozy mysteries and crafting.
The book’s wholesome nature and pleasant characters make it a perfect escape for a lazy afternoon. Overall, Yarn to Go earns three out of five stars.
