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Mainely Needlepoint #1
Twisted Threads
After leaving a decade ago, Angie Curtis has been called back to Harbor Haven, Maine, by her grandmother, Charlotte, who raised her following her mother's disappearance when she was a child. Her mother has been found, and now the question of her whereabouts has sadly become the mystery of her murder. The bright spot in Angie's homecoming is reuniting with Charlotte, who has started her own needlepointing business with a group called the Mainely Needlepointers. But when a shady business associate of the stitchers dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Charlotte and Angie become suspects. As Angie starts to weave together clues, she discovers that this new murder may have ties to her own mother's cold case.
305 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
277 people are currently reading
2,698 people want to read
About the author
Lea Wait
37Ìýbooks502ÌýfollowersMaine author Lea Wait writes the NYT-praised 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the latest of which is SHADWS ON A MORNING IN MAINE, and the USA Today best-selling Mainely Needlepoint series which debuted with TWISTED THREADS in January, 2015, and was followed by THREADS OF EVIDENCE in August, 2015, THREAD AND GONE, in January, 2016, DANGLING BY A THREAD in late October, 2016, and TIGHTENING THE THREADS in March, 2017. Wait also writes acclaimed historical novels for ages 8 and up set in 19th century Maine, the latest of which, UNCERTAIN GLORY, takes place in a small northern town during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea's LIVING AND WRITING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, about being an author and living year 'round in Maine with a husband who's an artist also includes writing tips. Lea did her undergraduate work at Chatham College (now University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her graduate work at New York University. While she was raising the four daughters she adopted as a single parent she worked as a manager for AT&T. Now she writes full time and speaks at schools and libraries. She loves rowing, visiting historical sites, and, of course, reading and writing. See her website,
, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, , friend her on FB and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at [email protected]
, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, , friend her on FB and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews
January 14, 2021
For the last 4 weeks, I've been renting a house in Maine. I'm considering moving here in 2021 and wanted to spend some time before committing to it. What better way to learn more about it than to read a book based in one of the similar towns, hence why I picked up Twisted Threads, the first in the Mainely Needlepoint series written by Lea Wait. While I have never knitted in my life, I'm actually curious what it might be like. I'm not artistic in terms of drawing or painting or probably crocheting, but it looks fun. Sadly, after nine books, the author passed away in 2019... but at least she's left behind this very exciting series (and a whole lot more).
Twisted Threads takes place in a fictional town on the coast of Maine, one that just oozes charm and massive appeal. Angie's grandmother calls her home when they've found the body of her missing mother (Angie's mother - Gram's daughter). After a decade away and living in Arizona, Angie returns and has questions. Her mother was a bit of a restless and flirtatious woman, and she had been known to date many men at the same time. Had one of them gotten angry? Angie's been doing private eye work, so it makes sense that she'd want to investigate the murder herself. She also needs to help Gram with a knitting business issue; the agent who secured all the jobs for Mainely Needlepoint took off with their early sales order money.
I must say... this was a terrific book. I downloaded it early Sunday morning and within a few hours, I had finished it and gotten the second book in the series. The characters are memorable and interesting. While it's the classic "return home and investigate a murder" for the cozy mystery series, there is a bigger theme that really connects for me. I love the setting and descriptions of life in Maine. Angie isn't interested in randomly investigating; it's her mother, so I totally buy into what she's doing, which is asking questions rather than secretly investigating. The Mainely Needlepoint group is fascinating, and the writing style flows quite well. I liked how the two mysteries intersected and ultimately brought together a few characters I hadn't expected to know one another. I also liked the lack of a definite romance being set up right away for Angie. It just felt very realistic (for a murder mystery).
I had a few minor concerns... what happened between Gram and Angie in the lost decade and how did she keep in touch but also not know a lot about the changes in her grandmother's life? How did someone go that long without finding the body in a place that probably would've caused a bit of an odor? I won't say anything else as I don't want to spoil the story, but a few of those caused me to keep it at 4 stars... yet I can say with certainty I will be reading the entire series this winter. I've already begun reading the second one too.
Twisted Threads takes place in a fictional town on the coast of Maine, one that just oozes charm and massive appeal. Angie's grandmother calls her home when they've found the body of her missing mother (Angie's mother - Gram's daughter). After a decade away and living in Arizona, Angie returns and has questions. Her mother was a bit of a restless and flirtatious woman, and she had been known to date many men at the same time. Had one of them gotten angry? Angie's been doing private eye work, so it makes sense that she'd want to investigate the murder herself. She also needs to help Gram with a knitting business issue; the agent who secured all the jobs for Mainely Needlepoint took off with their early sales order money.
I must say... this was a terrific book. I downloaded it early Sunday morning and within a few hours, I had finished it and gotten the second book in the series. The characters are memorable and interesting. While it's the classic "return home and investigate a murder" for the cozy mystery series, there is a bigger theme that really connects for me. I love the setting and descriptions of life in Maine. Angie isn't interested in randomly investigating; it's her mother, so I totally buy into what she's doing, which is asking questions rather than secretly investigating. The Mainely Needlepoint group is fascinating, and the writing style flows quite well. I liked how the two mysteries intersected and ultimately brought together a few characters I hadn't expected to know one another. I also liked the lack of a definite romance being set up right away for Angie. It just felt very realistic (for a murder mystery).
I had a few minor concerns... what happened between Gram and Angie in the lost decade and how did she keep in touch but also not know a lot about the changes in her grandmother's life? How did someone go that long without finding the body in a place that probably would've caused a bit of an odor? I won't say anything else as I don't want to spoil the story, but a few of those caused me to keep it at 4 stars... yet I can say with certainty I will be reading the entire series this winter. I've already begun reading the second one too.
December 2, 2020
I picked up this cozy mystery audiobook from my library and was very pleasantly surprised. This is the first in a series of books and I was actually amazed at what a good mystery it was. I’ve been reading quite a bit of thriller/mysteries this year and I was surprised that I couldn’t figure out the ending at all!!! It was very cleverly done.
This book takes place in a small fictional town on the coast of Maine. Our main protagonist, Angie Curtis, had been living in Arizona for many years and working with a PI, she loved the work. Her grandmother in Maine had raised her since she was quite young and her mother disappeared.
Angie is now called home to Maine as her mother’s body has been found and under very mysterious conditions. It now appears that she was murdered and probably not long after her disappearance 20 years ago. With Angie’s background and her intense love for her mother, she wants to investigate and find out just how and who murdered her mother.
Her grandmother is the head of a small business that secures projects for needlepointers to complete, it’s called Mainely Needlepoint. Lately the business has been in trouble as their business partner has taken off with their past few months earnings.
Now Angie finds herself involved in trying to solve her mother’s murder while also helping her Gran find out where the missing partner is and what happened to the money that was meant for the small group of needlepointers that she works with.There are some in the group who desperately need the money. She resolves to stay until her mother’s murder is solved and she has her Gran’s business back on track.
The narration in this audiobook was good. There was a lot more action and mystery to this book than I had expected. I love how the two stories eventually were found to be entwined.
The characters are quite well developed and believable. There are even a few love interests in the story which added to the appeal of the novel.
This is the first in a series of 7 and I will definitely be listening to more of these stories. I have never read any books by this author and I was very impressed. Sadly I learned that she passed away in 2019.
I can recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and great characters with the beautiful setting of coastal Maine.
This book takes place in a small fictional town on the coast of Maine. Our main protagonist, Angie Curtis, had been living in Arizona for many years and working with a PI, she loved the work. Her grandmother in Maine had raised her since she was quite young and her mother disappeared.
Angie is now called home to Maine as her mother’s body has been found and under very mysterious conditions. It now appears that she was murdered and probably not long after her disappearance 20 years ago. With Angie’s background and her intense love for her mother, she wants to investigate and find out just how and who murdered her mother.
Her grandmother is the head of a small business that secures projects for needlepointers to complete, it’s called Mainely Needlepoint. Lately the business has been in trouble as their business partner has taken off with their past few months earnings.
Now Angie finds herself involved in trying to solve her mother’s murder while also helping her Gran find out where the missing partner is and what happened to the money that was meant for the small group of needlepointers that she works with.There are some in the group who desperately need the money. She resolves to stay until her mother’s murder is solved and she has her Gran’s business back on track.
The narration in this audiobook was good. There was a lot more action and mystery to this book than I had expected. I love how the two stories eventually were found to be entwined.
The characters are quite well developed and believable. There are even a few love interests in the story which added to the appeal of the novel.
This is the first in a series of 7 and I will definitely be listening to more of these stories. I have never read any books by this author and I was very impressed. Sadly I learned that she passed away in 2019.
I can recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and great characters with the beautiful setting of coastal Maine.
October 18, 2014
Yes - I'm Lea Wait, the author of TWISTED THREADS, the first in the Mainely Needlepoint series. And I'm very excited about this new series. The protagonist, Angela Curtis (known as "Angel" to her grandmother) is a Mainer and most, if not all, of the series will be set in Haven Harbor, Maine. (That's down the coast a bit from Cabot Cove and Weymouth. :)) The series is written from Angie's point of view -- she's 28, and not as book-educated as Maggie Summer, the protagonist of my Shadows Antique Print Mystery series. Angie had a rough childhood .. her single mother had a bad reputation in their small town, and she disappeared when Angie was ten. Angie herself was called names, and then lived up to some of them. Her grandmother did her best, but as soon as she finished high school, Angie lit out for anywhere-but-Maine. She ended up in Mesa, Arizona, where she worked for a private investigator. So now, ten years later, she has a gun license and experience investigating.
She's been through a lot, but she's a survivor. And when her grandmother calls to say "They've found your mother, Angel. It's time to come home," Angie's on the next plane. Back in the home town she both loved and hated, she's determined to find out what really happened to her mother. And she agrees to help her grandmother find the agent who's put Gram's Mainely Needlepoint business at risk. (Gram and her Mainely Needleworkers do custom needlepoint for boutiques and interior designers. They also help identify and restore old embroidery.)
Those who loved the antiques information in the Shadows series will like Sarah Bryne, a Needlepointer who is also an antique dealer, and the bits and pieces of information about old embroidery that is at the beginning of each chapter. And - most of all - I hope you'll get to love Angie Curtis!
Welcome to Haven Harbor!
She's been through a lot, but she's a survivor. And when her grandmother calls to say "They've found your mother, Angel. It's time to come home," Angie's on the next plane. Back in the home town she both loved and hated, she's determined to find out what really happened to her mother. And she agrees to help her grandmother find the agent who's put Gram's Mainely Needlepoint business at risk. (Gram and her Mainely Needleworkers do custom needlepoint for boutiques and interior designers. They also help identify and restore old embroidery.)
Those who loved the antiques information in the Shadows series will like Sarah Bryne, a Needlepointer who is also an antique dealer, and the bits and pieces of information about old embroidery that is at the beginning of each chapter. And - most of all - I hope you'll get to love Angie Curtis!
Welcome to Haven Harbor!
November 13, 2022
SYNOPSIS: "Returning to the quaint coastal town of Harbor Haven, Maine—a place she once called home—Angie Curtis finds her memories aren’t all quite pleasant ones . . .
After leaving a decade ago, Angie has been called back to Harbor Haven by her grandmother, Charlotte, who raised her following her mother’s disappearance when she was a child. Her mother has been found, and now the question of her whereabouts has sadly become the mystery of her murder.
The bright spot in Angie’s homecoming is reuniting with Charlotte, who has started her own needlepointing business with a group called Mainely Needlepointers. But when a shady business associate of the stitchers dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Charlotte and Angie become suspects. As Angie starts to weave together clues, she discovers that this new murder may have ties to her own mother’s cold case . . ."
After leaving a decade ago, Angie has been called back to Harbor Haven by her grandmother, Charlotte, who raised her following her mother’s disappearance when she was a child. Her mother has been found, and now the question of her whereabouts has sadly become the mystery of her murder.
The bright spot in Angie’s homecoming is reuniting with Charlotte, who has started her own needlepointing business with a group called Mainely Needlepointers. But when a shady business associate of the stitchers dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Charlotte and Angie become suspects. As Angie starts to weave together clues, she discovers that this new murder may have ties to her own mother’s cold case . . ."
January 4, 2017
Reading this as a group read with the Cozy Mystery Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ group. This is good! I am going to like the series, I can tell already.
* * * * *
I finished _Twisted Threads_ today and liked it so much. The characters are interesting and it prompted me to go to Hobby Lobby and buy a needlework kit. I can't wait to read the next book! Here is what I DIDN'T like:
1. Gram is only 65 and yet she is portrayed as being as ancient, at least in her 80s, it would seem. I know her granddaughter sees her that way, but most people I know (including myself) who are 65 or even older are capable and spry unless they have health issues.
2. The minister collects Ouija boards and occasionally communes with spirits? I didn't see his denomination mentioned, but the ministers I have known would eschew such activities as being demonic, according to the Bible, and would only be communing with the Holy Spirit.
Other than those fairly major gripes, I loved the book.
I must now order some items Ms. Wait mentions: Wool Wax Crème, Tracy Chevalier's historical novel, _The Lady and the Unicorn_, Jo Ippolito Christensen's _The Needlepoint Book_, and Hope Hanley's _101 Needlepoint Stitches_. Thanks for piquing my interest, Lea Wait!
* * * * *
I finished _Twisted Threads_ today and liked it so much. The characters are interesting and it prompted me to go to Hobby Lobby and buy a needlework kit. I can't wait to read the next book! Here is what I DIDN'T like:
1. Gram is only 65 and yet she is portrayed as being as ancient, at least in her 80s, it would seem. I know her granddaughter sees her that way, but most people I know (including myself) who are 65 or even older are capable and spry unless they have health issues.
2. The minister collects Ouija boards and occasionally communes with spirits? I didn't see his denomination mentioned, but the ministers I have known would eschew such activities as being demonic, according to the Bible, and would only be communing with the Holy Spirit.
Other than those fairly major gripes, I loved the book.
I must now order some items Ms. Wait mentions: Wool Wax Crème, Tracy Chevalier's historical novel, _The Lady and the Unicorn_, Jo Ippolito Christensen's _The Needlepoint Book_, and Hope Hanley's _101 Needlepoint Stitches_. Thanks for piquing my interest, Lea Wait!
June 27, 2018
2 1/2 stars rounded up. This one was a bit darker and gritty for a cozy, which isn’t bad, but wasn’t what I was expecting from the cover.
January 9, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is the first book I have read by Lea Wait. I didn’t know about her other series. I was on Amazon searching for books to add to my Books Coming Soon page and the cover just pulled me right in. The book arrived and story picked up right where the cover left off.
Angie is quite a woman as is her grandmother, Charlotte. To survive having your mother/daughter disappear without a trace is just tragic. Then all these years later her body is found so very close to her home. That is heart wrenching. Angie and Charlotte had moved on with their lives but they had grown apart. Angie ended up in Arizona and didn’t visit very often. When her grandmother call her home her number one mission is to find the person who killed her mother. But her grandmother needed her help with another matter as well. Once she is home the women pick up like they were never apart and Angie starts to feel at home again in Harbor Haven. There have been some changes, some good, some bad, but Angie learns you can go home again.
These are 2 extraordinary characters and I was able to relate to them so easily. The needlepoint thread that pulls the plots together is a strong one. I loved that both men and women were part of the Mainely Needlepointers. Needlepoint can be very relaxing and challenging at the same time. Angie is barely a beginner and her grandmother is the expert and the rest of the group falls everywhere in between.
The murder from the past collides with the murder in the present and Angie is like a dog with bone as tries to untwist all the threads to solve both cases. As she does this she reacquaints herself with the people of Harbor Haven. She gets together with her old friends and meets several new residents.
The town is a hot spot for tourists so it is the perfect setting for a new cozy series. The author has really grabbed my attention with this first book. I am so excited for the next one. Charlotte has a big day to plan for and Angie has a new job. Threads of Evidence comes out in September.
January 8, 2015
Pro: I love when main characters in cozies have a job that makes their murder investigating make some sense so I was thrilled that Angie had been a private investigator in Arizona. It made her investigating make sense. I loved Harbor Haven. It's a pretty town filled with interesting people but it's also a town that's been hit hard by changes in the lobster industry and it's struggling to survive. That was portrayed very well without over doing it. There were really 2 different mysteries going on but it didn't feel overwhelming or chaotic. The characters were interesting and even the ones I didn't like were believable. The pacing was good and even though I figured out the why before the book was through there were still plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested.
Con: For the most part I loved this book but I did find Angie's interactions with Officer Pete Lambert a little strange. I liked that she took the time to deal with her pistol carry permit but then her calling and dealing with him over her mother's murder in a vaguely flirtatious way didn't seem to fit her character.
Overall: I really enjoyed this mystery but I'm even more excited to see where the series goes. There's a lot of potential for some great mysteries and I look forward to visiting Harbor Haven and the Mainely Needlepointers soon!
Full Review:
Con: For the most part I loved this book but I did find Angie's interactions with Officer Pete Lambert a little strange. I liked that she took the time to deal with her pistol carry permit but then her calling and dealing with him over her mother's murder in a vaguely flirtatious way didn't seem to fit her character.
Overall: I really enjoyed this mystery but I'm even more excited to see where the series goes. There's a lot of potential for some great mysteries and I look forward to visiting Harbor Haven and the Mainely Needlepointers soon!
Full Review:
June 5, 2018
Yes, cozy mysteries can be pretty predictable and all, but that's what I like about them. When I get a cozy mystery, I expect it to be fairly light (if it can be light with murder involved) and enjoyable. But this wasn't the case. I went in expecting one thing and came away with something completely different. Not in a good way. The reason for the cold case murder was abhorrent, and didn't fit the cozy mystery genre, though it fits the mystery genre (Mary Higgins Clark, etc.).
July 9, 2016
So if there is a murder mystery and it has a cat on the cover, I’m going to read it. Generally speaking if a cat is on the cover, I’ll probably read the book. Even though the cats are very often only mentioned in passing, sometimes they take greater roles in the story. The cat on this cover did not.
This book was slooooooow. Like I felt like it took forever. And it did! The first “twist surprise� happened about 75% of the way into the book, the first time I gasped. When Angie and her friend Cindy admit to each other that the town baker had molested them years ago, and Cindy admits that’s why she begged her parents to send her to private school, that’s the first time you’re like “what omg!�
And then there’s another point about 85% in where there is another surprise, and it involves the needlepoint business and some shady emails. And its a “omgosh what is going on with the people in this business!�
And Angie is kind of an interesting character. She feels a little unpolished though. In Arizona she works at an asst. of some kind for a private investigator. Maybe I don’t understand fully what PI’s and their employees do, but I felt like everyone’s faith in Angie’s PI skills was unfounded and misplaced. Her internal monologue is kind of flippy-floppy, but also�. understanding. Like there are many things from her childhood that still cloud her thoughts, and she seems like she wants to break those things up and challenge them but at the same time she kind of clings to them because they are normal. She’s half-cynical and its a little�. hard to read.
Editing was rushed w/this books, there are so many times when a name is misplaced, particularly the murder victim’s and the state trooper investigating his murder. Its so jarring, I had to stop so many times and be like “Wait, Jacques didn’t say that, Jacques is dead. Ethan said that, Ethan was talking about Jacques�.�
The big thing for me though is that toward the end, when Angie thinks she’s figured it all out, like who the murderer is and of course she grabs her gun and goes out to find them, BUT
But she’s like “we don’t have time to call the cops� and I’m like “YES YOU DO BECAUSE YO UJUST SAID YOUR CELL PHONE’S GPS SAID IT WOULD TAKE 85 MINUTES TO GET OUT TO THE CABIN� also, also, there is ANOTHER PERSON WITH YOU. Can they not use the cell phone to call the police? To call the STATE TROOPER you have been talking to almost every other day since you came back into town???? Or the city officer you’ve been flirting with since you got into town? Lady, you are basically friends with these two people, and you can’t CALL THEM TO LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE GOING FAR INTO THE WOODS TO FIND SOMEONE YOU THINK KILLED ANOTHER PERSON ALREADY?!?!?!?
I was just like ughhhhh.
And then it was so anticlimatic. SO anticlimatic!!!!
They get all the way out to the cabin in the woods and NO ONE IS THERE. Then they find out from the gas station lady that the people they were looking for had left heading the other way half an hour before. And as a reader I’m just like “pfdksagkjasf.� ESPECIALLY because it prolonged the anticipation of the conclusion.
But then when you get to that big reveal point it falls so flat. So flat and kind of � just super anti climatic. It was disappointing. I mean I’ll probably read the sequel and other books from the series if I come across them, but I won’t be expecting much honestly. Maybe I’ll be surprised though.
This book was slooooooow. Like I felt like it took forever. And it did! The first “twist surprise� happened about 75% of the way into the book, the first time I gasped. When Angie and her friend Cindy admit to each other that the town baker had molested them years ago, and Cindy admits that’s why she begged her parents to send her to private school, that’s the first time you’re like “what omg!�
And then there’s another point about 85% in where there is another surprise, and it involves the needlepoint business and some shady emails. And its a “omgosh what is going on with the people in this business!�
And Angie is kind of an interesting character. She feels a little unpolished though. In Arizona she works at an asst. of some kind for a private investigator. Maybe I don’t understand fully what PI’s and their employees do, but I felt like everyone’s faith in Angie’s PI skills was unfounded and misplaced. Her internal monologue is kind of flippy-floppy, but also�. understanding. Like there are many things from her childhood that still cloud her thoughts, and she seems like she wants to break those things up and challenge them but at the same time she kind of clings to them because they are normal. She’s half-cynical and its a little�. hard to read.
Editing was rushed w/this books, there are so many times when a name is misplaced, particularly the murder victim’s and the state trooper investigating his murder. Its so jarring, I had to stop so many times and be like “Wait, Jacques didn’t say that, Jacques is dead. Ethan said that, Ethan was talking about Jacques�.�
The big thing for me though is that toward the end, when Angie thinks she’s figured it all out, like who the murderer is and of course she grabs her gun and goes out to find them, BUT
But she’s like “we don’t have time to call the cops� and I’m like “YES YOU DO BECAUSE YO UJUST SAID YOUR CELL PHONE’S GPS SAID IT WOULD TAKE 85 MINUTES TO GET OUT TO THE CABIN� also, also, there is ANOTHER PERSON WITH YOU. Can they not use the cell phone to call the police? To call the STATE TROOPER you have been talking to almost every other day since you came back into town???? Or the city officer you’ve been flirting with since you got into town? Lady, you are basically friends with these two people, and you can’t CALL THEM TO LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE GOING FAR INTO THE WOODS TO FIND SOMEONE YOU THINK KILLED ANOTHER PERSON ALREADY?!?!?!?
I was just like ughhhhh.
And then it was so anticlimatic. SO anticlimatic!!!!
They get all the way out to the cabin in the woods and NO ONE IS THERE. Then they find out from the gas station lady that the people they were looking for had left heading the other way half an hour before. And as a reader I’m just like “pfdksagkjasf.� ESPECIALLY because it prolonged the anticipation of the conclusion.
But then when you get to that big reveal point it falls so flat. So flat and kind of � just super anti climatic. It was disappointing. I mean I’ll probably read the sequel and other books from the series if I come across them, but I won’t be expecting much honestly. Maybe I’ll be surprised though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2017
This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for far too long and I am very glad that I finally read it..
I was reading another book by the same author in another series and I really enjoy her writing. The mystery is well-written and paced. With multiple suspects, it had me guessing until the very end. There were two murders within the book and the older one brings up ugly town secrets that no one wants to believe until the killer finally confesses.
Have already ordered the next in this series.. Highly recommend!
I was reading another book by the same author in another series and I really enjoy her writing. The mystery is well-written and paced. With multiple suspects, it had me guessing until the very end. There were two murders within the book and the older one brings up ugly town secrets that no one wants to believe until the killer finally confesses.
Have already ordered the next in this series.. Highly recommend!
October 11, 2017
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story but I always like mixing a cold case with a new one. I did not see the ending coming with the cold case. I liked the characters and the setting and I look forward to seeing how Angie fits in with the Mainly Needlepointers. Good start to the series.
January 23, 2015
This was a fantastic and gripping read, that had me reading all day and night just to see, how the two mysteries were going to unfold. I liked the idea for a cold case mystery being the reason for the main character, Angie, to come back home. That made a big difference than an usual broken marriage or brake up with a boyfriend story line that most cozy mysteries have. It might have had a darker story line for a cozy because of what happened to cause the cold case, but, it was interesting to see, how both cold case and present case, came together at the end.
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series, when they become available in the future.
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series, when they become available in the future.
November 19, 2019
The day had already been the sort I wanted to drown in a cold beer or a bubble bath.
Angie Curtis returns to small town Haven Harbor, Maine when her missing mother's body is found. Another murder happens during the midst of discovering clues about her mother's murder. Angie begins questioning townspeople to clear her grandmother and the Mainely Needlepoint group.
This was an interesting start to the series. I enjoyed the diverse group of people that make up the needlepoint group. Their cottage industry has grown to the point of needed management. The characters are well thought out and presented in a believable fashion.
The story behind Angie's mother is quite sad and I felt terrible for the young child that Angie was when her mother disappeared.
The needlepoint was fascinating and I was a bit disappointed that there were no patterns in the book. I tried needlepoint years ago but this did pique my interest in perhaps looking at it again (because you know I need one more fiber art to do!) I also expected cookie recipes because everyone had cookies when Angie visited.
The revelation of the killer was a bit of a shock although learning additional background made sense.
Overall a good book. I look forward to continuing the series.
3.5 stars
Angie Curtis returns to small town Haven Harbor, Maine when her missing mother's body is found. Another murder happens during the midst of discovering clues about her mother's murder. Angie begins questioning townspeople to clear her grandmother and the Mainely Needlepoint group.
This was an interesting start to the series. I enjoyed the diverse group of people that make up the needlepoint group. Their cottage industry has grown to the point of needed management. The characters are well thought out and presented in a believable fashion.
The story behind Angie's mother is quite sad and I felt terrible for the young child that Angie was when her mother disappeared.
The needlepoint was fascinating and I was a bit disappointed that there were no patterns in the book. I tried needlepoint years ago but this did pique my interest in perhaps looking at it again (because you know I need one more fiber art to do!) I also expected cookie recipes because everyone had cookies when Angie visited.
The revelation of the killer was a bit of a shock although learning additional background made sense.
Overall a good book. I look forward to continuing the series.
3.5 stars
January 6, 2015
This cozy mystery is will named as the story has many changes and turns. Angie returns to Harbor Heaven, Maine for her Mother's funeral. She finds some things are the same and others are different. Her Grandmother, Charlotte is in charge of a group of needle point crafters. The person who is administering the group has not shown up for 3 months and owes the group money. He has all the records and no one can located who has order what. Angie wants to find out how her Mother died. Charlotte asks Angie to find the administrator and help start the group again. Characters are well developed and the story flows smoothly. Angie to find answer to how the party died and her Mother's death. I recommend this book highly.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I wished to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I wished to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
October 15, 2017
Angela Curtis returns to Maine after the remins of her mother are found. While she is there her Grams convinces her (she works for a PI in AZ) to try to find the manager of her Needlepoint group who owes them $27,000. Angie didn't realize what she was getting herself into when she agreed.
The story kept me entertained & wanting to read more. I liked that the MC wasn't your typical cozy character. She was smart, good head on her shoulders, didn't get herself into stupid situations. Needlepoint was referenced throughout the book but it wasn't to much to distract from the story.
Good start to the series.
The story kept me entertained & wanting to read more. I liked that the MC wasn't your typical cozy character. She was smart, good head on her shoulders, didn't get herself into stupid situations. Needlepoint was referenced throughout the book but it wasn't to much to distract from the story.
Good start to the series.
January 7, 2015
This first in a new series will win you over from the start. You will meet Angie Curtis and her friends as they come together for crafting fun. As Angie and her grandmother try to find out how Angie's mother died the group is hit with another murder and Angie has to try to clear her name as suspect. You will be drawn in by this crafty whodunit that will keep you wanting to read just one more chapter until the end. What a terrific start to a great series, eagerly awaiting the next one!
October 12, 2017
First in a series that definitely has promise. Even if I don't know much about needlepoint, I liked the characters and the setting.
December 23, 2014
Angie’s mom disappeared a long time ago when she was nine years old. There was a lot of rumors to what happened but pretty much everyone thought she ran off. Angie moved from Haven Harbor to Arizona and works with a Private Investigator, but now her Gram is calling her home. They found her mother dead in a freezer.
Angie comes home to find her Gram has changed a little, she has a cat, a boyfriend and a new business. Mainly Needlepoint started off small as Gram would do needlepoint projects for the local stores to sell during the tourist season and then it picked up from there. A man approached her, Jacques Lattimore, about selling on a broader scale to high end clients and so when things go foul she has a few unhappy needlepointers.
Angie agrees to help her Gram find Lattimore and she does and then during a meeting with all the needlepointers he dies. Was it one of the needlepointers or did it happen before she nabbed him and brought him here. Knowing that she and her Gram could be suspects she tries to figure out who might have wanted him dead.
For the most part I enjoyed Twisted Threads, the characters are interesting and it will be fun to get to know them all more as the series progresses. Angie, has to deal with the fact that her mother has been found dead and it sort of closes that hole inside of not knowing. At least they know she didn’t run off and abandon them. Gram is a sweet order lady and I thought it was cute that she had a boyfriend.
I kind of liked the fact that there was no romance involved in this nor a budding one. The detective involved even though they went to school together and Angie seems to have a crush on him, is married. There was another officer involved and mentions of him being nice looking but nothing went anywhere with that, not that it might not change in future installments.
The one thing that really bothered me with this book has more to do with my religious beliefs more than a horrible plot line. The minister has a collection of Ouija boards and he even uses them on occasion. When Angie ask about it they use it to try and see who killed Lattimore. It just so turned me off because I personally don’t like those things but I have always been taught they are bad. I can handle it being a regular person that is using it, but NOT a minister, that is just totally wrong and I didn’t like it.
Other than that I really enjoyed this mystery and will check out the next one in the series. If you are into cozy mysteries then you will find this one enjoyable and I would recommend it.
Angie comes home to find her Gram has changed a little, she has a cat, a boyfriend and a new business. Mainly Needlepoint started off small as Gram would do needlepoint projects for the local stores to sell during the tourist season and then it picked up from there. A man approached her, Jacques Lattimore, about selling on a broader scale to high end clients and so when things go foul she has a few unhappy needlepointers.
Angie agrees to help her Gram find Lattimore and she does and then during a meeting with all the needlepointers he dies. Was it one of the needlepointers or did it happen before she nabbed him and brought him here. Knowing that she and her Gram could be suspects she tries to figure out who might have wanted him dead.
For the most part I enjoyed Twisted Threads, the characters are interesting and it will be fun to get to know them all more as the series progresses. Angie, has to deal with the fact that her mother has been found dead and it sort of closes that hole inside of not knowing. At least they know she didn’t run off and abandon them. Gram is a sweet order lady and I thought it was cute that she had a boyfriend.
I kind of liked the fact that there was no romance involved in this nor a budding one. The detective involved even though they went to school together and Angie seems to have a crush on him, is married. There was another officer involved and mentions of him being nice looking but nothing went anywhere with that, not that it might not change in future installments.
The one thing that really bothered me with this book has more to do with my religious beliefs more than a horrible plot line. The minister has a collection of Ouija boards and he even uses them on occasion. When Angie ask about it they use it to try and see who killed Lattimore. It just so turned me off because I personally don’t like those things but I have always been taught they are bad. I can handle it being a regular person that is using it, but NOT a minister, that is just totally wrong and I didn’t like it.
Other than that I really enjoyed this mystery and will check out the next one in the series. If you are into cozy mysteries then you will find this one enjoyable and I would recommend it.
March 18, 2016
TWISTED THREADS by Lea Waite It Was a Dark and Cozy Night
Original post on FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST
Maine seems to be a popular place to set cozy mystery novels. I love to read most things set in the state I call home so this was a natural match for me.
This story could be pulled from the headlines in my home state where a 30 year-old cold case recently resulted in an arrest. And, as a Mainer, Lea does a great job representing my home. She does resort, after the first few chapters to type.
But lest you think this is a cozy with crafts, or book suggestions or recipes; I am hear to tell you it is a darker shade of cozy, although it’s not quite a procedural; there’s not quite enough police cooperation. Angie is an investigator for a private detective when she moves back to Maine. That automatically puts her into a grittier place than the librarians, store owners, writers and caterers that normally populate cozies. And, it deals with two really heinous crimes and child sexual abuse.
While I suspected the perpetrator, I didn’t see how Angie deduced the identity of the killer. I may not have listened hard enough but it seemed sudden and based on intuition and a couple of facts.
The narrator does a great job with the voices and the only thing that bugged me was overly-aged voices. There were some people near my age and I KNOW that I don’t speak in a creaky old-lady voice.
I liked the writer’s attention to detail, and the depth of the main character’s journey through solving her mother’s death. The way her mom was seen, and who she really was shows depth in Wait’s writing.
I also enjoyed some insider Maine jokes, like the location of a nearby casino. And, as a resident of the state I love to live in I am pleased that she gets it right.
Original post on FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST
Maine seems to be a popular place to set cozy mystery novels. I love to read most things set in the state I call home so this was a natural match for me.
This story could be pulled from the headlines in my home state where a 30 year-old cold case recently resulted in an arrest. And, as a Mainer, Lea does a great job representing my home. She does resort, after the first few chapters to type.
But lest you think this is a cozy with crafts, or book suggestions or recipes; I am hear to tell you it is a darker shade of cozy, although it’s not quite a procedural; there’s not quite enough police cooperation. Angie is an investigator for a private detective when she moves back to Maine. That automatically puts her into a grittier place than the librarians, store owners, writers and caterers that normally populate cozies. And, it deals with two really heinous crimes and child sexual abuse.
While I suspected the perpetrator, I didn’t see how Angie deduced the identity of the killer. I may not have listened hard enough but it seemed sudden and based on intuition and a couple of facts.
The narrator does a great job with the voices and the only thing that bugged me was overly-aged voices. There were some people near my age and I KNOW that I don’t speak in a creaky old-lady voice.
I liked the writer’s attention to detail, and the depth of the main character’s journey through solving her mother’s death. The way her mom was seen, and who she really was shows depth in Wait’s writing.
I also enjoyed some insider Maine jokes, like the location of a nearby casino. And, as a resident of the state I love to live in I am pleased that she gets it right.
January 6, 2015
This is a great 1st book in a new cozy series, set in Harbor Haven, Maine. Angie Curtis hasn't been back to her hometown in 10 years, not til her grandmother, Charlotte, calls and tells her her mother's body has finally been found. Angie rushes home and finds many changes have occurred since she was last there. Her grandmother Charlotte has opened a needlepoint business and has a few employees that work with her. Along with that, a middleman who has swindled the group out of $33k. While trying to solve her mother's disappearance and murder, Angie also has to deal with the crook who stole the needlepointers' money who also ends up dead in Angie and Charlotte's house.
This was a tightly sewn mystery. There was definitely an interesting, almost non-cozy like twist to it but I don't think readers will be too put off by it. I love the setting and would really like to get to know the characters better. I eagerly await book 2 in the series!
This was a tightly sewn mystery. There was definitely an interesting, almost non-cozy like twist to it but I don't think readers will be too put off by it. I love the setting and would really like to get to know the characters better. I eagerly await book 2 in the series!
January 7, 2015
Well, when I first started this book, I thought, I don't think I am going to like this book very well, but boy was I wrong. Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down. There were so many things happening in this book, my head was almost spinning. Not only does Angie want to try to find out what really happened to her mother, she also has to find her grandmother's business partner. Then she has to solve another murder. I liked the characters and the setting of this book. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.
April 19, 2018
The author realistically portrays the MC who returns home to confront the most difficult part of her past: her mother disappeared when she was young and her body has been found. Unwilling to accept the easy answer, she tries to find out what really happened. Her grandmother's needlework group provides several good suspects for a subsequent murder; they are sure to be recurring characters in later books. This cozy mystery has a serious undertone along with light moments. Good character development, a few red herrings and a culprit hiding in plain sight. This is a very good first book in a series.
July 20, 2017
3.25 / 3 Stars
A decent little cozy read. Story flowed nicely. I don't need to go into the particulars within this story because there are many reviews stating it. For me, I felt Angie was a bit disconnected from her mother and her memory, but maybe that has more to do with the fact she'd been missing for 19 years. However, I would have expected a bit more emotion at the funeral. I wasn't 100% sure who killed Angie's mom until closer to the end. With the murder of Lattimoore I had a sneaky suspicion who did it, and I knew where the idea came from right away.
A decent little cozy read. Story flowed nicely. I don't need to go into the particulars within this story because there are many reviews stating it. For me, I felt Angie was a bit disconnected from her mother and her memory, but maybe that has more to do with the fact she'd been missing for 19 years. However, I would have expected a bit more emotion at the funeral. I wasn't 100% sure who killed Angie's mom until closer to the end. With the murder of Lattimoore I had a sneaky suspicion who did it, and I knew where the idea came from right away.
March 21, 2018
Interesting cozy set in Maine. I thought it was a cut above the general current crop of cozies, where every character and plot twist is totally predictable. The MC feels like a real person, and I liked her relationship with her grandmother. I also enjoyed the needlepoint details. I'm still not quite sure how the heroine figured out who killed her mother - it seemed like she just suddenly knew. But I still enjoyed the book and will probably read more.
February 9, 2021
I am a cross stitcher, so I really loved the hobby aspect of this book. I knew a lot of the stitches that were talked about. I am really looking forward to continuing this series. Additionally (as an added bonus) I did not hate the main character. That is rare for me and cozy mystery type books.
March 16, 2018
New author and new series for me and I am hooked, really liked the main character Angel, the settings in Maine, the characters and crafts and of course a multi layered mystery, I have ordered the rest of the books in the series!!!!!!
August 10, 2021
Interesting. Set in Maine and a group who love needlepoint work - some being men. A cold case dead body, a new dead body and one about to become one. An unlikely killer for sure. I enjoyed the characters, what happened to the coon cat? Brief appearance - a little more could have been included! I think Angie will develop well as the series goes along.
May 23, 2021
This book kept me wondering who the killer was. I’m surprised at who the killer was. I really thought it was Joe Green.
September 4, 2024
Angie Curtis has been living in Arizona as an assistant to a P.I. But when her mother's remains are discovered - nineteen years after she disappeared - Angie returns home to Maine and to her grandmother. While there, it's discovered that her mother had been murdered, and that her grandmother, Charlotte, is in a bind due to some shady financial dealings, so Angie decides to stay, at least for the time being, to help her grandmother out, and to find out the truth about her mother.
It was her friend Lauren who found the body, and some people think that Lauren's father committed the murder, while others don't believe it, but there aren't any other suspects. To make it worse, the investigating officer is Angie's high school crush, who is now married and has a child. And when there's another murder, everyone in Mainely Needlepointers is a suspect, but especially Charlotte.
I'm not giving away any more of the plot, but I will tell you that this is a very good book. Ms. Wait offers us a real mystery, one you can get your teeth into and get interested in almost immediately. I have never been to Maine, but her descriptions are such that you can almost imagine yourself there. The characters are and situations are believable, without anything that seems far-fetched. If I have any complaints about the book, it is the fact that Angie drinks and drives. Yes, I know it is only "one beer," but still, it is drinking and driving, and not a good thing at all. This is one thing I would like eliminated from future books.
Since there is no love interest (her "crush" is married, alas!) the book concentrates on the murders and how she goes about gathering information to solve them. A different approach, but one that works. All in all, highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but this in no way influenced my decision.
It was her friend Lauren who found the body, and some people think that Lauren's father committed the murder, while others don't believe it, but there aren't any other suspects. To make it worse, the investigating officer is Angie's high school crush, who is now married and has a child. And when there's another murder, everyone in Mainely Needlepointers is a suspect, but especially Charlotte.
I'm not giving away any more of the plot, but I will tell you that this is a very good book. Ms. Wait offers us a real mystery, one you can get your teeth into and get interested in almost immediately. I have never been to Maine, but her descriptions are such that you can almost imagine yourself there. The characters are and situations are believable, without anything that seems far-fetched. If I have any complaints about the book, it is the fact that Angie drinks and drives. Yes, I know it is only "one beer," but still, it is drinking and driving, and not a good thing at all. This is one thing I would like eliminated from future books.
Since there is no love interest (her "crush" is married, alas!) the book concentrates on the murders and how she goes about gathering information to solve them. A different approach, but one that works. All in all, highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but this in no way influenced my decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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