And Then You Dye (A Needlecraft Mystery)
Ferris’ long running Needlecraft series continues with the story of the murder of Hailey Brent, talented yarn dyer. After offering a dye class at Betsy Devonshire’s craft store, Hailey is found dead among her pots and dyes. Gardener friend Marge, whom the police pinpoint as a suspect, asks amateur-sleuth Betsy to find out who really killed Hailey. Betsy quickly learns that Hailey had some bad habits, which angered a lot of people, making it difficult to pinpoint the person with the strongest motive. Betsy and her many friends continue to be vivid, likable characters, and the mystery is intricate enough to keep readers guessing. The needlework details will interest fans but do not overpower the plot. In a nice departure from cozy formula, Ferris injects a bit of realism into the genre by showing how hard it is for amateur sleuths to get people to talk. Fans of this series will also enjoy Maggie Sefton’s and Amanda Lee’s craft-themed mysteries. --Amy Alessio