What do you think?
Rate this book
Vampire Knitting Club #5
Purls and Potions
Lucy’s first love potion goes horribly wrong
Romances get tangled
But worse, someone dies!
Romance is in the air on Harrington Street, Oxford. Detective Inspector Ian Chisholm is finally showing interest in Lucy, though the members of the vampire knitting club aren’t too thrilled to have the police hanging around so close to Cardinal Woolsey’s yarn shop. Up the street at Frogg Books, shop assistant Alice is in love with her bookish boss, Charlie, who doesn’t seem to notice.
Lucy’s trying to become more proficient as a witch and when her cousin Violet talks her into brewing up a love potion to bring Alice and Charlie together, it seems like a harmless way to improve her craft.
Until someone dies.
Is Lucy’s love potion more deadly than cupid’s arrow? Or is there a killer on the loose?
Purls and Potions is Book 4 in the best-selling Vampire Knitting Club series. There’s no sex, gore or cliff-hanger endings, just lots of humor and quirky characters—including Nyx, Lucy’s black cat and familiar. Each book can be enjoyed on its own.
Romances get tangled
But worse, someone dies!
Romance is in the air on Harrington Street, Oxford. Detective Inspector Ian Chisholm is finally showing interest in Lucy, though the members of the vampire knitting club aren’t too thrilled to have the police hanging around so close to Cardinal Woolsey’s yarn shop. Up the street at Frogg Books, shop assistant Alice is in love with her bookish boss, Charlie, who doesn’t seem to notice.
Lucy’s trying to become more proficient as a witch and when her cousin Violet talks her into brewing up a love potion to bring Alice and Charlie together, it seems like a harmless way to improve her craft.
Until someone dies.
Is Lucy’s love potion more deadly than cupid’s arrow? Or is there a killer on the loose?
Purls and Potions is Book 4 in the best-selling Vampire Knitting Club series. There’s no sex, gore or cliff-hanger endings, just lots of humor and quirky characters—including Nyx, Lucy’s black cat and familiar. Each book can be enjoyed on its own.
252 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2019
933 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
359 books1,883 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
June 19, 2019
This is my favorite book in the series - the Shakespearean comedy of the love potion going awry was fantastic. I was laughing my way through most of this book.
February 18, 2019
A bumpy romance, witchy problems, and a story that parallels Shakespear's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. A production of that play serves as the vehicle for the story.
The story wasn't gripping but it was pleasant. The vampires were less involved this time around although Warren did bring back Theodore and gave him page time. A solid 3 star story.
The story wasn't gripping but it was pleasant. The vampires were less involved this time around although Warren did bring back Theodore and gave him page time. A solid 3 star story.
April 28, 2021
I didn't really get into this one much, and I appear to have forgotten some things as I didn't realize that Lucy's relationship with the detective had advanced that far yet. Besides I'm not really shipping anyone in this series. Not really liking the choices. Until this book.
January 21, 2021
This was a really fun and cozy read! Looking forward to continue it even more now that Ian is out of the picture lmao, acab.
July 7, 2025
3.5 stars. Plot wise, it’s probably best to just go with it - then it’s fun.
October 6, 2025
This has been my comfort series lately ☕️
May 23, 2021
3.5 stars
December 23, 2024
I love this series and a love potion gone terribly wrong?! Yes please! I love the drama and emotions that swirled with this book. Poor Lucy really cannot catch a break! But I love that she will get into uncomfortable situations just to try and help people in her community; she is such a sweet person. But she isn't a pushover and I love how she won't let herself be used or ignored. And honestly, I am much preffering the alternate romance storyline (please)! I was SHOCKED by the ending and how the heck Lucy figure it all out...I'm still not quite sure. I also really cannot wait for her to step into her power more! I am already excited to read more!
I listened to the audiobook and I loved it!
I listened to the audiobook and I loved it!
January 25, 2022
This story revolves around a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Just as rehearsals begin, Lucy decides to help the local bookstore's assistant Alice strike up a romance with her boss. When Lucy's love potion is drunk by more than Charlie, the fun begins. Everyone "falls" in love with the wrong person.
These mysteries are not difficult to solve and are always fun to read.
These mysteries are not difficult to solve and are always fun to read.
March 16, 2020
Life is looking up for Lucy! She has two proficient assistants, even though one is her pesky cousin, Ian is finally taking notice and asking her for a date and she is making friends. Then Violet has the brilliant idea of a love potion for another friend and suddenly the world is topsy turvy and everything is falling apart. Lucy needs to work fast to set things right or the friend they tried to help with the love potion will not only not fall in love, but the object of her desire will go to prison for a crime he didn't commit. Humor and delight abound in this plot of witches, vampires, knitting, Shakespeare and murder to keep you entertained for hours! I am quite enjoying being able to listen to this series as I work as the narrator is absolutely perfect! If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for??
June 30, 2021
This has been my favorite one yet. Great farce with the added fun of a love potion gone wrong!
February 23, 2019
3.5 stars 1 heat
Purls and Potions was another good mystery. Quirky vampires, spell challenged witches, a little murder and mayhem.
The Gist: Lucy and friends have gotten involved in a community play. Unfortunately a love potion goes wrong and puts a whammy on the entire cast and crew and, well, someone winds up real dead.
As normal I enjoyed Lucy and crew. There were fewer vampires this go around which made me sad but it was still fun spending time with those involved.
The mystery kept me guessing until fairly close to the end wondering who was involved with killing one of the young actors.
Overall I liked it. But I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the earlier ones. Not sure if it was because it was a mostly new cast (of actors) or if it was just the actors since they aren't my favorite thing. I didn't hate it obviously just didn't connect quite as much with it as the other ones.
Purls and Potions was another good mystery. Quirky vampires, spell challenged witches, a little murder and mayhem.
The Gist: Lucy and friends have gotten involved in a community play. Unfortunately a love potion goes wrong and puts a whammy on the entire cast and crew and, well, someone winds up real dead.
As normal I enjoyed Lucy and crew. There were fewer vampires this go around which made me sad but it was still fun spending time with those involved.
The mystery kept me guessing until fairly close to the end wondering who was involved with killing one of the young actors.
Overall I liked it. But I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the earlier ones. Not sure if it was because it was a mostly new cast (of actors) or if it was just the actors since they aren't my favorite thing. I didn't hate it obviously just didn't connect quite as much with it as the other ones.
October 1, 2022
3.5 stars
I love this series, but didn't feel this book was as strong as the others, probably because we meet so many minor characters but don't really get to know any of them. The murder didn't happen until the book was already half over, and there wasn't much in the way of an investigation. There was no way Lucy could have known who the killer was, except through a hunch. And yet, it immediately became obvious.
There are still quite a few obvious typos as well in these books, which is a shame.
However, I loved the very end so much I almost bumped this up to four stars, if only because of my weakness for a certain character...
I love this series, but didn't feel this book was as strong as the others, probably because we meet so many minor characters but don't really get to know any of them. The murder didn't happen until the book was already half over, and there wasn't much in the way of an investigation. There was no way Lucy could have known who the killer was, except through a hunch. And yet, it immediately became obvious.
There are still quite a few obvious typos as well in these books, which is a shame.
However, I loved the very end so much I almost bumped this up to four stars, if only because of my weakness for a certain character...
August 23, 2019
4.5
Book source ~ Kindle Lending Library
American Lucy Swift is really starting to settle into Oxford. Running her grandmother’s yarn shop, learning magic, and solving murders doesn’t leave a lot of time to make new friends, but she’s trying to make time to socialize. Being a witch and having vampires meet with their knitting club in her back room doesn’t really help in that department either, but she’s determined to make at least a few friends outside of the knitting circle and coven. When Alice, the assistant at Frogg Books needs some help with her unrequited love of her boss, Lucy’s cousin Violet talks Lucy into making the poor woman a love potion. Lucy’s past witchy experiences have usually gone awry, so she’s reluctant, but ultimately her desire to help Alice wins out. What happens next, well, it could only happen to Lucy.
I really like this series because it’s easy to read, kinda fun (minus the murders), has humor, and wonderful characters. It also has two potential love interests for Lucy, neither of which is ideal considering her current situation, but I can’t help but root for each one for different reasons. The wooing of Lucy is in the very beginning stages, so I have no idea yet who would be the better pick. I like them both though. In this book, Detective Inspector Ian Chisholm steps up his dating efforts, but then stumbles through no fault of his own. Damn that love potion! Rafe Crosyer, resident vampire leader, has his eye on Lucy, too. I’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out. My only complaint, and it’s small really, is there wasn’t as much interaction with the vampires in this installation. I really like them, so it dimmed my enjoyment just a bit.
If you’re looking for a light, easy, fun read that has magic, murder, and vampires then I suggest starting with book 1, The Vampire Knitting Club, in this series. This book can be read as a standalone, no problem, but I think starting at the beginning will make it that much more enjoyable. I’m totally getting the next book in the series. Join me in the fun.
Book source ~ Kindle Lending Library
American Lucy Swift is really starting to settle into Oxford. Running her grandmother’s yarn shop, learning magic, and solving murders doesn’t leave a lot of time to make new friends, but she’s trying to make time to socialize. Being a witch and having vampires meet with their knitting club in her back room doesn’t really help in that department either, but she’s determined to make at least a few friends outside of the knitting circle and coven. When Alice, the assistant at Frogg Books needs some help with her unrequited love of her boss, Lucy’s cousin Violet talks Lucy into making the poor woman a love potion. Lucy’s past witchy experiences have usually gone awry, so she’s reluctant, but ultimately her desire to help Alice wins out. What happens next, well, it could only happen to Lucy.
I really like this series because it’s easy to read, kinda fun (minus the murders), has humor, and wonderful characters. It also has two potential love interests for Lucy, neither of which is ideal considering her current situation, but I can’t help but root for each one for different reasons. The wooing of Lucy is in the very beginning stages, so I have no idea yet who would be the better pick. I like them both though. In this book, Detective Inspector Ian Chisholm steps up his dating efforts, but then stumbles through no fault of his own. Damn that love potion! Rafe Crosyer, resident vampire leader, has his eye on Lucy, too. I’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out. My only complaint, and it’s small really, is there wasn’t as much interaction with the vampires in this installation. I really like them, so it dimmed my enjoyment just a bit.
If you’re looking for a light, easy, fun read that has magic, murder, and vampires then I suggest starting with book 1, The Vampire Knitting Club, in this series. This book can be read as a standalone, no problem, but I think starting at the beginning will make it that much more enjoyable. I’m totally getting the next book in the series. Join me in the fun.
October 16, 2025
Funny and fast paced murder mystery, even tho that part was way too short for me
February 6, 2019
This series is so much fun to read and I can't wait to see what will happen next! What I missed in this one was more interaction with all the vampires. That group just makes me laugh and to think they live right under the knitting shop is priceless.
February 8, 2019
Best in the series so far!!
I did not see that ending coming and if you follow this series, this is a must, must must read!! Ok, I admit I read the last few paragraphs a few extra times, it was that good! Lucy tries her had at a love potion, unfortunately with the help of Margaret Twig, the woman we love to dislike. The potion gets out of hand when a few extra people get a dose. Add a Shakespeare play and a murder into the mix and Lucy doesn't know which way is up! I can't wait for the next book in the series! Have to see where the ending in this one goes next!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I did not see that ending coming and if you follow this series, this is a must, must must read!! Ok, I admit I read the last few paragraphs a few extra times, it was that good! Lucy tries her had at a love potion, unfortunately with the help of Margaret Twig, the woman we love to dislike. The potion gets out of hand when a few extra people get a dose. Add a Shakespeare play and a murder into the mix and Lucy doesn't know which way is up! I can't wait for the next book in the series! Have to see where the ending in this one goes next!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
December 6, 2019
Lucy’s first try at love potions goes awry and one of the victims is her love interest, Ian, who is suddenly infatuated with a college student. The rest of the story is a murder mystery juxtaposed against A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
It was ok, but I feel like the spark has dimmed from this series. Still, it was a nice accompaniment for morning errands and who can frown upon a book that ends with a kiss in the forest.
February 8, 2019
Loved it!
This was even better than the first 4 reads in the series. And they were all great. The characters are interesting some likeable, others not so much. Ian, pfft. Finally! Rafe makes a move. Can’t wait for #6
This was even better than the first 4 reads in the series. And they were all great. The characters are interesting some likeable, others not so much. Ian, pfft. Finally! Rafe makes a move. Can’t wait for #6
August 19, 2025
Loved this theatrical murder mystery! Lucy really is becoming a Miss Marple-esque character and that ending! Can’t wait to read on 🩷
December 6, 2021
Purls and Potions is book 5 of the Vampire Knitting Club series. In this book, a love spell goes awry and causes havoc among the cast and crew of the local college's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Unfortunately Ian is also there when the spell takes effect and he is affected as well. Now, instead of Lucy, his interest lands elsewhere. In addition to that, there is a university student missing and another one murdered. Lucy and her witch and vampire cohorts have to figure out how to undo the spell and how to solve the disappearance and murder. I enjoyed this book, but I feel like, given the reason Ian was infatuated with someone else and it being Lucy's fault, it was kind of silly to be upset with him and it was a cop out for the author to use that as a reason to end the love triangle and cool things off between Lucy and Ian. But it seems like things might start to heat up with Rafe so that is great.
I have been binging this series and haven’t been reviewing them in between each book. Some overall observations from the series so far (I have finished through book 8.5 and am partway through book 9) are that the stories are always cute and good for a short escape. I really enjoy the characters and have a vested interest in them. Something I have noticed, though, is that there isn’t continuity between books and the books really could have benefited from a proofreader. For example, in book 1, Lucy is 27 but in book 6, she has her 26th birthday. In one of the books, Rafe is at least 600 years old, but in the next book, he is only 500 years old. Occasionally there is an incorrect name used but I always know what was meant so it doesn’t confuse me or make it so that I can’t continue. Another thing that is missing, at least to the point I am at now, is any real information about the vampires. We don’t get to know anything about their abilities, only that they are vampires who feed via a blood bank. Even with the inconsistencies, I am hooked on the series and enjoy these easy-going, clean, cozy mysteries. It is a nice palette cleanser from the smutty stuff I typically enjoy.
The narrator is the same throughout the series and she does a great job.
I have been binging this series and haven’t been reviewing them in between each book. Some overall observations from the series so far (I have finished through book 8.5 and am partway through book 9) are that the stories are always cute and good for a short escape. I really enjoy the characters and have a vested interest in them. Something I have noticed, though, is that there isn’t continuity between books and the books really could have benefited from a proofreader. For example, in book 1, Lucy is 27 but in book 6, she has her 26th birthday. In one of the books, Rafe is at least 600 years old, but in the next book, he is only 500 years old. Occasionally there is an incorrect name used but I always know what was meant so it doesn’t confuse me or make it so that I can’t continue. Another thing that is missing, at least to the point I am at now, is any real information about the vampires. We don’t get to know anything about their abilities, only that they are vampires who feed via a blood bank. Even with the inconsistencies, I am hooked on the series and enjoy these easy-going, clean, cozy mysteries. It is a nice palette cleanser from the smutty stuff I typically enjoy.
The narrator is the same throughout the series and she does a great job.
March 12, 2022
Really 2.5 rounded up. Just a nice cozy mystery to binge read. However there are a couple of glitches here and there that may have been missed by the editors. For example, some phrases and pieces of information being repeated. Some inconsistencies with previous books. It’s not too bad but enough to notice.
Have not noticed this before in the other books. I’m hoping the quality of the storytelling isn’t going down. It is the 5th installment of this series which I have absolutely fallen for.
It really is a charming and entertaining read.
Have not noticed this before in the other books. I’m hoping the quality of the storytelling isn’t going down. It is the 5th installment of this series which I have absolutely fallen for.
It really is a charming and entertaining read.
October 19, 2023
Shakespeare twist!
Lucy definitely gets caught up in some mess that she never intends to but when she tried helping with a love potion and a Shakespeare play, well things get really messy for sure. I have to say it’s funny how some people can be twisted up over their affections that they never know which end is up. As for the murder of Jeremy, it wasn’t quit what or who I thought it was but it sure was fun reading how it came about. Definitely will continue this series cause it’s always fun waiting Lucy caught in the middle of it and the two guys in her life as well.
Lucy definitely gets caught up in some mess that she never intends to but when she tried helping with a love potion and a Shakespeare play, well things get really messy for sure. I have to say it’s funny how some people can be twisted up over their affections that they never know which end is up. As for the murder of Jeremy, it wasn’t quit what or who I thought it was but it sure was fun reading how it came about. Definitely will continue this series cause it’s always fun waiting Lucy caught in the middle of it and the two guys in her life as well.
February 7, 2019
Warren like wine, better with each serving!
Ms. Warren brought another winner to the table. This isn't your normal vampire romance, and I am glad. But, it also is not your normal cozy, the best of both! Enjoy an easy fun - we all make mistakes - weekend read.
Ms. Warren brought another winner to the table. This isn't your normal vampire romance, and I am glad. But, it also is not your normal cozy, the best of both! Enjoy an easy fun - we all make mistakes - weekend read.
August 25, 2020
Lucy is trying to be a good witch but things always go wrong for her. She was trying to make a love potion but it was accidentally given to more than the person it was supposed to be. Her Vampire friends help her out when another dead body appears on the scene.
I really enjoy this series.
I really enjoy this series.
May 17, 2021
This book is very easy to read and get into, I'm really enjoying this series.
I thought this was quite funny, the whole link to Midsummer's Night Dream by Shakespeare (may actually be one of my favourites in fairness) was quite entertaining to me. I liked that link and the after effects.
I thought this was quite funny, the whole link to Midsummer's Night Dream by Shakespeare (may actually be one of my favourites in fairness) was quite entertaining to me. I liked that link and the after effects.
February 6, 2022
3.5 stars
I didn’t pick this murderer!
Story was well done!
Once again audio was fantastic.
Book 5 in the series
This series is 100% a slow burn guys romance is 100% a secondary factor to the fantasy/mystery aspect
I didn’t pick this murderer!
Story was well done!
Once again audio was fantastic.
Book 5 in the series
This series is 100% a slow burn guys romance is 100% a secondary factor to the fantasy/mystery aspect
March 24, 2023
Didn't guess the murder this time. Still a fun book. Debating if I should go on to the next book or not. I'm loving the series but I normally take a break after 5 books so I don't burn out. But I'm loving this series
November 7, 2023
Nancy Warren does it again!
This story does not disappoint! Nancy writes a page turner and has a witty sense of humor! I giggled often! I love this book onto book 6
Please keep these wonderful stories coming!
This story does not disappoint! Nancy writes a page turner and has a witty sense of humor! I giggled often! I love this book onto book 6
Please keep these wonderful stories coming!
May 7, 2019
This is a delightful series. Many great characters & engaging plots. Just enough madcap hijinks to be funny but not getting in the way of the main story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews