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A Knitting Mystery #2
Needled to Death
Now that she’s been knitting up a storm with the help of her new friends at House of Lambspun, Kelly Flynn can’t imagine ever leaving Fort Connor, Colorado. But there’s trouble in her adopted hometown—and not just with her new sweater project... When Kelly volunteers to take a troop of tourists to visit Vickie Claymore’s alpaca farm, she discovers Fort Connor isn’t as sedate as it seems. Instead of a warm welcome, they find Vickie splayed out on her original hand-woven rug, her blood seeping into the design. The police jump on the case, but Kelly can’t resist doing a little investigation work of her own—even if it means taking a break from the sweater she’s been knitting in the round. Because a murderer is lurking in Fort Connor—waiting for the right moment to strike again...
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2005
187 people are currently reading
1834 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Sefton
35 books777 followersAka Margaret Conlan
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
December 5, 2012
I didn't really enjoy the first book in this series, but I figured I'd give at least the second one a try to see if they got better. Unfortunately this book is worse than the first one.
We have the return of Kelly the Whiny Knitter, amateur sleuth. She also becomes a nosy, oblivious, self-centered blabbermouth of a character, to the point that I found myself genuinely disliking her. This book gets one star.
As many others have mentioned (as did I in my review of the previous book), Kelly's fetishistic relationship with yarn starts grating as soon as she first sinks her arms into piles of luscious (used nine times in this book) eyelash yarns (I want to hate, but I remember how crazy that trend was). She's taken it to a whole other level now, though, by groping her friends' yarn...while it's being knit into a WIP! It's a good thing her friends are all so patient, I was waiting to see if any of them would slap her hand or tell her it's poor form to grope someone else's WIP without asking. If she had pulled any stitches off my needles with her grabby-hands, they would have had to put us on opposite sides of the library table.
The coffee addiction. If you are practically having orgasms over "Eduardo's potent brew," then you have a problem. If you drink it all day, every day, you have a problem. What is Eduardo putting in that stuff anyway? Crack cocaine? Must be, if her friends all refuse to deal with her until they've poured the "delectable nectar" down her throat.
Carl. Kelly's (and thereby the author's) obliviousness regarding responsible pet ownership irked in the first book, but really irritated me in this one. Carl's constant fence-jumping and golf-ball-stealing is NOT CUTE. Kelly strikes me as the kind of person who would blame YOU for her dog jumping into your yard and stealing/destroying your property. After all, when the poor fence contractor expresses his concern about the fierce Rottweiler trying to come through the door after him, Kelly poo-poos his fear and says Carl would never bite anyone! Of course, this is the same owner who goes off and leaves her dog out back all day in the boiling July heat, on a chain when she knows he jumps the fence as soon as her back is turned. I was half-expecting her to come home and find poor Carl strangled, hanging over the fence.
The "mystery." Well, what mystery there was...when the villain virtually confesses to the reader just a few pages after their first appearance it kinda ruins the entire rest of the mystery aspect of the book. The final confrontation is which is lazy writing, IMO.
I'm done with this series, and I definitely won't be recommending it to anyone.
We have the return of Kelly the Whiny Knitter, amateur sleuth. She also becomes a nosy, oblivious, self-centered blabbermouth of a character, to the point that I found myself genuinely disliking her. This book gets one star.
As many others have mentioned (as did I in my review of the previous book), Kelly's fetishistic relationship with yarn starts grating as soon as she first sinks her arms into piles of luscious (used nine times in this book) eyelash yarns (I want to hate, but I remember how crazy that trend was). She's taken it to a whole other level now, though, by groping her friends' yarn...while it's being knit into a WIP! It's a good thing her friends are all so patient, I was waiting to see if any of them would slap her hand or tell her it's poor form to grope someone else's WIP without asking. If she had pulled any stitches off my needles with her grabby-hands, they would have had to put us on opposite sides of the library table.
The coffee addiction. If you are practically having orgasms over "Eduardo's potent brew," then you have a problem. If you drink it all day, every day, you have a problem. What is Eduardo putting in that stuff anyway? Crack cocaine? Must be, if her friends all refuse to deal with her until they've poured the "delectable nectar" down her throat.
Carl. Kelly's (and thereby the author's) obliviousness regarding responsible pet ownership irked in the first book, but really irritated me in this one. Carl's constant fence-jumping and golf-ball-stealing is NOT CUTE. Kelly strikes me as the kind of person who would blame YOU for her dog jumping into your yard and stealing/destroying your property. After all, when the poor fence contractor expresses his concern about the fierce Rottweiler trying to come through the door after him, Kelly poo-poos his fear and says Carl would never bite anyone! Of course, this is the same owner who goes off and leaves her dog out back all day in the boiling July heat, on a chain when she knows he jumps the fence as soon as her back is turned. I was half-expecting her to come home and find poor Carl strangled, hanging over the fence.
The "mystery." Well, what mystery there was...when the villain virtually confesses to the reader just a few pages after their first appearance it kinda ruins the entire rest of the mystery aspect of the book. The final confrontation is which is lazy writing, IMO.
I'm done with this series, and I definitely won't be recommending it to anyone.
January 17, 2008
Sophomoric writing style. I love knitting and mysteries, so I read two of these and started a third, but just couldn't get through it.
May 12, 2015
This was a genuinely terrible book. I finished it solely because my husband asked me to (long story), and I'm a sucker.
1) The mystery part is bad. The actual "plot" probably doesn't take up more than 20 pages, and a four-year-old could figure out "whodunit." There's more, but it's spoilerish; just trust me, given the circumstances under which the first victim was found, it's fall-down funny that the main character, Kelly, takes a paragraph to realize, "OMG, it must have been murder!"
2) The knitting part is bad. At the beginning, Kelly has started knitting a sweater in the round, and is failing to understand how that works. Instead of actually explaining (it's dead simple), the more experienced knitters (supposedly her friends) just dismiss her questions, saying, "Oh, it's magic!" Worse, when she promptly makes one of the only errors in knitting that can't be fixed and has to be ripped out (twisting the cast-on when joining work done in the round), they don't explain why it was wrong and how she can avoid doing that (again, easy, if you know to pay attention). They just say, "Oops, you messed up, do it again."
The yarn element is bad. Supposedly yarn-crazed Kelly and friends don't seem to have any real appreciation for the locally produced, supposedly great alpaca yarns, swooning instead over artificial novelty yarns. They also have no idea how big/heavy a fleece is, nor how valuable (hint: Heavy, and not something you leave bags of in a barn indefinitely).
3) The writing/editing are really bad. Aside from terrible character development (the only one I cared about was the poor dog) and plot, there were inexplicable repetitions: After a pointless visit to Wyoming (from a story point of view), Kelly comes home and retells all the events of the trip to her friends who didn't go—in the very next chapter, with no real changes. So, in one chapter someone makes breakfast, and then the next chapter, Kelly tells people how her friend made breakfast. Padding, much?
Even the basic grammar/style was bad. Adverbs ending in -ly shouldn't be hyphenated, but they are here (beginning of chapter 6). Words and phrases repeat, because apparently the author has a very limited vocabulary. Indeed, her verbs for questions are basically asked, probed, and pressed—over and over again. Etc., etc.
Bad. Very bad. No biscuit.
1) The mystery part is bad. The actual "plot" probably doesn't take up more than 20 pages, and a four-year-old could figure out "whodunit." There's more, but it's spoilerish; just trust me, given the circumstances under which the first victim was found, it's fall-down funny that the main character, Kelly, takes a paragraph to realize, "OMG, it must have been murder!"
2) The knitting part is bad. At the beginning, Kelly has started knitting a sweater in the round, and is failing to understand how that works. Instead of actually explaining (it's dead simple), the more experienced knitters (supposedly her friends) just dismiss her questions, saying, "Oh, it's magic!" Worse, when she promptly makes one of the only errors in knitting that can't be fixed and has to be ripped out (twisting the cast-on when joining work done in the round), they don't explain why it was wrong and how she can avoid doing that (again, easy, if you know to pay attention). They just say, "Oops, you messed up, do it again."
The yarn element is bad. Supposedly yarn-crazed Kelly and friends don't seem to have any real appreciation for the locally produced, supposedly great alpaca yarns, swooning instead over artificial novelty yarns. They also have no idea how big/heavy a fleece is, nor how valuable (hint: Heavy, and not something you leave bags of in a barn indefinitely).
3) The writing/editing are really bad. Aside from terrible character development (the only one I cared about was the poor dog) and plot, there were inexplicable repetitions: After a pointless visit to Wyoming (from a story point of view), Kelly comes home and retells all the events of the trip to her friends who didn't go—in the very next chapter, with no real changes. So, in one chapter someone makes breakfast, and then the next chapter, Kelly tells people how her friend made breakfast. Padding, much?
Even the basic grammar/style was bad. Adverbs ending in -ly shouldn't be hyphenated, but they are here (beginning of chapter 6). Words and phrases repeat, because apparently the author has a very limited vocabulary. Indeed, her verbs for questions are basically asked, probed, and pressed—over and over again. Etc., etc.
Bad. Very bad. No biscuit.
May 31, 2008
Again, it was ok. Gets pretty repetitive, but the mystery was just interesting enough to keep me going. Is it bad that I find Kelly's boyfriend much less annoying than Kelly?
March 16, 2010
I just LOVE these books.
They are just so fun, charming, and its like being with friends. I find these to be more believable than some of the other series' that I have been reading (re: The Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries), and the characters are so much fun and really engaging. Makes me wish I could head off to Colorado and sit, enjoying some of Eduardo's excellent coffee, in the knitting shop, listening to all these women and their lives (and maybe there, I would actually LEARN how to knit)!!
Kelly is still on leave from her job. She is telecommuting to be able to keep her job, but the estate her Aunt left her is NO WHERE near being ready to be signed off on. And trouble is, Kelly is LOVING being in Colorado. She is loving being, essentially her own boss. And she really loves that she can wear shorts to the office (because her office is now her HOUSE) every day. And she really loves that she can go to the knitting shop several times a day for breaks and meet up with her friends there. Its reviving her soul and spirit.
But, while on a "field trip" to a friends Alpaca farm with a group of out-of-town knitters, Kelly makes a gruesome discovery. Their friend has been murdered. And then, Kelly gets even more involved when the daughter of the victim shows up and asks Kelly for her help with all the financial records. And Kelly, being a good person AND a good CPA, agrees.
But, nothing (especially in Kelly's world) is ever easy, and as Kelly starts searching through all the records and financials, strange occurrences and unexplained disappearances of money start popping up, Kelly starts growing uneasy. And then, there is another murder. Will Kelly and Co. come out of this one unscathed??
CANNOT wait for the next one!!!!!
December 17, 2021
Needled to Death is a decent cozy mystery, but there's not anything either good or bad about it that sticks out to me.
I like how the main character Kelly's job as an accountant is woven into the story. She's able to use her skillset to help solve the mystery, which itself is fairly solid. That, and the inclusion of information about alpaca husbandry, were probably my two favourite things about the book.
That being said, the side characters kind of jumble together after a while. There's both a Burt and a Curt and many different knitters at the yarn store that I can't name off the top off my head. I don't feel like anyone, except for the victim, was particularly distinguishable or memorable. They don't have to be super eccentric or larger-than-life to be memorable, but I also shouldn't be forgetting about them immediately after I've finished reading the book.
It's also a book that relies on many tropes, both from cozy mysteries and women's fiction in general - such as the 'wonderful' small town vs. the 'awful' big city or the 'career woman who's simply too busy for a relationship'. If you put this book on the Hallmark Channel, it wouldn't be out of place.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm personally the type of reader who likes reading books that approach tropes in a more creative and out-of-the-box fashion, so this didn't really suit my reading tastes.
I'd read more books from this series before if I stumble across them again in the library, but I don't think I'll be specifically looking for this series in future.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
I like how the main character Kelly's job as an accountant is woven into the story. She's able to use her skillset to help solve the mystery, which itself is fairly solid. That, and the inclusion of information about alpaca husbandry, were probably my two favourite things about the book.
That being said, the side characters kind of jumble together after a while. There's both a Burt and a Curt and many different knitters at the yarn store that I can't name off the top off my head. I don't feel like anyone, except for the victim, was particularly distinguishable or memorable. They don't have to be super eccentric or larger-than-life to be memorable, but I also shouldn't be forgetting about them immediately after I've finished reading the book.
It's also a book that relies on many tropes, both from cozy mysteries and women's fiction in general - such as the 'wonderful' small town vs. the 'awful' big city or the 'career woman who's simply too busy for a relationship'. If you put this book on the Hallmark Channel, it wouldn't be out of place.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm personally the type of reader who likes reading books that approach tropes in a more creative and out-of-the-box fashion, so this didn't really suit my reading tastes.
I'd read more books from this series before if I stumble across them again in the library, but I don't think I'll be specifically looking for this series in future.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
August 23, 2008
I didn't really enjoy this book. I found the main character to be pretty irritating - the constant references to her "caffeine lobe" and the "yummy" yarn just put me off. When a character is described using the exact same phrase twice on the very first page, it's the sign of either a bad editor, or an author who needs to expand her vocabulary. And there were just too many instances of people being in the right place at the right time to move the plot forward; it didn't feel natural. I really like knitting and I really like mysteries and my friend recommended it, so I thought I'd give it a try, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the time to finish it.
November 9, 2017
This is the second book in the knitting mystery series. Kelly Flynn is living in her Aunt Helen's house and becoming a part of the knitting group at the House of Lambspoon, and helping give tours at an alpaca ranch.
I thought the mystery was okay. It wasn't a must read but it wasn't horrible. The characters are fun and enjoyable to read about. I might read more in this series, but it won't be high on my list.
I thought the mystery was okay. It wasn't a must read but it wasn't horrible. The characters are fun and enjoyable to read about. I might read more in this series, but it won't be high on my list.
August 24, 2020
Three stars is too few, four stars is too many. If the author keeps killing off more than one character in this small town per book, the town will be decimated. It’s easy to read which is a plus. By the third book I might have the knitters figured out. They seem pretty interchangeable at this point.
October 29, 2012
Terrible!
I can't make myself read beyond 4 chapters.
1) Rottweilers called Carl don't do it for me.....cute? I don't think so
2) If you find your friend lying on their (beautiful) handmade rug with her throat cut its unlikely that you'll be cracking a joke, then dropping an annoying person in it with the police
3) As above: would you be clear sighted enough to drive people back for dinner after such an event?
4) Yes it's 'only fiction' but its extremely poor and not worth spending time on it
I can't make myself read beyond 4 chapters.
1) Rottweilers called Carl don't do it for me.....cute? I don't think so
2) If you find your friend lying on their (beautiful) handmade rug with her throat cut its unlikely that you'll be cracking a joke, then dropping an annoying person in it with the police
3) As above: would you be clear sighted enough to drive people back for dinner after such an event?
4) Yes it's 'only fiction' but its extremely poor and not worth spending time on it
March 4, 2007
I love knitting and I love mysteries. This book is a good blend of both. It's no Agatha Christie and there aren't that many clues that you can use to help solve the mystery yourself, but it's fun and an easy read. The descriptions of the yarn shop make you itch to stitch. The free pattern patterns are a plus!
June 30, 2008
I really liked this book for what it was. Not the best book by any means, but entertaining. What really bothered me though was the ending which seemed totally out of place and made me wonder if I was missing a chapter out of the book.
September 5, 2008
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good knitting murder mystery. I do not like how the main character always figures out who the murderer is and then gets the murderer to confess to her. Why doesn't she just call the cops? I guess I just want my knitting murder mysteries to be more realistic.
July 5, 2022
Kelly Flynn has settled nicely into her new life in Fort Connor, Colorado. She's established herself in her aunt's old home, made new friends and gotten involved in her community. But there's trouble that hits very close to her when a friend, Vickie Claymore, is discovered murdered.
Police are right on the case and are working quietly, but perhaps a bit too quietly for Kelly, who begins her own investigation. It brings her into the world of alpaca ranching and breeding — could this be part of the puzzle of who and why killed Vickie Claymore?
This is the second book in the Knitting Mystery series by Maggie Sefton. I was not impressed but thought that Sefton's writing might strengthen as the series moved forward. Why I enjoyed this story, it still felt overly simple and once again, I knew by the middle of the book not only who was the murderer but why. I hope that the series continues to improve but for me it is too, too simple, even for a cozy.
Police are right on the case and are working quietly, but perhaps a bit too quietly for Kelly, who begins her own investigation. It brings her into the world of alpaca ranching and breeding — could this be part of the puzzle of who and why killed Vickie Claymore?
This is the second book in the Knitting Mystery series by Maggie Sefton. I was not impressed but thought that Sefton's writing might strengthen as the series moved forward. Why I enjoyed this story, it still felt overly simple and once again, I knew by the middle of the book not only who was the murderer but why. I hope that the series continues to improve but for me it is too, too simple, even for a cozy.
July 24, 2017
Kept my interest
I enjoyed the mystery and wasn't completely sure "whodunit" until the end.
I also enjoyed learning more about alpacas.
The coffee addiction gets a little old and names are repeated over and over in every conversation.
I will definitely continue this series.
I enjoyed the mystery and wasn't completely sure "whodunit" until the end.
I also enjoyed learning more about alpacas.
The coffee addiction gets a little old and names are repeated over and over in every conversation.
I will definitely continue this series.
August 24, 2020
The ladies of the knitting circle are making things from Alpaca wool. A visiting knitting group wants to see an Alpaca farm but when they get there they find their friend lying on the living room rug murdered. She was young energetic and a great business woman but going through a nasty divorce.
Kelly is asked by the daughter to review the finances in an effort to close out the estate. While doing so - she also visits the ranch her aunt left her to find herself the owner of cattle, sheep and alpacas.
But something is very wrong and Kelly is at the middle of it again.
Lots happening in this one but it was flat for me. I just cannot seem to get invested in the characters of this series. I loved the discussion of the wool raising and the story was ok but there was just not enough lead up to who did it.
Kelly is asked by the daughter to review the finances in an effort to close out the estate. While doing so - she also visits the ranch her aunt left her to find herself the owner of cattle, sheep and alpacas.
But something is very wrong and Kelly is at the middle of it again.
Lots happening in this one but it was flat for me. I just cannot seem to get invested in the characters of this series. I loved the discussion of the wool raising and the story was ok but there was just not enough lead up to who did it.
September 6, 2023
These knitting cozies are one of my favs. Thank you, Beth Walsh, for sending them my way!
November 19, 2021
Kelly is helping out the knitting community by taking some tourists to visit a local alpaca farm, only to find Vickie the farm owner murdered in her own home. Kelly then decides to dig around and find out who was responsible for Vickie's death. It was a fun, if predictable, investigation full of encouraging girlfriends, helpful community members, and lots of descriptions of yarn. A relaxing kind of book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2013
Have you ever tired of forcing yourself to read a book? I have held so many books on hold because I was trying to finish this book. I finally had to stop reading and finish by skim-reading. I usually race through a book, and I have had to put all my other reading list on hold because I couldn't slog through this one.
Some books just seem to deviate so dramatically from reality that you get a bit annoyed. I thought the first book in the series was okay for the most part though there were plenty of things I really disliked like the main character and her snippy attitude, her over fondness for coffee, instantaneous friendships, yarn groping and every single lady (and I mean single as in not married so supporting herself) having gobs of time to spend knitting at the local yarn etc. type of shop. A friend who loves cozies had lent me the first two books in the series so I had every intention on seeing where the series would go.
I stopped now a little more than halfway through the story and skim-read the rest of the way. I could not take another minute of Kelly & company at her deceased aunt's deceased cousin's place. Having Kelly be the only living relative of not one but both ladies just seemed beyond far fetched. The cousin was married to an abusive rancher whom she left but never divorced. The rancher apparently finally dies off and the estate is now Kelly's. Really? So we are supposed to believe that he also had no family? And this second third or whatever cousin had no one on any other side of her family, but Kelly's aunt? Why does this bug me? Because it took me out of the story. By the time we traipse through this relative's place, I couldn't even remember what the mystery is anymore.
This Montana ranch of 300 acres is not only home to apparently loads of cattle but also conveniently sheep and alpaca. The sheep I get. Cattle and sheep graze on different plants typically, but the alpaca? Really? It seems awfully convenient considering that our most recent murder victim also raised alpaca. I found it hard to believe that this 70-somthing-year-old rancher would now also be an alpaca breeder.
Finally, I gave up as Kelly's buds were discovering antiques on this relative's property. Frankly, I just didn't want to stick around for the oil, silver mine or Hope diamond to pop up. My suspension of belief had sailed so solidly out the window that I could not continue. Everything seems just so wildly convenient for Kelly. I rolled my eyes so many times while reading this book, I simply had to finally give myself permission to stop reading seriously and just get through the book. So feeling I had invested enough time, I skimmed from page 140 to the end.
I read for enjoyment and to learn things. Neither was happening with this book, and when you pick up a book and just keep getting annoyed, you got to let it go. I am bummed, I really did want to like it.
Some books just seem to deviate so dramatically from reality that you get a bit annoyed. I thought the first book in the series was okay for the most part though there were plenty of things I really disliked like the main character and her snippy attitude, her over fondness for coffee, instantaneous friendships, yarn groping and every single lady (and I mean single as in not married so supporting herself) having gobs of time to spend knitting at the local yarn etc. type of shop. A friend who loves cozies had lent me the first two books in the series so I had every intention on seeing where the series would go.
I stopped now a little more than halfway through the story and skim-read the rest of the way. I could not take another minute of Kelly & company at her deceased aunt's deceased cousin's place. Having Kelly be the only living relative of not one but both ladies just seemed beyond far fetched. The cousin was married to an abusive rancher whom she left but never divorced. The rancher apparently finally dies off and the estate is now Kelly's. Really? So we are supposed to believe that he also had no family? And this second third or whatever cousin had no one on any other side of her family, but Kelly's aunt? Why does this bug me? Because it took me out of the story. By the time we traipse through this relative's place, I couldn't even remember what the mystery is anymore.
This Montana ranch of 300 acres is not only home to apparently loads of cattle but also conveniently sheep and alpaca. The sheep I get. Cattle and sheep graze on different plants typically, but the alpaca? Really? It seems awfully convenient considering that our most recent murder victim also raised alpaca. I found it hard to believe that this 70-somthing-year-old rancher would now also be an alpaca breeder.
Finally, I gave up as Kelly's buds were discovering antiques on this relative's property. Frankly, I just didn't want to stick around for the oil, silver mine or Hope diamond to pop up. My suspension of belief had sailed so solidly out the window that I could not continue. Everything seems just so wildly convenient for Kelly. I rolled my eyes so many times while reading this book, I simply had to finally give myself permission to stop reading seriously and just get through the book. So feeling I had invested enough time, I skimmed from page 140 to the end.
I read for enjoyment and to learn things. Neither was happening with this book, and when you pick up a book and just keep getting annoyed, you got to let it go. I am bummed, I really did want to like it.
August 14, 2016
I came in on the 14th book in this series which I found to be a pleasant, albeit uninspired mystery. I though I'd go back to the beginning as any series that lasts through 14 books must have had something going for it to last that long.
I was wrong.
Kelly the CPA isn't any more clever or charming than she appeared on my first try. The same grinding repetition about her coffee addiction, her love of softball, and her obsession with yarn color and texture have apparently been the cornerstone of this series from day one. I'm also at a loss as to why all her friends consider her an amateur sleuth when all she does is draw obvious conclusions that should be equally apparent to the Fort Connor police department (all of whom are completely incompetent if they need this busybody to lead them to the perps).
What turned me off most about this book in particular was Kelly's "dread" of dealing with her multiple inheritances. Yes, I too would be terribly upset if I inherited a cottage in the lovely small town I grew up in, as well as a successful ranch in Wyoming potentially worth a fortune. What a travail to have my lawyers constantly calling to tell me I'm the sole beneficiary and a very wealthy woman.
Although I love the idea of Lambspun as a creative gathering place and wish I had as many close friends as Kelly has accumulated during her brief residence in town, I just can't get into these stories. I'm throwing in my ball of alpaca yarn and leaving this series to the knitting enthusiasts.
I was wrong.
Kelly the CPA isn't any more clever or charming than she appeared on my first try. The same grinding repetition about her coffee addiction, her love of softball, and her obsession with yarn color and texture have apparently been the cornerstone of this series from day one. I'm also at a loss as to why all her friends consider her an amateur sleuth when all she does is draw obvious conclusions that should be equally apparent to the Fort Connor police department (all of whom are completely incompetent if they need this busybody to lead them to the perps).
What turned me off most about this book in particular was Kelly's "dread" of dealing with her multiple inheritances. Yes, I too would be terribly upset if I inherited a cottage in the lovely small town I grew up in, as well as a successful ranch in Wyoming potentially worth a fortune. What a travail to have my lawyers constantly calling to tell me I'm the sole beneficiary and a very wealthy woman.
Although I love the idea of Lambspun as a creative gathering place and wish I had as many close friends as Kelly has accumulated during her brief residence in town, I just can't get into these stories. I'm throwing in my ball of alpaca yarn and leaving this series to the knitting enthusiasts.
July 11, 2018
I enjoy a mystery and a novel set in a small home town shop but this book was awful. The first books was a bit obnoxious but tolerable.
First of all, Kelly is the type of person I would avoid at all costs. She is whiny, dramatic and just flat annoying. She has no clue how to care for a dog and the fact that she thinks it ok to “scold” him for jumping a 3 ft fence and he will just stop doing it. I get it, the author is try to convince people that Rottweilers are not vicious dogs, but she has done a poor job of it and has portrayed the breed in a poor light. Most dogs are a reflection of their owners and Kelly needs some training classes.
Second, let’s talk about “the ranch”. Which one, take your pick. I can’t remember the last time I read that word so many times. It right up there with “coffee” and the fact that Kelly is a total b**** without it. If your going to write details about a real location... Please get your facts right! There are so many things wrong in this area, I found it hard to continue. I even put the book down for a bit thinking I was just in a funk! The “ranch” portions of this book should have been set in outer space, where it would have been more accurate.
Finally, I felt sorry for the killer at the end of the book. Neither of the victims were very nice people and took advantage of other. I also felt sorry for the other characters that have to put up with someone like Kelly. Hope the next book she sticks her nose somewhere it doesn’t belong and someone offs her! Yep, I know it is fiction!
First of all, Kelly is the type of person I would avoid at all costs. She is whiny, dramatic and just flat annoying. She has no clue how to care for a dog and the fact that she thinks it ok to “scold” him for jumping a 3 ft fence and he will just stop doing it. I get it, the author is try to convince people that Rottweilers are not vicious dogs, but she has done a poor job of it and has portrayed the breed in a poor light. Most dogs are a reflection of their owners and Kelly needs some training classes.
Second, let’s talk about “the ranch”. Which one, take your pick. I can’t remember the last time I read that word so many times. It right up there with “coffee” and the fact that Kelly is a total b**** without it. If your going to write details about a real location... Please get your facts right! There are so many things wrong in this area, I found it hard to continue. I even put the book down for a bit thinking I was just in a funk! The “ranch” portions of this book should have been set in outer space, where it would have been more accurate.
Finally, I felt sorry for the killer at the end of the book. Neither of the victims were very nice people and took advantage of other. I also felt sorry for the other characters that have to put up with someone like Kelly. Hope the next book she sticks her nose somewhere it doesn’t belong and someone offs her! Yep, I know it is fiction!
July 27, 2008
This series is still fluff-fun. The main character Kelly is still learning how to knit, though she whines a lot when introduced to a new techique. There are still way to many characters coming and going from the knitting shop who all seem to have these fabulous part-time jobs which enable them to drop in and knit at a moments notice.
My biggest complaint with this one was Kelly found direct evidence to link the murderer to the victim and instead of taking the information to the police, she grabs a freind and confronts the suspect to make them confess. If I were the police, I would be pissed as hell.
At least she's not running off to confront the killer all alone like another couple mystery series I know of.
I'm enjoying the knitting bits (except I swear that yarn shop goes through an incredible amount of yarn - they are always getting another shipment in!) and all the bits with the alpacas and sheep. Fun enough to keep reading.
My biggest complaint with this one was Kelly found direct evidence to link the murderer to the victim and instead of taking the information to the police, she grabs a freind and confronts the suspect to make them confess. If I were the police, I would be pissed as hell.
At least she's not running off to confront the killer all alone like another couple mystery series I know of.
I'm enjoying the knitting bits (except I swear that yarn shop goes through an incredible amount of yarn - they are always getting another shipment in!) and all the bits with the alpacas and sheep. Fun enough to keep reading.
February 15, 2017
I like how I pick up on little knitting tricks and whatnot while reading a mystery, but there are a couple of small things that bug me about the writing in this series so far. Everyone says everyone's name so many times!
"Secretive? Sure you're not exaggerating, Kelly?"
"Not at all Burt."
(next paragraph)
"....just following procedures Kelly."
"I don't think so Burt."
And on and on like that. A quarter of the words in this book are names. No one says someone's name that many times in one conversation! The other little thing that bugs me is Kelly says "Brother!" a lot. I don't know who speaks like this!
They mystery was okay, but the book seemed to be more about Kelly's inheritance that was uncovered in the last book. Then, everything was wrapped up in the last chapter. *shrug*
"Secretive? Sure you're not exaggerating, Kelly?"
"Not at all Burt."
(next paragraph)
"....just following procedures Kelly."
"I don't think so Burt."
And on and on like that. A quarter of the words in this book are names. No one says someone's name that many times in one conversation! The other little thing that bugs me is Kelly says "Brother!" a lot. I don't know who speaks like this!
They mystery was okay, but the book seemed to be more about Kelly's inheritance that was uncovered in the last book. Then, everything was wrapped up in the last chapter. *shrug*
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January 27, 2020These books are not good but they are a good time
March 22, 2025
This was fun. Not like the best book ever obviously, but this cozy little mystery series i am enjoying quite a bit. I think these are fun quick reads for when i'm in the mood for something different, not too dense, and i can just kind of relax with. These are perfect for that for me personally. Will get to the next one soonish.
March 6, 2020
I loved seeing all the characters again, although Kelly bugged me a bit in this one. She wanted to help everyone, no matter what, which isn't the problem. The problem was, when she couldn't help, she felt extremely guilty, and then made some stupid mistakes, like almost crashing her car on a curvy road. It was a little obvious who did it, but that could be just me. Still loved it though. :D
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July 30, 2020Basically just like junk tv. Mindless filler for when you just need to crawl into something that requires very little effort or imagination.
June 20, 2022
Love the continuation of the characters stories, still lots of great knitting information.
May 3, 2020
Easy read, fun mystery
February 6, 2013
Kelly Flynn is staying in Fort Connor, Colorado until she settles the estate of her late aunt and cousin. She was left a great deal of property and it may take months to settle the estate, and Kelly is beginning to think she may never leave. She is doing accounting work from her house, making friends, and enjoying learning how to knit. Since she is learning about different types of wools, she volunteers to take a group of tourists to visit Vickie Caymore's alpaca farm. To her shock, she finds Vickie's body. As the police investigate the murder, Kelly helps Vickie's daughter Debbie settle her financial matters. Debbie is convinced that her stepfather killed her mother because she was in the process of divorcing him, but he swears to Kelly he didn't do it and she begins to believe him. When the murderer strikes again, Kelly realizes she has to do what she can to stop the killer before someone else is killed.
While it had some good points, I found "Needled to Death" to be a disappointing mystery. For the most part, Kelly was a good heroine - still dealing with her aunt's death and trying to decide if she should stay in Colorado or go back to Washington, D.C. I loved her golf ball stealing dog, Carl. Her tentative romance with Steve was sweetly done. Some of the secondary characters such as Debbie, Jayleen, and Burt were well written. But much of the book was unbelievable. Kelly constantly worries about money, wondering whether she can afford to quit her D.C. job and work as a consultant in Colorado, yet she never seems to work instead spending her time knitting with her friends, drinking coffee, or playing softball. And considering the size of the estate her aunt left her, including a ranch in Wyoming with plenty of cattle, the constant fretting about money seemed overdone. The writing is sloppy - having characters named Burt and Curt confused me. As for the mystery itself, while the identity of the murderer may come as a surprise to readers, the second murder is so obviously telegraphed that readers will know which character is doomed long before the murder takes place. The book has some major editing issues - early in the book one of the suspects approaches Kelly at her cottage after she came home from Vickie's funeral, but at the end of the book she says he approached her while she was still at the funeral. That's sloppy writing and editing.
With some good editing and tighter writing "Needled to Death" could have been so much better.
While it had some good points, I found "Needled to Death" to be a disappointing mystery. For the most part, Kelly was a good heroine - still dealing with her aunt's death and trying to decide if she should stay in Colorado or go back to Washington, D.C. I loved her golf ball stealing dog, Carl. Her tentative romance with Steve was sweetly done. Some of the secondary characters such as Debbie, Jayleen, and Burt were well written. But much of the book was unbelievable. Kelly constantly worries about money, wondering whether she can afford to quit her D.C. job and work as a consultant in Colorado, yet she never seems to work instead spending her time knitting with her friends, drinking coffee, or playing softball. And considering the size of the estate her aunt left her, including a ranch in Wyoming with plenty of cattle, the constant fretting about money seemed overdone. The writing is sloppy - having characters named Burt and Curt confused me. As for the mystery itself, while the identity of the murderer may come as a surprise to readers, the second murder is so obviously telegraphed that readers will know which character is doomed long before the murder takes place. The book has some major editing issues - early in the book one of the suspects approaches Kelly at her cottage after she came home from Vickie's funeral, but at the end of the book she says he approached her while she was still at the funeral. That's sloppy writing and editing.
With some good editing and tighter writing "Needled to Death" could have been so much better.
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