The Seaside Knitters Mystery Series by Sally Goldenbaum is one of those series that made me say, “I want to have a yarn shop and start a knitting group just like the one in the book”. How is it that these four friends are so different and yet they fit together like the pieces of a beautiful puzzle. I loved the way they just happened to get together because of the smell coming from Nell’s food, that she brought Izzy in her shop. Great food, beautiful yarn, constant conversation, and the Thursday night knitting group was born.
The fictional town of Seaside Harbor, Massachusetts is such an idyllic little town to live in minus the murders. The Author does a wonderful job of making you fall in love with the town, the people, the food and the yarn. The Protagonists Izzy and her aunt Nell, are of course everyone’s best friend. They make you feel as if you are not just reading about them but actually experiencing life with them. The description of Nell’s food is tantalizing! I sometimes think I can smell the food as I am reading about it. I especially love Nell and Ben’s impromptu Friday night dinners. I would like to know how a retired couple can afford to feed so many people such wonderful food on a weekly basis. They always have enough food to feed everyone, no matter who shows up.
Each book seems to introduce new characters but they all seem to fit seamlessly into the plot. If you are a knitter or crocheter, of just love food, this is a good series to explore. Even the description of the yarns makes you want to run to your local yarn shop, if you are lucky enough to have one close by.
There are many mixed reviews about this book series. I personally found the books kept my attention and I looked forward to reading the next book in the series. My only negative comment is with the amount of errors I found as I was reading. This is the fault of the editor who should have picked up on them. The books are a quick, easy, enjoyable read.
A side note: Some people have commented on the lack of knitting and the inordinate amount of eating that goes on in the books. A title does not necessarily mean that the book is completely about the topic. Seaside knitters simply indicates that this cozy little group of women are in a knitting group that enjoys getting together to help “solve” things that need to be solved. Each book has a catchy “knitting” or “yarn” title that indicates somehow there will be some relationship to the story.
Here is a very brief description of each book:
Death by Cashmere, Book 1: Izzy has opened a knitting shop in her aunt’s town of Seaside Harbor where she spent many happy days when she was growing up. Seaside Harbor was vastly different from Kansas where Izzie was from. Izzie decides to give up her career as a lawyer and do something she truly loved; knitting and crocheting. So, she opened a knitting shop. Quite by accident, the Thursday night knitting group was created with her aunt Nell, Cass, a local lobster woman, and Birdie, an octogenarian. All were drawn into the shop due to the fragrant smell of Nell’s food she was bringing her niece. Of course, there has to be a murder and this time it is too close to home. The murdered woman rents the apartment above Izzie’s yarn shop. The Thursday night knitting group have to put their heads together to figure out who committed murder so that they can feel safe in their town again.
Pattens in the Sand, Book 2: This book introduces a new character, Willow Adams who just happens to break into Izzie’s yarn shop and fall fast asleep with the shop’s cat in the display window. (I did question why anyone would fall asleep in a display window for all to see!) That was strange, however, the rest of the story was interesting. Willow has some secrets that brought her to the town of Seaside Harbor and Izzie, along with the members of the knitting club, are there to help Willow sort things out and be of moral support. There is murder, and of course, someone is wrongly accused. It was nice to see that Willow was going to be a permanent character in the book.
Moon Spinners, Book 3: This book adds another character to the list. Gracie, Cass’ friend, is opening the Lazy Lobster and Soup Cafe on Pelican pier. She has the help of the Seaside Knitters who are more than happy to donate their time. As the story progresses, more characters are introduced, including Grace’s aunt Sophia who ends up driving her car off a cliff. (I have said too much!)
A Holiday Yarn, Book 4: Mary Pisano, a columnist for the local paper, inherits a home she is going to turn into a bed and breakfast. Her family comes to visit and her cousin ends up dead on the property. Friends will always come together for each other as the Thursday knitting club strategizes how to find a murderer.
The Wedding Shawl, Book 5: Did I mention that Izzie is getting married? Not only does Izzie have to worry about her wedding, but the women have to finish the wedding shawl they are making her. To put a glitch in everything, a young woman is murdered and there may be a correlation between the woman and a cold case which took place fifteen years before. What is the connection between the two murders and will the wedding go off without a problem?
A Fatal Fleece, Book 6: Welcome Gabby, a new character and Birdie Favazza’s step-granddaughter. It appears that Birdie’s husband Joe, whom she truly loved, had a son from a previous relationship, who had a daughter, Gabby. (Did you get lost yet?). Joe’s brother shows up with Gabby, a pre-teen who goes to live with her Nonna Birdie for the summer. Gabby fits right in with the seaside knitters as she loves to crochet and even teaches a crochet class. Unfortunately, a reclusive, miserable old man, Finnegan, ends up dead. Why is this a problem? His only two friends are Cass and Gabby and he leaves everything to Cass, not his estranged daughter who had recently returned to town.
Angora Alibi, Book 7: Izzie and Sam are expecting a baby! While running on the beach, Izzie notices an abandoned car seat and blanket. A few days later, the car seat and blanket are still there, so Izzie puts it in her trunk. The yarn that the baby blanket was made from was a Cashmere that Izzie had sold in her shop. Izzie shares her concern with the Thursday night knitting club about the abandoned carseat and blanket. To add to that, a distant cousin of a respected nurse (where Izzy goes for obstetric care), ends up dead during a scuba dive. Is there a connection to his death and the infant car seat?
Murder in Merino, Book 8: The Thursday night knitting club is busy getting ready for Nell and Ben’s 40th wedding anniversary when a stranger, Jules, appears and takes an interest in Izzie’s cottage that is up for sale. Before the cottage is to have an open house, Jules shows up early to meet someone, who, of course is not there. While looking around, she finds the dead body of Jeffrey, a beloved bartender in their little town. Jules of course becomes the number 1 suspect, and the Thursday night knitting club has to find a way to clear her name.
A Finely Knit Murder, Book 9: Gabby, Birdie’s step-granddaughter is back and everyone is thrilled! She will be living with Birdie and attending the Sea Harbor Community School. There is a new Headmistress of the school and everyone seems to like her and her ideas except for one particular person, Blythe Westerland. Well, you can guess who ends up dead; Blythe, and you can guess who the main suspect is; the Headmistress. The Thursday night knitting club will get involved in yet another murder. (Be aware there are editing mistakes.)
Trimmed with Murder, Book 10: Christmas is coming and Sea Harbor has a Christmas tree contest. Charlie, Izzie’s brother, arrives in town with a young woman, Amber, who pushed herself into his car after he almost hit her walking in the road at night. Charlie is in town to volunteer at the clinic while Amber is there to hear the reading of her grandmother’s will. Amber ends up dead after developing a relationship with Charlie and the reader. Will Charlie be suspected of murder?
Murder at Lambswool Farm, Book 11: Birdie is going to make a go of saving her late husband’s farm. Along with growing crops and raising sheep, the farm will host 6 course dinners once a month by local chefs. For the first dinner, Birdie hosts her dear friends as well as the local doctor, (also a good friend). Unfortunately, the doctor is not going to make it to any more dinners as he ends up dead. There is a stranger in town that ended up befriending many of the residents after his car broke down and he waits for it to be fixed. He too is at the dinner. Is it all a coincidence?
The following books are a continuation of the books noted previously. This is the Seaside Knitters Society Books:
Murder Wears Mittens, Book 1: Cass gets the Seaside Thursday Knitters involved with two young children, their dog and their mom who is a suspect in a murder. The murdered woman was a loner and a long time resident of Sea Harbor. There are many secrets and connections that come out in this interesting story.
How to Knit a Murder, Book 2: In this book, Rose Chopra, new in town, ends up saving Izzie’s yarn shop from a flood. Izzie offers her housing above the yarn shop. Rose is hired to fix houses for a local realtor. Unfortunately, Rose has had a painful past in Sea Harbor. This past comes out when she becomes a suspect in the murder of the man who caused her angst.
A Murderous Tangle, Book 3: Gabby, Birdie’s granddaughter is back staying to go to school. She has found a teacher at her school who has inspired her, Tess Bean. Tess also works part time at the local veterinarian’s office and has a special way with the animals. Tess is trying to instill her beliefs of cleaning up the environment on Sea Harbor. Unfortunately the owner of the Harbor Club does not agree with Tess. They have had words and soon she becomes a suspect in his murder.
A Crime of a Different Stripe, Book 4: Sam, Izzy’s husband unwillingly brings a former teacher and famous photographer to Sea Harbor for a weeklong photography event. Unfortunately, Mr. Grant ends up dead and Sam becomes a suspect. Sam has a secret past with Harrison Grant that eventually comes out. There are twists and turns that go on with Pregnant Cass and Her pregnant friend Elana.
A Dark and Snowy Night, Book 5: Nell’s friend Ollie is coming to town with his new wife who is a famous chef. The Mayor has hired the chef to cater a holiday party which brought Ollie and Chef Carson to Sea Harbor. Unfortunately, the Chef ends up dead. There are many suspects. Molly, Cass’ nanny gets caught up in the middle of everything.
A Twisted Skein, Book 6: Izzie and her friends and putting together a fashion benefit with handmade garments. A group of birders is in town and Birdie decides to join them. Birdie, while looking for birds, falls upon a dead body. The women use their strong friendship to pull apart the problems that surround Sea Harbor.
The Herringbone Harbor Mystery, Book 7: Grace who owns the Lazy Lobster and Soup Cafe, hires an old friend and well known chef to run her kitchen. In the meantime, a local business man whom everyone loves, loses his life when his house catches fire. The Thursday night knitting group questions who could have killed a friend and why.
