The author calls herself “the writer currently known as Monica Ferris.” Until I visited her website, I didn’t know she wrote under multiple names. It’s her Betsy Devonshire mysteries I’ve read, so I’m including them first in her book list. She has also written nine books under her real name, Mary Monica Pulver, but because they’re mostly out of print, I’m not including them here. The entire list is on her website. The Betsy Devonshire books are set inExcelsior MN and the stories are centered in Crewel World, a needlework shop which Betsy inherited from her murdered sister. Betsy knows little about needlework and is saved by Godwin, a very knowledgeable needleworker who helped her sister in the store. Godwin provides many of the laughs, along with some of the pathos – a very interesting sidekick for Betsy. I’ve read and enjoyed all the Betsy Devonshire stories and recommend them for a fast, fun read.
Monica Ferris
Books
Betsy Devonshire Mysteries
(2009) Blackwork See Review
(2008) Thai Die See Review
(2007) Knitting Bones See Review
(2005) Embroidered Truths
(2004) Cutwork
(2004) Crewel Yule
(2003) Hanging by a Thread
(2002) A Murderous Yarn
(2001) Unraveled Sleeve
(2000) A Stitch in Time
(1999) Framed in Lace
(1999) Crewel World
Historicals under the name Margaret Frazer (with Gail Frazer)
(1996) The Murderer's Tale
(1995) The Boy's Tale
(1994) The Outlaw's Tale
(1994) The Bishop's Tale
(1993) The Servant's Tale
(1992) The Novice's Tale
Author Profile:
Mary Monica Pulver is an incidental Hoosier -- Terre Haute, Indiana, had the hospital closest to her parents' home in Marshall, Illinois. She spent the later part of her childhood and early adult life in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Milwaukee. She was a journalist in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years (two in London), and later attended the University of Wisconsin atMadison. She is married to a museum curator.
Mary Monica sold her first short story, "Pass the Word," to Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, in 1983, and has since sold more than two dozen short stories to anthologies and magazines, including some in Germany, England, Italy and France. She has appeared in such anthologies as The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits, The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives, Shakespearean Mysteries, Royal Whodunnits, Unholy Orders, Murder Most Crafty, and Silence of the Loons.
Her first mystery novel, Murder at the War, appeared from St. Martin's Press in 1987 and was nominated for an Anthony as Best First Novel. The Unforgiving Minutes and Ashes to Ashesfollowed in 1988; but Original Sin was sold to Walker, who also presented the fifth book, Show Stopper, in May of 1992. Berkley Diamond brought these mysteries out in paperback.
Berkley published six medieval mysteries Mary Monica wrote in collaboration with Gail Frazer under the pseudonym Margaret Frazer: The Novice's Tale, The Servant's Tale (nominated for an Edgar as Best Original Paperback of 1993), The Outlaw's Tale, The Bishop's Tale, The Boy's Tale, and The Murderer's Tale. The detective in the mysteries is a nun, Dame Frevisse, a niece by marriage of Thomas Chaucer, the legendary Geoffrey's son. The stories take place in Englandin the 1430s. Gail presently continues the series alone.
In 1998 Mary Monica began writing a new series for Berkley featuring amateur needleworking sleuth Betsy Devonshire. Set in Excelsior, Minnesota, Crewel World came out in March and was followed by Framed in Lace, A Stitch in Time, Unraveled Sleeve, A Murderous Yarn, Hanging by A Thread, Cutwork, Crewel Yule and Embroidered Truths will appear. The first six were paperback originals, the last three are hardcovers to be followed by paperback editions. These light and traditional novels are written under the pseudonym Monica Ferris, and all have gone to multiple printings – the first one is in its thirteenth printing!
Mary Monica has taught courses on mystery writing to children at North Hennepin Community College, gifted children in District #287, and adults at one-evening seminars at Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries. She does lectures and signings, and has appeared on panels at mystery and science fiction conventions, including Bouchercon, Minicon, Diversicon, Magna Cum Murder, and Malice Domestic. She has spoken to stitchery guilds on local, state, and national levels. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists, including USA Today and the independent mystery bookstore compilation. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (a national organization that promotes women who write mystery fiction), remains a paid speaker on the life of a mystery author, and is a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, and in area public schools.
Mary Monica studies the medieval period as an amateur, and does needlework. She is a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, lector and usher in The Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Minneapolis. She collects and is often seen in exuberant hats.
Profile and photo from author’s website. Used with permission.
