I like this series. They're not traditional cosy mysteries as such. Your typical cosy mysteries are a lot faster with a smaller cast and less character development. This series has a more serious vibe, focusing more on the characters and less on the mystery. That said, when the mystery starts it's a lot more involved and with better pacing than most.

Unfortunately this wasn't as strong a read as the rest of the series. There was one major editing flaw (when Angie informs Charlotte of Paul's death and then 2 chapters later does so again) I was surprised hadn't been picked up. The mystery wasn't paced as well as the other books in the series either. It all ends very abruptly with no real aftermath. Plus the motives were kind of weak and the culprits pretty obvious. And there's not as much investigating as there was in previous installments. One thing I really liked about the rest of the series was the cold case aspect. Most of them (I think all of them bar, Dangling by a Thread?) have involved a cold case and has a mix of past and present intertwining and I think it's something the author does really well. This mystery though was mostly set in the present and I don't think it worked as well because of it.

Character wise - I love Angie. And Charlotte. And all the Mainely Needlepointers. I would've liked to see more of them and more of their needlepointing. I like the history excerpts at the beginnings of the chapter but apart from that there was only really the discussion at the beginning about the antique needlepoint collection Sarah picked up for her shop. I enjoyed that - I spent a bit of time googling chatelaine's after that - it was fascinating. But we didn't even get to see Charlotte unwrap her presents - I wanted to know her reaction to the needle and thimble cases. I really enjoy the needlepoint part of the series so I wished there was more present in this volume.

The romance in this series is kind of lackluster. It doesn't really add anything to the plot. Patrick and Angie are pretty lame. They hug a lot and they have a few kisses but I'm not really seeing why either of them like the other. In the earlier books I found it easier to ignore because they didn't spend much time together - but since they spend more time together in this one I found it more annoying that they were so meh together.

Still I do really enjoy this series and while this was not my favourite I'll definitely be reading the rest. 3 stars. ( )

Another great book by Ms Wait. ( )

I have been following this series since it began and was getting a bit behind. With a new book due out soon, I realized that this Christmas edition of the Mainely Needlepoint series was just what I was looking for, now that I am beginning my Christmas reads.

Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers are getting set to have a quiet Christmas season when Patrick West, Angie's boyfriend, drops a bombshell and asks for favours. His mother, actress Skye West, has decided to come home to Haven Harbor for a white Christmas. Not only that, but she is bringing home some people she is working with on her recent, troubled movie. He needs help decorating the mansion, making needlepoint gifts for each of the guests as well as inviting them all for Christmas Eve. There go Angie's plans down the drain. She had wanted to have a quiet Christmas with Patrick, but any time with him is a gift after all he has been through so she helps him get everything ready for his mother’s arrival. Skye and her entourage arrive but before they spend one night in Maine, one of them is found dead in the snow. While trying to keep Christmas on track and find the killer, Angie becomes a suspect, not only in the murder, but in poisoning Patrick as well. There is a definite chill in the air and it’s not from the typical Maine winter weather. There is a killer nearby, she just needs to figure out who before it is too late.

Angie grows more in each story. She is really getting comfortable running the needlepoint business and her own needlepoint skills are improving. Whenever a dead body shows up, she tries to stay out the investigations but she ends up right in the middle anyway. Angie’s relationship with her grandmother is so special and I love when she laments about being an adult and not having her grandmother around to make her hot cocoa or whatever else she needs. Skye and Patrick are rich and used to getting what they want, so they take some getting used to, but they are not rude and malicious. Skye is a mother first, so whenever something happens to Patrick, she goes all mama bear, not always thinking about how she treats others. I am enjoying the relationship of Angie and Patrick, but he needs to think more about her, than his mother. I hope that improves as the series goes forward. I had a niggling in the back of my mind about one of the characters as the story unfolded and I was right in my suspicions. The motive for the murder was the one sticking point so the twist at the end was a great way to wind up this mystery. The story was well paced, with some surprises and that huge twist. Each chapter begins with a tidbit about needlepoint or a bit of a historic sampler, but you do not have to read them if that does not interest you. Another great entry to this series. I recommend it to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who love to learn about the area the story takes place. ( )

There's no time for Angie Curtis and Patrick West to linger under the mistletoe this holiday season. Patrick's, mother and movie star Skye West wants a perfect white Christmas. She brings her co-star, screenwriters, and director home for the holidays and hopes it will help solve the issues that have been plaguing the movie set and actors. With his mother's long list of wishes, Patrick's needs help to get everything done before her arrival. The Mainely Needlepointers offer to help decorate Skye's Victorian mansion and create needlepoint pillows as gifts for the guests.

Hours after the celebrities invade Haven Harbor, a tragedy occurs. Skye’s co-star is murdered in her backyard. Someone delivers poison Christmas cookies to Patrick, and Skye blames Angie. Before Santa arrives at the town pier on a lobster boat, Angie and the Needlepointers need to trim down the naughty list, catch a cold-hearted killer, and wrap up the case.

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Series: A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery - Book 5
Author: Lea Wait (www.leawait.com)
Genre: Career/Hobby Cozy
Publisher: Kensington

Thread the Halls is a delightful adventure for the holidays with plenty of action and a great cast of characters. Lea Wait has created a fun, fast-paced story with a colorful location. This book will delight readers no matter how many cozy’s they have read.

Angie Curtis wants to reclaim her childhood Christmas’, everything from the experiences she had as a child, to the decorations on the tree and in her heart. Skye West, her boyfriend’s famous mother wants a picture-perfect postcard Christmas for her guests. Neither of them will get exactly what they want this year.

Recapturing our childhood is something most people want at some point in their life. Unfortunately, like Angie, we learn that we can’t really make this happen, but we can come close. Angie wants to go back and feel those special moments from holidays gone by. But… things keep getting in her way, including murder.

The cast of characters in this book are well-rounded and easily relatable. Even the killer is someone you feel you may know, or someone in your life just like him/her. Angie’s grandmother is an understanding and caring woman that readers will want to learn more about. Angie and Patrick's relationship is still in the new stage but progresses throughout the story to a very satisfactory conclusion. Even though Skye is a famous actress, she is very down to earth and loves her son. She wants Christmas to be special and happy, but she doesn’t become dramatic when things don’t go according to plan.

The setting in the town of Haven Harbor, although fictional, could easily be any small town where people know their neighbors and take care of each other. The food described in this book sounds delicious and makes the reader hungry. The townspeople are down home and in many cases set in their ways, but they treat each other with respect and dignity.

Thread the Halls is the 5th book in the “A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery” series and is a wonderful addition. The plot is straightforward and does not deviate from the main storyline. The story flows smoothly, and the writing is flawless. This book and series is highly recommended to those who enjoy a whodunit with humor, intrigue and old-fashioned holiday fun.



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I was sad when the book was over because I wanted it to continue. A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series is amongst my favourite series and this books is the best one. Characters have been improved, the plot is tight and there is no hole. I was kept guessing til the last page and was not expecting any further twist but I was surprised.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for giving me the chance to read this book ( )