“Yost provides an entertaining combination of mystery and romance with a dose of Finnish tradition.” ~Kirkus Review When an Upper Michigan Finnish-American Community is Shocked by Murder, Local Knitter Hatti Lehtinen Searches for Answers in A PATTERN FOR MURDER, the First Installment in the BAIT & STITCH COZY MYSTERY SERIES by Ann Yost –Red Jacket, Michigan, On the Keweenaw Peninsula– … Michigan, On the Keweenaw Peninsula–
There’s never been a serious crime in the Keweenaw Peninsula–that anyone can remember. That is until Larry the Basset and Lydia the Poodle discover a fresh body below the lighthouse. The victim, a wealthy landowner recently returned from California, has been at odds with the community over a lighthouse slated to become a retirement home for local seniors.
When Sheriff Horace A. Clump has no intention of giving up his Sunday brunch of pannukakku to pursue an investigation, Hatti Lehtinen, manager of The Bait and Stitch–a combination bait and knitting shop–is determined to find the killer herself. After all, she’s an Agatha Christie fan and besides, she’s desperate to protect her friends and relatives from false accusations. But as more bodies turn up and lies are uncovered, it becomes clear that not everybody in Hatti’s circle is innocent, after all.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the smells and flavors of the Finnish community and the Keweenaw Peninsula by trying the recipe for pannukakku included at the end of the book!
Publisher’s Note: The Bait and Stitch Cozy Mystery Series will be enjoyed by readers who appreciate clean, wholesome and humorous mysteries in ethnic settings. Readers who enjoy knitting mysteries as well as fans of Joanne Fluke, CeeCee James, Mildred Abbott and the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries will not want to miss this captivating series by Ann Yost.
The BAIT & STITCH SERIES:
A Pattern for Murder
A Double-Pointed Murder
A Fair Isle Murder
more
I absolutely fell for Hatti. She’s amazing! Max is a bit of a mystery. I like him though. Keep Google close at hand if you aren’t brushed up on your Swedish or Finnish. There are words you’ll find yourself looking up. I liked it though. This book puts you in a culture that I at least would not have expected. The story itself kept a good pace. The characters were a delight to get to know. I had a hunch as to who the baddie was but Ann Yost is excellent at keeping you from being sure of yourself as she continues to challenge and mislead you. Not only that, but nobody is safe. You like everyone but will they be the baddie? Will they get killed? Seriously, you keep guessing because she will kill or save with no remorse.
Some things made this book feel like it wasn’t the first in the series to me but it is. I enjoyed learning more about the Upper Michigan Peninsula as well as about sub-cultures. It’s always a fun thing for me when I learn a little something. Because I’m me, I actually looked it up to see if this was fiction and learned that this at least isn’t. The highest concentration of Finnish Americans live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula making up 16% of the population.
The scenery is described beautifully and I find myself wanting to go for a visit. Set in summer, it’s the perfect summer read to take you away from your every day.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ann Yost, and ePublishing Works for allowing me the chance to read this book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
Well-written, clever cozy. I feel like I know a lot more about Finnish culture and life in the Upper Peninsula because of this book. The characters are likeable and there’s a hint of romance to come in future books. I figured out whodunit fairly early, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.
Since the title has murder in it I knew someone was going to get murdered. As soon as Alex Martin was introduced to us as the son of the owner of the lighthouse that was suddenly there to get his inheritance I knew he was going to be the one that died. I am glad the death was not the obvious push off the balcony from the light house that there was more to it. I won’t go into details because that might spoil it for others. Hatti has recently moved back home and is the manager of her fathers bait shack. She somehow is the one to help instigate the murder and is able to help solve the crime. As well as lend out her vehicle to the deputy because the sheriff has a fancy car and can not haul bodies.
I never did figure out who did it. I had my ideas but never clearly guessed who. That is one of my favorite things about mystery and it is even better when I can’t guess it.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own
I absolutely loved this book. It’s not only a great mystery but it’s a wonderful book about knitting & the Finnish culture as well. The characters are well written with quirky personalities. I love the sense of community, the small town vibe where everyone knows everyone & their business. Hatti is a wonderfully flawed heroine. I love her determination & persistence in not only trying to find the answers to the murders but to sort the somewhat broken pieces of her life. The mystery is very well done. It kept me guessing right up to the end! A really fun read all around & a great start to a new series. Highly recommend!!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.