Angie's friend Sarah finally reveals some of her history and how she came to Maine so when Angie is asked to help her at the birthday party of her new found uncle, Angie can't refuse. No surprises to the reactions of her new cousins when they are told of her existence but things head toward a wreck at the lobsterbake.

I loved finding out more about the regular characters but I was disappointed at the lack of "Needlepoint" that was included in the story. But that no means implies that I will not continue reading these great stories!

When Angie Curtis is invited to her friend Sarah Byrne's home for dinner, she doesn't expect bombshell news: that Sarah is the niece of Ted Lawrence, an artist and gallery owner whose father was the famous artist Robert Lawrence. It seems Robert had once had an affair during World War II that resulted in Sarah's father, and since he died when Sarah was a child, she has been searching for years for her family, which is the real reason she wound up in Haven Harbor all the way from Australia.

But it seems finding her uncle and cementing their relationship with DNA tests is bittersweet: When his children - Abbie, her husband Silas, sons Michael and Luke - are summoned from their homes for a birthday party with their father, Ted tells them he is dying of cancer, and that this will be the last visit they will all have together. But even more shocking - and more important to his children - is the fact that Ted tells them he is going to change his will and leave all of his father's paintings to Sarah.

But before he can do so, Ted dies, poisoned from a bad clam. While at first it looks like it might be an accident, the police think it might have been murder, and when another family member dies, Angie is hired to find out who the murderer of the two of them might be. With nearly everyone having a motive - the three children weren't close to their father and more than one had reason to hate him - Angie has her work cut out for her. She knows it's only a matter of time before the offspring hire attorneys and clam up themselves...

This is the fifth book in the Mainely Needlepoint series, and in my opinion, the best one. While I enjoyed the previous books in the series, in this new one we learn more about Sarah and her background, and how deep the desire to find one's roots can be in another human being. I will say though that I didn't truly understand why the subplot of the discovery in Angie's yard was added; it didn't have any bearing on the story at all, unless it was to bring in one of the other Mainely Needlepointers, who were missing throughout most of this tale.

Aside from that, I found this book highly readable and the plot well written. It shows the keenness that is felt when one wishes for something that is always slightly out of reach; and that what seems to be the overt reason for a murder might not be the true meaning after all. When we reach the end and the killer is revealed, it comes to a satisfactory conclusion; and I await the next in the series. Highly recommended.

Nicely written cozy with great details about needlepoint and a terrific Maine setting. Angie's desire to help Sarah is admirable and even if she goes a little further than an amateur should, she does work with the police and she is level headed. What a dysfunctional group Ted's family is! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is an easy reading that's typical of the genre but I liked it for the obvious knowledge Wait has of both the craft and the area.

Another delightful story by Lea Wait based in Haven Harbour. Several characters we have met before making the continuing storyline comfortable. The extra spice is added when new characters are introduced. The book then turns into a murder, mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

Tightening the Threads by Lea Wait is the fifth book in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series. I have read previous books in this series, but it is not necessary to enjoy this book. Angie's friend, Sarah, invites her to a birthday weekend for a local artist and gallery owner, Ted. The weekend takes a turn when Ted makes some startling announcements. During the weekend clam bake, Ted has to be rushed to the hospital and dies unexpectedly. A second "accidental" death makes Angie and the police suspicious. I love how needlepoint is always part of the books but not necessarily the main focus. The characters are well developed and work well in the Maine setting. Tightening the Threads is another excellent book from Lea Wait.

Although this is a series that I've read from the beginning, I think that this one is the best yet! I've liked Ms. Wait's writing style since I read her 'Antique Print' series and her writing style is still as readable as ever. There was enough description to make me feel like I was there in Maine but it didn't take away from the story line.

The relationships are still developing and the characters are beginning to seem like family. I liked the mystery and enjoyed learning a bit more about running an art gallery. I had a hard time putting this one down and am already looking forward to the next one in the series.

Angie Curtis returned to her childhood home town after years away. She and her friend, Aussie Sarah Byrne, operate small businesses themed around stitchery. In this fifth entry in the Mainely Needlepoint cozy series, Sarah finally tracks down some of her mysterious family background.

Sarah has finally connected with her long-lost uncle, the son of a world-famous artist. On the weekend her uncle reveals to his children that Sarah is part of their family, he mysteriously dies. And the very next night, another family member drowns. Angie, a former investigator, is asked by the family to help determine what happened.

Although this is the first book that I read in the series, I thought the author did a good job of filling in back story without getting bogged down in plots of previous books. Both Angie and Sarah have big gaps in knowing who their family members are, and this gives them some empathy for the other person's searches.

This is a nicely done cozy with fleshed out characters and an interesting setting. I received an ARC via Net Galley in return for my honest review.

I've been a fan of Lea Wait since I met her at Murder in the Magic City. As a dedicated stitcher, and a retired librarian, I really enjoy all her mysteries. In TIGHTENING THE THREADS I was especially impressed with the character development among Angie and her friends and fellow needlepointers. The inclusion of art works in the plot seems a nice touch in bringing the Antique Print and the Mainely Needleponter series closer together. I look forward to the next adventure of Angie and her crew!

This mystery was very well-plotted and enjoyable. It reminded me of classic 'locked room' mysteries and I like that we got to explore this wonderful, disfunctional family dynamic.

Tightening the Threads

by Lea Wait

Tightening the Threads is a very good cozy mystery, set in Maine and focusing on family relationships Most of the characters in the story are the product of dysfunctional to nonexistent relationships with their parents. Some emerge from childhood with pain and an inability to have meaningful connections. Others find solace and stability with extended family or build strong bonds with friends.

There are mysteries to be solved that tie into the relationship issues; these crimes center around the patriarch Ted Lawrence, son of famous artist Robert Lawrence. The novel shows us once more that money and fame do not necessarily insure happiness or wisdom.

This author obviously has an interest in needlework in general and needlepoint in particular as evidenced by her main characters belonging to a group called the Mainely Needlepointers. She displays her historical interest by starting each chapter with a quote from a child’s sampler as well as a description of the sampler and information about the creator as available. I enjoyed this book and am definitely interested in reading more by author Lea Wait.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #5 in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery Series, but works as a standalone.

Publication: March 28, 2017--Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

During the ten years I’d lived in the almost perpetually neutral shades of Arizona, I’d missed seeing Maine hills glowing with gold and scarlet and orange in late September.

“Love you, too. As always, for always.”

“I think all families have mysteries, and secrets, and stories. I don’t think they’re all meant to be uncovered.”

Families weren’t simple. They weren’t like television show casts where everyone supported everyone else and laughed over dinner.

Tightening The Threads
Mainely Needlepoint, Book #5
Lea Wait
5 Stars


Synopsis:

In the coastal town of Haven Harbor, blood runs thicker than water--and just as freely . . .
Antique dealer Sarah Byrne has never unspooled the truth about her past to anyone--not even friend and fellow Mainely Needlepointer Angie Curtis. But the enigmatic Aussie finally has the one thing she's searched for all her life--family. And now she and long-lost half-brother, Ted Lawrence, a wealthy old artist and gallery owner in town, are ready to reveal their secret connection . . .
Ted's adult children are suspicious of their newfound aunt Sarah--especially after Ted, in declining health, announces plans to leave her his museum-worthy heirloom paintings. So when Ted is poisoned to death during a lobster bake, everyone assumes she's guilty. If Sarah and Angie can't track down the real murderer in time, Sarah's bound to learn how delicate--and deadly--family dynamics can truly be . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and three dimensional. This book revolves around one of Angie’s friends, Sarah, who has moved to Haven Harbor from Australia. We learn about her life before she moved and some secrets that she has been keeping. There were a lot of characters in the book, many of which are new, and they added a lot to the book.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place all around me. I felt like I was right there in Haven Harbor and witnessing all of Maine’s glory.

The mystery is carried on well throughout the book. There were enough suspects, twists and turns and clues to collect that it was difficult figuring out the killer before it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. With great characters, a great setting, a killer mystery and a history lesson thrown in, what’s not to like?

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This fifth installment of the series brings us the story of Angie’s friend Sarah. Sarah is an Aussie that moved to Haven Harbor. She has her antiques business and works with the Mainely Needlepointers but has remained pretty well stitched up about her past and her family. She has grown close to Ted Lawrence, a wealthy man, who runs an art gallery. His father was a famous artist. Ted’s is an artist too but never reached the acclaim of his father. She finally reveals to Angie that she and Ted are related and explains the history is complicated. Ted wants to celebrate his birthday with his children that he rarely sees and introduce them to their Sarah. Things do not go as planned when Ted dies during a family lobster bake. The entire family makes up the suspect list with most the family’s fingers pointing at Sarah. She, Angie, and their friend Patrick start tightening the clues together and following the threads to catch the real killer…but can they find the truth in time…

Lea Wait never disappoints and this time she draws in a piece of history I knew absolutely nothing about. There was a time when number of foster children in Britain was more than the system could handle and children were sent to Australia. Sarah’s search for her family takes her from Australia to Britain and then on to Maine. That doesn’t quite bring all the family dynamics to light but as the story continues and the mystery plays out more secrets are revealed. The author explains this child migration and the aftermath in such interesting detail all while not taking away from the coziness of the mystery. I love learning something new when reading just for fun.

The new characters she created, Ted’s children, are an eclectic group. His daughter and her husband live in the northern part of the state and have an organic farm. One son has a high pressure job in New York and the other is a frustrated poet and perpetual student. The family hasn’t gotten together for years. There was already plenty of family drama even before their father’s murder. Ted also has an assistant that has helped him in the gallery for years. Together they all bring their own excitement to the story.

As this is Sarah’s story the other Mainely Needlepointers are absent or just have cameo appearances. I was fine with this as Sarah and Ted’s story is a pretty powerful one that I really enjoyed.

This is another solid addition to this series. It flows well, has several twists, diverse characters, and kept me guessing from start to finish.

Tightening the Threads by Lea Wait is the fifth book in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series. Angie Curtis is surprised when her friend and antiques dealer, Sarah Byrne tells her why she has been spending so much time with gallery owner, Ted Lawrence. It turns out that Ted is her uncle. Sarah has finally found family and this weekend Ted is going to tell his children about Sarah. They are all coming to town for Ted’s seventy-fifth birthday. Sarah asks Angie to come along for the weekend at Ted’s home The Point. Jeremy, Ted’s longtime gallery employee and Patrick West will also be in attendance. After Ted’s children arrive, they enjoy a special dinner and then birthday cake along with champagne. Ted then announces that the kids (they are all adults) have a new cousin and introduces Sarah. But, Ted is not finished with his pronouncements. He tells them that he has stage four lung cancer, and he will be altering his will to include Sarah. He wishes for her to receive the Robert Lawrence (Sarah’s grandfather) paintings. The children are outraged and Jeremy is less than pleased. The next day they prepare for a lobster and clam bake on the beach. Everyone is enjoying the delicious seafood dinner when Ted suddenly stands up. He cannot speak and points at his throat. Ted is quickly rushed to the hospital where, unfortunately, he passes away an hour later. Someone in the family objected to Ted changing his will, and they were making sure he would not be able to accomplish his goal. Luke Lawrence hires Angie to investigate Ted’s death. He wants the case wrapped up as quickly as possible (so everyone can return home). The next day Angie receives word that there has been another death. Is foul play involved? Angie needs to work quickly before Haven Harbor gets a bad reputation (or someone does away with the rest of Ted’s ungrateful children).

Tightening the Threads is easy to read, has good characters, and a beautiful setting. The author provides some lovely descriptions of the town and surrounding area. I thought the book had a good pace. I did not find any slow spots. The mystery did not start until I was forty percent of the way through the book. The first part of the book sets up the story and the last part is in solving it. I give Tightening the Threads 4 out of 5 stars. The mystery was intriguing. I like how the author crafted it and the unique method of murder. I thought that part of it was easy to solve, but the other element was a little more challenging (I am trying not to give anything away). I do wish that there had been a good outcome for Sarah. I am a little disappointed with Angie and her jealousy concerning Patrick West. Patrick and Angie’s relationship is in the early stages and her jealousy seems unwarranted. Patrick does not seem the type of person to kiss and cheat. The author included a secondary mystery regarding bones in a wall dividing Angie’s property from her neighbors. It really seemed like a senseless inclusion (it was a letdown). Then there was the issue of Ted’s wife, Lily. The way it was written in the book, I thought Lily’s death would turn out to be a long unsolved murder (I expected it to go somewhere). Her death was mentioned a couple of times, and I kept thinking the author would tie it in somehow (a lover did her in, a jealous friend, someone spiked her drink). Overall, though, I enjoyed Tightening the Threads. It captured and held my interest. I will be reading Thread the Halls when it comes out in October.

I love cosy mysteries and this one is part of a series set in a coastal town. It’s the 5th in the Mainely Needlepoint series. A death happens at a clambake for a birthday celebration. Family secrets are revealed and the murderer needs to be found. It’s a great read and contains a few surprises along the way. I will be keen to read more in this series.

What a crazy fun mystery! We have a patriarch of a family who goes to England during WWII. He meets a woman and falls in love with her, then leaves her and goes back to the US of A. Who is or was Robert Lawrence? Who are Ted and Lily? What about Michael, Sarah, Silas, Abbie, Angie, Luke, Jeremy, Patrick, and Jonathan? Who if any of those folks are related? How? What is going on that they all get together one weekend? What happens that weekend? Who is accused of something they are not doing? When Angie and Sarah are having dinner one night, what does Pete, the town sheriff, tell them? What has happened and what else happens is a surprise. You're going to have to read this mystery to find out what happened, who is behind it, and why.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

This is the 5th book in the Mainly Needlepoint series set in Maine. I highly recommend the entire series as it is delightful Each installment is better then the last . In this next in series. our protagonist Angie continues to manage a Needlepoint business that she inherited and becomes involved in a murder that affects her dear friend Sarah who is suffering from a mysterious past. She is keeping secrets from Angie that she fears if known will cause dissention in her life. When Sarah is accused of a murder for financial gain, Angie begins to investigate and a family mystery is brought to light.
This series has outstanding writing and witty repartee between the two main characters. I enjoy the small town life and the supporting characters all add to the story. it is delightful from beginning to end with a well crafted sleuth that kept this avid mystery reader guessing. Thank you for the advance reading copy that did not influence my review.

This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series written by Lea Wait.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Angie Curtis is back as “sleuth” in a mystery set in Maine. Angie is running the Mainely Needlepoint group but this time the story is less involved with needlework and more involved with paintings.

Sarah Byrnes is the local antique dealer and Angie’s best friend. Sarah has moved from Australia and has spent the last few years tracking down what might be left of her family after disturbing information about her father’s move, as a child, from England to Australia. She’s found a local man, Ted Lawrence, who is her uncle and who is thrilled to find her as well. His children are definitely less than thrilled as it makes a huge difference in their inheritance.

The action surrounds a weekend in which Ted tells the family about Sarah and other shocking announcements. The whodunnit murder solution was not surprising to me as I had guessed it earlier on. Still, it was an interesting take on the mystery and the second reveal was definitely surprising to me. Angie shows more of her background as a private investigator. Hopefully, she will decide to get her license and start working as a real sleuth in future books.

I really enjoy this series of mysteries. I am a needlework designer and enjoy reading the bits and pieces of samplers and their history. I also enjoy reading about Maine. My husband grew up in Camden and I am always quizzing him on the bits and pieces of information in Ms. Wait’s books and, according to him, her information is spot on.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

The beginning caused tears to be shed. Another one of mankind's shameful moments in history. Moving on to current lapses in moral judgement, resulting in murder. A compelling cozy with a few surprises along the way.

This is an enjoyable addition to the Mainly Needlepoint Series. This series has all the elements of a great mystery. The characters are engaging and likable, the story is captivating and will keep you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next, the mystery itself will keep you guessing as to who the culprit is.

I certainly enjoy visiting Haven Habor, I feel as though I'm visiting with friends. I hope there will be more books in this series, I really enjoy them.

I received a copy of this manuscript from the publisher through a NetGalley, my review has been voluntarily submitted.