If you’re looking for a fun summer mystery which involves tapestry weaving, Betty Lucke’s 2023 mystery, Tapestry of Light, might be for you. The story takes place in Santa Fe, NM. Karen Bjornson is a tapestry weaver who is trying to finish a large tapestry for a show in a Santa Fe gallery. Her subject is racism and the imagery was developed after she witnessed an incident where a child was being bullied in a coffee shop.
Tapestry of Light by Betty Lucke in front of my Harrisville Rug Loom which is the same loom on the cover of the book.
Betty Lucke contacted me asking if I’d review the book to make sure the tapestry content was accurate and I was happy to do it. It was a fun read before publication and once the printed book was in my hands, I read the whole thing again.
This is a story of art theft and murder, but even more, it is a story of building bridges between families and cultures. The airdales on the cover are characters in the book.
The art show Karen is weaving her tapestry for is based on the quote below. Betty Lucke adds this statement about it: “Niemöller was a Lutheran pastor in Germany. These words attributed to him are displayed in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Many people in our time have heard the quote, but few know about the man who gave voice to it.”
“First they came for the Socialists, And I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, And I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, And I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me.”
In the story, the tapestry ends up playing a key role in keeping more people from being murdered and catching the criminals. There are many children in the book who teach their adults to be better humans. There are also alpaca, dogs, drones, artists from a variety of media, a helicopter ride, and a search for Karen’s missing weaving assistant who was kidnapped.
At 466 pages, you will have plenty of story to take you through a few days of vacation or keep you awake late into the night as you wonder what comes next (ask me how I know). Though the author lives in California, she has spent a lot of time in New Mexico and those of you who know Santa Fe will recognize how real her descriptions feel.
Beau and Sal are ready to solve the next case, especially if it also involves a Harrisville rug loom. They’re less sure about the airdales.
Sal and Beau ready to help solve the next case
Cover of Tapestry of Light by Betty Lucke