Behind the Seams (Crochet Mystery, #6) by Betty Hechtman

Behind the Seams (Crochet Mystery, #6) Reviews

• 
  Micky Cox

  Molly and her crocheting gang of sleuths are back on the hunt for a killer when a new member of the hookers is accused of murdering an overbearing boss. While on the hunt for the killer, things are heating up in Molly's personal life as she has some big decisions to make. Excellent plotting keeps the story relatable and exciting, you really won't want to put the book down or in my case, stop listening as up to this point the entire series has been available on audio. While you wouldn't have to read the entire series to enjoy this book, it would enhance you pleasure as you gain a lot of background foundation building for personalities and ongoing story lines.
• 
  Marge

  I have read all the books in this series, but I am done. Adele needs to be removed, she is very irritating, over the top and getting way to much page time. She is a cartoon character and really lowers the quality of this series. Plus we are to believe she is in charge of the children's section of a book store. If I were a parent I would not let my child near this nutcase.
• 
  Mayda

  Molly and her crochet group are at a filming of a talk show, promoting CeeCee’s new movie. While in a waiting room, a producer drops dead in front of Molly, and CeeCee’s niece gets blamed for the death. It’s one thing after another as Molly runs around, trying to get proof to save Nell. Her relationship with Barry takes a hit, too. Enough scary things happen to keep readers involved and flipping pages, and like too many serial books, it ends on a cliff-hanger. Well written and with interesting and entertaining characters, this series just keeps getting better.
• 
  Kathi

  Review for the audio version.
  
  I enjoy a story where the main character(s) are mature (as in not 20- or 30-something)
  
  The "bad guy" was a little bit of a surprise in this one, and as I listened, I continually wondered why Molly was with Barry instead of the more caring and reliable Mason.The book does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger.
  
  The narrator read a little slow, I had to alter the speed on my listening device.
• 
  JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book)

  Molly Pink is a widow who works as an events coordinator for a local bookstore, and also belongs to their crocheting club, the Tarzana Hookers. She reluctantly attends a program taping of a show that their celebrity member, CeeCee Collins, is going to be on, and unfortunately, it's because CeeCee has asked her to control another member, Adele. It seems Adele isn't happy that the host of the show is going to be having another program about knitting being calming, and Adele would rather the woman learn to crochet instead.
  
  When Adele causes a scene -- as everyone knew she would -- Molly gets caught up in the ruckus as she and Adele are escorted backstage for the rest of the duration. But the woman watching them, Robyn, isn't happy about her situation, and demands that the production assistant -- CeeCee's niece Nell -- bring her tea. Then she demands that she bring her the special sweetener she uses, and when Robyn drops dead in front of them it isn't long before Nell is accused of murdering her.
  
  A frantic CeeCee begs Molly to investigate and find the real murderer, and Molly finds herself secretly sleuthing again...but that's not the only thing going on: her private life is in havoc, too. Her love interest, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, is pressuring her to get married, sell her home, and move into a condo. Molly's hemming about it right now, but she knows she'll have to make a decision soon -- unless the killer finds her first, then the decision will be made for her...
  
  This is the sixth book in the series and I've probably enjoyed it more than the rest. It was a little more involved, with Molly's investigating front and center, and I liked that. I also liked the fact that she can think fast, and doesn't put herself knowingly in situations that can harm her and she doesn't run head first without someone else there with her.
  
  It also had Adele - Molly's one-time nemesis - opening up a little, and that was nice to see. It was interesting to learn a little more about one of Molly's other co-workers. I like this little insight into their lives, one at a time. It makes you part of their "family."
  
  The book also kept the murderer at bay, but I figured out who it was a lot earlier than Molly did; but then again, as I've stated before, I read a lot of mysteries so I can follow the clues pretty easily. However, I did like the way the murderer was caught, and it was definitely a different take on catching a killer. That being said, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
• 
  Kim

  Wahoo! Some things happened that I had been hoping would over the last few books. I hope the one thing stays happened. ;)
• 
  Paula

  Boring and improbable. I'd have given it a two-star rating because it had nice touches of humor, but I got to the cheap lead-on cliffhanger at the end and the small amount of pleasure I'd derived from sticking with it and reading to the end unraveled.
• 
  L.M.

  I think this was my favorite of the series so far. The setting, with a talk show and various backstage personalities, was different and interesting. I love what happens in Molly’s personal life. Several of the underdogs of the series get their day, which was nice. We also get to do a tad bit of traveling, which I always enjoy. The killer was pretty obvious but I didn’t figure out the motive.
• 
  Kitty Jay

  This one was an uninspired addition to the series. I've often thought the author overshot "normal relationship problems" with Barry and landed in "dump this mf already", but she managed to make him even worse in this one. I was cheering when they broke up, but the ending has me worried. I'm not sure what Hechtman is going for. She's made Barry so incredibly unlikeable that I don't see how anyone could root for him.
  
  Then the mystery in this one wasn't much of a mystery. The killer was fairly obvious and the reveal was broadcast early on.
  
  Hechtman also seems to struggle a bit with her characters. She started off pretty strong, but lately there's been a revolving cast of 2D characters who add nothing to the book. If Elise and Rhoda disappeared, nothing in the plot would change.
  
  Finally, whoever the proofreader for this was needs to be hit over the head with a dictionary, repeatedly. "Your" and "you're" were mixed up so many times that it was clear this wasn't a typo, but someone honestly not understanding the difference. Then there was "beating the wrap" instead of rap, putting an apostrophe in "whites" of their eyes, another in the possessive "its"... The amount of mistakes and shoddy proofreading in a professionally published book is just embarrassing. It took me out of the story more than once.
  
  I have been enjoying the series so far, so hopefully this was a temporary lapse in quality, and the next will return to its* cheesy fun.
  
  *Its. Not it's, you horrid proofreader.
• 
  Rachel

  I read the ninth novel in this series first, and now, I'm going through the series from the beginning. This sixth novel of the series was just as interesting and entertaining as the other books of the series I've read. As was also the case with the other novels in the series, I found the writing style to be good, and the plot was fun. I really enjoyed the novel and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
• 
  Barb Martin

  I'm taking a bow. I had this murder mystery figured out before I was halfway through the book. Yep. I knew who the murderer was. I knew why. I knew how (but then everyone else knew how, too, because Betty Hechtman conveniently told us.
  
  Still . . . woohoo me!
  
  Molly Pink and her friends are in the audience of a famous talk show host to watch fellow Tarzana Hooker CeeCee as she glowed in the limelight as the featured guest. Murder ensues, of course, and the main suspect is CeeCee's niece, who just happens to be a production assistant on the show. Molly steps up to solve the crime.
  
  But let's talk about Barry for a moment. Molly really needs to give him the boot.
  
  Barry is not supportive of Molly's efforts to ferret out information to solve crimes. He doesn't even take actual evidence to the investigating officer, just to shut down Molly's efforts. He is controlling and manipulative. He wants to uproot her from her life and from her friends. He is trying to push Molly into accepting a relationship she doesn't want.
  
  Dump him, already.
  
  I know. I know. Molly and readers have too much emotional investment into Barry just to kick him curbside. Plus, we like Jeffrey.
  
  Still, given the ending of "Behind the Seams," Barry had better experience a change of heart.
• 
  Marysia

  I picked this up from the library without having read the previous books in the series. I thought it was a fun light read and I liked the crochet theme as I crochet as well. I didn't have too much trouble starting with this one but had trouble remembering who was who of the minor side friends (Rhoda, Sheila, Elise). Molly's narration had some funny moments. The pacing overall was good, and the twists and turns in the case kept me interested. I liked the slice of life parts like the square dance that developed the characters and their relationships even if they didn't directly advance the mystery plot. On the other hand, several scenes involving the police seemed a bit too silly and over the top. There were also a distracting number of grammar errors/wrong word use for a published book. I haven't read "cozy" mysteries before but as I know there are lots out there, I plan to read some more, maybe including the rest of this series.
• 
  Sharlene Blundell

  I did enjoy this book, the whole series so far in fact. There are just 2 problems I have with the books - 1. Adele - omg this character is SO annoying. What purpose does she serve? Comic relief? She's not that funny, just overwhelmingly annoying!
  2. Barry - He just creeps me out. Very controlling. Trying to get Molly to do his will. Too reminiscent of an abuser for me. This book just made up my mind for me. Going behind her back and talking to her son and Mason? Seriously? Mason is a FAR better choice.
• 
  Anna Hanson

  Seamingly flawed
  
  Molly is drawn into helping CeeCee’s niece after they witness the death of Nell’s superior in the production company for a local television station; the cops suspect the girl because she provided the sweetener that, unknown to her, was laced with cyanide. As she begins learning more about the victim, Molly realizes Barry is putting more pressure, both overt and subtle, on her to make a more permanent change to her life, but is she willing to let him call the shots?
• 
  Allison Ann

  This author seems to understand what so many other cozy writers don't. Those unpleasant side characters, often friends, co-workers or police officers - they need to change, to grow, to improve. Most people, and I definitely count myself as one, don't want to read about nasty people. Adele was a nightmare in the first book, but she is improving. Maybe not quickly, but she is much more bearable now. So when the MC is forced to spend time with her, I still enjoy the book and the mystery.
• 
  Stephanie Reece

  I listen to these in my car and am totally bummed that this is the last audiobook for this series.
  BUT....I LOVE this series. It makes me laugh and think and get my head out of whatever might be going on in my life, even if just for a little bit.
• 
  Ch J Loveall

  Next
• 
  Margaret

  A good enough read.
• 
  Michele

  Love the crowd from the bookstore!
• 
  chrisa

  This may be my favorite book in the Crochet Mystery series. While some of the characters were annoying I had more patience for them overall, and I enjoyed the mystery.
• 
  Heather

  Ending on a cliffhanger!!!! I love this series ❤️ on to the next immediately
• 
  Traci Haley

  Holy cow, that cliffhanger ending!!!!
• 
  Heather

  Enjoying all of the Betty Hechtman books but now looking forward to reading some other authors as well.
• 
  TerryLovesToListen Ware

  She's finally growing a spine! The plots are improving too! Nice, light series.
• 
  Jackson

  This is a great antidote to all the heavy reading assigned lately. Wishing there were more multicultural sorts of characters and places -- but that may be coming in future parts of the series.
• 
  Nicole Lee

  I cannot stand Barry, and Molly’s insistence to make excuses for his possessive and toxic behavior.