Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
With just two books in the Mainely Needlepoint series so far, I confess that I'm hooked. Lea Wait has a series that delivers when it comes to needlepoint (this time restoring old damaged pieces) without going overboard. That can be a tricky path to tread, but if there's needlepoint in the cozy I'm reading, I want its percentage to be somewhere between just walking past a shop window and saying, "Oh look at that needlepoint pillow!" and doing so much stitching that the characters don't have time to stick their noses outside to solve a murder. The author has the perfect blend in this series, and that really ups the enjoyment factor for me.
Threads of Evidence also started like gangbusters with Angie and her friend clearing out that marvelous old house and getting ready for a sale. As long as that was going on, I refused any and all attempts to get me to come up for air. What's wonderful is that once the sale was over, the story and the characters assumed control and kept me turning the pages enthusiastically.
Angie is one of the best amateur sleuths going because she worked for a private investigator in Arizona. She's familiar with how to do things, and if she needs some help, she can always phone up her former boss. She's also very level-headed and smart. Life dealt her some hard knocks rather early in life, so even though she's positive and upbeat, she's still a bit reserved. (Have some fun, but don't be surprised if someone wants to shove you into the handbasket to Hell.)
There's some competition between Angie and her friend, and other Mainely Needlepointers do their part to help solve the crime. If that's not enough, there's Angie's grandmother's wedding to keep tabs on. I only solved half the mystery which is always a plus-- and I have a confession to make. I wish that Hollywood actress had chosen a screen name that didn't make my eyes hiccup every time they saw it. It probably won't bother you a bit, but since I'm from Phoenix, Skye West just sounds like a blend of Sky Harbor Airport and the old America West Arena-- or the name of an airline. I know. Silly, aren't I?
What's not silly is how much I enjoyed this book, and how highly I rate this series. Bring on book three! I can't wait to see what happens next to Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers.
Threads of Evidence also started like gangbusters with Angie and her friend clearing out that marvelous old house and getting ready for a sale. As long as that was going on, I refused any and all attempts to get me to come up for air. What's wonderful is that once the sale was over, the story and the characters assumed control and kept me turning the pages enthusiastically.
Angie is one of the best amateur sleuths going because she worked for a private investigator in Arizona. She's familiar with how to do things, and if she needs some help, she can always phone up her former boss. She's also very level-headed and smart. Life dealt her some hard knocks rather early in life, so even though she's positive and upbeat, she's still a bit reserved. (Have some fun, but don't be surprised if someone wants to shove you into the handbasket to Hell.)
There's some competition between Angie and her friend, and other Mainely Needlepointers do their part to help solve the crime. If that's not enough, there's Angie's grandmother's wedding to keep tabs on. I only solved half the mystery which is always a plus-- and I have a confession to make. I wish that Hollywood actress had chosen a screen name that didn't make my eyes hiccup every time they saw it. It probably won't bother you a bit, but since I'm from Phoenix, Skye West just sounds like a blend of Sky Harbor Airport and the old America West Arena-- or the name of an airline. I know. Silly, aren't I?
What's not silly is how much I enjoyed this book, and how highly I rate this series. Bring on book three! I can't wait to see what happens next to Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Helpful Score: 1
Threads of Evidence is the second installment in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series. Angela Curtis is settling back into life in her hometown of Haven Harbor, ME and into her new position as the director of Mainely Needlepoint, the company started by her Grandmother Charlotte.
Angie and fellow needlepointer Sarah Byrne are invited to "Aurora", the old abandoned Victorian mansion recently purchased by Hollywood actress Skye West. Skye and her son Patrick are in the process of restoring the old home and adjacent carriage house and are interested in having Mainely Needlepoint identify and appraise the old needlepoint panels sewn by the previous homeowner Millie Gardener.
Angie soon discovers that 45 years ago Millie's daughter Jasmine had died during the annual end of the season party hosted on Aurora's grounds. Jasmine was found dead in the ornate fountain, the police say she had been drinking, fell and hit her head drowning in the water. But, Millie always believed that her daughter had been murdered, she spent the rest of her life isolated in the old manor sewing and mourning the loss of Jasmine.
Skye soon reveals that she had a past connection to Jasmine and believes like Millie, that her friend had been poisoned to death. When Skye discovers that Angie has experience as a private investigator she implores her to help locate Jasmine's killer. Angie and Sarah organize a lawn sale on the grounds of Aurora hoping to lure anyone who had contact with the Gardener family back to the scene of the crime. Verification that in fact there might have been foul play comes when a hummingbird sips from Skye's lemonade and dies, an autopsy on the bird reveals arsenic poisoning.
A fast paced storyline full of mystery, suspense and a little bit of romance. The author does a terrific job painting the Maine landscape, and the local seafood descriptions will leave your mouthwatering. Angie is a refreshing heroine who actually seems to have a brain and doesn't jump recklessly into her investigations nor drag her unsuspecting friends into harm's way.
I'm enjoying the character development of Angie as she struggles to come to terms with her past and find her place back into Haven Harbor society. It's refreshing to read about her insecurities as she looks to make new friends and perhaps find a love interest. Her relationship with Charlotte is heartwarming and I look forward to future installments as her grandmother settles into her marriage with Reverend Tom.
This cozy series has definitely become one of my top favorites, and I'm looking forward to the third book, Thread and Gone.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I am more than happy to share my opinion.
Angie and fellow needlepointer Sarah Byrne are invited to "Aurora", the old abandoned Victorian mansion recently purchased by Hollywood actress Skye West. Skye and her son Patrick are in the process of restoring the old home and adjacent carriage house and are interested in having Mainely Needlepoint identify and appraise the old needlepoint panels sewn by the previous homeowner Millie Gardener.
Angie soon discovers that 45 years ago Millie's daughter Jasmine had died during the annual end of the season party hosted on Aurora's grounds. Jasmine was found dead in the ornate fountain, the police say she had been drinking, fell and hit her head drowning in the water. But, Millie always believed that her daughter had been murdered, she spent the rest of her life isolated in the old manor sewing and mourning the loss of Jasmine.
Skye soon reveals that she had a past connection to Jasmine and believes like Millie, that her friend had been poisoned to death. When Skye discovers that Angie has experience as a private investigator she implores her to help locate Jasmine's killer. Angie and Sarah organize a lawn sale on the grounds of Aurora hoping to lure anyone who had contact with the Gardener family back to the scene of the crime. Verification that in fact there might have been foul play comes when a hummingbird sips from Skye's lemonade and dies, an autopsy on the bird reveals arsenic poisoning.
A fast paced storyline full of mystery, suspense and a little bit of romance. The author does a terrific job painting the Maine landscape, and the local seafood descriptions will leave your mouthwatering. Angie is a refreshing heroine who actually seems to have a brain and doesn't jump recklessly into her investigations nor drag her unsuspecting friends into harm's way.
I'm enjoying the character development of Angie as she struggles to come to terms with her past and find her place back into Haven Harbor society. It's refreshing to read about her insecurities as she looks to make new friends and perhaps find a love interest. Her relationship with Charlotte is heartwarming and I look forward to future installments as her grandmother settles into her marriage with Reverend Tom.
This cozy series has definitely become one of my top favorites, and I'm looking forward to the third book, Thread and Gone.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I am more than happy to share my opinion.
