DIRE THREADS By Janet Bolin

Publisher:  Berkley
Published:   June 7, 2011
ISBN:  978-0425241899
Genre:   Cozy Mystery
Book format:  Paperback
Obtained via:  Publisher   
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

Two  - 1/2

After sending her scheming former employer off to jail for fraud and embezzlement Willow Vanderling has taken up her friend Haylee up on her suggestion to join her and her three weird mothers setting up shop in the quaint little town of Threadville.  Well, the town isn’t really called Threadville.  It’s actually the town of Elderberry Bay but because of all the wonderful needlework and sewing boutiques residents and tourists alike call it Threadville.  Willow is thrilled with not only her business, In Stitches, but with her little apartment on top of her shop and a darling little cottage on the property called Blueberry Cottage.  She has such plans for Blueberry Cottage, just wonderful ideas that will fit in so perfectly with Threadville’s mystique.  Unfortunately Mike Krawbach has his own agenda for the property.  When Willow hears what that plan is she wastes no time telling Mike she is going to kill him.  Unfortunately there are witnesses—witnesses who think Mike can do no wrong—to her statement.  When Mike turns up dead not long after is it any wonder the townfolk look in Willow’s direction for the killer?

I loved the idea of Threadville, the town created by Janet Bolin in DIRE THREADS, A Threadville Mystery.  As someone who loves needlework of any kind I found myself wishing there was a town just like it not far from my home.  What a great idea for the backdrop of a cozy mystery!  The story started off pretty solid but sadly went downhill from there until almost the very end. 

Uncle Allen, the local police detective was fun comic relief the first few appearances.  After that, along with his ignorance and annoying car just got old.  There were times when the author seemed on sure footing and then for no reason at all except maybe to create a red herring, went off in an odd direction.  It didn’t work for red herrings but seemed like maybe I’d put down one book and picked up another. 

The series has potential and I will give book 2 a shot and see where the author goes with it simply because I like the idea of the series. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.