Every family has annoying relatives; mine just happen to be undead.My Grandmother, Agnes Bartlett, used to own Cardinal Woolsey’s knitting shop in Oxford then died and left her shop to me, without informing me that she wasn’t actually dead. She’s a vampire and part of the world’s strangest craft circle – the Vampire Knitting Club.As you might imagine, this means she’s free to interfere in how I … means she’s free to interfere in how I run the business that used to be hers. She’s trying to teach me to knit and it’s not going well. She’s also trying to teach me how to be a witch, since it turns out I’m from a long line of witches. Another tiny detail about my family that no one ever told me, along with the long-lost witch cousins I recently discovered.
But I’m learning. I’ve got my family spell book, my black cat familiar, some powers that sometimes scare me, and an interesting new group of friends.
My archaeologist parents are coming to visit and bringing me a gift I could do without.
So, to recap, I run a knitting shop and I can’t knit. I’m a beginning witch who can’t always control her cat, never mind her magic, and my love life is as tangled as the last sock I tried to knit. Oh, and for some reason, I keep getting involved in murder investigations. Good thing I have my vampire knitters to help sniff out clues.
At least I’ve finally hired the perfect assistant, a real demon with the crochet hook. Or is she too perfect?
Crochet and Cauldrons is the third book in the Vampire Knitting Club series of fun, paranormal cozy mysteries.
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“I was up until 2 a.m. I just couldn’t stop reading.” ***** Five star Amazon review of Frosted Shadow, a Toni Diamond mystery.
“Loved it! Keeps you guessing to the end.” ***** Amazon review of Frosted Shadow, a Toni Diamond mystery.more
Crochet and Cauldrons is book three in the Vampire Knitting Club series by Nancy Warren. It was another fun cozy mystery.
Lucy has to deal with an ancient curse, an unknown demon, a cat thief, and many pretty boys. She was brave and determined. She is becoming more conformable with her life in Oxford and I like seeing her settle in.
The mystery. Unfortunately this go around it was obvious to me who the demon was. I can’t understand how Lucy didn’t figure out. They’re where a lot of give aways. Thou I did still enjoy the mystery and everyone working to keep Lucy safe.
We do get to meet a few new characters and Lucy’s group of friends expands.
Crochet and Cauldrons is an enjoyable read. Now onto the next one.
Rated: 3 Stars
What a great read!
I just love this series. A little romance, some supernatural twists, family ties, and a cat named Nyx! The characters are so much fun and a neat concept. Nyx is the best, I would not want to tick off this cat! All the vampires are working together to try to keep Lucy safe. Her parents come for a visit which makes from some trying times. And she finally finds the perfect assistant! Well, you need to read to find out!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
This one really seems a bit more creepy than cozy to me which I guess is how Lucy will show progress in her skills, witch-wise. Most times I can’t even figure out exactly who the villain but this one was obvious to me.
Lucy’s parents have finally come to visit and her mother has brought trouble with her. It’s an enchanted Egyptian mirror with a trapped witch. When one of her parents’ guests dies after dinner at her home, all are under suspicion. Can Lucy solve the mystery, free the witch from the mirror, and kill the demon controlling the witch.
This book gives Lucy the chance to use her witch skills while we get the chance to meet her parents. I really enjoyed this.
This was another fun read in this series. I really enjoy listening to this series as the narrator does an awesome job with it. And it’s a fun paranormal cozy mystery series so far. I like following Lucy along as she slowly learns more about this world of witches and vampires and other paranormal things that are out there. And every book has it’s own mystery as well ofcourse.
The mystery of this one was quite different again than most cozies. There is no actual murder until quite late in the book, but the impending danger plot line starts quite early. It was an interesting way to handle it. And even though the mystery at first wasn’t about who is the murderer, it was still about who is behind this. I do think it was rather obvious who the murderer was, once we got a certain clue it all fell into place for me. It was almost too obvious and it was a bit annoying how none of the characters seemed to realize what was happening until it was almost too late. The ending turned a bit dark and creepy, but I liked seeing how Lucy got through it.
This story feels like an important one for the story in a way. With the new things Lucy learns in this one and how much she has come to rely on her new vampire friends. It’s like she’s slowly starting to get a bit more comfortable that she’s a witch. And there’s another witch she meets in this book. Although she wasn’t very likable at first, I do think it helped Lucy to learn more about witches.
I enjoyed listening to this book and seeing how Lucy deals with all the danger she’s facing in this book. I also liked how she showed determination and kindness in this book. I like seeing how she interacts with the other characters and there are some interesting new characters she meets in this book as well as more we see from the already familiar ones. And Lucy’s parents come to visit in this book. It was hard to fully like her parents, but they did feel realistically done. With the way her parents worried about her and sometimes tried to push her into a certain direction. They didn’t fully understand her decision to stay in Oxford either. It was interesting to see this part of Lucy’s life and her parents so I could better understand how this shaped her as a character.
I like how the world building slowly gets expended with each book. With little bits here and there we learn about witches in particular in this book. This book also touches upon other things that are out there with the powerful enemy Lucy faces in this book. It’s interesting how the series still takes things slowly. While Lucy is a witch, she’s still a new witch and still has a lot to learn and often doesn’t have time for all the witchy stuff with her shop and the rest going on, which felt very realistic.
I really like the way Sarah Zimmerman narrates this series. I like her voices for Lucy and Rafe especially. Her older ladies voice is also very spot on. And the way she handles all the different accents and gives every character their own voice really works for me. I am really glad I decided to listen to this series.
To summarize: Another fun book in this series. I like the unique set-up this book has with the murder happening later on, but news of impending danger arriving instead early in the book. I think this approach worked well for this story. I did think it was rather obvious who was behind it all and it was a bit frustrating how no one seems to get the right clue to solve this mystery. I like Lucy as a character and I like the kindness she shows a stranger and her determination to fix this. It’s interesting to see her learn more about being a witch. There are some new characters she meets in this book as well as the usual cast of recurring characters. Sarah Zimmerman does an awesome job with the narration and I like how she handles the different voices and accents. I am glad I decided to listen to this series.
4.5
Book source ~ Kindle Lending Library
Lucy Swift inherited her grandmother’s wool shop in Oxford and even though she can’t knit worth a damn she decides to give running it a try since it means a lot to her grandmother. Yes, I said “means” and not “meant.” You see, her grandmother is now a vampire and even though she’s still adjusting to her new way of life and can’t be seen by anyone she knew before, she still is attached to the shop and her granddaughter. Plus, she needs to teach Lucy how to be a witch. Because that’s also something Lucy didn’t know about before her grandmother died. Let’s not forget the vampire knitting circle and the fact that murders keep happening around Lucy and she feels a need to solve them.
In this installment, Lucy’s parents make an unexpected visit even though they’re right in the middle of an exciting find in their Egyptian archaeological dig. Things are weird though and Lucy is trying to figure out how an Egyptian artifact fits into her life and whether it’s tied to the murder of a graduate student.
I love this cozy mystery series. It has humor, paranormal aspects, great characters, and quirky situations for Lucy to deal with. The vampire knitting circle is just too awesome. I love them! There’s even a possibility of some romance coming up in the future. Exciting! I’m going to continue on with this series in the hopes that Lucy will get better at magic. Because heaven knows she sucks at knitting. LOL
Third in the series and these are such fun cozies with terrific characters. Unlike the previous two, I did identify the villain early on but still truly enjoyed reading the entire novel and will buy the next one immediately.
Crochet and Cauldrons is the third book in the Vampire Knitting Club series. Imagine Lucy’s surprise when she sees her dead grandmother walking around. But she isn’t exactly dead. And Lucy’s newfound friends might not be exactly what they appear to be. This story kept me hooked throughout. I definitely recommend it.
I was a little skeptical when I started this series , after all ‘A vampire knitting club’ ?
But do far al! 3 books that I have read have been wonderfully entertaining. The characters are fun and interesting. But most of all it keeps me in suspense, and it’s hard to put the book down. I recommend this series to anyone who loves a pageturner
From the mostly cozy mystery with paranormal elements in the first two books of the series, Crochet and Cauldrons takes a full turn to a true paranormal cozy as deadly danger targets Lucy’s power of witchcraft.
Keeps getting better and better. This series is definitely going places. One of my top favorites. Just SORRY that I could not get to it before now.
That said, if you have not read the others in this series, do not worry. You can follow this book just fine. the previous books will give you the finer details and nuances that you might not get in this book. Although I do not remember there being much to worry about.
Love the Egyptian aspect of the book, wish there was more but that is just me. Maybe can do more with other cultures and their witch beliefs? Parents are archaeologists after all? Just an idea since you started down the path.
Hoping next books will have something on her expansion ideas. Waiting to see if my thoughts on this series are going to be what the characters want too.
I had it figured out but then almost caught me with two little rabbit trails.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book . I am very late reading and writing this review. Thank you to the author for their patience.
This is a great book! I’m new to cozy mysteries but have eagerly read this full series so far and Nancy has engaged me with the characters. The characters are quirky and unexpected. Nancy plots have some twists and turns making the reading a little adventure. I particularly liked this series entry because the “murder” was no mystery at all.
Lucy is delighted when her parents visit for the first time since she inherited Cardinal Woolsley’s from her beloved grandmother. This book has knitting, friendship, magic, danger, vampires and the totally amazing familiar Nyx. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. The Vampire Knitting Club is a brilliant and original series from the very talented author Nancy Warren. Crochet and Cauldrons is the third book in this fabulous series. It can be read as a stand-alone but as each book directly follows on from the previous one I definitely recommend you read the books in order.. it also gives you the full background of the story and the wonderful characters. The next book can not come soon enough. This book and series definitely deserves a 5* review.
“Don’t let your fear show, or the powers of evil will use it against you.”
In this, the third book in The Vampire Knitting Club, Lucy is still running the shop and, unfortunately, beginning to look for a new assistant, and getting suggestions about how to “keep” her clerk.
As she returns home, she finds her parents have unexpectedly returned from their dig. Settling them into the flat, her mother, who is acting a bit strange, shows her an artifact that really shouldn’t have “come along” but she insists it needs to be Lucy’s. Upon opening it, she finds an incantation that brings her face to face with danger that could ruin everything, especially those within the paranormal community.
Rafe connects her with a powerful witch,and she “fills her in” about the mirror, taking Nyx-Lucy’s familiar- as payment. Nyx isn’t any happier being left behind, but Rafe reminds Lucy that powerful magic may require powerful sacrifice.
Lucy is having difficulty keeping her parents and her grandmother apart. The Vampires get Agatha to leave on a trip, so that situation is on the back burner for now. However, when Lucy and her mother talk about other “realms”, her mother is as dismissive as always.
However, it looks as though the perfect assistant has appeared and she begins to out sell her boss as customers begin buying amazing amounts of product. This gives Lucy some assurance that things will be alright. Little does she know……
Nancy Warren is an gifted writer. Her characters are as well developed as an intricate knitting pattern and reflect her love of art, science and comedy. I love these books. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
Crochet and Cauldrons by Nancy Warren
The Vampire Knitting Club Series Book Three
Lucy Swift just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. It’s not as if she’s looking for it, it just finds her. This time in the form of an ancient mirror her mom brings her from one of the digs they were on. Something her mother would never do…if she’d known she was doing it.
The surprise visit from her folks has Lucy sending Gran off on an adventure so she doesn’t accidentally scare Lucy’s mom half to death. After all, everyone but Lucy and the vampires think the previous owner of Cardinal Woolsey’s Knitting Shop is dead.
This is such a wonderful series. More mystery than romance as Lucy doesn’t have very good luck with romance, learning to knit, or keeping assistants. She really is best at attracting problems. Looking forward to more in this series.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/nancy-warren-book-list.html
Lucy arrives at the Cardinal Woolsey’s knitting shop to find her archeological parents waiting for her. This major surprise puts Lucy life in a tailspin when her mother acts quite strangely and comes bearing a gift from one of their dig sites. The gift unleashes a curse on Lucy and she must find a way to vanquish a powerful being before he gets to her first. If that wasn’t bad enough, she is now on assistant number three in the shop and hopes that this one is a keeper.
This is the third book in the Vampire Knitting Club series but can be easily read as a standalone. There are wonderful paranormal and quirky characters, witty moments, lots of mystery, a touch of romance, and so much more to enjoy. I couldn’t put the book down and found myself reading late in the night to finish it. Well worth the lack of sleep the next morning!
I love this series so far, and this is the best book yet!! The characters are so vibrant and the world the author has created is so vividly real. All the brilliant shenanigans make me giggle, and there are certainly a couple of swoon-worthy characters as well. Don’t want this series to ever end!
CROCHET AND CAULDRONS is a standalone read. It is 3rd in a series but can be read in any order without being lost. Lucy, an American, inherits her Gran’s knit shop in Oxford. Believing her Gran to have passed she is bewildered when she sees her walking down the street.
Now this is not your usual vampire and witches story. These vampires are a feisty, fun group. They knew Lucy’s Gran and used her shop for their knitting circle each week. So naturally they adopted Lucy since her Gran was now a vampire in transition. Each book is an adventure as Lucy comes to grips with being a modern day witch. She had no idea she had gifts so she is adjusting to a whole new way of life. Lucy gets into trouble on a daily basis. She just can’t seem to help herself. The vampires are all ways there to help her out.
In this story Lucy and the vampires are heating up. There has been a murder in the shop next door and it could be that Lucy, herself, is in danger. It is a good thing she has so many looking after her as she navigates the trails of looking after herself and fighting the forces of evil.
this is a fun, light-hearted read and I definitely recommend it. Lucy is an attractive young woman and she captures the attention of all the males in her world. The police detective is building up the nerve to ask her out. Rafe, the leader of the vampires and several hundred years older also has his eye on Lucy. She leads them all a merry chase. Nyx, her black kitten and familiar also plays a very interesting and fun part. Lots of fun side characters. It will leave you laughing
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 10/23/18