Patterns in the Sand

March 16, 2009
The summer art scene of idyllic Sea Harbor, Mass., provides the backdrop for Goldenbaum's engaging second knitting cozy (after 2008's Death by Cashmere
). When Izzy Chambers finds fiber artist Willow Adams lying in the display window of Izzy's Seaside Knitting Studio, she at first thinks Willow is dead, but Willow, whom she invited to do a demonstration at her shop after meeting the waiflike young woman a year earlier in Boston, is merely asleep. When someone fatally poisons Aidan Peabody, a popular Canary Cove artist, Willow becomes a suspect after the authorities learn she's Aidan's sole beneficiary. Other suspects include a frustrated art teacher, a greedy developer and a gallery owner who was jealous of Aidan's influence with Canary Cove's arts council. Goldenbaum weaves a tight plot as Izzy and her knitting friends attempt to untangle another puzzler without dropping a stitch.

May 15, 2009
Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, the setting of Goldenbaums knitting-based mysteries, seems an idyllic villagewonderful scenery, caring and interesting people, and a thriving art colony on Canary Cove. An enviable group of knitting friends anchors the series. Former attorney Izzy Chambers has traded law for the Seaside Knitting Studio. Her aunt, Nell, is a philanthropist who loves fine yarn. Octogenarian Birdie is both feisty and active. Lobster fisherwoman Cass is also eager to learn knitting. The four friends are understandably upset when one of the leaders of the art colony dies suddenly at the monthly Art at Night gala. About the same time, a waiflike newcomer, Willow Adams, arrives in town to share her unique fabric art. When the death is declared a murder and Willow is identified as a suspect, the four friends set out to find the real killer. Goldenbaum has created an inviting village perfectly suited to host a cozy mystery series, and this second installment (following Death by Cashmere, 2008) confirms that the Seaside Knitters belong on most cozy fans A-lists. Once again, a simple knitting pattern is included.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)