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Vampire Knitting Club #9
Popcorn and Poltergeists: Vampire Knitting Club, Book 9
Is there a murderous poltergeist on the loose?
When an Oxford caretaker is killed by a fall down the library stairs and a professor is attacked, rumors fly that it's the work of a poltergeist who's been causing havoc at the college.
The prof is a knitter, and a customer at Lucy Swift's shop, Cardinal Woolsey's. But Lucy thinks a very human killer is shifting the blame onto a ghost who can't defend itself, and she's determined to trap the real killer and get justice for the dead man.
However, danger lurks at the college where old secrets and new crimes collide. Vampire and old book expert Rafe Crosyer has been called in to value the college's literary collection, and he witnesses firsthand how angry the ghost really is.
Furious enough to kill? Or is there something else the tantrum-throwing spirit is trying to tell them?
And will they decipher the message before it's too late?
When an Oxford caretaker is killed by a fall down the library stairs and a professor is attacked, rumors fly that it's the work of a poltergeist who's been causing havoc at the college.
The prof is a knitter, and a customer at Lucy Swift's shop, Cardinal Woolsey's. But Lucy thinks a very human killer is shifting the blame onto a ghost who can't defend itself, and she's determined to trap the real killer and get justice for the dead man.
However, danger lurks at the college where old secrets and new crimes collide. Vampire and old book expert Rafe Crosyer has been called in to value the college's literary collection, and he witnesses firsthand how angry the ghost really is.
Furious enough to kill? Or is there something else the tantrum-throwing spirit is trying to tell them?
And will they decipher the message before it's too late?
Audible Audio
First published February 11, 2020
727 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
359 books1,885 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
September 1, 2021
The villains just give away all their reasons so easily lol. It was good. Although they are starting to get a bit tedious as well as predictable. Hoping it's just a bit of a rough spell and things will start to progress from here on out.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
February 28, 2020
I adore this series, and Popcorn and Poltergeists is one of my favorites because much of it takes place in a library. If you ask me, there's something creepy about old libraries.
Warren writes tightly-plotted, paranormal, cozy mysteries filled with the drama of the everyday life of a witch who runs a knitting shop above a cellar of vampires, the lighthearted comedy of the situations that ensue, and the intrigue of local murder investigations.
Lucy, the main character, is a witch in training who can't knit a stitch but is learning how to fly a broom. Nyx her black cat familiar is gorgeous, and her vampire boyfriend, Rafe, isn't hard on the eyes either. They may be supernatural, but they are written so well, that they are believable, and they feel like your neighbors who live just around the corner.
I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy witch cozies, and paranormal women's fiction.
Warren writes tightly-plotted, paranormal, cozy mysteries filled with the drama of the everyday life of a witch who runs a knitting shop above a cellar of vampires, the lighthearted comedy of the situations that ensue, and the intrigue of local murder investigations.
Lucy, the main character, is a witch in training who can't knit a stitch but is learning how to fly a broom. Nyx her black cat familiar is gorgeous, and her vampire boyfriend, Rafe, isn't hard on the eyes either. They may be supernatural, but they are written so well, that they are believable, and they feel like your neighbors who live just around the corner.
I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy witch cozies, and paranormal women's fiction.
February 16, 2020
Interesting mystery that I only partially figured out, movement in the romance department and good character development for a secondary character. I would like to learn more about the vampire world and their politics.
December 7, 2021
Popcorn and Poltergeists is book 9 of the Vampire Knitting Club series. This book frustrated me. Up until now, I have been binging this series and have listened to 10 of these books (including 8.5, the novella) and really enjoying the fun escape. Things changed with this book and I’m not sure if I want to continue binging or put it on hold for a bit. I’ll try not to rant, but Popcorn and Poltergeists both frustrated and disappointed me.
With each book in this series, I have been saying that the author really needs to find someone to proofread for her because there are a lot of errors and continuity issues from book to book, but this was the worst yet. In this book, we pretty much reread an entire scene from book 8. And the most frustrating part of it was that the particular scene made me angry the first time around so having to go through it yet again was not fun. The issue I have with the scene, is Lucy is Rafe’s friend with some romantic interest as well, yet she is speaking on things she does not understand and speaking against Rafe’s interest when it comes to his household staff; most specifically the house manager, William. William and his father and many grandfathers before him have always served Rafe. It is something they take great pride in doing and is a point of honor for them. They are treated very well and compensated very well. Lucy keeps trying to convince William that he should quit and leave Rafe’s home to venture out on his own and break the chain of his family service to Rafe. Even with William explaining to her that he has no interest in leaving Rafe, she thinks it is somehow demeaning and not a good life for him. That didn’t sit well with me. Lucy has gotten to know Rafe well and knows what a good and honorable man he is, yet she still thinks of him as a monster whenever convenient. It doesn’t really fit the narrative.
Another issue that I think has finally reached a boiling point for me is the fact that in all these books, we have yet to learn anything about the vampires beyond the fact that they are old and they drink blood from a blood bank. We also know that locks can’t keep them out and they can knit extremely fast. That is the extent. We don’t know about their special abilities or anything that makes them who they are. Based on the books, these vampires are nothing more than docile fast knitters who were born in another time. They are friendly, kind, and treat Lucy like family. So all that being said, why is it that the author keeps throwing in random snide remarks from Lucy’s thoughts about how they are dangerous, scary monsters. A human toddler is 10 times more dangerous and scarier than these vampires have shown to be. Also, whenever Lucy is doing something dangerous, she is comforted by the fact that Rafe will come running and protect her from anything bad. In this book, something bad did happen and Rafe didn’t protect her anymore than a random human would. I just don’t get it. Oh and her injury did not match up with the bed ridden recovery that she did. Most people are back up and around in a couple of days after dislocating a shoulder and in previous books she has had a witchy tea that speeds up healing and takes away the pain. What happened to that?
There is no character growth, no world growth, and no change from book to book. It’s almost like these are all written as standalone short stories from the same timeframe even though time is supposed to be passing. I had a vested interest in these characters, yet nothing is changing, and we aren’t learning anything new about them than whatever their initial introduction to the series is. Along those same lines of getting nothing vampirey from the vamps, and we are getting very little magic or witchcraft from the witch. It’s just disappointing to invest so much time in a series and have no growth.
On top of that, there isn’t continuity between books. For example, in book 1, Lucy is 27 but in book 6, she has her 26th birthday. In one of the books, Rafe is at least 600 years old, but in the next book, he is only 500 years old. The proofreading has always been an issue with things like occasionally there is an incorrect name used or the wrong pronoun or something gets repeated or a fact changed, but I always know what was meant so it doesn’t confuse me or make it so that I can’t continue. It is just getting tiresome.
I still have really enjoyed these fun little cozy mysteries until now so I’m not sure if I will finish them out now or move on to something else and circle back after I change things up. As of now, there are 4 more books available in the series. Obviously, since I am ranting, I still care and am very invested so we shall see how it goes.
The narrator is the same throughout the series and she does a great job.
With each book in this series, I have been saying that the author really needs to find someone to proofread for her because there are a lot of errors and continuity issues from book to book, but this was the worst yet. In this book, we pretty much reread an entire scene from book 8. And the most frustrating part of it was that the particular scene made me angry the first time around so having to go through it yet again was not fun. The issue I have with the scene, is Lucy is Rafe’s friend with some romantic interest as well, yet she is speaking on things she does not understand and speaking against Rafe’s interest when it comes to his household staff; most specifically the house manager, William. William and his father and many grandfathers before him have always served Rafe. It is something they take great pride in doing and is a point of honor for them. They are treated very well and compensated very well. Lucy keeps trying to convince William that he should quit and leave Rafe’s home to venture out on his own and break the chain of his family service to Rafe. Even with William explaining to her that he has no interest in leaving Rafe, she thinks it is somehow demeaning and not a good life for him. That didn’t sit well with me. Lucy has gotten to know Rafe well and knows what a good and honorable man he is, yet she still thinks of him as a monster whenever convenient. It doesn’t really fit the narrative.
Another issue that I think has finally reached a boiling point for me is the fact that in all these books, we have yet to learn anything about the vampires beyond the fact that they are old and they drink blood from a blood bank. We also know that locks can’t keep them out and they can knit extremely fast. That is the extent. We don’t know about their special abilities or anything that makes them who they are. Based on the books, these vampires are nothing more than docile fast knitters who were born in another time. They are friendly, kind, and treat Lucy like family. So all that being said, why is it that the author keeps throwing in random snide remarks from Lucy’s thoughts about how they are dangerous, scary monsters. A human toddler is 10 times more dangerous and scarier than these vampires have shown to be. Also, whenever Lucy is doing something dangerous, she is comforted by the fact that Rafe will come running and protect her from anything bad. In this book, something bad did happen and Rafe didn’t protect her anymore than a random human would. I just don’t get it. Oh and her injury did not match up with the bed ridden recovery that she did. Most people are back up and around in a couple of days after dislocating a shoulder and in previous books she has had a witchy tea that speeds up healing and takes away the pain. What happened to that?
There is no character growth, no world growth, and no change from book to book. It’s almost like these are all written as standalone short stories from the same timeframe even though time is supposed to be passing. I had a vested interest in these characters, yet nothing is changing, and we aren’t learning anything new about them than whatever their initial introduction to the series is. Along those same lines of getting nothing vampirey from the vamps, and we are getting very little magic or witchcraft from the witch. It’s just disappointing to invest so much time in a series and have no growth.
On top of that, there isn’t continuity between books. For example, in book 1, Lucy is 27 but in book 6, she has her 26th birthday. In one of the books, Rafe is at least 600 years old, but in the next book, he is only 500 years old. The proofreading has always been an issue with things like occasionally there is an incorrect name used or the wrong pronoun or something gets repeated or a fact changed, but I always know what was meant so it doesn’t confuse me or make it so that I can’t continue. It is just getting tiresome.
I still have really enjoyed these fun little cozy mysteries until now so I’m not sure if I will finish them out now or move on to something else and circle back after I change things up. As of now, there are 4 more books available in the series. Obviously, since I am ranting, I still care and am very invested so we shall see how it goes.
The narrator is the same throughout the series and she does a great job.
February 16, 2020
Popcorn and Poltergeists is the latest book in the wonderful Vampire Knitting Club series. Lucy is once again drawn into a mystery when a regular at Cardinal Woolsley's is attacked at the university. This book can be read as a stand-alone as well as part of a series. All the fantastic regular characters are in this book as well as some interesting new ones and all add to the delightful quirkiness that are at the heart of these books. This is my favourite book in this series so far. If you like a great cozy mystery with charm and a touch of humour then this is the book, and series, for you. I thoroughly enjoyed Popcorn and Poltergeists and definitely recommend it.
June 20, 2021
A perfect series to binge read.
June 5, 2020
Once again Lucy & her eclectic gang of friends are on the case to solve a mysterious death or two, missing manuscripts and the haunting at the college library! The characters are even more engaging than usual which is really hard to imagine as they are already well fleshed out with strong characteristics and personalities, but they seem to be becoming even more vibrant. I’m absolutely captivated by this series and can’t wait to start reading the next!
December 13, 2021
Delightful. This book felt closer to the earlier books. Cozy mysteries in libraries will always have a special place in my heart.
February 16, 2020
An absolutely delightful story as always. A dead professor supposedly pushed by a poltergeist, doesn’t ring true. Perhaps a human is behind all this. Impossible to stop until the end to find out who did it.
September 28, 2022
Rafe Ain't Scared of No Ghosts
I adore this series and as every book progresses, so do the intrigues, hobbies, quirks and relationships of the characters who form the Vampire Knitting Club.
Rafe and Lucy are becoming closer.
Silence Buggins, the ironically named chatty puritan vampire plays an interesting role in this one, as does Hester.
There's a ghost in the library, missing Victorian and pre-Victorian texts, and a good does of danger blended with humour.
I really want to see more of William, Rafe's enigmatic butler and see him find romance at last.
All in all, good cosy paranormal fun.
I adore this series and as every book progresses, so do the intrigues, hobbies, quirks and relationships of the characters who form the Vampire Knitting Club.
Rafe and Lucy are becoming closer.
Silence Buggins, the ironically named chatty puritan vampire plays an interesting role in this one, as does Hester.
There's a ghost in the library, missing Victorian and pre-Victorian texts, and a good does of danger blended with humour.
I really want to see more of William, Rafe's enigmatic butler and see him find romance at last.
All in all, good cosy paranormal fun.
December 8, 2022
After being really disappointed in the last book, I was delighted to listen to this one. Missing manuscripts, a haunted library, and some development for various members of the knitting group added up to a really fun story.
The only problem for me was that I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator made the Scottish woman sound Irish. I have a friend from Scotland and need to talk to her about what the difference is that I'm hearing, but it kept pulling me out of the story, to the point that I was happy when that character stopped talking. Still, it's a fun book that I really enjoyed.
The only problem for me was that I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator made the Scottish woman sound Irish. I have a friend from Scotland and need to talk to her about what the difference is that I'm hearing, but it kept pulling me out of the story, to the point that I was happy when that character stopped talking. Still, it's a fun book that I really enjoyed.
June 21, 2022
This was slightly better than the last book. Lots of interactions between Lucy and Rafe, but I just don’t see the romance when Lucy is forever doubting or trying to undermine Rafe. The mystery was good, Lucy was her usual tiresome self at times. It was good to see more of Hester, outside the surly teen she’s been relegated to.
Overall, I wish there was some more depth and growth to the characters after 9 books. So far, they’ve remained pretty one dimensional 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
Overall, I wish there was some more depth and growth to the characters after 9 books. So far, they’ve remained pretty one dimensional 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
November 1, 2024
Another enjoyable instalment in this series with the search for missing manuscripts by Mary Shelley and Charlotte Bronte. Love the setting in Oxford, love the knitting, love the references to Ghostbusters. The different personalities of the vampires are amusing.
Just a note; knitters in England would not use the word 'sweater' - they would use 'jumper'.
Just a note; knitters in England would not use the word 'sweater' - they would use 'jumper'.
April 15, 2020
There is nothing quite so lovely and comforting as a Vampire Knitting Club book.
Following Lucy and the band of vampires is always a treat, and it's just so much fun. This book was no different, and an absolutely lovely way to spend a snowy April day off.
Following Lucy and the band of vampires is always a treat, and it's just so much fun. This book was no different, and an absolutely lovely way to spend a snowy April day off.
August 28, 2020
Not a favourite but enjoyable nonetheless. This one has got an emphasis on ghosts and the Brontës, also, academia, which was very nice. I'm really loving this series.
January 18, 2021
This series is reliable knitting-related fluff cozy mystery fun for me. The literary tie was interesting to me, and the overprotective 15th century vampire love interest is still annoyingly overprotective, but at least he's trying to be more feminist >_<
January 27, 2021
Secrets always have a price, murder is a steep on and this was a bit of a tangled web for our vampire knitting club to unravel.
August 31, 2022
This was a good read. Its easy to read and enjoyable.
The ghost aspect really intrigued me and I wish it was more ghosty but I did enjoy it.
The ghost aspect really intrigued me and I wish it was more ghosty but I did enjoy it.
October 20, 2023
Generous 3 stars.
March 25, 2024
I love this series
April 18, 2022
I liked this one!
It’s different from the others and I liked that!
3.5 star listen
I like this cozy series.
I’ll keep going :)
It’s different from the others and I liked that!
3.5 star listen
I like this cozy series.
I’ll keep going :)
June 1, 2023
More fun with Lucy, scary this tim!
I Always have a Great time hanging out with Lucy and Friends. This time got a little creepy with ghosts and poltergeist activity going on at St Mary's Libray!
I Always have a Great time hanging out with Lucy and Friends. This time got a little creepy with ghosts and poltergeist activity going on at St Mary's Libray!
March 28, 2023
More focus on Rafe with an exploration of the Brontë sisters, and Mary Shelley. Awkward conversation with William.
Read near a cozy book shelf.
Read near a cozy book shelf.
September 22, 2022
While I did enjoy earlier books in the series, I believe my journey with them is probably over at this point. Between inconsistencies and a stale plot, I think the lack of character development and a lead character that no way reflects the age she is approximately supposed to be are among the main reasons I cannot continue.
March 29, 2023
Will I finish the series before the end of the month? Probably not. At best I can do a boon a day. 4 books left and and 3 more days of the month. And I should probably take another breather book before finishing.
March 6, 2020
2020 bk 82. The longer she writes the Vampire Knitting Club, the better Warren's writing becomes, the better the continuity flows, and the more she develops her characters. In this novel, set on the campus of one of Oxford's colleges, people have been found dead at the bottom of a staircase and there are two missing manuscripts. Even the mysteries become more complex. I really enjoyed this title and I am torn between #7 and #8 as being my new favorite.
February 13, 2020
“...I felt better able to confront the poltergeist when I went back. I imagined most people who had an encounter with the scary force never went back for more. I was going to let this spirit know I wasn’t going anywhere until I had some answers.”
Lucy and the Vampire Knitting Club are at it again, and this time, it's less focused on the shop, and more on the community at large as there has been a mystery involving missing manuscripts that no one has been able to solve for enough years that the library that housed them at St. Mary's College is reputed to be haunted. Poltergeists and vampires don't get along so well, so Lucy volunteers to become the "lead investigator" despite her communities' fears that she is in danger, under the guise of Rafe's assistant investigating historical handicraft manuscripts.
Is Lucy in danger? Will the help St Mary's? Is it really a ghost or is that a rumor perpetuated to hide theft. This is a fascinating story that stretches Lucy's abilities as she grows into her powers as a witch and her confidence as Rafe's "friend" and William's confidant, as well as deference to her skill in both the witch and vampire communities.
Lucy is definitely stepping into her own and it's a lovely thing to see. Nancy Warren has taught me many things in 9 books, including how wonderfully she does her own homework. With a(n) historical focus on Charlotte Bronte [one of my favorite authors of all time] she brings us smack dab into old books and their importance in new scholarship. I continue to call this one of my favorite series. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author as a gift and voluntarily chose to read and review it]
Lucy and the Vampire Knitting Club are at it again, and this time, it's less focused on the shop, and more on the community at large as there has been a mystery involving missing manuscripts that no one has been able to solve for enough years that the library that housed them at St. Mary's College is reputed to be haunted. Poltergeists and vampires don't get along so well, so Lucy volunteers to become the "lead investigator" despite her communities' fears that she is in danger, under the guise of Rafe's assistant investigating historical handicraft manuscripts.
Is Lucy in danger? Will the help St Mary's? Is it really a ghost or is that a rumor perpetuated to hide theft. This is a fascinating story that stretches Lucy's abilities as she grows into her powers as a witch and her confidence as Rafe's "friend" and William's confidant, as well as deference to her skill in both the witch and vampire communities.
Lucy is definitely stepping into her own and it's a lovely thing to see. Nancy Warren has taught me many things in 9 books, including how wonderfully she does her own homework. With a(n) historical focus on Charlotte Bronte [one of my favorite authors of all time] she brings us smack dab into old books and their importance in new scholarship. I continue to call this one of my favorite series. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author as a gift and voluntarily chose to read and review it]
February 7, 2025
So fun to listen to. Easy, comfortable, characters you care about
February 14, 2020
When the Baking Show Series came out, I feared that the Vampire Knitting Club had been completed as is. So I was thrilled to see book 9 in the series, Popcorn and Poltergeists released. There have been several series that I consider my favorites by Nancy Warren with this one being at the top.
Once again this is a murder mystery to be solved with a ghost being blamed. While the murder did not happen near Lucy or at the shop, the dead was a frequent customer of Lucy’s shop. All are on the case to help find the real killer. Marvelous addition to the series. I savor any scene that has both Lucy and Rafe. They are delicious together. I also realize that if their romance becomes too much the focus, the book would change from cozy mystery to paranormal romance. Still I enjoy each and every time these two wind up alone together.
Not sure that this book doesn’t need the background from the previous books. Certainly having read them all, the enjoyment of this one is enhanced. Each book is different but wonderful so don’t pick or choose, read all.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Once again this is a murder mystery to be solved with a ghost being blamed. While the murder did not happen near Lucy or at the shop, the dead was a frequent customer of Lucy’s shop. All are on the case to help find the real killer. Marvelous addition to the series. I savor any scene that has both Lucy and Rafe. They are delicious together. I also realize that if their romance becomes too much the focus, the book would change from cozy mystery to paranormal romance. Still I enjoy each and every time these two wind up alone together.
Not sure that this book doesn’t need the background from the previous books. Certainly having read them all, the enjoyment of this one is enhanced. Each book is different but wonderful so don’t pick or choose, read all.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 12, 2020
Love this series!
Each time the next book comes out in this series I have to put down whatever I'm reading and read this one. They just keep getting better! We have the gang all helping out but most of the action is happening at the college. Rafe is trying to value the colleges collection of rare books and manuscripts. In the mean time, the caretaker dies from a tumble down a flight of stairs and another professor is injured on the same night. The same flight of stairs that cost the life of a former principal 10 years before. It is the resident ghost causing all the problems? And what of the missing manuscripts that would be worth a fortune? So much going on!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Each time the next book comes out in this series I have to put down whatever I'm reading and read this one. They just keep getting better! We have the gang all helping out but most of the action is happening at the college. Rafe is trying to value the colleges collection of rare books and manuscripts. In the mean time, the caretaker dies from a tumble down a flight of stairs and another professor is injured on the same night. The same flight of stairs that cost the life of a former principal 10 years before. It is the resident ghost causing all the problems? And what of the missing manuscripts that would be worth a fortune? So much going on!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews