A Crafty Crime

 

A Stitch to Die For by Lois Winston

Anastasia Pollock, magazine crafts editor, notices her neighbor’s front door ajar. The neighbor is disliked by everyone—she even called the police on Anastasia’s sons when they shoveled her sidewalk after a snowstorm—so much for good deeds. Anastasia finds the woman’s body. But when another neighbor is killed—this time a woman who was beloved by all—the police wonder if someone is targeting Anastasia. This is book four in a fun series, with laugh-out-loud moments.

Books I read in May 2012

In Just One More Thing, actor  Peter Falk relates stories from his life. Short on the details that make up a biography, this volume is mostly recollections of his roles and co-stars, such as John Cassavetes and Alan Arkin. Falk, who has a master's degree in public administration, was a washout as a public servant, but snagged roles on the stage, in film, and on television as the rumpled Lt. Columbo. He was also a talented artist, and some of his work is included. A quick, interesting read about an unconventional man.

Alpine for you by Maddy Hunter
Top o' the Mournin by Maddy Hunter
G'Day to Die by Maddy Hunter
Hula Done it by Maddy Hunter
 Cat in an Ultramarine Scheme by Carole Nelson Douglas
Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook
Redemption by Debra Lee
Hooked by Polly Iyer
Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston
Pasta Imperfect by Maddy Hunter
Robert B. Parker's Lullaby by Ace Atkins
Multiple Choice by Claire Cook
Just One More Thing by Peter Falk
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett
Sacre Bleu: a comedy d'art by Christopher Moore
Willowtree by Mike Bove
Mort by Terry Pratchett

Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston

In ten words or less: Loan shark pursues Anastasia, who is accused of murder.

Review: If Stephanie Plum were a forty-something widow with two teenagers, she might be Anastasia Pollock. After her husband's unexpected death, Anastasia discovers he was a secret gambler who had drained their savings accounts and borrowed heavily. And when she gets threatening calls from someone named Ricardo, she finds out he owed a loan shark $50,000, and the loan shark has no intention of forgiving the loan.
As if she doesn't have enough problems--with her cantankerous mother-in-law sharing her home, her own mother returns from a cruise, sans her latest husband. And an unpleasant co-worker is found dead--the murder weapon is Anastasia's own hot glue gun.

Why bother? Fans of humorous cozy mysteries--like those by Tamar Myers and Mary Daheim--will enjoy Anastasia's escapades. More, please!