Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
Peggy Ehrhart has created a knitting group that's an excellent mix of ages, sexes, and financial status. Type A Roland has joined the group on the suggestion of his doctor due to his high blood pressure, and I love the way the man follows a pattern when he knits. An elderly member knits for charity and Bettina is Pamela's neighbor who's always ready to do a little snoopi...err... sleuthing. The members of this group are all individuals, and they're all real; Ehrhart doesn't go overboard in making them quaint, quirky, and cute.
I also enjoyed Pamela's editing job for the craft magazine, but knitting and editing aren't the best parts of this first-in-a-new-series. The mystery is a good'un, and its resolution blindsided me even though it should not have because the clues were all Just. Right. There. Pamela is honest with herself; she knows that the major reason she's doing her own investigating is that she's nosy, but at least she does her very best to work closely with the police because they are the folks with the training.
Good crafts. Good mystery. And the best part of all: good relationships. Murder, She Knit is filled with relationships. There's the growing relationship between Pamela and the little kitten she's named Catrina. There's a strong suggestion of a romantic interest for Pamela, too. But most of all, there are the strong, lasting relationships between all the members of Knit & Nibble. This book is filled with so many good food smells, and knitting, and wonderful fellowship that I found myself smiling through almost the entire book. Bring on the next one-- my needles and black bottom cupcakes are ready and waiting!
I also enjoyed Pamela's editing job for the craft magazine, but knitting and editing aren't the best parts of this first-in-a-new-series. The mystery is a good'un, and its resolution blindsided me even though it should not have because the clues were all Just. Right. There. Pamela is honest with herself; she knows that the major reason she's doing her own investigating is that she's nosy, but at least she does her very best to work closely with the police because they are the folks with the training.
Good crafts. Good mystery. And the best part of all: good relationships. Murder, She Knit is filled with relationships. There's the growing relationship between Pamela and the little kitten she's named Catrina. There's a strong suggestion of a romantic interest for Pamela, too. But most of all, there are the strong, lasting relationships between all the members of Knit & Nibble. This book is filled with so many good food smells, and knitting, and wonderful fellowship that I found myself smiling through almost the entire book. Bring on the next one-- my needles and black bottom cupcakes are ready and waiting!
Helpful Score: 1
Murder, She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart is the first story in A Knit and Nibble Mystery series. Pamela Patterson is a widow who lives in Arborville, New Jersey. Pamela is associate editor of Fiber Craft magazine and is the founder of the Knit and Nibble knitting club. On her way to the co-op grocery store, Pamela runs into Amy Morgan who has just moved to town. Pamela has not seen Amy in five years. She invites Amy to the Knit and Nibble meeting that will be held at her house. Unfortunately, Amy fails to show up for the meeting. After everyone has departed, Pamela finds Amy dead in the bushes with a metal knitting needle sticking out of her chest. Pamela notices that Amy's knitting bag is missing. Who killed Amy and why? Pamela believes that the police do not always ask the right questions and decides to conduct her own investigation. While walking home from the market, Pamela finds a woman dead behind Amy's apartment building. Are the two deaths connected? Pamela and her friend, Bettina set out to unravel the clues and hook the killer in Murder, She Knit.
Murder, She Knit is a cute cozy mystery. The book is nicely written and, for the most part, has good pacing. I do wish that the author had taken the time to establish the characters. I would have liked more detail on Pamela and the town. I liked the knitting theme and the beautiful yarn descriptions. The author mentions a knitting harness that allows knitters to knit with one hand (I am looking that one up). The mystery is straightforward. There is some misdirection and the author provided good clues that will aid readers in solving the crime. I kept hoping for more action (anything besides questioning and speculation). Pamela's method of questioning leaves a lot to be desired. The police are in the periphery in the book (practically nonexistent). I felt that many of the scenes felt contrived (farfetched). The members of the knitting group attend the funeral of a woman they had never met (because she was about to join their groupâwould you take off work) and she happens to see a man wearing argyle socks that match one's the victim knitted are just two examples. I also did not understand Pamela talking with a reporter after finding Amy's body (come on into my kitchen and let's chat). There is a lot of time spent shopping, knitting, cooking, chatting, and taking care of the stray cat. The series has potential, and I am hoping for improvement in Died in the Wool. My rating for Murder, She Knit is 3 out of 5 stars. There is a recipe for Autumn Apple Cake at the end of the book.
Murder, She Knit is a cute cozy mystery. The book is nicely written and, for the most part, has good pacing. I do wish that the author had taken the time to establish the characters. I would have liked more detail on Pamela and the town. I liked the knitting theme and the beautiful yarn descriptions. The author mentions a knitting harness that allows knitters to knit with one hand (I am looking that one up). The mystery is straightforward. There is some misdirection and the author provided good clues that will aid readers in solving the crime. I kept hoping for more action (anything besides questioning and speculation). Pamela's method of questioning leaves a lot to be desired. The police are in the periphery in the book (practically nonexistent). I felt that many of the scenes felt contrived (farfetched). The members of the knitting group attend the funeral of a woman they had never met (because she was about to join their groupâwould you take off work) and she happens to see a man wearing argyle socks that match one's the victim knitted are just two examples. I also did not understand Pamela talking with a reporter after finding Amy's body (come on into my kitchen and let's chat). There is a lot of time spent shopping, knitting, cooking, chatting, and taking care of the stray cat. The series has potential, and I am hoping for improvement in Died in the Wool. My rating for Murder, She Knit is 3 out of 5 stars. There is a recipe for Autumn Apple Cake at the end of the book.
