First line: “My name is Molly Pink and I’m a yarnoholic,” I announced to my crochet group, the Tarzana Hookers, as I put my stash on the table.
Why I read this: I bought this book a while ago but had not gotten to it. My mom had read the first in the series and was eager to read the next, so I wanted to read it first before giving it to her.
From the back cover: Molly Pink has become a yarnoholic. She shares her obsession with her crochet group in Tarzana, California. However, the real problem on their hands these days is a murder with a unique weave that casts suspicion on one of their own…
The Tarzana Hookers are a motley crew of women, all of whom are not afraid to speak their minds. Except Sheila. She’s a timid, anxiety-ridden crocheter who’s in desperate need of money, so she sells her beautiful scarves at a local antique and consignment store. But when the new owner stiffs Sheila, the boisterous ladies rally and offer their support. The real trouble begins when the tightly wound shop owner is found dead – unraveling Sheila’s quiet life.
Molly ignores the warnings from her homicide-detective boyfriend and, with the help of her stitch mates, sets out to clear Sheila’s name. It’s up to them to sort through the skeins of evidence before someone gets away with murder…
My thoughts: This is the second in Betty Hechtman’s crochet mystery series and it was a fun, quick read. The Tarzana Hookers are back in action with a new charity project – this time a Hugs of Comfort Shawl. As everyone starts work on their shawl, Sheila lets on that she is having trouble with a shop owner not giving her the money she is owed. As the Tarzana Hookers go to bat for her, tagging along with her as she tries to confront the shop owner, he is found dead. Because Sheila becomes a person of interest, Molly decides to help clear her name and is a pretty good amateur sleuth.
The plot of this book was intriguing and clever, and Betty Hechtman did a great job of tying up all the loose threads in the end. As a person who crochets at a beginner/low intermediate level, I enjoyed the way Molly gradually improved her crocheting skills as she simultaneously wove together all the clues that led her to the identity of the killer. I am excited that the directions for the charity project, the Hugs of Comfort Shawl, were included – I will definitely be giving this a go. My mom, an avid crocheter, already made it and said it was pretty easy to make. I will also be trying Molly’s Cheesecake Cupcakes – cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts! I look forward to catching up with the Tarzana Hookers again soon!
(I purchased this book.)
