Purls and Peril

Maeve Lynch Knitting Mysteries #1

by Kitty Graham

A cozy Irish mystery with a twist of yarn, a touch of tech—and one very nosy terrier.When Maeve Lynch’s scruffy Westie unearths a body during a walk in the Dublin Mountains, it’s not just any corpse. The victim is wearing a distinctive hand-knit cowl—one Maeve designed for a local knit-along.

Suddenly, the part-time knitting instructor and full-time SaaS project manager finds herself tangled in something far more sinister than dropped stitches. As questions mount, Maeve’s curiosity—and her conscience—pull her into a web of tech corruption, real estate fraud, and old secrets with dangerous consequences.

With the help of her sharp-witted best friend, a yarn shop full of nosy knitters, and a handsome Garda detective who’d really prefer she stop meddling, Maeve must unravel the truth—before someone else gets cast off.

Genres: Mystery, Ireland

218 pages, Paperback

Published August 10, 2025

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

Some of the writing felt a bit off and I couldn’t shake the feeling the author had used AI at least to some extent. I went to check the other reviews and saw someone mentioned the cover was AI generated, which I hadn’t noticed as the cover isn’t very clear on my ereader, but it was obvious when I checked online!! The author also uses AI heavily on Facebook and instagram. Very disappointed that I wasted money supporting someone making AI slop.

[Debby Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. The characters I did find the detailed part of the crime tedious … but understand it was a ‘white collar’ crime and trying to explain why it was not an easy crime to catch did require details. It was just a little too much for my brain haha but that’s just me! Enjoyed it and will get the next in series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, cozy mystery! I loved Nidge, the dreamy detective, and so many cozy snacks…I may even consider learning to knit! The book had a great balance of lovable characters, a little suspense, lots of laughs, and a mystery that kept me guessing! I hope there will be more of Maeve, Liam, Nidge, and maybe even Karl, in the future!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars, a lovely cozy mystery that you can binge in a day or two. I love Maeve’s character so much!!

[Lys · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI COVER

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been good. I don’t like bad language in a cozy mystery.

I thought this sounded like a great cozy mystery but . . . I couldn’t understand all the technical issues Maeve was trying to figure out & was completely turned off by the bad language. If not for that, it could be a good book.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, particularly the characters and the knitting. I did find the details around the mystery baffling at times, in particular all the technical details. However I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see how the characters develop. If you enjoy cosy mysteries this is a nice easy read.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

Purls and Peril by Kitty Graham follows Maeve as she uncovers a huge scam that leaves someone dead. She has to use her non existent investigative skills to discover who the killer is while also avoiding getting in the way of the police. Ultimately someone she loves might be involved and that turns the whole case on its head.

I thought the beginning of the book was a little slow but once the book gets started it is honestly quite good! I enjoyed myself immensely. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes love triangles and good banter. As I mentioned, it is a little slow to start but the book gets really good! I did see a complaint that there was too much jargon about Maeve's job and I have to disagree, I feel like it made the character real to me. I cant wait to see where the series goes from here!

PS: I got to meet the author and she's absolutely lovely and told me a fun fact that she wrote this book in 6 weeks! How amazing is that?!

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say, this was better than I was expecting.

Marve, the main character, is a tech developer in Dublin, who also loves knitting. She teaches at a local yarn store.

While on a hike with her dog one day, she comes across a body in the park. The person is wearing a cowl that Maeve recognizes as something she designed for a group project at the shop.

When it turns out the victim was l well-known local journalist, she begins to want to know more. One of the knitters she knows starts to act a bit suspiciously, and shortly after is beaten up in another park.

Maeve decides to look into things a bit in her own fashion and as things move along everything seems to become more dangerous. It involves a project she worked on related to a construction project of new homes.

There was a lot of detail here about tech life and different aspects of the work, but the author managed to make the story very readable. Not the most amazing book ever, but I'd read another in this series.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous surprise

I was just looking for a cozy mystery that would have a fiber arts theme when I stumbled upon this book. I recommend this book without reservation. The author utilizes real knitting terms with a certain amount of authority. I like the fact that the main character is a younger female. The mystery itself was intriguing, though I have to admit I’m not really into tech so some of that was confusing, but the fact that it was confusing to me had no impact on the enjoyment of the reading itself. I am about to start book 2, and I’ll let you know how I feel about that one.

[Morandia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. First, the author did their own narratiation. It was good. As to the story, the mystery was interesting but for me it got too much into "business details". I know that is directly related to the main character's profession, but I found that a bit boring. I'm not interested in that aspect. I expected more to be about knitting since it is a "knitting mystery" but that was much more tangential than I expected. Overall, the book is ok but I'm probaby not going to pick up the next in the series. I did like the main character and the police officer though.

[Jeannette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up after reading the first quarter. Too much tech jargon, which felt completely ott. I appreciate the background needs to be set, but it still needs to be accessible to the average reader.
And the investigating officer asking the finder of the body on a date at the start of the investigation? Seriously? I know it’s a cozy mystery so not necessarily true to life but there’s only so far I can suspend belief.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and meeting Maeve and her friends and family and don't forget the knitting club. I have been an avid crocheter for many years and do know how to knit. While reading the exploits of Maeve and the knitters I immediately wanted to pick up my knitting needles and start working on the cowl which started off the mystery! A perfect mystery to curl up with a pot of tea and a warm blanket.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect cozy mystery. I loved how relatable Maeve was and Nidge was sidekick to this crazy adventure! Also, being a crocheter, I really enjoyed the crafting side. All in all I had no idea who the murderer and true motive was until it was revealed. It kept me engaged and I’m so looking forward to Skeins and Secrets!!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story with lots of knitting innuendos, corporate shenanigans, a possible murder, and fear for one's life for at least three people. There is a bit of romance in the air and lots of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" avoidance in the main character's company. I would call this a thriller cozy mystery. I do recommend it though.

[Daisy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you on your toes

Very enjoyable. The characters are well developed and believable. The murder mystery unravels at the perfect pace. I loved that it involved a yarn shop. I wish more was done with that. Nidge the dog was adorable. Maeve and Michelle were a great combination. Can’t wait to read more.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful new series I have just begun reading. Before I finished this book, I ordered the next 3 books in the series. I love the characters, the setting, the knitting, even the little terrier! The mystery was complex enough to make make it worthy, however the knitting aspect made it a charming time at the end of each busy day.

[Wendy]

I love how this book included the knitting pattern that cracked the case! The book was well written with a down-to-earth, “real” woman. I’m not one for a lot of detail but I do wish the author embellished a few more of the scenes, like when she met the detective for their first date or in the end at the station when the culprits were arrested. Besides wanting a little more (which it seems we’ll get as this is a series :), I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this. The detail of forensic accounting was a little off-putting but I soon learned to extract the direction and general idea. It impressed rather than annoyed me. I suspect it will attract new readers to the genre. I liked its combination with knitting. The real interest of the narrative is how the information is put together by a group, the power, and danger, of community. Your assumptions about people may not hold and require testing. It was, I thought, a thoughtful book. Glad I read it..

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was an option for a GR challenge and I'm so glad that not only did I chose this book, but that I bought the first 3 books in the series!

I enjoyed the characters, the storyline moved along quickly and it was easy to follow. I look forward to starting the next story in the series.

[Leorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and fun read. The characters are engaging and entertaining. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I will be knitting up the cowl pattern printed at the end of the book!

[Christina Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely delivered on the cozy Irish mystery with a touch of tech, yarn and terrier! A well written easy read! Looking forward to learning more about Mauve and the cheeky Nidge in future books!

[Chelsey Lepinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery. Interested to see where this goes next. Especially with the detective and Karl lol.

[andrea holliway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I enjoyed this mystery from a new to me author. Maeve was a great amateur sleuth and I look forward to her next adventure!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery and cute with two guys are interested in you. I hope Liam wins

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this cozy mystery- especially the knitting, dog, and Irish references.

[Mary Beth Conville · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute read.

[Penny Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

Purls and Peril by Maeve Lynch is my first book by this author and it was a great read. Liked the characters, the suspense, the dog… Read it you’ll be delighted too.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this modern cosy mystery and immediately downloaded the second novel in the series!

[J.V. Speyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun story

The story was very good. There were enough errors to knock me out of the story, but on the whole I did enjoy the story very much.