Cover of Crewel World
Cover of Framed in Lace
Cover of A Stitch in Time
Cover of Sins and Needles
Cover of Unraveled Sleeve
Cover of Hanging by a Thread
Series

Needlecraft Mysteries

16 books

Here are 16 books from the Needlecraft Mysteries series by Monica Ferris. Start with Crewel World (1999), then read the rest in the order below.

Books in order

1
Cover of Crewel World

Crewel World

Monica Ferris

When Betsy's sister is murdered in her own needlecraft store, Betsy steps in to manage the shop and unravel the mystery. To find the killer, she must delve into the intricate world of needlecrafts and uncover secrets hidden within the community. This cozy mystery blends the charm of a small-town setting with the suspense of a murder investigation, as Betsy races against time to bring her sister's murderer to justice.

FictionMysteryDetective Fiction
1
Cover of Framed in Lace

Framed in Lace

Monica Ferris

When a long-submerged ferry is raised from the depths of the lake, it brings with it a chilling discovery: the skeleton of a woman murdered decades ago. The only clue to her identity and her killer is a delicate piece of lace-like fabric found clutched in her hand. Needlecraft expert Betsy Devonshire finds herself drawn into the mystery, using her keen eye for detail and knowledge of historical textiles to unravel a cold case. As Betsy delves deeper, she uncovers secrets long buried, forcing her to confront a past that refuses to stay hidden.

MysteryDetective FictionContemporary Fiction
1
Cover of A Stitch in Time

A Stitch in Time

Monica Ferris

In the quiet town of Point Hope, a remarkable discovery is made when a damaged tapestry is found hidden away in a church closet. This intricate piece of history holds more than just faded threads; it contains clues to a long-forgotten secret. A group of dedicated needleworkers, brought together by their shared passion, embarks on a mission to meticulously restore the tapestry, unraveling its mysteries stitch by stitch. As they piece together the past, they uncover a crafty crime that has remained hidden for years, proving that sometimes, the most compelling stories are woven into the fabric of time.

MysteryDetective FictionContemporary Fiction
1
Cover of Sins and Needles

Sins and Needles

Monica Ferris

When Betsy Devonshire arrives in Excelsior seeking a fresh start, she expects quiet days in the Crewel World shop—until her sister is found murdered, and the store’s future (and Betsy’s own safety) suddenly hangs in the balance. As a long-buried secret resurfaces with the recovery of a skeleton and a scrap of lace-like fabric, Betsy and the shop’s close-knit regulars begin unraveling a cold case that many would prefer to keep hidden. Thrown off her feet by a broken leg, Betsy must rely on her friends and the community’s needlework skills to follow leads tied to missing money and shifting loyalties, even as unsettling nightmares point to deeper connections. Blending cozy mystery pacing with the craft-forward charm Monica Ferris is known for, this story weaves themes of grief, resilience, and the quiet power of collaboration—proving that every stitch can be a clue.

FictionMystery
2
Cover of Unraveled Sleeve

Unraveled Sleeve

Monica Ferris

In the cozy confines of a small-town needlecraft shop, Betsy Devonshire expects a quiet day of stitches and customers—until a shocking crime pulls her into a mystery that’s anything but ordinary. As she investigates, Betsy discovers that the same patience and pattern-reading she brings to knitting can also help her “unravel” clues others overlook. Blending warm, craft-forward atmosphere with sharp detective work, this installment explores how creativity, community, and perseverance can turn everyday skills into tools for truth. With Monica Ferris’s engaging, puzzle-like storytelling, readers will find a satisfying mix of cozy suspense, character-driven stakes, and the satisfying logic of a mystery solved one thread at a time.

FictionContemporary Fiction
3
Cover of Hanging by a Thread

Hanging by a Thread

Monica Ferris

New to Excelsior, Minnesota, Betsy Devonshire doesn’t recognize a scandal when it lands on her doorstep—until she hires contractor Foster Johns to repair her roof and her choice ignites local suspicion. As gossip swirls and old wounds resurface, Betsy finds herself drawn into a chilling cold case tied to a possible double homicide from five years earlier. With her knack for noticing what others overlook, she navigates small-town secrets, shifting loyalties, and the thin line between rumor and truth. Blending cozy mystery charm with themes of community judgment, moral courage, and the persistence of the past, this installment showcases Monica Ferris’s brisk, character-driven storytelling and satisfying sleuthing momentum.

FictionContemporary Fiction
4
Cover of A Murderous Yarn

A Murderous Yarn

Monica Ferris

When a driver in a vintage antique-car race is killed in a sudden, fiery explosion, Betsy Devonshire is drawn into a mystery that feels as tangled as it is dangerous. As she investigates, she uncovers a web of jealousy and sabotage—along with an unexpected clue hidden in a piece of needlework that points toward the truth. Blending small-town charm with sharp sleuthing, this cozy mystery explores how secrets can be stitched into plain sight and how motive often wears a familiar face. With Monica Ferris’s engaging, clue-driven style, readers will race alongside Betsy as she pieces together the past to stop the next tragedy.

FictionMystery
7
Cover of Embroidered Truths

Embroidered Truths

Monica Ferris

When a bitter quarrel leaves her friend Godwin reeling—and his life suddenly unraveling—Betsy Devonshire is pulled into a web of inheritance, suspicion, and small-town secrets. With Godwin’s unexpected return as the central heir and John’s death casting a long shadow, Betsy must navigate shifting loyalties and uncover what really happened before the truth is stitched over beyond repair. Blending fast-paced mystery with cozy domestic detail, the story spotlights the patience and precision of needlework as Betsy follows clues through patterns, motives, and hidden meanings. Monica Ferris delivers a lively, clue-driven narrative where craft becomes both a refuge and a tool for revelation, making every turn of the plot feel as carefully “embroidered” as the designs themselves.

FictionMysteryDetective Fiction
7
Cover of Knitting Bones

Knitting Bones

Monica Ferris

When a riding accident leaves Betsy Devonshire confined to her apartment and dependent on painkillers, she can’t investigate the disappearance of a $20,000 charity check from the Embroiderers Guild—until her store manager, Godwin, steps in. As the case unfolds through the tight-knit world of needlework and shop-floor loyalties, Betsy and her allies must follow the clues where they least expect them, balancing community trust with the suspicion that someone is hiding more than money. With its cozy, craft-forward atmosphere and a mystery that turns on small details, the story explores themes of responsibility, friendship, and the secrets people keep behind familiar routines. Monica Ferris delivers a classic Needlecraft Mystery blend of lighthearted charm and suspenseful deduction, perfect for readers who enjoy puzzles woven into everyday life.

FictionMystery
8
Cover of Crewel Yule

Crewel Yule

Monica Ferris

As the holidays descend on her beloved needlework shop, Crewel World, Betsy Devonshire is determined to keep the season bright—even as a locked-room mystery shatters the festivities. When a beloved figure is found dead under seemingly impossible circumstances, Betsy and the people closest to the victim are forced into the spotlight, each with secrets, grudges, and motives they’d rather keep hidden. With every clue tied to the town’s traditions and the craft that defines her life, Betsy must stitch together a truth that doesn’t want to be uncovered. Blending cozy charm with a tightly constructed whodunit, this story explores betrayal, community loyalties, and the lengths people will go to protect what they’ve done.

FictionFantasy
9
Cover of Cutwork

Cutwork

Monica Ferris

When a beloved artisan is murdered at the Excelsior, Minnesota art fair, the tight-knit community turns suspicious—and needlework shop owner Betsy Devonshire finds herself at the center of the turmoil. Determined to prove a local youth’s innocence, Betsy follows clues hidden in plain sight, using her knowledge of craft and community connections to stitch together what really happened. As she investigates, she must also mend more than fabric, navigating strained relationships and the fragile trust that binds her world. Blending cozy mystery suspense with rich details of traditional needlework, the novel explores themes of craftsmanship, loyalty, and the difference between appearances and truth in a small town where every thread matters.

Non-FictionEssays
16
Cover of Thai Die

Thai Die

Monica Ferris

Back from a trip to Thailand, Doris Valentine can’t wait to share her souvenirs with Betsy Devonshire, the owner of the Crewel World needlework shop. But when Doris’s Thai treasures are stolen and an antique dealer is found murdered, Betsy finds herself drawn into a mystery that threads together art, obsession, and the secrets people keep behind charming storefronts. As clues surface through the close-knit world of needlework and antiques, Betsy must untangle motives and identities before the danger reaches Doris. With Monica Ferris’s cozy, craft-forward storytelling, this is a suspenseful, character-driven tale about community, trust, and the hidden stories embedded in everyday objects.

FictionMystery
16
Cover of Darned If You Do

Darned If You Do

Monica Ferris

In the latest installment of the Needlecraft Mystery series, Betsy Devonshire finds herself entangled in a puzzling murder that stems from a house overflowing with both junk and treasure. When a local hoarder is found dead, Betsy, the sharp-witted owner of the Crewel World needlework shop, must sift through the chaos to uncover the truth. As she delves into the victim's cluttered life, Betsy uncovers secrets that are far more valuable than any material possession, proving that sometimes the greatest treasures are hidden in plain sight.

FictionContemporary Fiction
18
Cover of Knit Your Own Murder

Knit Your Own Murder

Monica Ferris

In the charming town of Deep Creek, Betsy Devonshire finds herself entangled in a perplexing mystery that threatens the tranquility of her beloved needlework shop. When a desperate plea of innocence reaches her, Betsy reluctantly agrees to investigate, her keen eye for detail and deduction skills put to the ultimate test. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of secret hatreds and hidden motives, all while navigating the complexities of knitting her own animal creations. This thrilling installment promises a captivating blend of cozy mystery, intricate crafts, and the pursuit of justice, where every stitch might hold a clue to the killer's identity.

MysteryDetective FictionContemporary Fiction
20
Cover of And Then You Dye

And Then You Dye

Monica Ferris

In the latest installment of the Needlecraft Mysteries, Betsy finds herself entangled in a vibrant and dangerous world of natural dyes when a local yarn dyer is found murdered. As Betsy delves into the victim's life, she uncovers a complex web of secrets involving stolen property and a colorful cast of suspects, each with their own hidden motives. With the help of her sharp wit and keen eye for detail, Betsy must unravel the truth before the killer strikes again, all while navigating the intricate art of textile dyeing.

FictionMystery
24
Cover of Threadbare

Threadbare

Monica Ferris

In the quiet community of Lake Minnetonka, a shocking discovery is made when an elderly homeless woman is found dead, her final testament intricately embroidered onto the very blouse she wears. This unusual will reveals not only the secrets of her past but also a hidden legacy that draws unexpected attention. As the threads of her life are unraveled, a young woman finds herself entangled in a mystery that challenges her own path and forces her to confront the true meaning of inheritance and belonging.

FictionMysteryDetective Fiction