Motifs and Malice: A Maeve Lynch Knitting Mystery

by Kitty Graham

When a builder has a suspicious accident at a Stillorgan construction site, Maeve Lynch agrees to ask a few quiet questions as a favour to a friend. It should be straightforward. It really should not end with her holding a student card that has no business being where she found it.

Returning it seems like the obvious next step, until she finds out who it belongs to. And what happened to him. And why nobody at the time seemed particularly interested in asking.

With Nidge on the lead, Michelle and Aisling on speed dial, and Liam from the Gardaí offering just enough help to make her nervous, Maeve is about to discover that some patterns are designed to hide exactly what's underneath. Karl is on his way home. Whether he'll arrive before things get complicated is another question entirely.

Motifs and Malice is the fourth book in the Maeve Lynch Knitting Mystery series, warm, witty, and set in the heart of Dublin, where a talent for untangling yarn turns out to be very useful indeed.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this latest installment in the series! What continues to set these books apart is how real the characters feel, paired with the author’s skillful weaving of Irish culture throughout. Maeve, especially, is so relatable that I often find myself in her shoes making every twist and decision hit a little harder.

A few standout moments for me:
• The way Irish culture is woven in, especially the Christmas novella & in this book (Book 4). It adds a rich sense of place and authenticity that makes the setting feel immersive without taking away from the mystery.
• Clive’s addition to Maeve’s circle brings a fresh, engaging dynamic. Introducing new characters into an established series can be tricky, but this one works.
• Liam’s support during this investigation was a refreshing shift from his usual overprotective role and added a new layer to their relationship. I’m hoping it leads to more… though the ending suggests otherwise but a girl can dream!

Overall, this was a cozy mystery with strong characters, an engaging plot, and just the right amount of emotional depth. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

[Cecile Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thoroughly enjoyable read from Kitty Graham! If you love sitting in the corner of your sofa with a blanket curled up with a tea, coffee or wine with a good read, this (like her others) is a great choice of book. Although murder is serious business, the author manages to tell the story in a way that makes you feel safe, not scared. The descriptions of the Irish landscapes and hiking sites make you feel as though you are standing beside the characters experiencing what they are which is a nice element. As a knitter, I love the ambience of the wool shop where Maeve teaches one night a week and all the references to said craft. However, if you are not a knitter, you will not lose anything in the story as a result. The cast of characters (especially Maeve’s dog Nidge!) are great and quite relatable-I suspect we all know people like them in our own worlds. In this 4th book of the series, I quite liked the fact that an initial investigation into an accident segues into a more serious investigation. In particular, I was happy with the slight shift in Liam’s character who presented as more accepting of Maeve’s involvement in this edition.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty Graham has once again written a mystery that’s intriguing and intelligent. I have read the three prior titles in the series so Motifs and Malice felt like I was enjoying a reunion with my friend Maeve.
I enjoy the way Kitty’s writing introduces me to Ireland without feeling like I’m reading a text book or travel guide. (I’ve read plenty of other authors who literally seem to cut and paste in cultural information, making it feel like they didn’t have enough actual material to tell their story).
If this is your first introduction to Maeve and her friends, I believe you will find them all realistic and relatable. I would recommend starting the series at the beginning but it’s definitely not necessary.
I once again found myself wanting to pop into the knit shop, take a hike with Maeve and Nidge and grab a coffee! I definitely hope there are more adventures to come!

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve is a busy woman who loves knitting and even teaches a class one evening a week. She has a dog, Nidge, who gets lots of walks, sometimes with Maeve’s friend Liam, who is a detective. Something happened at a building site where a shop was being renovated, this uncovered things from before the building was first finished, that lead to Maeve sorting out the truth behind an event that had happened then.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It covers all of my loves: a good murder to solve, a sweet dog, and knitting. The murder is full of suspects, & Maeve is very talented in getting to the truth. I am a knitter and love the knitting references throughout the book. If you do not knit, you will not find the knitting references spoiling the storyline. Attention knitters, there is usually a knit pattern mentioned in the book, and you can often find them on Ravelry.
Keep up the great work, Kitty.

[S. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery! The tone of writing is warm and conversational, making it a pleasure to read. I liked that the murder happened right at the beginning and then, years later, we get to see how Maeve tries to solve it. (The names of the murderer and victim aren't named at the beginning, so it all unfolds as you read along.)

There is a knitting pattern at the end of the novel, so an extra bonus for all the knitters out there.

I loved this book so much and I highly recommend it!

[Beverley Allsop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all these books, they are the reading equivalent of sitting on the sofa with a blanket and a hot chocolate. Each mystery just keeps getting better and better. Maeve and all her friends make you care about them and are so relatable. The stories flow and have enough tension that means I have to read until the end, regardless of the time of night.

[Caroline Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the latest Maeve Lynch knitting mystery. I love how real the characters are. I can relate to the problems some of the knitters have, and how their stories weave into the main story. The knitting pattern at the end is a bonus. I like too that a glossary of the Irish words used, and their meanings is included. I can’t wait for the next one.

[Jeanne Starski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Once again Kitty Graham has created an engaging story with wonderful characters. I love the knitting aspect as I am an avid knitter as well as a mystery lover. The patterns at the end of the books are great. My only complaint is that I read the books too fast and I have to wait for the next one!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book written by an author I was not familiar with. I really got into it quickly. I can't wait to read another book by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Debra Soutar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this next chapter, the characters continue to develop and draw you in! As a knitter and a Westie owner I love that some of my favorite things are intertwined and part of the twists and turns in the story. Looking forward to book 5!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read as always. Just regular people doing their thing with a bit of detective work thrown in. Great story line with great characters.

[eileen wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say another amazing book from Kitty Graham i really enjoyed it can't wait to see what will happen with Maeve and Liam really have enjoyed series so far