Excerpt

Introduction to the anthology:

As both of my parents were crafty, I was also crafty as a child. I bought my first sewing machine from Goodwill for $0.50. It was a treadle sewing machine. I had that machine until 2018. It was a great machine, a real power horse. It could sew through quarter-inch leather without any issues.

My mom, in addition to sewing and tailoring (she took classes to develop that skill) also knit and did embroidery work.

My dad refinished antique furniture, rebuilt player pianos, caned chairs, and sewed. And my eldest brother also sewed.

As I have continued my crafty ways throughout my life, it made sense to me to combine my love of crafting with my love of mystery.

I read a lot of mysteries as a child, such as the entire Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweller, and so on. As an adult, I didn't read a lot of mysteries until I took a mystery workshop. Since then, I've made it a regular habit to read mysteries. And to write them.

Included in this anthology are some absolutely delightful crafty mysteries. The first one, A Scrapbook of Murder, is one of the more perfect mysteries that I've ever read, combining craft and mystery.

On Kilter is a paranormal mystery with one of my favorite characters, Sanne. She's a delight to read and to experience.

The next story, Plain Jade, introduces us to a different type of crafter, namely, rock hounds. I enjoyed this story and its twists.

With We Three Stitch Witches we have another paranormal mystery with crafty sewing witches who also practice their magic using different notions.

Wrought by Caroline Abington Morgan is a beautiful study in cross stitch and embroidery, and the women behind such work.

A Neat Knot tells of a knitter and the sorrow one can carry, as well as how to untie that knot, and let it go.

I hope that you enjoy all the stories in this anthology, as well as go out and find other works by these wonderful authors!