Dire Threads by Janet Bolin is the first book in the new “Threadville” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, June 2011
In the village of Threadville, Pennsylvania, beautiful textiles are the main attraction. But when a prominent town figure is murdered, the close-knit community starts unraveling at the seams.
Newly minted shopkeeper Willow Vanderling is anxious to see her embroidery store succeed. And while In Stitches is a hit with the tourists, the town’s zoning commissioner, Mike Krawbach, isn’t exactly a fan. After denying Willow’s plan to renovate the charming cottage behind the shop, Mike attempts to trick some tourists into signing a petition to knock it down to make way for an ATV trail. Furious over Mike’s trickery, Willow picks a fight with the corrupt commissioner.
When Mike later turns up dead in her yard, Threadville’s newest outspoken resident becomes the prime suspect. With the evidence stacked against her, Willow will have to find the murderer, or else the next thing the embroiders may be an orange prison jumpsuit.
A harmless threat in front of several people and then his subsequent death marks Willow as the one and only prime suspect in his murder. Fearing the local police will not look for the killer, Willow and her friends begin their own investigation and what follows is hilarity fit for a queen. The situations they encounter and escape from will have you in stitches as they try to seam all the pieces together to find a killer and bring justice and of course, clear Willow’s name. This was a good mystery that kept me guessing as the clues diverted my attention from the real killer. This story boasts a delightful cast of characters, crisp writing, entertaining dialogue and a bonus for this quilter, envisions of crafting projects. I got so caught in the town of Threadville and their residents that I’m looking forward to my next adventure. This is a great debut in this welcoming series.
*new-to-me author
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book
previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog