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

by Tessa Aura

Genres: Mystery

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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

[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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kim Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read in this series, but it was great! I could picture everything perfectly, it was so well written. I’ve already recommend this to several people in my book group. It is definitely worth reading. Now I have to go start at the beginning and get to know my new friends better!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A yarn shop owner is dead. Who is responsible for her death. or is it an accident? Fraud and money combined for murder. This is an excellent my.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way reflectes my opinion of this book,

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.