KNITTING BONES

Theft, murder and knitting in Minnesota.

Betsy Devonshire, who was instrumental in helping the Embroiderers Guild raise more than $20,000 for the National Heart Coalition, breaks her leg in a riding accident before she can attend the convention. Her store manager, Godwin DuLac, who goes in her place, reports that a major scandal is brewing. Bob Germaine, who accepted the check for the Coalition, is missing along with the proceeds. His wife, certain Bob is innocent and in danger, begs Betsy to find him. Goddy, whose gaydar went off when Bob smiled at him, is sure that Bob took the opportunity to start a new life out of the closet. But Betsy is doubtful. Unable to get around and ask questions, she tutors the eager Goddy, who cruises the gay community and comes up with the name of Bob look-alike Stoney Durand. When Bob’s naked body is found in the trunk of his car, both the police and Goddy must abandon their theories. At length, Betsy and Goddy come up with an alternative scenario. The housebound Betsy is harboring an injured crow awaiting transport to another state whose laws do not include euthanizing injured wild animals. Betsy, Goddy, the police and the crow all play a role in solving the case.

A simple case for Betsy (Sins and Needles, 2006, etc.), and a quick and easy read. The hardest part of the exercise is the obligatory knitting pattern.