Crewel World

By: Monica Ferris

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

When Betsy Devonshire arrived in Excelsior, Minnesota, all she wanted was to visit her sister Margot and get her life in order. She never dreamed her sister would give her a place to stay and a job at her needlecraft shop. In fact, things had never looked so good - until Margot was murdered. In a town this friendly, it's hard to imagine who could have committed such a horrible act, but Betsy has a few ideas. There's an ex-employee who wants to start her own needlework store. And there's the landlord who wanted Margot out. Now Betsy's putting together a list of motives and suspects to figure out this killer's pattern of crime….

©1999 Monica Ferris (P)2011 AudioGO

love this series!

I have listened to this series before and I really appreciate the relaxed, perhaps Minnesotan, pace. Well thought out, fun characters, and great reading. highly recommended

"So round, so firm, so fully packed"

Having read almost the whole series, mostly in print version, I recommend it highly. This is the first book in the series and it is well worth reading. You are gradually introduced to the characters that will be around for a while and a few who won't be, but since the dirty deed doesn't happen right off the bat, you don't know who's going to get it or "who dun it" for a while. This does build tension, but it isn't obvious. This book is not gimmiky or gadgety. You feel these are real people who are having the same troubles and delights as the rest of us. The author takes the time to flesh out the characters, so when there is a tragedy, it doesn't fit. And it shouldn't, most people don't experience this, except on TV etc. In fact the true nature of the crime doesn't get exposed until gradually as they are putting their lives back together it emerges as something else. It brings it all home more than most "who dun it's."
The only thing you don't get in the audio version is the stitching pattern at the back. And there may be a way!

Good Start

This is a good beginning to a new series. The characters are likeable and the story is believable.

Good, clean fireside mysteries.

This is a series that is easy to listen to. The whole series is a clean listen, and enjoyable for young and old. Listen to them in the proper order and they make more sense.

Pleasant Enough: Satisfaction, No Intrigue

Would you try another book from Monica Ferris and/or Susan Boyce?

The characters were likeable and the story engaging enough to hold my interest, so I might try another book by Monica Ferris in the future when I run out of books in my favorite series or by my more preferred authors.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting: it is set in a yarn shop.
Least interesting: it is set in a yarn shop.

What does Susan Boyce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Susan Boyce read well enough, but I thought she made some of the characters sound much older than they were described. I'm in my 50s and I don't think I sound like an old woman!

Do you think Crewel World needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

This book is the first of the Needlecraft series. I love the clever titles.

Any additional comments?

The book is worth a try. I liked it well enough to consider listening to more of the series in the future. I didn't like it well enough to immediately work my way through all of them right now, one after the other.

No Thanks

Maybe knitting isn't my thing. I found the story simplistic, not intriguing at all. I will admit the writing is pure Minnesota. The reader mispronounces several place names and city names which to me is unacceptable. Both the reader and the producer should know better.

Good Start

This is a good beginning to a new series. The characters are likeable and the story is believable.

it takes time

Where does Crewel World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The narrator for this is really dry and that causes a person to want to turn it off and go to another book. Give it time and the story will finally draw you in. This is one that you shouldn't multi-task when listening. There are changes of dialog that would be better if the narrator actually changed the voices to give character references so you need to pay attention.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Susan Boyce?

I want to hear the series so I am stuck with her as the narrator but she does a poor job for this one. Hope the next improves ...

Cozy mystery

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It’s set in a small town with interesting characters. No sex or violence just a good story

Very enjoyable.

Purchased this on a special sale and thoroughly enjoyed. Easy to follow and good cast of characters.