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Black Sheep & Company Mystery #7
The Postman Always Purls Twice
In the seventh installment in the "entertaining" (Kirkus Reviews) Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series, the knitters see the darker side of Hollywood when Maggie's shop is used as a set for a big budget, star-studded movie.
When the cast and crew of a Hollywood movie arrive to film on location in quiet Plum Harbor, the village is aflutter at the A-list actresses. The Knitters are dazzled by the glamour and since Maggie's shop is an important set, they are privy to the backstage excitement and inside gossip. But from the first day of filming, accidents and menacing coincidences abound. The show must go on, but no sooner have the lights, action, and stitching begun when the killer strikes again - this time, cutting one character from the script for good.
The Black Sheep, an attentive audience to this tangled drama, are determined to unmask the real villain of this story before they can eliminate another member of this deadly cast.
When the cast and crew of a Hollywood movie arrive to film on location in quiet Plum Harbor, the village is aflutter at the A-list actresses. The Knitters are dazzled by the glamour and since Maggie's shop is an important set, they are privy to the backstage excitement and inside gossip. But from the first day of filming, accidents and menacing coincidences abound. The show must go on, but no sooner have the lights, action, and stitching begun when the killer strikes again - this time, cutting one character from the script for good.
The Black Sheep, an attentive audience to this tangled drama, are determined to unmask the real villain of this story before they can eliminate another member of this deadly cast.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
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1044 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 21, 2024
The Postman Always Purls Twice, book seven in the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series, charmed me from the opening sentence right through to the final page. I’ve followed this series from the beginning, and this latest installment is definitely one of my favorites.
Maggie Messina owns the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, a flourishing yarn business in Plum Harbor--a quaint Massachusetts village. She and four other women comprise the knitting group that meets weekly, and they alternate having the meetings at one another’s homes. In this book, Maggie is recruited by a Hollywood producer who wants to use her knitting shop as a backdrop for a star-studded movie. Although she has her reservations, Maggie agrees. Suzanne, one of the knitters in their cozy group, finds herself a bit star-struck. But almost as soon as the filming starts, things start to go wonky. The assistant to one of the big stars is nearly killed by lights crashing to the floor, and then notes begin to arrive from an unknown stalker. When one of the stars is murdered, Maggie and her crew begin a quiet investigation, each one using her unique skills to ferret out answers. As the story progresses, tidbits of the stars’ back stories are cleverly revealed, allowing the reader to knit the clues together and come up with the identity of the killer. The ending was as satisfying as it gets, with all the loose ends tied up nicely. I’m very much looking forward to book eight in this delightful series.
I won this book from the author and I’m extremely grateful that I did.
Maggie Messina owns the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, a flourishing yarn business in Plum Harbor--a quaint Massachusetts village. She and four other women comprise the knitting group that meets weekly, and they alternate having the meetings at one another’s homes. In this book, Maggie is recruited by a Hollywood producer who wants to use her knitting shop as a backdrop for a star-studded movie. Although she has her reservations, Maggie agrees. Suzanne, one of the knitters in their cozy group, finds herself a bit star-struck. But almost as soon as the filming starts, things start to go wonky. The assistant to one of the big stars is nearly killed by lights crashing to the floor, and then notes begin to arrive from an unknown stalker. When one of the stars is murdered, Maggie and her crew begin a quiet investigation, each one using her unique skills to ferret out answers. As the story progresses, tidbits of the stars’ back stories are cleverly revealed, allowing the reader to knit the clues together and come up with the identity of the killer. The ending was as satisfying as it gets, with all the loose ends tied up nicely. I’m very much looking forward to book eight in this delightful series.
I won this book from the author and I’m extremely grateful that I did.
February 23, 2016
Interminable!
This is the mystery that would not die. I was willing to beg! The author did not provide a motive for the killer until the last tenth of the book. No way for a reader to even try to figure it out. And why bother? The characters are insipid, the plot weak, the dialogue awkward. The book is written in third person, yet several times the narrator speaks as a character in the first person. Jarring and inconsistent. Save your money or buy on sale.
This is the mystery that would not die. I was willing to beg! The author did not provide a motive for the killer until the last tenth of the book. No way for a reader to even try to figure it out. And why bother? The characters are insipid, the plot weak, the dialogue awkward. The book is written in third person, yet several times the narrator speaks as a character in the first person. Jarring and inconsistent. Save your money or buy on sale.
August 2, 2015
It was a nice, light read. The actual mystery seemed secondary in the story line, though. I also felt the book introduced too many characters right off the bat though, and it was initially a bit confusing. It was a nice, light read, though, and quite enjoyable once I got through the first part, so I would rate it about 4.4.
I won my copy from the Goodreads website.
I won my copy from the Goodreads website.
November 12, 2018
Maggie, the owner of the Black Sheep knitting store is having her shop taken over by a film crew (and the Black Sheep knitters are wondering if they can sneak in as extra's), the main character in the film is a yarn shop owner and so the knitters decide to invite Jennifer Todd (and her assistant) to join them in the shop one evening to talk through what Maggie does on a daily basis and walk Jennifer through the shop and stock. Before this happens though there is an accident on set, then a more serious event, followed by yet another! Now the Black Sheep knitters need to sift through all the information and people, find out who is acting, who is being genuine and why this is happening.
I held off reading this (and the next in the series) because I had all the others in electronic form, now I really wish I had succumbed and bought the paperback well before this as this was a wonderful look at how something in the past can resonate through the years and cause too many problems for too many people.
I held off reading this (and the next in the series) because I had all the others in electronic form, now I really wish I had succumbed and bought the paperback well before this as this was a wonderful look at how something in the past can resonate through the years and cause too many problems for too many people.
June 6, 2018
Fun book. But the proofreading in my Gallery Books copy was awful. Did anyone look at this before it went to press?
June 29, 2015
This has been a very enjoyable series to read and Book#7 in A Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series is exceptionally good. The characters and setting take you in and enfold themselves around you in a way that makes you feel like you are living there and these are your friends and neighbors. Black Sheep Knitting Shop owner, Maggie, and her knitting group provide interesting backgrounds while helping to solve some very intricately plotted murders. This time they are working with a Hollywood movie crew with a cast of the rich and famous doing a movie about a knitting shop owner. The characters are down to earth and the setting is detailing in a way that puts you right there. You can read this as a stand alone but it will make you want to read the entire series. Can't wait for the next one, A Murder In Mohair, coming in December.
May 27, 2015
Do not make the same mistake I did by reading the knitting pattern at the back and the recipe for cupcakes. That material tells you who the killer is. I can't imagine why it is placed there.
Otherwise this was a nice mystery, my first in this series. It is a fun look at the inside process of making a movie. Although the characters are a bit stereotyped, the writing really is lovely and the plot follows smoothly. There is a bit too much repetition, especially for so late in the series. I usually encounter this in writers with less experience.
I plan to start this series from the beginning to see how this group began and to experience their other adventures.
This was a first reads copy and I will share it with my mystery reading group, some of whom are also knitters.
Otherwise this was a nice mystery, my first in this series. It is a fun look at the inside process of making a movie. Although the characters are a bit stereotyped, the writing really is lovely and the plot follows smoothly. There is a bit too much repetition, especially for so late in the series. I usually encounter this in writers with less experience.
I plan to start this series from the beginning to see how this group began and to experience their other adventures.
This was a first reads copy and I will share it with my mystery reading group, some of whom are also knitters.
August 3, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads contest.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was a series and this one is further along, I was easily able to catch on as to who was who and what was what. I loved the character list in the beginning. The characters were well-developed and the storyline was enjoyable. This is a wonderful cozy and it was a pleasure to read. Very short as compared to a lot of cozies, so if you want a quick cozy read this is perfect. The Postman Always Purls Twice would appeal to most cozy readers, especially crafters.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was a series and this one is further along, I was easily able to catch on as to who was who and what was what. I loved the character list in the beginning. The characters were well-developed and the storyline was enjoyable. This is a wonderful cozy and it was a pleasure to read. Very short as compared to a lot of cozies, so if you want a quick cozy read this is perfect. The Postman Always Purls Twice would appeal to most cozy readers, especially crafters.
February 8, 2019
Excellent series. However, though this isn't worth deducting a star, I do find it annoying that the author can't seem to remember the name of Suzanne's daughter: in one book it's Alexis, in another it's Natalie. She also can't remember the name of the aunt from whom Lucy & her sister inherited their cottage: in the 1st book it's Laura, in later books it's Bernice. Quite annoying.
May 17, 2023
My rating is actually 3.5. I just don't like stories that revolve around the making of a movie or even a play - not sure why. The mystery aspect wasn't too bad. BUT, I have teenage granddaughters that are more mature than the characters of this book. I already have the next book in the series and hope that I like it better.
October 28, 2024
I have enjoyed these knitting mysteries, the characters, the backdrop of a craft they enjoy, and even the pretty flowers along the shop's entrance and walkway.
I liked the conference call.
But this, along with the first one of the series, "While My Pretty One Knits", are my least favorite, and partly for the same reason: celebrities. I'm just not into celebrity-watching. I don't think they have life any more figured out than we do. They are just capable of doing things that garner attention, not all of them inherently worthwhile activities. So I tend to ignore the celebrities, except perhaps for a few jokes here and there.
It's not the particular celebrities in this book. I just don't identify with the celebrity-watching at all.
Much of this book is about the main characters gushing over various celebrities coming to town for a movie.
"I have to be extra careful not to press him for details. I understand his situation and respect it." At last! A sleuth respecting the police and trying not to get info out of him.
I felt like, in some vague way, the argument could've been handled better, but I'd have to think through it to determine how, and they didn't have that luxury of time.
One reviewer said that her teenage grandchildren behaved better than the main characters in this book. Since I have known many good-hearted teenagers, I'll concur.
I figured out whodunit due to an earlier-than-usual clue. As they kept dying off/being injured, there weren't a lot of possibilities left.
The main characters are once again confronting dangerous criminals.
I'll agree with the reviewer who said that the title didn't have anything to do with the book. There was no postman, and no secret code coming from a postman. If that was a reference to the flowers left for someone, that wasn't even a flower delivery driver.
Yes, I will continue reading the series, primarily because I've very much enjoyed the rest so far, but also because my mother-in-law has given them all to me.
Favorite quotes:
"I wonder how many [people} ... will actually remember. Or if she keeps in touch with any friends she grew up with. I always think it's a sign of good character when people do."
"The pansies did look pretty and brightened up the shop ... Maggie had a way of improving everyplace she passed through. It was a gift, Lucy thought, one she admired."
I liked the conference call.
But this, along with the first one of the series, "While My Pretty One Knits", are my least favorite, and partly for the same reason: celebrities. I'm just not into celebrity-watching. I don't think they have life any more figured out than we do. They are just capable of doing things that garner attention, not all of them inherently worthwhile activities. So I tend to ignore the celebrities, except perhaps for a few jokes here and there.
It's not the particular celebrities in this book. I just don't identify with the celebrity-watching at all.
Much of this book is about the main characters gushing over various celebrities coming to town for a movie.
"I have to be extra careful not to press him for details. I understand his situation and respect it." At last! A sleuth respecting the police and trying not to get info out of him.
I felt like, in some vague way, the argument could've been handled better, but I'd have to think through it to determine how, and they didn't have that luxury of time.
One reviewer said that her teenage grandchildren behaved better than the main characters in this book. Since I have known many good-hearted teenagers, I'll concur.
I figured out whodunit due to an earlier-than-usual clue. As they kept dying off/being injured, there weren't a lot of possibilities left.
The main characters are once again confronting dangerous criminals.
I'll agree with the reviewer who said that the title didn't have anything to do with the book. There was no postman, and no secret code coming from a postman. If that was a reference to the flowers left for someone, that wasn't even a flower delivery driver.
Yes, I will continue reading the series, primarily because I've very much enjoyed the rest so far, but also because my mother-in-law has given them all to me.
Favorite quotes:
"I wonder how many [people} ... will actually remember. Or if she keeps in touch with any friends she grew up with. I always think it's a sign of good character when people do."
"The pansies did look pretty and brightened up the shop ... Maggie had a way of improving everyplace she passed through. It was a gift, Lucy thought, one she admired."
June 20, 2023
Maggie Messina isn’t much of a celebrity watcher. Unlike her friends in the Black Sheep knitters group, Maggie pays no attention to the lives of the stars. She doesn’t even have a Facebook page.
A movie company is coming to the small Massachusetts town where Maggie operates her knit shop, and they’re doing a movie about a knit shop owner in a small New England town. They want authenticity, and that’s what Maggie’s shop offers.
This is a well-constructed cozy mystery. You don’t see a murder for several chapters, and the two previous attempts at murder in earlier chapters does a nice job of ratchetting up the tension.
The actress who plays the knit shop owner, Jennifer Todd, is instantly likable even for those of us who tend not to be impressed by celebrities. She nearly dies when a light assembly falls on her, forcing her under a table. Then, someone tries to poison her husband. While he ultimately lives, someone succeeds in killing the heartthrob male star, and the cops finger poor, likable Jennifer. Naturally, it’s up to Maggie and the knitters to set them straight.
I guessed the guilty party, but there’s an additional twist I didn’t guess, so I enjoyed this installment in the series. You absolutely don’t have to read any books prior to this one to enjoy this.
A movie company is coming to the small Massachusetts town where Maggie operates her knit shop, and they’re doing a movie about a knit shop owner in a small New England town. They want authenticity, and that’s what Maggie’s shop offers.
This is a well-constructed cozy mystery. You don’t see a murder for several chapters, and the two previous attempts at murder in earlier chapters does a nice job of ratchetting up the tension.
The actress who plays the knit shop owner, Jennifer Todd, is instantly likable even for those of us who tend not to be impressed by celebrities. She nearly dies when a light assembly falls on her, forcing her under a table. Then, someone tries to poison her husband. While he ultimately lives, someone succeeds in killing the heartthrob male star, and the cops finger poor, likable Jennifer. Naturally, it’s up to Maggie and the knitters to set them straight.
I guessed the guilty party, but there’s an additional twist I didn’t guess, so I enjoyed this installment in the series. You absolutely don’t have to read any books prior to this one to enjoy this.
October 10, 2025
It was a treat to return to Plum Harbor for the seventh installment of the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series. The premise for The Postman Always Purls Twice by Anne Canadeo is a fun one: the knitters and Maggie's shop are plunged into the drama of a big, star-studded Hollywood movie that has taken over their quiet town.
The book is at its best when it contrasts the calm of the knitting shop with the backstage excitement, gossip, and general chaos of the movie set. You get all the glamour and the cutthroat behavior of Hollywood without leaving the comfort of Plum Harbor. As soon as the cameras roll, accidents and menacing coincidences start, and it's not long before one character is cut from the script for good.
The Black Sheep are an attentive audience to all this tangled drama, and they’re determined to unmask the villain. It’s a good, solid entry that series fans will definitely enjoy.
★★★☆☆
#ThePostmanAlwaysPurlsTwice #AnneCanadeo #CozyMystery #BlackSheepMystery #KnittingMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #PlumHarbor #HollywoodMystery #SeriesRead #Whodunnit
The book is at its best when it contrasts the calm of the knitting shop with the backstage excitement, gossip, and general chaos of the movie set. You get all the glamour and the cutthroat behavior of Hollywood without leaving the comfort of Plum Harbor. As soon as the cameras roll, accidents and menacing coincidences start, and it's not long before one character is cut from the script for good.
The Black Sheep are an attentive audience to all this tangled drama, and they’re determined to unmask the villain. It’s a good, solid entry that series fans will definitely enjoy.
★★★☆☆
#ThePostmanAlwaysPurlsTwice #AnneCanadeo #CozyMystery #BlackSheepMystery #KnittingMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #PlumHarbor #HollywoodMystery #SeriesRead #Whodunnit
March 6, 2023
Star struck
The Black Sheep Knitters are a bit starstruck when Maggie’s shop is used for filming a movie featuring a young widow who opens a knitting shop - but the glamour fades a little when one of the stars is nearly injured in an accident with a lighting fixture. A second incident, a fire in one of the stars’ trailers, seems to point toward some sort of curse - and when the producer/director is nearly killed by poison in his water bottle, it seems clear someone has no intention of letting the show go on. As the knitters pool their knowledge and mingle with the cast and crew, they’re at a loss for answers - especially after a lethal second poisoning of one of the stars. The police seem focused on the main character, wife to the director and former lover of the star - but the knitters follow other tidbits to finally unveil the real culprit - and a long-held grievance.
The Black Sheep Knitters are a bit starstruck when Maggie’s shop is used for filming a movie featuring a young widow who opens a knitting shop - but the glamour fades a little when one of the stars is nearly injured in an accident with a lighting fixture. A second incident, a fire in one of the stars’ trailers, seems to point toward some sort of curse - and when the producer/director is nearly killed by poison in his water bottle, it seems clear someone has no intention of letting the show go on. As the knitters pool their knowledge and mingle with the cast and crew, they’re at a loss for answers - especially after a lethal second poisoning of one of the stars. The police seem focused on the main character, wife to the director and former lover of the star - but the knitters follow other tidbits to finally unveil the real culprit - and a long-held grievance.
November 26, 2017
This is one of my favorite series. The characters are delightful, people I would like to know, and the mysteries are always interesting. The Postman Always Purls Twice is now my favorite in the series. The Black Sheep Knitting Shop is going to be used in a movie, and everyone is excited. However, the filming is filled with accidents and attempts on the casts life. This story give you an inside look at the making of a movie, and how hard a job it is. It also gives a little insight into the not so glamorous part of being a star.
This was an excellent mystery which kept me in suspense, not so much as to who did it but how the group would finally solve it.
This was an excellent mystery which kept me in suspense, not so much as to who did it but how the group would finally solve it.
July 26, 2025
A good look into how the Hollywood Production Companys go on the road to make movies. In this story the Black Sheep Knitters become envolved with a movie filmed in Maggies yarn shop. The movies story line is about a widowed women who owns a yarn shop. And the movie uses the Black Sheep Yarn shop as the basis for the plot. However the first take is interrruptted by a large light fixture falling on to Maggies work table. This begins a series of misfortunes and one death and a second person being attacked. The female star is arrested. And our ladies don't beleive she is quilty.
ery good story line. How can they help find the real killer?
ery good story line. How can they help find the real killer?
January 25, 2019
Predictable and slow. I seem to remember liking the previous books in this series, so I'm not sure if this book is different than previous ones or if my tastes have changed.
I found it took me longer than usual to read this book, mostly because it just couldn't hold my interest. The culprit is glaringly obvious, yet no one is able to figure it out, especially the police.
Oh, I have one more in this series I checked out from the library. I'll read that one and then determine if I'll read any more in this series or just stop.
I found it took me longer than usual to read this book, mostly because it just couldn't hold my interest. The culprit is glaringly obvious, yet no one is able to figure it out, especially the police.
Oh, I have one more in this series I checked out from the library. I'll read that one and then determine if I'll read any more in this series or just stop.
March 30, 2019
This is the 7th book in the series. The knitting group is excited when a movie is going to be set in town, and the main female character knits, with some of the scenes being filmed at the shop. Some of them are very excited to meet the stars up close, particularly the male lead. But the production seems to be plagued by accidents and when one of the actors ends up dead, the knitters band together to see if they can figure out who did it and why. The book includes some fun projects and recipes as well.
January 5, 2025
A friend (AC) sent me a number of titles from this series. To me, it seems like most series get to a certain point and feel they have to have some type of "celebrity" episode. (A cooking contest being held at the location, a movie being filmed at the location, etc.)
This one just didn't work for me. There are very few celebrities (if any) that I'd gush over, and I'm not so much into celebrity gossip.
I didn't guess who the culprit was (though that may have been because I didn't care about the storyline as much as I do other storylines).
This one just didn't work for me. There are very few celebrities (if any) that I'd gush over, and I'm not so much into celebrity gossip.
I didn't guess who the culprit was (though that may have been because I didn't care about the storyline as much as I do other storylines).
March 5, 2019
Maggie Messina's yarn shop has been chosen to feature in a movie. The Black Sheep Knitters are excited to meet the movie stars and want to get up and close to the action. Action is the word as the director of the cast is taken ill and rushed to the hospital and then a super star handsome guy in the cast is murdered. Maggie and crew seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and they hope to be able to play amateur detectives to solve the crime.
January 10, 2022
I hadn't read the other books in the series but I liked the cast. The device of setting it in a knitting shop made for a cosy mystery. I enjoyed the friendships and the set up for the story was good. I didn't love the relationship between Maggie and the officer. She seemed to be walking on eggshells. The mystery itself, had the facts right on filming but, as others have said, it took a while to get to the real motivation.
October 1, 2017
Exciting story
I really enjoy this series and the ladies of the Black Sheep Knitting Club are so much fun to be around.
When Hollywood rolls into town, making a movie in the quaint knitting shop, we all know this won't end well.
Join Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne and Phoebe in this wonder addition to the series by Ann's Cannadeo.
I really enjoy this series and the ladies of the Black Sheep Knitting Club are so much fun to be around.
When Hollywood rolls into town, making a movie in the quaint knitting shop, we all know this won't end well.
Join Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne and Phoebe in this wonder addition to the series by Ann's Cannadeo.
January 10, 2018
Another entry in the Black Sheep Knitting series (#7) and as usual the knitters are up to their stitch-holders in mayhem, this time as a movie production settles in to their quiet little town, bringing murder in its wake. (Also as usual, the title has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline.)
Not a bad cozy mystery series, but nothing to keep you up past your bedtime, either.
Not a bad cozy mystery series, but nothing to keep you up past your bedtime, either.
April 25, 2019
With Hollywood using Maggie's shop as a shooting location, the group meets all the top actors and actresses in the film. Maggie strikes up a friendship with actress, Jennifer Todd. Jennifer's character has a similar background to Maggie's life. Accidents and murder plague the cast in this exciting plot.
January 11, 2024
Our Black Sheep knitters get stars in their eyes in "The Postman Always Purls Twice." A movie production comes to town, and Maggie and her friends get a good seat in the audience to watch as mishaps and murder threaten the show.
Figuring out the culprit wasn't too difficult, but the fun is in the reading and companionship of our favorite Plum Harbor knitters.
Figuring out the culprit wasn't too difficult, but the fun is in the reading and companionship of our favorite Plum Harbor knitters.
November 5, 2023
Continuity: the name of Josh's band seems to switch back and forth from book to book. Is it the Big Fat Crying Babies or Big Fat Whining Babies? Nobody seems to know. Also in this book were the usual assortment of typos, including randomly placed capital A's in the middle of words.
August 2, 2024
Another great book in the Black Sheep Knitting mystery series!1
I enjoyed reading about the antics of the Thursday Night Knitting Club as the 5 women figure out the latest murder mystery involving actors filming a movie in Maggie’s knitting store. A light cozy mystery!
I enjoyed reading about the antics of the Thursday Night Knitting Club as the 5 women figure out the latest murder mystery involving actors filming a movie in Maggie’s knitting store. A light cozy mystery!
October 17, 2017
A Black Sheep Knitters mystery. Great twist on the usual storylines. This time hollywood comes to the village and brings with it their own problems including nasty murders. Recommend
January 5, 2019
Slow start then after the first poisoning it became a page turner, lots of characters and suspects.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews