Monica Ferris

Two of three persons who recently competed for a piece of real estate, including the winning bidder, end up dead. Harry Whiteside met his end with violent blows. Maddie O'Leary met her end when she knitted with yarn tainted with nicotine. It's natural the police look to the third bidder--Joe Mickels--but he has not been arrested yet. He asks Betsy Devonshire to clear his name and find the real killer. She makes no promises but does agree to look for the killer. The two deaths are in differing jurisdictions. Meanwhile Goddy is giddy because Rafael has proposed, but Rafael's sister comes to visit and try to get Rafael to produce a legal heir for the family. Although the solution works in the story, it's not very plausible in the real world because it's based on too many coincidences that had to happen at the perfect time to produce the results. Still I'm glad I finally finished the needlework series which at one time was a favorite. I much prefer the installments where cross stitch takes a more central plot position.… (more)