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A Needlecraft Mystery #10
Sins and Needles
Owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth, Betsy Devonshire must help clear Jan Henderson's name when her wealthy aunt is found dead, courtesy of a double-zero knitting needle. Just like the kind Jan knits with. And an embroidered map of Lake Minnetonka, found among the aunt's effects, could lead Betsy to a buried treasure-or to a secret that someone would kill to keep buried.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
25 people are currently reading
844 people want to read
About the author
Monica Ferris
39Ìýbooks477ÌýfollowersHas published as
(real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
(with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier � Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents� home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,� to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter � a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery�.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: 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. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by 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 will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings � the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
(real name)
Mary Kuhfeld
(with Gail Frazer)
[from the author's own website)
Mary Monica Pulver (her maiden name) is an incidental Hoosier � Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents� home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee.
She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, “Pass the Word,� to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France.
She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons. Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin’s Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashes followed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback. They feature detective Peter Brichter � a cop one reviewer said was “a hardboiled sleuth who’s somehow landed in a cozy mystery�.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: 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. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey’s son. The stories take place in England in the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by 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 will appear in December of 2011, and she is at work on And Then You Dye. The first six were paperback originals. Subsequent books were hardcovers followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings � the first one is in its eighteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic.
She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
February 3, 2008
A long-lost relative, a hidden treasure map, a murdered matriach leaving behind a quirky will... this story had all the potential to be a page turner. But while this was a well-written book in the language sense, I found the plot extremely difficult to follow.
There were too many new characters, too many threads for the mystery to follow, and too many unnecessary passages (like spending PAGES on the family's visit through Aunt Edyth's house) and strange "mistakes" (like Katie calling Jan "aunt" when she's really her cousin).
I appreciate the author's vivid imagination, but she needed a good editor to reign her in a bit and have her focus more on a few storylines, rather than introducing so much at once.
And though I'm always willing to suspend disbelief, I'm starting to raise my eyebrows at Betsy's involvement in situations where she has absolutely no business being. And her leaps of intellect (following "clues" to bizarre conclusions) left me in the dust.
If I could give it 2.5 stars, I would. I'm rounding up because Ferris is such a talented writer.
PS What happened to Betsy's boyfriend? And I miss Jill!
There were too many new characters, too many threads for the mystery to follow, and too many unnecessary passages (like spending PAGES on the family's visit through Aunt Edyth's house) and strange "mistakes" (like Katie calling Jan "aunt" when she's really her cousin).
I appreciate the author's vivid imagination, but she needed a good editor to reign her in a bit and have her focus more on a few storylines, rather than introducing so much at once.
And though I'm always willing to suspend disbelief, I'm starting to raise my eyebrows at Betsy's involvement in situations where she has absolutely no business being. And her leaps of intellect (following "clues" to bizarre conclusions) left me in the dust.
If I could give it 2.5 stars, I would. I'm rounding up because Ferris is such a talented writer.
PS What happened to Betsy's boyfriend? And I miss Jill!
September 5, 2016
What an interesting story! A more personal story involving a whole family and Betsy as the side line. Pretty good.
August 19, 2021
I had read all the Needlecraft Mysteries years ago as each book was released. I decided to listen to the books in order. I found each book had a decent mystery as I rarely guessed the ending. My reaction to each book was definitely influenced by the reader. I struggled with a couple of the readers as they seemed to bring out the worst in the main characters - Besty seemed mean, Godwin very silly and often cruel in his remarks, and other characters not very likable. There are 19 books in the series and I listened to 16 of the books with rereading the last 3. The series does not have a final resolution to Betsy marrying her long-term boyfriend which seemed sad. Overall the series is OK - entertaining enough with the characters moving forward over the series. A decent cozy mystery series.
January 24, 2022
I am currently going through this series in audio form. I was disappointed in this one. The series usually rates at least a 4 star from me and the previous one Crewel Yule rated at 4.5. The narrator was changed again for this book and she is horrible. She reads as the main character in a low almost manly voice and the character of Godwin, well his voice is so so bad ! The story was lacking. Not much investigating done by main character and a lot of side story antiquing. Not very much stitching references used. I have looked at the next in series and the same narrator is used. I am going to try to plug through it but may have to switch over to physical paperback form if they keep this narrator.
August 27, 2016
When I truly love a series, I devour it. This has happened with these books. I'm completely lost in them, to the point where my boyfriend has to say my name about five times just to get my attention. They are beyond good, for one of my absolute favorite genres!
This one had some interesting boat information, which is a sentence I never thought I'd write. Any kind of history interests me, but Monica Ferris has a gift of making obscure topics interesting and fresh. I had to look up exactly what a Baby Gar was, but I can see why they're so valuable!
A really good mystery with a host of excellent characters. Onto the next book!
This one had some interesting boat information, which is a sentence I never thought I'd write. Any kind of history interests me, but Monica Ferris has a gift of making obscure topics interesting and fresh. I had to look up exactly what a Baby Gar was, but I can see why they're so valuable!
A really good mystery with a host of excellent characters. Onto the next book!
July 21, 2023
The book was good and kept you on your toes. However the ending left you hanging and didn’t answer the questions about the murder. How was the murder weapon stolen from a family member? How did the murderer know how to use the weapon in the right spot? Why did the murderer do it? Only money? Why didn’t they just wait for the victim to die, as she was quite old? None of these questions were answered like the other books. I feel like the author ran out of time and just decided it needed to end right then. “I don’t have enough pages left to answer the murder questions�. Not satisfied with this.
December 26, 2020
My least favorite Betsy Devonshire novel so far. It still has the components of her earlier novels - crafting, small town life, sleuthing, Minnesota name dropping - but set against a much less compassionate background. Almost all the characters are much darker - less friendly? loving? - and new mysteries are quite unpleasant. I’d almost say this was written after some event which tarnished the author’s faith in humanity. I read this over the holidays and it was not cheerful in the least.
October 19, 2012
Well, I read this once before and forgot I read it. So I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. LOL! No, I read these as light, easy reads. Something I can pick up quickly even while the kids are being loud and crazy!
I love Ferris's books though. They are cute and fun and love that they revolve around knitting/needlework/etc!
I love Ferris's books though. They are cute and fun and love that they revolve around knitting/needlework/etc!
March 18, 2015
Finished Monica Ferris's book 'Sins and Needles'. Another new author for me.
Loved the twists and turns this author put in her writing. Did not see the ending coming, not till the last few pages, was a given for me.
Great fast read and a author I plan on picking up more books in this series to read.
Would I recommend it to others: yes. Would I read it again: maybe.
Loved the twists and turns this author put in her writing. Did not see the ending coming, not till the last few pages, was a given for me.
Great fast read and a author I plan on picking up more books in this series to read.
Would I recommend it to others: yes. Would I read it again: maybe.
January 9, 2022
The deeper I get into this series the more time the author spends on giving embroidery, knitting, etc. lessons. I don’t know if I will continue with this series. If the next book is like this, I may be done
Also, what happened to Betsy’s boyfriend?
Also, what happened to Betsy’s boyfriend?
April 18, 2011
I really enjoy all of Monica Ferris books..including this one!
It kept me guessing until the end on whodunit!
It kept me guessing until the end on whodunit!
April 19, 2020
Not as good as others by author.
August 25, 2020
Author has ZERO concept of DNA testing yet uses it as a major plot point.
May 11, 2022
Slow moving, some parts were downright boring.
August 4, 2022
Worst narration I have heard�
December 13, 2022
Not much action. Lots of needlework info. Plot not that deep.
March 26, 2017
Sins and Needles by Monica Ferris is the 10th book of the Needlecraft mystery series set in contemporary Minnesota. Betsy Devonshire owns her own needlework shop, lives above the shop, and capably runs it with the help of her flagrantly gay store manager Godwin "Goddie". When a woman comes into the shop, Betsy greets her by name. However she isn't Jan Henderson, the woman Betsy knows, even though she looks just like her. Visitor Lucille recently discovered she was adopted, and is searching for her biological family. Convinced she's related to Jan, Lucille joins a knitting class to get to know Jan better. As Goddie teaches them to knit a sock, Jan and Lucille learn they have much in common.
Betsy, Jan, and Jan's niece Katie are suspicious at the sudden appearance of a female relative; their wealthy aunt has just been murdered, and her estate goes only to female descendants. Betsy goes into sleuthing mode to investigate the newcomer, and she also gets to know all the family members, including their past feuds, to determine possible motives. A family tour of the estate, where each member chooses a memento from their aunt's valuables, provides revealing clues.
Betsy helps Jan hunt for 'hidden treasure' when they find a needlework treasure map among her great-aunt's possessions. The 'treasure' reveals a long-hidden family secret.
Betsy, Jan, and Jan's niece Katie are suspicious at the sudden appearance of a female relative; their wealthy aunt has just been murdered, and her estate goes only to female descendants. Betsy goes into sleuthing mode to investigate the newcomer, and she also gets to know all the family members, including their past feuds, to determine possible motives. A family tour of the estate, where each member chooses a memento from their aunt's valuables, provides revealing clues.
Betsy helps Jan hunt for 'hidden treasure' when they find a needlework treasure map among her great-aunt's possessions. The 'treasure' reveals a long-hidden family secret.
March 30, 2023
When a newcomer (Lucille) to Betsy Devonshire's shop Crewel World looks astonishingly like a long-time customer (Jan), she introduces the two at a knitting class. Hitting it off they share all about their lives finding many similarities. Then Jan finds her great-aunt dead in her bed, seemingly of natural causes, until she's sent to the mortician who discovers something that's not supposed to be in the back of her head. Turns out it's a knitting needle. The death moves to murder and everyone becomes a suspect especially Jan and her mother who would benefit from her great-aunt's rather unusual will (and who both sew and craft). Then, in going through her great-aunt's things, Jan discovers an old hand-stitched pillow, in terrible condition but potentially full of great sentiment. When Betsy helps to clean it up she discovers that there's another layer to the pillow; a crudely embroidered map of the area with a heart marking a specific spot on the Big Island. In trying to unravel not just the murder but the map as well, a family secret is revealed, tempers and feelings are aroused, and threats become very real.
This is another unique crafting tale. I love how wildly different and varied the author's stories are and this one had enough twists and turns to make it very compelling. It also robbed me of some sleep, in the best of ways!
This is another unique crafting tale. I love how wildly different and varied the author's stories are and this one had enough twists and turns to make it very compelling. It also robbed me of some sleep, in the best of ways!
November 14, 2024
It looked for all the world like the old woman simply died of old age. But the coroner felt around behind her head, and oops, there’s a piece of a knitting needle lodged in the old girl’s brain stem. Naturally, the investigation swings into full-on homicide mode. The deceased was an extremely wealthy man-hater who willed most of her estate to the creation of scholarships for women. But the estate is highly valuable, and it’s clear someone offed the old woman to cash in on her possessions.
Lucille Jones is in the small Minnesota town doing genealogical research. She believes she has a sister in the town, and since her parents adopted her, she’s come to the place to see whether her biological parents still live.
If you read this, you get a well-constructed book that remains consistently interesting to the end, and you get to clear up the mystery of the adoption and figure out who killed the wealthy old woman—they al tie together.
Most of these characters feel prickly and stand-offish to me. But the entire series has been like that. This installment will hold your interest. I didn’t see the end coming, and while the dialogue feels wonky in a place or two, it’s worth the time you’ll invest in it.
The narrator works best if you can crank her to 2.75X.
Lucille Jones is in the small Minnesota town doing genealogical research. She believes she has a sister in the town, and since her parents adopted her, she’s come to the place to see whether her biological parents still live.
If you read this, you get a well-constructed book that remains consistently interesting to the end, and you get to clear up the mystery of the adoption and figure out who killed the wealthy old woman—they al tie together.
Most of these characters feel prickly and stand-offish to me. But the entire series has been like that. This installment will hold your interest. I didn’t see the end coming, and while the dialogue feels wonky in a place or two, it’s worth the time you’ll invest in it.
The narrator works best if you can crank her to 2.75X.
March 18, 2025
Betsy is once again drawn into a mystery to solve when her friend Jan Henderson comes in wailing about being a murder suspect Betsy knows she must do something...No way has Jan murdered anyone especially not her Great Aunt Edyth...a woman claiming to be Jan's long lost sister comes to town from Texas just before Edyth dies so begins Betsy's sleuthing...Jan's mother Susan and Jan stand to inherit a lot of money from Edyth's estate while Susan's brother Stewart gets nothing nor do his 4 girls as Edyth's will stipulates only the female like not the male can inherit her millions. Betsy and Goddy and the crew gather around Jan to help both her and Susan through this horrible time for them. Jan brings in a stinky old pillow she found in an old boat on her Aunt's property and when Betsy helps to restore it they find a map with a red heart marking a spot....Buried Treasure maybe??? Betsy sleuthing must turn up a few notches to figure out motive and means for the senseless crime and help her friend get her inheritance.... A good clean needlecraft mystery with a free knitting pattern included....I love reading along with Betsy and the crew at Crewel World.
June 23, 2022
I am not interested in any kind of needlecraft (sewing, knitting, etc) but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this mystery. Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World, a shop focused on all things for people who love making or learning how to make stitchery items has interests that go far beyond the shop. In this novel, Edyth Hanraty, a 97 year old spinster rich woman who had lived a very active life but she had no interest in men, was found murdered. Her will left her money to charities and to her female descendants; no men were to inherit anything not even her nephew’s daughters were included.
When she died at age 97, the surprise was that she was murdered.
This mystery kept me guessing�. and I turned out wrong
When she died at age 97, the surprise was that she was murdered.
This mystery kept me guessing�. and I turned out wrong
May 26, 2021
This is another entertaining installment in this series, though I miss the friends Betsy has cultivated over the course of this series. Jill is sidelined with a husband and baby; Betsy’s and her boyfriend tried a long distance romance and that must have fizzled, as he has not been in the last couple of books. No Monday Bunch or Shelly, and very little Godwin. The narrative dwelled a long time on a family going through the house of the deceased, and as it was about money and not the woman who died, it was lengthy and painful. Betsy is as sharp as ever, and still interesting to read, even 10 books in.
September 27, 2022
Different twist, as we are met with a slew of new characters while the others are unavoidably indisposed. Though I do prefer the Jill pre-children, she's a good mom, but I'm glad to have taken a break from Mom Jill. Boyfriend is not around either, which for some reason, I'm not too fond of him either.
The details of the needlearts, especially the map, were enjoyable and interesting, as was the house. Really tells much about a person.
I love the series, because I am a needleartist and can relate to Ferris' accurate detailings of the industry and how they play a role in the mystery.
The details of the needlearts, especially the map, were enjoyable and interesting, as was the house. Really tells much about a person.
I love the series, because I am a needleartist and can relate to Ferris' accurate detailings of the industry and how they play a role in the mystery.
January 2, 2023
Lucille Jones enters Betsy’s shop, she sees an uncanny resemblance to a local woman. Betsy then introduces the two women who become fast friends. But when Jan’s wealthy great aunt is discovered dead with a small knitting needle embedded in her skull, the coroner notifies the local police.
While going through her aunt’s effects, Jan Henderson discovers an old pillow lined with an embroidered map. The map does not lead to a buried treasure, but something more sinister.
Interesting mystery but I had a strong suspicion who the killer was and why.
While going through her aunt’s effects, Jan Henderson discovers an old pillow lined with an embroidered map. The map does not lead to a buried treasure, but something more sinister.
Interesting mystery but I had a strong suspicion who the killer was and why.
October 23, 2019
I enjoy the cozy mystery about needlecraft, they are very well written, this one about Lucille coming up to friend her biological mother was good, I was surprised at some of the finding and then find out who done it was even another big surprise, I don't want to tell you anything about this story it would give it away. If you enjoy reading Monica Ferris you will enjoy this fast reading mystery.
Read
November 9, 2023Just finished this book, another great story line about an elderly lady who had a strange will, leaving some of her money to her church, and most of everything to her female relativves on her mothers side of the family. the rest to start scolarshipes for young women who want to go into business. She was 98yrs old when she died, but wait we find out she was killed! who was responsible and why?
hard to put the book down.
hard to put the book down.
September 23, 2019
When a stranger comes to town who looks like one of Betsy's best friends; she finds it amusing but doesn't think much of it. But, when this stranger starts asking questions and Betsy's friend gets suspicious, they ask Betsy to look in to it. A faded pillow and a treasure map help lead them to a buried treasure. Another good mystery from this author.
November 14, 2021
See Avid Series Reader Review.
A light read, no blood 'n guts. Betsy doesn't help that much with finding the killer, or with finding out if Jan and Lucille are related. However she certainly is a catalyst. Surprise ending, don't read the last few pages first!
Ms. Ferris looks like fun! Wish I could knit well enough to try the the pattern in the back of the book!
A light read, no blood 'n guts. Betsy doesn't help that much with finding the killer, or with finding out if Jan and Lucille are related. However she certainly is a catalyst. Surprise ending, don't read the last few pages first!
Ms. Ferris looks like fun! Wish I could knit well enough to try the the pattern in the back of the book!
February 1, 2017
A wealthy widow has been killed, and her will stipulates that her fortune is left to only females descended through her sister's female line. Add in a possible secretly adopted daughter, and Betsy again is called on to solve the mystery which involves a needlework pillow, secret map and more.
August 4, 2017
This Monica Ferris series is one I have been reading off and on for years. It is always fun. I enjoy the characters. She seems to put a little thought into the murders which also makes it fun for me to try to figure out. If you like cozies I recommend this series.
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