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Vampire Knitting Club #10
Garters and Gargoyles
Old Secrets lead to Murder
At a secret society in Oxford’s Cardinal College, privileged young men from important families get drunk and rowdy and cause trouble. It’s been going on for centuries, but when someone dies, it looks like more than boys behaving badly. It’s up to Lucy and her undead knitters to solve the crime.
At a secret society in Oxford’s Cardinal College, privileged young men from important families get drunk and rowdy and cause trouble. It’s been going on for centuries, but when someone dies, it looks like more than boys behaving badly. It’s up to Lucy and her undead knitters to solve the crime.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2020
675 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
364 books1,894 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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
September 5, 2021
I liked it. Not really a whole lot of change in this one. Just another murder to solve. There was a cliffhanger at the end, but I won't spoil it.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
June 6, 2020
Characters that you connect with immediately yet seem to get better with each book like a fine wine! The plots of each story draw you, keep you intrigued so that you lose track of time and just keep turning pages to see what will come next and this book is no exception to that rule! Rafe's a member of a not so secret society that has absolutely gone off the rails with entitled rich college boys who can't stop getting into trouble and trouble is about to heat up when a dead body is found at one of their events! Lucy and gang must quickly investigate or the wrong spoiled little rich kid may end up in jail for a crime that another has committed. Meanwhile there are a few other intriguing side storylines heating up that will also draw you and have you fit to be tied as you wait for the next book to be written! No pressure Ms Warren, but bring on the next book!
February 5, 2021
Rating this book is difficult. It was enjoyable, but in a way similar to eating a lot of greasy food--pleasurable at first but you feel awful afterwards.
The mysteries are never difficult to solve, but I don't think they're intended to be and I've always enjoyed the characters. However, I've felt Lucy has become more judgemental as the series progresses. If I did not know better I would assume she's a much older woman than she is, who is very set in her ways and incredibly narrow-minded. There's one scene where to describe a slim woman she says she's "either be an anorexic or a model or both." She adopts the moral high ground and looks down her nose at others, acts shy but feels like she can speak for everyone else.
Rafe is meant to be this chivalrous gentleman but at one point tells her "your only job is to keep your mouth shut," and Lucy feels that he is very dismissive of her the majority of the time. Sorry, is that what's passing as romance nowadays?
Despite this I'm still planning to read the next one. I'm still delighted by the idea of a vampire knitting club, and I'll stick with the series for a little while longer and hope it improves.
The mysteries are never difficult to solve, but I don't think they're intended to be and I've always enjoyed the characters. However, I've felt Lucy has become more judgemental as the series progresses. If I did not know better I would assume she's a much older woman than she is, who is very set in her ways and incredibly narrow-minded. There's one scene where to describe a slim woman she says she's "either be an anorexic or a model or both." She adopts the moral high ground and looks down her nose at others, acts shy but feels like she can speak for everyone else.
Rafe is meant to be this chivalrous gentleman but at one point tells her "your only job is to keep your mouth shut," and Lucy feels that he is very dismissive of her the majority of the time. Sorry, is that what's passing as romance nowadays?
Despite this I'm still planning to read the next one. I'm still delighted by the idea of a vampire knitting club, and I'll stick with the series for a little while longer and hope it improves.
August 3, 2025
Ok..I have some issues with this one. These books used to be cute and quirky. I liked Lucy well enough, she was a bit of a busy body, but not to the point where she really needed to be body slammed. Now the woman is intolerable. She's not cute in her antics, she get's in the way of every murder investigation like she's been a detective since diapers. At 28 she should know better. Her thinking is what irks the hell out of me. According to her, "She needs to find the killer", "She needs to question people about what they were doing and who they were with", "She thinks she's a better investigator than the actual investigator," "People should appreciate and love her..blah blah blah. The whole relationship thing with Rafe is unbelievable. They have zero chemistry. It just does not seem possible that a 500 year old vampire could be so deeply in love with this 28 year old dingbat. They've went on a couple of dates and that has been it. I've seen no passion, no undying love, and all of a sudden he wants her to marry him...WTAF??
The only word I can use to describe this book is Un-Fucking-Believable!
The only word I can use to describe this book is Un-Fucking-Believable!
October 19, 2020
Rafe is so romantic! When I read his declaration I swooned :D
The mystery was so good, but the whole relationship was tawdry...
The mystery was so good, but the whole relationship was tawdry...
August 29, 2020
4.5
Book source ~ Kindle Unlimited
Lucy is getting pretty good at running her grandmother’s knitting shop in Oxford. Well, I guess it’s actually her knitting shop since her grandmother is dead. Technically she’s undead. And one of the newest members of the vampire knitting circle. Yes, you heard me right. Vampires are real and they live in tunnels under the knitting shop and probably most of Oxford, too. Except for Rafe, their undead leader. He has a big ass mansion out in the country. Anyway, like I was saying, Lucy is getting to be quite the businesswoman. Unfortunately it’s taking her a lot longer to get the hang of being a witch. Maybe if she took it more seriously she’d progress faster. I really like Lucy, but, for fuck’s sake, I just want to smack that child sometimes.
Lucy and her intrepid vampire sleuths have been solving murders in Oxford for quite a while now. You’d think Lucy was some kind of murder magnet the way she’s always stumbling onto or into a crime scene. It’s a good thing she’s pretty smart and has awesome helpers to solve these cases otherwise the police might think she was a serial killer or something. Awkward.
Anyway, this time an old high school frenemy of Lucy’s comes to town and man, do I hate her. She is extremely hateable. Trust me. So we know she’s going to end up dead, right? Yay! The best part is she ends up dead in a mansion (not Rafe’s) with a lot of rich assholes around. Any one of them could have done it and it’s great wading through them to see who did the delightful, *cough* I mean, dastardly deed. Even though there’s less of the vampires in this one, my favorite Detective Inspector Ian Chisolm is on the scene and Rafe’s butler/catering whiz, William, gets some serious page time. I love him! Lucy (and by Lucy I mean the author hint hint) seriously needs to find him a potential wife. He’s a darling! Excellent characters, great plot, some English history, and overall, a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment. I’m still loving this series and look forward to more.
Book source ~ Kindle Unlimited
Lucy is getting pretty good at running her grandmother’s knitting shop in Oxford. Well, I guess it’s actually her knitting shop since her grandmother is dead. Technically she’s undead. And one of the newest members of the vampire knitting circle. Yes, you heard me right. Vampires are real and they live in tunnels under the knitting shop and probably most of Oxford, too. Except for Rafe, their undead leader. He has a big ass mansion out in the country. Anyway, like I was saying, Lucy is getting to be quite the businesswoman. Unfortunately it’s taking her a lot longer to get the hang of being a witch. Maybe if she took it more seriously she’d progress faster. I really like Lucy, but, for fuck’s sake, I just want to smack that child sometimes.
Lucy and her intrepid vampire sleuths have been solving murders in Oxford for quite a while now. You’d think Lucy was some kind of murder magnet the way she’s always stumbling onto or into a crime scene. It’s a good thing she’s pretty smart and has awesome helpers to solve these cases otherwise the police might think she was a serial killer or something. Awkward.
Anyway, this time an old high school frenemy of Lucy’s comes to town and man, do I hate her. She is extremely hateable. Trust me. So we know she’s going to end up dead, right? Yay! The best part is she ends up dead in a mansion (not Rafe’s) with a lot of rich assholes around. Any one of them could have done it and it’s great wading through them to see who did the delightful, *cough* I mean, dastardly deed. Even though there’s less of the vampires in this one, my favorite Detective Inspector Ian Chisolm is on the scene and Rafe’s butler/catering whiz, William, gets some serious page time. I love him! Lucy (and by Lucy I mean the author hint hint) seriously needs to find him a potential wife. He’s a darling! Excellent characters, great plot, some English history, and overall, a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment. I’m still loving this series and look forward to more.
June 4, 2020
Garters & Gargoyles is Book 10 in the Vampire Knitting Club series. I really love this series. The characters are so well developed. In this story, Lucy runs into an old fremenie and helping cater at an event at a mens club, a secret society as old as Rafe! A murder occurs and Lucy and her knitting club sleuthing vamps are on the case.
I really enjoyed learning more about the origins of the gargoyles and their purposes, I appreciate the research the author put into that aspect of the book.
A great mystery with wonderful characters and a lovely setting. Cannot wait until the next book in the series!!!
I really enjoyed learning more about the origins of the gargoyles and their purposes, I appreciate the research the author put into that aspect of the book.
A great mystery with wonderful characters and a lovely setting. Cannot wait until the next book in the series!!!
June 11, 2020
With Friends like This, Who Needs Enemies?
Lucy Swift's life is chugging along pretty well now. She's settled into life as an Oxford shopkeeper, she's making friends, she still gets to see her beloved grandma if she needs advice or a shoulder to cry on....even if Grandma is a vampire. And she has the weekly Vampitre Knitting Club to enjoy with her other vampire friends, too. Not to mention, she's starting to get the hang of her witch powers. If only her Knitting didn't still suck! Oh, well, except for that one little glitch, life is pretty darn good......until the day. SHE blows into Lucy's shop. She is Pamela, a girl Lucy had gone to school with, and hadn't seen in well over a decade, and would hff have been perfectly content never seeing again. Social climbing Pam has one agenda- get into Lucy's good Grace's so she can be invited along to help host a party for a wild group of college boys belonging to a secret society called the Gargoyles.(think the British version of Yale's Skull and Bones) Lucy is none too keen on having her old frenemy back in her life, but when her caterer pal William eagerly takes Pam up on her offer, what can Lucy do?
The party starts off well enough, though William's soon discovers Lucy's right- Pam is terrible in the waitress department! - but things take a sudden turn for disaster when later that night, a dead body is discovered downstairs in the billiard room. Who did the dastardly deed? Will Lucy be next? Not if Rafe can help it! Guess starring Lucien Balfour from the Vampire Book Club! Another great read from Nancy Warren!
Lucy Swift's life is chugging along pretty well now. She's settled into life as an Oxford shopkeeper, she's making friends, she still gets to see her beloved grandma if she needs advice or a shoulder to cry on....even if Grandma is a vampire. And she has the weekly Vampitre Knitting Club to enjoy with her other vampire friends, too. Not to mention, she's starting to get the hang of her witch powers. If only her Knitting didn't still suck! Oh, well, except for that one little glitch, life is pretty darn good......until the day. SHE blows into Lucy's shop. She is Pamela, a girl Lucy had gone to school with, and hadn't seen in well over a decade, and would hff have been perfectly content never seeing again. Social climbing Pam has one agenda- get into Lucy's good Grace's so she can be invited along to help host a party for a wild group of college boys belonging to a secret society called the Gargoyles.(think the British version of Yale's Skull and Bones) Lucy is none too keen on having her old frenemy back in her life, but when her caterer pal William eagerly takes Pam up on her offer, what can Lucy do?
The party starts off well enough, though William's soon discovers Lucy's right- Pam is terrible in the waitress department! - but things take a sudden turn for disaster when later that night, a dead body is discovered downstairs in the billiard room. Who did the dastardly deed? Will Lucy be next? Not if Rafe can help it! Guess starring Lucien Balfour from the Vampire Book Club! Another great read from Nancy Warren!
October 7, 2022
A Dish Served Cold
William, Rafe's butler and chef, is branching out into his catering business and takes a gig catering the Gargoyle Club dinner - a formal dinner for an elite Oxford Gentleman's club.
He asks Lucy - and accidentally her visiting frenemy Pamela - to be waitresses for the evening.
Of course it isn't long before it feels like we're deep in Agatha Christie territory and Lucy, Rafe and the eclectic vampire Knitting Club are on the hunt for a killer.
This one, as with all the others, is terrific fun. It's the mix of geriatric and young vampires that make it fun, the different personalities, the quirks, and relationships.
We have a guest appearance by Lochlan Balfour and Miles from the Shakespeare play book.
And the end. Well, it presents us with a beautiful little hook.
William, Rafe's butler and chef, is branching out into his catering business and takes a gig catering the Gargoyle Club dinner - a formal dinner for an elite Oxford Gentleman's club.
He asks Lucy - and accidentally her visiting frenemy Pamela - to be waitresses for the evening.
Of course it isn't long before it feels like we're deep in Agatha Christie territory and Lucy, Rafe and the eclectic vampire Knitting Club are on the hunt for a killer.
This one, as with all the others, is terrific fun. It's the mix of geriatric and young vampires that make it fun, the different personalities, the quirks, and relationships.
We have a guest appearance by Lochlan Balfour and Miles from the Shakespeare play book.
And the end. Well, it presents us with a beautiful little hook.
July 2, 2020
2020 bk 25. I keep coming back to Nancy Warren's fun mysteries. Set in Oxford, I knew it was only a matter of time before we returned to university hijinks. These hijinks go beyond the pale - the students in centuries old dinner organization have been banned from every restaurant in the area. When Rafe's major domo is hired to cater a meal for the misbehaving lads, he hires Lucy and her old high school not-so-friend to waitress the event. Lucy is not happy, and is even unhappier when it slowly dawns on her that Pamela had manipulated the situation. Murder ensues, but who dunit? It's up to the Vampire Knitting Club to come up with a solution.
February 25, 2021
If you've read (or listened to) the previous books, this one is more of the same. I love Lucy and her crew. The romance is getting dragged out a little bit much for me, but I still listen. The mysteries continue to intrigue and we have all the clues to lead us to solve them.
Ok. I am getting tired of the spells. . . "so mote it be". Sometimes there is a phrase in a series that just makes you cringe. The spells here do that to me. Also, the way Lucy tries to get out people out of her way, because of course she is going to use witch craft to do whatever sneaky thing she is going to do.
Still love the characters. Still love the stories. Hope those little things don't wear on me too much. Narrator does a great job.
Ok. I am getting tired of the spells. . . "so mote it be". Sometimes there is a phrase in a series that just makes you cringe. The spells here do that to me. Also, the way Lucy tries to get out people out of her way, because of course she is going to use witch craft to do whatever sneaky thing she is going to do.
Still love the characters. Still love the stories. Hope those little things don't wear on me too much. Narrator does a great job.
January 30, 2021
Mystery, murder...and marriage?!?
Love love LOVE these characters and am so enjoying seeing Hester finally come out of her shell. I loved the “secret society“ aspect of the book and while I suspected who the killer was, it could’ve gone between 2 people to be honest. Excellent book, love seeing a possible love interest for William and absolutely adored the ending and can’t wait to see what will happen with THAT bombshell!!!
Love love LOVE these characters and am so enjoying seeing Hester finally come out of her shell. I loved the “secret society“ aspect of the book and while I suspected who the killer was, it could’ve gone between 2 people to be honest. Excellent book, love seeing a possible love interest for William and absolutely adored the ending and can’t wait to see what will happen with THAT bombshell!!!
November 14, 2024
Dieser Teil hat mir wieder richtig gut gefallen. Hat mich an einigen Stellen ein wenig an murder mystery erinnert aber im guten Sinne. Die Charaktere werden mir immer sympathischer. In diesem Teil war das Augenmerk mehr auf den Kriminalfall gelegt und weniger im Strickladen was ich erfrischend fand. Ein bisschen Romantik durfte auch nicht fehlen. Ich fange morgen direkt den nächsten Teil an :)
May 3, 2022
Another adorable cozy mystery
As usual I don’t really get the romance in this book I just don’t see how feelings are so deep when there’s only been a few kisses. I’m just a girl who likes her smut.
But this storyline was good, short and sweet.
I do like the series.
3.5 star listen.
As usual I don’t really get the romance in this book I just don’t see how feelings are so deep when there’s only been a few kisses. I’m just a girl who likes her smut.
But this storyline was good, short and sweet.
I do like the series.
3.5 star listen.
March 31, 2021
I am thoroughly enjoying this easy series with vampires and witches and lots of deaths!! Moving on to Diamonds and Daggers!
September 8, 2024
Easy, fast read and I enjoyed the different setting.
March 30, 2023
Kinda want to see if I can finish this series this month. 4 books but they're short. Under 300 pages short.
June 28, 2020
Another great. Lucy and her Undead Knitters are on the job again. In a Secret Society in an Oxford College, a body is found, now it’s up to Lucy and her gang to solve the mystery. Absolutely fabulous.
June 13, 2023
I can't get enough of this series. Maybe it helps that I'm a knitter, but the knitting references (and there aren't that many in the grand scheme of things) aren't what keep me reading. Each book is a complete case in itself which is fun to try to solve, but there are character subplots in each that are especially enjoyable, and that develop as you read along with the series.
This is a cozy mystery series, which essentially means that the books are clean-- no violence, sex, or objectionable language. I'm not particularly bothered by any of these elements in books that I read, and this was a genre that I figured would be poorly written and cringeworthy. I've been pleasantly surprised. If you're looking for an Anne Rice kind of vampire novel, you won't find that here. The sensual vampire quest for blood is not really part of the plotline. I like to read these books in between more involved or challenging reads, as a bit of fresh air or palate cleanser.
The series revolves around a 20-something American woman named Lucy, a non-knitter who has inherited her late grandmother's yarn shop in Oxford, England. Lucy isn't feeling particularly up to the task of running this kind of business, but she's a bit directionless at this time, so she decides to give it a try. She's shocked to learn that her grandmother, though dead, really isn't. Gran is now a vampire who spends her time with a whole group of vampires that live in the city and who meet in the knitting shop each Thursday night to work on their projects. Lucy often manages to find herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and thus becomes involved in solving murder cases with the help of her group of vampires. There's a little romance involved, and definitely some other paranormal elements, as Lucy also learns that she comes from a long line of witches and it is time for her to start learning her craft.
I've greatly enjoyed this series and don't want it to end. The author has a brief prequel (maybe about 40 pages) available for download if you sign on to her mailing list. I'd highly recommend this after reading the first book or two. It provides insight into one of the main characters, Rafe, and tells the story of how he became a vampire. It's worth it to get this even if you don't want to stay on the mailing list.
This is a cozy mystery series, which essentially means that the books are clean-- no violence, sex, or objectionable language. I'm not particularly bothered by any of these elements in books that I read, and this was a genre that I figured would be poorly written and cringeworthy. I've been pleasantly surprised. If you're looking for an Anne Rice kind of vampire novel, you won't find that here. The sensual vampire quest for blood is not really part of the plotline. I like to read these books in between more involved or challenging reads, as a bit of fresh air or palate cleanser.
The series revolves around a 20-something American woman named Lucy, a non-knitter who has inherited her late grandmother's yarn shop in Oxford, England. Lucy isn't feeling particularly up to the task of running this kind of business, but she's a bit directionless at this time, so she decides to give it a try. She's shocked to learn that her grandmother, though dead, really isn't. Gran is now a vampire who spends her time with a whole group of vampires that live in the city and who meet in the knitting shop each Thursday night to work on their projects. Lucy often manages to find herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and thus becomes involved in solving murder cases with the help of her group of vampires. There's a little romance involved, and definitely some other paranormal elements, as Lucy also learns that she comes from a long line of witches and it is time for her to start learning her craft.
I've greatly enjoyed this series and don't want it to end. The author has a brief prequel (maybe about 40 pages) available for download if you sign on to her mailing list. I'd highly recommend this after reading the first book or two. It provides insight into one of the main characters, Rafe, and tells the story of how he became a vampire. It's worth it to get this even if you don't want to stay on the mailing list.
June 3, 2025
This series has become a bit of a palate-cleanser that I use between books that are tough to get through. When I've read something very violent, very sad or otherwise emotionally demanding, I really like that this series is easy, light and takes nothing out of me. I even giggle a little at times.
I'll admit that Rafe is starting to get on my nerves with his possessive, old fashioned and sometimes demeaning view on women, but it helps that main character Lucy is also getting annoyed and calling him out from time to time. It makes sense with the character being 500 years old, I just wish he'd make a more serious attempt at catching up to modern times. Especially as he is clearly hoping to go places with Lucy in a romantic way and I really, really hope that she is not going to settle for less than being treated as an equal.
Considering where this book ended I'm slightly scared that the Vampire Knitting Club series might be heading in the A Discovery of Witches direction, and I cannot stress enough how much I hope it doesn't, because I DNF'd that sexist dumpster fire of a series. I do not want to do the same with this one. Thankfully, I think Lucy is too smart and confident in her self worth for that!
I'll admit that Rafe is starting to get on my nerves with his possessive, old fashioned and sometimes demeaning view on women, but it helps that main character Lucy is also getting annoyed and calling him out from time to time. It makes sense with the character being 500 years old, I just wish he'd make a more serious attempt at catching up to modern times. Especially as he is clearly hoping to go places with Lucy in a romantic way and I really, really hope that she is not going to settle for less than being treated as an equal.
Considering where this book ended I'm slightly scared that the Vampire Knitting Club series might be heading in the A Discovery of Witches direction, and I cannot stress enough how much I hope it doesn't, because I DNF'd that sexist dumpster fire of a series. I do not want to do the same with this one. Thankfully, I think Lucy is too smart and confident in her self worth for that!
February 4, 2023
I've been on a spree of reading this series of murder-mysteries. They are easy to read, have a layer of humour, a growing cast of likable characters, and have just a sprinkling of magic in the background. The only problem is that they are very hard to get away from - if it isn't the mystery that's drawing me back it's the characters themselves
As I come to the 70% mark in each book I've been making mental lists of worthy volumes I should be reading. By the time I finish the book I'm just desperate to find out what happens next to all these great characters.
So, yes this is a good series - but be warned - if you haven't started it yet... it may be a little too good to put down!
As I come to the 70% mark in each book I've been making mental lists of worthy volumes I should be reading. By the time I finish the book I'm just desperate to find out what happens next to all these great characters.
So, yes this is a good series - but be warned - if you haven't started it yet... it may be a little too good to put down!
January 20, 2022
I felt like this story provided more insight into Lucy’s background - which I found interesting in making her a more complete and interesting character to follow. I also appreciated that we see more depth developing in her relationship with Rafe and less of the conflicted emotions of Rafe versus Ian. Lucy has made some choices finally.
Now if we could get Lucy past making a mess of knitting. It was funny early on - but we are well past the point where if she really was interested in learning to knit as she claims then she should have made some progress on something.
Now if we could get Lucy past making a mess of knitting. It was funny early on - but we are well past the point where if she really was interested in learning to knit as she claims then she should have made some progress on something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
I like that we are seeing past characters pop up from previous books! This secret fraternity storyline was good, but I was expecting a better twist ( I had my eye on another character as the killer with better motive).
December 20, 2022
lucy gets more petty and spiteful with each book. the resolution to this mystery came out of nowhere and the romance is seriously laughable. this series has really lost its charm.
June 20, 2024
2.5
Ok, first, I have a few comments about Lucy I need to get off my chest, in regards to Hester. I'm a little tired of Lucy's judgements/critiques about the fact that Hester always wears black. She is a perpetual 16 year old vampire. If the girl wants to be a Goth - let her be a Goth! FFS
Also, you get all petulant about Sylvia judging YOUR outfits of blue jeans, boots, and chunky sweaters - so maybe you shouldn't be making sartorial judgements about other people's outfits. I mean, you are a walking definition of "vanilla".
Frankly, I find it curious as to what Rafe finds so interesting about you. You're a bad knitter, a mediocre witch, and you're not even that good of an amateur sleuth, even if you do stumble across the answer in the end. It's not like you ever really deduce the answer, you just get these random hunches that are, of course, correct because you're the protagonist.
Ok, anyway -
That aside... back to our cozy mysteries. LOL
There was less in the way of magic in this story, though it was nice to see Lucy use some witchy intuition skills.
To the plus side, though - more vampires! The vampires were actually a little more engaged in investigating this time, and we spent a lot of time with Lucy running theories past them. I still feel like they could've been a bit more of a substantive help in the story, but it was nice to see a little bit more of them.
I didn't guess the whodunit and I feel like I missed a clue somewhere - perhaps while my mind was wandering a little - because
Also, I'm not sure that they ever explained why
As to the ending...
Ok, so I'm a little stuck on the timeline right now.
I know Lucy was 27 when we started the series, and then the author forgot and made it her 26th birthday, but now she said something about being almost 30... and I'm like... How much time has been passing?
'Cause it can't be three years, right? Lucy can't really be this hopeless as a knitter or a witch that she's still an absolute beginner in three years... because, girl... you got problems.
But, anyway - months, years, I'm not sure... but...
It's been long enough that you need to work out your feelings. Like, dear gods, figure it out one way or the other, ok?
Ok, first, I have a few comments about Lucy I need to get off my chest, in regards to Hester. I'm a little tired of Lucy's judgements/critiques about the fact that Hester always wears black. She is a perpetual 16 year old vampire. If the girl wants to be a Goth - let her be a Goth! FFS
Also, you get all petulant about Sylvia judging YOUR outfits of blue jeans, boots, and chunky sweaters - so maybe you shouldn't be making sartorial judgements about other people's outfits. I mean, you are a walking definition of "vanilla".
Frankly, I find it curious as to what Rafe finds so interesting about you. You're a bad knitter, a mediocre witch, and you're not even that good of an amateur sleuth, even if you do stumble across the answer in the end. It's not like you ever really deduce the answer, you just get these random hunches that are, of course, correct because you're the protagonist.
Ok, anyway -
That aside... back to our cozy mysteries. LOL
There was less in the way of magic in this story, though it was nice to see Lucy use some witchy intuition skills.
To the plus side, though - more vampires! The vampires were actually a little more engaged in investigating this time, and we spent a lot of time with Lucy running theories past them. I still feel like they could've been a bit more of a substantive help in the story, but it was nice to see a little bit more of them.
I didn't guess the whodunit and I feel like I missed a clue somewhere - perhaps while my mind was wandering a little - because
Also, I'm not sure that they ever explained why
As to the ending...
Ok, so I'm a little stuck on the timeline right now.
I know Lucy was 27 when we started the series, and then the author forgot and made it her 26th birthday, but now she said something about being almost 30... and I'm like... How much time has been passing?
'Cause it can't be three years, right? Lucy can't really be this hopeless as a knitter or a witch that she's still an absolute beginner in three years... because, girl... you got problems.
But, anyway - months, years, I'm not sure... but...
It's been long enough that you need to work out your feelings. Like, dear gods, figure it out one way or the other, ok?
March 27, 2024
4.5 Stars
The Vampire Knitting Club series by Nancy Warren is another series that has been collecting dust on my TBR for a while now- but I have finally got my act together (well, somewhat lol) and gotten around to reading it. And I am soooo glad I did, as it turned out to be such an unexpectedly fun read.
One of the reasons I love being on Goodreads is seeing all the book reviews and recommendations that everyone does, and then hunting down the ones that catch my eye. This series would probably never have come to my attention if it hadn’t been for my Goodreads friend, Eliza- so thank you Eliza for your recommendation (in the form of your glowing reviews) which gave me the urge to dive in, even though I didn’t get to them right away- it was such a great series to binge. But one book has now turned into a bit of an addiction lol.
This is quite a long series, so I am going to save myself some time by doing one review for the entire series. So here we go…..
The Vampire Knitting Club is a wonderful paranormal cozy mystery series, with vampires, witches, adventure, action, crime & investigation, witty humour, family, friendship, a small-town setting, dramatic developments, magic, suspense, intrigue, fun, a dash of romance, knitting/knitting group, murder/murder mysteries, whodunnit vibes, danger, secrets, a cat familiar, tangled webs, the supernatural, and a slew of wonderfully quirky characters.
To condense things for the sake of this review, Lucy Swift ‘inherits’ her grandmother’s knitting shop when her grandmother dies…. only grandma is not dead, but is definitely undead. That’s not all she discovers…. so let the adventures begin…
“ …. I run a knitting shop and I can’t knit. I’m a beginning witch who can’t always control her cat, never mind her magic….. Oh, and for some reason, I keep getting involved in murder investigations. Good thing I have my vampire knitters to help sniff out clues.
I really recommend this book/series – especially for those who love a great paranormal cozy mystery.
The series contains…
-Tangles and Treason (Prequel)
-The Vampire Knitting Club (Book #1)
-Stitches and Witches (Book #2)
-Crotchet and Cauldrons (Book #3)
-Stockings and Spells (Book #4)
-Purls and Potions (Book #5)
-Fair Isle and Fortunes (Book #6)
-Lace and Lies (Book #7)
-Bobbles and Broomsticks (Book #8)
-Cats Paws and Curses (Book #8.5)
-Popcorn and Poltergeists (Book #9)
-Garters and Gargoyles (Book #10)
-Diamonds and Daggers (Book #11)
-Herringbones and Hexes (Book #12)
-Ribbing and Runes (Book #13)
-Mosaics and Magic (Book #14)
Can’t wait to explore some of Ms. Warren’s other series now.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Nancy Warren!
The Vampire Knitting Club series by Nancy Warren is another series that has been collecting dust on my TBR for a while now- but I have finally got my act together (well, somewhat lol) and gotten around to reading it. And I am soooo glad I did, as it turned out to be such an unexpectedly fun read.
One of the reasons I love being on Goodreads is seeing all the book reviews and recommendations that everyone does, and then hunting down the ones that catch my eye. This series would probably never have come to my attention if it hadn’t been for my Goodreads friend, Eliza- so thank you Eliza for your recommendation (in the form of your glowing reviews) which gave me the urge to dive in, even though I didn’t get to them right away- it was such a great series to binge. But one book has now turned into a bit of an addiction lol.
This is quite a long series, so I am going to save myself some time by doing one review for the entire series. So here we go…..
The Vampire Knitting Club is a wonderful paranormal cozy mystery series, with vampires, witches, adventure, action, crime & investigation, witty humour, family, friendship, a small-town setting, dramatic developments, magic, suspense, intrigue, fun, a dash of romance, knitting/knitting group, murder/murder mysteries, whodunnit vibes, danger, secrets, a cat familiar, tangled webs, the supernatural, and a slew of wonderfully quirky characters.
To condense things for the sake of this review, Lucy Swift ‘inherits’ her grandmother’s knitting shop when her grandmother dies…. only grandma is not dead, but is definitely undead. That’s not all she discovers…. so let the adventures begin…
“ …. I run a knitting shop and I can’t knit. I’m a beginning witch who can’t always control her cat, never mind her magic….. Oh, and for some reason, I keep getting involved in murder investigations. Good thing I have my vampire knitters to help sniff out clues.
I really recommend this book/series – especially for those who love a great paranormal cozy mystery.
The series contains…
-Tangles and Treason (Prequel)
-The Vampire Knitting Club (Book #1)
-Stitches and Witches (Book #2)
-Crotchet and Cauldrons (Book #3)
-Stockings and Spells (Book #4)
-Purls and Potions (Book #5)
-Fair Isle and Fortunes (Book #6)
-Lace and Lies (Book #7)
-Bobbles and Broomsticks (Book #8)
-Cats Paws and Curses (Book #8.5)
-Popcorn and Poltergeists (Book #9)
-Garters and Gargoyles (Book #10)
-Diamonds and Daggers (Book #11)
-Herringbones and Hexes (Book #12)
-Ribbing and Runes (Book #13)
-Mosaics and Magic (Book #14)
Can’t wait to explore some of Ms. Warren’s other series now.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Nancy Warren!
May 19, 2021
Secret societies and murderous meals..
When out of nowhere Pamela Forbes appears in Lucy's knitting shop and acts like one of her closest friends Lucy is rendered almost speechless. This is the so called friend who stole her first boyfriend, not because she wanted him but just to prove she could. Like a bad rash Pamela alienated all her friends by trading up via their boyfriends and families until she married Conrad Forbes, wealthy and successful but still not enough for greedy Pamela. So what on earth is she doing in Oxford?
When William interrupts the one sided reunion to ask Lucy to assist with a catering event for the infamous Gargoyle Club, which is being held at the home of Hugo Percival Brown, Pamela makes her move and manages to invite herself along as a waitress.
Lucy is full of suspicion as to Pamela's motives but the die has been set and there's no avoiding it. While Pamela wanders around doing little to help Lucy and Violet manage to serve the drunken attendees until it's all but done. Lucy is frustrated and looking for the missing Pamela when a cry goes up from the billiards room and there is Pamela laid out on the billiard table in a mimicry of the badge of St George and the Order of the Knights of the Garter.
But who killed her? Was it Jeremy Pantages who was dating her last year or maybe Alex with whom she seemed to be familiar? Prince Vikram who's arranged marriage is already planned or Miles Thompson who's been forced to give up his promising acting career to learn the family business? Charles Smythe-Richards, Gabriel Parkinson, Lord Randolph Chase or Winston Bromford? All of them heirs to wealthy estates and businesses but what precisely had Pamela been looking for among the notoriously badly behaved members of the club? None of them seemed happy to be forced to hold the meal at the home of Alex's father but their behaviour has seen them banned from halls and every hostelry in Oxford. Until Lucy can dig deep enough to discover what Pamela was up to the truth is going to be difficult to prove.
When out of nowhere Pamela Forbes appears in Lucy's knitting shop and acts like one of her closest friends Lucy is rendered almost speechless. This is the so called friend who stole her first boyfriend, not because she wanted him but just to prove she could. Like a bad rash Pamela alienated all her friends by trading up via their boyfriends and families until she married Conrad Forbes, wealthy and successful but still not enough for greedy Pamela. So what on earth is she doing in Oxford?
When William interrupts the one sided reunion to ask Lucy to assist with a catering event for the infamous Gargoyle Club, which is being held at the home of Hugo Percival Brown, Pamela makes her move and manages to invite herself along as a waitress.
Lucy is full of suspicion as to Pamela's motives but the die has been set and there's no avoiding it. While Pamela wanders around doing little to help Lucy and Violet manage to serve the drunken attendees until it's all but done. Lucy is frustrated and looking for the missing Pamela when a cry goes up from the billiards room and there is Pamela laid out on the billiard table in a mimicry of the badge of St George and the Order of the Knights of the Garter.
But who killed her? Was it Jeremy Pantages who was dating her last year or maybe Alex with whom she seemed to be familiar? Prince Vikram who's arranged marriage is already planned or Miles Thompson who's been forced to give up his promising acting career to learn the family business? Charles Smythe-Richards, Gabriel Parkinson, Lord Randolph Chase or Winston Bromford? All of them heirs to wealthy estates and businesses but what precisely had Pamela been looking for among the notoriously badly behaved members of the club? None of them seemed happy to be forced to hold the meal at the home of Alex's father but their behaviour has seen them banned from halls and every hostelry in Oxford. Until Lucy can dig deep enough to discover what Pamela was up to the truth is going to be difficult to prove.
June 22, 2020
An interesting group of suspects that captured me right from the start
This was another good addition to the series. There wasn’t much about the knitting shop, but more about Lucy and her magic and detective work. Although there were the Vampire Knitting Club members who were thoroughly involved in Lucy’s detective work and you learned about another type of stitch and all the wonderful pieces of clothing everyone is making. There wasn’t as much time spent between Lucy and Rafe, which usually I would prefer to have more of, but the rest of the cast of characters - the Gargoyles and Vampire Club - were so interesting that I didn’t need my Lucy and Rafe fix so much. The story and plot was interesting, with an interesting group of suspects that captured me right from the start. I did not expect the book to lead to the big event at the end of the book between Lucy and Rafe. It was such a big moment, yet it only got a few pages! Lucy has to do some serious thinking about her relationship with Rafe. I would love to see her become a vampire, have Rafe forever, and still run the shop and do her sleuthing. There is also a very small hint of a relationship between two other major characters (don’t won’t to spoil it), which I was not expecting, and hope to see more development in the next book / series. I’m curious about the next book in the series with diamonds and daggers - what crime will Lucy solve, what of her relationship with Rafe, how will her magic further develop and what about the other side characters stories. You also get to meet Lachlan from her other series in the same world titled ‘The Vampire Book Club’ which is a different take on another witch, vampire and vampire club series.
This was another good addition to the series. There wasn’t much about the knitting shop, but more about Lucy and her magic and detective work. Although there were the Vampire Knitting Club members who were thoroughly involved in Lucy’s detective work and you learned about another type of stitch and all the wonderful pieces of clothing everyone is making. There wasn’t as much time spent between Lucy and Rafe, which usually I would prefer to have more of, but the rest of the cast of characters - the Gargoyles and Vampire Club - were so interesting that I didn’t need my Lucy and Rafe fix so much. The story and plot was interesting, with an interesting group of suspects that captured me right from the start. I did not expect the book to lead to the big event at the end of the book between Lucy and Rafe. It was such a big moment, yet it only got a few pages! Lucy has to do some serious thinking about her relationship with Rafe. I would love to see her become a vampire, have Rafe forever, and still run the shop and do her sleuthing. There is also a very small hint of a relationship between two other major characters (don’t won’t to spoil it), which I was not expecting, and hope to see more development in the next book / series. I’m curious about the next book in the series with diamonds and daggers - what crime will Lucy solve, what of her relationship with Rafe, how will her magic further develop and what about the other side characters stories. You also get to meet Lachlan from her other series in the same world titled ‘The Vampire Book Club’ which is a different take on another witch, vampire and vampire club series.
June 1, 2020
"Where your intent lies, your magic follows.”
But when your intent is to solve (yet another) murder, will magic be enough? Lucy has a run in with an old "frenenemy" from Boston trying to get into a private party for the Society of Gargoyles - one of the "secret" societies at Oxford university. Offering to help William with the catering detail at the House it is being held in, Lucy, Violet and Pamela:Lucy's "friend" , go in, but only two live through the night.
Who among the 12 men at the party did it? If course, Rage and his guest didn't, so, ten remain. Will Lucy,with or without magic, figure it out?
In this, the 10th in the series, author Nancy Warren still is able to keep the reader interested enough to keep turning pages, and wonder why they've lost all track of time until the last page. I get so excited with these books everything gets set aside until I'm done. I can't wait for the next one! Highly Recommended 5/5
[Disclaimer:I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
But when your intent is to solve (yet another) murder, will magic be enough? Lucy has a run in with an old "frenenemy" from Boston trying to get into a private party for the Society of Gargoyles - one of the "secret" societies at Oxford university. Offering to help William with the catering detail at the House it is being held in, Lucy, Violet and Pamela:Lucy's "friend" , go in, but only two live through the night.
Who among the 12 men at the party did it? If course, Rage and his guest didn't, so, ten remain. Will Lucy,with or without magic, figure it out?
In this, the 10th in the series, author Nancy Warren still is able to keep the reader interested enough to keep turning pages, and wonder why they've lost all track of time until the last page. I get so excited with these books everything gets set aside until I'm done. I can't wait for the next one! Highly Recommended 5/5
[Disclaimer:I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
July 9, 2020
Garters and Gargoyles by Nancy Warren
Vampire Knitting Club Series Book Ten
Lucy Swift lives in Oxford, England, and owns Cardinal Woolsey's knitting shop. She inherited from her grandmother...who is still around. And Gran is just one of the undead. Ever since she came to Oxford to find out her grandmother had been murdered and she left all she owned to Lucy, life has been interesting.
There have been murders, and Lucy always seems to be in the middle of them. And her grandmother and her friends, all part of the vampire knitting club that meets in Lucy's backroom, get quite bored and enjoy helping solve the mysteries along with Lucy.
This time, an old friend...who wasn't really a friend since she betrayed Lucy when she was sixteen...pops in for a visit. Before Lucy can stop things, Pamela worms her way into helping Lucy waitress for a dinner that William was catering. And from there, it all goes downhill. An excellent cozy mystery told from Lucy's POV.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Vampire Knitting Club Series Book Ten
Lucy Swift lives in Oxford, England, and owns Cardinal Woolsey's knitting shop. She inherited from her grandmother...who is still around. And Gran is just one of the undead. Ever since she came to Oxford to find out her grandmother had been murdered and she left all she owned to Lucy, life has been interesting.
There have been murders, and Lucy always seems to be in the middle of them. And her grandmother and her friends, all part of the vampire knitting club that meets in Lucy's backroom, get quite bored and enjoy helping solve the mysteries along with Lucy.
This time, an old friend...who wasn't really a friend since she betrayed Lucy when she was sixteen...pops in for a visit. Before Lucy can stop things, Pamela worms her way into helping Lucy waitress for a dinner that William was catering. And from there, it all goes downhill. An excellent cozy mystery told from Lucy's POV.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
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