Saturday, November 12, 2011

A Cozy Murder Mystery and Cats


While My Pretty One Knits
While My Pretty One Knits 
by Anne Canadeo

I have been very lazy lately.  I have been finding it easier to listen to audio books instead of reading them.  Well, this one I did read and I could not put it down! A great cozy murder mystery that moves fast with good solid clues (not stitches) dropped along the way.

I know this is an older book (2009), but I just discovered Anne Canadeo.  Of course, I always love a good murder mystery and better yet, one with a tight knit group of crafty ladies…no pun intended!
Lucy is the main character.  After her divorce, she moves to a small town to live in her deceased Aunt’s house.  For once, I am not reading about how nasty or pigheaded the ex-hubby is or was during their marriage.  There’s just enough background covered to let the reader know how Lucy is feeling about her divorce.

Most murder mystery women/sleuths end up in a relationship with either a detective or a lawyer or some other kind of law associated professional.  Hurray for Lucy!  She finds a man in a different profession.  Thank you! Lucy also rescues a dog despite the fact that the Vet’s bill will be high.  Animal lovers understand this completely.  We are guilty of paying high Vet bills with two of our adopted cats.

This story is about Lucy’s friend and experienced knitter/shop owner, Maggie.  She is suspected of murdering another yarn shop owner.  Soon, the whole knitting club is there for Maggie.  All the Black Sheep Ladies are the kind of friends I love to sit down with and get to know.  Conversations are light and witty.  They have a wonderful friendship full of support for each other as they try to solve the murder.  The best part – no one declared “we should solve this murder!”

I’m not a knitter, but anyone with a love of working with their hands will enjoy reading about the knitting projects.  Lucy is working on Sock Monkey hats for her nieces, but it is not overdone.  Just enough to keep you interested.  At the end of the book, Anne added two websites on Sock Monkeys.

I did learn some odd facts while trying to solve this mystery - like Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe are knitters.  I googled this just out of curiosity and I only found something about Russell Crowe knitting.  I thought that was very interesting.  I also learned that wool yarn can be dyed with Jell-o.  Apparently, it does not work on cotton.  Too bad – dying with Jell-o might have been fun to try with some muslin.  There is a link to Jell-o dyeing at the end of the book as well. 

Anyway, Anne has two more Black Sheep Knitter’s series and I plan to read both.  I found Anne’s FB page and I just learned she has a fourth book coming out soon.  Well, I better get to reading so I’ll be caught up for book #4.

The Never-ending Saga of Cat Grooming
You need a good grooming.

Wait!  Is anyone watching?

Ahhh!  It's okay.  Now let me finish grooming you, Fish-Breath.

Hey! I can't help it if your breath smells like fish!

19 comments:

  1. Love mysteries! I'll have to check this one out.

    Lynette - Sweet Posy Dream
    Etsy Blog Team

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  2. Hi Ann! I found you through Etsy. Great review! I love cozy murder mysteries so I'm going to have to check this book out. And I love the cute cat pix!

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  3. Sometimes I wish I wasn't allergic to cats! When we lived with my in-laws (for much too long I must say), they had a cat. I took homeopathic medicine and it kept my allergies at bay. I guess I have to admire cats from afar! ;)

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  4. Those photos are too cute!
    Sounds like a very good read! I like all sorts of books, though my favorites are not mystery ones (though they used to be), but I think I'll have to check this one out!

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  5. I love your pictures of the kitties. Thanks for stopping by and I am now your newest follower!!

    Chatter From Texas
    and
    Note Cards and Photos by Theresa

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  6. Thanks Carmen! BTW, I'm Sandy the blogger. I would love to be Ann the writer, but I'm not. I hope you enjoy her book as much as I did.

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  7. Thanks Heather! I'm pretty diverse in my reading too. Cozy mysteries and stories about quilters are my favorites. I'm finishing "The Help" on my iPod right now.

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  8. Thanks Theresa! You have a great blog. I will enjoy visiting often.

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  9. Your cats are so beautiful - I let out a loud awwwwwww

    - found via blogging buddies

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  10. Hi Daniel, Yep, they are my furbabies! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. sooo cute :) I am following you now :) I found you at Natural Living when you left a comment! I have two blogs, take your pic.
    http://thoughtsofamotherwifeanddaughter.com
    http://tilwereadagain.blogspot.com

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  12. Hi Bobbie! Thanks for stopping by and following me. I stopped by you blog too.

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  13. I have a very hard time picturing Russell Crowe knitting... lol

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  14. I love the kitty pictures and your captions fit perfectly! I have seen my two girls act just like this. LOL

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  15. Thank you for the visit and for following my blog.

    Sweet photos of your cats. I've added my self to your blog so I can keep up with your kitties and travels.

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  16. Hi Megan, I do too! I would love to see some of his work though. A football player named Rosey Greir did wonderful needlepoint and sold books. You never know.

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  17. Thanks Gallery Juana! I'm glad you stopped by. We do plan on more adventures.

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  18. Love the cats! Your orange and white looks so much like my Mr Patches. Even the expression.

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  19. Great theme for a murder mystery! I'll have to add it to my wish list.

    Also, awwwwwwwww to the kitties, especially the photo where it looks like they're giving each other an eskimo kiss!! ^.^

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"Friendship is a blessing, It's the best you have to share, The talents and the wisdom, The capacity to care." ~ Emily Matthews

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