The Postman Always Purls Twice

April 13, 2015
In Canadeoâs appealing seventh Black Sheep Knitting mystery (after 2014âs A Dark and Stormy Knit), empty-nest widow Maggie Messina and her friends are almost dropping stitches in excitement over a Hollywood film being shot in Plum Harbor, Mass. Maggieâs Black Sheep Knitting Shop will serve as a location for scenes in the movie, and the group all hope to see the starring actress, Jennifer Todd, a local girl who shares their favorite hobbyâknitting. Before filming begins, they are welcomed and even invited to sit in as extras, and thus are in a position to witness a bizarre accident that almost takes Todd out of the limelight. Later, when a poisoner strikes, the whole film is put in jeopardy. The well-knit plot, which includes several red herrings, maintains suspense right through the surprising finale. Cozy fans will enjoy spending time with the distinctive main characters, all of whom are intelligent, working women. Agent: Bob Mecoy, Bob Mecoy Literary Agency.

April 15, 2015
Plum Harbor, a picturesque village on the Cape Ann coast of Massachusetts, may be mostly quiet (except for those murders in the six previous Black Sheep Knitting novels), but excitement reigns when a movie company comes to town. And if that isn't enough for Maggie Messina and her friends, the movie is about a knit-shop owner, like Maggie, played by the beautiful Jennifer Todd and directed by Jennifer's husband, tempestuous Nick Pullman. The knitters are thrilled Maggie's shop will be used as a set in several scenes, and are even more delighted when Jennifer, a knitter herself, wants to get a feel for her role by hanging with Maggie and the gang. But soon it seems someone has jinxed the production: lights fall, fires start, Nick is poisoned, and the male lead is murdered. While the local police (including Maggie's new beau) work away, the knitters have their own investigation going. Movies make everything more fun, so it's easy to overlook flaws, like too many clues coming from outside sources rather than the Sheep. Still, this has plenty of neat twists. A tank-top pattern and recipe conclude.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)