Thread and Gone, Mainely Needlepoint # 3

THREAD AND GONE (Mainely Needlepoint #3)
Lea Wait
Kensington Books
December 29, 2015


It's the Fourth of July in Haven Harbor, ME. Angie Curtis is having a dinner party for some of her colleagues at  Mainely Needlepoint. Angie's grandmother, Charlotte, is away on her honeymoon with her new husband and Angie is alone in the family home (except for Charlotte's cat, Juno). Everyone has been enjoying the dinner when the doorbell rings. The visitors bring a puzzle for the needle pointers. Mary Clough has been cleaning out her colonial era home in preparation for sale and discovered a piece of needlepoint that appears to be very old. She and her fiancé, Rob Trask, are hoping that the needle pointers can help them establish the provenance and possible value. Mary, at least, is interested in the provenance; Rob appears to be much more interested in what the sale will bring. Angie and her friend, Sarah, agree to research it and suggest that it be placed in the safe of a local lawyer, Lenore Pendleton. That decision leads to the death of Lenore, found bludgeoned to death next to the open safe. Both the needlepoint and some valuable jewelry are missing but was it the needlepoint or the jewelry the killer was after? Angie feels responsible both for Lenore's death and the loss of the needlepoint. 

Thread and Gone is another quick, fun read in this well-researched series. I've always had an interest in the history of needlework, primarily samplers. I really enjoy the quotes from samplers at the beginning of each chapter, most of which are both dreary and preachy. I can't help thinking of the young girls forced to learn their stitches and take to heart those slogans. So, I particularly like one of them, "Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it. She loves to read much more.", circa 1800. I did find the book a little heavy on the research and history, and a little light on personal interactions. That is my only quibble. Overall, it was another enjoyable read in the Mainely Needlepoint series.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.

RATING- 3.5 Stars