I just finished re-reading Crewel World, the first book in the Needlecraft Mystery Series by Monica Ferris (aka Mary Monica Pulver and part of the writing team under the name Margaret Frazer, at least for part of one series), another series that I am highlighting as one of my posts about the most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series. Some of the novels that I highlight in this series are relatively new, and some relatively old. Crewel World is somewhere in between, and it wouldn’t be unfair to consider it one of the early entries in what I would consider the “modern” Cozy.
It’s easy to see how modern Cozies have been affected by novels like this – see if the description sounds familiar to any Cozies you’ve read recently… As her marriage ends, Betsy Devonshire has decided to uproot from her home in San Francisco to spend an indeterminate time visiting with her sister, Margot, in the small town of Excelsior, Minnesota. While there, Betsy will be able to not only get to know the friendly and often eccentric members of the small community, as well as spend time with her sister and help work part time in her store, the Crewel World knitting shop.
Unfortunately, not long after arriving, tragedy strikes when Betsy finds her sister in the shop, murdered, in what the police assume to be a robbery gone wrong. But there are many elements that don’t fit, including a landlord who had hoped to run Margot off to convert the property into a more lucrative development, and an apparently unbalanced acquaintance who wanted nothing more than to open up her own knitting store in Excelsior, a community too small to support more than one niche business of that sort.
Re-reading this novel, it’s also easy to see why this and others of its era were so popular, and how they came to set the mold that many Cozy series continue to turn two decades later. While this certainly wasn’t the first mystery to include details from an enthusiast hobby, the integration of the knitting and other needlework elements are inserted well into the novel, serving not only as a backdrop but also an important part of the mystery as it develops – which unfortunately isn’t always the case in many modern Cozies!
The writing of the novel is also well above average, including one part that actually became a bit uncomfortable. Often, the death of a relative or friend in a novel such as this is faced with almost a shocking degree of indifference, with the sleuth springing back almost immediately to vow to get to the bottom of the case. Here, the death is portrayed in a more realistic manner, with Betsy having significant difficulty recovering emotionally, which might be more accurate to reality, but wasn’t necessarily as comfortable as the more streamlined recovery time of other Cozy protagonists. Still, it does add a significant degree of realism that helps make the novel feel more real, and Betsy’s eventual determination to ensure the murderer is brought to justice feel more earned.
You can see the other entries I have written about the most popular and recommended series here.
PS: Oh, one more thing that the novel also did, perhaps a bit ahead of its time – it included a sample of the theme at hand, in this case a needlepoint pattern!
Susy S says
I read this book some time ago. The realism that you mentioned does make it uncomfortable, and if I had read it first, I probably would not have continued with the series. Since I had read the second book first, I knew that level of discomfort was not the norm, so I have read others.
I would encourage anyone who reads this book to read at least one more in the series before deciding if you want to continue.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, yes, that’s a good point – I don’t remember anything quite as emotionally realistic occurring in the later novels in the series.
Robynn says
Monic Ferris’ Crewel World turned me on to Cozy Mysteries!! I loved this series and many more that I have binge read over the last few years!! These are my lay in bed books I read every night, I can’t go to sleep without reading and sometimes I have to finish the book before I can go to sleep!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robynn, it’s definitely a great series, and it’s not a surprise whenever I hear you or others say that it brought them into reading Cozies!
Elaine B says
Have read nearly all Monica Ferris stitching series…love them. I’m behind because I know she has written more, will check for the entire list.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elaine, there are a few other series to read by Ferris, though I’m mostly a fan of this particular series!
Nancy says
Great series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, I certainly agree!
Tracey says
I have read this entire series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have been so saddened that the series seems to have ended with certain aspects unresolved. Definitely worth reading.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tracey, I certainly agree that it’s a shame that it doesn’t seem like there are going to be any more in the series.
Corky says
I’ve read all the books in this series. I haven’t seen any new ones since 2016. Is she still writing them do you know? Thanks.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Corky, I don’t think that the author is still writing, unfortunately.
stellans says
This was among the first (though not THE first) mysteries in the “cozy” style which captured my interest, and I reread it not too long ago. I found that it has aged well in that I enjoyed rereading it after all these years, and I’m glad I kept it – I’ve donated forward so many cozies I now wish I had to reread.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stellans, I’m not surprised when I hear that a Cozy reader got started on this particular series – and I also know something about “donation regret” as well!
Jane Leslie says
I loved these books but for some reason lost track around #5 so I think it may be time for a re-read! I agree that the writing is above average, something that has turned me from other series when the writing is not as well done. Another series I adore is Kate Carlyle’s “Biblophile” mysteries. I’m interested in reading your future columns to see where we agree on other authors.
Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jane, it certainly does sound like a good time for a reread of the early novels, and maybe finish the series as well.
Susy S says
I adore the Bibliophile mysteries and can’t wait for the next one. Her books never even make it to the TBR shelves, but sit on my nightstand until I finish the book I am reading. There are only a couple of authors like this for me.
Tami says
Loved the Monica Ferris series. Read a few of them twice.. as a cross stitch enthusiast… it was fun looking up the “patterns and stitching” kits,they mentioned in the book! Could just picture the store, the stitching area and all the wonderful items in that store!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tami, it’s always great to see a series that focuses on something you love!
Kay says
This was one of my favorite series!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kay, I certainly love it as well!
Addison r says
I have so enjoyed this author for many years. I continue to reread this series
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Addison, it’s great to be able to return to a favorite series like this!
Queenmum says
I love this series. As a stitcher, I appreciate what the characters are going through as they work on their projects!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Queenmum, it’s always great to read a mystery that features a theme that you love!
CraftyAngel says
Thx for the retro recommendations.?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
CraftyAngel, you’re welcome!
Rebecca Elliott says
NO, I will not. I cannot. I SHALL not! Um…unless, of course, I can get it for my Kindle app, or spot it used at a good price, in which case, ALL BETS ARE OFF!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rebecca, that certainly sounds like a good compromise!
Susy S says
I often see them in the used book stores, and there is always Thriftbook, HPB.com and the old stand-by, Amazon….
Bek says
You are not helping me kick this habit! PLEASE continue to not help me kick this habit!
Susy S says
I have decided that some additions are actually healthy, and reading is one of them (my fabric hoarding has also proven helpful lately for mask making). As long as I have, or can make the room to store them safely, and don’t damage my financial situation, my books harm no one, even me.
SB says
I stumbled on this series and was delighted with it. I enjoyed the variety of needlework and was thrilled with the patterns! (I actually ‘read’ them by audiobook, and when I heard reference to the patterns in an intro, I had to find them at the library to see the patterns then bought books with the ones I *had to have.) I re-read many books I’ve enjoyed and I think it’s time I queue this one up again. <3
Danna - cozy mystery list says
SB, I’m glad to have reminded you that it might be time to reread this series!
MJ says
I especially enjoyed this series because the locations, landmarks, highways, etc. were all REAL (Excelsior is an exceptional community), and I knew every one of them! I love it when I can identify with a location/area.
However, I must say I wasn’t pleased with the first book. I continued reading because of the location and I enjoyed all the other books in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, it’s always nice to see something from your own “neck of the woods” in a Cozy! I did enjoy this entry as well as those that followed, though I remember the rest of the series perhaps being a bit more conventional in some ways.
Susan* says
What I consider a ‘classic’ cozy series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, it’s definitely a classic from the modern era.
Lynn says
I loved this series and have read all of the books. I’m always sad when a series ends. The characters feel like friends that are now absent from your life!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn, it’s definitely a let down when a favorite series ends! Still, there are always more out there to give a try.