Knit Fast, Die Young

Knitting Mysteries #2

by Mary Kruger

She found the body. Again. Sensing a pattern?

Ariadne Evans swore her sleuthing days were over after her very own knitting shop became a crime scene a few months back. But she hadn't anticipated that the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival would become the site of another murder -- with hers truly as a prime suspect. Since Ari was the one to find the body of Felicia Barr -- the much detested and influential owner of Knit It Up magazine -- with a knitting needle stuck in her back, the cops are needling Ari for answers. In a stitch, Ari dons her hand-knit detective cap and helps her on-and-off boyfriend, Detective Josh Pierce, untangle the day's events and solve a very woolly crime -- before the killer strikes again....

Genres: Mystery, Knitting, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Chick Lit, Novels

293 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 22, 2007

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an alright book with slightly annoying characters

[Patricia Rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful cozy mystery. It reads almost like a script rather than a book with lots of great character dialog. Almost half of the book takes place at a knitting fair where a group of suspects in the murder of a knitting guru have been gathered together to wait as the police question each. I was immediately gripped with the heroine's desire to find the killer and her correct assumption that the killer was in the group of suspects. How could she finesse the killer to reveal herself? (all the suspects are knitting ladies). The plot twists and turns right up to very end. This one was a roller-coaster ride! Loved it!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It takes place in Massachusetts, which I liked. I liked the knitting and yarn. The yarn festival was a fun setting. I didn't like the characters. They were a bit dim some times. The mystery was okay. I didn't think it would end the way it did.

[Chaitra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kruger learnt her lesson this time around, and made her whole mystery technology free. But it still doesn't excuse everyone pointedly looking away from the murderer. There are six real suspects. How hard can it be? It isn't - which is why Kruger has the whole thing fall on a weekend, so that things that are easy to verify cannot be. Ah, gotta love bureaucracy.

I didn't hate this book as much as I hated the first one. This is ridiculous as well, since the main character Ari still goes around accusing people, but this time around, the law is listening in. It probably makes it more ridiculous that the cops are so incompetent that they can't do anything right, but I still give points to every cozy mystery that gives me a valid reason for the continued good health of its amateur detective. I'm easy to please. It's still hopeless. The only people who are interviewed are vendors. The customers are not, because presumably it would make the whole mystery too difficult. So voilà, it must have been someone selling stuff there. How stupid that there is a person who is repeatedly referred to as a photographer who was clicking pictures that day, brings printed copies out for the questioning next day and the police don't even know about the existence of the camera until Ari points to a photo. As a mystery it fails miserably.

Oh, and if I were Ari, I would have slugged her bestie Diane by now. Honestly, how much more irritating can you get? Thankfully her ex doesn't make an appearance - I don't think I could have handled him at all. Thank heavens for small mercies.

Edit. I learned, via this book, that Barn C is between Barn B and D. A true revelation, that one.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good, solid mystery from Mary Kruger. I have had these on my to-be-read shelf for ages and just got around to them. Imagine my dismay when I found there aren't any more. The character development is very good, the mystery is tight and the sub-plots are a nice distraction. Mary's books are as good or better than a great many I've been reading lately and I sincerely hope there will be additional books to this series. I read, I write, I knit and I live in a Victorian house. Now I am in search of her second series, 'The Gilded Age', as it will hopefully explore my passion for this by-gone era. More please, Mary!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cozy mystery set around knitters and yarn crafters. Felicia Barr, owner of Knit It Up! Magazine, is murdered at a yarn fair. She stumbles into Ariadne as she dies. Ariadne can talk to the yarn people in a way the police cannot. She is warned not to get involved but who has more experience with these crafters?

I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters. The mystery was believable. I figured out the motive but not the who. I was surprised when it came out. I liked that Ariadne was plain spoken and that Josh may now begin to romance her.

A fun quick read.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this read as much as Died in the Wool but it was entertaining enough. I think the main problems here are that the book is not as fast paced as the first instalment in the series and that the conclusion is a bit confusing. Nevertheless, I still think I'll try to read more knitting mysteries if I get the chance.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ari is pleased to be attending the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival, where she encounters old acquaintances and meets new people. One of the attendees is familiar to Ari—Felicia Barr, of Knit it Up! magazine. Felicia is known to be a mean girl, and no one wants to get on her bad side and get dissed in the magazine. When Ari dashes out in the rain to get coffee at one of the other buildings, she didn’t expect Felicia to stumble into her arms, any more than she expected to see a knitting needle sticking out of Felicia’s back. Now the woman is dead, and there are several suspects on-site, including Ari. She swore she wouldn’t get involved in another murder investigation, but Ari is uniquely suited to assist her kinda-sorta boyfriend, Detective Josh Pierce. Josh is hoping Ari can help unravel the mystery before anyone else dyes. Hah!

I didn’t really care for this. Fabric arts are not my cuppa tea, but I could have overlooked that if the story itself had been more enjoyable. Most of the action took place over the course of one day and in one location—the fairgrounds where the murder took place. As a result, I was left feeling like I didn’t learn much about any of the characters nor the (typical series) setting. Ari did provide some helpful clues, but she made a cringe-worthy false accusation of one of the other suspects. I also didn’t like that her friend, Diane, took every opportunity to snipe about Josh. Give it a rest! Also there was this whopper:

Page 276: Ari stood in the back of the room. Okay, fine.
Page 284 (same scene): She hadn’t meant to do anything, Ari thought, shifting in her chair. When did Ari take a seat?

I realize I tend to nitpick (knitpick?) editing in my reviews, but come on! I’m just casually reading and caught that, yet someone who is (presumably) being paid to catch errors like that missed it? Ugh.

I’d give this 2.5 stars if I could. I’ll be kind and bump it up to a three. It was no better than average, in my opinion.

[The Mystery Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was eager to pick up Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger, the second book in the Knitting Mysteries series. Our amateur sleuth, Ariadne Evans, swore she was done with murder after the first book, but she finds herself right in the middle of another one at the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival.

The premise is fun: the victim is Felicia Barr, the much detested owner of Knit It Up magazine, found with a knitting needle stuck in her back. Since Ariadne was the one who found the body, the cops are immediately "needling" her for answers, and she has to put on her detective cap to help her on-and-off boyfriend, Detective Josh Pierce.

This book delivers a solid cozy atmosphere and plenty of knit-related details, which I always enjoy. However, while the mystery was fun, I felt the plot mechanics were a little forced to keep Ariadne involved, and her becoming a prime suspect again felt repetitive. It is a completely charming and quick read, though, and definitely a good choice for fans who enjoy the blend of cozy charm and amateur sleuthing.

★★★☆☆

#KnitFastDieYoung #MaryKruger #KnittingMystery #CozyMystery #CraftMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #YarnFestival #Whodunnit #SeriesRead

[Pfotenstaben · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an avid knitter and mystery fan I'd hoped that either the knitting/needlecraft background or the mystery would be an entertaining read, but to be honest neither of both worked for me. The background part feels too specific already - I haven't read the first part, so perhaps that's the reason; but I'm also not really inspired to read that first as the characters feel somewhat flat to me. The mystery part isn't written very good; some parts feel like a writing exercise not done well.
I'm on page 88 by now and am giving up, knowing form experience if I'm not drawn into a story that far in it won't happen.

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I enjoy cozy mysteries, I picked this one up at a used book store - and I wasn't disappointed. I've never been a knitting fanatic but I do occasionally enjoy knitting so it was fun to enter this world for a while. And the scene of the crime - and subsequent sleuthing - is the Massachusetts South Shore - a part of my state I do not know well and so I felt a bit like a tourist there. I'll definitely look for more in this series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think you know who the killer is - nope - this was light reading
and fast....could not put this book down until I found out WHO! This was a great
book that just felt like real life and the way things happen. I hope there is #3
build the romance!!!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very light. At one point a suspect was being accused but I had no recollection of who they were. I DID the predict the murderer correctly. I would read others in this series on another beach weekend.

[KathyNV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to knit so this book was a must read for me. So glad I did! The characters are fun and the plot was interesting and different. I highly recommend this knitters mystery! I read Ari and Josh’s adventure in one day…couldn’t put it down!

[Debi Emerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the 1st book in this series, but went ahead with the 2nd, hoping it would be better. It is, but there is still room for improvement.

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been around knitters all my life ... why wouldn't I read a knitting yarn [!]?

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The denouement was a bit shaky imho. Knitters should love this.

[Theresa Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

What are the odds that twin daughters who were given up for adoption are both involved in knitting?

[Mary Leahy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick read and entertaining.

[Teresa Westwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a trifle too twee for me

[Buckeyebet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Kruger engages her audience with enough detail about the crafts associated with knitting to capture interest of newbies.
Ms. Kruger also includes enough plot twists to keep me guessing.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 i enjoyed it. I wish there was more to the series!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, even though its only 2 books.

[Linda Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Easy Read

A nice little murder mystery. It was an easy read and kept the suspense of who the murderer was until the end.

[yam · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lovely cozy read

[Diandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a twist ending!! Loved the storyline

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ari has sworn off sleuthing and murders, she just wants to get back to her simple life of running her yarn shop, knitting, raising her daughter, and perhaps trying to get closer to Josh the detective in town. She gets back to this life with her best friend Di by going to the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival that is held in her small town. Things are looking slow at her booth, but are pleasant enough, that is until Felicia Barr walks through the door of the barn they are in. Felicia is owner and writer for a very popular magazine called Knit It Up, but her powerful and sometimes rude attitude make her someone that has many enemies and few friends. Things turn upside down for Ari when she is coming back to the barn her booth is in and literally runs into Felicia...who happens to have a knitting needle in her back and soon is dead. Ari is soon a suspect...again...of being a murderer, as is everyone else that can't account for their whereabouts at that time at the festival. Ari soon dusts off her detective cap to try and clear herself and others she knows are innocent. Can she really help solve another murder? Especially when the state cops are involved this time because of it being on fairgrounds? Josh and Ari know she didn't do it, but will they figure out who did kill Felicia before someone, mainly Ari, is charged for something they didn't do? Will Ari be able to be a successful detective once again? Is there a knitter turned killer running around that may kill again?

I was expecting a lot out of this book, not going to lie, because of how much I enjoyed the first book of this series. I must say that I was not at all disappointed. I loved this book just as much as I did the first book! From cover to characters, this book was simply amazing! Sometimes writers of a series can seem to repeat the same type of plot with different people, but Kruger seems to have done a great job of making each book new and exciting. The plot was great and the flow of the book was as quick as an experienced knitters needles. The characters were once again a huge favorite part of the book for me. I just love Ari, Di, and Josh. I also couldn't help but chuckle at some of the situations they all can get in and some of the things they do and say. Ari is so laid back, a great knitter and pattern designer, and firmly believes in standing up for herself and those she cares about. Di is a fun loving gal who just enjoys being able to do what she loves in life, make home spun yarn. In true best friend fashion Di may not like Josh personally because of past issues, but she is all about Ari going after him for a boyfriend because he is a decent guy. Josh is a great detective and really nice guy who is really good at his job and also has an eye for Ari. This book is full of mystery, mayhem, drama, and a splash of romance. It was so fun to read and I truly enjoyed it from cover to cover. Any book that can suck me in like this one did is a fantastic book. If you enjoy a good mystery with lovable characters that will have you wanting more, this is the book for you! I highly recommend this read!

5/5 Stars!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series when I read it several years ago (even though I figured out who the murderer was before the end of the book), and was really looking forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, part of the appeal of the last book was that it was set in the knitting shop owned by Ari, the main character. This book was set at a knitting festival and it just didn't pull me in. I got tired of Ari's partner, Diane, sniping at Ari. Then a major event happened about three-quarters of the way through the book, but it wasn't mentioned again for awhile because the next chapter focused on the relationship between Josh, the policeman, and Ari. I think this book lost a star just because of this exchange: "Where's Barn C?" "Between Barn B and Barn D." Duh!

There are (so far) only two books in the series. Maybe that's because at the end of this book, Ari promises Josh "no more murders."

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ariadne and Diane are displaying their wares at the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival when someone from Ari's past shows up unexpectedly. Ari had met Felicia Barr when she lived in New York and was just starting her career as a designer. From the way it is described, it seemed that they didn't get along too well. When Ari goes across to the other building for coffee in a rain storm, she gets soaked. On her way back, with her head down to avoid the rain she sees feet heading towards her and realizes that they are Felicia's. Felicia falls into her and as they fall to the ground Ari sees a knitting needle sticking out of her back. Now Ari and Diane and the rest of the vendors are suspects.

[Lain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knit Fast, Die Young is a pleasant, unassuming read. I wasn't in love with the book or the characters, but it was a nice way to pass the time and it was fairly well-written.

I found many of the characters to be interchangeable and had trouble keeping them apart. Nonetheless, it was an interesting read.

I strongly prefer first-person mysteries as the distance created with a third-person POV can separate the reader from the action, and I found that to be the case in this book. I also thought the POV was uneven -- sometimes giving insight into what other characters were doing/thinking, but mostly sticking with the limited POV of the main character.

This is the first Knitting Mystery book I've read, and I will definitely get ahold of #1 in the series.