I always love finding new books to read and I was happy when I picked up the newest release in Betty Hechtman’s Crochet Mystery series, HOOKING FOR TROUBLE. Even though I have not read any in this series and this is the eleventh book (boy do I have a lot of catching up to do!) it was an enjoyable, fun read!
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Synopsis
Molly Pink is an event coordinator and assistant manager at Shedd & Royal Books and More in San Fernando Valley, Southern California. She has organized the Tarzana Hookers, a group of crocheters who meet at the shop and work on projects for charities. Celebrity Cheyenne Chambers has just moved in next door to her house and Molly thinks she witnesses domestic abuse occurring so calls her ex-boyfriend, Detective Barry Greenberg. When Barry investigates he finds no evidence of wrong doing and tells Molly to mind her own business. But she can’t and late at night she’s certain she sees a dead body lying in the yard below the celebrity’s balcony. When Barry shows up again to investigate, the nanny shows him that the “body” is nothing more than a chaise lounge cushion.
Barry warns Molly to leave things alone but she’s certain she knows what she saw. When Cheyenne and her sister join the shop’s crochet group, Molly determines to ask questions and get to the bottom of things. She finds out that the Chambers’ nanny took a leave of absence with no notice, right after the detective showed up. No one seems concerned but Molly is still certain there was foul play. However, as her best friend says, “How can you find a body when you don’t even know who you’re looking for?” Undeterred, Molly continues her search for answers while helping organize a musical event at the shop featuring Cheyenne Chambers and Molly’s own mother. She’s also in the middle of helping two friends plan their weddings. Can she stay focused and solve the mystery proving Barry wrong, or will she get tangled up in the activities and follow the detective’s advice to leave well enough alone?
My Review
I grew up watching my grandmother crochet all evening long whether she was watching tv or chatting with family. There is a certain mesmerizing rhythm to crocheting (and knitting) that can be soothing and Betty Hechtman manages to convey that feeling throughout the book, even with a murder mystery taking place. The plot surprised me and stepped outside the usual format which kept me guessing, erroneously, which way the twists and turns where heading. It’s the kind of story that kept me turning pages late into the night to find out what happens next. While the characters were new to me, it was easy to jump in and figure out who was who without being distracted. The bits of backstory and the writing is concise without being distracting. I enjoyed Molly’s entertaining mother, who adds lots of fun to the subplots, along with her friends who both inspire and challenge.
While the crocheting bug never grabbed me (I tried but didn’t have the patience to stick with it) Betty has included a scarf pattern at the back of the book that sounds delightful. She also has a couple of recipes included and has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Molly’s Double Chocolate Cookie Bars. Oh my, a chocolate lover’s dream cookie! Rich cocoa powder flavors the dough while dark chocolate chunks provide creamy melt-in-your mouth yumminess and walnuts add a nice crunchy contrast. I liked that the dough bakes in a jelly roll pan, creating lots of small bars for a group, while not taking as long to bake as baking sheets of cookies. This recipe is perfect for upcoming holiday parties or for sharing with family and friends to celebrate the season!
A huge thank you to Betty Hechtman for providing an autographed copy of HOOKING FOR TROUBLE for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Ingredients
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 4.5-ounce dark chocolate bar broken into small pieces
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
- Combine sugars and cocoa powder in a small bowl.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and then gradually add the sugar and cocoa mixture.
- Add vanilla extract. Beat until blended.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Gradually beat in flour mixture.
- Stir in chocolate pieces and nuts.
- Line a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Spread batter in pan and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool in pan on a wire rack.
- Cut into bars. Makes 48 cookie bars.
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I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I tried knitting a long time ago. I wasn’t very good at it so now I read! 🙂
I love to knit and crochet. I find both very calming and relaxing and do custom projects and used to have booths at the local craft fairs.
I LOVE this series! I’ll be knitting and crocheting with my fingers crossed!
Thanks for the recipe I love knitting and crocheting and have some of my own designs. My Mom and sister taught me how to crochet and knit many years ago. I love knitting teacozys. And doing filet crochet, This book sounds very good.
Penney
I can neither knit or crochet, so sad. I tried, but not to be. So I read and it’s what I love. And I would enjoy this book! Thank you!
I love to both knit and crochet and have designed my own patterns. Nice recipe.
Thanks for this review and the recipe for Molly’s Double Chocolate Cookie Bars. It looks delicious. It’s a perfect dessert for the holidays.
I have never learned to knit or crochet but I love reading mysteries about them and this series is awesome!!
I’ve crocheted slippers and afghans but not for many years. This is a terrific series and I need to catch up!
I like both but do more knitting.
Many people have tried to teach me how do do needlework—all to no avail. I’m simply unteachable.
I use to crochet but haven’t in years. I’ve never tried knitting.
I did knit and crochet but then stopped for a long time when i got a severe nerve disease then decided that the best thing for my fingers is to keep them active. They were starting to deform so i had a friend of mine teach me how to make dish rags and potholders so i try to do a few rows every day as therapy it hurts but i know it’s what best for my fingers so i have little use of them.
Those chocolate bars look amazing! I’ll have to add them to the list to try. Tonight we’re trying new zucchini cookies. This books sounds great too!
I love to crochet and knit. I mostly crochet though. This recipe looks like something my husband would devour in one night, no problem LOL.
Love the recipe and the book sounds really good
unfortunately I can neither crochet or knit.
My mother used to knit elaborate outdoor sweaters. She could work on them, seemingly, without looking. It was impressive. She also did embroidery.
I, like you, don’t have that kind of patience.
This is a wicked good looking treat.
My mom does both and my grandma did. I tried.
My mom does both and my grandma did. I tried.
My mom does both and my grandma did. I tried. Not very good though.
I love to knit and crochet, but am very rusty at both. I tried to crochet an afghan once just guessing at the pattern, and it ended up looking like a mermaid tail!
I first learned to knit in Home Ec class in high school, but my mom always crocheted, and she taught me how to do basic stitches, and I find crocheting much more relaxing than knitting now.
I, like you Kim have never gotten the hang of crocheting & I don’t knit. My niece, when she was four years old, was taught to “finger crochet” & then proceeded to crochet with the hook. I was so jealous! Thank you for a chance to win as well as the intro to a new-to-me author & a great (as usual) review. Those bar cookies are to die for!
I taught myself to crochet years ago and did love it but could never get the hang of knitting,lol. Haven’t crochet in years not sure i now remember how. My gramma use to all the time. The chocolate cookie bars sound so good.
Between my Mom and my Dad’s Mom. I learned to embroider, knit, crochet and embroider paint. But I prefer crochet and plastic canvas work. The book looks like a great read. Thank you for the intro. And a chance to get the book
I really enjoy knitting, just wish I knew more than just the knit and purl stitches. I used to crochet years ago, but I need a refresher course. Would like to take it up again.
I tried to knit and crochet, but didn’t catch on. I tried embroidery, and that was fun.
No, I don’t like knitting OR crochet. I’m not sure why, I just don’t. I used to want to learn but it was clear as mud so, I still am unable to do it! 🙂
I used to crochet or knit but I wasn’t very good with it. So got bored with it. But I would love to win a autographed copy of Hooking For Trouble. Thank you for the chance.
I can knit, just not very often! Thanks for the chance to win!
I taught myself knitting when I was a teenager.
I’ve never learned how to knit.
I love to crochet never did learn to knit it looks to hard thanks for the chance to win your great looking book
A cozy that invokes knitting or crocheting and I’m in. Then you add a great recipe for Double Chocolate Cookie Bars. YUM!
I never learned to crochet or knit, but my mom was awesome at it. I would rather read books . Thank you for the chsnce at the giveaway. I always enjoy your reviews.
My mom is a good crocheter and she taught me. Thanks for the chance
I really enjoy books that feature knitting or crocheting as part of the plot. I can do some easy knitting patterns. Crochet, I do, but not very well.
I can’t crochet or knit. But I love reading books that feature them. I’m listening to the audiobook of the first book in Betty’s series right now. 🙂
I never got the hang of crocheting and never tried knitting.
I crochet single, double, single, double. Wish I could understand patterns but who has time to do this? I think these bars will be part of our Christmas goodies for gifting!
I wish I knew how to either crochet or knit. It would be nice to be able to make things like blankets or hats.
I tried knitting but was terrible at it…I love to watch though..thank you for the contest and maybe one day I will try it again…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I love the title of the book! I used to knit and crochet and long time ago. Wasn’t very good at either one.