by Maggie Sefton
Berkley Prime Crime, 2005
My Rating: B
Kelly Flynn is a CPA back in Washington D.C. She’s used to looking at details and analyzing information. But, as the story opens, she’s in Fort Connor, Colorado for her aunt’s funeral. Aunt Helen was Kelly’s last remaining relative and had been a mother-figure to her. Not only is Aunt Helen dead, she was murdered. Kelly doesn’t believe the police have the right suspect nor the right motive.
In her own analytical style, Kelly begins inquiring about her aunt’s activities. Kelly gets some help from her aunt’s friends – all women from the knitting shop next door. The knitting-circle women don’t just help Kelly solve the mystery, they take her into their lives and hearts. Soon Kelly is playing softball, learning how to knit, and deciding to stay in Fort Connor for a few months. Did I mention there’s this good looking guy hanging around? I don’t know where that’s going.
I really liked the women in the circle. Publisher’s Weekly said her “knitting buddies, who, in their own carefree way, resemble the cast of Friends.” I loved the repartee among the group. For pure fun, you have to read the book to meet Jennifer and Lizzie. Jennifer is a smart talking waitress/realtor who hates sports. You’re not going to find her “standing in the sun and sweating.” Lizzie is my soul-mate. She’s a seventi-ish retired schoolteacher who’s not afraid to see for herself what’s underneath the bagpiper’s kilt.
The murder mystery part of the story was enjoyable to read, too. There were several people I thought might be the guilty party but I was surprised in the end – a nice surprise. This was definitely a cozy – no CSI-type pictures popped into my head.
I almost forgot to mention the knitting part of the book. The author was a non-knitter when she started the book but that soon changed. Her description of Kelly walking into the knit shop for the first time was from the author’s own experience. It made me want to run down to my local knit shop. For fellow knitters: There are a couple of patterns in the back of the book.
Knit One, Kill Two is Book One in Maggie Sefton’s seven-book (#8 this summer) series. I have a hunch that Kelly will decide to settle down in Fort Connor and become a permanent member of the knitting-circle. And, yes, I hope she has a little romance too.
I read this book for the Cozy Mystery Challenge Doubled. Maggie Sefton is one of the Cozy Chicks. Her website is here. I borrowed this book form the public library. It’s available at Amazon.
Oh boy!! Knitting and mystery and well done! Can’t wait for this — perfect warm-weather reading on the deck.
I like your comparison to Friends. This book sounds fun and cozy!
Sounds like a fun cozy, even to this non-knitter.
I’ve heard good things about this one and am interested even though I’m not a knitter.
I’m a knitter and this sounds like a fun read. I’m going to look for it.
Glad to read you enjoyed this one. It’s been on my wish list forever, I even told my Mom about it (she recently took up knitting) and she loves it, I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. lol!
I really liked this series. I’ve read all the books and even though I don’t knit and probably will never knit, I would love to visit that store and just hang out with these people. The author’s descriptions of the wool in that shop are really decadent and then there is the cafe and the coffee. Not the most compelling mysteries, but I read this one for the characters.
I’m looking for a new cozy series — i don’t knit either but those ladies sound like a lot of fun! This goes on the library list.
I almost grabbed this one a few weeks ago while at the library. I absolutely loved your review of this Margot!!!!!
I really miss Crafting. Now that I have a bit more time I am hopping I can get back to crafting.
I really want another book of maggie sefton beacuse i really love crimes.detective story i wish i have all the books of maggie sefton beacuse i really love it!