Tying the Knot (A Wedding Crashers Mystery Book 2)

Author:  Erin Scroggins

Genre:   Mystery

Trade Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781953826022

Helium Press

258 Pages

$12.99; $3.99 Amazon

January 18, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Glory Wells is back in Flat Falls and ready to turn her fledgling wedding planning business into a smashing success.  Her first job?  To create a dream wedding for a new reality show that takes disgraced celebrities from trashy tabloid fodder to "I do" divas.

But when a finalist gets killed by a sabotaged chandelier on set, police focus their investigation on Glory's best friend, who had more than a few reasons to want the celbri-groom dead.

With a demanding producer turning the television nuptials into an epic spectacle, a cast of prima donnas with eye-popping secrets, and a killer ready for an on-camera encore, will Glory's debut be her last starring role?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Glory Wells returned home to her small southern town after her husband ruined her life and left her penniless.  She's using her skills as a former event planner to become a wedding planner, and has landed a cushy gig for a new reality show, planning an elaborate wedding for the winning couple.

But when she learns that one of the would-be grooms has a history with her neighbor Josie, who's on house arrest for an embezzlement she didn't do, it becomes a problem.  But it soon becomes a bigger problem when he's murdered, and the police focus on Josie as the killer.  Now it's up to Glory, her landlady Scoots, and Glory's over-the-top grandmother Beverlee to figure out who killed the man and why.  Unfortunately, Glory also has to deal with the fact that the show producer hired another wedding planner to help Glory -- her high school nightmare, Maggie.  Between figuring out how to keep two brides happy, keep Maggie from driving her crazy, and keep her friend out of prison, Glory might need a reality show of her own...

I can (proudly) say that I've never seen one reality show.  Not a single one.  I don't watch network television, so that helps, but I'm just not interested in watching other peoples' drama play out in front of me.  Saying that, I did enjoy the book.  If this is what reality shows are even remotely like, I've made the right choices.

The book starts with the film crew in the small town of Flat Falls, filming the final episodes in an unused warehouse, while they set the stage with 'make-believe' scenes.  It's Glory's job to coordinate a spectacular wedding for the winning couple, and she can't tell anyone anything about the show.  But soon Glory notices that what's going on behind the scenes is causing more havoc than anyone suspected.  When one of the grooms is killed, it's at first thought to be accidental until the police look closer.  But when he's murdered, her friend Josie comes under suspicion because she had the best motive.

I won't tell you why or how, since this is a new book and I really don't want to give too much away.  I will tell you that what follows is an olio of situations that all seem to fall back onto one person.  But, and this is a big but, you need to follow the clues, and closely.  It's easy to get lost in the humor and seriousness of the situation (both at the same time) and poor Glory isn't having an easy time of it.  The producer can't get her name right, Maggie is taking over the wedding, Josie's in big trouble, and Beverlee is is more concerned with her chicken Matilda than anything else.

Just when Glory thinks she's got it all figured out, another event occurs that skewers her ideas, and she's back to the drawing board.  When it all starts to come together, Glory's life could not only be in danger, but that of another person as well.  It's an unlikely source that helps her, and a very interesting climax that is rather funny while being sad at the same time.

When it all comes to a head and we discover he murderer, it does come as rather a surprise; no one knows what drives a person to murder, what pushes them over the edge; and perhaps we never will.  All in all, this was a very good book and kept me reading in one sitting.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Tying-Knot-Erin-Scoggins/dp/1953826024/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3802370498

More on Erin Scroggins' Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Scoggins/e/B08K3QN665/ref

Behind the Seams (A Crochet Mystery #6)

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book (LP; Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:  9780425241424

Berkley Publishing

304 Pages

$17.45; $7.99 Amazon

November 1, 2011

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Tarzana Hookers learn that the entertainment biz can be deadly.

The crochet group's informal leader, actress CeeCee Collins, has a movie out, and thanks to the Oscar buzz, she's scheduled to appear on the famous Barbara Olive Overton show.  Molly and the girls tag along, but when CeeCee's niece Nell -- a production assistant on the show -- is accused of poisoning one of the producers, Molly and the hookers must set aside their crochet projects to clear Nell's name.  And if they don't soon, someone else will be the next Hollywood headline.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works as an events coordinator for a local bookstore, and also belongs to their crocheting club, the Tarzana Hookers.  She reluctantly attends a program taping of a show that their celebrity member, CeeCee Collins, is going to be on, and unfortunately, it's because CeeCee has asked her to control another member, Adele.  It seems Adele isn't happy that the host of the show is going to be having another program about knitting being calming, and Adele would rather the woman learn to crochet instead.

When Adele causes a scene -- as everyone knew she would -- Molly gets caught up in the ruckus as she and Adele are escorted backstage for the rest of the duration.  But the woman watching them, Robyn,  isn't happy about her situation, and demands that the production assistant -- CeeCee's niece Nell -- bring her tea.  Then she demands that she bring her the special sweetener she uses, and when Robyn drops dead in front of them it isn't long before Nell is accused of murdering her.

A frantic CeeCee begs Molly to investigate and find the real murderer, and Molly finds herself secretly sleuthing again...but that's not the only thing going on: her private life is in havoc, too.  Her love interest, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, is pressuring her to get married, sell her home, and move into a condo.  Molly's hemming about it right now, but she knows she'll have to make a decision soon -- unless the killer finds her first, then the decision will be made for her...

This is the sixth book in the series and I've probably enjoyed it more than the rest.  It was a little more involved, with Molly's investigating front and center, and I liked that.  I also liked the fact that she can think fast, and doesn't put herself knowingly in situations that can harm her and she doesn't run head first without someone else there with her.

It also had Adele - Molly's one-time nemesis - opening up a little, and that was nice to see.  It was interesting to learn a little more about one of Molly's other co-workers.  I like this little insight into their lives, one at a time.  It makes you part of their "family."

The book also kept the murderer at bay, but I figured out who it was a lot earlier than Molly did; but then again, as I've stated before, I read a lot of mysteries so I can follow the clues pretty easily.  However, I did like the way the murderer was caught, and it was definitely a different take on catching a killer.  That being said, I will read the next in the series.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Seams-CROCHET-MYSTERY-Book-ebook/dp/B0052RE5QG/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3811429355

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

You Better Knot Die (A Crochet Mystery #5)

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audio Book Available)

ISBN #:  9780425244586

Berkley Publishing

304 Pages

$7.99; $7.99 Amazon

November 1, 2011

⭐⭐⭐

The bookstore where Molly Pink works is planning a huge party where the identity of a popular author will be revealed.  But before the author appears, another person disappears: the husband of Molly's neighbor.  When a suicide note arrives it seems the husband has jumped off the Catalina ferry.  Molly smells something fishy -- and she's soon hooked on unraveling another mystery.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works at a local bookstore as an events coordinator.  She's trying to put together an event nearing Christmas that involves a local author -- one who's identity thus far is unknown.  His vampire books are best sellers, and everyone is chomping at the bit to discover who he is.  None more than Molly's coworker Adele, who's convinced it's her boyfriend, William, a childrens' author.

But when Molly's next-door neighbor disappears leaving a suicide note, his wife Emily is devastated.  But then it's discovered that the man was running what appears to be a Ponzi scheme, taking money from others; some of those being Molly's friends and involving someone even closer to her.  While her boyfriend, homicide detective Barry Greenberg, tells her to stay out of the investigation, she knows she won't, and she and her best friend Dinah decide to do a little sleuthing on their own.  Now if they can just get the store event up and running on time, and catch a killer, then maybe their lives will go back to normal -- or not...

This is the fifth book in the series, and I think they've pretty much "evened out."  That is to say, Molly has found her niche, and there's not so much a love triangle, which I absolutely abhor.  The other thing that always grates on my nerves is the 'evil nemesis,' and I think (hope) Adele has come to her senses and will stop hounding Molly all the time.

The mystery was pretty decent, and kept us wondering throughout the book who the murderer was (because we know eventually there will be a murder).  It kept Molly and Dinah hopping, and even though Barry thought they were off the mark, there was another unexpected clue that kept them on the trail.

When the ending comes and we finally find out who the killer is, it does come as a bit of a surprise, which is actually a good thing.  It's also pretty much a surprise to find out who the author of the popular books is, and that's another good thing.  Still, the ending left a bit to be desired, urging us to read the next in the series (and I hate cliffhangers).

https://www.amazon.com/You-Better-Knot-Crochet-Mystery/dp/042524458X/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3798197588

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

A Stitch in Crime (A Crochet Mystery #4)wih

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9780425233108

Berkley Publishing

304 Pages

$7.99; $7.99 Amazon

February 2, 2010

⭐⭐⭐

Molly's been handed the reins for this year's creative retreat -- an exhilarating weekend out on the Monterey Peninsula, complete with crochet classes.  Unfortunately for one teacher, though, the breathtaking scenery is where she'll take her last breath.  Now Molly will have to find a new instructor, and, if she can squeeze it in, solve this murder -- with the help of her pals from the Tarzana Hookers.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a widow who works at a bookstore as the events coordinator.  Her boss, Mrs. Shedd, is taking a vacation and puts Molly in charge of the creative retreat on the Monterey Peninsula.  But it seems that there have been some changes from the original slate of people who were to be teachers, and Molly has some surprises in store.

She's also surprised when one of the teachers, Izabelle Landers, shows up ahead of time at the store to pick up her welcome packet.  When Molly's coworker Adele (who thinks she should have gotten Molly's job) fawns over Izabelle, everyone is embarrassed.  But after Izabelle leaves, Adele notices a piece of crochet she had made - showing a new stitch - has disappeared; and Molly tells her that one of the crocheters had probably picked it up by mistake.

When Molly arrives at the retreat, she's dismayed to find it more rustic than she thought: no TV, no phone, not even a restaurant; just a communal dining room.  Then a fog rolls in keeping guests from arriving (except for a brave few who made it through before the fog hit) and Molly finds herself trying to keep everyone occupied.  But the real trouble begins when a teacher is found dead and her death is ruled accidental.

Molly is suspicious that this might not have been an accident, and when the police refuse to look further, she decides to embark on an investigation of her own, with the help of her best friend Dinah.  When Molly starts getting closer to the truth, she'll be lucky if she can get out alive...

This is the fourth book in the series and I liked it better than the first three.  Molly has taken charge of the group of people at the resort without coming apart, and has decided to find out who killed the woman even if the police don't believe it was murder.  She's looking into the death and trying to find clues, and with Dinah's help, seems to somewhat be staying under the wire.  

She's also discovering quite a bit unsavory about the woman's past, which makes her wonder more which one of the people at the retreat had the most motive to want her dead.  The only unfortunate part was the fact that the reader isn't given any clues, so we don't really have the chance to figure out ourselves who the murderer might be.  I always like a clue here and there now and again, and this book didn't give any to us at all until the near end of the book.

When the ending comes and the murder is solved, it seemed rather a weak ending, but there is the promise of something new for Dinah and leaves us wondering what will happen with Molly in the next.

https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Crime-Crochet-Mystery/dp/0425233103/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3795648736

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

By Hook or By Crook (Crochet Mystery #3)

Author:  Betty Hechtman

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9780425228388

Berkley Publishing

272 Pages

$7.99; $7.99 Amazon

June 2, 2009

⭐⭐⭐

Molly Pink's crochet group has a new mystery on their hands when they find a paper bag that contains a note that speaks of remorse, a diary entry of the sorrow of parting, and a complicated piece of filet crochet that offers an obscure clue in pictures.  Things get even more complicated when they find the talented crocheter -- murdered by a box of poisoned marzipan apples.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Molly Pink is a forty-something widow who's been hired as an events coordinator at a local bookstore.  One day while finishing an outdoor sale for charity, Molly discovers a paper bag has been left that contains pictures done in filet crochet.  Curious enough to want to find the owner and what it all means, she sets out to do so.  But when she does find the woman, it's too late: she's already dead, and Molly has figured out the murder weapon.

But the police aren't taking her seriously, so she keeps searching to figure out the clues -- with the help of her crocheting friends.  On top of this, her parents have come to visit and turned her home into a music studio, and she's having second thoughts about her relationship with homicide detective Barry Greenberg.  But her main concern is who killed the woman and why...and will she stay alive long enough to figure it out?

This is the third book in the series and I've always had concerns about some things, but now they've come further into the forefront.  First off, Molly is concerned with her relationship with Barry because as a homicide detective, he's always out of town.  Why?  He's not a private investigator.  Homicide detectives don't travel from town to town investigating murders.  They work with other investigators in other towns, and unless it's necessary, they don't go from city to city for days on end.  Is he the only homicide detective in the state?  PI's travel; not so much homicide detectives.  You can learn that from any cop show on Discovery ID.  I get that they are always on the go in their own town, but they don't regularly travel out of state like Barry does -- and I also think the "surprise" pulled on Molly was an excuse and not a reason to break up, but more of a plot twist by the author to give us a reason to think they should.  Not buying that, either, considering he was never around enough for them to talk.

Honestly, I don't understand Molly's reluctance about relationships.  It's been said many times over that once you've had a great relationship, it's easier to go into another one than if you've had a bad one; and Molly's marriage was good, so why wouldn't she want marriage again?  Just my opinion, is all...

I also can't stand Adele and am really hoping she'll be the next victim.  The only thing more abhorrent than a love triangle is the 'evil nemesis' that pops up in books from time to time.  It's not needed to make a good book, and usually takes the pleasure out of reading it...and Molly has two: Adele and Detective Heather.  Seriously?

I will say that I like Molly's rapport with Dinah, and I think the mystery was done well.  There were clues throughout and trying to put them together was interesting, while watching how Molly went about it.  When she figured out who the murderer was and the reason why, it seemed believable, even though I can never understand how one person can kill another and just walk away from it.  Ah, well.

As it is, I will read the next in the series to see if Molly gets her life together.  At least the mysteries are good.

https://www.amazon.com/Hook-Crook-CROCHET-MYSTERY-Book-ebook/dp/B0026Q7ZX6/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3789590190

More on Betty Hechtman's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/betty-hechtman/

The Sommelier's Cookbook: Recipes and Wine Pairings for Discerning Palates

Author:  Joanie Me҆tivier

Genre:  Cookbooks

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781647398095

Rockridge Press

254 Pages

$16.40; $6.99 Amazon

September 29, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As every wine-lover knows, a great bottle of wine becomes sublime when paired with the right food, and the right pour can elevate the simplest of meals.  With wine, as with life, finding this kind of harmony can be tricky, but wine pairing isn't kismet -- it's knowledge.  All you need is the right guide.

Like an in-house sommelier, you're celebrating a special occasion or ordering pizza.  First, learn what makes for a good pairing.  Next, flip to extensive information on more than 60 wine types and blends, including beloved classics, trendy natural wines, and less-common (but delicious) wines like Assyrtiko.  Then, 75 easy but elevated recipes help you pout this knowledge into action, with brunch, appetizers, and show-stopping main dishes.  Whether you're in the mood for a knockout like Berry-Glazed Duck Breasts or a simple Grilled Fruit Caprese Salad with White Balsamic Vinegar, this book has you covered.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

I wanted this book because the recipes sound delicious.  However, in full disclosure, I don't drink.  At all.  But, I have a friend who loves wine and hates to cook, so there you go.  Problem solved and we're on our way.  I make the dishes, he pairs the suggested wine.

The recipes are easy to follow, as in Cornish Hens with Figs & Walnuts (paired with Delicate Reds) and the response was positive.  (One meal down).  Then Beef Empanadas (with Powerful Reds).  You will find in this book more wonderful entrees like this, and many desserts and appetizers, and even Pizza Margerhita, which I love.  So far, everything has blended perfectly, and the author has gotten kudos from my friend.

We have plans to go through the book and make as many dishes as I desire, and he will supply the wine.  This is a well-thought-out book that has dishes to appeal to any palate, and the wine pairings go perfectly so far.  The author also has an extensive list of the different types of wine; and even tips on cooking with wine.  The lists are helpful in discovering new wines and getting refamiliarized with the old.  

This is a great cookbook and can be used for a meal at home or entertaining with ease.  I would definitely recommend this book to others.

https://www.amazon.com/Sommeliers-Cookbook-Recipes-Pairings-Discerning/dp/1647398096/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3787248265

Hunt the Judge (A Boarding Case Mystery #5)

Author:  Laura Greene

Genre:   Mystery/Suspense

Digital Book

ASIN #:  B08RCW3JTG

Independent Publishing

50 Pages

$.99 Amazon

January 21, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is not good.  This is really not good.

With no time to waste, Agent Tina James must rush to find the chaplain.  A slew of clues leave her deadlocked in her search.  But one key piece of evidence culminates the case to a deadly finish in this spectacular finale to the series.

Find out if Agent James can save her school, her love and her life.  This jaw-dropping conclusion will reveal it all.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

In the finale to the series, Agent Tina James is on the trail of a devious killer who has taken the lives of young girls and has no qualms about doing it again.  The murderer, knowing that she is onto them, sets a trap that might end Agent James' career and life.

But Tina must first find the kidnapped chaplain.  Or was he?  All she knows is Nick has disappeared, and she's in a rush to find him before he's killed.  She's sure he's not involved, but where could he be?  She needs to use all her wits and follow clues if she's to find him alive...

As I mentioned above, this is the finale to the Boarding Case Mysteries, and it ends the series nicely, with questions answered and a murderer apprehended (as we know they must be, after all).  What follows is a solid ending to the series, and one worth reading.  I enjoyed it highly and recommend it to others.

https://www.amazon.com/Hunt-Judge-Boarding-Case-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08RCW3JTG/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3783018312

More on Laura Greene's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/g/laura-greene/

On Borrowed Crime (A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery #1)

Author:  Kate Young

Genre:   Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book; [Audio CD]

ISBN #:  9781643854625

Crooked Lane Books

311 Pages

$18.47; $12.99; [$24.99] Amazon

October 6, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lyla Moody loves her sleepy little town of Sweet Mountain, Georgia.  She likes her job as a receptionist for her uncle's private investigative firm, her fellow true crime obsessed Jane Doe members are the friends she's always wanted, and her parents just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.  But recently, with her best friend Melanie on vacation, and her ex-boyfriend and horrible cousin becoming an item and moving in next door to her, her idyllic life is on the fritz.  The cherry on top of it all is finding Carol, a member of the club, dead and shoved into a suitcase, left at Lyla's front door.

Unusual circumstances notwithstanding, with Carol's heart condition, the coroner rules Carol's death undetermined.  But when they discover the suitcase belongs to Melanie, who had returned from her vacation the following morning. Sweet Mountain police begin to suspect Lyla's best friend.  Determined that police are following the wrong trail, to clear her friend's name, and to not allow Carol to become one of the club's studied cold cases, Lyla begins to seek out the real killer.  That is, until she becomes the one sought after.  Now, finding the truth could turn her into the killer's next plot twist, unless she wins the game of cat and mouse.                                  

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lyla Moody lives in small town Sweet Mountain, Georgia and works for her Uncle Calvin, who's a retired cop and now a private investigator.  She's always been interested in true crime, but since nothing ever happens where she lives, she belongs to the Jane Doe Book Club, where the members read mysteries and discuss them.  

One evening after work she's stunned to see her ex-boyfriend Kevin, along with her horrible cousin moving in across the complex from her.  As if that weren't enough, her friend Melanie is still on vacation with half her own clothes.  But when she finds what she thinks is Melanie's suitcase outside her door, she hauls it inside.  The next morning Melanie shows up at her door, and they both realize there's a terrible smell coming from the suitcase.  What they find inside is the body of their friend Carol Timms -- and then everything happens:  why would someone do this?  Why would they leave her in front of Lyla's apartment?  Why is Lyla receiving cryptic messages similar to the last book they read?  

Not to mention, her father becomes semi-involved, her mother is having a breakdown, and Carol's husband, Judge Timms, wants Lyla to investigate, thinking she's becoming a private investigator herself.  When Lyla agrees, everything goes haywire.  Now Lyla is in the middle of a murder, and she just might be the next victim...

This is the first book in a new series by Kate Young, and I have to say that I absolutely loved it.  There was plenty of action all the time, and the only thing that bothered me is the fact that Lyla is too busy trying to tell herself that she's better than men -- she doesn't need one, she's independent, she can take care of herself, etc. -- that she misses the big picture.  Maybe if she just stopped and sat back the right man would come along that understands her desire to solve cold cases.  I guess we'll see in the next book.

Anyway, that notwithstanding, Lyla is a fairly smart woman who is able to think quickly which helps in keeping her out of danger.  She manages to find the clues she needs to put everything together, and while this book isn't what I would call a true cozy, it still keeps one interested right through the ending.

Although I figured out who the murderer was before Lyla did, it was still intriguing to watch her as she figured it all out.  Ms. Young writes with a flair that pulls the reader in while making the characters almost leap off the page.  They are animated and believable, and that is what a book is supposed to do.

When we come to the ending, it gives us a sense of satisfaction as there are no cliffhangers, which I absolutely abhor; and leaves us waiting eagerly for the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Borrowed-Crime-Jane-Book-Mystery/dp/1643854623/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3785005023

More on Kate Young's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/y/kate-young/

Knitty Gritty Murder (A Knit & Nibble Mystery Book 7)

Author:  Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #: 9781496733894

Kensington Publishing

288 Pages

$8.99; $7.69 Amazon

March 30, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Most times of the year, the tight-knit community gardens in quaint Arborville, New Jersey, overflow with seasonal vegetables and herbs.  But who planted the dead body?  Farm-to-table enthusiast Jenny Miller had a cookbook in the works when she was suddenly found strangled by a circular knitting needle in her own plot.  Now, the pressure is on Pamela and her neighbor Bettina as they weave together clues in search of the person who kept Jenny's renowned heirloom plants -- and budding career -- from growing.  With suspects and victims cropping up like weeds, it'll take a whole lot more than green thumbs and creative minds this spring to entangle the crafty culprit...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Pamela Paterson lives in Arborville, New Jersey and works for a crafts magazine doing online editing of articles.  Her daughter Penny is finishing college in Massachusetts, but has returned home on break.  Pamela also has two cats, Catrina and Ginger, that keep her company when Penny's gone.

She also started the Knit & Nibble group, where a group of knitters meet once a week at rotating homes to work on their projects and enjoy a dessert made by the host.  But the talk this week centers on the death of gardener -- and hopeful cookbook writer -- Jenny Miller, who was strangled with a circular knitting needle.  Even though everyone wants Pamela and her best friend Bettina to stay out of the investigation, Bettina, who is a reporter for the weekly newspaper, can't do so, and Pamela, as her best friend, has an innate curiosity that always gets her involved in these things.

At first they have no idea who would want the woman dead, but when they speak to other members of the community garden where she had her plot, it seems she wasn't well-liked.  Even though any one of them could have done the deed, Bettina and Pamela have no proof and no idea.  Without help from the local police, they're determined to discover who wanted Jenny permanently planted underground...

This is the seventh book in the series, and I have to say that in ways it might have been the best.  There was less mention of everyone's dinnerware sets, and since we really don't care about what everyone is using to eat on, it actually helped in the book.  Unfortunately, there were still pages upon pages of every single item Pamela cooked and how long it took her to cook and assemble.  I really don't care, and just skimmed over every single recipe instruction.

However, the mystery itself was interesting in the fact of the murder weapon was different.  I did enjoy the addition of the other cat, poor thing; and that Pamela is finally moving forward in her life.  It added to the story line.  We still have the other characters who are regulars, and Penny, who startles her mother into making a decision (read the book and you will see what it is!).  

Aside from this, I liked this installment to the story, and since it has morphed into something truly delightful, I will continue to read it.  When the ending comes and the killer is revealed, it's rather sad what drove this person to commit murder, but with an unhinged mind one can't reason.  I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

https://www.amazon.com/Knitty-Gritty-Murder-Nibble-Mystery/dp/1496733894/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3780747113

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Astrology for Life: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Wisdom in the Stars

Author:  Nina Kahn

Genre:   Astrology/Reference

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781250271068

Castle Point Books

320 Pages

$19.36; $12.99 Amazon

November 10, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Graduate from daily horoscopes and dive into a deeper understanding of astrology with this user-friendly tell-all guide to the cosmos.  Astrology for Life spills the tea on our celestial neighbors: the Sun, Moon, and planets (plus all twelve zodiac signs) so you can get to know their quirky personalities and use their energies to your advantage every day.  Learn your way around a birth chart and get the lowdown on nodes, aspects, degrees, decans, Moon signs, rising signs, retrogrades, eclipses, and more!  Most importantly, discover how to use planetary transits to step up your career game, find love, take better care of yourself, crush your goals, and life your most magical life.

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First, full disclosure:  I have been casting charts since I turned twenty, so I know a little bit about Astrology.  Having said that, I've gone through this book completely, which took awhile, since I was comparing my own chart against the information given.

I will say that this author has definitely done her homework.  The book is chock full of interesting tidbits that people can read (shown in little boxes throughout); she gives astrological information in concise, lengthy explanations that people can understand.  Oftentimes, authors will write in confusing text to a lot of people; not so in this book.

I like the fact that she not only explains the zodiac signs to others, but she explains what the rest of your chart means, and the passing transits as well.  The only drawback is the type itself:  It's in a grayish hue, which is difficult to read in some lighting, and the orange was perhaps not the best color for the same reason.  However, if you use LED lighting, it makes it easier to see without straining your eyes.

Other than this, I would suggest that others interested in Astrology give this book a go; at the very least you'll have fun discovering things about yourself.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Astrology-Life-Ultimate-Finding-Wisdom/dp/1250271061/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3778319240

More on Nina Kahn's Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Nina-Kahn/e/B08PVXXJLT/ref

Easy Home Cooking: Classic Recipes That Prep in 15 Minutes

Author:  Linda Larsen

Genre:  Cooking

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781647398668

Rockridge Press

156 Pages

$12.49; $6.99 Amazon

October 13, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Everyone knows that cooking meals at home is the best way to save money and eat fresh, but after a long day of juggling responsibilities, that's often easier said than done.  With Easy Home Cooking, you can simplify your routine and enjoy home-cooked meals packed with flavor and nutrition - easily.  You'll find a tasty mix of 100 familiar favorites and creative, modern dishes - all of which take only 15 minutes or less to prepare for cooking.

Learn how to navigate the kitchen confidently with beginner-friendly recipes like Cheesy Potato Hash, Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches, and Ravioli Lasagna that use simple, everyday ingredients you can find at your local grocery store.  Who knew home-cooked comfort foods could be so convenient and quick.

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I love cooking and baking, and own hundreds of cookbooks.  But after many years of elaborate meals, I've been looking for shortcuts to things I love to make.  I will say first that the big drawback to this cookbook is that there are very few pictures of items - you pretty much have to decide what it will look like yourself.  There are a few pictures, but like others have mentioned, pictures of the completed dishes would be nice to see.

Saying that, I found that the recipes included do indeed sound tasty.  Many of the dishes, though, are not for the calorie-conscious, and use high-fat items such as cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream.  In this you'll have to decide if you think the ends justify the means.

The Baked Meatball Stew sounds delicious, as does the Chicken Cacciatore and the Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf.  There are also salads, vegetarian dishes, and even desserts. While like most I won't make every recipe in this book, there are a hearty listing of those I will definitely make.  This is a very good cookbook for both beginner and seasoned cooks like myself who just want to make something easy once in a while.  I would definitely recommend this cookbook to others.

https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Home-Cooking-Classic-Recipes/dp/1647398665/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3773773400

More on Linda Larsen's Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Larsen/e/B001ITX2H0/ref

Pies That Inspire (50 Recipes for Creative and Modern Flavor Combinations)

Author:  Saura Kline

Genre:   Cookbooks

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781647399931

Rockridge Press

154 Pages

$14.99; $6.99 Amazon

December 22, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐

There's no better way to sweeten a celebration than with a heavenly slice of homemade pie.  This book modernizes tried-and-true flavors with recipes like Maple-Apple Pie with Bacon Streusel, transforming the average slice into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Discover everything you need to know about baking up delightfully inventive pies:  tools of the pie-making trade, rolling and decorating techniques, and fundamental ingredients.  Refresh your knowledge on handling dough and blind baking, and avoid pie-making pitfalls with troubleshooting tips.  Get rolling with recipes for flaky, foolproof crusts.  Then, try your hand at deliciously innovative pies such as Chocolate and Potato Chip Pie and Beer Cheese Hand Pies.

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I wanted to get this book because both my husband and myself are 'pie people.'  (There are cake people and pie people, those who will eat both but prefer one over the other).  I've baked many a pie over the years, and have no problem trying new ones.

Indeed, this book is filled with pies that have their own twist on old standards, as one will find by reading it.  I especially like the Blueberry-Mint Pie with Lemon-Ricotta Whipped Cream, and the Black-Bottom Pecan Pie.  There are also quite a few hand pies I will try, and even a new recipe for pizza dough that sounds appetizing.

However, to me there are also those that sound unappetizing as well.  A pie with cereal or caramel corn toppings?  A hard pass for me.  They seem too much like, 'what do I have in the pantry that I can throw on top?' and I will never make them.  But then again, someone besides the author might do so, so it is your choice.

There are also several crusts, including a gluten-free one, which is nicely added; chapters on baking must-haves and troubleshooting.  These are always nice to see in a cookbook, for both new and seasoned bakers.  I will definitely say that the author has done quite a bit to enhance the standards of pie, as I call them, and has given them a new twist.  

But, and this is a big BUT, a lot of these pies are time-consuming and don't use ingredients you'd have on hand.  There are very few that will take a short time to create.  I would say that if you're a new baker, give this book a pass unless you have the time and patience to create a pie with a lot of steps and a lot of ingredients.  You won't find that here.

https://www.amazon.com/Pies-That-Inspire-Creative-Combinations/dp/1647399939/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3771371675

More on Saura Kline's Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Saura-Kline/e/B07YCPZ248/ref

Knit of the Living Dead (A Knit & Nibble Mystery #6)

Author:  Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book; Audiobook

ISBN #:  9781496723659

Kensington Publishing

285 Pages

$7.99; $6.89 Amazon

August 25, 2020

⭐⭐⭐

Among the countless revelers at the town's much-anticipated Halloween parade, a woman dressed as Little Bo Peep is the only one making people scream bloody murder.  In a scene straight out of a horror movie, the Knit and Nibblers find the nursery rhyme character dead with thick strands of yarn looped around her neck.  Pamela and her best friend, Bettina, are set on pinning down who wanted the woman gone forever, but it'll take every trick they can muster to catch the culprit without becoming the next poor souls to join Little Bo Peep's dark, endless sleep...

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Pamela Paterson lives in Arborville, New Jersey and works for a magazine editing articles online.  Her daughter attends college in Massachusetts, so it's only her and her two cats, Catrina and Ginger.  She's attending a Halloween evening out complete with bonfire, and all her friends are dressed in costume.  But when she and her friend Bettina Fraser hear a female screaming, they follow the voice and come across a dead woman.  Another friend, Nell, assumes it's her neighbor Mary Lyon, because of the distinctive costume.

But when it's discovered that it's indeed a stranger, they start to wonder if Mary wasn't supposed to be the real victim.  What can they do except warn Mary that someone might actually be after her.  When she doesn't pay any attention to them, they worry but decide to leave it to the police.  That is, until something else happens and now there are more worries than  one...

I know; I said I wasn't going to read any more of these, but I figured since I'd already purchased them I may as well go ahead and finish.  Actually, once you skip all the parts about eating and dinnerware, the book goes really fast, so there's that.  Reading them together as I have, I got tired after book two about how Pamela uses her wedding china, and the color and shape of every dish every piece of food is served on (including the diner, where they use oval plates (does anyone really care?)

There is one thing that grossed me out though; Pamela mentions not once, but twice, how she's been wearing the same clothes all week.  Eeeww.  Does she have a washing machine?  Other clothes?  It's bad enough she doesn't care about her physical appearance (yet has time to comment on her friends' looks), but now not caring how wrinkled her clothes are getting?  Seriously?  Sorry, but I really don't go for bad hygiene, and not changing your clothes falls into that category, even if you work at home (I do, and trust me, I'll wear the same pair of jeans two days, but never more than that).  Then there's the fact that she didn't want Richard, but now that he has someone else suddenly he's desirable?  Yeah, how's that working for her?  So Pamela is really going downhill in my eyes, in all areas.  

I also didn't like the fact that she was describing college professors;  the men are professional, as in wearing suits and ties, but the women all have grey hair, wear clothes that have no form and wear no makeup.  What college is this? 

Other than this, the plot was pretty decent, and even though I knew who the murderer was early on, it was still interesting to see how Pamela came to that conclusion.  However, I really began to wonder how inept the police in this town were a couple of books ago, because there's never any police presence - except at the initial murder scene.  We never see them question anyone; we get all our information secondhand through Bettina.  They're never on top of the case and they're never anywhere at all where there might be trouble.  What kind of police department is this?

So naturally, Pamela plays both detective and police department, getting the person to admit to her they committed the murder and then holding them until police arrive.  You'd think the police would be embarrassed by this, but since they take all the credit, they never are.   Well, you get my drift about this series, I hope..

This is my least favorite in the series, but since there's only one more to read, I will probably go ahead and do so, and see if the author has decided to allow Pamela to do laundry.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Knit-Living-Dead-Nibble-Mystery/dp/1496723651/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3776394264

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Jayne Mansfield: The Girl Couldn't Help It

Author:  Eve Golden

Genre:  Biography

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9780813180953

University of Kentucky Press

452 Pages

$34.95; $33.20 Amazon

May 6, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jayne Mansfield (1933-1967) was driven not just to be an actress but to be a star.  One of the most iconic sex symbols of her time, she was known for her platinum blonde hair, hourglass figure, outrageously low necklines, and flamboyant lifestyle.  Hardworking and ambitious, Mansfield proved early in her career that she was adept in both comic and dramatic roles, but her tenacious search for the spotlight and her risqué promotional stunts caused her to be increasingly snubbed in Hollywood.

In this joyful biography, the first definitive one of Mansfield, Eve Golden reveals the star that Andy Warhol called "the poet of publicity" as a smart, determined woman.  While she always had her sights set on the silver screen, Mansfield got her start as Rita Marlowe in the Broadway show Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?  She made her film debut in the low-budget drama Female Jungle (1955) before landing the starring role in The Girl Can't Help It (1956).  Mansfield followed this success with a dramatic role in The Wayward Bus (1957), winning a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year, and starred alongside Cary Grant in Kiss Them for Me (1957).  Despite her popularity, her appearance as the first celebrity in Playboy and her nude scene in Promises! Promises! (1963) cemented her reputation as an outsider.

Golden looks beyond Mansfield's flashy public image and tragic death to fully explore her life and legacy.  This funny, engaging biography offers a nuanced portrait of a fascinating woman who loved every minute of life and lived every minute to the utmost.

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I am a huge classic film fan and own thousands of them.  I also own hundreds of biographies of Hollywood actors, directors, studios, etc.  I'm not interested in the actors of today, mostly because I watched those films with my parents.  So I am of course eager to get my hands on anything written about actors from the past.  Therefore, I wanted to read this biography.

Much has been written about actress Jayne Mansfield, but I've never thought anything had given her any justice.  Eve Golden is a prolific author who has written other Hollywood biographies, and I've found her to be a fair judge and not biased on one side or the other.  

Jayne Mansfield was an enigma.  She wanted it all: marriage, motherhood, and utter Stardom.  She tried to have it all, and failed so miserably, but never conceded that she did.  She was a lovely person, both lovely in face and in her treatment of others, but was never taken seriously. Perhaps it's because she was given terrible scripts and offers; perhaps it's because she herself was at fault.  I first saw her many, many years ago in a film called The Girl Can't Help It, and thought she was delightful.  In that film, her gangster boyfriend wanted her to be a star, but all she wanted was a home and family.  Maybe this is what should have happened to her in real life, but it was not meant to be.

She had a kind nature and while true stardom eluded her, she signed every object fans thrust in front of her.  She talked to all reporters, even though they trashed everything she did and spoke badly of her.  She went on tours, both to plug films and see the soldiers overseas.  Jayne never landed in one place for any length of time, dragging both children and pets (and even husbands) with her.  

When she died, reporters tried to make it lurid stories to sell papers.  Lies were told, and to this day there are people that still believe them.  She was thirty-four years old, still beautiful and young, like her fellow actors who died young - Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow.  But while they achieved their own brand of stardom, Jayne never achieved hers until after her death.  It's a sad commentary.

I will say I was at first skeptical of this biography when Ms. Golden quoted a Bob Hope film - The Lemon Drop Kid - as being a western.  It's not; he plays a con artist and the movie takes place during the Christmas season.  I watch it every year during the holidays.  So, you can see why I was skeptical.  But I found the rest of her information quite well researched and quotes from Jayne's family accompany this.  

This is a hefty book that delves into Jayne's birth and upbringing; her need to have a man in her life at all times - perhaps because she craved love as well as adoration? - and her struggle to make a name for herself in Hollywood.  It's well-researched, goes into great length of a recounting of Jayne's film, stage, etc., appearances and what the result of those were.  Not only were reporters cruel, but other actors and studio executives.  Yet Jayne never had an unkind word to say about anyone. 

She was also educated, played two instruments and spoke several languages.  She loved children and animals.  It makes one think when you read this.  You get an insight into who the woman really was.  She wasn't perfect; no one is nor can they aspire to be so.  But when you cease reading this book, you think how nice it would have been to sit and talk with her.  But since that's impossible, you can still read the book.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Jayne-Mansfield-Couldnt-Screen-Classics/dp/0813180953/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3769481344

More on Eve Golden's Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Eve-Golden/e/B000APSXOA/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief

Author:  April Snow, LMFT

Genre:   Self-Help

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781647398040

Rockridge Press

196 Pages

$13.79; $9.99 Amazon

December 8, 2020

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mindfulness is a powerful and proven method for reducing stress and its negative health effects.  Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief shows you how to relieve tension and find calm using soothing, restorative techniques like meditation, non-judgment, self-inquiry, and mind-body awareness.

Featuring helpful exercises and simple meditations, this hands-on stress management workbook delivers a wide variety of effective mindfulness tools that you can add to your self-care toolbox, such as breath awareness, body scans, mindful walking, and more.

Practical & Actionable.  With a beginner-friendly focus, the book covers a spectrum of everyday situations and science-based solutions.

Evidence-Based Approach.  Explore engaging mindfulness-based stress reduction exercises that are proven to help relieve stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep issues.

Situational Success.  Learn how to address stress triggers in many areas of daily life, such as relationships, work, and beyond.

Take a deep breath and begin your practice today with this evidence-based mindfulness workbook.

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I ordered this book because I have found myself living a life with heavy stress.  Without going into deep detail, let's just say that there was an operation with every complication imaginable that I am still recovering from; and once my doctor told my husband and myself that there was to be no stress of any kind in my life, I knew I had to find something to help me stay relaxed.

While I was skeptical, I found that the exercises in this book do truly help me.  I've practiced most of them, and found the simplest to work the best.  There are also mini-questionnaires that you can read and respond to, if you like.  While I've never been fond of questionnaires of any kind, the one that struck me was writing a journal without using judgmental words.  One finds out quickly how we judge things in our lives and even ourselves.  I have learned to tread softly in my life, to relax more, and to stay focused on just the day.  

While there is nothing such as a 'miracle cure' to anything, I believe that this book will help others to relax and let go of stress in their life.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Workbook-Stress-Relief-Non-Judgment/dp/1647398045/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3761791251

More on April Snow:  https://www.amazon.com/April-Snow-LMFT/e/B08MHV1NQQ/ref

A Fatal Yarn (A Knit & Nibble Mystery #5)

Author:  Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781496723642

Kensington Publishing

236 Pages

$7.99; $.99 (sale) Amazon

March 31, 2020

⭐⭐

The trees in Arborville, New Jersey, have started sporting sweaters.  Part of the trend of public knitting art?  Not exactly.  An anonymous activist has been wrapping trunks in yarn to cover red X's that mark certain trees for removal by the town so they don't interfere with power lines.  When the town's mayor -- who supports cutting down the trees -- is murdered, Pamela wonders if the tree hugger committed homicide to prevent arborcide.  A knitter is arrested, but it's one of Knit and Nibble's own -- the harmless Roland DeCamp, who was seen arguing with the mayor.  Pamela is sure the police are barking up the wrong tree.  With the help of her reporter friend Bettina, she branches off on her own investigation to root out the real killer...

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Pamela Paterson is a widow living in Arborville, New Jersey.  She works from home for a craft magazine, and is the creator of the Knit and Nibble group, which are people who go from home to home each week with their knitting projects, and the host feeds the "nibbles."  She's wondering who's putting knitted sweaters on trees, but when the mayor is suddenly murdered, the trees take a back seat to her looking into who had motive to kill him, since the person who was arrested is the knitters' own Roland DeCamp, the sole male and quietest of the group.  Now Pamela and her best friend Bettina Fraser, who is a newspaper reporter, are on the trail of a killer...

This is the fifth book in the series and I have to say it's the weakest.  There were things that bothered me aside from the usual, which is the incessant rattling on of what everyone is eating and wearing.  Our protagonist, Pamela, doesn't fall into the "wearing" category because she never wears anything but jeans and cotton tops.  How boring.  So naturally, she's always mentally commenting on Bettina's scarlet hair (not found in nature) and clothing.  Nothing like constantly critiquing your best friend, right?

I've pretty much had it with this series.  Besides what I've mentioned above (and in other reviews on other books of this author), Pamela doesn't appear to be as smart as she's made out to be.  She's been a widow for seven years, but isn't ready to date again?  Does she believe her late husband wants her to be alone the rest of her life?  And I don't think much of a man who will give away his pet because his new girlfriend is superstitious.  What happens if the relationship doesn't work?  Now his beloved pet isn't there, either.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  Both of them.  My own opinion, people.

I also get tired of the fact that there are no clues leading to the identity of the murderer, but Pamela puts it together like that!...and the conclusion is there.  It seems that the author is more concerned with what everyone is eating, wearing, and what dishes they're using to serve on, etc., than the murder or the solving of it.  (I also get tired of Nell looking down on people who eat sugar and criticizing them for it.  It is none of her business what other people eat). 

When my eyes stopped glazing over, I had finished the book. I've read five of these, but I can't say that I will read any more of them.

https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Yarn-Knit-Nibble-Mystery/dp/1496723643/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3753139309

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit (A Knit & Nibble Mystery #4)

Author:  Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781496723635

Kensington Publishing

288 Pages

$7.99; $1.99 Amazon

October 29, 2019

⭐⭐⭐

Pamela has been in merry spirits since her artsy daughter Penny returned home from college for the holidays.  But their mother-daughter bonding time gets cut short when a terrified Penny stumbles upon the dumped body of Millicent Farthingale, a wealthy craft shop owner who was popular for all the wrong reasons.  From a scheming business partner to a seedy husband several years her junior, Millicent attracted scammers so in love with her assets, they'd toss her down a chimney to get their paws on them.  Now, with only a hand-knit red scarf connecting the killer to the crime, Pamela and the Knit and Nibblers could use some extra creativity as they find out who's really naughty or nice in Arborville -- because going up against a looming culprit is DIY or die!

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Pamela Paterson is getting ready for Christmas with her daughter Penny, who is home from college for the holidays.  But things aren't very merry when she receives a frantic phone call -- Penny has found the body of a local craft store owner in a nature preserve where she was sketching.

When Pamela and her best friend Bettina, who is a reporter for the weekly newspaper The Advocate, get involved, they know there's a killer out there and they're determined to find out who it is.  But just questioning people isn't going anywhere, and the dead woman's husband might have a motive but he also has an alibi.  Now they have a couple of others to focus on, but they haven't ruled him out.  

They're also trying to get ready for Christmas, with wrapping last-minute gifts and planning parties, and Pamela has been cooking up a storm.  When one of the suspects suddenly turns up closer than Pamela would like, she's on the hunt to figure it out.  But will she be able to do it before the holidays are over?

This is the fourth book in the series, and I honestly don't know why I'm continuing on with it.  I guess because I bought the books, I tell myself I should finish them.

The main problem with the books is the fact that people are rarely knitting.  They're always eating.  And we get long, detailed descriptions of what they're eating.  Over and over.  We know that Pamela loves whole-grain bread, because she tells us every time she has a slice.  We also know she drinks tons of coffee.  There were over four pages detailing every step of making the poppy seed cake.  Why?  Why are we told in every single book about Pamela's wedding china?  About Bettina's sage green dishes?  Do we really care?  Who does that?  We're told about Bettina's pumpkin-colored coat numerous times.  It's as if the author needed a heavy word count.  The result?  Very little time was spent on the mystery.

To top it off, there were no clues apparent to us on who the murderer might be, until after they were discovered and Pamela explained it -- and we wouldn't have figured it out anyway!  Not with that one clue.  Why didn't the police get closer to the killer?  They never do, and they're inept in these books.  There is no detective presence at all, just Bettina relaying messages.  

In the end, this book gave us exactly what all the other books have done: unanswered questions as to what happened to various characters.  It's as annoying as Nell, who disapproves of anyone eating anything that isn't healthy.  (None of her business, and she shouldn't spout it off to people).  What others eat isn't anyone's business but their own.  (No, I don't want to see people gorge themselves, but not my circus, not my monkeys).

I know this sounds like a rant, but I wish there were more murder clues and less descriptions of food and dinnerware.  Saying that, when the killer was discovered, it came as a surprise, because...there were no clues.  Ah, well.  I guess I'll just go have a cup of coffee, with cream, in my pretty red reindeer mug and have a slice of homemade banana swirl bread on a blue-rimmed plate...

https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Knit-Deadly-Nibble-Mystery/dp/1496723635/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3750520001

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/

Knit One, Die Two (A Knit & Nibble Mystery #3)

Author:  Peggy Ehrhart

Genre:   Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:  9781496713315

Kensington Publishing

288 Pages

$7.99; $1.99 Amazon

April 30, 2019

⭐⭐⭐

Knit and Nibble's numbers are growing!  In addition to a litter of adorable kittens, the knitting club just welcomed their newest member, Caralee Lorimer, who's learning to knit for her upcoming role in A Tale of Two Cities.  According to the amateur actress, the behind-the-scenes drama at hte theater is getting downright catty, and Caralee wants a reckoning for Arborville's pretentious suburbanites.  Her claws are out, and just like her character inthe play, Caralee is ready to name names.  But before she can finish her snitchy stitches, Caralee is killed in a suspicious theater accident.  Someone thinks they've staged a perfect murder, but Pamela and her Knit and Nibblers are ready to pounce on the real killer...before it's curtains for anyone else!

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Pamela Paterson is a widow who lives in Arborville, New Jersey and does online editing for a craft magazine.  She started the Knit and Nibble knitting club, and they have a new member - Caralee Lorimer, an actress who's learning to knit for her role in A Tale of Two Cities.  But it's not long before they hear of an accident at the theater, and Caralee is found dead.  But both Pamela and her best friend Bettina think it was murder, and set out to find the truth.  Unfortunately, it's not going to be easy, and their suspects all have a reason to want the woman dead...

This is the third book in the series and I've actually been reading them in order.  I guess my main problem with it is I don't understand the author's obsession with dinnerware and food.  She needs to describe each plate that is used by each member of the club -- whether it's wedding china or thrift store finds, and then every dish that is made and served is described in innumerable sentences.  Honestly, I don't care who serves what on which dish.  Unless it's the murder weapon, what does it matter?  It's pages of the story that don't need to be there, and takes away from the mystery.  That and the fact that we're told every single thing that Bettina wears and all Pamela ever wears is jeans and a cotton top.

Pamela isn't quite forty, but she acts much older.  She doesn't act like an amateur sleuth, but more like a nosy neighbor.  She doesn't have the "sleuthing qualities" that I've come to love in most cozies, and she's just nosy enough to want to know what is going on, including wondering about where her handsome neighbor is, but not enough to find out.  

Then, she has six kittens to "dispose of."  I say that because she obviously knows nothing about kittens or cats.  As a lifetime cat owner, you don't dispose of kittens by giving them away to just anyone (for the record, I spay and neuter my cats).  Where was the mention of taking them to the vet?  Was she planning on giving them their first shots?  Did she care if they were immunized?  Even if she didn't plan on the kittens, she should have been a responsible pet owner.  Make sure the cats will be well cared for and kept indoors.  I'd rather read about this than someone's wedding china.  Enough of my rant...

Back to the story: trying to figure out who killed Caralee.  When it's discovered that she left clues behind, both Pamela and Bettina decide to look further for a killer.  They come across several suspects, and they try and figure out what it was that Caralee was trying to say.  What they did find was that Caralee hated Arborville, and some of the people in it.  She wasn't a likeable person at all in my book.

When the ending comes and the killer is revealed, I had it figured out before that, but the motive wasn't worth killing for, in my opinion.  The author also did what she did in the last book -- left questions unanswered that I would have liked to have known, leaving me feeling as if the food mattered more than resolutions to some of the questionable characters.  But ah, well...I don't expect them to be told in the next book, either.

https://www.amazon.com/Knit-One-Nibble-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B07G6RYBLH/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3749743737

More on Peggy Ehrhart's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/peggy-ehrhart/