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A Knitting Mystery #15
Only Skein Deep
Kelly Flynn and her boyfriend, Steve, couldn't be happier as they await the birth of their bouncing baby boy. Kelly's got a built-in group of fiber arts specialists, the Lambspun Knitters, who are working away on blankets and booties. As they sit around the table crafting their keepsakes, the story of Giselle Callahan is a popular topic of conversation.
Giselle is the young wife of Henry Callahan, a Fort Connor banking scion, who traded in his previous wife of forty years for a newer model. Giselle's prowess as a skilled country club golfer and social climber puts her on someone's hit list. When she is found dead on the greens at the golf club, Kelly and her Lambspun crew worry that a vicious killer is in their midst. They must work fast to bring an unhinged murderer to justice on the back nine before Kelly's very special delivery...
Giselle is the young wife of Henry Callahan, a Fort Connor banking scion, who traded in his previous wife of forty years for a newer model. Giselle's prowess as a skilled country club golfer and social climber puts her on someone's hit list. When she is found dead on the greens at the golf club, Kelly and her Lambspun crew worry that a vicious killer is in their midst. They must work fast to bring an unhinged murderer to justice on the back nine before Kelly's very special delivery...
261 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2017
167 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Sefton
35 books778 followersAka Margaret Conlan
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
March 23, 2017
It was a struggle, but I finally reached the halfway mark. And sorry to say, it's over and out.
Honestly, I don't remember the last book that bored me so much that I couldn't force myself to finish - and it's never happened with a book I received as an advance copy in exchange for a review. Under those circumstances, I feel that it's only fair that I tough it out to the end so I tend to stick with it no matter what.
Not this time - and I'm truly disappointed. This is a cozy mystery, for gosh sake, so I certainly wasn't expecting knock-down, drag-out action. It's also something like the 15th in a series, so my thinking is that somebody must be reading them. Last but hardly least, I was intrigued because I'm a knitting enthusiast (want proof? Come look through the afghans I've got stashed away in a closet - and they're just a fraction of the ones I've given away through the years). This one, the title suggests, weaves around the House of Lambspun, a popular knitting shop in Colorado - with the lure of a golf-course murder of a filthy rich old guy's trophy wife. Okay, said I, count me in.
The murder, though, didn't even happen until a quarter of the way through the book - and precious little discussion of it had ensued by the time I hit 50% mark. The rest? Nothing but endless, excruciatingly repetitive conversations involving a very pregnant Kelly Flynn and her group of friends. I lost count of the times someone pointed out that Kelly is nine months pregnant but the baby - to be named Jack after her late father - hasn't yet "dropped," that he's playing soccer in utero, that he weighs 6 pounds and could come at any time, that Kelly hates having to drink weak black coffee, that her carrying bag is made of fabric, or that she escaped morning sickness but her also-pregnant friend is suffering with it. When I was treated to a lengthy explanation (more than once, of course) of how lucky Kelly is that she's in such good hands because her obstetrician has scheduled check-up appointments every week now, I really lost it. Weekly check-ups for the last month - sometimes two - was standard practice back when I was pregnant with my first child more than 50 years ago.
Supposedly, there are "delicious" recipes and a knitting pattern included, but I'm not all that interested in cooking now that there are just the two of us. And based on what I've been reading, my bet is that the pattern is for that tiny baby hat Kelly spent half the book working on. I've got zero interest in that as well, so neither was enough of an incentive to keep going.
I do, however, feel compelled to mention that at the 36% mark, Baby Jack had in fact dropped. Ironically, that happened just about the time I decided to do the same to the book.
Honestly, I don't remember the last book that bored me so much that I couldn't force myself to finish - and it's never happened with a book I received as an advance copy in exchange for a review. Under those circumstances, I feel that it's only fair that I tough it out to the end so I tend to stick with it no matter what.
Not this time - and I'm truly disappointed. This is a cozy mystery, for gosh sake, so I certainly wasn't expecting knock-down, drag-out action. It's also something like the 15th in a series, so my thinking is that somebody must be reading them. Last but hardly least, I was intrigued because I'm a knitting enthusiast (want proof? Come look through the afghans I've got stashed away in a closet - and they're just a fraction of the ones I've given away through the years). This one, the title suggests, weaves around the House of Lambspun, a popular knitting shop in Colorado - with the lure of a golf-course murder of a filthy rich old guy's trophy wife. Okay, said I, count me in.
The murder, though, didn't even happen until a quarter of the way through the book - and precious little discussion of it had ensued by the time I hit 50% mark. The rest? Nothing but endless, excruciatingly repetitive conversations involving a very pregnant Kelly Flynn and her group of friends. I lost count of the times someone pointed out that Kelly is nine months pregnant but the baby - to be named Jack after her late father - hasn't yet "dropped," that he's playing soccer in utero, that he weighs 6 pounds and could come at any time, that Kelly hates having to drink weak black coffee, that her carrying bag is made of fabric, or that she escaped morning sickness but her also-pregnant friend is suffering with it. When I was treated to a lengthy explanation (more than once, of course) of how lucky Kelly is that she's in such good hands because her obstetrician has scheduled check-up appointments every week now, I really lost it. Weekly check-ups for the last month - sometimes two - was standard practice back when I was pregnant with my first child more than 50 years ago.
Supposedly, there are "delicious" recipes and a knitting pattern included, but I'm not all that interested in cooking now that there are just the two of us. And based on what I've been reading, my bet is that the pattern is for that tiny baby hat Kelly spent half the book working on. I've got zero interest in that as well, so neither was enough of an incentive to keep going.
I do, however, feel compelled to mention that at the 36% mark, Baby Jack had in fact dropped. Ironically, that happened just about the time I decided to do the same to the book.
July 10, 2017
I have been a fan of this series for some years and have read most of the books at one time. I was looking forward to learning about my friends at Lampspun Knitters. I was sadly disappoint to find the format had change from a mystery to a novel of family life. The story revolves around pregnancy and babies. Yes, there is a murder but it was secondary and seldom mention in the story. I got extremely tired reading about Baby Jack and his playing soccer. The mention of Carl's actions with the squirrel is found in most of the previous books.
Kelly is near her time to give birth. She and Steve are excited that Baby Jack will soon make an appearance. Her friends are determined that Kelly and Steve will be married before the birth. A small wedding is planned for them. Information about early settlers in Colorado is found. This includes Native Americans. The mystery is the second wife of a major corporate owner is murder on the golf course adjacent to the Lampspun building building. No one saw it happen. The solution was easy to figure out.
Directions for baby hat and a hamburger casserole are included.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Berkeley Publishing Group through NetGalley for an honest review.I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Kelly is near her time to give birth. She and Steve are excited that Baby Jack will soon make an appearance. Her friends are determined that Kelly and Steve will be married before the birth. A small wedding is planned for them. Information about early settlers in Colorado is found. This includes Native Americans. The mystery is the second wife of a major corporate owner is murder on the golf course adjacent to the Lampspun building building. No one saw it happen. The solution was easy to figure out.
Directions for baby hat and a hamburger casserole are included.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Berkeley Publishing Group through NetGalley for an honest review.I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
July 3, 2017
I'm SO glad I got this book from the library. $12.99 as a Kindle book is highway robbery. This is definitely not a cozy. It’s all about a pregnancy! SO many things wrong with this book – (a) Baby Jack and his in utero soccer skills; (b) Carl and the squirrels; (c) where the heck does Carl live and who really takes care of him; (d) repetitive conversations about Kelly and coffee, her bag made of fabric, her great pregnancy and, in the meantime, showing little sympathy for her pregnant friend; (e) Curt and the friends, IMHO, basically forcing her to marry Steve; and (f) who the heck hears that more than one set of friends has secretly gotten married, and, in this tight knit group, it was never mentioned again (OK in full honesty, I skipped pages so maybe I did miss those conversations). I guess Maggie Sefton doesn’t really care what the readers of this series are saying. I would have given zero stars if possible. I’m finished!
May 12, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Followers of this series knew this book was going to be about the birth of Kelly and Steve’s baby. I just wish the author would have presented this story differently.
This story followers Kelly through the last days of her pregnancy. Her daily trip to Pete’s/Lampspun where she either works on her spreadsheets or a cap she is knitting for Baby Jack. Everyone stops by to ask her how she is doing and her response is usually about Jack playing soccer and not ready to come out. She also is not happy that she had to give up her high octane coffee and is not thrilled with any of the teas she has been trying to replace it with. Kelly also attends a few baseball games where she is asked the same questions with the same replies. Her dog Carl is only mentioned a couple of times. I would have loved to read about his reactions to a new little person coming to his house. Maybe that will be in the next book.
There were also three things about weddings that really upset me, but I will not say more so I don’t spoil the story for anyone else.
While there is a murder on the golf course, it really wasn’t a mystery to solve. During Kelly’s daily stops she checks in with Burt to see if his police contact has any leads. She hears a few things that she passes along to Burt. I had this one solved very early in the story. The big reveal comes again when she is at Lambspun while talking to someone who saw something relevant.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t expect a woman in the ninth month of a pregnancy to be trying to chase down a killer, but she could have done a little legwork on the case. Most women with a pregnancy as easy as Kelly’s work right up to the baby is born. All her friends treated her like she was an invalid. Running errands was just too much for her, really??? She is a healthy woman who is pregnant. She was doing daily exercises. I have been there 4 times. I am glad her friends were looking out for her but most of it was pretty over the top.
I love these characters, this theme, and this setting but I didn’t like this story. There was way too much repetition. I found myself skimming instead of reading until the last couple chapters. The last book in the series was more character driven too with a little mystery on the side. The next book is Dyeing Up Loose Ends. That has me wondering if it will be the last book in this series. It will be hard for Kelly to investigate murders with a baby/toddler in tow. The synopsis says “Kelly splits her free time between Pete’s and Lambspun, where her fellow knitters love hearing all about Jack’s latest exploits. They’ve also been taking a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about crimes that Kelly had a hand in solving over the years.” But it also mentions a murder, so I hope it is one we can sink our teeth into.
So all and all this story was a miss for me but I did enjoy catching up with the characters. The first three and the last three chapters saved the book from getting a 2-star – a dreadful detour – rating.
I do not recommend reading this book on its own because it does not show you what a talented storyteller Maggie Sefton is. Start at the beginning and get to know these characters. You will love them.
Followers of this series knew this book was going to be about the birth of Kelly and Steve’s baby. I just wish the author would have presented this story differently.
This story followers Kelly through the last days of her pregnancy. Her daily trip to Pete’s/Lampspun where she either works on her spreadsheets or a cap she is knitting for Baby Jack. Everyone stops by to ask her how she is doing and her response is usually about Jack playing soccer and not ready to come out. She also is not happy that she had to give up her high octane coffee and is not thrilled with any of the teas she has been trying to replace it with. Kelly also attends a few baseball games where she is asked the same questions with the same replies. Her dog Carl is only mentioned a couple of times. I would have loved to read about his reactions to a new little person coming to his house. Maybe that will be in the next book.
There were also three things about weddings that really upset me, but I will not say more so I don’t spoil the story for anyone else.
While there is a murder on the golf course, it really wasn’t a mystery to solve. During Kelly’s daily stops she checks in with Burt to see if his police contact has any leads. She hears a few things that she passes along to Burt. I had this one solved very early in the story. The big reveal comes again when she is at Lambspun while talking to someone who saw something relevant.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t expect a woman in the ninth month of a pregnancy to be trying to chase down a killer, but she could have done a little legwork on the case. Most women with a pregnancy as easy as Kelly’s work right up to the baby is born. All her friends treated her like she was an invalid. Running errands was just too much for her, really??? She is a healthy woman who is pregnant. She was doing daily exercises. I have been there 4 times. I am glad her friends were looking out for her but most of it was pretty over the top.
I love these characters, this theme, and this setting but I didn’t like this story. There was way too much repetition. I found myself skimming instead of reading until the last couple chapters. The last book in the series was more character driven too with a little mystery on the side. The next book is Dyeing Up Loose Ends. That has me wondering if it will be the last book in this series. It will be hard for Kelly to investigate murders with a baby/toddler in tow. The synopsis says “Kelly splits her free time between Pete’s and Lambspun, where her fellow knitters love hearing all about Jack’s latest exploits. They’ve also been taking a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about crimes that Kelly had a hand in solving over the years.” But it also mentions a murder, so I hope it is one we can sink our teeth into.
So all and all this story was a miss for me but I did enjoy catching up with the characters. The first three and the last three chapters saved the book from getting a 2-star – a dreadful detour – rating.
I do not recommend reading this book on its own because it does not show you what a talented storyteller Maggie Sefton is. Start at the beginning and get to know these characters. You will love them.
June 11, 2017
In ONLY SKEIN DEEP, author Maggie Sefton has knitted a cozy mystery using a new pattern---Heavy on the cozy and light on the mystery.
I very much enjoyed this installment in the Knitting Mysteries. One of my favorite parts of a cozy mystery is the relationship between the characters in the stories. I love spending time with them when they aren’t trying to hunt down a killer. I like when the protagonist talks about other things than the investigation in every single conversation. Lead character Kelly Flynn is extremely close to giving birth through this book. It’s only natural that the characters are going to be wrapped up in the excitement of that. I respect author Sefton for not having Kelly throwing herself into danger while she’s nine months pregnant.
Is there a mystery in ONLY SKEIN DEEP, you ask? Yes, and it’s a well written one. I liked the way Kelly had to take a different approach to her sleuthing, using research instead of foot work (As I mentioned above, she’s nine months pregnant). I found the mystery compelling, and I second guessed myself many times. I was excited to be right in the end. I’ll admit I don’t normally guess the bad guy/gal.
It doesn’t matter if a book is overloaded with mystery, or is a low key mystery with a character driven story. What doesn’t change is the fact that Meggie Sefton is a talented writer. She has earned the title of New York Times Best Selling Author and ONLY SKEIN DEEP is proof of that.
I very much enjoyed this installment in the Knitting Mysteries. One of my favorite parts of a cozy mystery is the relationship between the characters in the stories. I love spending time with them when they aren’t trying to hunt down a killer. I like when the protagonist talks about other things than the investigation in every single conversation. Lead character Kelly Flynn is extremely close to giving birth through this book. It’s only natural that the characters are going to be wrapped up in the excitement of that. I respect author Sefton for not having Kelly throwing herself into danger while she’s nine months pregnant.
Is there a mystery in ONLY SKEIN DEEP, you ask? Yes, and it’s a well written one. I liked the way Kelly had to take a different approach to her sleuthing, using research instead of foot work (As I mentioned above, she’s nine months pregnant). I found the mystery compelling, and I second guessed myself many times. I was excited to be right in the end. I’ll admit I don’t normally guess the bad guy/gal.
It doesn’t matter if a book is overloaded with mystery, or is a low key mystery with a character driven story. What doesn’t change is the fact that Meggie Sefton is a talented writer. She has earned the title of New York Times Best Selling Author and ONLY SKEIN DEEP is proof of that.
August 12, 2017
So. Much. Repetition.
Does she just copy and paste sections at random?
And I question her description of making a pom-pom.
Does she just copy and paste sections at random?
And I question her description of making a pom-pom.
June 18, 2017
I started this book very excited. I love cozy mysteries, and cozies about crafters are my favorite. Unfortunately, this book never got started and I was very disappointed.
Kelly Flynn is 9 months pregnant and enjoying the final days of her pregnancy. I felt like nothing was happening for the entire book. It was slow and boring. The writing was very repetitive. I can't count how many times we had to hear about the baby "playing soccer."
The murder in this book was an afterthought. Something thrown in to justify calling this a mystery. At almost the 25% mark, Kelly reads about a murder in the newspaper. Another good chunk of time passes before she brings up the murder to her friends. Kelly does no real "sleuthing" other than repeating some gossip to the police. This apparently is enough for the police to get a confession and bring down the murderer.
The bulk of the book is the story of Kelly's last two weeks of her pregnancy. It is very repetitive. People asking her the same questions over and over. The only people I think would enjoy this books are fans of the series who want to see how Kelly and friends are doing. This is definitely not a book for people looking for a cozy mystery.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly Flynn is 9 months pregnant and enjoying the final days of her pregnancy. I felt like nothing was happening for the entire book. It was slow and boring. The writing was very repetitive. I can't count how many times we had to hear about the baby "playing soccer."
The murder in this book was an afterthought. Something thrown in to justify calling this a mystery. At almost the 25% mark, Kelly reads about a murder in the newspaper. Another good chunk of time passes before she brings up the murder to her friends. Kelly does no real "sleuthing" other than repeating some gossip to the police. This apparently is enough for the police to get a confession and bring down the murderer.
The bulk of the book is the story of Kelly's last two weeks of her pregnancy. It is very repetitive. People asking her the same questions over and over. The only people I think would enjoy this books are fans of the series who want to see how Kelly and friends are doing. This is definitely not a book for people looking for a cozy mystery.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2018
Only Skein Deep in the fifteenth book in The Knitting Mystery series.
This book is light on a mystery, but that is all right as Kelly is 9 months pregnant and is definitely looking forward to the day when Baby Jack will make his appearance. The mystery centers around the death of Giselle Callahan, whose body is found on the golf course that abuts the property of House of Lambspun.
William Callahan had divorced his wife of 40 some years, to marry his trophy wife. Kelly has sworn off investigating and the staff of House of Lambspun is keeping their eyes on her to make sure does. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t talk to her fellow knitters and relay that information thru Burt at Lambspun to the police.
The lack of sleuthing by Kelly was all right with me as it gave Ms. Sefton a chance to review and bring the readers up to date with the friends and employees at House of Lambspun.
Knitting pattern and a delicious recipe are also included in the book.
I looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book is light on a mystery, but that is all right as Kelly is 9 months pregnant and is definitely looking forward to the day when Baby Jack will make his appearance. The mystery centers around the death of Giselle Callahan, whose body is found on the golf course that abuts the property of House of Lambspun.
William Callahan had divorced his wife of 40 some years, to marry his trophy wife. Kelly has sworn off investigating and the staff of House of Lambspun is keeping their eyes on her to make sure does. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t talk to her fellow knitters and relay that information thru Burt at Lambspun to the police.
The lack of sleuthing by Kelly was all right with me as it gave Ms. Sefton a chance to review and bring the readers up to date with the friends and employees at House of Lambspun.
Knitting pattern and a delicious recipe are also included in the book.
I looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 31, 2017
This was a nothing book. The murder mystery was barely a part of this story. Instead we are treated to 200 or so pages of "Baby Jack" playing soccer in Kelly's belly (she's "fat and fine", by the way. A motto that is repeated 6 times in as many pages. Sefton is quite fond of repetition), Kelly's friends haranguing her about not being married to Steve yet, worrying that she'll drop the baby in the middle of Lambspun at any moment--with a side lesson on the risks of pregnancy and women who don't get proper care, and, of course, scenes at softball games where the gang all eats hot dogs. The weak-brewed coffee Kelly must drink whilst pregnant makes her gag, by the way. And she's only gained 21 pounds. The whodunit is revealed in literally the last 3 pages in the weakest way possible.
This is Sefton's third strike for me. I can't remember the last time the books were good. It's time to end the series.
This is Sefton's third strike for me. I can't remember the last time the books were good. It's time to end the series.
May 31, 2017
I love Maggie Sefton's Knitting mystery series and the newest one comes out June 6th. This is book number 15 and it reads like you are catching up at a visit with old friends. This one is very exciting in that the main focus is really on main character Kelly and her rapidly expanding belly! Her son Jack is about to make his debut and even though Kelly is tying up loose ends with her accounting work and her knitting project she can not help but be interested in the latest unsolved murder mystery just behind her house. It was so enjoyable to read this story and feel like I was "home" visiting friends. This is a comfortable read and I love how Maggie Sefton wove the murder mystery as well as some lovely surprises and twists into Only Skein Deep.
May 25, 2017
DNF at 25% because literally nothing has happened except the MC being told that all her friends got married secretly and never told her.
June 11, 2017
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
I do not know where Maggie Sefton has gone......someone must have stolen her. This book in no way resembles the early books in this series. I initially started reading because this series is about knitting and set in my town, at my local yarn store. It was fun to recognize places and people and it was all very familiar and comfortable. While mindless cozy mysteries, there were mysteries and many interesting people. I thought perhaps the ARC was an early draft and that it would perhaps be fixed before it was published. Not so. All I can say is "don't bother". The book is repetitively about pregnancy with very little mystery. So sorry. It used to be a fun readable series.
I do not know where Maggie Sefton has gone......someone must have stolen her. This book in no way resembles the early books in this series. I initially started reading because this series is about knitting and set in my town, at my local yarn store. It was fun to recognize places and people and it was all very familiar and comfortable. While mindless cozy mysteries, there were mysteries and many interesting people. I thought perhaps the ARC was an early draft and that it would perhaps be fixed before it was published. Not so. All I can say is "don't bother". The book is repetitively about pregnancy with very little mystery. So sorry. It used to be a fun readable series.
April 22, 2018
If you are looking for a mystery book, don’t waste your time. If you want to read the same conversation over and over asking a pregnant woman how she and the baby are doing, this book is for you.
June 6, 2017
Kelly is in the last stages of pregnancy with baby Jack so she's trying to get her work in order before he arrives. When the young wife of a prominent older businessman is found murdered on the local golf course Kelly would love to investigate but in her condition she is limited in how she can help. Not to be deterred by pregnancy she asks around about those closest to the family and who might have had issue with the young woman. The few suspects that the police are looking at all have alibis and it looks like the leads are few and far between. Kelly wonders if the case will go unsolved but does her best to relay as much information that she comes across to the local police. She may have to investigate from the sidelines but she wants to help as much as she can without putting herself in danger. Will the case go unsolved? Jump in and find out the answer to that question and see whether or not baby Jack arrives. You'll definitely enjoy how easy the characters are to get to know and want to continue learn more about them!!!
May 4, 2017
I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
I have read every single one of the books in this series and I think I'm finally finished. I only made it about 20% through this book. The writing has gotten extremely repetitive. Kelly is constantly repeating the same things over and over again whenever she talks to someone. There are better ways to put that information into a book and Maggie Sefton is just not doing it anymore. These books used to be very interesting but have gotten worse as the series has progressed. The final straw for me was Curt trying to make Kelly get married. This is the 21st century. People don't have to be married to have children "To make it legal". That conversation between Kelly and Curt really turned me off from finishing the book. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
I have read every single one of the books in this series and I think I'm finally finished. I only made it about 20% through this book. The writing has gotten extremely repetitive. Kelly is constantly repeating the same things over and over again whenever she talks to someone. There are better ways to put that information into a book and Maggie Sefton is just not doing it anymore. These books used to be very interesting but have gotten worse as the series has progressed. The final straw for me was Curt trying to make Kelly get married. This is the 21st century. People don't have to be married to have children "To make it legal". That conversation between Kelly and Curt really turned me off from finishing the book. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
June 27, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/on...
Only Skein Deep
A Knitting Mystery, Book #15
By Maggie Sefton
ISBN 9780425282526
Author Website: Maggiesefton.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the latest novel from The New York Times bestselling author of Knit to Be Tied, Kelly Flynn and The Lambspun Knitters are eagerly awaiting a bundle of joy but find themselves heaped with trouble instead…
Kelly Flynn and her boyfriend, Steve, couldn’t be happier as they await the birth of their bouncing baby boy. Kelly’s got a built-in group of fiber arts specialists, the Lambspun Knitters, who are working away on blankets and booties. As they sit around the table crafting their keepsakes, the story of Giselle Callahan is a popular topic of conversation.
Giselle is the young wife of Henry Callahan, a Fort Connor banking scion, who traded in his previous wife of forty years for a newer model. Giselle’s prowess as a skilled country club golfer and social climber puts her on someone’s hit list. When she is found dead on the greens at the golf club, Kelly and her Lambspun crew worry that a vicious killer is in their midst. They must work fast to bring an unhinged murderer to justice on the back nine before Kelly’s very special delivery…(from Goodreads)
Review:
Kelly Flynn and sweetheart Steve Townsend await the new addition to their family; Jack, named after Kelly’s late father, will make his appearance very soon. As temperatures rise in Fort Connor, Colorado, Kelly is increasingly uncomfortable and looking forward to Jack’s arrival. Most of Kelly’s time is spent now at House of Lambspun, the unique store for many kinds of fiber art from spinning to weaving to knitting or crocheting. This leads her to consider even more than in the past how the actions of working with fibers or yarn, looking at aesthetically pleasing combinations of colors is so completely relaxing. She even considers how ancient the arts are that we take for granted today.
One of the knitters at Lambspun had commented on two lady golfers walking through the shop to the Cafe, one being Giselle, the young bride of Henry Callahan. After he divorced his wife of 40+ years for the sweet young golf pro, his first wife Meredith committed suicide. It was shocking to hear, only days later, that Giselle Callahan was murdered on the golf course adjacent to Lambspun and Pete’s Cafe. There aren’t any windows that directly view that part of the golf course from the Lambspun building, so nobody heard or saw anything. It was quite an up close and personal kind of murder, too, one that had been thought out. After all, a golf course at a busy time of day?
Kelly has free time to think about it and many other things, including keeping her clients’ accounting entries current so she won’t have to worry about getting behind when Jack is born. Investigating any crime is impossible for her now, but she could always keep her eyes and ears open. A murder simply can’t go unsolved in their growing community for any length of time.
The characters are all very well acquainted as their friendships have been forged through good times and struggles. There are couples of various ages, a toddler, and a couple teens plus those who attend any of the yarn arts classes. It is hard to have a favorite, as each one has such positive, caring traits. Each is involved, as time allows, first with their family and friends, then with the community.
Dialog is as comfortable as this family is knit together with each other, through affiliation of one kind or another, with House of Lambspun. Through it, we learn much about the characters and their community. At times the dialog seems repetitive, as each person Kelly encounters asks how she is feeling and she shares the same brief description for that day. Most times conversations are caring, witty, or even businesslike, depending on the circumstances.
The plot, even while seemingly uncomplicated, remains unsolved longer than usual. Quite possibly because Kelly wasn’t sleuthing? The local detectives are excellent, but don’t hear some of the good information that the average citizen might. There were at least two possible suspects in this crime but not enough evidence to charge anyone with. When learned quite by accident, the clue that could close the case brought quite a twist to the mystery. The real bad guy/ gal was quite a surprise to this armchair sleuth!
While not quite a traditional cozy mystery, Only Skein Deep is a novel demonstrating the love and affection found between longtime friends as well as couples. There is the appeal of mothering and mentoring from Mimi and Burt at Lambspun, as well as Alpaca rancher Jayleen and rancher Curt. There is the draw of many fiber arts, of which there is a new knitting pattern in the back. I highly recommend Only Skein Deep for those who enjoy less mystery and more relationship in their novels, yet still appreciate a well-written whodunit and the various yarn arts.
Only Skein Deep
A Knitting Mystery, Book #15
By Maggie Sefton
ISBN 9780425282526
Author Website: Maggiesefton.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the latest novel from The New York Times bestselling author of Knit to Be Tied, Kelly Flynn and The Lambspun Knitters are eagerly awaiting a bundle of joy but find themselves heaped with trouble instead…
Kelly Flynn and her boyfriend, Steve, couldn’t be happier as they await the birth of their bouncing baby boy. Kelly’s got a built-in group of fiber arts specialists, the Lambspun Knitters, who are working away on blankets and booties. As they sit around the table crafting their keepsakes, the story of Giselle Callahan is a popular topic of conversation.
Giselle is the young wife of Henry Callahan, a Fort Connor banking scion, who traded in his previous wife of forty years for a newer model. Giselle’s prowess as a skilled country club golfer and social climber puts her on someone’s hit list. When she is found dead on the greens at the golf club, Kelly and her Lambspun crew worry that a vicious killer is in their midst. They must work fast to bring an unhinged murderer to justice on the back nine before Kelly’s very special delivery…(from Goodreads)
Review:
Kelly Flynn and sweetheart Steve Townsend await the new addition to their family; Jack, named after Kelly’s late father, will make his appearance very soon. As temperatures rise in Fort Connor, Colorado, Kelly is increasingly uncomfortable and looking forward to Jack’s arrival. Most of Kelly’s time is spent now at House of Lambspun, the unique store for many kinds of fiber art from spinning to weaving to knitting or crocheting. This leads her to consider even more than in the past how the actions of working with fibers or yarn, looking at aesthetically pleasing combinations of colors is so completely relaxing. She even considers how ancient the arts are that we take for granted today.
One of the knitters at Lambspun had commented on two lady golfers walking through the shop to the Cafe, one being Giselle, the young bride of Henry Callahan. After he divorced his wife of 40+ years for the sweet young golf pro, his first wife Meredith committed suicide. It was shocking to hear, only days later, that Giselle Callahan was murdered on the golf course adjacent to Lambspun and Pete’s Cafe. There aren’t any windows that directly view that part of the golf course from the Lambspun building, so nobody heard or saw anything. It was quite an up close and personal kind of murder, too, one that had been thought out. After all, a golf course at a busy time of day?
Kelly has free time to think about it and many other things, including keeping her clients’ accounting entries current so she won’t have to worry about getting behind when Jack is born. Investigating any crime is impossible for her now, but she could always keep her eyes and ears open. A murder simply can’t go unsolved in their growing community for any length of time.
The characters are all very well acquainted as their friendships have been forged through good times and struggles. There are couples of various ages, a toddler, and a couple teens plus those who attend any of the yarn arts classes. It is hard to have a favorite, as each one has such positive, caring traits. Each is involved, as time allows, first with their family and friends, then with the community.
Dialog is as comfortable as this family is knit together with each other, through affiliation of one kind or another, with House of Lambspun. Through it, we learn much about the characters and their community. At times the dialog seems repetitive, as each person Kelly encounters asks how she is feeling and she shares the same brief description for that day. Most times conversations are caring, witty, or even businesslike, depending on the circumstances.
The plot, even while seemingly uncomplicated, remains unsolved longer than usual. Quite possibly because Kelly wasn’t sleuthing? The local detectives are excellent, but don’t hear some of the good information that the average citizen might. There were at least two possible suspects in this crime but not enough evidence to charge anyone with. When learned quite by accident, the clue that could close the case brought quite a twist to the mystery. The real bad guy/ gal was quite a surprise to this armchair sleuth!
While not quite a traditional cozy mystery, Only Skein Deep is a novel demonstrating the love and affection found between longtime friends as well as couples. There is the appeal of mothering and mentoring from Mimi and Burt at Lambspun, as well as Alpaca rancher Jayleen and rancher Curt. There is the draw of many fiber arts, of which there is a new knitting pattern in the back. I highly recommend Only Skein Deep for those who enjoy less mystery and more relationship in their novels, yet still appreciate a well-written whodunit and the various yarn arts.
June 18, 2017
This cozy is too saccharine.
June 27, 2017
My big question - where is Carl? He only appears if Kelly is at the cottage. He's never mentioned if they are at the other house, where they seem to live. If Steve is letting Kelly sleep in, shouldn't he mention something about letting Carl out? If there's a big gathering at the house, where is Carl?
While was lovely to see life moving along for our characters, the murder mystery is very much off-screen and discussed second-hand, such that I didn't feel particularly invested in what happened with the mystery.
While was lovely to see life moving along for our characters, the murder mystery is very much off-screen and discussed second-hand, such that I didn't feel particularly invested in what happened with the mystery.
December 9, 2022
This book was absolutely infuriating. Let's put aside the murder, which amounts to about three sentences in the whole book, but the "friends" who decide to force the protagonist to get married, literally scheduling her wedding within a week, without even consulting the potential groom, just because they think it's time? Friends who didn't believe in marriage two books ago? And Kelly going along with it even though it was the cause for her and the potential groom to break up in the first place? I don't understand? What the absolute $#@?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2017
What a delight; Kelly and boyfriend Steve are expecting their first child! Kelly will very soon be giving birth to their son, Jack, named after Kelly's father.
Kelly spends much of her time at House of Lambspun at Pete's Cafe, which is part of the Lambspun building. She keeps up with her clients as well as her knitting friends and the local gossip. She hears about Giselle Callahan, the young bride of Henry, who divorced his wife of 40+ years who subsequently killed herself, to marry Giselle.
It is only days after hearing about Giselle that she learns Giselle has been murdered on the golf course right next to Pete's Cafe and Lambspun. Kelly is not in a position to act as sleuth, even though her curiosity is at work. The longer the case goes unsolved, the more the people of Fort Collins are concerned about a murderer being on the loose.
Only Skein Deep is much more about the relationships of Kelly and her friends, the family she has found within the Lambspun group. There are couples of all ages, a couple teens and a toddler. All have been friends for years, and some of the events in their families have served to weave them into an even closer family type of relationship. Sports and yarn arts are but part of their commonalities.
The mystery is important but not a central focus. It is challenging, as there are very few suspects. I was very surprised at the outcome, which makes for a good mystery. I highly recommend Only Skein Deep for those who enjoy the lighter side of cozy mysteries that are well-written and include the interconnection of those in the novel. While there is less mystery than usual, I very much enjoyed the characters and overall plot. This author knows how to use dialog, action, and descriptions, including that of the gorgeous area of Colorado and the background of Kelly's family and others. There is also a mystery involving one of the characters that I'm looking forward to having revealed in the future!
Kelly spends much of her time at House of Lambspun at Pete's Cafe, which is part of the Lambspun building. She keeps up with her clients as well as her knitting friends and the local gossip. She hears about Giselle Callahan, the young bride of Henry, who divorced his wife of 40+ years who subsequently killed herself, to marry Giselle.
It is only days after hearing about Giselle that she learns Giselle has been murdered on the golf course right next to Pete's Cafe and Lambspun. Kelly is not in a position to act as sleuth, even though her curiosity is at work. The longer the case goes unsolved, the more the people of Fort Collins are concerned about a murderer being on the loose.
Only Skein Deep is much more about the relationships of Kelly and her friends, the family she has found within the Lambspun group. There are couples of all ages, a couple teens and a toddler. All have been friends for years, and some of the events in their families have served to weave them into an even closer family type of relationship. Sports and yarn arts are but part of their commonalities.
The mystery is important but not a central focus. It is challenging, as there are very few suspects. I was very surprised at the outcome, which makes for a good mystery. I highly recommend Only Skein Deep for those who enjoy the lighter side of cozy mysteries that are well-written and include the interconnection of those in the novel. While there is less mystery than usual, I very much enjoyed the characters and overall plot. This author knows how to use dialog, action, and descriptions, including that of the gorgeous area of Colorado and the background of Kelly's family and others. There is also a mystery involving one of the characters that I'm looking forward to having revealed in the future!
May 15, 2018
Back in Fort Conner, Colorado
This is one book I had missed in this great series that I thought I had read them all!
I was wrong, I had to read about Kelly Flynn getting hitched! She has been living with Steve Townsead for some time and she got pregnant. Steve wanted to get married right away. But Kelly wanted to wait!
Curt and Jayleen finally talked Kelly into marrying Steve just one week before Baby Jack is born. Of course, there is a murder that Kelly needs to get involved in. She helps the cops again.
The baby is born and all the Gang is happy because the baby is handsome and healthy and he was 8 lbs.
They all look forward to being together again and seeing the younger kids play softball!
The book is as good or better than the others because there was a death, wedding and a new baby. I need to check and see if there are any others I missed. I love Fort Connors, Colorado and the people who live there.
This is one book I had missed in this great series that I thought I had read them all!
I was wrong, I had to read about Kelly Flynn getting hitched! She has been living with Steve Townsead for some time and she got pregnant. Steve wanted to get married right away. But Kelly wanted to wait!
Curt and Jayleen finally talked Kelly into marrying Steve just one week before Baby Jack is born. Of course, there is a murder that Kelly needs to get involved in. She helps the cops again.
The baby is born and all the Gang is happy because the baby is handsome and healthy and he was 8 lbs.
They all look forward to being together again and seeing the younger kids play softball!
The book is as good or better than the others because there was a death, wedding and a new baby. I need to check and see if there are any others I missed. I love Fort Connors, Colorado and the people who live there.
April 20, 2019
Quick read and lots of friendships that are like a close family. Love the characters and all the closeness they have to each other. Kelly is due to have a baby and then her and Steve finally tie the knot, long overdue. Lots of fun and then suspenseful as a murder takes place and they are all wondering who did it, since it was only next door on the golf course. The murder is solved and all turns out well in the end. Enjoyed this book and do like the author writing style.
June 13, 2018
I really need to get in the mindset that these are no longer mysteries and are stories of a group of friends. This one seemed to have a lot of repetition of dialogue and scenes. It almost seemed to be filler to make the book long enough to be more than a short story.
January 21, 2025
My favorite one, though, had less sleuthing in it and a happy ending. Though, I was bothered that the author chose to have the characters leave Carl at the cottage. That didn't sit right with me... yes, I know the dog isn't real, but come on. lol
February 19, 2018
Not quite as good as some of the other books but still a mystery that Kelly could help solve while spending most of the last month of her pregnancy being watched over by the other knitters at the Lambspun Knit shop. She listens, asks questions and follows the clues.
July 17, 2018
I love these stories so much, I have purchased the entire set for my library
Read
December 23, 2024Enjoyable
May 6, 2018
Easy read. I always like visits with my Lambspun family. The mystery was very light in this one as it centered more on Kelly and her pregnancy. Still lots of fun with the gang.
July 17, 2020
A baby is coming! Will the baby hat be made in time? Will the murder on the golf course be solved before the baby comes? And why is the dog Carl only mentioned when he's at her office and not at their home???
July 24, 2023
The actual mystery in this book seemed like an afterthought and not the driving force. This was the first book I had read by this author and probably my last.
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