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.

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.

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.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

December is probably the busiest month of the year for many people.  There are school activities, parties, cards to address, travel plans to make, out of town guests, extra cooking and cleaning, and shopping.  It sometimes can be overwhelming.  Here are a couple of books that help you relieve some of the stress that comes with the month of December.

Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World

by Joseph A. Shrand

Learn how to recognize and manage your stress.                                       

Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Survive

by Joan Borysenko

Read personal accounts of burnout and recovery.

Don't forget to try to make some time for yourself and have some fun.  Read a funny book, work a jigsaw puzzle with your family, watch a good movie, or go for a hike in the woods or on a walk on the beach.  Remember the holidays are supposed to be fun!

Have you dreamed of publishing your own book someday?  Come to our workshop for writers next month to learn the secrets of self-publishing.  The program will be presented by Susan Sloate, a local author. She will be presenting her program twice:  Saturday, January 12 from 1-2 p.m. and Wednesday, January 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Following her program on Saturday there will be an informational session for our Library Critique Group at 2:30 to discuss group structure, expectations, and scheduling.  For additional information, please contact us at 843-849-6161.

To place holds on items, please visit our website, call 843-849-6161, or stop by the Reference Desk where we're always glad to help you find what you need.

Enjoy your Holidays, and thanks for reading.

THANKSGIVING

We have a lot to be thankful for this year.  One thing I'm thankful for is that the election is over and the signs will be taken down, and political commercials will disappear from TV for awhile!
If you are ready to prepare for the Thanksgiving season, check out some of these books to help you.

Betty Crocker's Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook
by Betty Crocker

If you need a cookbook that includes everything from the turkey to the pumpkin pie, you'll find what you need in this book.

Cooking Light Cooking through the Seasons
by Cooking Light Magazine

If you'd like to find reduced-calorie recipes to avoid those extra pounds that seem to pile on through the holiday season, try this book.







Celebrations: Original ideas for celebrating the seasons
by Sharon Amos

If you're familiar with Country Living Magazine publications, you'll know this book has beautiful illustrations, decorating ideas and delicious recipes.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving (DVD)
This is based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott. A widowed mother is about to lose her farm when her well-to-do mother arrives. The mother-daughter relationship is strained and Mary does not want her mother's financial help.

Manage your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World
by Joe Shrand

Some people don't enjoy holidays because of the stress involved.  Learn how to recognize the symptoms of stress and manage the stress in your life. 

Please visit our website or visit the Mt. Pleasant branch to find these and other books about the holidays.  We are always happy to recommend books for you.

Thanks for reading!

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Are you reading something really wonderful?  Have you found a book that you just can't put down? Is there a book that you love so much that you've read it more than once? We'd like to hear about your favorites so we can share them with other library patrons on this blog. 

Our patrons frequently ask us at the Reference desk for recommendations. Do you like scary or cozy mysteries?  Perhaps you like historical fiction of science fiction. Would you like to read something that makes you laugh out loud?  Maybe you prefer non-fiiction.  If you tell us what type of books and authors you like, we can find other titles that might interest you.

Using the library's database NoveList Plus is a great way to find read-alikes and book reviews.  Go to our website and click on "resources", then "research tools."  There is an A-Z list of databases. Select NoveList Plus and search by genre, author, title or series.  There are book reviews and summaries.  This is a very useful database, especially for book clubs.  If you're using this at home, you will be asked for your library card number.  We'll be glad to help you learn to use NoveList Plus.  You can also create lists of what you've read or what you'd like to read.

If  you'd rather not use our database, we'll be happy to help you find some great books to read.

Please tell us about your favorite books.

Thanks for reading!

SCARY TALES

It's Halloween time, so how about some scary stories.  Edgar Allan Poe is the first author that comes to my mind when I think of horror stories. The Pit and the Pendulum and The Black Cat are two stories you might enjoy.

Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie so he has a connection to this area. Check out this website to see more information about Poe and to read some of his stories.  The library also has selections of Poe's works.

Some modern authors of the horror genre are Stephen King, Peter Straub, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Graham Masterson, F. Paul Wilson, and John Saul.

Perhaps you'd like to have some fun on Halloween.  Your library has books on Halloween decorations and treats. 

Halloween Treats: recipes and crafts for the whole family
by Donata Maggipinto

Pumpkin carving has become an art form, and the library has several instructional books on pumpkin carving.  One of the is How to Carve Freakishly Cool Pumpkins by Sarah L. Schuette.

Visit the Mt. Pleasant Library or our website to find these and other books to make your Halloween a fun and scary time.

Thanks for reading.