For fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, the latest craft frenzy is this charming cozy mystery series debut starring amateur sleuth Sammy KaneSammy Kane just moved back to her hometown to run a craft store. But when the owner of a nearby yarn shop is murdered, Sammy will needle little help finding the killer.When a heartbroken Samantha “Sammy” Kane returns to her hometown of Heartsford, WI, … her hometown of Heartsford, WI, for her best friend Kate’s funeral, she learns that Kate’s much-loved craft store is in danger of perishing with its owner. Confounding all her expectations of the life she would live, Sammy moves back home with her golden retriever and takes over Community Craft. A few doors down Main Street, fellow new arrival Ingrid Wilson has just opened the Yarn Barn, a real “purl” of a shop. But when Sammy strolls over to see if Ingrid could use a little help, she finds Ingrid’s dead body—with a green aluminum knitting needle lodged in her throat.
Detective Liam Nash is thrown for a loop as every single citizen of Heartsford seems to have a theory about Ingrid’s murder. And nearly everyone in town seems to be a suspect. But the last time Sammy did any sleuthing was as a little moppet. And this is not fun and games. Sammy is eager to help the handsome Liam—who seems to be endlessly inventive in finding reasons to talk with her—and when Liam arrests affable woodworker Miles Danbury, Sammy puts everything on the line to help clear Miles.
As the case comes dangerously close to unraveling, Sammy must stitch the clues together. But the killer has other plans—and if Sammy’s not careful, she may wind up in a perilous knot in A Crafter Knits a Clue, the first warm and woolly yarn of Holly Quinn’s new Handcrafted mysteries.
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Fun new crafty cozy mystery. Sammy Kane is the owner of Community Craft, a store that sells products made by local artisans. She comes across the owner of The Yarn Barn murdered and starts her own investigation with the help of her sister and cousin. Along the way she has many clashes with the police detective in charge. This was a great first book in a series. Great plot, characters, charming town, and lots of intrigue. Looking forward to more in this series and hopefully seeing a relationship develop between Sammy and Liam!!
What a great debut cozy for the Handcrafted Mystery series by this new to me author! Our protagonist, Sammy Kane, is introduced to us on the very first page and it’s hard not to want to stay and hang out to get to know her and her gang better! A delightfully executed mystery, you don’t want to miss adding this book to your wish list now!
While running a crafter’s shop in Wisconsin, after the death of her friend and former owner of the Community Craft, Sammy walks in on her fellow shop owner dead in her tracks, with a knitter’s needle stuck in her neck. As the mystery unfolds from the first chapter, the reader is taken through this close knit community, the shadowy, hidden history of its residents, meeting other shop owners, friends of the family and the infamous S.H.E. investigative group. S.H.E. was born out of family (Sammy, Heidi, and Ellie). Solving mysteries from a very young age, this group of cousins works hard to put their heads together and solve the murder of Ingrid Wilson. I surely don’t want to miss mentioning Detective Liam Nash. While this great group of inquisitive ladies is surely helpful and smart, with the inside track on their community, they are definitely a small thorn in the side of the Detective. But maybe that’s just Liam and Sammy’s attraction coming out in uncomfortable and funny ways. I really do love how their friendship unfolds in this story.
While reading this cozy mystery I noticed the author dropped subtle hints and clues throughout the book for discerning readers to catch on too. But one must pay close attention and work at putting the pieces together. The relationships displayed throughout the book were warm and well developed. I felt like everyone genuinely cared for each other and developed a place I would love to live and a group of friends I would have fun hanging out with. The idea of a crafter’s paradise is also such a great idea too – a local shop, highlighting the crafts of locals for others to come together and purchase, or to gather and use the room available to make their own. I love this idea! I am very much looking forward to the release of the next book in the series!
Crafters beware! This book will have you heading to your local hobby store and filling a cart.
When I read the blurb on the back of A CRAFTER KINITS A CLUE, it mentioned the main character, Sammy, had moved back to town to run her deceased friend’s store, Community Craft. So, I was expecting to read the whole she-has-to-get-to-know-everyone book. I was pleasantly surprised to see the character was already three years established in the town.
I read several reviews before I read this book. One thing many had in common was they thought Sammy was a little too “brusque”. I didn’t see that all. I saw her as a caring woman, willing to do whatever had to be done. Very take charge.
As for the whodunit, I found it to be very well plotted. Because the victim was so un-liked, there were plenty of suspects to choose from. Author Holly Quinn did a wonderful job of leading me to wrong turns and down dead-end streets. When the reveal came, I was completely taken by surprise. Brava!
A CRAFTER KNITS A CLUE is an excellent first in a series. Every time I had to set my book down, I was itching to get back to it. I definitely recommend it fans of cozy mysteries.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Knit one, purl MURDER!
Sammy Kane has returned to Heartsford for her best friend Kate’s funeral and when she hears the craft store will close without a new owner Sammy decides to stay and take over the store. Community Craft has become a gathering place for the crafters in the area and also allows them to sell their creations.
There is also another new shop owner in town. Ingrid Wilson has opened a store selling the most beautiful barn. While Sammy is happy to have The Yarn Barn in town, the owner is always needing help in one way or another. She has no problem calling Sammy’s employee, Kate’s little brother, with tasks she says she just handle. Carter and Sammy are trying to get Community Craft ready for the annual Spring Fling when Ingrid calls Carter for help. Sammy tells Carter to keep doing what he is doing while she handles a couple of things and then she will go over to help Ingrid. When she arrives, she finds yarn shop order dead on the floor, a knitting needle the killer’s weapon of choice.
Heartsford also has a new police detective. Sammy meets Liam Nash when he arrives on the scene. He learns right away about a tragedy in a small town – Everyone has an opinion and are not afraid to point fingers at any other resident they think committed the crime. Sammy has a little experience as a sleuth herself. S.H.E. was detective club of Sammy, her sister Elle, and their cousin Heidi had in their childhood. Like Nancy Drew, they solved several “crimes”. The group reunites when they think Detective Liam Nash is not solving Ingrid’s murder fast enough. They realize it’s not as easy as they thought especially when Sammy is threatened physically to back off.
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Heartsford, if it was an actual town would be a short drive from where I live in Wisconsin. I know the author lives nearby too because she has captured Springtime in Wisconsin perfectly. It is one of the places you can experience all four seasons in one day. Mother Nature is very fickle in the Spring. It can be snowing in the morning, the sun comes out in the early afternoon with rising temps, then later the wind picks up and by night she will throw a good old fashioned thunderstorm at us. Heck, there are days when it rains in the front yard while the sun is shining brightly in the backyard.
Holly Quinn has inhabited Heartsford with fantastic residents too! So many crafters. I liked that in addition to the shops in town we see how important the school is to this community. School events play a huge part to the people in Heartsford and Wisconsin in general. Carter is on the basketball team and Big Ten scouts are at the game watching him and other players with scholarships hopes. The Spring Fling is more than just a shopping event, there is a parade that reminded me of the usual homecoming parade but for the winter sports. It was heartwarming that the town came together to support its own even with a murderer on the loose.
The investigation had many facets. Sammy is a very observant person but so is the good detective. He found several ways to come in contact with Sammy, even sharing some unknown details while she filled him on things she had uncovered. Of course, he wants her to leave everything to him, but that was never going to happen. It was fun to follow along with S.H.E. and watching Sammy spar with Liam.
This book follows what almost all first books in series’ do. It’s pace, in the beginning, is a little slow because the author has to introduce all the characters, their relationships and where they fit into the landscape of the town. The pace picks up nicely in the second half as clues start to fall into place and suspects are honed in on or eliminated. The murder mystery was wrapped up nicely at the end but there is a cliffhanger leading to the next story. Love that!
This series is off to a splendid start. The story has a real hometown feel with characters I want to get to know better. I love that Sammy’s golden retriever is welcome and spends days with her at the store. The community was realistic. The mystery was well-plotted and executed. As a former crafter, I love the theme. All my cozy boxes were checked. I am excited about the next installment.
*There are two sock patterns too after the story.
A Crafter Knits A Clue is the first book in the A Handcrafted Mystery series.
Samantha “Sammy” Kane returned to her small hometown three years ago to attend her best friend, Kate Allen’s funeral. While there she decided to stay and take over Kate’s Community Craft store. The businesses are all busy putting up decorations for annual Spring Fling. Carter Allen, Kate’s brother, get a phone call from Ingrid, who own the knit shop next door, asking for help with her decoration. Sammy says she can wait for a few minutes, Ingrid is one who feels that everyone should drop what they are doing to help her. A few minutes later she heads over to Ingrid’s shop, only to find her lifeless body, having been stabbed with a knitting needle.
Heartsford has a new police detective and Sammy immediately locks horns with him when the investigation brings about the arrest of Miles Danbury, a local crafter that sells his work in Sammy’s. Sammy is sure that no way is Danbury a murderer and begins her own investigation. She enlists the help of her sister Ellie and their cousin Heidi to aide her. When they were young they were fans of Nancy Drew and called themselves: S.H.E. and searched for lost puppies and figure how hard can it be.
I think the book is well written and provides the reader with an exciting and interesting story. I enjoyed reading about the residents of Heartsford and look forward to learning more about them in future books.
A description of different types of yarn is also included, as is a pattern that can either be knitted or crocheted.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Great start to this new crafty cozy mystery series. We meet Sam who along with her sister and cousin manages to get involved in a local murder. With childhood nostalgia they dive in much to the dismay of others while also trying to live their varied lives which just makes things fun. I especially love the lab and Tyler. If you like crafts and mystery then you should try this one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
When a heartbroken Samantha “Sammy” Kane returns to her hometown of Heartsford, WI, for her best friend Kate’s funeral, she learns that Kate’s much-loved craft store is in danger of perishing with its owner. Sammy moves back home with her golden retriever and takes over Community Craft.
A few doors down Main Street, a new arrival Ingrid Wilson has just opened the Yarn Barn, a real “purl” of a shop. When Sammy strolls over to the Yarn Barn, she finds Ingrid’s dead body, with a knitting needle lodged in her throat.
Detective Liam Nash is thrown for a loop as every single citizen of Heartsford seems to have a theory about Ingrid’s murder. And nearly everyone in town seems to be a suspect. Sammy is eager to help the handsome Liam find the killer. When Liam arrests affable woodworker Miles Danbury, Sammy puts everything on the line to help clear Miles.
As the case comes dangerously close to unraveling, Sammy must put the clues together. But the killer has other plans, and if Sammy’s not careful, she may wind up the next victim.
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Series: A Handcrafted Mystery
Author: Holly Quinn
Genre: Cozy/Craft Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
A Crafter Knits a Clue is the first book in a new series by author Holly Quinn. Ms. Quinn’s writing style is easy to follow. The plot is unusual giving the series a good base to build on. The small-town setting is typical of this type of cozy.
A city girl turned small shop owner is interesting. The fact that Sammy took over the shop from her deceased beloved friend and community favorite puts additional stress on her that most business owners never have to deal with. Sammy doesn’t want to let anyone down, not even a newcomer who is demanding and disliked by almost everyone.
For the first book in a series, the setup is fairly good but needs improvement. The characters are not well defined, but character building is normally expanded as more books are added to the series. Many readers might not be willing to give this series a chance based on the fact that none of the characters are notable.
The character of Sammy is not very likable, her words and actions seem more of those attributed to a much younger woman, closer to a teenager. The love interest isn’t credible either as Sammy does nothing other than insult the detective (Liam) and act as if he hasn’t got a clue about how to investigate a murder after only the first meeting. Sammy’s sister and cousin are nice characters that need to be more involved in the investigations if the series is to grow.
The murder itself appears to be motivated by reasons no one can fathom until the end of the story. When the killer is unmasked as well as the motive for the killing, readers will not be disappointed.
Unfortunately, A Crafter Knits a Clue is a bit disappointing. It is hoped that with time and experience this series will get better and the reader will be less likely to set the book aside unfinished and uncaring about the characters or the story.
This was a fun little escape. I really enjoyed the characters. Sammy is nice and tries to help everyone. She has come back to her home town after the death of her best friend Kate. She takes Carter, Kate’s little brother under her wing and takes over Kate’s Craft store. Now that she is home, she is able to spend more time with her sister Ellie and cousin Heidi. The three of them get into trouble when they try to solve the murder of the shop owner next to Sammy. There is an attraction between Sammy and the Detective which also leads to a bit of tension because the Sammy’s sleuthing.
The writing style is easy-to-read and the story is a nice cozy. The characters are fun and the mystery kept me turning the pages. I would love to read another book in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The first book in a new series has a lot of information to cover. Holly Quinn does a wonderful job of introducing us to the Heartsford, WI community. This book centers around a store that not only showcases and sells hand crafted items made by community members, but is also a gathering place for meetings and support to those in need.
Samantha Kane never really planned to run Community Craft but does so in memory of her best friend Kate, who died in a tragic accident.
When Sammy was younger, she and her older sister and cousin played girl-detectives. They never really solved any cases, but enjoyed investigating.
Sadly, Sammy stumbles upon a murdered shopkeeper. When a loyal craftsperson is implicated in the crime, Sammy can not sit back and let an innocent man take the heat. She encourages her fellow female accomplices to again collect evidence, since the local police seem too busy to do a thorough job. Besides the unwanted help by Sammy and friends, there is additional tension between Sam and the new detective in town.
I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took. My only comment is that perhaps the author did too thorough a job of reviewing the evidence and wrapping up the case at the end. It was more than was necessary.
However, there were a few questions left unanswered, so I am hoping the next book arrives soon!
A Crafter Knits a Clue by Holly Quinn is apparently the first in a new cozy series and I thought that I would like it. However, I found it to be a struggle to read at times.
Samantha/Sammy Kane now owns the Community Craft Store in Heartsford, WI. It was her best friend’s store when she died in an accident. It would have closed if Sammy hadn’t taken it upon herself to take it over. It sounds like a lovely shop and Heartsford sounds like a perfectly lovely small town that would be fun to visit. However, I never felt a connection to Sammy throughout the story. She was often abrasive with other people especially when she was trying to get information about the recent murder. I also didn’t understand her attitude toward Detective Liam Nash. She didn’t know him but she decided he didn’t know how to do a proper murder investigation.
Ms. Quinn’s descriptive writing introduced me to Heartsford and the crafters and I enjoyed getting to know the town and the people who lived there. I liked Elle and Heidi very much and enjoyed the times that they were in the scenes. The plot was smoothly paced with just enough twists to keep me guessing for a short while; but I did come up with an accurate guess as to who the culprit might be. All in all, the conclusion was solid and satisfying. My rating is 3.5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
The mystery is set in Wisconsin. When I lived in Chicago I visited Wisconsin often. I find it delightful when a series setting matches what I remember from my visits. The author did an excellent job with the setting.
Sammy is our main character. Her friend Kate, who ran a community crafting store, has passed away. Sammy returns to her hometown for the funeral and stays on, taking over running Kate’s store. I had to adjust a bit to Sammy. She tends to be plain spoken which often comes off as a bit snippy or rude. Since I tend to think of characters as friends, I was okay with her manner as she is also a caring person. She is balanced by her sister, Elle, and a cousin Heidi. I love that they had a club called S.H.E. when they were younger. It was a Nancy Drew thing that I found fun. I like that the author lets us get to know all three women. I enjoyed how their personalities mixed. I also love Bara, a golden retriever. Put a dog in and I’m thrilled. The women bring their Nancy Drew skills into play when Ingrid, who owns the shop next to Sammy’s is murdered. Sammy’s personality was a bit strong at times with the detective on the case. I think it will be interesting to see the relationship between them develop in future books.
The pacing of the book, for me, started off slow with the building of setting and getting to know everyone. I think this might be a “me thing” as I find this beginning slow pace to be true in a few first books in the series. The pace, however, does pick up once things get rolling. I suspect the pacing will even out in the next book. I definitely plan to read the next book. I think this book will appeal to crafters and to readers with an affection for Nancy Drew, (my crafting skill is about first grade level but I was caught with the introduction of S.H.E.. I love that!). Perhaps this series will inspire me to actually use the knitting loom I bought that still has a half made project attached, (hello ADHD, my old friend, haha). Nancy Drew fans get this book. I think you will enjoy it.
I listened to this on Audible. I thought the narration by Kristen Price was good. I do like that the narrator is the same for all three books.
What a cute book – loved the cover, the story, the characters, the setting and everything in between. It’s definitely worth checking out!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/OyFQpXw0dX4
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/book-review-a-crafter-knits-a-clue-by-holly-quinn-a-handcrafted-mystery-book-1/
Sammy Kane returned to her hometown of Heartsford, Wisconsin for the funeral of her best friend, Kate, and stayed to keep Kate’s store, Community Craft open. When Sammy finds Ingrid, a newcomer to town, murdered in her store, Yarn Barn, she gets involved in the investigation and butts heads with the new detective, Liam Nash.
This is the first book in the series and a very enjoyable read. The book was well-written despite some errors/typos and the characters were wonderful. You’ll enjoy getting to know everyone and will be kept guessing throughout. I’m really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
The story was good, but to this former English teacher, the grammar was sometimes unpredictable and many descriptive phrases repeated too often.