As you might guess from the series title, Twisted Threads, is set in a small fictional town on the coast of Maine, Haven Harbor. The story begins when Angie Curtis, a private investigator working in Arizona, receives a call from her grandmother telling her it is time to come home because her mother has been found. Angie’s mother disappeared almost 20 years earlier when Angie was almost ten. Now her body has been found and Angie returns to town after a ten-year (or so) absence.
Of course, Angie’s mother had been murdered. So Angie, trained as a private investigator, naturally wants to help solve the mystery of how her mom came to be killed.
While Angie was away, her grandmother’s needlepointing has turned into a sort of co-op business with Charlotte (her grandmother) arranging for custom work for Haven Harbor’s handful of needlepointers. Things had been going well with the Mainely Needlepoint group until a man convinced Charlotte to let him represent the group by gathering orders all around New England and collecting the earnings for them. This arrangement worked fine until the man stopped bringing the money around to Charlotte to distribute to the group.
So, Angie volunteers to find the man and see what she could do to retrieve what the group was owed. And, not long into the story, another murder occurs, giving Angie’s private investigator training a real workout!
Twisted Threads is a typical modern Cozy with a few somewhat unusual elements. Not too many Cozy Mystery sleuths carry a gun, for example. Angie is a bit on the harder side of Cozy sleuths with the suggestion that she has lived a relatively wild life (for a Cozy sleuth!) both before and after she left Haven Harbor. The town is full of interesting characters including a minister who has a large Ouija board collection which he uses on occasion. (Some readers may be bothered by the minister using a Ouija board.)
Another warning is in order. The book includes some references to pedophilia that happened years ago in the town. I know some Cozy readers do not want a Cozy to deal with such serious issues, but this one does.
Despite its more serious and hard-edged undertones, the book is a fast read and has a lot of Cozy elements. The story is set in an interesting small town on the coast of Maine. The characters are varied, and Angie’s grandmother is a three-dimensional character with some surprises of her own. And, there is hint of possible romance to come for Angie. And for many Cozy Mystery readers, the setting is particularly attractive!
P.S. If you’d like to see more highlights of some of the most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Lynn T. says
This series is one of my favorites. I like that it is a little edgier and not so formula driven. This series is an auto-buy for me. I have pre-ordered the fourth book. Even though there are three books out so far, I consider it a new series.
The other new series that I really like is Mary Ellen Hughes Pickled and Preserved Series. There are 3 books out in that series too. I was so surprised that I would like a book about pickling and preserving. It goes to show that it is the writing, the plot and the characters that are most important parts of the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn T, when Lea Wait started her Mainely Needlepoint series I thought that perhaps she wouldn’t continue her Shadows Antique Print series, and am now delighted to know her eighth Antique Print is due out this September. I don’t know how some authors are able to write more than one series at a time!
Also, thanks for the Mary Ellen Hughes shout-out! You make a good point about series’ themes not always being that crucial to a good Cozy Mystery.
Kimberley says
I am huge fan of this series. The backstory that sets the stage for this series is a mystery unto its self and is heartwrenching. Yet I found myself drawn in by the richly textured characterizations and of course, the mystery. While I generally like my cozy mysteries to be more frothy, I found myself really enjoying the harder edge that this series casts. I highly, highly recommend and can’t wait for the next installment.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimberley, I wish you’d helped me write this entry! I’ll just say: ditto AND I concur!
stellans says
I too truly enjoyed Mainely Needlepoint series, and I’m the first to admit I don’t always care for ‘edgier’ stories – but this one was riveting. I’ve pre-ordered the next book, and am really looking forward to it.
I haven’t yet read the Shadows Antique Print series, though I have the first one in my TBR section. 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stellans, I hope you enjoy Lea Wait’s Shadows Antique Print series as much as you do her Mainely Needlepoint series. (I’ll be watching for you to recommend it in one of our monthly Cozy Mystery recommendation lists!)
Moo says
Love the Mainely Needlepoint series!! My only gripe is that Wait doesn’t write them fast enough. Can’t wait for the next book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Moo, I know! I always find it ironic when a Cozy Mystery author I don’t care for puts out book after book after book in no time flat, yet it takes (what seems like) years for one of my favorite authors to put one Cozy out…
Margaret M. says
I love this series. One of the main reasons is the way Lea writes Angie. I see her as a little “grittier” than many other cozy mystery characters. She is a bit rougher around the edges and that is refreshing. She has a nice tough edge to her and the other characters are a bit quirky too. I have no history or real interest in needle point, but I find it really doesn’t overpower the story. And, it is set in one of my favorite neighboring states, Maine. Being that Lea lives in Maine she writes in beautifullly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret M, I thought she did a real good job of keeping the needlepointing references down. And I admit, the northeastern states are my favorite settings…
Sheila in CT says
I’ve been meaning to read this series. From your description it sounds like my type of read. Must push it up to the top of my “TBR” list.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila in CT, I sure hope you enjoy it!
Janice says
I enjoy reading both of Lea Wait’s series. While the Mainely Needlepoint series is a little edgier, all of the plot elements fit together. leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, thanks for the Lea Wait shout-out >>> times two!
Linda C says
Danna, I love the series, mystery or otherwise with the handicrafts as the sideline plots. The groups of people are so interesting. We have a group of ladies who meet twice a month at our senior center for knitting and crochet. A few do other handicrafts. We mostly have a gab fest and eat donuts but we have a great time. So far no one has murdered anyone yet!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda C, those types of themes sure make it feel Cozy when the characters get together.