Crewel Yule (Needlecraft Mysteries)

Book Description

USA Today bestselling Needlecraft mystery series--with pattern included.

Part-time sleuth and full-time owner of the needlework shop Crewel World, Betsy Devonshire prepares for a chilling holiday season filled with mistletoe--and murder.

Customer Reviews:

Okay for what it was........2007-06-11

For a genre mystery this book was okay, but only just. The mystery was way too easy to solve near the beginning of the book which was a great disappointment because the characters were interesting and fun. The settings were well depicted and the needlework trivia handled well. I did not find the Nashville characters very believable, but I'm picky about that. YMMV. It was a way to pass the time, but there are better books out there of this ilk.

Justice When Mercy Would Have Been Better.......2007-04-14

(Contains possible spoilers) This book, in part because it took place among people marooned in a storm didn't offend my misunderstanding its location, but it was ultimately not satisfying. The victim was so unsympathetic, and the suspects so sympathetic, that it was difficult to anticipate the final unveiling or, I suppose, unraveling. I kept thinking that the author was going to pull off a surprize ending by showing that someone else was responsible for deeds attributed to the victim or by coming up with totally unexpected villian, but no luck.

A Crafty Christmas Caper.......2007-01-24

I'm a sucker for any mystery that's craft-related and set at Christmas time -- this book by Monica Ferris fits the bill. While I found the writing approach (different points of view, flashing forward and back in time) to be quite confusing, the writng itself was clear and entertaining. And though I'm not a needleworker, the descriptions of the patterns and samplers were so compelling that I feel the urge to pick up a needle and some floss!
Not a bad book, but not particularly memorable, either.

goodbye Crewel world.......2006-03-30

Cozy mysteries are generally rather cute, short on suspense and long on "charm". Good for a beach read, but otherwise unsatisfying. Crewel Yule certainly meets those criteria. But except for its very lengthy, mostly tedious descriptions of various needlework plans and patterns, there really isn't much to it. The dozens of crafters who make up most of the cast are stereotypical housewife types, and Betsy's 2 best friends are caricatures, one of a swishy gay man (Goddy) and one of a capable female cop who is apparently willing to work without pay. The reader is forced to listen to her explanation of what she is doing every time she interviews a suspect. And the motives of the various suspects are repeated more times than I could count. Except for the murderer and victim, everyone is so nice. I enjoy various types of needlework, including crossstitch and crewel, but didn't find much to enjoy in this tale, especially not the commercials.

Too much product placement keeps me from giving 4 stars.......2005-11-28

The author spends a lot of time in this book describing various patterns and their manufacturers -- real companies and I presume real products. As someone who does needlework, it was of some interest, but after a while, it was too much like an infomercial.

The plot involves an annual buyer's convention in Nashville. For not very convincing reasons, it's been moved from February to December at the last minute (doesn't happen). Then there's an unusually awful ice/snow storm, during which a woman is apparently pushed to her death from the 9th floor gallery of the hotel that the buying convention is being held at. The plot consists of interviewing various people interspersed with discussions of needlework patterns. I've read others by this author and this is my least favorite to date. But if you are really avid about needlework, you may not be bothered by the digressions.

Average customer rating:

Crewel Yule. A Needlecraft Mystery
Monica Ferris
Manufacturer: Wheeler Chivers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UIHATG

Crewel Yule: A Needlecraft Mystery (Needlecraft Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Crewel Yule: A Needlecraft Mystery (Needlecraft Mysteries)
Monica Ferris
Manufacturer: Sound Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0792737741

Average customer rating:

Crewel Yule. A Needlecraft Mystery

Manufacturer: Wheeler Chivers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I24JNE

Customer Reviews:

disappointed.......2006-06-19

while i love weis and hickman, this series was a huge disappointment. i was so swept away by the Death Gate Cycle that i didn't even second guess that these book would be good. the story had no drive and the main character was very confusing to me. he was conflicted and he never grew beyond his past. i felt that alot more could have been done to develop the characters and make them stronger. the world that they created was beautful, but the people weren't as vivid. i highly recommend the Death Gate Cycle, those books will not disappoint you.

Early stages of Weis/Hickman.......2004-06-04

If you want a lot of interesting, evolving plot, this book has it. It's an early trilogy by Weis and Hickman and it shows. It's a fantasy meets sci-fi piece that is just right for the early 80's *LOL*. I throughly enjoyed this series. I read it once in High School and now that I'm in Graduate school, I re-read it. Great trilogy. It's a classic tragic hero story that you can't put down.

Excellent!.......2004-03-28

I had this trilogy for a long time before i actually got down to reading it, I had hte feeling that it would betoo weird for my taste. Then when I actually read it my mind was blown a way, this book is awesome!

One of my favorite trilogies.......2004-02-04

When a friend introduced me to this trilogy, I was skeptical. I had read very little sci-fi and what I had read I found boring, but I instantly fell in love with Merilon, and especially with Simkin, the loveable trickster. I will, I think, forever be in love with Simkin.

I highly recommend this series.

Disappointment.......2003-10-16

Dont get me wrong.. Im quite thankful for Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman for introducing me to the world of dragonlance.. since then Ive been reading a lot of sci fi books.. especially books written by them and other authors (jordan,goodkind,eddings pratchett,etc).

However I was bitterly disappointed with this book.. there seems to be something missing from it that makes it a great book to read.. after a few chapters i just kept reading through it bored and wishing the story gets interesting as i go further but sadly, it doesnt. The story itself didnt have that spark in terms of enticing the reader to know more, the mood itself was bland and the characters dull.

Book Description

Born without magic, Joram was one of the Dead, denied the throne of Merilon. For years, he lived among outlaws, surviving by wit and sleight-of-hand. Now, wielding the powerful, magic absorbing Darksword, Joram retums to the enchanted Kingdom that once was his home to win revenge and claim his birthright. Here he will test Bishop Vanya and his fierce army of Duuk-tsarith in a battle unlike any their world has known. Joined by the scholarly catalyst Saryon, the young mage Mosiah, and the trickster Simkin, Jorma confronts the shattering secret of his past and discovers the ancient prophecy that puts the fate of the world in his hands--the hands that forged the Darksword.

Customer Reviews:

Great Early Work of Weis.......2004-09-05

This is a second book in a trilogy (most recently a fourth one was added... but it's not technically part of the series). Anywho~ It further develops the story. I would say it is appropriate for ages 10+. It's fun-loving and easy fantasy reading. I have read the series three times. Margaret Weis's books got me "into" fantasy several years ago. The flow of the story is smooth and the new twists and characters are excellent. If you haven't read the first of the series, you'll be a little lost, so go find yourself Forging the DarkSword. =) If you're looking for a taste of early Margaret Weis, this series is it. Might I also recommend The Rose of the Prophet series...

Excellent!.......2004-03-28

The scene between the Prince and Jarod is fantastique! Getting yer just desserts eh punk??? A MUST READ!

Excellent.......2004-02-04

The second of the Darksword Trilogy is as excellent a read as the first.

I won't go into plot details. You'll have to read this set for yourself, but I promise you, you won't be disappointed!

Another great novel!.......2003-05-15

The second installment of the popular Darksword novels takes Joram, Saryon, Mosiah, and Simpkin through an unexpected twisting and turning of events. Our party leaves the Sorcerer's camp for the city of Merilon, where Joram plans to seek his birthright. On the way, they meet Prince Garald of Sharakan, who takes the time to help Joram in a way no one has yet been able to. Merilon brings many hardships for the group; Saryan is suffering with internal conflict to the point he is constantly ill, while Mosiah feels out of place and is eager to leave the city. Joram is eager to seek his fortune, but falls in love in the midst of everything. Simpkin, of course, is doing what Simpkin does best -- being himself.

Doom of the Darksword is an intriguing sequel, rife with action, suspense, and deception, including the amusing Illusion of a Thousand Mosiahs. A riveting climax is built through the event commerorating the Dead Prince and culminates in the unexpected Turning to Stone. Joram learns his true birthright and Saryan finally finds peace. Weis and Hickman have written another brilliant novel, one that touches the heart and leaves you begging for more.

The second book in a great trilogy.......2003-02-13

In this book Joram is taught how to respect people of power. Saryon battle inside him is growing. Should he turn over Jorman or should he join Joram in finding out the truth behind the dark arts. The search for this knowledge will cost one of the main character's life. More proof that Hickman and Weis know how to write outside of Dragonlance.

Triumph of the Darksword (Darksword Trilogy, The)

Average customer rating:

Happy with purchase, small hicup, conditions were all listed though, fast delivery.
Reader's Review
Excellent!
Excellent conclusion
Dude, Where's my Ending?

Triumph of the Darksword (Darksword Trilogy, The)
Margaret Weis , and Tracy Hickman
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0553274066
Release Date: 1997-04-01

Customer Reviews:

Happy with purchase, small hicup, conditions were all listed though, fast delivery........2005-07-06

The hicup: I tried to purchase all three books of the trilogy from the same company, they said they had all three, I paid for all three, a few days later I got an e-mail that said they didn't have the third one, recieved full refund but was annoyed.

Reader's Review.......2004-10-16

Ok, first of all, I believe I have an answer to a question that I see pop up over and over. In the book 'Darksword Adventures", a role-playing game rulebook for Thimhallan, it explains exactly who Simkin is. I believe that what is said in the rulebook is true, as it is also written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Pg. 393 "Simkin is the embodiment of magic. As such, his magical abilities have no limits. Simkin is immortal. Simkin was around when the prophecy was given following the Iron Wars." This may not explain to the fullest who he is, but it does shed some light on the subject. Back to the review. Ok, in this book the prophecy is fulfilled. Everyone knows that. However, some confusion does occur. Why did the technologists come? What was their motivation? Also, the ending. I think that it was the perfect ending for this book. Most of the major characters are taken with the technologists, but Joram and Gwendolyn stay behind. Saryon finds faith in his god, the end. Yes, some questions were left unanswered, but a good book should, IMHO, leave some mystery behind. What happened to them? What happened with Thimhallan? Both good questions, it leaves it open for you to imagine what YOU think happened. I would highly recommend this series, if you read any one of the three books you will fall in love with them.

Excellent!.......2004-03-28

Yes yes yes, I understand that the book did not end the trilogy in the way ppl wanted not so nicely packaged and in fact a half ending that leaves you longing for more, BUT it has to end somehwere doesn't it? The madness must stop SOMEWHERE! And I think it ended very well in the dramatic way it did.

Excellent conclusion.......2004-02-04

Others have critized the way this trilogy ended, with some things left unanswered.. like, who Simkin is, and Joram's friendship with the military, but I found it to be a refreshing change from the usual sappy endings.

I don't care what others say, I highly recommend this series.

Dude, Where's my Ending?.......2004-01-05

I'm not going to complain, as others have, that they mixed Fantasy and SF in the same book; that's fine.

But what others call a "refreshing twist" is, IMHO, committing one of the cardinal sins of poor writing. A good author resolves a plot - characters' motivations get worked out, events progress to some natural conclusion, happy, sad, neutral, disturbing, or otherwise. Questions, at least some of them, get answered.

Weak authors build up piles of tension and intrigue then discover they've planned no way out. So instead of resolving plots and characters, they bring in new material that simply makes the previous thousand pages irrelevant.

Nations stand at the brink of war. Our hero is caught and conflicted, feeling responsible for the impending havoc. Each side thinks the other posesses the secret weapon. The motivations, hopes, and dreams of a few dozen supporting characters are balanced on the proverbial knife. The reader is on seats' edge, wondering which noble hearts will receive an unjust end, and whether villains will prosper or bleed out on the end of a white knight's sword.

When all of a sudden, a nameless, faceless force (farce?) with no logical motivation and with whom the reader has no relationship shows up and slaughters everyone. Can't figure out how to resolve that military hero, dear author? One blink of a tank's laser iris, and your conundrum vanishes - along with your reader's sense of resolution.

The series' most entertaining character and biggest enigma, Simkin, simply vanishes, with no explanation whatsoever except for some unsatisfactory handwaving in a weak and aimless epilogue.

Fun story, interesting characters throughout the trilogy. The ending, ashes and emptiness, sans denouement. The hovertanks were like the film melting in the projector just as Dirty Harry becomes trapped in a Mexican standoff, ten minutes before the credits roll.

"They all got run over by a truck. The end." I wish I knew what REALLY happened!

Average customer rating:
The Darksword Trilogy: Forging the Darksword, Doom of the Darksword and Triumph of the Darksword
Margaret Weis , and Tracy Hickman
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hickman, Tracy | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Weis, Margaret | ( W ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Science Fiction & Fantasy | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0553337777

Average customer rating:
Boxed-Darksword Trilogy-3v
Gene Walden
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 5551091260

Average customer rating:
The Darksword Trilogy
Margaret and Hickman, Tracy Weis
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRL63M

Average customer rating:
The Darksword Trilogy - Triumph, Doom and Forging

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000FUO5W4

Product Description

three paperback books in the series; Forging the Darksword, Doom of the Darksword, and Triumph of the Darksword.

The Darksword Trilogy. Volume 1. Forging the Darksword.

Average customer rating:

The Darksword Trilogy. Volume 1. Forging the Darksword.
Margaret and Hickman, Tracy Weis
Manufacturer: New York Bantam Books 1988.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LQFT54

The Darksword Trilogy. Volume 2. Doom of the Darksword.

Average customer rating:

The Darksword Trilogy. Volume 2. Doom of the Darksword.
Margaret and Hickman, Tracy Weis
Manufacturer: New York Bantam Books 1988.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LQAV02

Doom of the Darksword (Darksword Trilogy #2)

Average customer rating:

Doom of the Darksword (Darksword Trilogy #2)
Margaret; Hickman, Tracy; Weis
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY257E

Average customer rating:

Fresh Air

plants with oxygen

I'm growing fresh air!

Why buy an airpurifier when you can buy plants!

A really great book.

How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office
B. C. Wolverton
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
House Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Environmental | Public Health | Administration & Medicine Economics | Medical | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of

Clean House Clean Planet

ASIN: 0140262431

Customer Reviews:

Fresh Air.......2007-09-27

This book was interesting. It was very easy to obtain the information I wanted to haelp with air problems. I enjoyed it and would recomend it.

plants with oxygen.......2007-09-06

Love the fact that this book has nice big pictures and explains
everything about the plant.
Have many plant books (from different states lived in) and this one is
very easy to read and understand and I love the pictures.

I'm growing fresh air!.......2007-07-11

Love this book. Exactly what I needed to help me decide which houseplants to buy. This book has plants for different temps, situations, needs, etc. I'm buying a copy for several of my family members. Beautiful on the coffee table too!

Why buy an airpurifier when you can buy plants!.......2007-07-03

Research based information about the value of plants in our homes. Certain plants absorb toxic gases from our carpets, furniture, and other items that can make the air in our homes as bad or worse than outdoors.

A really great book........2007-06-17

The photos are simple, beautiful, and informative. The information for each plant is really helpful, and it's nice to have a chart of which toxins come from which sources. I really enjoyed seeing the different plants and picking a good one for our house (although it was hard for me to track one down and I actually ended up buying seeds for it--I hope they'll grow!). The book is organized pretty intuitively, although navigation might take a little longer if you want to find a particular plant (since they're in order of overall rating rather than alphabetical order, you'd have to either use the index or flip for a while).
The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is that I would make an addition to each individual page with a plant on it: I'd list information about whether the plant is poisonous to humans and their pets. For people who have young children, cats, dogs, and/or other animals in the house (or the clinic, or wherever the plants will be placed), this is an important consideration.

How To Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants That Purify Your Home Or Office

Average customer rating:

How To Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants That Purify Your Home Or Office
B. C. Wolverton
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7FGR2

Average customer rating:

How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office
B. C. Wolverton
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIYYNM

Average customer rating:

missing

Excellent for gifts!

Another Peggy Knight Winner

WONDERFUL! Don't miss this one!

Cooking in the House of Cash

Cooking in the House of Cash
Peggy Knight
Manufacturer: Premium Press America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
South | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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My 33 Years Inside the House of Cash: A Special Tribute to My Closest Friends : Johnny, June, and Mother Maybelle

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I Was There When It Happened: My Life with Johnny Cash

Cash: The Autobiography

ASIN: 1887654933

Customer Reviews:

missing.......2007-03-28

Amazon never tried to solve the problem I told them about. I ordered this as a present to my wife, but I never recieved it.
th myrseth
molde norway

Excellent for gifts!.......2006-07-16

I have purchased my third cookbook. I got mine, and a friend saw it and loved it. This gave me the idea to give it for a gift. I have done this twice and it has worked well. The cookbook not only has excellent recipes, everything from some wonderful casserole recipes to red-eye gravey, can't beat that. It also has some great little stories to go with the recipes. If you like down home cooking, you will love it.

Another Peggy Knight Winner.......2006-04-07

This is the third Peggy Knight book featuring the Carter/Cash families that I have bought and like the others this does not disappoint. The recipes are wonderful but moreover her sharing her memories of her time with Mother Maybelle Carter and John and June Carter Cash have absolutely endeared her to me. Even though these talented and wonderful people have gone on from this earth, getting to know them beyond their music has made them even more special to all of their fans. Peggy has certainly done that for all of us with her books. I have talked to Peggy personally (though did not know her at all before deciding to call her and thank her for her books) and I feel we would all be very fortunate if she would write more. She was obviously a treasure to Maybelle, John, and June for them to have her so close in their lives for well over 30 years. I hope their children appreciate her efforts in continuing to keep their memories alive beyond their music. Their spirituality, kindness, and generosity to so many outweighs even the incredible music they gifted us with for generations. Thanks Again Peggy! Vicki Soles, Massanutten, Virginia

WONDERFUL! Don't miss this one!.......2006-01-25

This book is very warmly written, and absolutely wonderful. The recipes are all tried-and-true family favorites served to the Cashes and their guests, and cooked by either the cook or June Carter Cash.

Virtually every recipe is prefaced by a description of when it was usually served, and why it is so special.

My one and only complaint is that it just calls for "1 can" or "1 large can" with no hint of the weight. However, the book is so wonderful that that is minor in this instance.

Cooking in the House of Cash.......2005-07-20

There are some very interesting recipes in this book. You get a real feel for down home cooking. We may be having a Cash Thanksgiving. I draw the line at grits.

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