By Hook or by Crook

Written by Betty Hechtman

Narrated by Margaret Strom

Yarnaholic Molly Pink has become known in Tarzana, California, for her sleuthing skills, thanks to the help of her crochet group. But the latest mystery may be too much for these stitchers to unravel . . .



There's nothing the Tarzana Hookers love more than doing a good deed. They're so preoccupied with crocheting and selling scarves, teddy bears, and blankets to raise money for the local park that they don't even notice the brown paper bag at the end of the table—until it's too late to find its owner.



Unable to resist a good mystery, they open the bag and find a note that speaks of remorse, a diary entry of the sorrow of parting, and a complicated piece of filet crochet that offers an obscure clue in pictures. The Hookers decide to leave the detective work up to Molly, but by the time she discovers the talented crocheter's identity, the mystery person has been murdered by a box of poisoned marzipan apples. Now Molly needs the help of her fellow stitchers, before the killer has time to create a deadly pattern of murder . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515975236

Betty Hechtman

Despite completing a Fine Arts degree, all Betty Hechtman ever wanted to be was a writer. She wrote a weekly column in her college newspaper and later wrote magazine and newspaper pieces, along with short stories and a prize-wining screenplay. Betty had her first novel published in 2006. Since then she has had 20 books published across two cozy mystery series centered on another one of her loves - yarn craft. She lives with her family in Southern California.

Reviews for By Hook or by Crook

[Cilica · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Narrator is as always, efficient. The audio file skips from the end of each chapter a couple words to next one. The story theme good, funnier than any of the others. Though Molly still isn't likeable for me.

[Kimberly Nicole Raby · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It cuts off at end of chapters . But other then that fun book

[joannefm2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Molly Pink is a forty-something widow who's been hired as an events coordinator at a local bookstore. One day while finishing an outdoor sale for charity, Molly discovers a paper bag has been left that contains pictures done in filet crochet. Curious enough to want to find the owner and what it all means, she sets out to do so. But when she does find the woman, it's too late: she's already dead, and Molly has figured out the murder weapon.

But the police aren't taking her seriously, so she keeps searching to figure out the clues -- with the help of her crocheting friends. On top of this, her parents have come to visit and turned her home into a music studio, and she's having second thoughts about her relationship with homicide detective Barry Greenberg. But her main concern is who killed the woman and why...and will she stay alive long enough to figure it out?

This is the third book in the series and I've always had concerns about some things, but now they've come further into the forefront. First off, Molly is concerned with her relationship with Barry because as a homicide detective, he's always out of town. Why? He's not a private investigator. Homicide detectives don't travel from town to town investigating murders. They work with other investigators in other towns, and unless it's necessary, they don't go from city to city for days on end. Is he the only homicide detective in the state? PI's travel; not so much homicide detectives. You can learn that from any cop show on Discovery ID. I get that they are always on the go in their own town, but they don't regularly travel out of state like Barry does -- and I also think the "surprise" pulled on Molly was an excuse and not a reason to break up, but more of a plot twist by the author to give us a reason to think they should. Not buying that, either, considering he was never around enough for them to talk.

Honestly, I don't understand Molly's reluctance about relationships. It's been said many times over that once you've had a great relationship, it's easier to go into another one than if you've had a bad one; and Molly's marriage was good, so why wouldn't she want marriage again? Just my opinion, is all...

I also can't stand Adele and am really hoping she'll be the next victim. The only thing more abhorrent than a love triangle is the 'evil nemesis' that pops up in books from time to time. It's not needed to make a good book, and usually takes the pleasure out of reading it...and Molly has two: Adele and Detective Heather. Seriously?

I will say that I like Molly's rapport with Dinah, and I think the mystery was done well. There were clues throughout and trying to put them together was interesting, while watching how Molly went about it. When she figured out who the murderer was and the reason why, it seemed believable, even though I can never understand how one person can kill another and just walk away from it. Ah, well.

As it is, I will read the next in the series to see if Molly gets her life together. At least the mysteries are good.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When an anonymous person leaves a bag with a piece filet crochet in it for the Tarzana Hookers to find, Molly gets drawn into the mystery. The piece of crochet tells a story, but the hookers most decipher its meaning. As usual, Molly skirts on the edge of the law to gain access to the answers. To complicate matters, her parents are visiting, her mom’s old singing group is competing again and practicing at Molly’s house, and things are going haywire for Molly in the romance department. Could things possibly become worse? Of course, they can and do! A lot happens in this quick read that is both delightful and entertaining.

[cyderry · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This installment of the Crochet mysteries places the reader in the midst of a mini-mystery and when we follow the clues with the main character we are lead on a scavenger hunt of details all related to a crocheted piece. It was great to see an actual needlework piece at the center of the mystery.

[cookiedemon · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The third book in this cute little cosy mystery series finds amateur sleuth Molly Pink and her group of friends, fellow crocheters `The Tarzana Hookers' embroiled in a mystery involving a riddle on a piece of abandoned filet crochet, of all things. When Molly eventually tracks down the owner of the crochet piece she is horrified to find her not exactly looking her best- infact she's dead! Now Molly and her friends must try and uncover what the strange symbols on the filet parchment really meant and why it may have lead to someone's murder...

My personal opinion of this book is that whilst it was good, it wasn't quite as strong a read as the earlier two books in the series which I whizzed through and really enjoyed. I think this is mainly down to a weaker plot and some of the secondary characters not being developed as strongly here as what they have been in the past. The `mystery' as well when it was unravelled (no pun intended) seemed a bit meagre and not as easy to follow as past plots. It just wasn't as interesting, sadly.

I'm not a crocheter by any means (I don't have the patience) but you don't have to be to enjoy these crafty mysteries, so don't let that put you off giving these a try at least. By now I also feel I know the characters and their traits and these are nice easy reads to pick up between heavier books and dip in and out of. There is also an ongoing back story for Molly between her and her sort-of-boyfriend Barry and potential suitor Mason, which is fun to read. If I was Molly then I know who I'd choose!

I am hoping that the fourth book is a bit better than this one though, despite the nice little side stories of friendship and romance. My recommendation would be that if you like cosy mysteries and a bit of light reading then to try this series by all means- but to make sure you read them in their intended order- just to establish who is who.

*This review also appears on Amazon.co.uk*

[chinquapin_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For me, this 3rd installment of the Crochet Mystery series by Betty Hechtman was the best so far. The mystery was intriguing and the clues in the filet crochet piece were a unique twist. I also liked the connection and foray into Catalina Island which I remember from my own childhood. There was quite a bit less of the bookstore crochet group and talk about learning how to crochet, but crochet was still central to the plot of the story. I did get tired of her mother and the She La Las, however, and the boyfriend soap opera is getting a little worn around the edges as well. All in all, a good read for those who like cozy mysteries, Southern California, and crochet.