An Imajin Qwickies® Mystery/Crime NovellaBig mysteries often come in small packages… in next door’s back garden? Or is Catia involved in the disappearance of the homeowner’s invalid wife?
As an American, Betty discovers the locals are full of friendly gossip but taciturn about solid facts. Though they are determined to keep Betty from butting in on their territory, she blunders through the social morass of narrow-minded foreigners and their broad Dorset accents. Can she unravel the tight knots of this mystery? Will she find the perpetrator under thickly thatched rooves or behind floral chintz curtains?
Editorial Reviews:
“To call TIED UP WITH STRINGS a ‘mystery’ in the conventional sense would be to do the story a disservice: while elements of investigation and mystery are here, they are only some of the facets of a story about relationships which are tied up in the trappings of English culture and American perceptions…Readers of fiction about British/American encounters will delight in a tale about carefully buried secrets that come alive to possibly endanger Catia in a story that sets its stage slowly and quietly, then injects unexpected twists and turns for a delightfully thought-provoking read.” —Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
“McEwen transports the reader to an enchanting English village, complete with sinister characters, a nosy American and a problematic romance. A delightful read.” —Terry Shames, author of An Unsettling Crime for Samuel Craddock
“Christmas in a quaint English village. Charmed, an American visitor steps inside the picture postcard—only to find the reality more twisted than she could have imagined. The reader is immediately immersed in the mystery as British author McEwen weaves her plot threads with knowledge and affection.” —Diana Chambers, author of Stinger
“TIED UP WITH STRINGS by Madeline McEwen is a deceptively puzzling mystery that well-captures many familiar trappings of an old-fashioned British cozy, including a sleepy village, its requisite pub, and young lovers at odds with themselves.” —Andrew MacRae, author of Murder Misdirected
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American Betty Grape has just arrived in England to spend Christmas with her dear friend’s daughter, Catia. When she arrives, something seems off, almost like Catia is nervous around her. Chalking it up to Catia still grieving over the suicide of her boyfriend, she lets the feeling slide. Catia is house-sitting for a professor and his wheelchair-bound wife, which explains the cottage’s dirty appearance. The more Betty’s around Catia, the more she feels Catia is hiding something. Can it have something to do with the two men in the caravan? Betty dons her private detective cap and gets to work unraveling the mysteries. Will she solve the mysteries in time or will she be all tied up in strings?
Tied Up With Strings is a delightful cozy mystery with intriguing characters, a few mysteries to solve and how difficult it is to blend in. The introduction of an autistic character was a great way for the author to show people on the autistic spectrum live healthy, productive lives. The mysteries, while all connected, took me awhile to figure out. Maybe it was just me but it seemed like it was too hidden, too cerebral for this mystery fan to figure out what was going on. The ending, while revealing some plot twists, didn’t reveal them all. Maybe this is the author’s way of starting a series. Who knows? I would’ve liked more closure.
If you love British cozies with a whip-smart senior amateur detective, you’ll love Tied Up With Strings.
Favorite Character/Quote: Betty. I connected with her right away and found her bluntness with the British folk quite humorous. She’s an American trying to fit in while garnering information from the townfolk of a quaint British town.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Betty Grape visits a young friend who is house sitting
in a remote English village. This girl is the daughter
of one of Betty’s friends named Catina.
Betty works part time for a detective agency. She
is a resident of the Serebral Senior Home located in
San Jose, California. This is a Christmas vacation trip.
The home she is visiting is owned by a professor and
his disabled wife. They are away and Catia is house
sitting. The house lacks basic comforts you would
expect to find. The village is very close knit but full
of gossip. Something does not seem right about the
whole situation.
There are two brothers that live in a caravan behind
the house. One of the brothers who plays a key part
in the mystery is autistic. Betty works with an autistic
lad in the States so she is able to tell by the brother’s
mannerisms. His character is very well written and
interesting.
Secrets, a missing cat, murder, a mysterious package
left on the doorstep tied up with string…..all combine
for a wonderful British cozy mystery.
This is a very short read but gets a high rating as to
the quality of the characters, plot, descriptions and
mystery involved.
I volunteered to read Tied Up with Strings. Thanks to
the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
A Recommended Read!!
TIED UP WITH STRINGS by Madeline McEwen
The First Serebral Seniors Mystery
American Betty Grape has come to a remote English village to spend Christmas with her friend’s daughter. Once in Abbeyvayle however, Betty discovers the young woman behaving oddly. Why is she so unpleasant to the neighbors? Why is she so forgetful? And what’s the real story behind the professor and his wife, whose cottage Catia is house sitting. There seem to be more questions than answers this holiday season.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a traditional mystery with a traditional setting-a remote English village during Christmastime. There is not much time to develop plot or characters in novellas and short stories. Neither were developed here, particularly the plot. What might be considered the prime mystery involved heinous crimes, but we never even meet the victims. When the truth is discovered, it’s merely stated that the police will take care of it. It’s a throw away.
I did like the concept of this novella. The story itself, interesting, if only it were flushed out. If we got to meet the professor, his wife, and Marmalade and focused on that part of the mystery we as readers might be more invested. As it is we have a disagreeable young woman acting oddly and the protagonist trying to sort things out. When the secondary mystery is resolved we get a nice ending, but incongruous behavior.
TIED UP WITH STRINGS is a novella with promise that ultimately let me down.
If you are looking for a mystery that is condensed into a novella that gives you all the wonder of a longer book, then look no further. While only 85 pages in length, the book wraps up a murder and introduces some intriguing characters that will leave you very satisfied at the end.
How fun it would be to visit England at Christmas time. That is what Betty Grape is doing – visiting the daughter of a friend and making sure she is not alone for the holiday. But something seems off about the house that Cat is housesitting and there is something about the owners. Many things do not add up in her mind. It’s a good thing she is a detective because she puts those skills to good use.
I liked that there was a character on the Autism spectrum. I thought that his characteristics were much like I see in those on the spectrum. All of the characters were interesting and in a small way, I wish the book had been longer so I could get to know them all better.
I can’t say too much because this is a novella and the story moves along at a good pace, and to reveal much more would give away the ending.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Imajin Books has launched an imprint, Imajin Qwickies – “Qwickies” Are Novellas Ranging From 20,000-30,000 Words. In my opinion that while this story was very good it could have been great as a full-length novel.
The story opens with Betty Grape arriving in England to spend the holidays with the daughter of one of her friends. She had not seen the daughter in years. Apparently, Betty is a “part-time private investigator”. Here is one of the places a longer story would have helped me as a reader immensely. Background on Betty was almost non-existent. Betty is supposedly part of a firm with 2 other “investigators”. They are all senior citizens. Anyway, something seems off to her almost immediately. Catia, her friend’s daughter is housesitting for a professor and his invalid wife. They are two young men staying in a caravan next door. There is also a missing cat. Betty overhears some things, listens to the gossip and starts to realize things are not what they seem.
I really like Betty and want to know her better. She seems to have much life experience and is very intuitive. But this novel reads like the 2nd or 3rd book in the series, assuming I know these things already, rather than it being the first book and readers meeting her for the first time. I enjoyed her subtle way of investigating. Sometimes she is just in the right place at the right time. She makes some keen observations and starts to pull the clues together. She also has a low key way of passing on what she learns. I really enjoyed her as an American learning British ways, food, and slang.
There is a young man in the story that Betty quickly realizes is autistic. He plays a key part in the mysteries. His character was very well written, but until Betty pointed out he was autistic I had not reached the conclusion by what I had read. Because she is close to someone at home that has autism she recognized what others like me may not have tuned into right away.
The mysteries themselves were very interesting. It really reminded me of an old-time British cozy. Again with only 85 pages things had to unfold quickly. I was surprised by one part but figured out some of the other elements before Betty. The book does have a few nice twists. I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked one thing verified before everything was all tied up.
I would like to visit with Betty again and maybe get to know her friends in San Jose, California at the Serebral Senior Home. Like I said for a “Qwickie” this is a very good story. I hope future installments are longer so we can get to know the characters better.