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Black Sheep & Company Mystery #3
A Stitch Before Dying
The third mystery in Anne Canadeo's winning Black Sheep Knitting series, featuring a fivesome with a knack for knitting—and solving crimes…When Maggie Messina, owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, is invited to give knitting workshops at a Berkshires spa resort, she manages to negotiate a cottage that fits all five of the Black Sheep for what promises to be a weekend of knitting bliss. But while the friends are expert at counting stitches, they haven’t counted on murder.Guests and staff at the Crystal Lake Inn are as varied as a mixed bag of yarn, but most colorful is certainly the owner, charismatic self-help guru and former psychiatrist Dr. Max Flemming. The doctor may have told all in a revealing autobiography, but from his ex-wife to the widow of his former business partner—both employees at the inn—Max seems mired in shadows from his past. And when a killer strikes during a mountaintop retreat, the Black Sheep wonder what the good doctor might be hiding.The police seem to be following the wrong thread. But while Maggie’s workshops have given the knitters a unique view of the tensions at the little inn, can they make sense of a crime that is as complexly stranded as a Fair Isle sweater? When the killer murders a second time, the Black Sheep wonder if they’ve dropped a stitch and put themselves in mortal danger...
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2010
36 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
June 6, 2015
Plenty of grammatical errors that would have been fixed by a good editor (fortunately a previous reader took a pen and made corrections). Also, there are no US size 12 needles. Small thing, but irksome.
January 28, 2019
Very enjoyable read! This series is interesting because although Maggie owns the knitting shop, all of her friends have their own experiences and points of view in the story.
January 17, 2011
This book was a huge letdown. I do love a good knitting mystery, and this one had a lot of promise. I loved the setup. The five ladies go on a retreat with Maggie who's going to give workshops on knitting. The description of the setting was quite cozy.
My biggest issues with the novel are that I don't like the main character of Lucy, who frets about her relationship more than anything else, and the writing style. It read more like romance than mystery, something I don't care. The writing is more like Nancy Drew than an adult story. There's far too much telling instead of showing and too much repetition. I got seriously bored.
I only give it a two instead of a one because I did like the setting. I thought the mystery itself rather lame.
My biggest issues with the novel are that I don't like the main character of Lucy, who frets about her relationship more than anything else, and the writing style. It read more like romance than mystery, something I don't care. The writing is more like Nancy Drew than an adult story. There's far too much telling instead of showing and too much repetition. I got seriously bored.
I only give it a two instead of a one because I did like the setting. I thought the mystery itself rather lame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2012
or two and a half stars. The plot was pretty good, and I liked the characters, but I got tired of the tedious 'over-explaining'. For example:
' "We're from Worcester," Rita replied mentioning a medium-size city in central Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston.'
Is it remotely relevant to the story the Worcester is medium-size, or even in central Massachusetts, or that it was an hour west of Boston? Nope. Even if it was put in to explain the USA to folks like me who live in Australia, it just felt unnecessary. And there were quite a few similar examples. Luckily, the characters and the plot were engaging enough for me to finish the book. But I think a bit of tighter editing would have been a great improvement.
' "We're from Worcester," Rita replied mentioning a medium-size city in central Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston.'
Is it remotely relevant to the story the Worcester is medium-size, or even in central Massachusetts, or that it was an hour west of Boston? Nope. Even if it was put in to explain the USA to folks like me who live in Australia, it just felt unnecessary. And there were quite a few similar examples. Luckily, the characters and the plot were engaging enough for me to finish the book. But I think a bit of tighter editing would have been a great improvement.
August 7, 2018
Maggie is invited to a fancy health spa to teach some knitting classes and her knit group tags along. I wanted fun escapism post-surgery and figured a knitting mystery at a spa would be perfect. Less so. Cozy mysteries aren't as positive and feminist as romance novels, and it was really hard to read the small slams against women. Their weight, their styles, their personalities, all were judged by these characters. Lucy was super whiny and passive aggressive about Matt, they were all so weird about Brian, and honestly, I half thought Dana did it for half the book. Which would have been an interesting twist. She just came off as behaving and responding oddly to their musings of the crime. I wanted more spa service descriptions than any more of Lucy's noticing things!
February 9, 2012
I had a review of this book all typed out and then Goodreads ate it! I found this book pretty irritating and I wouldn't recommend it.
June 18, 2015
Knitter and crafters will enjoy this mystery
June 16, 2020
Lord, this was slow. I haven't read a lot of cozy mysteries but I'm not averse to the genre. This one just seemed to get the pacing absolutely wrong from every which-way. The cozy mood was fine, and as a crafter myself, I enjoyed the yarn talk, but the murder (i.e. main plot) didn't hit until after halfway through and then rushed in a tumble toward the end. Despite a lack of fleshed-out clues or a solid grip on the players involved, I still predicted just about everything before the characters.
The switch between POVs also felt unnatural and upset my reading. After spending so long in Lucy's POV and setting up all that (ahem irrelevant) stuff about her home life, why swap to Maggie's? To me, it makes more sense for each book in the series to switch between a primary POV of the five women, rather than trying to squish another into one. There were a shocking amount of typos for a published book and so much of the dialogue and events were redundant, as the women separated and then returned to share information.
The writing style itself wasn't all that bad, and there were no serious missteps plot- or character-wise. The author did a decent job juggling the different opinions on alternative medicine between the characteers (at least at first). I just didn't really enjoy this one overall.
The switch between POVs also felt unnatural and upset my reading. After spending so long in Lucy's POV and setting up all that (ahem irrelevant) stuff about her home life, why swap to Maggie's? To me, it makes more sense for each book in the series to switch between a primary POV of the five women, rather than trying to squish another into one. There were a shocking amount of typos for a published book and so much of the dialogue and events were redundant, as the women separated and then returned to share information.
The writing style itself wasn't all that bad, and there were no serious missteps plot- or character-wise. The author did a decent job juggling the different opinions on alternative medicine between the characteers (at least at first). I just didn't really enjoy this one overall.
June 29, 2022
The Black Sheep Knitters are on the road to a spa for a weekend of relaxation and adventure. Maggie, who owns the knitting shop where the others gather to knit and socialize, will teach several courses on knitting at the weekend retreat, and she snagged enough free accommodations that the knitters could accompany her.
You meet some interesting characters. There’s a self-help doctor who sounds warning bells for knitting psychologist Dana. His yoga-instructor ex-wife is one to watch as well. Having said that, the end will surprise you, I suspect; it did me.
Before this book ends, someone will murder two men. The first is an investigative reporter posing as a travel writer. But his murder was an accident. The killer planned to murder the spa owner, a charismatic self-help psychiatrist. Before Maggie and her Black Sheep knitters can figure out the first murder, the doctor’s life brutally ends. I enjoy these characters. They are unique, and there’s no danger of blurring among them. There’s a little too much touchy-feely here for me regarding Lucy’s relationship with veterinarian Matt. The author dedicates the whole final chapter to it, and that felt a bit much. But it’s worth reading, and the series is worth coming back to.
You meet some interesting characters. There’s a self-help doctor who sounds warning bells for knitting psychologist Dana. His yoga-instructor ex-wife is one to watch as well. Having said that, the end will surprise you, I suspect; it did me.
Before this book ends, someone will murder two men. The first is an investigative reporter posing as a travel writer. But his murder was an accident. The killer planned to murder the spa owner, a charismatic self-help psychiatrist. Before Maggie and her Black Sheep knitters can figure out the first murder, the doctor’s life brutally ends. I enjoy these characters. They are unique, and there’s no danger of blurring among them. There’s a little too much touchy-feely here for me regarding Lucy’s relationship with veterinarian Matt. The author dedicates the whole final chapter to it, and that felt a bit much. But it’s worth reading, and the series is worth coming back to.
February 24, 2025
"A Stitch Before Dying" by Anne Canadeo offers a pleasant, if not entirely groundbreaking, addition to the cozy mystery genre. This installment in the Black Sheep Knitting series finds Maggie Messina and her friends at a Berkshires spa retreat, a setting ripe for both relaxation and, inevitably, murder. The victim, the charismatic inn owner Dr. Max Flemming, presents a cast of potential suspects among the guests and staff, each with their own secrets and motivations.
The Black Sheep knitters, with their combined knitting know-how and keen observational skills, take it upon themselves to unravel the truth. Canadeo effectively weaves details about knitting into the narrative, adding a touch of authenticity to the cozy atmosphere. While the mystery itself is serviceable and provides a satisfying resolution, it lacks the complexity and surprising twists that would elevate it beyond a standard cozy read.
Ultimately, "A Stitch Before Dying" provides an enjoyable, lighthearted escape for fans of the genre, though it's unlikely to linger long in the memory.
The Black Sheep knitters, with their combined knitting know-how and keen observational skills, take it upon themselves to unravel the truth. Canadeo effectively weaves details about knitting into the narrative, adding a touch of authenticity to the cozy atmosphere. While the mystery itself is serviceable and provides a satisfying resolution, it lacks the complexity and surprising twists that would elevate it beyond a standard cozy read.
Ultimately, "A Stitch Before Dying" provides an enjoyable, lighthearted escape for fans of the genre, though it's unlikely to linger long in the memory.
March 7, 2023
Mindful murder
Maggie’s friend Nadine appeals to her to come do some knitting workshops at a resort in the Berkshires, after the original teacher had to bow out; the Black Sheep knitters join her for what is anticipated to be a restful, restorative weekend away. It doesn’t take long for them to sense disturbing undercurrents among the other guests and the psychiatrist/pop-psychology “guru” leading the weekend’s events, and things take a dark turn when one of the retreat members is found dead of asphyxiation in his hut after a moonlight meditation on the mountain. When it becomes known that the hut tampered with, and he wasn’t the original occupant, the knitters wonder whether he was the intended victim - a question that is answered when the retreat leader is murdered the next morning. Bad karma, chi, or simply old grief at work?
Maggie’s friend Nadine appeals to her to come do some knitting workshops at a resort in the Berkshires, after the original teacher had to bow out; the Black Sheep knitters join her for what is anticipated to be a restful, restorative weekend away. It doesn’t take long for them to sense disturbing undercurrents among the other guests and the psychiatrist/pop-psychology “guru” leading the weekend’s events, and things take a dark turn when one of the retreat members is found dead of asphyxiation in his hut after a moonlight meditation on the mountain. When it becomes known that the hut tampered with, and he wasn’t the original occupant, the knitters wonder whether he was the intended victim - a question that is answered when the retreat leader is murdered the next morning. Bad karma, chi, or simply old grief at work?
December 26, 2024
A friend (AC) sent me a number of books from this series.
I enjoyed the idea of a retreat with friends--though I might have chosen a different one if given the choice as this one felt a bit too new-agey for me. However, I can't really fault Maggie for wanting to help out a friend when the original instructor canceled, and I'm glad Maggie thought to include her knitting group friends.
I think I might have liked some of the spa treatments (massage) but not all (seaweed wrap) and I wold have enjoyed the lake and maybe some walking/hiking. Learning to knit might be interesting--I tried learning to crochet and keeping consistent tension in the yarn was difficult. I don't know if it would be easier with 2 needles vs. one crochet hook.
I did not guess "whodunit" in this book. There were some clues, but I didn't put them together.
I enjoyed the idea of a retreat with friends--though I might have chosen a different one if given the choice as this one felt a bit too new-agey for me. However, I can't really fault Maggie for wanting to help out a friend when the original instructor canceled, and I'm glad Maggie thought to include her knitting group friends.
I think I might have liked some of the spa treatments (massage) but not all (seaweed wrap) and I wold have enjoyed the lake and maybe some walking/hiking. Learning to knit might be interesting--I tried learning to crochet and keeping consistent tension in the yarn was difficult. I don't know if it would be easier with 2 needles vs. one crochet hook.
I did not guess "whodunit" in this book. There were some clues, but I didn't put them together.
June 20, 2019
Really thinking 3.5 stars for this one. It started really slowly for me. Although I read the first two books and felt that I'd gotten to know the characters, I did not immediately have the feeling of revisiting old friends. And knowing from the back of the book that there would be two murders, it seemed to take an awfully long time to get to the first one! Once that happened, then the characters started to shine, as they began trying to solve the mystery. The tale was certainly full of red herrings, and I was surprised by the solution. And now I must copy the link for the knitting pattern and the recipe for the crumble, before I return the book to the library!
December 10, 2023
Maggie and the rest of the Black Sheep knitters head to a New Age retreat where yoga, meditation and death are on the list of activities. Was the murdered reporter a victim of mistaken identity, or was he planning an expose, which resulted in his death?
Suspects include the yogi, a former psychiatrist whose practice imploded following the death of a patient; a disgruntled young man whose mother helps to run the retreat; and the yogi's ex-wife. The yogi's death takes him off the list of suspects but ups the stress factor for the remaining guests and retreat employees.
As usual, Anne Canadeo writes a perfectly acceptable cozy mystery that sticks to the working formula.
Suspects include the yogi, a former psychiatrist whose practice imploded following the death of a patient; a disgruntled young man whose mother helps to run the retreat; and the yogi's ex-wife. The yogi's death takes him off the list of suspects but ups the stress factor for the remaining guests and retreat employees.
As usual, Anne Canadeo writes a perfectly acceptable cozy mystery that sticks to the working formula.
June 27, 2025
An interesting story line, and fast paced mystery. I am still waiting for the first two book in this series. This book is about a knitting group that goes to a mountian retreat, he first day there get envolved in the complex lives of the renownd owner of the spa and his employees. That night one of the people who are staying there in the mountiams is found dead in the morning and the knitting group become envolved is his murder and also some of the quests lies also. Also talks about new knitting patterens. Hard to put down. Can't wait to rrread more of this group.
November 16, 2022
The stitching friends take a trip to a spa. Of course, it's not quite a spa weekend, but friends persevere. And they start, work on, and even finish a yarn project or two.
When a friend is in need, friends are there. And friends were needed every step of the way. Together, they can solve anything.
When a friend is in need, friends are there. And friends were needed every step of the way. Together, they can solve anything.
October 17, 2023
The copy editor must have checked out of the room the day this series went to print. Loads more typos...someone should be able to tell the difference between the Dalai Lama and a Dali Llama, for Pete's sake. And no lie, I'm getting near to the end of my rope with Lucy and Matt. Their relationship status gives me palpitations. But I enjoy the mystery, so I read on.
July 31, 2024
I thought the mystery itself was fine and somewhat fun with the characters involved, but the book's POV threw me off. At one point, we're in Lucy's head, and then we go omniscient, meaning the book is not in Lucy's POV, just parts of it—just the scenes that include Lucy, which is probably why I gave it a 3 (3.5 really).
May 7, 2025
2.5/5
Did I just pick this up because there’s a character named Maggie who knits? Yes. But despite the flaws I really enjoyed reading this as a before bed low energy read. It has some serious 2010 moments and some very insane lines but it was kinda fun. Also just the idea of a knitting group that continues to have murders happen around them is very silly.
Did I just pick this up because there’s a character named Maggie who knits? Yes. But despite the flaws I really enjoyed reading this as a before bed low energy read. It has some serious 2010 moments and some very insane lines but it was kinda fun. Also just the idea of a knitting group that continues to have murders happen around them is very silly.
September 13, 2017
A Black Sheep knitters adventure. Maggie, the owner of the local knit shop is invited to teach knitting techniques at a new spa resort and her friends are invited too. Unfortunately, a murder occurs and they are all stuck there for the weekend. Lots of red herrings. Recommend
April 21, 2019
The Black Sheep Knitting group take a weekend vacation at a Berkshires spa resort trouble is sure to appear. Lucy is having romance problems, which is keeping her deep in thought about how to handle the confrontation with Matt. The group has observed vital clues to who committed the murders.
May 1, 2019
Cute idea of characters, but perhaps it was my current mindset,but I found it hard to keep track of each of the ladies in the knitting group! I'll give another one a try because it was an easy read overall.
November 14, 2020
This was another great book in this series. The knitting club are invited to a health spa, where Maggie has agreed to teach some knitting classes. A quick fun read for the mystery buff, adding in a flare for knitting - two of my favorite hobbies!
August 18, 2021
I hadn’t read the previous book in this series in a while so it took me a bit to get back into it. But I did enjoy it. The characters were interesting and there were a lot of possibilities with regard to who may have been the guilty party. It was quite interesting and kept attention we’ll.
April 28, 2024
The Black Sheep Knitting group travels to a New Age spa with free accommodations. The new spa owner is very charismatic drawing in even the skeptical. A moonlight meditation/camping leads to murder which the knitters helps solve. An decent mystery reader figures out the victim from page one.
July 22, 2017
Good reading, but some of the lousiest copyediting I've seen.
January 15, 2019
This was a better written book, more complex and well-put-together.
February 4, 2019
Great book! Good plot & interesting characters!
July 29, 2019
This was a cute niche book. I enjoy this series even though this particular story seemed to drag in the middle a bit. Love the links to patterns and recipes author includes at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews