What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Sheep & Company Mystery #9
Knit to Kill
A relaxing girls’ getaway turns deadly for the Black Sheep Knitters when a pushy killer is on the prowl . . .
As their beloved Black Sheep member Lucy Binger prepares to tie the knot, the closely knit group decide they need a weekend to unwind before the big day. Suzanne Cavanaugh has just the spot—her friend Amy lives in a luxury New England community on Osprey Island, renowned for its famous cliff walk and spectacular ocean views, and she would be happy to host the knitters.
Shortly after their arrival, however, the idyllic setting turns into a crime scene. The body of a prominent resident of Osprey Shores is discovered on the rocky coastline below the cliffs and evidence suggests his fatal misstep was no accident.
The well-known victim was not so well liked, it turns out, with many enemies eager to send him into an early—and permanent—retirement. When the investigation focuses on Amy’s husband, the knitters step in to untangle the clues.
But with this crafty killer on the edge, the Black Sheep must walk a fine line—and look before they leap to any deadly conclusions.
As their beloved Black Sheep member Lucy Binger prepares to tie the knot, the closely knit group decide they need a weekend to unwind before the big day. Suzanne Cavanaugh has just the spot—her friend Amy lives in a luxury New England community on Osprey Island, renowned for its famous cliff walk and spectacular ocean views, and she would be happy to host the knitters.
Shortly after their arrival, however, the idyllic setting turns into a crime scene. The body of a prominent resident of Osprey Shores is discovered on the rocky coastline below the cliffs and evidence suggests his fatal misstep was no accident.
The well-known victim was not so well liked, it turns out, with many enemies eager to send him into an early—and permanent—retirement. When the investigation focuses on Amy’s husband, the knitters step in to untangle the clues.
But with this crafty killer on the edge, the Black Sheep must walk a fine line—and look before they leap to any deadly conclusions.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 23, 2017
282 people are currently reading
1617 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
September 22, 2017
Reading KNIT TO KILL was like taking fresh breaths of sea air. Pleasurable and invigorating! Author Anne Canadeo establishes an intricate plot set at a lovely resort off the coast of Maine, Osprey Shores. The knitting ladies go away for a nice weekend to celebrate with bachelorette, Lucy, who's about to marry Matt. As fate would have it, the friends are pulled into a murder mystery when a lifeless body is found on the beach after the morning fog begins to clear. Ms. Canadeo skillfully weaves in a number of clues for readers to ferret out along with the merry cast of characters. I love each of the knitter ladies and their different personalities, so well sculpted by the author that I feel like I could easily be friends with them myself in real life. There is a lot of emotional turmoil amidst several of the secondary characters which had me vexed as to who exactly the culprit(s) might be and what their motive was.
The writing and plot are refreshing and the pages zip by quickly. I was having so much fun partying and sleuthing with these gals I didn't want the story to end! Knit to Kill is now my favorite story in the series. Brava!
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
The writing and plot are refreshing and the pages zip by quickly. I was having so much fun partying and sleuthing with these gals I didn't want the story to end! Knit to Kill is now my favorite story in the series. Brava!
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 8, 2019
I'm somewhat surprised by the plethora of positive reviews about this book. Maybe it's because this is the first book in the series that I've read (this is the 9th book of the series, not that it says anywhere on the cover of my copy), but gosh this was a boring book.
A bunch of women who are friends because of their knitting club head off on a girl's weekend. There's about 5 of them, but I wouldn't know because they are totally interchangeable with no standout features (except one is 60, and I think it took me 3/4 of the book to realise that not all the others were around that age, even though one of them is getting married). It seems that a murder occurs every time this friend group goes anywhere, and instead of being involved in the case a'la Angela Lansbury, they just talk about what could have happened and then the police do their job in the background.
Basically there is no reason for them being there, apart from some macabre gossip, nothing really happens. They keep saying things like "oh we should stay out of it" followed up by them incessantly questioning the wife of one of the murder suspects. She seems rather happy to open up about the skeletons in her closet to the random group of busybodies, something that came across as totally false.
Anyways, this book gets 2 stars because it was some escapism, annoying as it was.
Added to my 50 eyebrow books to read in 2019 because page 45 of my copy has the following line:
"His dark eyes were bright behind black-framed glasses, and his eyebrow were thick and bushy, rising and falling with his animated expressions and loud conversation".
A bunch of women who are friends because of their knitting club head off on a girl's weekend. There's about 5 of them, but I wouldn't know because they are totally interchangeable with no standout features (except one is 60, and I think it took me 3/4 of the book to realise that not all the others were around that age, even though one of them is getting married). It seems that a murder occurs every time this friend group goes anywhere, and instead of being involved in the case a'la Angela Lansbury, they just talk about what could have happened and then the police do their job in the background.
Basically there is no reason for them being there, apart from some macabre gossip, nothing really happens. They keep saying things like "oh we should stay out of it" followed up by them incessantly questioning the wife of one of the murder suspects. She seems rather happy to open up about the skeletons in her closet to the random group of busybodies, something that came across as totally false.
Anyways, this book gets 2 stars because it was some escapism, annoying as it was.
Added to my 50 eyebrow books to read in 2019 because page 45 of my copy has the following line:
"His dark eyes were bright behind black-framed glasses, and his eyebrow were thick and bushy, rising and falling with his animated expressions and loud conversation".
January 15, 2018
I was thrilled when I heard this series was to live on through a new publisher! KNIT TO KILL is the first book in the Black Sheep & Company Mysteries, but a continuation of the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries, which makes this the ninth book with these characters.
It always amazes me when an author has a long running series, but can keep their stories fresh, and unpredictable. But it is something Anne Canadeo does, and does well with each new book. KNIT TO KILL is such a book.
With one of their own about to wed, the ladies of the Black Sheep Knitters go on a girls’ getaway. Hey, maybe getting out of their normal environment will keep the ladies out of trouble, and away from those pesky murders! Nah. It’s just not meant to be. Once again they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. But things aren’t at all what they seem to be. And before all is said and done, there’s another twist. One I sure didn’t see coming.
KNIT TO KILL, as with all books by author Anne Canadeo, was a fast, easy to follow read that made turning each page a joy, which made coming to the last page a real bummer. Now I have to wait for the next book! However, Canadeo did leave us with a knitting project (by way of a link), and a yummy recipe. So, we can stay busy with those until the next book is out!
It always amazes me when an author has a long running series, but can keep their stories fresh, and unpredictable. But it is something Anne Canadeo does, and does well with each new book. KNIT TO KILL is such a book.
With one of their own about to wed, the ladies of the Black Sheep Knitters go on a girls’ getaway. Hey, maybe getting out of their normal environment will keep the ladies out of trouble, and away from those pesky murders! Nah. It’s just not meant to be. Once again they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. But things aren’t at all what they seem to be. And before all is said and done, there’s another twist. One I sure didn’t see coming.
KNIT TO KILL, as with all books by author Anne Canadeo, was a fast, easy to follow read that made turning each page a joy, which made coming to the last page a real bummer. Now I have to wait for the next book! However, Canadeo did leave us with a knitting project (by way of a link), and a yummy recipe. So, we can stay busy with those until the next book is out!
November 14, 2017
Just started reading, I assume publisher change thus book #1 (but it's not, it's actually book # 9 Black Sheep Mysteries Series )
I was taken aback by the group of knitting friends on Lucy's bachelorette trip. So far I have no idea who is who. This isn't a great book for new readers. The author never really introduce any of them or their background. As a reader, I don't feel connected to any characters except the new folks they met during their holiday.
At 64% and I'm wondering if 20+ characters will make a book a good mystery, NO it doesn't. I had to make notes because there are too many names to keep track.
I was taken aback by the group of knitting friends on Lucy's bachelorette trip. So far I have no idea who is who. This isn't a great book for new readers. The author never really introduce any of them or their background. As a reader, I don't feel connected to any characters except the new folks they met during their holiday.
At 64% and I'm wondering if 20+ characters will make a book a good mystery, NO it doesn't. I had to make notes because there are too many names to keep track.
September 9, 2018
Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo was an enjoyable cozy mystery but I confess that I was a little lost on the characters since I hadn't read the previous books. However, Ms. Canadeo did make an effort to give some background for each of the main characters and I really enjoyed their friendship and camaraderie. I will definitely look for the previous books in this series.
July 29, 2022
Book 1 Lucy and Matt are getting married. And all her best friends are taking her to Osprey Springs to have some serious fun. Phobe Maggie's one hand worker at Black Sheep Knitting Shop told Lucy to get a bucket list To do of Wild and Crazy things until the week she would get married. phone was the youngest of the group ( Maggie, Lucy, Dana and, Suzanne).. Maggie had found the young Fine Art and Design Degree so much talent she did not want her to leave The Shop. Phone even had her patterns of knitting in magazines. When they finally went to their week vacation. Everything seemed Pristine. Especially Osprey Springs. But when they met Amy Suzanne best friend that had told Suzanne they all could stay at one of her place for free. The man Ezra who had bought the land and Built the Amazing buildings i(n 1882 )had a facetious sight for Mermaids. Said he even seen a Mermaid and she wanted him to go with him. The iconic thing is his last breathe was drowning. Lucy and her clan saying maybe he did see a Mermaid and she lured him in. Amy wanted Maggie to teach het Knitting group a thing or too. So when they all arrived Maggie had the whole Audience. Then a Loud disruption came from another room where Lucy saw men playing poker. 2 men were screaming at each other saying ( Derrik and Julian they later found out) You have been cheating ever since and I will not pay a Dime to you you cheating fool ( Julian an older man about 70 or 80. Was the one Derrick was referring to because Julian has been winning every single poker game) Amy tried to steer the group away from what had just happened by closing the door. But all of them were not wanting to participate anymore. Then the next day Phone decided to go bird photography for her boyfriend interest. And when Dana And Lucy went off for their yoga class Merideth. ( Julian ex wife from Amy knitting group) she was late and they started in on yoga. But then a whole lot of Cops Cars were going around the water area. They all found out what happened Julian fell off the Cliff. Then there were people that came forth that he was a mean dirty old man. Even his young 20 year old Tanya thought so too. He would not really spend a penny for her or the ex and their boy. This is was ok book. I just really could not get into it. I dont know some of the characters seemed I don't know just bland or maybe boring. I might read book 2 I will see
March 2, 2019
Excellent book! Knitting, spa/beach surroundings in Maine, a cozy murder mystery, and a wedding- what more could I want to start my March Mystery Madness 2019 reading? Anne Canadeo does a good job of making her characters feel like old friends and family in this 2017 part of her mystery series A Black Sheep & Company Mystery. Hint though- remember your timelines, don’t get lost on the trail to the cliffs! An enjoyable book.
November 7, 2018
Why has it taken me so long to get back to the Black Sheep Posse? A fantastic addition to an already brilliant series!
Suzanne has a friend (Amy) with a cottage in a luxury community and so with Lucy's wedding coming up the five friends head off for a long weekend of relaxing, laughter, good food and drinks and of course knitting! The first day seems to be going well until they overhear a rather unpleasant argument, that would have been just a blip until one of the men ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff, and apparently he didn't get there by chance or accident. Now everyone is worried, especially as it turns out the murdered man was NOT the nicest around, the Black Sheep knitters are taking a back seat until Amy's husband, Rob, becomes suspect #1, now Maggie, Phoebe, Dana, Lucy and Suzanne need to help the police unravel the clues before they head back home.
Suzanne has a friend (Amy) with a cottage in a luxury community and so with Lucy's wedding coming up the five friends head off for a long weekend of relaxing, laughter, good food and drinks and of course knitting! The first day seems to be going well until they overhear a rather unpleasant argument, that would have been just a blip until one of the men ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff, and apparently he didn't get there by chance or accident. Now everyone is worried, especially as it turns out the murdered man was NOT the nicest around, the Black Sheep knitters are taking a back seat until Amy's husband, Rob, becomes suspect #1, now Maggie, Phoebe, Dana, Lucy and Suzanne need to help the police unravel the clues before they head back home.
November 22, 2017
This is my first book from Anne Canadeo. I enjoyed the light story, giving me a rest from more heavy ones.
It’s all about a group of ladies, friends and a couple colleagues, who have a passion for knitting.
They head away on a girls pamper weekend before Lucy is to marry and hope to enjoy themselves.
They head to Osprey Island, that is famous for the scenery and cliff walks.
Well soon after arriving a crime happens and lots of town gossiping as to if it was an accident or a murder.
The victim was not a nice person, and when discovered he was murdered, suspects and police questioning happens to many.
The knitting group are close to those involved and cannot help themselves by getting involved and trying to solve the crime.
Well written book and I will definitely read another when it crosses my path.
It’s all about a group of ladies, friends and a couple colleagues, who have a passion for knitting.
They head away on a girls pamper weekend before Lucy is to marry and hope to enjoy themselves.
They head to Osprey Island, that is famous for the scenery and cliff walks.
Well soon after arriving a crime happens and lots of town gossiping as to if it was an accident or a murder.
The victim was not a nice person, and when discovered he was murdered, suspects and police questioning happens to many.
The knitting group are close to those involved and cannot help themselves by getting involved and trying to solve the crime.
Well written book and I will definitely read another when it crosses my path.
August 5, 2018
I liked the setting, and the characters had potential, though they never quite come to life -- way too much description. I guessed the murderer, but that book was replete with red herrings, and I was almost distracted by a few of them. The book was headed to a 2-3 star rating until the end
SPOILER SPACE
but I couldn't really accept the idea that the murderer would receive no punishment of any kind, basically because she was likeable and the victim was not (make the victim hateful so the reader doesn't mind his death is a cozy convention, but this book took that rule to a level of unbelievably).
SPOILER SPACE
but I couldn't really accept the idea that the murderer would receive no punishment of any kind, basically because she was likeable and the victim was not (make the victim hateful so the reader doesn't mind his death is a cozy convention, but this book took that rule to a level of unbelievably).
March 31, 2023
The other night when I looked through a few years old issue of Vogue Knitting, I saw an ad for two knitting related cozy mystery series, and thought I'd give them a try.
This is part of a cozy mystery series with a knitting group as the amateur sleuths. It's not a must-read-the-series story. I believe each book in the series is basically a stand-alone. This one certainly is.
The small knitting group decides to get away for a few days as a kind of last fling for one member, Lucy, who's about to get married. Another member knows someone who rents out a cottage in coastal Maine, so they travel there for a long weekend. One member of the group, who owns the knitting shop where they regularly gather, has agreed to teach a knitting class for some of the locals. At the first class, their first night there, the group witnesses an altercation between some of the local men, and the next day one of those men dies in a fall from the beach cliffs.
As with most cozy mysteries, the victim is not a nice person. In fact nearly everyone who knows him has some reason to wish him dead.
This is a low-key story, and a bit of an escape, but also not intense at all. It is touching, toward the end, and I liked at least four members of the knitting group, but the sort of "girls weekend away" flavor of it felt tedious to me at times. Still, the writing was great, all of the detail felt realistic, and even the night out dancing fed into the mystery, and I liked that one of the women was a birdwatcher/photographer, and some of her photos provided clues. The clues and red herrings were provided at a good pace, with several suspects to wonder about, and I figured out who the killer was just before it was revealed, so I felt almost like I was one of the group of sleuths. Recommended for anyone who likes a cozy mystery.
This is part of a cozy mystery series with a knitting group as the amateur sleuths. It's not a must-read-the-series story. I believe each book in the series is basically a stand-alone. This one certainly is.
The small knitting group decides to get away for a few days as a kind of last fling for one member, Lucy, who's about to get married. Another member knows someone who rents out a cottage in coastal Maine, so they travel there for a long weekend. One member of the group, who owns the knitting shop where they regularly gather, has agreed to teach a knitting class for some of the locals. At the first class, their first night there, the group witnesses an altercation between some of the local men, and the next day one of those men dies in a fall from the beach cliffs.
As with most cozy mysteries, the victim is not a nice person. In fact nearly everyone who knows him has some reason to wish him dead.
This is a low-key story, and a bit of an escape, but also not intense at all. It is touching, toward the end, and I liked at least four members of the knitting group, but the sort of "girls weekend away" flavor of it felt tedious to me at times. Still, the writing was great, all of the detail felt realistic, and even the night out dancing fed into the mystery, and I liked that one of the women was a birdwatcher/photographer, and some of her photos provided clues. The clues and red herrings were provided at a good pace, with several suspects to wonder about, and I figured out who the killer was just before it was revealed, so I felt almost like I was one of the group of sleuths. Recommended for anyone who likes a cozy mystery.
August 21, 2018
Knit to Kill I have read (and beginning to re-read) the Black Sheep Knitting Series. It was fun to see that Lucy and Matt are engaged and getting married. The women have gone to an area that is considered better than the norm to relax and celebrate with Lucy before her wedding. The first night at the house, Maggie is teaching a class to the local knitting group and they meet all the characters that are going to be looked at in the murder. They see men argue at the poker game and they learn that Julian is a hated member of the area and not many people like him. All for their own reasons. When he is found dead the next day, Lucy and her friends end up getting involved as they had witnessed the fight the night before and they know some of the players that are being investigated or are related to those who are investigated.
This is the first in the Black Sheep Knitting Company books under the new publisher, but it is book 9 in the Black Sheep Knitting Series. I have enjoyed the books in the past, but I tend to overlook some of the things that others have found to be troubling (not liking fusion food or not studying religions while in school, but as a side project). This book did have a lot less knitting and a lot more running around town (Osprey Island). I noticed that there is a Book 10 and I know that I am going to go back and re-read the previous books. I feel that you can start here and still understand what is happening as they left their area and the characters are well established.
This is the first in the Black Sheep Knitting Company books under the new publisher, but it is book 9 in the Black Sheep Knitting Series. I have enjoyed the books in the past, but I tend to overlook some of the things that others have found to be troubling (not liking fusion food or not studying religions while in school, but as a side project). This book did have a lot less knitting and a lot more running around town (Osprey Island). I noticed that there is a Book 10 and I know that I am going to go back and re-read the previous books. I feel that you can start here and still understand what is happening as they left their area and the characters are well established.
October 9, 2017
Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo is a fantastic addition to the series.
Lucy Binger is ready to tie the knot and her friends have arranged a "Girls Only" weekend in the quaint, picturesque town of Osprey Island, set on the gorgeous east coast.
What can be more relaxing than yoga, spa sessions, pool time and your best friends?
While in this little town, Maggie, owner of Black Sheep Knitting is also teaching a knitting class as a favor for their luxurious accommodations.
No one believes that there will be another dead body, another investigation, and even worse, a murderer on the loose!
Like a dropped stitch in a favorite pattern, Lucy can't resist working the investigation with her best friends.
No one is mourning the death of the not so nice victim, but Lucy can't help but try and figure things out, especially when it's for a friend.
These ladies are such a fun group, I found myself wishing I was there with them.
I have been a fan of this series for a couple of years now, and reading a Black Sheep Knitting mystery is like hanging out with dear friends.
All the ladies have their own unique personality and style and that contributes to the sense of realness I get when I open the book.
I can't wait to read more in this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Lucy Binger is ready to tie the knot and her friends have arranged a "Girls Only" weekend in the quaint, picturesque town of Osprey Island, set on the gorgeous east coast.
What can be more relaxing than yoga, spa sessions, pool time and your best friends?
While in this little town, Maggie, owner of Black Sheep Knitting is also teaching a knitting class as a favor for their luxurious accommodations.
No one believes that there will be another dead body, another investigation, and even worse, a murderer on the loose!
Like a dropped stitch in a favorite pattern, Lucy can't resist working the investigation with her best friends.
No one is mourning the death of the not so nice victim, but Lucy can't help but try and figure things out, especially when it's for a friend.
These ladies are such a fun group, I found myself wishing I was there with them.
I have been a fan of this series for a couple of years now, and reading a Black Sheep Knitting mystery is like hanging out with dear friends.
All the ladies have their own unique personality and style and that contributes to the sense of realness I get when I open the book.
I can't wait to read more in this series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
August 31, 2022
This really confused me because Amazon had it as first in the series, but it didn’t read like that. So when I came in here and found it was the ninth, but the first since a change of publishers things made more sense. I thought the mystery was a bit of a damp squib and didn’t really get the group dynamic, but then it’s way into a series so of course I didnt. Hey ho.
February 9, 2018
Easy to read but a bit of a stretch for the regular part of the story.
November 13, 2017
I was excited to win this book through Giveaways. The timing was perfect, as "Knit to Kill" centers around events occurring during a girlfriends' getaway and we were holding our own 20th Anniversary girlfriends' trip. With high hopes about a murder mystery and crafty, creative knitting friends, I found the characters easy to identify with and enjoyed how they interacted. The murder mystery aspect was fine, the plot okay. This kept me reading. Otherwise, the book was perhaps the toughest one ever to finish due to editing? issues. I'm not sure about publishing, editorial, and author processes or responsibilities, but there were many grammatical issues, e.g., comma overload or misuse, word misspellings or endings left off, poor sentence structure, repetitive language, and at least two cases of repeating sentences/portions of paragraphs. I lost count about the repetitive use of "good point," "good idea," or this and that being good. I understand that mistakes occur and do not enjoy focusing or mentioning in a review, but it occurred simply too often to not mention in this honest review. I would rate the book one star due to the amount of mistakes but gave two stars for the murder mystery aspect.
May 28, 2018
Well I sure am late to this party. This is the 9th in the Black Sheep Knitting series and this is the first I have read. After enjoying this entry I will happily be playing catchup. I may not know a knitting needle from a hole in the ground but I do know a good cozy when I read it. The setting is a spa weekend on the coast of Maine where a group of friends are celebrating the upcoming wedding of Lucy. Her friend, Maggie - owner of Black Sheep Knitting is going to teach a knitting class as a favor to a friend. Finding the dead body of a nasty man they had met the day before isn't part of the relaxing weekend they had planned. So, of course the ladies set off to find out who did the deed. The clues are fair, the pace and dialog work well and the ending is satisfying.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2017
I was so happy to see that the Black Sheep knitting group is continuing to thrive! In this installment, the knitters head to a seaside resort in Maine to celebrate Lucy's forthcoming nuptials. Naturally they stumble upon a murder and can't help getting involved. The setting was charming, and the mystery tantalizing. I happily zoomed through this book, but didn't want to reach the end. I'm looking forward like an eager pup to the next installment in this wonderful series.
April 15, 2018
All the characters are there. The storyline seems to be good. About halfway through the book and my interest started to waver. Somehow, somewhere this book went flat. Seemed to be a lot of repetition in the dialogue. I had a really hard time finishing.
November 7, 2024
I had chosen a different book to read, and then decided that I'd rather return to this series to hear more about these characters instead. (This was book #1 with a new publisher, but book #9 if you start with the original series.) I think that reading the prior series first would help with keeping the characters straight, as well as helping to develop them in our minds.
I loved this book. It would've been a perfect beach read. I could almost hear the sea gulls.
I loved the picturesque cliffs near the beach, and just about everything associated with this vacation: bird-watching, photography, scrabble, for instance.
I like that the Scrabble champion is young. Most of the time, it's pictured as an older person, but our youngest child (an early adult) is often our best Bananagrams player, and that's akin to Scrabble.
I loved that Lucy and Dana continued their biking in this book.
Although this series often (but not always) shows the characters having respect and support for the ones with healthier food options, I wonder if they would have the same inclusion and respect for someone who doesn't drink? They seem to drink together a lot. I had a friend recently tell me that people often looked down on her because she doesn't drink - much. That made me smile, and I told her I don't drink at all, although I don't mind if others do.
In fact, if I had been with them on this book's trip, there were several evenings where I would've wanted to head back early and let them party on without me. A good book calling me, perhaps.
The downside of that more leisurely pace is that I wasn't in a hurry to find out whodunit, and would sometimes take breaks in reading it.
I knew who the invention thief was, although I don't believe the person would have chosen that pseudonym. There's often disdain over inaccurate material, rather than homage. I knew the clue that identified the murderer, although I couldn't remember which one of them had ...
There was that quote again, "Every pot has its lid." I've determined that I don't like that quote, and that I doubt a psychologist would use it. So many people never do find spouses, and I think it's better to avoid the disillusionment of a false hope.
I feel like I ought to say something about Sam, the character who thinks he has so much charm and such a good physical appearance that anyone would have him - but no, I don't. Except blech.
Favorite quotes:
I loved this quote on introversion: " But some people need to be alone at a time like this. They don't want any company... ~ was like that in college. When she got a bad grade or was stressed by something, she hibernated."
It's still nice to have someone check in on an introvert, though, and they might be able to stay if the introvert doesn't feel like she has to entertain them, but they can just be quiet together.
"It was interesting how certain events shaped and defined a person's life. That event had surely shaped ~.... A good question, but hard to answer about yourself. It was probably best answered by someone who knew you well and could see the big picture." That sounds like an interesting topic of conversation.
"You had, and still have, a right to your feelings, and you should not feel guilty for them." That's definitely true, but also, we might be guilty for actions stemming from our feelings. It's okay to explore a feeling, though, the reasons behind it, and ways to mitigate it if it's an negative emotion.
"I think Ill skip the spa. I might just sit on the beach again and read."
I am doubtful of the fitness level of the murderer, all things considered ...
I loved this book. It would've been a perfect beach read. I could almost hear the sea gulls.
I loved the picturesque cliffs near the beach, and just about everything associated with this vacation: bird-watching, photography, scrabble, for instance.
I like that the Scrabble champion is young. Most of the time, it's pictured as an older person, but our youngest child (an early adult) is often our best Bananagrams player, and that's akin to Scrabble.
I loved that Lucy and Dana continued their biking in this book.
Although this series often (but not always) shows the characters having respect and support for the ones with healthier food options, I wonder if they would have the same inclusion and respect for someone who doesn't drink? They seem to drink together a lot. I had a friend recently tell me that people often looked down on her because she doesn't drink - much. That made me smile, and I told her I don't drink at all, although I don't mind if others do.
In fact, if I had been with them on this book's trip, there were several evenings where I would've wanted to head back early and let them party on without me. A good book calling me, perhaps.
The downside of that more leisurely pace is that I wasn't in a hurry to find out whodunit, and would sometimes take breaks in reading it.
I knew who the invention thief was, although I don't believe the person would have chosen that pseudonym. There's often disdain over inaccurate material, rather than homage. I knew the clue that identified the murderer, although I couldn't remember which one of them had ...
There was that quote again, "Every pot has its lid." I've determined that I don't like that quote, and that I doubt a psychologist would use it. So many people never do find spouses, and I think it's better to avoid the disillusionment of a false hope.
I feel like I ought to say something about Sam, the character who thinks he has so much charm and such a good physical appearance that anyone would have him - but no, I don't. Except blech.
Favorite quotes:
I loved this quote on introversion: " But some people need to be alone at a time like this. They don't want any company... ~ was like that in college. When she got a bad grade or was stressed by something, she hibernated."
It's still nice to have someone check in on an introvert, though, and they might be able to stay if the introvert doesn't feel like she has to entertain them, but they can just be quiet together.
"It was interesting how certain events shaped and defined a person's life. That event had surely shaped ~.... A good question, but hard to answer about yourself. It was probably best answered by someone who knew you well and could see the big picture." That sounds like an interesting topic of conversation.
"You had, and still have, a right to your feelings, and you should not feel guilty for them." That's definitely true, but also, we might be guilty for actions stemming from our feelings. It's okay to explore a feeling, though, the reasons behind it, and ways to mitigate it if it's an negative emotion.
"I think Ill skip the spa. I might just sit on the beach again and read."
I am doubtful of the fitness level of the murderer, all things considered ...
December 11, 2022
No spoilers, no plot summary--just a review:
A month or two ago, a friend of mine told me a story of a bookstore experience. The friend was shopping and had struck up a conversation with another customer. The other customer was looking for a "light-hearted murder mystery". My friend scoffed at the idea that a story about murder could be light-hearted.
This book is the very definition of light-hearted murder mystery: five friends try to puzzle out a murder that neither threatens nor affects them while working on knitting patterns and enjoying a vacation on an oceanside beach. I'm not sure murder can get any more light-hearted than this--it practically makes Miss Marple seem hard-boiled.
That said, it's not a good book by any stretch of the imagination. The narrator's inner monologue is often redundant and the five friends compete to be the Watson to no real Sherlock figure. No spoilers, but the conclusion was an ass-pull with an attempt at a twist ending. Frankly, there were so many red herrings and conclusions jumped to throughout the book that I was invested neither in the murderer nor sleuths, so the twist ending fell flat for me.
It's also hard to care whodunnit when the victim has zero redeeming qualities (zip, zilch, ningún; this is the best thing that can be said about something he did once: "It was almost kind, Lucy decided."). It felt like the whole resort island was like "Oh, this guy's dead? Finally! Count your blessings. I'm going to the beach."
Additionally, the author over-uses certain words. I don't mean she uses intelligent-sounding words to appear herself intelligent (although the Scrabble scene...I wonder if the author has ever actually played Scrabble); nor does she intentionally repeat words to create a proper motif or even general feel--rather, the overused words are in the vein of "yummy" and "interesting". Perhaps it was the author's intention to make her characters as inane and "everyman" as possible, to show that a casual knitting group of thirty-something gossips can be smarter or deeper than they appear to be. (If that best-case is indeed the case, swing-and-miss on both counts.)
Overall, every book that has two covers gets at least one star because you can't go zero stars. This book was better than simply having two covers. It was a light-hearted murder mystery that was (at times) cute, and even intriguing for a page or two. Two stars is fitting, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except bookshop customers that specifically ask for a light-hearted murder mystery. And even in that narrow scope, it wouldn't be my first choice.
A month or two ago, a friend of mine told me a story of a bookstore experience. The friend was shopping and had struck up a conversation with another customer. The other customer was looking for a "light-hearted murder mystery". My friend scoffed at the idea that a story about murder could be light-hearted.
This book is the very definition of light-hearted murder mystery: five friends try to puzzle out a murder that neither threatens nor affects them while working on knitting patterns and enjoying a vacation on an oceanside beach. I'm not sure murder can get any more light-hearted than this--it practically makes Miss Marple seem hard-boiled.
That said, it's not a good book by any stretch of the imagination. The narrator's inner monologue is often redundant and the five friends compete to be the Watson to no real Sherlock figure. No spoilers, but the conclusion was an ass-pull with an attempt at a twist ending. Frankly, there were so many red herrings and conclusions jumped to throughout the book that I was invested neither in the murderer nor sleuths, so the twist ending fell flat for me.
It's also hard to care whodunnit when the victim has zero redeeming qualities (zip, zilch, ningún; this is the best thing that can be said about something he did once: "It was almost kind, Lucy decided."). It felt like the whole resort island was like "Oh, this guy's dead? Finally! Count your blessings. I'm going to the beach."
Additionally, the author over-uses certain words. I don't mean she uses intelligent-sounding words to appear herself intelligent (although the Scrabble scene...I wonder if the author has ever actually played Scrabble); nor does she intentionally repeat words to create a proper motif or even general feel--rather, the overused words are in the vein of "yummy" and "interesting". Perhaps it was the author's intention to make her characters as inane and "everyman" as possible, to show that a casual knitting group of thirty-something gossips can be smarter or deeper than they appear to be. (If that best-case is indeed the case, swing-and-miss on both counts.)
Overall, every book that has two covers gets at least one star because you can't go zero stars. This book was better than simply having two covers. It was a light-hearted murder mystery that was (at times) cute, and even intriguing for a page or two. Two stars is fitting, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except bookshop customers that specifically ask for a light-hearted murder mystery. And even in that narrow scope, it wouldn't be my first choice.
October 23, 2024
I seem to be in agreement with other reviewers on the confusion of this being a book #1 of a series or a book #9. This is definitely NOT a good first book to the series. There are a lot of characters introduced very quickly and with no background. I'm lost as to the ages and relationships of our main group of friends, aside from the fact that they are joined by a love of knitting. With so many characters, parts of the book become redundant because we have to repeat the "clues" to the friends that weren't in attendance during the first reveal.
My other struggle with this book is how "slow" the characters seem to put the pieces together in some cases. Not necessarily when it comes to the ultimate culprit, but the clues and red-herrings along the way were a bit obvious. And if these ladies figured it out before the police did, i loathe to think of how dumb the cops must be. I mean, you could probably get away with murder....
That being said, the book has an overall very cozy Cabot Cove/Jessica Fletcher atmosphere. The plot could have been an episode of Murder, She Wrote. I did not guess the actual culprit until near the end, but by about 75% i had an outline of what the result would be based on the clues that were being "shelved for later" by the characters. (ie "we don't have time to look closely at this now" or "this could be important but it's probably not")
The book's ending was wrapped up in a neat little bow, but overall a bit anticlimactic...like a nice float down a lazy river rather than a heart-pounding, twisty narrative.
I liked the writing, and would happily read another book by this author..(perhaps start with the REAL first book).
My other struggle with this book is how "slow" the characters seem to put the pieces together in some cases. Not necessarily when it comes to the ultimate culprit, but the clues and red-herrings along the way were a bit obvious. And if these ladies figured it out before the police did, i loathe to think of how dumb the cops must be. I mean, you could probably get away with murder....
That being said, the book has an overall very cozy Cabot Cove/Jessica Fletcher atmosphere. The plot could have been an episode of Murder, She Wrote. I did not guess the actual culprit until near the end, but by about 75% i had an outline of what the result would be based on the clues that were being "shelved for later" by the characters. (ie "we don't have time to look closely at this now" or "this could be important but it's probably not")
The book's ending was wrapped up in a neat little bow, but overall a bit anticlimactic...like a nice float down a lazy river rather than a heart-pounding, twisty narrative.
I liked the writing, and would happily read another book by this author..(perhaps start with the REAL first book).
November 4, 2017
The Black Sheep Knitting Shop is where people go to learn new skills, enhance old skills, make friends, meet friends, and just visit and knit (or crochet). It's really like every Local Yarn Store, except these friends have a habit of falling over dead bodies and solving the crimes. Lucy is getting married and her friends decide they need to take her on bachelorette weekend at a friend's B&B in the resort community of Osprey Shores.
Their first morning at the resort a body is found (I know, cliché but it's a mystery so there must be a dead person) and the women put their sleuthing skills to work on solving the murder. There are a plethora of suspects and twists and turns, which makes the mystery more fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure of the murderer before it becomes obvious. I will admit to being sure I knew who it was several times.
Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo is a really good cozy. The characters are well defined and likeable. This is part of a series of books by this author that take place at Black Sheep Knitting Shop, but it is not necessary to read them all to enjoy one. The author takes the first chapter to set up the premise and introduce the characters, so the reader is never left to try to figure out who's who.
I love cozy mysteries and Anne Canadeo is one of the authors I follow. Not only does she write good books, she also throws in a knitting pattern and a recipe.
Their first morning at the resort a body is found (I know, cliché but it's a mystery so there must be a dead person) and the women put their sleuthing skills to work on solving the murder. There are a plethora of suspects and twists and turns, which makes the mystery more fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure of the murderer before it becomes obvious. I will admit to being sure I knew who it was several times.
Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo is a really good cozy. The characters are well defined and likeable. This is part of a series of books by this author that take place at Black Sheep Knitting Shop, but it is not necessary to read them all to enjoy one. The author takes the first chapter to set up the premise and introduce the characters, so the reader is never left to try to figure out who's who.
I love cozy mysteries and Anne Canadeo is one of the authors I follow. Not only does she write good books, she also throws in a knitting pattern and a recipe.
September 13, 2021
This was an ok book and will help pass the time. This is a cozy mystery with no nagging plot holes, landscape descriptions that evoke the NE coast, and meal descriptions that make your mouth water. There was nothing objectionable and I finished it. Finishing is actually an endorsement in itself - I used to finish everything I started but now there are a lot of books I drop without finishing the first chapter - this is NOT one of those books. But, there was also no challenge to the mystery, no pop to the writing, and no sympathy/empathy with any of the characters.
The author didn't tell the story from a clear point of view; I'm still not sure if the main protagonist was one individual out of "Black Sheep", two of them, a different two, or three. Possibly, there was none? But either because of or in addition to that, there was very little character development. The author frequently alluded to events that happened before the setting of this (the first) book, presumably to bolster the characters and create the world, but those allusions were just dropped in awkwardly as side thoughts and comments and enhanced neither.
I identified the murder victim before the murder, the murderer (and opportunity) before the murder was known, and the majority of the plot twists revolving around the main red herring before the actual twist.
The author didn't tell the story from a clear point of view; I'm still not sure if the main protagonist was one individual out of "Black Sheep", two of them, a different two, or three. Possibly, there was none? But either because of or in addition to that, there was very little character development. The author frequently alluded to events that happened before the setting of this (the first) book, presumably to bolster the characters and create the world, but those allusions were just dropped in awkwardly as side thoughts and comments and enhanced neither.
I identified the murder victim before the murder, the murderer (and opportunity) before the murder was known, and the majority of the plot twists revolving around the main red herring before the actual twist.
November 6, 2017
Book 1 with a new publisher but actually book NINE in the series.
Characters in this series are well established and developed. The Black Sheep knitters leave their usual stomping grounds on a "Girl's Trip" before Lucy's upcoming wedding. Thanks to Suzanne's friend they're staying in an exclusive island development. But relationships in the neighborhood aren't all exactly rosy, so when an unpleasant neighbor is found dead on the beach, suspects are plentiful.
This was a fast, fun, read. I spent an enjoyable afternoon the knitters, as I like them all and I am so glad that Kensington picked the series up. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on. One thing I would like to see is the author focus a bit more on other characters besides Lucy. She dominates the story, but I really like Maggie and would love to see more of her again.
All in all a fun read and lovely to see the ladies again.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
Characters in this series are well established and developed. The Black Sheep knitters leave their usual stomping grounds on a "Girl's Trip" before Lucy's upcoming wedding. Thanks to Suzanne's friend they're staying in an exclusive island development. But relationships in the neighborhood aren't all exactly rosy, so when an unpleasant neighbor is found dead on the beach, suspects are plentiful.
This was a fast, fun, read. I spent an enjoyable afternoon the knitters, as I like them all and I am so glad that Kensington picked the series up. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on. One thing I would like to see is the author focus a bit more on other characters besides Lucy. She dominates the story, but I really like Maggie and would love to see more of her again.
All in all a fun read and lovely to see the ladies again.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
January 14, 2024
It’s the last weekend before Lucy Binger’s wedding as the book opens, and the women who make up the Black Sheep knitters are off to Maine for a weekend at a picturesque resort. The other women bill it as Lucy’s last weekend of freedom; thankfully, she doesn’t see it that way.
They aren’t at the resort long before someone apparently lends gravity a hand in helping a malevolent cardiologist over a high cliff to his death. Already divorced once and on the cusp of another one, the doctor creates more harm than he ever heals. Most of the people in the community are frankly glad he’s dead. But the husband of the woman who loans the Black Sheep knitters the cottage in which they’re staying becomes a person of interest, and it’s up to the visiting knitters to clear his name.
This was fun while I read it, but frankly if you talk to me about it in two weeks, I’m going to barely recall the plot. But that’s ok. Some books exist for temporary entertainment and escape, and that’s what this provides. To its credit, I didn’t pick the killer in advance, and that’s always a good thing.
They aren’t at the resort long before someone apparently lends gravity a hand in helping a malevolent cardiologist over a high cliff to his death. Already divorced once and on the cusp of another one, the doctor creates more harm than he ever heals. Most of the people in the community are frankly glad he’s dead. But the husband of the woman who loans the Black Sheep knitters the cottage in which they’re staying becomes a person of interest, and it’s up to the visiting knitters to clear his name.
This was fun while I read it, but frankly if you talk to me about it in two weeks, I’m going to barely recall the plot. But that’s ok. Some books exist for temporary entertainment and escape, and that’s what this provides. To its credit, I didn’t pick the killer in advance, and that’s always a good thing.
February 26, 2018
Around the Year in 52 Books 2018 Reading Challenge. A book featuring a murder.
Roger was disturbed by the implications of this title. Lucy is getting married very soon and her best friends, all knitters, decided to escape for a weekend to an island off the coast of Maine. Suzanne has a friend from college who owns a cottage there which they can use for free. Maggie has agreed to offer a knitting class while they are there. On the first evening, while at the knitting class, they overhear an argument between two men. They soon learn that the one man, Dr. Julian Morton, was disliked by a very long list of people. This is significant because the next morning he is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Well written, however, the author needs to find a new copy editor. Though I was just reading for fun I found FOUR errors in the book and since I wasn't trying to edit there may be more.
Roger was disturbed by the implications of this title. Lucy is getting married very soon and her best friends, all knitters, decided to escape for a weekend to an island off the coast of Maine. Suzanne has a friend from college who owns a cottage there which they can use for free. Maggie has agreed to offer a knitting class while they are there. On the first evening, while at the knitting class, they overhear an argument between two men. They soon learn that the one man, Dr. Julian Morton, was disliked by a very long list of people. This is significant because the next morning he is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Well written, however, the author needs to find a new copy editor. Though I was just reading for fun I found FOUR errors in the book and since I wasn't trying to edit there may be more.
March 3, 2018
Whilst the book says Mystery #1 it's actually, technically I suppose it is as the Black Sheep Knitting shop has been renamed Black Sheep & Co. This is part of an excellent series and I recommend reading the real first mystery. It is set in a quaint town, where the owner of said store, Maggie and her fellow knitters, by accident turn into amateur sleuths.
This particular mystery finds the five ladies on a weekend away. Naturally a murder happens and the avid knitters can't help but get involved.
I'm a huge fan of this series. Anne Canadeo is an excellent writer and what I really like, is there are no heroes. Meaning, the women don't find themselves in some precarious situation with the murderer. They're intelligent people who work it out, who pass on the information to the police. They solve it, naturally before law enforcement but would you expect any less?
Highly recommended for all fans of Cosy Mysteries and similar.
This particular mystery finds the five ladies on a weekend away. Naturally a murder happens and the avid knitters can't help but get involved.
I'm a huge fan of this series. Anne Canadeo is an excellent writer and what I really like, is there are no heroes. Meaning, the women don't find themselves in some precarious situation with the murderer. They're intelligent people who work it out, who pass on the information to the police. They solve it, naturally before law enforcement but would you expect any less?
Highly recommended for all fans of Cosy Mysteries and similar.
February 12, 2023
It’s Lucy’s bachelorette weekend away with the Black Sheep knitters; through Suzanne’s connections, they have the use of a guest cottage on Osprey Island for free - with access to all the resort activities and services. Maggie is teaching a knitting class for one of the local groups when an argument in the room next door steals their attention - two men fighting over a poker game. When one of them is discovered at the base of the cliffs, dead, the next morning, suspicion falls on the other guy - but he has an alibi. The knitters soon learn the dead man is nearly universally despised, having been an extremely unpleasant and vindictive person - so the police will have their work cut out for them. Suzanne’s friend from college calls distraught, because the police have taken her husband in for questioning. The knitters decide to put their collective minds to work, trying to see if they can figure out which of his many detractors hated the man enough to push him off the cliff.
December 31, 2023
This came in hardback from my public library...I'm not sure if it was published by a different publishing house. The editing was mostly better overall. They still toss out commas like birdseed, IMO. There are some words that looked like auto correct had had its way with...things like psych vs psyche (as in 'psych someone out'), discreet vs discrete, and O. Henry vs O'Henry. Also annoying were the numerous mentions of Lucy watching her weight, cutting out sugar and exercising constantly to stay slim and fit in her wedding dress. For a year. And then Suzanne pushing heavy duty shape wear garments to smooth out all the lumps and bumps. Gag. I'm pretty sure she'd been described as thin in most of the previous books. The number of times it gets mentioned makes me feel like she's being set up for an eating disorder. I was also surprised that Lucy's two nieces were junior bridesmaids walking the dogs down the aisle, but Matt's daughter wasn't mentioned as participating at all. SMH.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews