Review - A Tangled Yarn

Let's take a little trip to California's Monterey Peninsula for this next mystery review.  On her website, Ms. Hechtman reveals that Asilomar is the inspiration for the setting.  This is my first book in the Yarn Retreat mysteries and I was able jump in just fine without reading the prior four in the series.  

Author: Betty Hechtman

Copyright: August 2017 (Berkley) 300 pgs

Series: 5th in Yarn Retreat Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy

Main Characters: Casey Feldstein, dessert chef and new owner of Yarn2Go, a yarn retreat business

Setting: Modern day, Cadbury - Monterey Peninsula California

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

From the cover: "Casey Feldstein has her hands full with preparations at the Vista Del Mar hotel on the scenic Monterey Peninsula as another yarn retreat begins. The retreaters will be thrown for a loop this time, learning the trendy art of arm knitting and finger crocheting.

But not everyone is enthusiastic about trying something new, and Casey is forced to come up with an alternative craft for her less adventurous pupils. Things go from worst to worsted when a travel writer from a neighboring retreat group is found dead in his room among a sea of feathers. When one of the owners of Vista Del Mar pleads for help, Casey gets hooked into the case and must unravel a delicate skein of secrets to catch a killer."

Casey Feldstein has her hands full between Kevin St. John being difficult about the yarn retreat's future at Vista Del Mar, her ex-husband, a few particularly fault-finding retreat attendees, and the murder of the travel writer who was presenting at the writer's retreat occurring concurrently.  Dane is the junior police officer romantic interest.  Sammy is her ex-husband who  likes to say how Casey is "the only one who gets him."  He even asks Casey or a big favor, which was rather interesting.  Wanda and Crystal are the yarn workshop leads who have very different ideas about teaching yarn crafts.  Madeleine is the owner of Vista Del Mar hotel and a friend of Casey's - but she seems to have something to hide.  Kevin St. John is the hotel manager and doesn't like Casey or yarn in general, thus he booked the writer's retreat the same weekend.    Julius the black cat is just one cool cat.

Cadbury, especially the lighthouse, and Vista Del Mar are great settings for the murder.  Who killed the rough travel writer who managed to make even retreat attendees mad?  Seems he had other facets to his life that may catch up to him too.  The killer reveal was good and a surprise.  

I liked Casey and Julius right away.  I enjoyed Madeleine's new found zest for life, that was a great touch.  The yarn retreat is an interesting theme that allows for a new cast along with recurring characters.

Rating:  Good - A fun and enjoyable light read, put this author on your watch list.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
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This jam-packed little book removes the mystery and makes savoring a fine wine fun. Learn the lingo fast through an overview of wine to get you on your feet pronto. Learn about the basic wine types to planning your own wine tasting, the intricacies of restaurant presentation etiquette to an overview of wine in America to assist you on your personal wine journey! Understand your unique taste preferences and what interests you in the world of wine from blogs, movies, documentaries, magazines or books on the people of the wine world.

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/hgz3hfh
B&N:  http://tinyurl.com/j97tc4j
Website: http://littlewineguide.com

Kerrianne (Goodreads) 5 star
"Great and compact intro into the world of wine. Can't wait to tour some local wineries with my new found knowledge. So happy I was able to win this through a Goodreads Giveaway!"

Cynthia Calongne- 5 star
"What a great book - fun content, well-organized and easy to read and digest!" 

Review - The Wedding Shawl

Where I live we had a cold snap that felt like winter again.  So let's give a drum roll and usher in summer with our review.  This week we go to a wonderful seaside town (already feels like summer) for a murder and a wedding!

Author:  Sally Goldenbaum

Copyright:  May 2011 (NAL) 320 pgs

Series:  5th in Seaside Knitters Mysteries

Sensuality:  mild references

Mystery Sub-genre:  Cozy

Main Character:  Nell Endicott

Setting:  Modern day, Sea Harbor, Massachusetts

Obtained Through:  publisher for an honest review

Let me introduce you to the knitters:

Nell: the motherly spirit of the group.

Birdie: the spirited elder who is hard to keep up with.

Cass: the lobster-woman with a gentle heart - truly a rough diamond.

Izzy: Nell's niece and bride-to-be who owns the knit shop.

The gang is busy with wedding preparations for Izzy (including knitting a delicate lace shawl), but when the scheduled hair stylist for the wedding, Tiffany, is found dead under suspicious circumstances the community is stunned.  The seaside knitters become convinced that there is a connection to what was thought to be an accidental drowning fifteen years ago of Harmony Farrow and this death.  Is it simply a coincidence that the Harmony's mother has returned to Sea Harbor only a few months before the latest death?  Could the town's favorite young man be the murderer - the police sure suspect him since he dated both girls.  Nell leads the charge to clear up past and present deaths so nothing will overshadow Izzy's big day.  But warnings start coming to stop questioning and leave things alone.

This entry in the series continues the excellent tradition established. The plot is interesting and you get swept up with how the current murder is somehow linked with the drowning - and the drowning must have been more than an accident.  The setting is rich and smoothly conveyed, you never notice that you moved to Sea Harbor, but somehow you are transported there.  Being a Rocky Mountains person, I have never adored the seaside except when reading these stories. I can practically smell the salt air. 

The warmth of the characters offsets that this is a murder mystery.  You will find yourself hoping the killer isn't this or that character because you like them all.  Truly a "cozy" in the sense of how comfortable you become with the cast and want to spend more time with them. I have never wanted to learn to knit until picking up this series, that is how it envelopes you.

The pacing keeps you teased and wanting more.  As for the confrontation it is bittersweet more than suspenseful, which lends to the overall believability of the story.  Truly if an average person were to get nosy about a murder, this is how it would look - right? The wrap-up is touching and I found myself missing the gang as soon as I shut the book. 

Don't let the topic of knitting hold you back from this mystery, that only lends to its cozy warmth.  This is hands-down one of the top cozy mystery series on the scene today and this entry is a gem (or is that a purl?) - IMHO.

Now let's go to the Massachusetts beach and watch Sea Turtles

Review - Holiday Yarn

Last week we were in Massachusetts for apple harvest season, now we head to the shore for a small coastal Mass town during the cold holiday season.  Back in July I reviewed the previous book, Moon Spinners, as well as interviewed Sally and I am just delighted to have another book so soon.  Bundle up, it is a humid wind that blows the snow in Sea Harbor.

Author: Sally Goldenbaum

Copyright: November 2010 (NAL Books) 270 pgs

Series: 4th Seaside Knitters Mystery

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy

Main Character:  Nell Endicott, her niece Izzy Chamber, friends Birdie Favazza and Cassandra Halloran

Setting: Modern day Sea Harbor, Massachusetts during the holidays

Obtained Through: publisher for honest review

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays the Seaside Knitters are helping Mary Pisano with turning her inheritance (grandfather's rambling mansion, Ravenswood-by-the-Sea),  into a Bed & Breakfast.  The family is meeting at Ravenswood and Mary has to face her difficult cousins as they discuss the family businesses - including her plans.  One cousin has always been a problem, Pamela, who runs the family's successful fashion magazine.  Pamela is vocal in her opposition to the family estate being turned into a B&B.

Nell and Birdie stumble upon Pamela's body in the snow outside Ravenswood in what appears to be a suicide.  But it is determined a homicide by the  police.  The Painter at Ravenswood, who was known to be cavorting with Pamela trying to get a modeling job at the magazine, starts spending a lot of money until he meets a fatal accident.  

A subplot of elderly neighbor who is passionate about keeping Ravenswood from becoming a B&B has the knitters puzzled and provides an added little puzzle which has a surprising answer.  Nell and the Seaside Knitters suspect the painter's death was no accident and the same hand that took Pamela's life was involved.  The four friends get serious about tracking down who had a motive to kill twice between shopping and their knit-a-square charity project.

The instant I started reading the book I felt at home again.  I realized that I enjoy Ms. Goldenbaum's writing style.  It fits me like a favorite sweater or a comfy sweat shirt.  IMHO she excels at putting the reader in the moment of the story completely, melding setting of a small coastal town and the character Nell effortlessly.  I just know if there were a Nell Endicott I would love to be her friend. 

The rest of the Seaside Knitters are well defined and enjoyable, they add to Nell and make the experience flavorful.  In this installment of the series I felt that I got to know Nell's husband Ben a bit better and their relationship is so positive and supportive - I enjoy his character almost as much as Nell anymore.

The plot was solid and clues deftly sprinkled about.  I just barely figured out the murderer before Nell - and even the killer is finely portrayed and plausible.  The climax flowed from the rest of the book to a natural conclusion and the wrap up was pleasantly satisfying.  If you enjoy a mystery that is equally about an interesting group of friends, a great setting, a murder to work out and well written to boot, then I highly recommend this series.  

One final note on A Holiday Yarn that I felt was a great touch and I want to spotlight.  There is a charity knitting project featured in the book that really exists.  The KasCare project where  you can knit (or crochet) a square for AIDS children of South Africa.  Many of these children are orphaned and each square is put with others to create blankets for these children.  This started as a family project by the McDonald family of Australia.  If you knit or crochet (or know somebody who does, pass this along) this might be an great holiday inspirational activity.   Since it is a square at a time it is a small commitment and can be a group project and great for getting the family involved.   For more information go here:  http://www.knit-a-square.com/


And now for a special treat to warm you up this holiday season.

Hot Buttered Rum Mix

Ingredients

*       1 lb unsalted butter, softened
*       1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar, sifted
*       1/2 lb light brown sugar, packed
*       1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
*       1 Tbls nutmeg
*       1 Tbls cinnamon
*       1 Tbls cloves

Directions

1.      In a large bowl cream the butter and the sugars and spices together until smooth. Add the softened ice cream and mix until a creamy consistency is obtained. Transfer this to a freezer container with a tight fitting lid. Place in the freezer for up to 1 month.
2.      To Serve: Place a heaping 2 tablespoons of the frozen mix in a highball glass or coffee mug. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons dark rum - or to taste. Pour over the mix 6 ounces of boiling water and stir until the mixture is melted. Sprinkle top with cinnamon or nutmeg and serve forth!


Helpful Suggestion: Freeze the mix into ice cube trays. Spray the trays well with unflavored cooking spray (don't use butter flavored) and spoon in the mix. When they are frozen solid, drop the "cubes" into a heavy duty zipper top bag and store in the freezer. Eliminates the mess of scoops and drips, and adjust the number of cubes in your drink based on the size of your trays. Dishwasher your trays in very hot water to remove the spray, or put them in the sink and poor boiling water over them.


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  I will be traveling for the holidays.  I am trying to line up some guest blogs in advance.  There may only be one post during the week of Christmas and New Years and the Blog Carnival will be the second Monday in January to allow me time to get back into the swing of things.  I will try to share some photos when I get back from Paris - not Texas either!!

We are approaching the end of this year and I would truly appreciate your vote if you haven't already.  If each follower voted for me I would win!!

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) CLICK HERE and also as best Hobby Blog CLICK HERE. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *  

 

Review - Moon Spinners

Today we are taking a break from the summer heat and visiting the ocean.  A charming small town in Massachusetts with soft ocean breezes.  Sounds idyllic?  So join me in Sea Harbor for an original cozy murder mystery.

Author: Sally Goldenbaum

Copyright: April 2010 (NAL); 320 pgs

Series: # 3 in Seaside Knitters Mysteries

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery sub-genre: Cozy

Main Character: Nell  Endicott with Izzy, Cass and Birdie

Setting: Modern day Sea Harbor Massachusetts

Obtained book through: Library

The small town of Sea Harbor has two powerful families (Delany and Santos) in the development/building business but they put their differences aside long enough to attend a charity event.  But on the drive home Sophia Santos' car goes off a sea side cliff.  The police find from the wreckage that the expensive speciality brakes were cut.  Grace is a friend of the group and the victim was her aunt who raised her. So naturally the group jumps into investigating Sophia's last week to find out why she was murder and by whom.  There are plenty of suspects lurking around corners since Sophia was powerful and opinionated - even her husband.

The main character of Nell is like slipping on a warm wool sweater, so comfortable.  Her niece Izzy owns the local yarn and knitting shop.  The dynamic between the two is loving and enjoyable.  Throw in Cass and the the older wealthy Birdie and you have a delightful team whose friendship is their rock and their sleuthing is their next hobby after knitting.  I have to admit that it took me a little bit to figure out the four cohorts and their relationships since I had not read the two prior books, but that didn't last long.  It is easy to catch on.

I classified this as a cozy rather than a craft mystery because I think the emphasis really is on the community and the relationships in the group rather than the knitting.  Granted there are references to the knitting they each are doing, but it is such a part of each character that it lends to the story rather than seeming contrived.  I loved the sea side brought to life and could almost smell that sea brine and feel the ocean mist on my face.  The sense of place is wonderfully done.

It was a night for the Moon Spinners to begin their task.  Nell stood in silence, imagining the women of the ancient Celtic myth pulling the silvery strands  of light from the sky and winding it on distaffs until weeks later the waning moon would disappear completely, leaving the world wrapped in a blanket of darkness, the tides quieter, creatures safe from the hunter...

Nell wouldn't know later what it was - the strain of staring at the bright light or the anticipation of the party?  But the moon seemed to grow larger beneath her stare, a moon lacking the comforting, gentle smile of her childhood when she'd lie flat in a Kansas field and look up at it, making wishes, telling secrets.

Tonight it wasn't a smile that passed down over those thousands and thousands of miles.  The moon's light and shadow had mixed in an ominous way.  Nell felt a foreboding - like the green sky before a tornado rolled across the Kansas plains or the unsettling quiet before a nor'easter surged down on Sea Harbor.

Instinctively, she took a step back and looked away, wrapping her arms around herself and shivering slightly.

Like many cozy mysteries, the process of questioning and detecting takes its time and is not rushed, but it carried me through nicely and kept me coming back for more.  The plot is not complicated but was adequate for the story and felt believable.  I had suspected the killer but didn't have the motive worked out until the big reveal.  I felt the ending was satisfying, but most of all, when I think back on the book I miss the characters.  The true sign of a good cozy!


So if you like your cozy mysteries to provide you with interesting friends to follow their adventures, this is a book for you. 
 
AND NOW for a blast from the past.  Remember the old novel The Moon Spinners by Mary Stewart that was made into a 1964 Disney movie starring Haley Mills???
 

Video of part of the Disney Movie - Click Here.

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *