Regular readers of the Crewel World series know that store owner and amateur sleuth Betsy Devonshire is a dedicated water aerobics participant. While her regular pool is closed for repairs, Betsy is able to join a class that meets in the therapy pool of an assisted living center. When the drowned body of a young woman is found in the pool one morning, Betsy gets involved at the request of one of the Monday Bunch group members. Her nephew works security at Watered Silk, and he is in danger of being accused of the murder as well as of losing his job because of the unauthorized entry to the pool on his watch.

The plot isn’t as tight as some of the other books in the series. Betsy doesn’t seem to spend as much time in the shop; just long enough for random customers to offer important bits of information. Betsy also ends up with two different “clients” from the Monday Bunch as suspicion moves away from Bershada’s nephew to a relative of other Monday Bunch members. This strains credulity just a bit too much. I was surprised that Lars agreed to participate in Betsy’s stakeout of the three main suspects. He’s a police officer and I would think that he could get in trouble doing this without official sanction. ( )

When her usual water aerobics pool undergoes renovation, Betsy finds one she can use at an assisted living facility/nursing home. She meets many of the residents including one woman with Alzheimer's who always turns up a few minutes late saying, "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Start over." When the water aerobics instructor finds the body of a young pregnant woman in the pool, the security guard who insists he let no one in, loses his job. The chief investigator for the case is quite rude although Betsy continues to feed her information to Mike. The activities director asks Betsy to teach a needlework class, and Betsy chooses punchneedle. The woman comes to Betsy's class, late as usual. She later asks for a counted cross stitch kit, but Betsy holds off on that after identifying the pattern, the complexity of the design, and the cost of materials until she can consult with the activities director. The woman leads Betsy to the place the murderer likely gained entrance to the facilities and then turns up dead the next day. Several viable lying suspects enhance the mystery, but disappointment awaits those who enjoy time spent in the coziness of Betsy's Crewel World because little action occurs there.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Betsy Bronson. While I didn't mind Betsy's voice, many of the other voices were horrible. I suggest people read this one in print. ( )

This is one of the few series that I have read every single book. I think I enjoy them so much because they often feature cross stitching, which I love. Usually books about needlework just focus on knitting so I love getting all the cross stitching tips and lore.

I find these books comforting, like reading about an old friend. There was mostly Betsy in this one, not much of her friends. The mystery was interesting, and relied on clues from a woman with alzheimers to ultimately solve the case. This one also features punch needle embroidery which I have never done, but have considered. After reading this book, it sounds too hard for me.

I am pleased that there are a couple more in the series that I get to read. ( )

One of my favorite authors! ( )

This eighteenth installment of the Needlecraft Mystery series starts out with a bang! No, really. It starts with a raging storm, and a tree falling on someone’s home. And that’s just the beginning of the excitement.

Ms. Ferris has managed yet again to add a fresh take on a long running series. I don’t know how she does it, but the author always finds something new to get into for her protagonist, Betsy Devonshire and Betsy’s Crewel World Monday Bunch.

As with her past books, DARNED IF YOU DO is very descriptive, ensuring that you “see” things as they happen while you’re reading. You can’t help but visualize the scenes.

The mystery was filled with plenty of twists and turns, keeping me guessing. And once again, as with the book before this one, book seventeen in this series, THE DROWNING SPOOL, I had no idea who the killer was until Ms. Ferris spelled it out for me.

The needlecraft project in this installment is for a crochet pattern for Classic Lace. You do not have to know any sort of needlework to read this book, but it sure makes you wish you did. ( )