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Seaside Knitters Society #6
A Twisted Skein
Set in the “idyllic world” ( Publishers Weekly ) of a small Massachusetts coastal community, rich in friendship and “full of suspense and human warmth” ( The Washington Book Review ), this skillfully written series combines intriguing mysteries with rich characters and emotional warmth.Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. And this year, even as the season cools down, Izzy Perry’s Sea Harbor Yarn Studio is heating up, thanks to an upcoming fashion benefit . . . The show will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers, or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. The group members themselves are almost as fascinating as the birds. It’s a lovely, special time—until Birdie makes her way through a tangle of vines and stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body. At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Before the woods are ablaze in autumn glory and the knitters have cast off the final rows on their runway projects, they’ll have to unravel secrets and ties strong enough to bind friends and neighbors together—and some that may press a killer to take another life.
508 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2024
307 people are currently reading
6980 people want to read
About the author
Sally Goldenbaum
38 books908 followersSally Goldenbaum is a philosophy teacher, knitter, editor, and the author of more than two-dozen novels.
Series:
* A Seaside Knitters Mystery
*
Series:
* A Seaside Knitters Mystery
*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 4, 2023
A Twisted Skein is the 17th book in the Seaside Knitters series. I have read this series from the beginning and love the main characters Birdie Favassa, Cass Halloran Brandley and her husband, Danny, Izzy Perry and her husband Sam, Nell Endicott who is Izzy's aunt, and her husband Ben. They live in the town of Sea Harbor, MA.
The ladies are having their weekly get together in Izzy's knitting shop. They get together for food, wine, knitting and just talking. Birdie is telling the ladies how much she is enjoying the Bird Watching group that she has joined. They will be meeting the next day at the Quarry. Izzy is telling them that she has been asked to do a fashion show of knitting for the Knitting in Style Magazine. While they are leaving Nell and Birdie hear a commotion of a car blocking the bar entrance to the parking lot. They go to check it out and find Rose Anderson who has come back to town having words with her twin sister, Jillian who is in the back seat of the car. Rose is upset that her sister is seeing Josh Elliot who is a teacher at the high school.
Birdie goes to the Quarry to meet the birdwatchers: Polly Farrell, leader of the group; Richard Brooks, Harper Mancini and her husband, Leon, Henry Staab and Josh Elliot. As they descend the trail Birdie is told that getting to the trail might not be safe so Birdie decides to take the path through the woods. When she comes to a clearing where the campers sit around a camp fire. She comes across a dead body. She calls the police.
At Nell and Ben's Friday night get together with friends Tommy Porter, a police detective comes and tells everyone that it was definitely Josh Elliot and that he had been murdered. Rose Anderson is a prime suspect as her keys had been found under the body. The police are looking for her. Jillian has been told of his death. The whole town is in shock as he was a much loved teacher.
There is so much going on in the story that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy and find out who and why Josh was killed. There are so many twists and turns that the reader is kept on their toes to the exciting ending.
Izzy's fashion show is held in Lucky's Bar owned by Birdie's godson. It goes off beautiful and is a great success
In this series the reader gets to know and love the main characters. I love how they are intertwined and a new character is added that becomes part of the town.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this ARC.
The ladies are having their weekly get together in Izzy's knitting shop. They get together for food, wine, knitting and just talking. Birdie is telling the ladies how much she is enjoying the Bird Watching group that she has joined. They will be meeting the next day at the Quarry. Izzy is telling them that she has been asked to do a fashion show of knitting for the Knitting in Style Magazine. While they are leaving Nell and Birdie hear a commotion of a car blocking the bar entrance to the parking lot. They go to check it out and find Rose Anderson who has come back to town having words with her twin sister, Jillian who is in the back seat of the car. Rose is upset that her sister is seeing Josh Elliot who is a teacher at the high school.
Birdie goes to the Quarry to meet the birdwatchers: Polly Farrell, leader of the group; Richard Brooks, Harper Mancini and her husband, Leon, Henry Staab and Josh Elliot. As they descend the trail Birdie is told that getting to the trail might not be safe so Birdie decides to take the path through the woods. When she comes to a clearing where the campers sit around a camp fire. She comes across a dead body. She calls the police.
At Nell and Ben's Friday night get together with friends Tommy Porter, a police detective comes and tells everyone that it was definitely Josh Elliot and that he had been murdered. Rose Anderson is a prime suspect as her keys had been found under the body. The police are looking for her. Jillian has been told of his death. The whole town is in shock as he was a much loved teacher.
There is so much going on in the story that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy and find out who and why Josh was killed. There are so many twists and turns that the reader is kept on their toes to the exciting ending.
Izzy's fashion show is held in Lucky's Bar owned by Birdie's godson. It goes off beautiful and is a great success
In this series the reader gets to know and love the main characters. I love how they are intertwined and a new character is added that becomes part of the town.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this ARC.
October 25, 2025
It was a great mystery. I enjoyed all the characters. I thought it took me a while to figure them all out cause I’ve only read one other in the series. I sure wish there would’ve been recipes, especially for the salmon casserole.
October 11, 2023
This had everything I want from a cozy. A small, close community, friends who support and look after each other, lasting friendships, and family. Of course, there's a murder to solve as well.
Description:
Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. And this year, even as the season cools down, Izzy Perry’s Sea Harbor Yarn Studio is heating up, thanks to an upcoming fashion benefit . . .
The show will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers, or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. The group members themselves are almost as fascinating as the birds. It’s a lovely, special time—until Birdie makes her way through a tangle of vines and stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body.
At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Before the woods are ablaze in autumn glory and the knitters have cast off the final rows on their runway projects, they’ll have to unravel secrets and ties strong enough to bind friends and neighbors together—and some that may press a killer to take another life.
My thoughts,
This is the sixth book in the Seaside Knitters Society series and sadly, I've only read a couple of them so far but am planning to read more. This little knitting group is so close and caring that I felt enveloped in their warmth the whole time I was reading. I especially like Birdie, who seems to know everyone in town and seems to kind of bring the town together. I found the rift between the twin sisters to be sad and my heart went out to them. I found the bird watching group and their dynamics interesting. There were a few suspects in the murder and I was surprised when I found out who the real murderer was as it wasn't either of the two people I really suspected. Also, I would have loved to have seen that fashion show! Highly recommended to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery!
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 28, 2023.
Description:
Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. And this year, even as the season cools down, Izzy Perry’s Sea Harbor Yarn Studio is heating up, thanks to an upcoming fashion benefit . . .
The show will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers, or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. The group members themselves are almost as fascinating as the birds. It’s a lovely, special time—until Birdie makes her way through a tangle of vines and stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body.
At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Before the woods are ablaze in autumn glory and the knitters have cast off the final rows on their runway projects, they’ll have to unravel secrets and ties strong enough to bind friends and neighbors together—and some that may press a killer to take another life.
My thoughts,
This is the sixth book in the Seaside Knitters Society series and sadly, I've only read a couple of them so far but am planning to read more. This little knitting group is so close and caring that I felt enveloped in their warmth the whole time I was reading. I especially like Birdie, who seems to know everyone in town and seems to kind of bring the town together. I found the rift between the twin sisters to be sad and my heart went out to them. I found the bird watching group and their dynamics interesting. There were a few suspects in the murder and I was surprised when I found out who the real murderer was as it wasn't either of the two people I really suspected. Also, I would have loved to have seen that fashion show! Highly recommended to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery!
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 28, 2023.
January 27, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Sea Harbor when things should be calming down but Izzy has agreed to host a fashion benefit featuring hand-knit items made with yarn from her Sea Harbor Yarn Studio and she has enlisted her friends Willow, Lucky, and Rose to construct a runway for the event. Birdie is busy too. She has joined a local birdwatching group. She had enjoyed birdwatching with her late husband and wanted to take up the hobby again. She finds the eclectic group very interesting.
Birdie is very excited about a birding trip to the local granite quarry but due to an earlier storm Birdie is warned to stay away from the rocks so she detours into the woods. It is there she discovers another member of the group dead. Birdie thinks the man has a terrible accident but she soon learns the victim died before his fall. The police also believe a friend of the Seaside Knitters may have had something to do with his death.
It’s time for the Seaside Knitters to untwist and untangle each and every clue and knit together who was really responsible for the body in the woods. Can they pull that off before all the knitters hit the runway? or will one of them be behind bars?
I love this series. I open the book and immediately feel like I am in the company of good friends. Birdie, Nell, Izzy, and Cass have grown so much since the first book, Death by Cashmere was released in 2008. Birdie is a wise octogenarian, Izzy is a young mom and owns the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio, Cass is co-owner of Halloran Lobster Company with a cute little baby boy, and Nell is Izzy’s aunt and is retired. They have their Thursday night ritual of meeting at Izzy’s shop for a night of “friend therapy”. A time to toast, eat, knit, and share what’s happening with them and around town. Then on Friday nights, they gather with their husbands, children, and any other friends who drop in for a great meal at Nell’s that usually includes something grilled out on the deck no matter the time of year. They all are always there for each other no matter what. They also try to help anyone in need throughout the community. Kind, caring, and smart, these characters are very well-developed but continue to grow and remain fresh even after 17 books.
Ms. Goldenbaum has written a very emotional story. The relationships are complex and carefully constructed. The victim’s death deeply affected many people including Birdie. Two sisters are dealing with other issues including the man’s death. In a mystery full of twists and turns Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy try to find proof that someone they care about was not involved in the murder while trying to piece together clues to find who did it and why. They collected information from several different sources and passed it all on to the police. Soon all the clues fell into place. I did have the right person near the top of my suspect list but was surprised at the deviousness and how dreadful the person really was.
I did enjoy the subplot of the fashion show. While the author’s descriptions of the garments and the runway, were good, I wish the book could have contained pictures. Izzy called the runway “magnificent” and a “panoramic scene” that came to life the closer she came to it.
A Twisted Skein is wonderfully written. The characters and the friendships they have built are beyond measure. The mystery is complex and skillfully plotted. Sea Harbor and its residents grab ahold of me a little more with each book in this series and each visit ends too soon.
We return to Sea Harbor when things should be calming down but Izzy has agreed to host a fashion benefit featuring hand-knit items made with yarn from her Sea Harbor Yarn Studio and she has enlisted her friends Willow, Lucky, and Rose to construct a runway for the event. Birdie is busy too. She has joined a local birdwatching group. She had enjoyed birdwatching with her late husband and wanted to take up the hobby again. She finds the eclectic group very interesting.
Birdie is very excited about a birding trip to the local granite quarry but due to an earlier storm Birdie is warned to stay away from the rocks so she detours into the woods. It is there she discovers another member of the group dead. Birdie thinks the man has a terrible accident but she soon learns the victim died before his fall. The police also believe a friend of the Seaside Knitters may have had something to do with his death.
It’s time for the Seaside Knitters to untwist and untangle each and every clue and knit together who was really responsible for the body in the woods. Can they pull that off before all the knitters hit the runway? or will one of them be behind bars?
I love this series. I open the book and immediately feel like I am in the company of good friends. Birdie, Nell, Izzy, and Cass have grown so much since the first book, Death by Cashmere was released in 2008. Birdie is a wise octogenarian, Izzy is a young mom and owns the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio, Cass is co-owner of Halloran Lobster Company with a cute little baby boy, and Nell is Izzy’s aunt and is retired. They have their Thursday night ritual of meeting at Izzy’s shop for a night of “friend therapy”. A time to toast, eat, knit, and share what’s happening with them and around town. Then on Friday nights, they gather with their husbands, children, and any other friends who drop in for a great meal at Nell’s that usually includes something grilled out on the deck no matter the time of year. They all are always there for each other no matter what. They also try to help anyone in need throughout the community. Kind, caring, and smart, these characters are very well-developed but continue to grow and remain fresh even after 17 books.
Ms. Goldenbaum has written a very emotional story. The relationships are complex and carefully constructed. The victim’s death deeply affected many people including Birdie. Two sisters are dealing with other issues including the man’s death. In a mystery full of twists and turns Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy try to find proof that someone they care about was not involved in the murder while trying to piece together clues to find who did it and why. They collected information from several different sources and passed it all on to the police. Soon all the clues fell into place. I did have the right person near the top of my suspect list but was surprised at the deviousness and how dreadful the person really was.
I did enjoy the subplot of the fashion show. While the author’s descriptions of the garments and the runway, were good, I wish the book could have contained pictures. Izzy called the runway “magnificent” and a “panoramic scene” that came to life the closer she came to it.
A Twisted Skein is wonderfully written. The characters and the friendships they have built are beyond measure. The mystery is complex and skillfully plotted. Sea Harbor and its residents grab ahold of me a little more with each book in this series and each visit ends too soon.
November 28, 2023
This author always makes the impossible completely possible! I swear that the next book in the series can't possibly be better than the last and it is every single time! This time, the mystery is so intriguingly complex that multiple people could be the potential villain, yet, you just know that it can't possibly be the obvious person and you would be correct! The characters of this series, in particular the knitting ladies, but really all the characters are so very well written and stay true to the personalities that the author has developed over the years that she has been writing this series which makes it truly feel like visiting old friends and not just picking up another book. You feel so connected to the town, the businesses, the people and the story that you feel the emotions and mystery clear to your core rather than just reading them on the page. This is one series that will remain a must read for me and this book just cements the fact that we need so much more from this town, these characters and their mysteries! I do highly, highly recommend that you start with the first book and read the books in order. First, you will form a better connection and understanding of the characters, the town, the businesses and region. Secondly, you will have hours upon hours of reading entertainment to enjoy!
October 19, 2023
Summer has run its course in Sea Harbor, Massachusets, and the weather and landscape are changing. The Seaside Knitters are preparing for a runway event exhibiting original designs modelled by friends and family. Knitting Club member Birdie has also recently joined a local, slightly eccentric, birdwatching group and is enjoying trips into the beautiful countryside she used to visit with her late husband.
When a weekend birdwatching trip ends in the murder of a much loved Sea Harbor resident, everyone is left reeling. The Seaside Knitters know they have to try and discover anything they can to help the local detectives solve a case that has changed everything in the small and usually friendly town. As Birdie and her friends begin to piece things together, they find themselves in the sights of someone who has no intention of being identified, even if that means killing again.
Book six in Sally Goldenbaum's lovely series is like being snuggled in one of the Seaside Knitters' sweaters. Birdie, Nell, Izzy, and Cass are all back for another investigation, and as always, it was like meeting up with good friends after a while spent apart. The case was fascinating with its various threads joining together for a resolution I absolutely didn't expect. I loved this and didn't want it to end.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I have read some great cosy mysteries over the past year, but this has to be one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
When a weekend birdwatching trip ends in the murder of a much loved Sea Harbor resident, everyone is left reeling. The Seaside Knitters know they have to try and discover anything they can to help the local detectives solve a case that has changed everything in the small and usually friendly town. As Birdie and her friends begin to piece things together, they find themselves in the sights of someone who has no intention of being identified, even if that means killing again.
Book six in Sally Goldenbaum's lovely series is like being snuggled in one of the Seaside Knitters' sweaters. Birdie, Nell, Izzy, and Cass are all back for another investigation, and as always, it was like meeting up with good friends after a while spent apart. The case was fascinating with its various threads joining together for a resolution I absolutely didn't expect. I loved this and didn't want it to end.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I have read some great cosy mysteries over the past year, but this has to be one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2024
5 🌟
First impression: “Cast list” before you start reading automatically gave this major points. There was also a knitting pattern included + a recipe.
70% is dialogue, I’m not usually into that, butttt let me tell you, I was deep into it this time. I felt as if I was in the room with Birdie, Izzy, Cass, Rose, Harper, and so on.
I was entertained beginning to end, it was cozy and sentimental. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
First impression: “Cast list” before you start reading automatically gave this major points. There was also a knitting pattern included + a recipe.
70% is dialogue, I’m not usually into that, butttt let me tell you, I was deep into it this time. I felt as if I was in the room with Birdie, Izzy, Cass, Rose, Harper, and so on.
I was entertained beginning to end, it was cozy and sentimental. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
August 21, 2023
I did enjoy this book although I found myself getting impatient with the slow pace. It’s only at the very end that the evidence of the killer is looked at although it’s discovered earlier in the story. I do really like the detailed details of the lives of the characters. That practically takes up the whole book. #ATwistedSkein #NetGalley
December 7, 2023
This was the right book at the right time: entertaining, compelling and relaxing. I'm always happy to travel to Sea Harbor and catch up with these lovely group of knitter.
I like their friendship and strong relationship. The character's age iincludes younger and older characters and I think that the older characters are more lively and interesting. The twin were a bit stereotyped and acting or too juvenile or like someone quite older.
The mystery is solid and I liked learning something about birdwatching.
An entertaining and well plotted story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I like their friendship and strong relationship. The character's age iincludes younger and older characters and I think that the older characters are more lively and interesting. The twin were a bit stereotyped and acting or too juvenile or like someone quite older.
The mystery is solid and I liked learning something about birdwatching.
An entertaining and well plotted story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 20, 2023
A Twisted Skein is the seventeenth mystery in the Seaside Knitters Society Mystery series. Izzy is getting ready for a fashion show that is going to be held in her yarn shop and the rest of her friends are busy in their every day loves. Murder is the farthest thing from their minds, but when Birdie finds one of her fellow birdwatchers murdered, the knitting gang is on the case.
I have read most of the mysteries in this series and I have really grown to love this setting and the cast of characters. There are a lot of characters in this series, but the author has done a really good job of integrating them into the stories and still keeping them relevant. I enjoyed this book and always love following along as this group of friends put the pieces together to solve the case. My only complaint about this book, and this series in general, is that sometimes the story dragged on. There were many parts where I feet like the dialogue could have been cut down to make this a quicker and easier read. That aside, I really did enjoy this book and would recommend this story to cozy mystery readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
I have read most of the mysteries in this series and I have really grown to love this setting and the cast of characters. There are a lot of characters in this series, but the author has done a really good job of integrating them into the stories and still keeping them relevant. I enjoyed this book and always love following along as this group of friends put the pieces together to solve the case. My only complaint about this book, and this series in general, is that sometimes the story dragged on. There were many parts where I feet like the dialogue could have been cut down to make this a quicker and easier read. That aside, I really did enjoy this book and would recommend this story to cozy mystery readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
January 15, 2024
I love this whole series and wait very impatiently for the next one each time I finish one! These women characters are so strong and wonderful and they are my “ goals” for friendships. The mystery always keeps me guessing who the killer is and many times surprises me which I love. Wonderful books!
March 17, 2024
Not bad, but not my cup of tea!
July 6, 2023
#ATwistedSkein #NetGalley is by far one of the best cozy mysteries I've read this year.
The group of friends in Sea Harbor come together as one of their own becomes the victim of a senseless crime.
Izzy is the owner of Sea Harbor Yarn Studio, a wonderful place to gather, shop, and make lasting memories.
Izzy and her staff are gearing up for a fashion show, featuring the creations of many talented crafters. Birdie, long time friend of the group has been participating in the local birdwatchers group, and when one of the members is found by Birdie, it becomes the catalyst for secrets revealed, greed, deception and murder.
There were times I laughed,and times I cried, and when I finished, I found myself wrapped up in the characters, and processing the words I'd just read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm very eager to share and recommend this book and all the others to all readers.
This deserves 10 stars, but 5 is all I can give.
The group of friends in Sea Harbor come together as one of their own becomes the victim of a senseless crime.
Izzy is the owner of Sea Harbor Yarn Studio, a wonderful place to gather, shop, and make lasting memories.
Izzy and her staff are gearing up for a fashion show, featuring the creations of many talented crafters. Birdie, long time friend of the group has been participating in the local birdwatchers group, and when one of the members is found by Birdie, it becomes the catalyst for secrets revealed, greed, deception and murder.
There were times I laughed,and times I cried, and when I finished, I found myself wrapped up in the characters, and processing the words I'd just read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm very eager to share and recommend this book and all the others to all readers.
This deserves 10 stars, but 5 is all I can give.
December 16, 2023
12-16-23 My favorite cozy mystery series! Nell, Birdie, Cass, and Izzy are great characters and I love when they have their Thursday night dinners and knitting sessions. The writing is so peaceful and calming. Some might think it is slow or maybe repetitive at times but to me, it is perfect! Enjoyed finding out a little more about some of the residents at Sea Harbor, especially Rose and Jillian. There were a number of suspects and I wasn't sure who it might have been and there were some good surprises. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
January 3, 2024
Fall
This story involves family, secrets, theft, murder, and birding. The birding was the best part of the book. It's something that I enjoy in real life too. The mystery was good. I thought it would go differently. I was expecting a bigger showdown at the end. It was still a satisfying ending.
This story involves family, secrets, theft, murder, and birding. The birding was the best part of the book. It's something that I enjoy in real life too. The mystery was good. I thought it would go differently. I was expecting a bigger showdown at the end. It was still a satisfying ending.
April 29, 2024
Another nice read with Izzy, Cass, Birdie and Nell. It’s always great to catch up the crew in Sea Harbor.
June 7, 2024
Cozy mystery
December 17, 2023
Liked that it has a list of characters in the book to follow the many in the book. Fun mystery that kept me guessing who killed the teacher that dies. This was from a series and I had not read the previous books. I liked the references to knitting and design of the runway . How secrets and promises are revealed.the adventures and antics of birders is described.
November 29, 2023
I always enjoy the writing, the characters, the knitting, the food, and Sea Harbor in these books. That continues to be true.
I felt the clues about the culprit were less developed than in some of the earlier books. It was clearly an afterthought.
The situation with the twins was interesting, but the premise felt pretty thin.
Not very often, but a few times while reading the series, I get annoyed by continuity errors. In an early book, Gus is Auggie. (I do prefer Gus, but weird that the whole town suddenly switched his nickname. Also, he used to play Santa. Did I miss or forget a mention of this changing?) This time, I am still irritated that Harry Garozzo's wife, Margaret has inexplicably become Esther. Also, I adore Birdie and am happy to have her remain a fixture of the series, but it's damn weird that everyone else has progressed in age and life status and Birdie and Nell are the same ages as they were about 15 or 20 books ago. Sure, it's a problem, and Agatha Christie faced it with Miss Marple and Poirot, but, honestly, no one is going to bat an eye if Birdie lives to be 100 or so. One of the books even mentions she plans to live to 200 (which probably would be a stretch).
Typos- they happen in the best written, most-read, and well-edited books. I get it, but I'm still confused. Is Birdie knitting a hat for her granddaughter Gabby, or for Nell's grandniece Abby? Cause not the same.
Repetition-I'm not a New Englander, and to a certain extent, maybe this is dialect and regional flavor, but in the last 2 or 3 books, people sure are trying to "get their arms around" a lot of various stuff. And why is every woman in New England (except Nell and Cass) blonde? And most of the men, including those of Italian descent? Sure, it happens. But not that often!
I felt the clues about the culprit were less developed than in some of the earlier books. It was clearly an afterthought.
The situation with the twins was interesting, but the premise felt pretty thin.
Not very often, but a few times while reading the series, I get annoyed by continuity errors. In an early book, Gus is Auggie. (I do prefer Gus, but weird that the whole town suddenly switched his nickname. Also, he used to play Santa. Did I miss or forget a mention of this changing?) This time, I am still irritated that Harry Garozzo's wife, Margaret has inexplicably become Esther. Also, I adore Birdie and am happy to have her remain a fixture of the series, but it's damn weird that everyone else has progressed in age and life status and Birdie and Nell are the same ages as they were about 15 or 20 books ago. Sure, it's a problem, and Agatha Christie faced it with Miss Marple and Poirot, but, honestly, no one is going to bat an eye if Birdie lives to be 100 or so. One of the books even mentions she plans to live to 200 (which probably would be a stretch).
Typos- they happen in the best written, most-read, and well-edited books. I get it, but I'm still confused. Is Birdie knitting a hat for her granddaughter Gabby, or for Nell's grandniece Abby? Cause not the same.
Repetition-I'm not a New Englander, and to a certain extent, maybe this is dialect and regional flavor, but in the last 2 or 3 books, people sure are trying to "get their arms around" a lot of various stuff. And why is every woman in New England (except Nell and Cass) blonde? And most of the men, including those of Italian descent? Sure, it happens. But not that often!
October 2, 2023
"A Twisted Skein” is the well done sixth book in Sally Goldenbaum’s Seaside Knitters Society mystery series. This mystery has a little bit of everything – not only a murder, but a fashion show featuring handmade knit garments, family secrets, bird watching, even a touch of romance. The mystery is well done if sad – usually murder victims in these types of mystery are not very nice people but the opposite is true in this book – with plenty of suspects. I thought for sure I knew who the killer was and what the big secret in the book was but I was totally wrong about the killer and half right about the secret – well done by Goldenbaum. The one thing that I did not like about this book is the large amount of characters – even with a character list at the beginning of the book I still had a problem remembering who was who at times. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
November 6, 2023
Rose and Jillian are twin sisters who grew up in Sea Harbor. Their parents had both died, and they were away for awhile, but now are both back in town. For some reason they are having a problem between them. Izzie's knitting shop is planning a knitting fashion show which will be at Lucky's Bar. Izzie, Birdie, Nell, and Cass are working on some of the plans, and Rose is helping to make the fashion runway. Birdie has gone back to birding with a group. However, it is a shock when she is going out in the woods and discovers the body of Josh Elliott, a very popular high school teacher, and currently very close to Jillian. There are lots of possible killers, including Rose. The knitting group is sure that Rose is not culpable, but they need to find out who did kill Josh as well as figuring out the problem between Rose and Jillian. I really enjoy this series. The book is very well done, and keeps the reader guessing.
I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.
I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.
August 13, 2023
Back in Sea Harbor with the Seaside Knitters. At this point in the series it's like visiting with friends. A knitting fashion show, return of the twins, birding outings & a murder. Once again, a murder with a Seaside knitter being the prime suspect. The girls set out to find out who did it.
One thing that helps, but at the same time is a bit overwhelming, is the list of characters at the very beginning. The list has grown longer & longer with each series.
Interesting storyline that makes you feel like you are part of the story. Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, & Ms Goldenbaum for the summer mystery read as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One thing that helps, but at the same time is a bit overwhelming, is the list of characters at the very beginning. The list has grown longer & longer with each series.
Interesting storyline that makes you feel like you are part of the story. Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, & Ms Goldenbaum for the summer mystery read as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2023
Two sister who grew up in Sea Harbor return to the delight of the locals. The sisters are now adults but their personalities have not changed. Rose is still the more vibrant of the two, but there seems to be something between them. When Jillian mentions another teacher at school, Rose shuts down and refuses to talk about him. When he is found dead in an isolated field, suspicion turns to Rose. Secrets and family promises some times lead to tragic events. Another terrific entry into this series.
October 23, 2023
Another great cozy mystery in this series. One of the Seaside Knitters, Birdie, adventures off on a new hobby, bird watching. But rare birds is not all she discovers! When the body of one of the beloved teachers of town is found, Izzy, Birdie and the Knitters will gather round to discuss, sleuth, and snoop.
This is a fun cozy mystery with great characters. Looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a fun cozy mystery with great characters. Looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2024
Summer is on the wane in the charmingly picturesque coastal village of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, but an upcoming fashion show benefit ensures there’s still plenty of excitement in store for the Seaside Knitters but there is a murderer on the loose. Who killed the teacher? Is Rose responsible for the death?
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
March 25, 2024
Boring could not read more than a quarter of the book.
October 16, 2023
Cozy. That's how I somehow felt as I read this mystery. It reminded me of what the best cozy mysteries have to offer, the cozy feel of friendship, togetherness, and home. Some will argue that the pace was slow, true, but it was somehow fitting of this small town and group of knitters. It was absolutely fascinating to see how they all come together to solve the murder while still managing to go about their daily lives. You will probably feel like you know these characters better than you know many of your own neighbors by the time you finish. Even better, you'll like them.
The plot is nicely summarized in the blurb so I'll just say that the sense of sadness that hangs over the town makes you feel the pain. Many cozy mysteries seem somewhat removed from the actual killing, often via a widely disliked character being the victim. Not this time. Josh was a beloved teacher and as the plot moves along, you feel his loss was even more of a tragedy than expected. He may have marched to his own drummer but he cared about people (and birds) and had done many things to better the lives of those who live in Sea Harbor. He was the teacher you'd turn to when you felt like your world was about to collapse. He was a good person, bottom line. Thus, his murder was heartbreaking, even for those without direct connections. In fact, only after his death did many learn how much the perhaps owed the man.
So, who killed Josh? The immediate suspect is Rose, who was heard having words with him about her sister Jillian's relationship with him. Rose and Jillian are twins and Rose had taken her mother's wish that she protect her once sickly sister to heart, albeit Jillian was now healthy. Could Rose have done it, believing Josh had harmed her sister? How about the mysterious hiker? Or maybe Leon, who works/manages what was Josh's family's commercial real estate business? He's stand to lose a great deal should Josh become invested in overseeing the company or even sell it? How about the teacher heard bad mouthing Josh? Why was the memorial service quickly arranged by the school principal so impersonal? Josh died while out on a birding expedition. Could one of his fellow birders have killed him, even by accident? What sort of hints does....oh, enough teasers. Read the book. You'll like it.
Seriously, I hated to see this book end. Usually I'm all in a rush to finish and find out whodunit but this time that was mixed with a sense of having to leave behind my wonderful friends again. I don't knit but would still love to spend more time with this bunch, especially given the amazing knit creations showcase they presented at the end. Connections between people are important and this book has that in spades. I highly recommend it and thank #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to spend time in Sea Harbor despite the heavy clouds or suspicion and lose of security hanging over the town for awhile. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
The plot is nicely summarized in the blurb so I'll just say that the sense of sadness that hangs over the town makes you feel the pain. Many cozy mysteries seem somewhat removed from the actual killing, often via a widely disliked character being the victim. Not this time. Josh was a beloved teacher and as the plot moves along, you feel his loss was even more of a tragedy than expected. He may have marched to his own drummer but he cared about people (and birds) and had done many things to better the lives of those who live in Sea Harbor. He was the teacher you'd turn to when you felt like your world was about to collapse. He was a good person, bottom line. Thus, his murder was heartbreaking, even for those without direct connections. In fact, only after his death did many learn how much the perhaps owed the man.
So, who killed Josh? The immediate suspect is Rose, who was heard having words with him about her sister Jillian's relationship with him. Rose and Jillian are twins and Rose had taken her mother's wish that she protect her once sickly sister to heart, albeit Jillian was now healthy. Could Rose have done it, believing Josh had harmed her sister? How about the mysterious hiker? Or maybe Leon, who works/manages what was Josh's family's commercial real estate business? He's stand to lose a great deal should Josh become invested in overseeing the company or even sell it? How about the teacher heard bad mouthing Josh? Why was the memorial service quickly arranged by the school principal so impersonal? Josh died while out on a birding expedition. Could one of his fellow birders have killed him, even by accident? What sort of hints does....oh, enough teasers. Read the book. You'll like it.
Seriously, I hated to see this book end. Usually I'm all in a rush to finish and find out whodunit but this time that was mixed with a sense of having to leave behind my wonderful friends again. I don't knit but would still love to spend more time with this bunch, especially given the amazing knit creations showcase they presented at the end. Connections between people are important and this book has that in spades. I highly recommend it and thank #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to spend time in Sea Harbor despite the heavy clouds or suspicion and lose of security hanging over the town for awhile. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
November 13, 2023
In Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, all the local knitters are stopping in at Izzy’s yarn shop to pick up supplies to make garments for the upcoming hand-knitters fashion show benefit. It’s a good way to keep everyone busy as the tourist season is coming to an end.
Birdie is an avid knitter, but she’s also recently taken up bird watching. She’d been spotting some lovely birds, but what she hadn’t expected to see was a corpse.
Can she and the other knitters unravel the case before more lives are lost?
My Thoughts
Had this just been a simple, sweet, cozy village story, I would very much have enjoyed it. A story about whether or not this group of women could pull off the hand-knitted fashion show would have been a lot of fun. I could happily have read about the knitters, and the bird watchers, and followed the drama of creating a stage, and I would have given it 4 stars.
The descriptions of the town and its inhabitants were well-written, and I enjoyed watching the preparations unfold for the fashion show. Birding with Birdie was great fun. It’s rarely that one finds an intelligent, active, 80-year old starring character, so I always appreciate it when they are as well-written as Birdie. Nell was also an interesting and well-rounded character. The subplots were entertaining.
However, this was meant to be a cosy mystery and that’s where it failed for me.
For a mystery, the pacing was excruciatingly slow. Nobody died until 24% of the way through the book. Even once the murder finally occurred, the investigating knitters seemed to be less interested in investigating than they were in their other activities.
Plus, this mystery didn’t play fair with the reader because the investigators never revealed to the reader what they were finding. In fact, I don’t believe the reader is ever even told how the victim died or how the murderer committed the murder. I say I don’t believe, because by the time I hit the last 50 pages of the book, I had started to skim.
One major complaint with the mystery storyline was all the drama between the twin sisters. I hate stories where things could have been solved with an honest one minute discussion. Rose was too intelligent for that story to have played out the way it did, and when the secret was revealed it was, frankly, laughable given the amount of ridiculous drama it had caused.
This is the 17th book in the series, but it does work as a stand alone. I had never read others in the series, but have been told by someone who knows that I would have appreciated this one more had I read the series from the beginning. I enjoyed the character enough that I may go back and try the first in the series.
Birdie is an avid knitter, but she’s also recently taken up bird watching. She’d been spotting some lovely birds, but what she hadn’t expected to see was a corpse.
Can she and the other knitters unravel the case before more lives are lost?
My Thoughts
Had this just been a simple, sweet, cozy village story, I would very much have enjoyed it. A story about whether or not this group of women could pull off the hand-knitted fashion show would have been a lot of fun. I could happily have read about the knitters, and the bird watchers, and followed the drama of creating a stage, and I would have given it 4 stars.
The descriptions of the town and its inhabitants were well-written, and I enjoyed watching the preparations unfold for the fashion show. Birding with Birdie was great fun. It’s rarely that one finds an intelligent, active, 80-year old starring character, so I always appreciate it when they are as well-written as Birdie. Nell was also an interesting and well-rounded character. The subplots were entertaining.
However, this was meant to be a cosy mystery and that’s where it failed for me.
For a mystery, the pacing was excruciatingly slow. Nobody died until 24% of the way through the book. Even once the murder finally occurred, the investigating knitters seemed to be less interested in investigating than they were in their other activities.
Plus, this mystery didn’t play fair with the reader because the investigators never revealed to the reader what they were finding. In fact, I don’t believe the reader is ever even told how the victim died or how the murderer committed the murder. I say I don’t believe, because by the time I hit the last 50 pages of the book, I had started to skim.
One major complaint with the mystery storyline was all the drama between the twin sisters. I hate stories where things could have been solved with an honest one minute discussion. Rose was too intelligent for that story to have played out the way it did, and when the secret was revealed it was, frankly, laughable given the amount of ridiculous drama it had caused.
This is the 17th book in the series, but it does work as a stand alone. I had never read others in the series, but have been told by someone who knows that I would have appreciated this one more had I read the series from the beginning. I enjoyed the character enough that I may go back and try the first in the series.
November 12, 2023
Release Date: November 28, 2023
📖📖📖📖
Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. Sea Harbor’s upcoming fashion benefit will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers, or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. Birdie stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body. At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Can the knitters unravel this mystery before the killer strikes again.
I really liked this book. I don’t knit but that didn’t really make a difference, I also haven’t read any others in the series but didn’t feel too lost. The victim was a beloved teacher and as the plot moves along, you feel his loss was even more of a tragedy than expected. This little knitting group is so close and caring that I felt enveloped in their warmth the whole time I was reading. There were a few suspects in the murder and I was surprised when I found out who the real murderer was as it wasn't either of the two people I really suspected. Also, I would have loved to have seen that fashion show! Highly recommended to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
#atwistedskein #seasideknitterssocietymystery #seasideknitters #sallygoldenbaum
#recipeincluded #kensingtonpublishing #kensingtoncozies #netgalleyreads #cozymystery #capecodreads #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd #booktok #bookrecommendations #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookblogger #igreads #goodreads #bookclub #bookreviews #bookblog
📖📖📖📖
Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. Sea Harbor’s upcoming fashion benefit will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers, or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. Birdie stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body. At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Can the knitters unravel this mystery before the killer strikes again.
I really liked this book. I don’t knit but that didn’t really make a difference, I also haven’t read any others in the series but didn’t feel too lost. The victim was a beloved teacher and as the plot moves along, you feel his loss was even more of a tragedy than expected. This little knitting group is so close and caring that I felt enveloped in their warmth the whole time I was reading. There were a few suspects in the murder and I was surprised when I found out who the real murderer was as it wasn't either of the two people I really suspected. Also, I would have loved to have seen that fashion show! Highly recommended to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
#atwistedskein #seasideknitterssocietymystery #seasideknitters #sallygoldenbaum
#recipeincluded #kensingtonpublishing #kensingtoncozies #netgalleyreads #cozymystery #capecodreads #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd #booktok #bookrecommendations #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookblogger #igreads #goodreads #bookclub #bookreviews #bookblog
October 5, 2024
What a weird, weird book. I hate to be critical. A quick Google tells me the author is 83. I should be happy to still have any manner of this series to enjoy.
The series started in 2006 and the author sort of wrote herself into a corner by having Birdie be older and Nell already retired. Both Izzy and Cass and their children are aging appropriately, but everyone else seems to stay the same. That includes most of the longtime supporting characters. It is a conundrum. That being said, it’s always nice to return and visit with the characters. The author writes sweet stories that are in the running for the coziest in the cozy mystery genre.
Cass appears the only main character with a realistic personality. The others are just too perfect. Nell and Ben to the point of almost being bland. As I recall, Izzy used to have some spunk but as she ages she’s mellowed to being one note. And the way the entire town treats Birdie like she’s some kind of displaced royalty seems more than odd.
Back to feeling that this one was weird. It felt like so many loose ends were created that none of them were addressed properly. The actual murder was more than glossed over. We’re not even told how the victim died. That’s often a clue as to whether murderer was male or female. Nope. Not even a crumb of explanation. The group apparently dismisses one of the most likely suspects because “he would know he’d be a perfect suspect”. Other people come and go on their venn diagram. Some are put on the list after blurting out a motive. Others are removed more by gut instinct than by any sort of sleuthing. The solution comes off screen as some record keeping paperwork comes to their attention. Readers are kept in the dark other than to be told the ladies have created a “straight line of yellow post-its” that holds the answer.
The second storyline is a knit (of course) apparel fashion show. Building a runway is done without readers seeing any actual work. Ongoing references to the project appear throughout the book. The finished product is by all accounts spectacular but highly unlikely it could have been created by only three people in the allotted timeframe.
Another nice visit to Sea Harbor but a very weak story.
The series started in 2006 and the author sort of wrote herself into a corner by having Birdie be older and Nell already retired. Both Izzy and Cass and their children are aging appropriately, but everyone else seems to stay the same. That includes most of the longtime supporting characters. It is a conundrum. That being said, it’s always nice to return and visit with the characters. The author writes sweet stories that are in the running for the coziest in the cozy mystery genre.
Cass appears the only main character with a realistic personality. The others are just too perfect. Nell and Ben to the point of almost being bland. As I recall, Izzy used to have some spunk but as she ages she’s mellowed to being one note. And the way the entire town treats Birdie like she’s some kind of displaced royalty seems more than odd.
Back to feeling that this one was weird. It felt like so many loose ends were created that none of them were addressed properly. The actual murder was more than glossed over. We’re not even told how the victim died. That’s often a clue as to whether murderer was male or female. Nope. Not even a crumb of explanation. The group apparently dismisses one of the most likely suspects because “he would know he’d be a perfect suspect”. Other people come and go on their venn diagram. Some are put on the list after blurting out a motive. Others are removed more by gut instinct than by any sort of sleuthing. The solution comes off screen as some record keeping paperwork comes to their attention. Readers are kept in the dark other than to be told the ladies have created a “straight line of yellow post-its” that holds the answer.
The second storyline is a knit (of course) apparel fashion show. Building a runway is done without readers seeing any actual work. Ongoing references to the project appear throughout the book. The finished product is by all accounts spectacular but highly unlikely it could have been created by only three people in the allotted timeframe.
Another nice visit to Sea Harbor but a very weak story.
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