A Fatal Fleece

March 26, 2012
Near the start of Goldenbaum’s beguiling sixth knitting cozy set in Sea Harbor, Mass. (after 2011’s The Wedding Shawl), Birdie Favazza, grand dame of the Seaside Knitters, receives a surprise visit from her deceased husband’s brother, who’s accompanied by a granddaughter of Birdie’s she didn’t know existed, precocious 10-year-old Gabby Marietti. Gabby charms the whole town, but especially Finnegan, a reclusive, obstinate old fisherman living on valuable waterfront land that he has let go wild since his beloved wife’s death. When someone slashes Finnegan’s throat with a fishing knife, the people of the town hope that the killer was an argumentative vagrant, but the many locals who might have had an interest in Finn’s land become suspects. Goldenbaum offers credible characters, a mystery that’s uncomplicated without being too obvious, and the knitting content her fans demand in a very readable package. Agents: Christina Hogrebe and Andrea Cirillo, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

May 1, 2012
Yet another homicide disturbs the peace of lovely Sea Harbor, Mass. Semi-retired Nell Endicott; her niece Izzy Perry, newly married owner of a knitting shop; lobster fisherwoman Cass Halloran; and wealthy, generous older lady Birdie Favazza are the Seaside Knitters. Despite their age differences and disparate lifestyles, these ladies are close friends with an impressive track record for solving murders (The Wedding Shawl, 2011, etc.). This time they get involved in the death of Finnegan, an old friend who owns a great piece of seaside property he's let go to seed since the death of his beloved wife, Moira. Many are fed up with the waist-high weeds and decrepit buildings, but Finnegan refuses to sell. Lately he's taken Gabby Marietti, Birdie's newly discovered granddaughter, under his wing while ignoring his own daughter Beverly, an artist who's recently returned to town. So many people are after Finnegan's property that when he's found murdered, there's a long list of suspects: Beverly, who expected to inherit; Gabby's uncle, who's seen sneaking onto the property; a builder who's been outspoken in his efforts to get the land; and even Cass, the surprise beneficiary of Finnegan's will. The knitters must use all their skills and local knowledge to solve a case that cuts too close to home. Another enjoyable visit with the ladies. The mystery may not be very challenging, but there's lazy seaside charm, food tips and the obligatory knitting project for those so inclined.

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2012
The sixth title in the Seaside Knitters series finds Nell and her friends looking forward to a leisurely summer. They are delighted to discover that Birdie, Nell's friend and a longtime resident of Sea Harbor, has a granddaughter, Gabby. She quickly becomes a town favorite, charming even cranky Finn, a retired fisherman at the center of a town argument. Finn is hanging on to his eyesore of a building amid offers of help and purchase. He is also friends with Cass, a knitting-shop regular and another of Nell's favorite people. When Cass finds Finn's body, the town learns more about the secretive man. Cass becomes a suspect, and then another body is found buried on the property. A list of characters is provided, but this title can be hard to follow, which slows the pacing. Still, it's a calm, entertaining mystery with plenty of knitting and warm series characters. Readers who like Betty Hechtman's crochet mysteries will enjoy it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)