Better Off Thread By Amanda Lee: Review/Giveaway

Dec 3, 2016 | 2016 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

This week we have several fun Christmas mysteries, including this one. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Better Off Thread. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Seven-Year Stitch embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer survived Black Friday, but the real question is whether she can make it through the upcoming Christmas season. Considering that Marcy’s petite stature has her boyfriend Detective Ted Nash affectionately calling her “Inch-High Private Eye,” it shouldn’t have been too surprising that someone who already calls her “Tinkerbell” would hope to also include “Christmas Elf.” Every year Captain Moe volunteers at Tallulah County Hospital as Santa Claus, and when his assistant drops out, he begs Marcy to accompany him as his elf. Marcy’s good nature and desire to help cheer children makes it impossible for her to refuse, and that was even before the benefit being joined by her wolfhound Angus as a reindeer.

bookNot everyone is feeling the holiday spirit, as Marcy walks in on Captain Moe having an argument with the hospital administrator, Sandra Vincent. Even though he wasn’t the only one she asked to give preferable treatment to hospital bigwigs, it was Captain Moe who has the misfortune of being the one to discover her body, stabbed to death in Santa’s sleigh. Out of Police Chief Manu Singh’s Tallulah Falls jurisdiction, the investigation resides in the hands of County detectives who are all too eager to place blame on the most obvious suspect. Marcy uses her visits to the hospital as an elf to question the nurses and staff members unhappy with Sandra’s favoritism, but it’s truly the genuine reactions from children that warm her heart. Marcy will need all of that goodwill, as spending time with Ted’s family and his standoffish sister has her questioning her relationship and her self-confidence. What she is sure of is that Captain Moe could never have committed a murder, there is a shady contractor threatening her, and one of the hospital’s Board of Directors is an imperious jerk.

An Embroidery Mystery continues to be a charming and very entertaining series, full of so many characters that are a joy to know. The humor is never over-the-top, with the dialogue being as natural as it is witty. Numerous red herrings and suspects ensure for a surprise ending, especially due to some unexpected training Marcy receives courtesy of her mother. Marcy’s family continues to grow, not just with Ted’s but with the friends who have become stand-in protective brothers. While this mystery should be enjoyed throughout the year, the heartfelt emotions and gratifying conclusion are perfect for the stressful Christmas holiday season.

To enter to win a copy of Better Off Thread, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “thread,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 12, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

27 Comments

  1. Adore the cover. Book sounds GREAT. Thanks for offering it to us!

    Reply
  2. I love holiday books
    Hope I am lucky

    Reply
  3. Thanks for the chance. Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

    Reply
  4. I am several books behind in this series, so this might be a great way to catch up. Thanks for the chance to win!
    stclairck@gmail.com

    Reply
  5. Love the cover!! Can’t wait to read this book!!

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  6. Beautiful, enticing cover.

    Reply
  7. Wonderful review thank you! This sounds very good, love the cover.
    Penney penneyw(AT)sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  8. Love all of her books.

    Reply
  9. I would love to win this. I love this series and can’t wait to read this.

    Reply
  10. Thank you for the chance to win! Book sounds interesting! I love holiday themed mysteries! I love the artwork that was done for the cover! DElholm@prodigy.net

    Reply
  11. Review makes me want to read this book. Thanks for the review and offer

    Reply
  12. I love this series! Thanks for this opportunity.

    Reply
  13. I love this series!

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  14. One of my favorite series so many thanks for the giveaway!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    Reply
  15. Love this series! Can’t wait to read this newest book.

    Reply
  16. Have enjoyed this series in the past. Now I need to see if I’m up to date except for this one (so many books, so little time ). Looking forward to reading it.

    Reply
  17. Sounds like a fun holiday read!

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  18. Sounds like a good read. Looking foward to adding this author to my TBR list.
    kckendler at gmail dot com

    Reply
  19. Love & have read all this series except this one. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  20. Haha I Just Love the title of this book. Thanks so much for the chance to win. The book looks great. iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
  21. Looks like Frosty on the cover. Love the cover art!

    karin56381 (at) gmail.com

    Reply
  22. We have a winner!

    Reply

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