Crewel and Unusual: A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery

Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae is the sixth A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery. Kath Rutledge owns the Weaver's Cat in Blue Plum, Tennessee. Kath shares her office with Argyle, the shop cat and Geneva, a temperamental ghost. The town is looking forward to the opening of the Blue Plum Vault which is housed in the old bank and houses small co-op shops. The recently deceased Garland Brown spearheaded the project. The Spivey twins stop by to tell Kath the rumors circulating around town that Nervie Bates embroidery patterns were not created by her. They also suggest that Kath stop by the Vault to check out the vintage linens being sold by Belinda Moyer. Kath visits Belinda's shop, Belle's Vintage & Antique Linens and falls in love with an Arts & Crafts tablecloth done with silk embroidery thread. She is surprised by the animosity between Belinda and Nervie. The next day, Kath is shocked when she gets a call from Joe that the beautiful tablecloth has been found in shreds. Before Deputy Cole Dunbar can arrive, the shreds disappear. All of Blue Plum turns out for the grand opening including Geneva. Kath hears Geneva singing a dirge in a storage closet. When the door is opened, they find Belinda face down with a pair of scissors in her back. Geneva says she saw the killer, but her recollections leave a lot to be desired. Kath and TGIF members along with Geneva establish their murder board and set out to unravel this perplexing mystery.

Crewel and Unusual is the sixth delightful installment in the unique A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. If you have not read the previous books in the series, you will not be lost. Everything a new reader needs to know is included. Blue Plum is a cozy small town with charming shops and friendly residents. Kath is slowly discovering her special gifts and how they work. Geneva is a humorous addition to the story. She is dramatic, moody and observant. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Kath and Geneva. I am glad that Ardis can now see Geneva as well. I found Crewel and Unusual to be a slow starter as the author introduces the characters, town, shops, etc. There are many descriptive details that help bring the story alive (visually). The mystery has multiple suspects and misdirection to keep readers off the trail of the real killer. If you pay careful attention, you will find the clues that will lead you to the guilty party. It is a complicated mystery, and I appreciated how everything tied together in the end. I am giving Crewel and Unusual 4 out of 5 stars. I wish the pace had been peppier and that there had been a smoother flow. I was happy to return to Blue Plum in Crewel and Unusual. I look forward to further adventures with Kath and Geneva in A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series.