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Knitty Kitty Cozy Mysteries #1
Die in the Wool
A sudden death has Tash Mallory all stitched up!
Tash Mallory's future is in the balance when her employer "Auntie Fran" (no relation) fires her from the knitting shop job she's held for twenty years. Even worse, when Tash returns to confront her, she finds Fran's dead body in the back room.
Tash Mallory's future is in the balance when her employer "Auntie Fran" (no relation) fires her from the knitting shop job she's held for twenty years. Even worse, when Tash returns to confront her, she finds Fran's dead body in the back room.
Luckily, the doctor soon concludes the death is from natural causes. A decision cast into doubt when Tash finds out she's inherited Fran's store and home.
With an aggrieved nephew determined to fight the will in court and Fran's despondent fiancé pointing the finger of blame, Tash battles to clear her name. The police mightn't believe the death was murder, but the good folks of Patiti are quicker to rush to judgement.
If Tash can't manoeuvre through the undercurrent of small town politics, winning the inheritance will be a Pyrrhic victory. Worse, the doctor's assessment might be wrong, leaving a killer on the loose.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2019
697 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Hayton
64 books497 followersI'm a middle-aged woman who works in insurance, doesn't have children or pets, can't drive, has lived in Christchurch my entire life, and currently reside a two-minute walk from where I was born.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 29, 2021
Quality cosy read situated in New Zealand.
July 19, 2022
Tash has worked in the small town knitting shop in New Zealand for many years. Her employer, who asks Tash to call her Auntie Fran even though they're not related, is a nasty harridan. Auntie Fran fires Tash, but when she comes back to the shop, she finds Auntie Fran dead. Was it a heart attack, or murder? And when an elderly man stands up at the funeral and accuses Tash of murder, she and her friends are determined to learn the truth. I enjoyed the New Zealand setting, and had to look up some of the terms (I now know that "housie" refers to a bingo game).
December 28, 2019
Oh what a tangled web we weave .......
A decent read. I didn't guess the culprit until nearly the end and I must admit that it was a devious plot. The characters need a bit of strengthening especially the FMC. She still comes across as slightly weak and ineffective. The rest are slightly stronger but need a bit more filling. The strongest surprisingly is Tangley, the kitten. He full, mischievous and very vibrant.
She's worked in the wool shop for 20 years and getting fired over a mistake that wasn't her fault is just a bit hard to take. Now having discovered her former employer's body, found out that she's inherited the shop and house whilst being told that the nephew will be contesting the will seems almost unreal. To top it off she's been accused of being a murderer at the funeral. Together with her BFF they start looking into things. Affairs, a wool order, a dye that seems to cause adverse results and being evicted are too much for her after release from the hospital. Who, if anyone, was responsible for the death? And why?
A decent read. I didn't guess the culprit until nearly the end and I must admit that it was a devious plot. The characters need a bit of strengthening especially the FMC. She still comes across as slightly weak and ineffective. The rest are slightly stronger but need a bit more filling. The strongest surprisingly is Tangley, the kitten. He full, mischievous and very vibrant.
She's worked in the wool shop for 20 years and getting fired over a mistake that wasn't her fault is just a bit hard to take. Now having discovered her former employer's body, found out that she's inherited the shop and house whilst being told that the nephew will be contesting the will seems almost unreal. To top it off she's been accused of being a murderer at the funeral. Together with her BFF they start looking into things. Affairs, a wool order, a dye that seems to cause adverse results and being evicted are too much for her after release from the hospital. Who, if anyone, was responsible for the death? And why?
August 5, 2025
2.4 rounded down. Not much to see here. Cozies should not be bland but this one is. No real character development and characters are very one dimensional. Not recommended.
March 8, 2023
That was super cute!
December 31, 2019
I enjoyed the book. I found the main character engaging, and feel that the secondary characters were sufficiently fleshed out to aid in the flow of the story. I had no clue who did it until it was revealed, which I find a good thing. The writing flows well, and I am a picky reader. I recommend this to anyone who wants a good cozy mystery. Although cats don't belong in yarn shops.
July 18, 2022
This story takes place in New Zealand an the spelling and terminology reflects that. The murder plot was intriguing and the characters (there were a lot of them) interesting. My favorite character was the kitten. But… a kitten? In a yarn shop? Talk about bad planning. At first, I thought Tash was young, but she’d been working in the shop for 20 years – so not young. But she comes off that way. She finds her boss dead in the shop, then finds out the grumpy old woman left Tash the shop and a house – just as she’s about to be evicted from her rental. Then at the funeral, an old man accuses Tash of killing her boss. It’s up to her to figure out who did the deed.
There were an awful lot of side characters in the story, some of them more interesting than Tash. And the emotions… they hate her, they love her, they… back and forth. But the story has a satisfying ending.
Recommendation: This is a decent story with a good ending. It does take place in New Zealand in a small town. It has fun characters, but is a bit slow at times.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
There were an awful lot of side characters in the story, some of them more interesting than Tash. And the emotions… they hate her, they love her, they… back and forth. But the story has a satisfying ending.
Recommendation: This is a decent story with a good ending. It does take place in New Zealand in a small town. It has fun characters, but is a bit slow at times.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
January 5, 2020
Tangle & murder
Tasha works in a yarn shop in Petiti, her boss Auntie Fran as she wants
to be called. A cross between a tyrant and a which, gets into a altercation
with a client. Tasha steps in getting fired because of it after 23 years of
Working for her. Then every thing falls apart including Frans death. Believed
to be a heart attackTash believes murder. Especially after she was poisoned
by the same dye. No one believes her, so she sets out to prove Frans murder.
Will she do it before shes ruined or killed by the murderer. A page turner with
a lot of twists and suspects galore. Read it today.
Debra H.
Tasha works in a yarn shop in Petiti, her boss Auntie Fran as she wants
to be called. A cross between a tyrant and a which, gets into a altercation
with a client. Tasha steps in getting fired because of it after 23 years of
Working for her. Then every thing falls apart including Frans death. Believed
to be a heart attackTash believes murder. Especially after she was poisoned
by the same dye. No one believes her, so she sets out to prove Frans murder.
Will she do it before shes ruined or killed by the murderer. A page turner with
a lot of twists and suspects galore. Read it today.
Debra H.
July 19, 2022
A sweet kitten and a mysterious death!
A fun and fairly quick read, and a murder to solve. Tash has worked for Aunty Fran at The Tall Yarn shop for twenty years, and has been good about putting up with her crotchety behavior. But when Fran loses it over an incorrect order and fires Tash for trying to make it right, Tash isn’t sure what to do! Her friend Aura tells her to just go to work as usual the next day, and maybe the whole upset will be forgotten. But when Tash goes in to work, she discovers Aunty Fran dead! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the funny antics of Tangle, the kitten! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!
A fun and fairly quick read, and a murder to solve. Tash has worked for Aunty Fran at The Tall Yarn shop for twenty years, and has been good about putting up with her crotchety behavior. But when Fran loses it over an incorrect order and fires Tash for trying to make it right, Tash isn’t sure what to do! Her friend Aura tells her to just go to work as usual the next day, and maybe the whole upset will be forgotten. But when Tash goes in to work, she discovers Aunty Fran dead! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the funny antics of Tangle, the kitten! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!
August 25, 2022
This is the first in the series. The main character is Tash. Tash has worked in the Tall Yarn for 20 years and put up with a lot from the owner Auntie Fran but on the day she fires her Auntie Fran dies. Tash goes back the next day and finds her body. That's when it all starts to hit. First she thinks she has no job and then she is told she is losing the house she rents. Then she finds out that Auntie Fran left her the business and her house. Now the other heir, her nephew Bruce, says he will fight her for the business and that maybe she did in the owner to keep the business. From there it all goes down hill. Tash thinks she might knw who did it but did she figure it out too late ?
January 17, 2020
Not always a fan of these lightweight "mysteries", but I really enjoyed this one and am recommending it to people I know. I felt like it wasn't more of the same-old, same-old-young-girl- inherits-a-yarn-shop-and-runs-away-from-a-broken-romance-to-start-a-new-life-and-lives happily-ever-after. Having lived in Christchurch, NZ and the surrounding area for a few years in the 1980s, I was tickled by some of the terminology--e.g., "dairy" and "Housie." I hope this is the start of a series, because I am looking forward to reading more about Tash, Tangle and the other citizens of Patiti.
May 13, 2022
Was enjoying it at first but it was a little long and the 'you got to play bingo and do stupid shit to win old people's favor so the town won't turn on you' crap got on my nerves since I never know if that sort of thing is really true or not.
I also didn't understand the reveal of the murderer.
It just got a little long and I stopped enjoying the characters after a while. I don't like too many characters to have to remember who is who and I am not a fan of old people even if I am old.
I'll still try the second book in the series though.
I also didn't understand the reveal of the murderer.
It just got a little long and I stopped enjoying the characters after a while. I don't like too many characters to have to remember who is who and I am not a fan of old people even if I am old.
I'll still try the second book in the series though.
January 18, 2020
A good read
Working in Aunty Fran's yarn shop was both a pain and a pleasure. Tash bore the brunt of her temper and was very surprised when she inherited both the shop and the house when Aunty Fran died. Things went crazy from there. Tash was accidentally poisoned by one of the dyes and the possibility of Aunty Fran's death being murder was brought forth. The exploits go on from there. A very enjoyable story.
Working in Aunty Fran's yarn shop was both a pain and a pleasure. Tash bore the brunt of her temper and was very surprised when she inherited both the shop and the house when Aunty Fran died. Things went crazy from there. Tash was accidentally poisoned by one of the dyes and the possibility of Aunty Fran's death being murder was brought forth. The exploits go on from there. A very enjoyable story.
December 20, 2020
Quick read and very entertaining
Yarn store, a kitten, a murder, a best friend who likes to drink wine. Perfect setting for a cozy mystery. Short book, quick read. Hopefully subsequent books will develop the characters more deeply. At this point I do not want to sell my house and move in next door to A Tall Yarn. I would enjoy going to the retirement center for weekly knitting meet-ups though. Good start that will maybe morph into an addiction.
Yarn store, a kitten, a murder, a best friend who likes to drink wine. Perfect setting for a cozy mystery. Short book, quick read. Hopefully subsequent books will develop the characters more deeply. At this point I do not want to sell my house and move in next door to A Tall Yarn. I would enjoy going to the retirement center for weekly knitting meet-ups though. Good start that will maybe morph into an addiction.
August 11, 2022
A very good “cozy” mystery. No clue as to identity of the murderer. And, no romantic interest anywhere to be found (yay), which is frequently part of this genre. Set in a small town in New Zealand the story revolves around the local yarn shop, community bingo, retirement home, and lots of gossip. A lovely palate cleanser after more intense books.
August 25, 2024
3.25 stars. I quite enjoy this author’s writing style. It’s quick and interesting and generally involves kittens. 😂🐈⬛
I wouldn’t call these books a work of art, but if you fancy a quick cozy mystery with a cute kitten sidekick, this is the author for you. AFAIK most of her books are available on Kindle Unlimited.
I wouldn’t call these books a work of art, but if you fancy a quick cozy mystery with a cute kitten sidekick, this is the author for you. AFAIK most of her books are available on Kindle Unlimited.
January 10, 2020
I've found a new author!
New to me, that is. Die in the Wool was well-written, funny, suspenseful...all the things I love in a cozy. The characters are believable and the dialogue is never boring. I'll be busy, trying to read Katherine Hayton's complete body of work.
New to me, that is. Die in the Wool was well-written, funny, suspenseful...all the things I love in a cozy. The characters are believable and the dialogue is never boring. I'll be busy, trying to read Katherine Hayton's complete body of work.
January 14, 2020
WHERE IS PATITI?
What a lovely place to enjoy
Your silver yrs.
What more could one need?
A yarn shop , friends, wine ,and of course TANGLE.
PLEASE RELAX AND ENJOY
AS I HAVE ANOTHER WONDERFUL BOOK BY
KATHERINE HAYTON.
..
What a lovely place to enjoy
Your silver yrs.
What more could one need?
A yarn shop , friends, wine ,and of course TANGLE.
PLEASE RELAX AND ENJOY
AS I HAVE ANOTHER WONDERFUL BOOK BY
KATHERINE HAYTON.
..
January 18, 2020
Entertaining
Nice quick and entertaining read. Love mysteries, but sometimes they too heavy. This combined my favorites of reading mysteries, knitting, and cats. Good characters, clean mystery.
Nice quick and entertaining read. Love mysteries, but sometimes they too heavy. This combined my favorites of reading mysteries, knitting, and cats. Good characters, clean mystery.
January 29, 2020
Entertaining beginning
Easy reading with twists to keep you going. Characters were likeable and just enough quirky. I did get confused in parts concerning who was who but still enjoyed the story
Easy reading with twists to keep you going. Characters were likeable and just enough quirky. I did get confused in parts concerning who was who but still enjoyed the story
February 22, 2020
Very enjoyable way to pass time
What an interesting cast of characters including the kitten. The gossip, politics, and etiquette of small towns carefully explained. I hope book 2 is available soon.
What an interesting cast of characters including the kitten. The gossip, politics, and etiquette of small towns carefully explained. I hope book 2 is available soon.
June 29, 2020
Knotty kitty
I found this book and thought I will try it. I’m so glad I did! I read straight through it and really enjoyed it. Usually I can pick out the murderer about 3/4 of the way through. Not this time. Good characters and a great read
I found this book and thought I will try it. I’m so glad I did! I read straight through it and really enjoyed it. Usually I can pick out the murderer about 3/4 of the way through. Not this time. Good characters and a great read
July 20, 2022
quick easy read
If you want a quick easy read this was a cute book. I read it in a few hours. Think I will get the next one and see how it goes. No sex or romance, just a who done it with twists
If you want a quick easy read this was a cute book. I read it in a few hours. Think I will get the next one and see how it goes. No sex or romance, just a who done it with twists
August 4, 2022
Confusing
This book takes place in New Zealand causing many off words and phrases unknown to others.
Too many characters introduced with no mention as to who they are. More backstory needed.
This book takes place in New Zealand causing many off words and phrases unknown to others.
Too many characters introduced with no mention as to who they are. More backstory needed.
September 13, 2022
Charming is the word for this story!
I love a good mystery, and this one has enough twists and turns to hold your interest! The main characters were "human" enough to accuse the wrong suspects of murder and make other hilarious mistakes!
I love a good mystery, and this one has enough twists and turns to hold your interest! The main characters were "human" enough to accuse the wrong suspects of murder and make other hilarious mistakes!
December 7, 2022
Was there a murder or not? Tasha's boss died of a heart attack after firing her only employee. Set in New Zeeland this is the first in a cozy mystery series with interesting characters...sometimes hard to tell if they are friends or foes.
April 28, 2023
3.5
The best part of this one was the cute kitten. :) I liked the story and the MC, though I found parts of it a bit confusing. I also found it hard to remember which lady was which. Even so, it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to more books by this author.
The best part of this one was the cute kitten. :) I liked the story and the MC, though I found parts of it a bit confusing. I also found it hard to remember which lady was which. Even so, it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to more books by this author.
November 27, 2023
Good Story
I enjoyed the story and the colorful characters. Local slang was understandable except for "housie". I'm not sure if it just meant where they played bingo or something else. The plot was well played out. There was good interaction between characters.
I enjoyed the story and the colorful characters. Local slang was understandable except for "housie". I'm not sure if it just meant where they played bingo or something else. The plot was well played out. There was good interaction between characters.
January 3, 2020
A very fun book, filled with lots of quirky characters, an adorable kitten, and a great story that keeps you reading right up until the end. I'm really looking forward to Book #2.
January 7, 2020
Great story
Enjoyed the characters and location. The story was full of fun and many twists and turns Great start for a series
Enjoyed the characters and location. The story was full of fun and many twists and turns Great start for a series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews