Yarned and Dangerous

October 19, 2015
At the outset of Hartwell’s promising debut, the first in her Tangled Web mystery series, Josie Blair reluctantly leaves the world of New York City fashion for her hometown of Dorset Falls, Conn., to assist her childless great-uncle Eben Lloyd, who’s recovering from the car accident that killed his wife, Cora. Uncle Eb, whom Josie barely remembers, is unpleasant; his dog, Jethro, frightens her tuxedo cat, Coco; and she’s expected to take care of the fearsome chickens at Eb’s farmhouse. Josie prefers the task of closing Cora’s yarn shop, Miss Marple Knits, located in the dying downtown, and selling its contents, but more than one shop patron want to buy the business from Eb. Josie is sure that Cora, someone she never met, wouldn’t approve. When Josie later finds one of the would-be buyers dead in a pile of cashmere yarn, she turns amateur sleuth. A section of knitting patterns rounds out this appealing crafting cozy. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency.

December 1, 2015

After losing her job with a temperamental New York designer, Josie Blair comes home to Dorset Falls, CT, to care for her uncle, who was injured in a car crash that killed Aunt Cora. Dreary Dorset Falls is even worse than Josie remembers: boarded-up storefronts, no Starbucks, no mall. Only her aunt's shop, Miss Marple Knits, seems to be prospering. When one of Aunt Cora's knitting friends turns up dead, Josie reluctantly investigates. It seems someone is knocking off the members of the Dorset Falls Historic Commission. VERDICT This debut cozy's well-drawn characters and a tightly knitted plot will bring a smile to readers of Maggie Sefton, Sally Goldenbaum, and Anne Canadeo. Crafting instructions for various projects are included.

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