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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How nice to escape to Heartsford, Wisconsin, and join Samantha Kane and her friends as they unravel the clues when a local yarn store owner is killed. The small town setting feels authentic and the characters are all likeable. In this well plotted mystery Samantha manages to weave together the evidence and bring it to a satisfying conclusion. The yarn info and the sock patterns are an extra bonus.
A new crafting cozy mystery to love! Holly Quinn puts heart and smarts into protagonist Sammy Kane and the small town of Heartsford, Wisonsin.
I have zero crafty ability but still find myself drawn to crafty cozies. Sometimes, I learn something. I especially enjoy it when I don’t realize how dumb I am during my education. Holly Quinn does an excellent job of writing her cozy in such a way that people of all levels can understand it without feeling bored or overtly ignorant. There were plenty of possibilities as to who the bad guy was. I did get a sense of who was involved but I never put it together before the reveal. I thought the way that Sammy came back to the town was very believable and the world that was created was one that was realistic. In fact, it felt like this wasn’t the first in a series and I had to go back and double check to make sure it was. We don’t see the moving chaos and she’s already established her place in the community and her store when the story begins.
All in all, I found this to be a wonderful book and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you so much to Holly Quinn, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
Quirky characters, crafts, a small town full of secrets… the perfect cozy! I couldn’t put it down!
With characters I want as friends, A Crafter Knits a Clue shines, and I’ll be in line for the next book, too!
I enjoyed reading the book, it is funny, I did not see the bad guy till the end. if you like suspense and the start of romance you will like the book
Samantha Kane returns to her hometown
in Heartsford, Wisconsin for her best friend,
Kate Allen’s funeral. Her best friend ran
the Community Craft store. To keep the
store running, Samantha decides to stay
in Heartsford to run the craft store. The
craft store hosts the local crafting groups
plus sells the local artists’ works on
consignment. The store also sponsors
community fundraisers and projects.
Samantha has a golden retriever named
Bara. She is able to bring Bara to the
craft store most days.
The town in getting ready for it’s annual
Spring Fling. A busy time for the store
owners preparing for the event.
The store adjacent to Samantha’s The
Yarn Barn is owned by Ingrid Wilson. Most
of the craft groups buy their yarn from Ingrid.
Ingrid calls over to Community Craft for
help with prepping for the Spring Fling.
Samantha goes over to help and is in for
a huge shock……Ingrid is lying dead stabbed
in the throat by a single green knitting needle!!
Then Coach is run down by a car. What is
going on in Heartsford!!
This is s case for the S.H.E. group to reunite.
In their childhood, Samantha along with her
sister, Elle and cousin, Heidi use to play Nancy
Drew. Now they are playing for real to solve
a murder and a hit and run. Very real and
dangerous offenses.
The characters were relatable. They each
shared their individual personality traits. I
enjoyed getting to know them.
They were involved in an intriguing, dramatic,
suspenseful situations with many twists and
turns.
I loved the shenanigans that kept the story
moving at a fast paced. I could not put the book
down.
This is book # 1 in the Handcrafted Mystery
series. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Be sure to read!!
Patterns for socks are included after the end.
The background setting of a store that sells local artisans’ creations and has a room set aside for teaching of those creations is a great one. The town is quaint and festive even though they are still battling the winter blues. The plot was a great premise and well thought out so it was quite entertaining. The characters were unique and diverse, but I struggled to like the main character. She was rude and “blunt” (more like inconsiderate) to others and was obviously not a personality trait that the character was supposed to be like as she was constantly apologizing to the people closest to her for hurting their feelings or being inconsiderate. The author also tended to have the main character have harsh words or fights with others that instantly ended with everyone happy again. I absolutely think that if these issues are corrected, this will be a hit series as the rest of the cast of characters, town and such are quite lovely and entertaining. I definitely will read the next book to see how the characters progress in their development. I gave a 4 star review since I felt 3 was too harsh, but it is really more of a 3.5 as the main character needs a bit of growth in the personality department.
A Crafter Knits a Clue (A Handcrafted Mystery #1)
Author Holly Quinn brings a new series to the cozy mystery genre’ in her first book in “A Handcrafted Mystery” series. “A Crafter Knits a Clue is fun, entertaining and has a great cast of characters. As with most firsts in a series, there are some slow parts to start. That is a necessity it seems in order to introduce the setting and characters to the reader. Once that was done, this was a fast paced read, full of intrigue and keeps the reader glued to the book. Sammy Kane is a good protagonist that I am sure will become more and more likeable as the series progresses. Set in Sammy’s hometown of Heartsford, WI, she returns for a funeral and ends up staying. I enjoyed the setting as well as the characters.
Sammy’s best friend Kate has passed away and Sammy has to return to her hometown to attend her funeral. While dealing with the tragedy of losing her best friend, Sammy learns the store that meant the world to Kate and also means so much to the community is going to close. Sammy and her golden retriever Bara take it over and keep it going in honor of her dear friend. Unfortunately there is a competing yarn/craft store in the area too. It’s owner is a pain in the neck. That is until Sammy goes over to help Ingrid and finds she has a real pain in the neck, a knitting needle is sticking out of her throat and she will no longer be a bother to anyone.
With a new detective in town, Liam Nash, assigned to the case, Sammy may just have to help find the killer. Not just because of her desire for justice and the right person being arrested, but also just maybe to get better acquainted with Liam. Sammy is no stranger to investigating mysteries. When she was a youngster, she had a detective club with her sister and their cousin. Can she help find the answers needed to knit together the real facts and help Liam before she becomes a victim herself? And can she do it without hurting the budding friendship (that is bound to become more) with Liam? And all of this is going on while they are trying to get things ready for the annual Spring Fling.
I think I am going to really enjoy this new series. I love the setting, the community and friendships in the town are wonderful. I love the fact that Bara the golden plays a part in the town as well. Dogs rule, lol. Author Holly Quinn has a relatable and enjoyable writing style that brings the reader in and kept me interested throughout. Give her time to set up the series in the first section of the book, the payoff is well worth it. “A Crafter Knits a Clue” is a well written and fun cozy that is surely just the beginning of a wonderful series. I cannot wait for the next book.
I was graciously given a copy of the book by the author. The opinion is solely my own and not influenced by that at all.
Sammy.
Sammy discovers the body of Ingrid who owns the yarn shop and is determined to find out who murdered her and why. She has a knack for acting before she thinks sometimes which causes her to put herself in danger much to the dismay of Heidi, Ellie and Detective Liam Nash. Can she find out the answers to the mystery before she becomes a victim too?
This book has all the right ingredients of a good mystery, good characters, twists and turns that keep you reading to the end and a plus is a couple of knitting patterns aslo. I look forward to the next book to come.
I received this book for my honest opinion and review.
A Crafter Knits a Clue by Holly Quinn is the first novel in A Handcrafted Mystery series. Samantha “Sammy” Kane took over running the Community Craft store in Heartsford, Wisconsin three years prior after her best friend, Kate Allen passed away in a tragic accident. Sammy and her part-time employee, Carter Allen are working on decorating the store for Spring Fling when she gets a call from Ingrid Wilson who owns The Yarn Barn. Since Ingrid had opened her shop, she calls frequently needing assistance. Sammy finds the back door to The Yarn Barn open and legs sticking out from behind the counter. Ingrid has a green aluminum knitting needle jutting out of her throat. Detective Liam Nash, the town’s handsome new detective, is on the case. When he arrests Miles Danbury, a woodworker for the crime, Sammy, with the assistance of her cousin and sister, sets out solve the twisty whodunit. They need to knit together the clues to reveal the killer. Ingrid was not a popular resident which provides an array of suspects. Sammy needs to be careful or she could end up in a knotty situation.
A Crafter Knits a Clue is an engaging cozy mystery. Sammy Kane came to town for her best friend’s funeral and ends up returning to town permanently. The town relies on Community Craft for selling their craft items as well as a meeting place. It is a central hub for Heartsford, Wisconsin. Sammy took over the store and keeps an eye on best friend’s younger brother, Carter. Sammy is not alone in Heartsford. She has her sister, Ellie and her cousin, Heidi. The three of them grew up together and formed an amateur sleuthing club when they were children. I enjoyed the interactions between the three women (some of them will have you snickering). You can tell that they care for each and are supportive. Sammy can be a bit impulsive and brusque (especially with Liam). I did not like the way she dealt with Liam at times (put me on edge). She has her reasons which come to light later in the story. I liked the author’s writing style (conversational) which made the story easy to read especially with its steady pacing. I appreciated that the author took the time to provide the main characters background and establish the town. It helps me to imagine the characters and setting which brings a story to life for me. Ingrid’s home was especially appealing along with the handcrafted items in Community Craft. The mystery was uncomplicated. There is active investigating as the threesome hunt for clues and suspects. There are a few suspects and pointed clues. Readers will have no problem unraveling this whodunit. There are knitting patterns for socks at the end for those of you handy with knitting needles. A Crafter Knits a Clue is a pleasurable start to A Handcrafted Mystery series. I am giving A Crafter Knits a Clue 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). A Crafter Knits a Clue combines family, friends, food and crafts into one charming cozy mystery.
Synopsis:
For fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, the latest craft frenzy is Holly Quinn’s Handcrafted series debut.
Sammy 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, 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. (Goodreads)
Review:
I think the thing I liked best about this book is the caring relationships that Sammy has with so many family and friends. You can tell that the core characters love each other and enjoy spending time with each other. You can tell how much Sammy misses her friend, Kate, who has passed away. Many things remind her about their friendship and I found this very touching and realistic.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I really felt like I was in Heartsford. I really loved the concept of the Community Craft. I think it sounds like a great place and I would like to be able to shop there. Plus it adds to the feeling of the loving community that Sammy lives in (except for the killer).
I think this a great start to a new cozy series and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a well crafted cozy. I will definitely read the next one when it is published.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and fits the bill of a traditional cozy mystery. It is full of small town humor and charm. Sammy’s backstory was an interesting part of the book and I enjoyed how the author left us with a little bit of a cliff hanger at the end. It worked for me because now I am super curious to check out the second book when it is out.
Read complete review here: https://cozyexperience.com/a-crafter-knits-a-clue-book-review/
First in A Handcrafted Mystery Series, this cozy is an exciting and fascinating read that I enjoyed. The Wisconsin setting sounds beautiful, and those who live here remind me of the family ties, loyalty, and work ethic I’ve encountered in people from small-town Wisconsin. This is the kind of atmosphere that draws people to cozy mysteries and craft groups.
Sammy is the owner of Community Craft Store and has been since her best friend, Kate, died in a freak accident about 3 years ago. The store was Kate’s dream, and she brought the community together through selling locally-made goods and various fundraisers to help people in need. Sammy feels she can never live up to Kate’s talents for inviting people to be their best.
Carter, Kate’s younger brother, is fifteen years younger than Sammy. He is a senior in high school, a basketball star and team captain and helps in the store. He is seeking college scholarships based on his athletic and scholastic talents. He is like a younger brother to Sammy, and they are very close.
When Ingrid, who recently opened a well-stocked yarn shop nearby, calls Carter for help with something, Sammy goes, after checking her emails, while Carter finishes some overhead decorating. Sammy goes to The Yarn Barn and finds Ingrid murdered. Despite how fiber arts crafters love her new shop, very few liked Ingrid. The man the police accuse of the murder is a friend and craftsman to Sammy and she is certain Miles didn’t do it.
Ingrid is a long-lost aunt of Coach, the high school basketball coach. They were just getting to know each other when she died. Days later, Coach is run down by a hit and run driver. Sammy becomes involved with the murder and hit-and-run partly because of Carter and his team and partly because she is convinced of Mile’s innocence. Coach asks Sammy and her friends to help clean out his aunt’s clothing for donation, and the ladies find no clues except a hidden box of cash. Lots of it. As the suspects are narrowed down, the bad guy(s) make plans to keep Sammy from ever asking any more questions.
I like Sammy; she has much more of Kate’s heart that she thinks, as is evidenced through her community concern and trying to clear the name of the friend accused of Ingrid’s murder. She also helps Carter prepare for a fundraiser to help Coach with his growing medical bills. Each of the primary characters are very well defined and 3-dimensional; all are described as suitable to their roles.
This first in a new series cozy mystery drew me in from the start, especially with the murder occurring early in the novel, and it held my attention throughout. I had an ongoing list of who I thought murdered and who attempted murder; the list changed with each plot twist. Sammy’s store sounds like a great place, as I enjoyed the descriptions of various areas of it, including the craft room. All the elements that make a cozy mystery interesting to me are present: an interesting career (the shop), pets (a dog), small-town cozy, a tightly-woven, complex mystery, and characters I would enjoy as neighbors. The ending is satisfactory with some happy surprises. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy craft stores, yarn, and very well-written cozy mysteries!
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Sammy Kane moved back to town to run the local craft store after the owner and Sammy’s best friend dies in an accident. Sammy and the Community Craft store would do almost anything for the community of Heartsford, WI but the owner of her neighboring store, Ingrid, is testing her limits of being neighborly and community spirit. Ingrid calls asking for help once again but Sammy finds things to do in her store so she can make Ingrid wait. When Sammy finally go to help Ingrid she finds Ingrid’s dead body. Can Sammy find out who and why Ingrid was killed while still being there for the community’s upcoming Spring Fling?
This is the first book in a new series by author Holly Quinn. I believe this is a good start to the series, having said that I do feel the series does have room to grow. The mystery storyline was entertaining and did have a good pace. There are several red-herrings included helping keep the reader in suspense. Most of the characters are enjoyable however Sammy comes off a little strong and at times off-putting especially in the scenes with Detective Nash. I feel that this is a relationship which can really add to the story in future books but the animosity between the two seems to be a little strong especially since he is new to the area and they haven’t met before.
I did enjoy the book and I would recommend this to cozy lovers if you are looking for a series to start reading at the beginning of the journey. I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Author Holly Quinn debuts a crafty new cozy series set in scenic Wisconsin. Right away, the story appeals emotionally as Sammy Kane, owner of the Community Craft Store thinks of her late friend, Kate, and the close relationship Sammy’s developed with her teenage son, Carter, since Kate’s unexpected death. The town of Heartsford is a close knit and caring community, and Sammy’s store stocks many handmade goods by the townsfolk. Local craft groups also meet at the store.
The victim is a woman not well-liked in the town. Detective Liam Nash is assigned the murder case and Sammy likes his personality. When the investigation isn’t progressing fast enough to suit Sammy, she and her sister, Elle, and their cousin, Heidi, resurrect their childhood detective club, S.H.E., by channeling their inner Nancy Drew’s, and pledge to solve the crime!
Protagonist, Sammy’s character comes across as brusque, at times, and impulsive, however, she’s obviously a caring and concerned citizen. I liked her sister and cousin, too, and Sammy’s faithful golden retriever, Bara. I look for Liam and Sammy’s relationship to heat up in future books.
While the first half of this story moved slowly and dialogue or description was somewhat choppy and stilted at times; the second half read swiftly as revelations came to light and the motive behind the mystery began to make sense. I was flipping pages fast, thoroughly absorbed in the developing plot and eager to know what was going to happen and who the killer would be.
I’m so glad I kept reading because I enjoyed all the bits and pieces coming together for a satisfying conclusion. The author includes two sock patterns for knitters.
I reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.
This hits all the right notes for a cozy mystery. The characters are likeable, the mystery is clever enough and the writing flows nicely. Worth reading. I’d visit these folks again in another book.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and is the first of the series, but it won’t be the last I read. The main character is very relate-able as is the friendship between the cousins. The story is laid out in and interesting, easy to follow manner. I like books that mimic Agatha Christie in that they don’t let us know who the culprit is until the end, and this is one of those books. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was a really fun start to a brand new series. I haven’t completely made up my mind about Sammy, but she and her S.H.E. squad were thoroughly entertaining to watch. My sympathies go out to the police force in Heartsford. I anticipate their jobs are about to become infinitely more difficult now that the S.H.E.s are fully operational once more. While I spend a lot of time reading romance and love the passion and excitement of watching a new love blossom, I like that what’s taking place here is happening at a slower pace and being allowed to grow naturally. I can’t wait to see what trouble Sammy gets into next and how else she’s going to get tangled in Detective Nash’s investigations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
Her best friend. Kate’s unexpected death has brought Sammy Kane back to her hometown of Heartsford, WI. After her friend’s funeral Sammy decided to take over Kate’s store and move home for good.
A few shops down is a local yarn shop owned by another local woman who has recently returned home, Ingrid Wilson. After Ingrid calls requesting help hanging some things from the ceiling Sammy heads down the block. Sadly, she discovers Ingrid with a green aluminum knitting needle lodged in her throat.
Detective Liam Nash begins the investigation of the murder and must wade through the many locals who seem to have a motive for killing the woman. Sammy loves to sleuth and begins a bit of investigating herself, convincing her sister and their cousin to join her. When a friend becomes the main suspect Sammy works hard not only to prove his innocence, but locate the murderer.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is the first in a new series and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. The characters are interesting and have realistic relationships. The setting is pleasant and easy to envision. The action of the plot moves at a steady pace. I flew through the book.