Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy are prepping their coziest handiwork for a holiday gathering in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. But as murder makes waves in their tightly knit coastal village, can the Seaside Knitters prevent a deadly trend from catching on? While the Seaside Knitters get ready to showcase their new Danish-inspired event, locals can’t stop talking about Tess Bean, a bright-eyed … Bean, a bright-eyed environmental activist with a way of charming both animals and humans alike—especially Birdie’s granddaughter, and Izzy’s old Irish setter. Except not everyone is a fan of Tess and her strong opinions, especially after she starts questioning the “clean” practices of small-business owners . . .
When a popular bar owner whom Tess publicly calls out is found dead from a fall off his club’s deck, Tess soon tops the list of suspects. But in addition to a murderer walking their streets, the knitters are grappling with an unusual wave of local thefts. Now, as Birdie’s granddaughter struggles to protect her mentor’s reputation, the Seaside Knitters must solve a dangerous mystery that not only threatens to unravel the fabric of their community and the approaching holiday—but also the lives of those they care about the most . . .
Praise for Murder Wears Mittens
“A beautifully written mystery full of warmth and surprises.”
—Nancy Pickard, New York Times bestselling author
“I was utterly charmed by the Seaside Knitters and their cozy community.”
—Bestselling author Laurien Berenson
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Climate change is real and environmental activist Tess Bean hopes to get the folks of Seaside Harbor to get on board with her ideas. Birdie’s granddaughter, Gabby is all-in on the efforts but Harbor Club owner Bobby Abbott is not a fan of Tess or her efforts. When Bobby is found dead on the beach below the bar’s deck Tess becomes suspect numero uno. Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy learn their friend Gracie, owner of Easy Lobster and Soup Café is also on the suspect list.
The Seaside Knitters are also planning a Holiday event giving them time to gather and ponder other suspects as they try to get a murderer behind bars before the Christmas Bells ring. The knitters are also concerned about some thefts the local shop owners are dealing with. They don’t think the thefts are connected to the murder, but you never know, they could be.
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The Seaside Knitters, their spouses, children, and friends gather together regularly for food and fellowship, but sometimes their dinners are focused on the latest local murder. In this small town, where everyone knows everyone, it is hard not to get involved. Let’s face it, they do have an excellent track record. With Gabby so involved with Tess and Gracie a suspect, they have no choice but to do some investigating of their own.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. The cast of characters is large but the author gives new readers a list at the beginning of the book to assist them in getting to know how everyone fits together. I love these characters and frankly, I would read their stories even if there wasn’t a murder mystery included. They have become old friends. I can easily picture myself pulling up a chair and knitting right along with them, discussing all the events of the day around town and in their home lives. I would also love to be invited to the Friday night dinners at Ben and Nell’s. This tight-knit group is what makes this series great.
Even though I said it was unnecessary, Ms. Goldenbaum always writes an intriguing mystery and I love that she focuses on a hot topic in the world today. Tess is passionate about her cause but would she kill someone? Would Gracie? There are plenty of clues, twists, and turns to untangle. The group works together to ferret out the answers needed and it is fun to follow them each and every step of the way. I have come to believe that following complex knitting patterns gives these women the brainpower and the temperament needed to solve these mysteries. I didn’t even come close.
Even in the winter Sea Harbor sounds like a wonderful place. There is always something happening. Heck, picking up garbage on the beach even sounds like fun as long as there are no dead bodies
One little thing that really tugged on my heart is that Izzy is dealing with an elderly dog. I have two border collies that are 16 years young but are dealing with the aches and pains of aging too. Izzy meets Tess when she takes her dog to the vet. Tess basically takes over the visit meeting Izzy at her car, carries the dog in, sets the dog down and immediately starts massaging the dog in an amazing and soothing way. You could tell the dog enjoyed the treatment and felt better after. Most humans love their aching muscles massaged so why wouldn’t dogs.
This is another spectacular book from Sally Goldenbaum. The author’s descriptive writing style draws the reader in for a story that unfolds at a comfortable pace. A Murderous Tangle is a mystery filled with cozy characters in a charming small town that will have you a little sad when it ends and anxious for your next visit.
I do enjoy these ladies. Their spouses are pretty special too. Everyone should be so lucky to have a group like this to call their own. I loved the story line, especially the little surprises thrown in here and there. This story talks about and offers suggestions about our environment, which we should all be taking better care of. I love the relationship between Gabby and Birdie. Who wouldn’t want that with their grandchild? I wish Tess could come and work some of her magic on me. This was an interesting and entertaining story and I hope you’ll check it out. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Good book! This was the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. A local bar owner is found murdered and a woman who is an environmental activist is thought to be the prime suspect. The four ladies investigate as the woman suspected of being the killer is the teacher and friend to Birdie’s young granddaughter. Lots of interesting things in this book. I really enjoyed reading about this group of four women friends of all different ages. I am looking forward to going back and reading earlier books from the series as well as hopefully reading some new ones. Very enjoyable!!
I quite enjoyed this book. Even though I haven’t read all of them I was able to follow the story line and not feel lost. I like that there was a focus on environmental awareness and climate change. The descriptions make you feel like you’re right there and in the action. The story kept my attention and the pacing was good. I will have to read more in this series.
I was given an advanced copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
A Murderous Tangle is the third book in the Seaside Knitters Mystery series.
This book introduces a new character Tess Bean. Tess in on the staff at the veterinary clinic and a part-time environmental science teacher. She has been able to get some of the students involved in cleaning up the shoreline and passing out literature to educate residents on how to save the environment.
When the body of the owner of the Harbor Club bar, Bobby Abbott, is found near his bar Izzy, Nell, Cass, and Birdie set their sight on finding who wanted Bobbie out of the picture. As they begin to think through possible suspects they find that some of their friends are quickly added to the list. Even Tess becomes a suspect as she was seen having a heated argument with Bobby.
Whether the Seaside Knitters are having a quiet supper at Nell’s or working on their knitting at Izzy’s store they will put all their effort into finding the killer.
The book is well-written and plotted with an interesting cast of characters. Once again the author writes a heart-warming story with people I would love to have as friends.
A knitting pattern and delicious recipes are also included in the book.
I am most interested in reading the next book in this delightful series.
This is the first book I’ve read in the Seaside Knitters Society mystery series and I have to admit to feeling a bit confused on occasion as to who all the characters were but I was able to follow along for the most part. I thought the storyline was interesting with a few good red herrings but it was a little slow in a places. I did enjoy the book overall and plan to check out the other books in the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Coastal New England Cozy Mystery
This is a very good cozy mystery. Set in a small coastal New England town, the story centers around a group of knitters. The plot is excellent. The reader becomes fully invested in the characters. There are many suspects and the reader wants none of them to be guilty. I always enjoy this author’s books. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
I came to this series late and have been enjoying playing catch up. As soon as I met the wonderful characters in this series, I knew I had found another author to follow – if she writes it, I will read it and enjoy it.
Christmas is just around the corner and there are crimes to solve before the celebrations begin. Bobby Abbott has been murdered and the town of Sea Harbor is seeing a string of thefts. Are the two things connected? Tess Bean had an argument with Bobby over climate change and Tess is sitting at the top of the list of suspects. Birdie, Cass, Izzy and Nell are certain that Tess isn’t the killer so they do what they have done before – they investigate. Touching on current world issues as well as topics close to heart and home, this mystery has some sadness and a whole lot of love. The best word, I think, is heartwarming.
Spending time with the residents of Sea Harbor is time well spent. I’m still working my way through the list, savoring each one, so I don’t know their full back story but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this entry. Sally Goldenbaum provides a very complete list of characters to help keep people straight. It’s nice to have a list but I found I didn’t need to refer to it very often. Don’t hesitate to jump into this series at any point, your welcome will be a warm one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Goldenbaum has done it again! She has written a mystery that will tantalize you from beginning to the end. Jump on board for the book everyone will talking about. Enjoy!
family-dynamics, friendship, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, cozy-mystery
A cohesive group of friends, a capable new activist teacher, missing oddments from various local businesses, a tweenager with her elderly grandmother, too many secrets and lies, and a murder. Although this is part of a series, there’s no sense of missing something other than whodunit. Much misdirection and red herrings add to the suspense, and the characters are so engaging that you feel that you know them. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!