Thursday, January 31, 2013

Sewing a Murder Mystery

In the previous post we focused on mysteries dealing with quilting. Now lets look at some of the mysteries based on knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and embroidery.
 
If Hooks Could Kill by Betty Hechtman
 
Betty Hechtman started crocheting after she found a kit for children in a toy store.  She thought if a child could learn to crochet, so could she.
So far there are seven books in The Crochet Mysteries, which are set in Tarzana, California.  Molly Pink works at at bookstore and belongs to a crochet group called the Tarzana Hookers. The books contain patterns and recipes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unraveled by Maggie Sefton
 
In the first mystery in this series, Knit One, Kill Two, Kelly Flynn travels to Colorado to unravel the murder of her aunt.  There she learns to knit and makes friends at the House of Lambspun.  The 10th in the series has just been released.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And Then You Dye by Monica Ferris
 
Betsy Devonshire owns the needlework shop Crewel World in Minnesota.
And Then You Dye is the16th book in this mystery series. On Monica Ferris's website you can download needlepoint patterns.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here are some other mystery series with sewing themes:
  • Blacksheep Knitting Mysteries by Anne Canadeo
  • Seaside Knitter's Mysteries by Sally Goldenbaum
  • Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries by Molly Macrae
  • Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries by Elizabeth Lynn Casey (set in SC)
Most of these authors have websites, and some of them include patterns.  Don't forget probably the most famous woman detective of all time, Miss Marple, is a knitter!

Please visit our website to find a crafty mystery for yourself, or visit or call (843-849-6161) us to place your selection on hold.

Thanks for reading.


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

CRAFTING CAN BE DANGEROUS!

There are so many genres or types of mysteries being published these days, and there's something for everyone.  One popular type of mystery is the crafty mystery.  No matter what type of craft you enjoy, there's bound to be a mystery with a theme about your favorite craft or hobby. 

When I first started looking for crafty mysteries, I really didn't realize there were quite so many. This post will focus on quilting-themed mysteries. Other types of crafty mysteries will be featured in future posts.

Earlene Fowler writes the Benni Harper series featuring quilts and cowboys.  This series is set in a town on the central coast of California.  She has written 15 books in this series, of which Spider Web is the latest. Some of the titles in the series are Fool's Puzzle, Irish Chain, Tumbling Blocks, and Mariner's Compass.





 
Terri Thayer is a quilter who loves to write mysteries.  Like Earlene Fowler, Thayer books have titles named after quilt blocks.  Visit her website to find out more about this series set in California.
                                      







A Chicago native, Clare O'Donohue, worked as a producer on the HGTV show, Simply Quilts.   This series is set in Archer's Rest, New York.
                                                            
            
                                         
This post would not be complete without including the popular series by Jennifer Chiaviarini.  The Elm Creek Novels are not mysteries, but historical novels.  Chiaviarini also writes instructional quilting books to go along with the novels.  She even has a fabric line with the collections named after her novels




Please visit the Mt. Pleasant Regional to check out these crafty quilting novels and books, or visit out website to place your books on hold.  Thanks for reading.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Happy New Year

It's hard to believe that it's already January 7th.  Have you made any New Year's Resolutions for 2013?  One that most people make is to lose weight.  If that is one of your resolutions, how about changing it to "become more fit and healthy."  Your library system has several hundred books and DVD's on fitness and health.  We also have a lot of cookbooks full of tasty low calorie recipes.  Weight and health are more than about counting calories. 
Join us on Tuesday, January 15th at 6;30 p.m. for a program by Dr. Addison Nelson on Spinal Hygiene and Wellness.

Check our website catalog or stop by the Reference Desk to request books that will help you develop a healthy life-style. 

Another resolution that you might have is to start and publish that novel that you've always wanted to write. We can help you with that.  Please come to our programs this month.  Local author Susan Sloate will present a program on self-publishing, which has become very popular lately.  Her program is scheduled for Saturday, January 12th from 1:00- 2:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 16, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.  There will be time for questions.  Also on, Saturday, January 16th, at 2:30 p.m., our Literary Critique Group will meet to discuss scheduling and group structure. Stop by and see our display of writing and publishing books.

Is one of your Resolutions to learn to play a musical intrument?  How about the Ukulele?  Noodle McDoodle will get you started on Saturday, Januar 26th at 11:00 a.m.

All of our programs are held in the Auditorium, which is off of the lobby.

If you have any questions about any of our programs for January, please contact us at 843-849-6161.

Thanks for reading.