Knit Happens...then Murder: A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery

by Tessa Aura

Some secrets unravel one stitch at a time. Others end in murder.

A brand-new yarn shop should have been the perfect addition to the charming coastal town of Bath, Maine. Instead, its grand opening ends before it begins.

When shop owner Evelyn Harper is found murdered among unfinished knitting projects, antique shop owner Penelope Sinclair knows someone wanted more than a life silenced—they wanted something hidden.

The suspects pile up a bitter business rival, an attention-hungry social media influencer, and an ex-husband hoping for a second chance. With Teo, her scene-stealing teacup Chihuahua, by her side, Penelope follows every loose thread.

Because sometimes the most dangerous secrets aren't the ones everyone is talking about...they're the ones no one realizes are missing.

Can Penelope unravel the truth before the killer ties up one final loose end?

Perfect for fans of clean, witty cozy mysteries, charming small towns, lovable dogs, clever amateur sleuths, and twist-filled whodunits.

Genres: Mystery

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2026

About the author

Hello! I'm Tessa Aura, author of cozy mystery series that whisk you away to charming settings with lovable characters, clever puzzles, and plenty of laughs.

With 21 published books across multiple series, I've built a reputation for combining humor with mystery, always featuring loyal dog sidekicks and guaranteed happy endings. My Simply Scrumptious Italian Culinary Mysteries take you to the sun-soaked towns of Italy where amateur sleuth chefs solve murders between preparing pasta and pouring wine.

I grew up loving puzzles and animals—which is why every book features a four-legged detective helping crack the case. From beagles and chihuahuas to labs and pitbull/mix, these pups steal scenes (and hearts!).

Travel is my passion, and it shows in my settings. Whether it's Italy's Cinque Terre or cozy American small towns, I love taking readers on adventures alongside my female detectives.

If you love clean, lighthearted mysteries with humor, heart, and happy endings, you're in the right place. Start with Book 1 of any series and prepare to binge!

Follow me on Amazon to never miss a new release: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

Happy sleuthing!

Reviews

[April]

3.5 ⭐

Thank you, Tessa Aura, for the ARC of this book. The opinions are 100% mine.

This was such a fun, cozy murder mystery. Who doesn't love small town shenanigans involving nosy busy bodies that thrive on Town gossip along with sweet four-legged sidekicks, and baked goods?

It's always the sewing circles or knitting groups that have all the juicy details it seems.. But throw in a little social media influencer drama... Rival stores, possessive exes... and watch those rumors fly.

I loved all of the characters. One of them gave me some serious Dolores Umbridge vibes... You'll know when you know.

[Javon50]

The Twisted Skein, a new yarn shop owned by Evelyn Harper was to hold its grand opening soon. Instead, Evelyn saw something, documented everything and was killed. Penelope Sinclair and her teacup chihuahua Teo found her body. Who would kill such a lovely person? Along with her friend and detective Caleb, they will take it upon themselves to find the truth and the killer. What a terrific book. I loved every page. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader)]

Tessa Aura's Knit Happens…then Murder delivers an engaging and tightly plotted narrative that opens with the grand opening of a local yarn shop. The town's excitement is short-lived, however, when owner Evelyn Harper is discovered deceased among her knitting projects. Amateur sleuth Penelope,迫 accompanied by her charming teacup Chihuahua, Teo, is tasked with navigating a complex web of suspects, including a bitter business rival, an attention-seeking influencer, and a persistent ex-husband.

As a recent divorcée and newcomer to Bath, Maine, Evelyn was known for her exceptional listening skills. Unfortunately, this trait allowed her to inadvertently uncover a secret that a local culprit was willing to kill to protect. The author builds suspense masterfully, creating a fast-paced reading experience where the desire for answers compels you to race toward the conclusion.

The novel excels in its character dynamics. Teo’s antics with the yarn provide excellent comic relief and clever assistance during the investigation. Additionally, the interactions within the local knitting circle are a highlight, particularly the introduction of their newest member, which adds immense charm to the story. Aura successfully balances a heartwarming cozy atmosphere with genuine emotional weight regarding the victim's tragic fate.

This installment is highly recommended for enthusiasts of clean, witty, and animal-centric amateur sleuth mysteries. Knit Happens…then Murder is an excellent addition to the genre, and readers would be well-advised to explore the entire Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery series to fully appreciate Penelope and Teo's journey.

[Bethany Bryan]

Knit Happens then Murder by Tessa Aura Book Review

“The display was beautiful - Yarn in warm jewel tones cascading down a draped piece of burlap, a hand lettered grand opening sign, a row of tiny knitted sunflowers along the bottom that I know had taken her the better part of two weeks.” Everything sounds beautiful until a murder happens … “She wasn't breathing” 

Funds disappearing and a folded piece of paper. What does it hold? It's so frustrating the tension Tessa creates leaving the readers guessing what the note says. 

Rivalry, differences of opinion and cutting ties. There is plenty of drama in this book. 

Shout out to Teo the Chihuahua who is so intuitive and to Grandma too who kept them all going with food to ensure they were filed enough to find the culprit. These little touches bring so much heart and soul to the story. 

A mystery that has you getting tangled in suspects. All have motives. Whoodunnit? Very well written. 

I love the theme of yarn and how people ended up tangled in the story. It's very fitting. There are several knitting references, one chapter is titled “Knit one, clue two” I love it. 

Humorous in places and it only adds to the story. 

What is going on? A plot that is sure to get the mind thinking. It's really good. “She was just trying to help me. That's all she was doing.” 

Just when I think I know the culprit Tessa throws in new evidence and I'm second guessing all over again. Very good Murder Mystery that is sure to keep you guessing. 

Hints of romance add another layer to the story. 

The knitting group are full of gossip, do they hold the key to all that has been happening? 

A clever killer. They are so smart and not what you would expect. Tessa always manages to surprise me with her killers and how they have unique characteristics, outside of the norm.

[Marietta]

The new yarn shop in Bath, Maine would have been great for all the knitters in town, but someone decided that the owner would not make it. Evelyn Harper was new to town and was starting over at the age of 71 and thought it would great to have yarn shop, but someone had other plans. One of her neighbors, Penelope Sinclair who had been helping with her grand opening came to help first thing the day of the grand opening to find Evelyn died. Everyone just assumed that it was just her heart from pushing herself to hard for the grand opening. But the police find out that she died from bunt force trauma and Penelope just can not stop thinking about who could have want Evelyn gone. There seems to be a few people who had a problem with Evelyn beside her ex-husband wanting her to come back home and the closest yarn feeling that there was not enough room for two yarn shops so close. So, Penelope starts to dig into want happened and finds all kinds of things, but they don’t all have anything to do with Evelyn just that she was kind and wanted to help some of her customers. I can not wait to see what happens next Bath Maine with Penelope and her dog Teo.
I wonder if Detective Caleb Grant will continue to learn how to knit and continue to attend knitting clubs meeting now that he has solve this murder case.

[Toni Osborne]

Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery Book#12

A cozy mystery

This engaging story delivers a witty, clean and cozy mystery set in a charming small-town and features Penelope Sinclair. The story centers on the murder of a yarn shop owner Evelyn Harper and the investigation that follows. Oh! I must not forget the Chihuahua sidekick, Teo.

I was offered this book by the author and wish to thank her many times. This mystery was a good introduction to Ms. Aura witty writing and twisty yet cozy mystery genre. Definitely this is a puzzle driven story that has some humour and warmth into it and a satisfying whodunit. The author has a knack to keep her reader guessing till the very last chapter.

The characters make this story come to live, they are dynamic and simply love their interaction especially during the knitting sessions...:) not what to love when a new member, a detective, looking for answers pretends to love knitting…

I zipped through this story in no time. With its light style and its 180 pages it was smooth sailing all through.

If you pick up this series mid-way no fear you will blend in no problems

[Merry Chapman]

Another fantastic addition to the Penelope Sinclair series that keeps you totally engaged from the beginning. Penelope, owner of the antique shop is helping Evelyn Harper set up for her grand opening of her yarn shop, the Twisted Skein. But just before the grand opening, when Penelope goes to the shop to help with final touches, she finds Evelyn dead. She was such a sweet seventy two year old lady who only wanted to start over after her divorce. So of course, Penelope, her incredibly intuitive, clue finding teacup Chihuahua, her grandmother and Caleb investigate. With a few suspects, the crew have their time pulling loose threads and trying to tie it all together. Who wanted Evelyn dead? Why? Did the murderer want something to stay hidden? Did Evelyn discover something she shouldn't? This is a fast-paced page turner that you just can't put down once you begin. Not only do I recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Brenda]

I enjoyed yet another book in this series. Every time I read another book in this series I feel like I’m coming home again because the characters are so familiar and realistic. Penelope and her furry detective Teo solve another one with the help of Detective Caleb. A well liked woman was found dead in her new knitting shop that hasn’t had the grand opening yet. There were a lot of clues and suspects to shift thru and financial records with different organizations to weed thru to see why she was killed. Include an online influencer who was spreading the wrong information around online to stir up the town’s suspicions plus a rival shop owner and the ex of the woman who was murdered who stalked her plus other suspects and you have yourself a good cozy mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda]

This is another great Penelope and Teo story. This time Penelope is helping Evelyn set up her yard store and one of the older ladies comes in to get yard and special needles. Her debit card is declined and she says "oh not again" and Evelyn sees a bank statement that falls out of her bag and decides to help her with her finances. There is a lady in the town that has helped her in the past and basically handles all the committees books also, but Evelyn still decides to look things over. Penelope goes to help with the Grand Opening of the shop and finds Evelyn dead. Everyone thinks heart attack but the soon proves not to be the case. Detective Caleb and Penelope work to find out what happened to her and with a little help from Teo find the clues to solve the mystery.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[J.]

Penelope’s friend, Evelyn, is preparing for the grand opening of her yarn shop, but Pen finds her dead in the shop that morning. Evelyn, at 72, is starting over after her divorce and has already become part of the community because she truly listens to people and cares about them. When the death is found to be murder, suspects begin to surface. Is it the influencer who posts things without thinking of consequences, the rival yarn shop owner from a nearby town, or something else altogether?
I enjoyed this cozy mystery and getting to know the small town and its inhabitants. Pen and the detective slowly and carefully build their case and confront the murderer.
Thanks to Tessa Aura for the chance to read and review this ARC.

[Willow Poteet]

In the charming town of Bath,Maine, Penelope Sinclair and her beloved teacup Chihuahua, Teo, are helping Evelyn Harper prepare for her yarn shop's Grand opening. Who could guess that on opening day, amongst the beautiful colors of soft yarn, would lay Evelyn's body- murdered!?
Evelyn hasn't been in town long, but she has positively affected a good number of townspeople with her kindness. But there are also a number of suspects with dangerous secrets that they need to keep hidden.
This is book number 11 in the Penelope Sinclair cozy mystery series and they just keep getting better. The characters are fun and believable and I totally love Teo!
I was honored to be on the advanced reader team for this book and I am happily leaving this voluntary review.

[Christina]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Cozy Mystery!

Penelope Sinclair and her loyal dog, Teo, are once again drawn into a mystery when money begins disappearing from local community and charity funds. The investigation takes a darker turn when a new resident opening a yarn shop is murdered after discovering discrepancies in one of her client’s accounts.

With Penelope and her boyfriend, Detective Caleb, at the center of the investigation, they find themselves immersed in a knitting circle where everyone could have something to hide. As they follow the clues and uncover secrets, the mystery keeps you guessing.

A fun, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with charming characters, plenty of twists, and just the right amount of intrigue. A great read for cozy mystery fans!

[Roger]

Knit Happens...then Murder: A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery, my twenty-ninth enjoyable read from author Tessa Aura. There are so many cozy mysteries out there and so many authors writing them, but they're popular; I enjoy them & read more than my share. In every sense of the word, this is a cozy mystery, with offstage violence, amateur sleuths, and a dog. “I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll read more from this author as they're published. Next up is Evidence in Bloom: A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery (A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery Series Book 12), due out September 18th. (RIP Marley, January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Mrs K.Bryant]

Knit Happens...then Murder is a Superb story and series about Penelope Sinclair and her very clever sleuthing dog Teo. A friend Evelyn was opening a Yarn Shop but she is found dead in her shop and Detective Caleb Grant and Deputy Harper Dalton with Mabel come to investigate. Penelope, Teo attend a meal at her Grandmother's with Caleb, Claire a Chocolate Shop Owner all work together to look for clues. But what will be uncovered and can the truth be discovered?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book and series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margery]

Evelyn, a senior who has just opened Twisted Skein, a yarn shop is found murdered!
Phenelope Caleb, her grandmother and the knitting club have a list of suspects. A competing yarn shop in the town next to Bath who feels threatened that she will lose customers. An influencer who posts anything and everything that goes on in Bath who is careless with her info and if it is fact or fiction. There is also the ex husband come to town to beg Evelyn to come back? I will never tell! Now the question is, who did it and why? I could not figure it out before the reveal! Love these books!

[Dot Morrow]

Tessa has done it again. This book is great!! Teo is leading the group again and he is so funny of course Penn is right beside him or is it the other way around? Now we can't forget Caleb the detective. With a new yarn store opening up by Evelyn what is going to happen? Not long after opening Evelyn is found dead. What happened and who did it? You have to read to find out. Can't wait for the next book to see what happens in Bath.

Review of advance copy received from Author for my honest opinion.

[Jeanette Waters]

"Knit Happens...then Murder" is a charming cozy mystery with a wonderful hero, TeaCup Chihuahua, Teo and his antique store owning partner,Penelope Sinclair. Crisp pacing, knitting puns and a very absorbing storyline.
There's a nice selection of suspects, a business rival, an influencer, and her ex-husband. There's also a knitting circle, who weren't really serious suspects. I was immediately hoping it was the influencer.
A quick, entertaining read. Whoever the artist is who draws Teo, marvellous.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica Forbes]

I found this one to be a little sad. I don't mean that in a bad way, but even though we barely got to know her, I really liked Evelyn, and it made me sad to also see just how much her death affected Penelope, and the actual murderer...well, I can see how it being them would traumatize the town a bit. Still, I enjoyed the book, Teo was adorable as always, and Caleb's adventures in knitting provided much needed levity.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anita]

A new yarn store is opening in the town of Bath, ME and Penelope is helping Evelyn set up the store before the grand opening. When Penelope finds Evelyn dead the morning of the opening, Penelope bgins to lool for who would do that to such a nice person. She finds out there was a rival shop owner in a nearby town. He ex husband was also in town. And there is also a social media influencer who has been bad mouthing her. Hopefully Penelope can figure out who killed such a kind person.

[Carol]

Every so often a book comes along that is special! This is that book! Strong characters, well crafted plot with suspects and motives that are eliminated during the course of the investigation, and a sub plot featuring the trials of Caleb ~ bound to bring a smile to any knitter's heart! Loved the book! Lots of lighthearted chatting amongst the knitting group keeps the story from becoming too somber. 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶

[Nancy]

Knits Happens and the Murder- what a great title for this cozy mystery. Penelope Sinclair along with her sidekick Teo, her trusty Chihuahua are deep in to finding the guilty person that killed Evelyn. She was opening a new yarn shop and before she even had her grand opening, she was found dead.
This mystery has even enough twists and turns that kept me flipping to the next page to see who the guilty person was. I enjoy Penelope mysterys and I know you will too!

[Barbara]

The murder of Evelyn Harper, beloved recent newcomer to Bath, Maine, sets Penelope and her chihuahua, Teo, on an investigation to determine who would want her dead, and why. There are several suspects, twists and turns, secrets are uncovered, and the killer is a surprise to everyone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan Stokell]

A delightful cozy mystery set in the small town of Bath Maine.
As a knitter the title caught my eye. On the morning of the opening of the new yarn store Penelope finds a body in the store.
With help from her friends and of course her dog, Penelope looks into the murder and eventually discovers the culprit.
Characters are well developed. Entertaining fast read.

[Debbie Knisleu]

can’t let it go

I’ve enjoyed the entire series, the quirky characters, their love and support of each other thru everything. My only complaint would be that I would’ve liked to see Caleb and Pen develop more of a relationship. Holding hands in one book and in the next ones constantly treating her like a nuisance, not my idea of romance.

[Janet Burger]

Really good

Well thought out, rational detection, tho I think they really needed a forensic accountant to do some of the work, I a knowledge that small towns do not have a budget for such expense.
Fantastic characters and a really adorable dog.
a good clean cozy mystery.
Recommended reading

[Carla]

I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the characters and enjoyed their search for clues to find the murderer.  The story kept me engrossed until the end. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Kelley]

First thank you for the free copy! Usual greatness from Tessa Aura! Cozy murder mystery,knitting and sidekick dog.

[Dee]

This is one very small detective that you should pay attention to.

[Marsha Asquith]

Another mystery for Penelope Sinclair and Teo to solve.

A Grand Opening for a new local yarn shop, the owner is found dead behind her register the morning of the Grand Opening.

With a rival yarn shop owner in another town, an ex husband and a broken agreement for a partnership as suspects with valid motives.

Caleb and Penelope work through conversations with people, bank statements and the knitting class, that Granny volunteered Caleb for, to finmgure out what was happening and who wanted to stop Evelyn Harper from opening her shop.

Trusting the wrong person at the wrong time in Bath will keep Caleb and Penelope busy with clues, suspects and arrests.

[Tess]

it's a nice cozy mystery. Murder in a small town with a handful of upstanding ladies. Caleb, Penelope, and Teo are hard at work solving the mystery.