Review and Giveaway: Thread and Buried

Thread and Buried (Threadville Mystery - Book 3) by Janet Bolin

Publication Date: June 4. 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425252183
ISBN-13: 978-0425252185

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Janet Bolin on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, LibraryThing, FantasticFiction, Cozy-Mystery

Books in the series:

Dire Threads (2011), Threaded for Trouble (2012), Thread and Buried (2013)

Coverart: Click on the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Thread and Buried, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

In Threadville, Pennsylvania, known for its textile art courses and shops, everyone's stories are connected by a common threadeven the ones ending in murder

Every town has a legend. For Threadville, it's the story of Snoozy Gallagher, the hotel owner who disappeared thirty years ago with a bag full of stolen jewelry, never to be heard from again. That is, until nowwhen Snoozy's loot is discovered buried behind Willow Vanderling's embroidery shop In Stitches.

When villagers mysteriously become ill, and a body shrouded in materials from Threadville shops appears in the exact spot where the treasure wasalong with two abandoned kittensWillow needs answers. The random events are too coincidental to be unrelated, but Willow will have to act quickly to unravel the deadly mystery, or she might get tangled up as the killer's next victim.

Thoughts:

Author, Janet Bolin returns readers to Threadville. In her third Threadville mystery, Thread and Buried, Bolin takes on a local legend. Cozy mystery enthusiasts love a good small town mystery and every little town has a story, a local legend, even fictitious towns. This mystery has a great premise and engaging characters. Bolin does an excellent job of bringing her town and her characters to life, all the while teaching readers about the intricacies of machine embroidery. 

When I first stared reading this series, with the first book Dire Threads, I didn't know anything about machine embroidery. I had seen it done of course on school jackets and tee-shirts but how it was done and how the designs were made was something new to me. I found myself really intrigued by the different methods and all of the equipment that crafters could use to make such beautifully crafted work. Bolin obviously has a passion for craftsmanship and writing. The Threadville books not only entertain with wonderful suspense and mystery, but they also do double duty by providing readers lots of information on a the skill of machine embroidery. It definitely makes you want to go out and give it a try.

Thread and Buried centers around a local legend. That made me really nostalgic when I was reading it. I live in a very small town and we certainly have legends of our own, including one that included a haunted house, not more than a 1/2 mile from my house. I thought it was a great premise, it engaged the readers from almost the very beginning of the book. There were moments where the action drug on a little too long but overall I thought the mystery aspect of the book was well written. I think the story line for this one was probably my favorite in the series so far.

I really like the progression of Willow as a heroine. In the first book she is a newcomer to Threadville and goes through a period of adjustment like anyone who moves to a new town would. I was glad that Bolin took that into consideration and showed it in her characterization of Willow. In the second book, Willow was getting more comfortable with her role in the town and with the townspeople. In the third book it is safe to say that Willow is a full fledged member of the community. Bolin does a wonderful job of showing how Willow integrates into the town and the ebb and flow of the life in Threadville. I can't wait to see what she does next.

This is a series that I think sewers of all kinds will enjoy as well as mystery enthusiasts. It is very versatile and mentions the work and livelihoods of several different artisans in the town and the works that they create. I loved reading about all of the other shops in Threadville and what their owners were creating as well as Willow. I think this one has small town charm, exceptional characters and it celebrates the craftsmanship of people who create and sell their own works as well as the supplies needed to create them.

Thread and Buried is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author: 

I have lots of hobbies. I love reading, writing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and going on long walks with my dogs. I believe I want to make quilts. Sometimes I try to teach myself (not very successfully) how to play piano.

A few years ago, I discovered embroidering using software and high-tech sewing machines. I'm not certain that everything I own must be embroidered, but creating the design is really, really fun. And they'd go so well on crazy quilts...

I live way out in the country, a long drive from stores that sell supplies for people who like to create and embellish their own textiles and garments.

Sooooo... I created Threadville, a village where everything I might want for my projects is on one short street, and I created Willow Vanderling, who is thrilled to own a store selling the high-tech embroidery stuff that I wish I could find just down the block.

From time to time Willow and her Threadville friends may need to take time out from their creative work to solve a murder or two. I hope you'll join them...

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Thread and Buried by Janet Bolin.

~You must be a Bloglovin' follower or Email subscriber to participate.
~US addresses only (publisher request)
~The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, July 2nd.

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