Death of a Knit Wit

Knit & Nibble Mystery #8

by Peggy Ehrhart

When a professor is poisoned, Pamela Paterson and the members of the Knit and Nibble knitting club must take a crash course in solving his mysterious murder.

Pamela has organized a weekend-long knitting bee as part of a conference on fiber arts and crafts at Wendelstaff College. But when pompous Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter, the keynote speaker at the conference, crashes the bee, he seems more interested in flirting than knitting. The man’s reputation as a philanderer supersedes his academic reputation. After coffee and cookies are served, the professor suddenly collapses, seemingly poisoned—but how? Everyone had the coffee and cookies. Joined by her bestie Bettina and the Knit and Nibble ladies, Pamela sorts through everything from red socks to red herrings to unravel the means and motives of a killer dead set on teaching the professor a lesson . . .

Knitting tips and delicious recipe included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Knitting, Animals

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2022

About the author

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor with a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature who now writes mysteries. Her publications include a prize-winning nonfiction book; she has also won awards for her short fiction. Her blues mystery series, featuring blues singer "Maxx" Maxwell, was inspired by her guitar-playing hobby. She currently writes the very cozy Knit & Nibble mystery series for Kensington Books, featuring amateur sleuth Pamela Paterson, founder and mainstay of the Knit and Nibble knitting club in charming Arborville, New Jersey.

Series:
* Maxx Maxwell Mysteries

* A Knit & Nibble Mysteries

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart is the eighth book in the cozy A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. Each book of the series contains it’s own mystery that will be solved so they can be read as a standalone or in any order one chooses. However, those that follow from the beginning will see the full character development that carries over from book to book.

The main character of the Knit & Nibble series is Pamela Paterson who is on the older side for a cozy protagonist. Pamela found herself with an empty nest when her daughter headed off to college so she joined the Knit and Nibble knitting group. The group not only spends time together crafting their favorite projects but also cooks up some yummy treats as the name suggests.

Pamela and her best friend and fellow knitter, Bettina, first became involved in what has become a habit for them in solving murders when a body was found at Pamela’s home. This time around however Pamela has organized a knitting bee to take place at a conference at Wendelstaff College when yet another murder occurs. A professor at the event is poisoned and Pamela and Bettina find that there is a long list of suspects for the crime.

I have followed the A Knit & Nibble Mystery series from the beginning and the characters in this series are some of my favorites in cozies. The stories are always humorous and fun to follow which I also enjoy. The one thing that I always mention that lowers my ratings on the books is the author is one to drag out details such as a character cooking for example with this latest installment also falling in at the three and a half stars for me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so painful to read, the story could’ve been three chapters . The minutia that is described about every single thing was unconscionable … The lady never used her cell phone and she communicated with people by email …

[james ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

for once i actually figured out who dun it before pamela did. this installment was more dramatic than the books before it, but no less cozy, comforting, and enjoyable. i would like a one way ticket to arborville, please....but, like, you know...without the murder

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner in the Knit and Nibble Mysteries! Pamela and Bettina are on the case of a philandering, professor who not only broke his ex-wife's heart, but stole her research as well. As keynote speaker at the Fiber Arts and Crafts Conference, organized by Pamela, the professor drops dead after taking a few sips of coffee. While no one is surprised he may have been murdered, the question is how was he poisoned? Everyone had coffee from the same coffee pot. Pamela fears her job will be on the line and asks her best friend Bettina for help to investigate. After another murder occurs, the women discover it may not only be Pamela's job on the line!

I'm always ready for a mystery with Pamela and Bettina. I like the characters and their approach to sleuthing. As with other books, in the series, the Knit and Nibble Club is available to help sleuth. With such different personalities, it's fun to read about their meetings. I also enjoy the descriptions of Pamela's knitting creations, Bettina's fashions, and of course the food descriptions. To me, it makes the characters more relatable. Of course, the feline and canine "family members" are as charming as ever. If I could only knit, there are attractive knitting patterns at the back of the book! I can't wait for the next case!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall good mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I enjoy learning about the crafts that Pamela writes about and the setting seems quaint. I think where my issue lies is that Pamela’s life is described in such detail that she comes off as boring. Yes, the food she eats sounds tasty and it’s all from the co-op so it’s organic and she shops local. But everything is described so much that I feel so bogged down with it. And Bettina is getting so overbearing, she’s annoying. Still, the mysteries entertain me enough to keep reading so I’ll continue with the series.

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mystery itself and figured it out from a small clue. However, the ridiculous details of what they were eating at every single meal three times a day and what Bettina was wearing including her jewels and shoes every single time they met, got to be annoying and dragged this book out much longer than required for this rather simple mystery.

I won't be continuing this series as I can't imagine these annoyances will stop.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always happy when I catch up with Pamela, Bettina and the cast of this lovely series.
I love Ms Erhart style of writing and her mysteries always keep me hooked and guessing.
This is the eight book I read in this series and hope there's a lot more to come.
The story is well plotted and I appreciated some interesting part about self-sufficiency during the 30s. There's always something interesting to learn in reading this book.
It's a good mystery and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An obnoxious professor comes to the week long knitting bee, organized by our protagonist. Somehow, he's been poisoned, even though everyone drank coffee from the same source.

The protagonist pokes around, goes on a date in The City, and eventually solves the mystery.

The protagonist seems rather brittle for the genre.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read earlier books in this series, but found this one repetitious and slow. Every time the heroine has a cup of coffee at home (and she drinks a lot of coffee) the author has to mention that she uses her wedding china; every time her neighbor and sidekick arrives, the author describes her clothes and mentions that she uses sugar and cream in her coffee. Pamela has persuaded the magazine she works for to co-sponsor a conference on fabric; when the keynote speaker dies suddenly, she's afraid her boss will blame her for the bad publicity. But the speaker, an obnoxious professor, was so generally disliked that it's hard to focus on just one suspect.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I the only one who finds the endlessly repeated references to *wedding china* annoying? Is that a New Jersey thing? It clangs oddly to my Wisconsin ears. Which is diametrically opposed to how I feel about the story and the fiber/knitting/colorways/characters/sleuthing as a whole. The food references were delicious, the red herrings sneaky, the suspects multiplying, and the plot just a mite twisty. Basically, I loved it.
I requested and received a free ebook from Kensington Books (soon to incorporate Kensington Cozies) via NetGalley. Thank you!

[The Cozy Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading this series from the beginning. Overall, the series has some good additions and some not so good. Death of a Knit Wit is both good and bad. Pamala is a delightful character, but the constant descriptions of her everyday routines, her eating, and the nibble in the series can be overwhelming at times, and her shopping habits destroy the story almost every time. I lose the plot and the suspects easily in between discussions of what plate is being used to serve lunch. That aside, I can live with but not happily.

The returning characters are always fun to read about. I enjoy Bettina even though she can be a bit much, and if she were my neighbor and friend, I would find myself locking my doors, closing my shutters, and hiding in my house most of the time just to keep her out of my business. I adore the Knit and Nibble group. These characters are so varied in type that they make perfect sense and are relatable. I do not however like Pamala’s daughter, who I feel treats her mother as a child. I also do not like that Pamala acts as if she is in her 70s or 80s; she isn’t so old that she can’t have a life and an interest in men.

This time the murder does not center around Pamala or the knit and knibble group. A professor doing a speaking engagement turns out to be a first-class heal, and there is a room full of suspects to choose from when he is murdered. The man is a womanizer, or so it seems, not overly honest and has left a trail of heartbreak in his wake. There are plenty of red herrings to allow readers to unravel the mystery, and a few surprises are thrown in to make things more exciting and keep you turning the page. In the end, the killer is revealed with a slight twist. Generally speaking, readers who enjoy this series will continue to enjoy it, and Death of a Knit Wit won’t win over those who don’t. No matter how much we appreciate the knit and nibble club, they will never play a significant enough role in these stories to make everyone happy. Unfortunately, Pamala will remain the boring, set-in-her-ways character that can sometimes put a reader to sleep on the first page.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are largely in the mind of main character Pamela Paterson when the story opens, seeing things as they happen through her eyes. Pamela is an editor of a fiber crafts magazine and has helped organize a knitting bee as a part of a conference on fiber crafts and arts at the local college. When an invited but not particularly well-liked speaker attends the bee and after drinking the same coffee everyone else was drinking suddenly takes ill and dies, Pamela finds herself feeling it is somehow her fault. She is fearful of losing her job. It turns out her concerns are baseless but her initial sense of being overwhelmed slowly evaporate. She slowly returns to normal and helped along by her best friend and neighbor, who just happens to be a reporter, begins to investigate and gather clues. Unlike most cozy mysteries where there is a constant law enforcement presence, the detective in charge is largely kept to the shadows in this episode, I might note.

There are a number of suspects as the victim was not only not particularly well liked but a womanizer. Toss in more than a few red herrings and twists in relationships between possible suspects. Pamela is likeable and given her shock at the death, a very sympathetic amateur sleuth. I honestly believe I've read some early books in this series but simply didn't pursue it further given that I have so little interest in knitting. Knitting is definitely a part of this plot but mostly in the sense that it brings together both the victims and Pamela's circle of friends. I did get a chuckle out of the curiosity of the Knit and Nibble group as they tried to decide what one member was knitting during their gatherings. He wasn't telling and it was a cute reveal near the end. Cats and dogs are also very much a part of this story and, in fact, oh...... never mind. I'm not telling. You're just going to have to read the book to find out what role some beloved furry friends play in the story.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books in this series. They are always a fun cozy mystery to read. The mystery was well plotted with twists and turns. I did knock off a point because at times the story seemed to get bogged down and dragged a little. This was still and entertaining read and I will read more in the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series since the beginning, including the characters brought together by love of knitting in their weekly Knit and Nibble group. Several of them have pets, including those who adopted kittens of a mama kitty that had adopted Pamela. At least a couple also enjoy solving the occasional mystery that finds them.

Pamela has organized a knitting group for a weekend of the nearby college that is hosting a fiber arts conference. She is an associate editor for the fiber arts magazine co-sponsoring the event with the college, as well as an avid knitter. Pamela’s participation puts a face with the magazine and pleasure for her in meeting and sharing her beloved hobby with others. All was going well until the conference keynote speaker made it his business to spend time at the knitting bee and pay a little too much attention to some of the ladies. When he collapsed while chatting with one of the ladies over coffee, then died at the hospital of some sort of poisoning, Pamela’s magazine was very concerned about an event they were sponsoring being associated with murder.

Pamela had no intention of helping with another mystery. As a middle-aged widow, she is the only parent left to her daughter Penny. Even when she is away at college, she tries to keep up with what her mom is involved in. Even the best intentions didn’t keep her and her best friend and fellow knitter, Bettina, from asking a few little questions around town.

I like Pamela and Bettina; they are interesting, hard-working, and accept responsibility for their lives and their jobs. It is delightful to see how Bettina and her husband get along so well after many years of marriage. I enjoy reading about the vivid colors that Bettina wears – life is too short for beige! Each of the characters contributes something unique and colorful to the story and the mystery.

The mystery was excellent, as was trying to understand whodunit. I enjoyed seeing the Pamela’s pets and Bettina’s dog, Woofus! He was an adorable on the fun and colorful cover of the book. Some of the details were repeated frequently throughout, just enough to be distractions from the scenes they occurred in unless I tuned them out. The plot was brilliantly plotted and executed, keeping me guessing to the end. The resolution was perfect and somewhat of a surprise. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries with long-term close friends, cats, knitting and knitting groups, and a heroic pup.

[Beth Cato · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

In this 8th book in the series, knitting enthusiast Pamela investigates the murder-by-poison of a local professor whose death no one seems to mourn. The suspects stack up, from the ex-wife whose research he stole for a book to his myriad of disgruntled lovers to students left devastated by his callus disregard.

This is a cozy book in the mode of a TV show. There's an ambling pace, and at times it feels like taking a walking tour around this small New Jersey town with many great restaurants, a farmer's market, and a college. For my personal taste, it was a bit too slow and exhaustive in its descriptions of mundane daily details, but I can also see this acting as a totally immersive escape for some readers. As it was, I absolutely had to finish the book and find out whodunit, so it had me hooked nevertheless! I had not read previous books, but I didn't have any issues getting into the story for that reason. There is a light romantic subplot--there are some dates--but the emphasis of the book is on the female lead and her female friendships, including a close neighbor whose pushiness and lack of tact irritated me at times (seriously, I'd invest in good locks if she lived near me).

I would also like to note that I adore the cover of this book and I was very happy that the cats were regularly mentioned throughout the story, too. I'm not into fiber crafts, but those who are would really appreciate the details on that, including a project at the back of the book.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really about a 3.6. It's a pretty standard entry in the series; the plot was fairly well done, though there was a bit of an info dump at the end. I like Pamela's article for the magazine but didn't care for the subplot about her editor whom I felt was quite unfriendly; unless that is going to come up in later books I thought it unnecessary. I am also not thrilled with Pamela's semi-romance. After fleeing her neighbor at every glimpse because she was afraid she might end up in a relationship, I thought she had settled down with Brian but noooo, Richard (having become involved in another relationship himself) has to turn up and leave Pam unsettled. As a rule, mostly the books are very soothing, filled with lavish descriptions of clothing, food, food prep, grocery shopping, table settings-- it's basically Goodnight Moon for adults in places-- emotional drama ill becomes it. Bettina's constant butting in on Pamela's private life was particularly annoying this time but she did rise to the sleuthing aspects well.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

September

This story involves murder, knitting, and food--all of the usual activities for a cozy mystery. Also, there is a conference for arts and crafts enthusiasts. That is the setting for this mystery. I had figured out the who but not the why. I was surprised by that part of the story. There was also a hint of romance, but that fizzled fairly quickly.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice-easy read.
I want to live in this neighborhood.....the food is Scrumptious!

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/24/2022 This one felt a little more voyeuristic than as visceral as the others in the series. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.

[Corinne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of the mysteries was interesting, and the audiobook narrator Callie Beaulieu did a good job.

My problem with the book was the writing style. Everything was described in detail every time it came up in the story, the food, clothing, locale, etc.

What could have been a nice short story ended up being tedious. Did we really need to be informed about the elevator trip that you push the button to go up, wait for the door to open, let the passengers out of the elevator, enter the elevator, press the floor button, wait for the elevator to reach the correct floor, wait for the door to open, and then exit the elevator? If you were bored by my comment, then you would be bored out of your mind with the never-ending descriptions!

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/d...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

It is fun to revisit Pamela, her daughter Penny, and her friends from the Knit and Nibble knitting group! This time we get to join Pamela at a fiber arts event for which she was both an organizer and participant. Reading this cozy is like visiting old friends, as Pamela and best friend Bettina are described very well for either the first time or returning reader. The mystery is intriguing, especially when trying to follow the clues to who the real bad guy/ gal might be.

Pamela, a middle-aged widow, works from home as an associate editor for Fiber Craft magazine and enjoys learning from every article. The fiber arts and crafts weekend is jointly hosted by Fiber Craft magazine and nearby Wendelstaff College. She had proposed a knitting bee as one of the workshops to take place both days of the event. The bee welcomed the first-time knitter, the expert, and everyone in between; people could mentor or be mentored in the craft. It was held at the Sufficiency House, a historic home that was quite popular at the college.

When attending the Saturday luncheon, Pamela heard keynote speaker Dr. Robert Greer-Gordon Critter. Robert, a professor at the college, was questioned and criticized by one of the women during the Q&A time, so he finally stepped away. Pamela heard it was his ex-wife, and that his new book included some of ideas he took from her. As she left the luncheon, she heard a couple voices behind shrubbery, one of which was Dr. Critter’s, and the other, a woman who sounded sad and upset. She thought they had the beginning of a relationship, he did not, and she was very hurt at his behavior.

Pamela returned to the bee and was enjoying the company of the women. Robert came to see the knitting projects the participants were doing. He went to the kitchen, poured himself coffee, and while talking with a woman and drinking his coffee, he collapsed. He died later at the hospital; the doctors felt he had been poisoned but couldn’t determine what the substance was so they could help him.

Pamela and her friends at the weekly knitting group, especially her best friend Bettina, have helped solve murders in the past in Arborville. A couple times she had been in serious danger, and her college-age daughter, Penny, pleaded with her ever since to let the police do their job. Pamela’s husband had died a few years ago, and Penny couldn’t lose her mom, too. Pamela is happy to answer questions for the police and is content not being involved in this case. At least, until her boss at the magazine expressed concerns over the magazine being associated with a murder at an event they sponsored.

The characters are brought to life primarily through conversations and behaviors. Various people in the novel add color and texture, such as the woman who told Pamela she had been to the Shetland Islands during wool week. A glimpse of Bettina’s personality can be seen in part through her scarlet hair and the colors and style of her clothing just as Flo, the housekeeper and docent at Sufficiency House, is a reflection of her clothing choices. I enjoyed Woofus’s heroism!

Descriptions of the gardens, the college, and other locations bring them to life, also, and overall add to the charm of the story and area. There are several things of Pamela’s daily life described numerous times, such as the sounds of her computer coming to life and the coffee grinder, plus repetitive descriptions of Pamela’s wedding china pattern and Bettina’s dinnerware.

Overall, this cozy held my interest throughout, and the mystery was well-written and intriguing. It is sufficiently complex to make it difficult to solve; I had definite surprises in the final chapters. As with prior novels in the series, each is better than the ones before. There is a knit pattern and a nibble recipe at the end for those who appreciate making things they read about. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and the rest of the series.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEATH OF A KNIT WIT by Peggy Ehrhart is the eighth book in the A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. It’s the well-crafted cozy mystery centered around Pamela Paterson, the Arborville Knit & Nibble Knitting Club and the murder of Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter during the conference on fiber arts and crafts at Wendelstaff College.

Pamela, associate editor of the FIBER CRAFT magazine, was thrilled when her suggestion for a knitting bee was accepted and became part of the weekend-long conference. The bee would be held at Sufficiency House. Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter, is one the keynote speakers. He had just published another book, but seemed to me a man liked by no one – especially his ex-wife. Unfortunately, he fell over dead while visiting the knitting bee while enjoying a cup of coffee. What was totally shocking was to find out his death wasn’t by natural causes, but considered a homicide by the police department. Initially, everyone was suspect – even Pamela.

Although her instincts or opinions weren’t accepted by Lucas Clayborn, police detective for the Arborville police department, that didn’t stop Pamela for running scenarios through her mind and searching out clues as to whodunit along with her best friend Bettina Fraser. Since they lived across the street from each other and often enjoy meals together (thanks mostly to Wilfred – Bettina’s husband who since retiring had developed quite the talent in finding his way around in the kitchen and out on the grill), there was always a time to bounce ideas of each other or plan the next excursion to find answers to questions to nail down suspects or to mark them off their list.

During all of this, Pamela is warming up to the attention of one Neil Bascomb. They enjoy each other’s company, but have decided to take things slow - content with things the way they are – for now.

Although the police doesn’t seem to want to share their information – even with Bettina, who works with the weekly local paper, they did find out that Critter died of poisoning. The fact that he died during Pamela’s knitting bee and at the Sufficiency House makes it look bad on both her and the college making the need to prove that neither was responsible for Critter’s demise even more essential.

Can they prove that the poison wasn’t in the coffee he drank? How could anyone have tampered with only HIS cup of coffee? Can the poisonous ingredient be found right there on campus? But who would have known how to use it if it? Did the murder have to do with someone wanting to find a way to get their hands on Sufficiency House? Was Critter murdered by a jilted lover or for revenge? When another murder happens in this small quaint college town are the two murders connected? Will Pamela be able to secure her position at the magazine with this dark cloud hanging over her? Will perfect timing and impeccable instincts be the difference between saving a life and a third murder?

DEATH OF A KNIT WIT is a fabulous whodunit that will keep you turning pages as you try to figure out the answers. Peggy Ehrhart expertly takes you on many paths. Some leading you to a dead end while others to helpful clues, before she skillfully has you arriving at the end of the puzzle with the perfect solution. Along the way you will fall in love with Pamela, her close knit friends and the Knit & Nibble Knitting Club.

Although part of a series, DEATH OF A KNIT WIT can most definitely be read as a standalone book. I must warn you though that after reading about Pamela’s adventures, you will be wanting to search out other books in the series. I happily give this book my FIVE STAR recommendation!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Pamela Paterson's employer couples with Wendelstaff College to give a conference, all seems to be going well. That is, until the speaker, Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter, is heckled by his ex-wife. Hoping everything else will run smoothly, Pamela discovers it won't...when he's visiting the local ladies who are knitting, it's to have coffee and cookies and discuss his books and knitting. But he never gets that far -- as he drops to the floor, unable to breathe, and later at the hospital is pronounced dead. When Pamela discovers that he's been poisoned, no one knows how, as everyone else had the same food and drink as the man, and they're all fine.

Now she, along with her reporter neighbor Bettina, are off and running once again to find a killer. But with so many suspects in the mix, it could be quite a problem to untangle a killer...

This is the eighth book in the series and I have read every one. First off, the bad: while I do love this series, I also get tired of hearing every single time anyone eats, the pottery (or china) that they are eating on. Who really cares? We get that Bettina has sage-green pottery, but does it matter to the food that is plated? No. Also, there is a lot of food mentioned in the book, like, every single detail of every single thing that they eat. Again, who cares? Do we really need to know each ingredient in a salad? Is is relevant to the murder? No. So I would like to see less of this in future books. And again, I believe that I have mentioned this before, but we get an awful lot of information on food, but Pamela's grooming habits are atrocious. Does she ever take a shower? She gets out of bed and dresses -- no mention of showering, and only once of brushing her teeth, and that's because her neighbor gave her a toothbrush!

Also, I don't see why she gets upset at Bettina when she wants to know about Pamela's dates. Is it a secret? They're friends. And Bettina is a reporter, so she's naturally curious. Pamela keeps it too close to her chest, and that's not normal. Getting mad at Bettina seems so off the wall to me. Ah, well...

However, the mystery itself was done really well, and there were very few clues to the murderer. I did discover the killer before Pamela, but then again, maybe we were supposed to. I did enjoy visiting her home and friends again, and, of course, the cats. I was glad to see that they also played a role in the books and weren't just relegated to the cover.

When Bettina and Pamela start questioning people at the college, they don't think it could be as hard as it is, but each person they question leads them to someone else. It seems the professor was not well-liked, and no one mourns him. Finding a murderer among them takes more thought than either knew, and in their travels we learn more about the surrounding areas and even a local outdoor market that sounds unique. All of it was intriguing, and looking for the killer was even more so.

In the end, it all came together very nicely, with the ends woven in together tightly and the finished product something you can enjoy while reading. I think the author did a very good job with this book, and I do look forward to the next in the series. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death of a Knit Wit is the eighth installment in the A Knit & Knibble Mystery series set in small town Arborville, New Jersey and featuring best friends and neighbors, Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser. Fiber Craft magazine is sponsoring a workshop for fiber arts and crafts enthusiasts on the grounds of the Wendelstaff College campus.

Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Greer-Gordon Critter has finished up his talk and has entered the question and answer portion when a rowdy woman stands up and begins questioning his facts and also accuses him of stealing her ideas. The woman turns out to be his ex-wife Yvonne. Leaving the presentation Pamela overhears Dr. RGGC in another heated discussion - this time with a completely different woman who is accusing him of breaking her heart.

As an associate editor at the Fiber Craft, Pamela's contribution is hosting a knitting bee at Sufficiency House, a building on the campus preserved as a museum. As the crafters sit working and talking, sipping coffee and having cookies, who should appear at the door other than Dr. RGGC who has come to discuss his research. A few sips into his coffee and the man keels over suffering from either a heart attack or an allergic reaction, but hours later he's pronounced dead - of poisoning.

Pamela's nosiness and Bettina's journalistic instincts kick in and the ladies set out against the warnings of Detective Lucas Clayborn to find a killer. When another member of the college community ends up dead, the ladies can't help but think the murders are related, but who is ties them together? An angry or disgruntled ex, a fellow professor or a student?

A fun afternoon read with just a little too much attention to what people are eating and what type of plates on which the food is being served. This is the first book I've read in the series and while I enjoyed it for the most part, I must say if I had someone barging into my house all times of the day and night wanting coffee, etc. I might consider moving. For me, the book read just fine as a stand alone, but it might be fun to go back and learn back stories about other members of the knitting club.

I received an advanced copy of Death of a Knit Wit from NetGalley. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

[The Mystery Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐
Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart is a solid cozy mystery that delivers exactly what fans of the Knit & Nibble series expect, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of earlier installments.
Pamela Paterson organizes a weekend knitting bee as part of a fiber arts conference at Wendelstaff College. The event takes a deadly turn when Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter, the pompous keynote speaker with a reputation as a womanizer, shows up more interested in flirting than knitting. After coffee and cookies are served, the professor collapses, apparently poisoned. But how? Everyone had the same refreshments. Pamela, along with bestie Bettina and the Knit and Nibble ladies, must sort through red socks and red herrings to find the killer.

The academic conference setting is a nice change of pace, and Ehrhart does a good job with the locked-room style mystery of how the professor was poisoned when everyone consumed the same food and drink. The knitting bee adds some fun crafty details, and the dynamic between Pamela and Bettina remains enjoyable.

Where it falls a bit flat for me is with the victim. Professor Critter is so thoroughly unlikable that it's hard to feel much investment in solving his murder. The suspect pool is large, but many feel underdeveloped. The mystery itself is decent, though the solution felt somewhat predictable once all the clues were in place.

If you're already following this series, it's worth continuing.

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[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of a Knit Wit is book eight in Peggy Ehrhart's A Knit & Nibble Mystery series featuring Pamela Paterson and the Knit and Nibble ladies, from Arborville, New Jersey. The reader follows Pamela through her daily life as she works from home as an editor for “Fiber Craft” magazine and does a little sleuthing on the side with her friend, neighbour, and yarn and nibbler, Bettina. In this instalment, the speaker at a weekend-long knitting bee conference on fibre arts and crafts organised by Pamela and held at Wendelstaff College, is Professor Robert Greer-Gordon Critter. Later on, the professor is found dead; he is thought to have died after eating and drinking the cookies and coffee when he turned up ostensibly to discuss his research at a meeting of the knitting bee hosted by Pamela at Sufficiency House.

I really enjoy Peggy Ehrhart's writing style. She tells the story in a way that brings the reader right into each scene, from Pamela as she works on interesting-sounding articles, to the items being knitted and the food being served. I love the camaraderie between the knitting group characters and their conversations. The interaction between Pamela and Bettina whose repartee had me frequently chuckling was a delight to observe.

The mystery is compelling and the pace throughout the book is even. Peggy Ehrhart sprinkles clues and red herrings hither and thither so the story remains fresh whilst the reader follows along. Death of a Knit Wit will be of interest to many cozy readers, especially crafters, and I’m game to see what shenanigans Pamela and Bettina get mixed up in next, in book nine.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Death of a Knit Wit is the 8th Knit & Nibble cozy mystery by Dr. Peggy Ehrhart. Released 22nd Feb 2022 by Kensington, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well written and engaging cozy, complete with amateur sleuths who are expert knitters, a suspicious death to get the ball rolling, and lots and lots of food descriptions and goings on in a small town. The characters were varied and well rendered and I had no trouble keeping them separated in my head.

The pool of suspects is small, and although the denouement and resolution are fairly easy to guess beforehand, they're well written and satisfying. Although it's the eighth book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. The language is clean, with no graphic violence or sexual content. This would be a good choice for lovers of light cozies, the kind with recipes in the back of the book, in this particular case a knitted hat and plum turnovers. There are now 8 books in the series, with a 9th due out in 2023, making this a good candidate for a binge read.

Four stars. This will appeal to lovers of small-town cozy mysteries.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart is the eighth book in the Knit and Nibble Mystery Series. The main characters in this series are two best friends, Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser, who are in the same knitting club. The club members get together to snack and knit while discussing their lives and solving mysteries. In this book, a womanizing professor is murdered during an event that Pamela helped plan, so she wants to help solve the crime. I've only read a couple of the prior books in the series, but really enjoy the characters and their friendships, especially the one between Pamela and Bettina. They have very different personalities, but get along well and often bring out the best in each other.

Pamela is an editor for a fiber arts and crafts magazine, and I really like reading about some of the articles that she is evaluating or editing. The book has a good mixture of Pamela’s job, the routines in her everyday life, and the mystery. The murder mystery has plenty of suspects which makes the investigation interesting. I think Pamela and Bettina sometimes overstep in their amateur sleuthing, but overall this is an entertaining book. Even though I’m coming in late to the series, I’m glad I finally found it. I am not a knitter, but those who are will find instructions for knitting a hat at the end of the entertaining story.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pamela Patterson has organized a knitting bee as part of a conference on fiber arts and crafts at the nearby college. The keynote speaker stops by but seems more interested in flirting than seeing what the participants are knitting. As he drinks his coffee, he takes ill and an ambulance is summoned. He later dies and it is determined that he has been murdered. Turns out he wasn't very popular so it could be his ex wife or one of his ex lovers or any number of other people he had offended. Pamela and her best friend Bettina try to sort out the clues and catch a killer.

My thoughts: An interesting scenario with so many potential suspects but I suspected the identity of the killer quite early on so really wasn't surprised when they were finally identified.

I like Pamela and can relate to her lack of interest in fashion and to a degree also empathize with her hesitancy to date or get into a serious relationship. I could speculate on why this current relationship isn't going to last. I all I'll say for now it that I suspect that a past relationship (perhaps on both sides) isn't truly done with.

Bettina's inquisitiveness, ability to improvise and be pushy may do well for her as a reporter but I really don't know how Pamela puts up with how nosy and sometimes demanding of details from her personal life. Not to mention Bettina's fixation/addiction to fashion. If I were Pamela, I'd be telling her to back off and let me live my life and dress as I please. Oh well, to each their own!

[Myarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart (Knit & Nibble Mystery # 8) 4 stars

Pamela Paterson, magazine editor at Fiber Craft and a member of the Knit & Nibble group is a host at the local fiber arts and crafts conference held at Wendelstaff College. Everything is going well until Dr. Robert Greer-Gordon Critter, the keynote speaker dies at a Knitting Bee event at the historic Sufficiency House. Because this event is sponsored by Fiber Craft, Pamela’s boss is worried that this will be bad publicity for the magazine. Pamela and her friend Bettina, a reporter for the weekly newspaper The Advocate, will use their wits and observation skills to find the killer.

This is the first Knit & Nibble mystery that I’ve read and I intend to catch up on the backlist later. It is a well written mystery with plenty of red herrings. I really enjoyed meeting the other members of the Knit & Nibble group and the food descriptions were sublime. I was totally surprised at the identity of the killer and going back into the book, I found the clues scattered throughout the book. In terms of the relationship between Pamela and Brian, you find two mature individuals with the debris of past relationships. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series because I have my suspicions on who Brian’s ex is. This book was a fun read and I look forward to her short story in Christmas Scarf Murder coming out in September 2022.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.