Friday, July 05, 2013

DYEING WISHES by Molly MacRae (Berkley)



Welcome to Blue Plum, TN or welcome back. This is the second book in this haunted yarn shop mystery series. The story has many quirks, not the least of which is Geneva the ghost who more or less lives with Kath Ruthledge, owner of The Weaver's Cat yarn shop which she inherited from her much loved grandmother, who had paranormal abilities and a proclivity for solving murders. Geneva lives in the attic and has a mind of her own. She is dismal, direct, droopy and as much a hindrance as a help in all things.

The hub of this delightful small town is the yarn shop and the TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) needlework and fiber group which meets regularly learning the art of dyeing. This group is close-knit—as ardent in their friendships as in their needlework love. Kath is unsure of her special abilities but is drawn into the paranormal because of Geneva. The communication between Kath and Geneva is two-way—they understand and sort of take care of each other. Despite Geneva's tendencies toward drama and doom, she loves to play assistant sleuth,  so she watches out for Kath.
The story opens at Cloud Hollow Farm where the TGIF group is meeting. The friends head out to greet the sheep, owned by Debbie, a member of the group who is recovering from a broken marriage. The sheep are all standing near a tree in the pasture and not paying attention to the women. This is unusual, so the women decide they have to investigate. They find two dead bodies—and one is someone they know.
Each woman's story is disclosed as they try to solve the murders. Naturally, they fear for their lives when another murder pops up. Romantic relationships muddy the waters (literally and figuratively) before the mystery is solved.
The small town setting is one where everyone cares about others. The TGIF club has unusual and very different characters—and all their quirks and sometimes droll senses of humor make the book a nice read.
I'll be happy to return to Blue Plum, TN for the next adventure.

—DianEsterly
FTC Disclaimer - This book was provided by the publisher.


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