The Black Sheep Knitters come to the aid of two sisters—one a victim and one a suspect . . . Maggie Messina knows that knitting is not only enjoyable, it also calms both the mind and soul. She’s happy to visit two sisters, Holly and Rose Piper, and teach them some simple stitches, while the rest of the Black Sheep knitters tag along. Dana Haeger has known the young women since they were … women since they were children and is the closest thing to family the Pipers now have. Dana is especially concerned about Rose, who has been easily overwhelmed ever since a car accident many years ago. She is at her best managing the houseful of hounds that she rescues and shelters, while Holly runs the family nursery and remains devoted to Rose’s care. The lesson goes well, but the knitters are troubled about the sisters living alone in such a remote corner of Plum Harbor.
Their worst fears are realized when Holly is attacked in her greenhouse and the building set ablaze. Rose is found unconscious nearby, her dogs running wild. When she wakes, her memory is blank. Holly is hospitalized and unable to offer even a clue. The Black Sheep suspect a mysterious drifter who had talked his way into a few days of wages, and just as quickly, disappeared. Or was it their estranged stepbrother, Toby, full of family grievances and eager to make a claim on the estate? Or, heaven forbid . . . was it Rose? Hovering over all these questions like an ominous shadow is a dark secret from the sisters’ past.
While it seems everything is unraveling, the knitters will need to keep their wits as sharp as their needles to prove Rose’s innocence and stop a killer from striking again.
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“Hounds of the Basket Stitch” the 11th instalment in the “Black Sheep and Company Mystery” series by Anne Canadoe. I have only read one other instalment in the series but I really enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed visiting Plum Harbor and the Black Sheep knitters again, it had been awhile. I adored the character Rose who trains therapy dogs. I do recommend you start at the beginning of the series, only for the sheer fact of the number of characters involved in the series, it might be easier to get to know them all from the start..
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.
The ladies and their friendship is really what brings this series to life. One lady even welcomes a darling fur baby into their family. (Any type of dogs or cats are right up my alley )
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great book! The Blacksheep Knitting Group investigates after Dana’s goddaughters are injured and a fire destroys their greenhouse. The girls’ half-brother suddenly shows up and it seems he is up to no good. This book had me guessing all the way to the end and was highly enjoyable. I can’t wait to read more of this delightful group’s story!
This is the second mystery I’ve read in this series, and certainly my favorite of the two. The knitting class, led by Maggie, is a fabulous group of friends who have grown into their own little family over the years. They welcome new members in this novel, both of whom I really like, sisters Holly and Rose. I couldn’t solve the mystery myself, and appreciated learning more about traumatic brain injuries and treatments.
Dana, a member of the knitting group, is a therapist. She is gaining a new certification at the new center in Plum Harbor for those effected by brain injuries. The doctors are studying new treatments, including those used on Rose, Holly’s younger sister, who suffered an injury when a teenager. The author shares information about ongoing symptoms of the injury. The new treatments are helping Rose, as is taking in rescue hounds and preparing them for adoption either as pets or caring dogs, as she calls her own three hounds who help her with her challenges.
Holly helps care for Rose. She learned how to run her family’s nursery and took over when their parents died. She is a knowledgeable businesswoman who enjoys working in the gardens and greenhouse.
Knitting has potential for useful treatment so Maggie, owner of the yarn shop and sleuth who has helped with many criminal investigations, will lead a lesson to begin teaching Rose to knit. The night they were scheduled, however, Rose’s latest mama hound isn’t well. The class drove out to their home at the nursery; Maggie began a lesson for Rose with finger knitting, which sounds interesting.
A storm came through; before the ladies went back into town, a gruff man came to the house. He accidentally knocked over part of their fence and wants to repair it. Creeped out by his sudden appearance of Carl, Holly decided to think about it. The next day, he was there early and took care of the fence. Seeing his work and his work ethic, he is going to help at the nursery for a few days, as the spring – summer crew has not yet begun.
Carl was a great help, but only stayed a few days. He quit abruptly one morning and left at the end of the day. Later that night, Maggie saw on the TV news that there was a fire at the nursery greenhouse. She hurried to call Dana and met her at the hospital. Rose only had minor injuries, but couldn’t remember anything about the fire and wanted urgently to see Holly. Holly had been hit on the head before the fire was set, suffered from smoke inhalation, and would be sedated for a few days.
The next day, Toby, the girls’ half brother showed up after disappearing 10 years ago. He wants to take over responsibility for Rose, who doesn’t care for him. He not only draws up papers to take over Rose’s care, but wants to take over their home, get rid of the dogs, and make changes to how things were done. In the meantime, the police are concerned that Rose had hurt Holly and set the fire, as she had gas on her clothing that night.
With Rose a suspect, Toby trying to take over, and Carl having disappeared, Dana and Maggie are very concerned for the girls. Maggie and Dana are doing what they can to find who really set the fire before the police try to charge Rose. To do so may involve digging through some family secrets that have festered for a long time.
I really like this story! From finger knitting, learning about Rose’s challenges and treatments, and the very likeable characters, the pages flew. One couldn’t have better friends than Maggie and Dana, or a better sister than Holly. I was stymied by the mystery, especially so when a much-loved young woman is found murdered. I highly recommend this mystery, especially to those who enjoy fiber art, well-written cozy mysteries, dogs, and learning more about brain injuries.
From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this book; a review was not required.
Tangled Web of Lies
This is a cozy mystery in the Black Sheep and Co. series. This is the first of that series that I have read. I think that it stands alone quite well. There are several mysteries going on at once in this book; all based on old lies. It is a very good story with some knitting and lots of dogs. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
i am a big fan of the Black Sheep cozy mysteries. The Black Sheep women are all distinct, down to earth and utterly believable. In her latest book, Canadeo stretches her writing muscles with a trip to the darker side of disappointment and tragedy.
Anne Canadeo “Hounds of the Basket Stitch” is a charming, cute, and entertaining novel that involves one of my favorite things……… dogs. So, you cannot go wrong!
The mystery of the story was not only captivating; it kept me wanting to turn the pages because of all of the twists! I never knew what was coming next.
Along with the mystery, there is so much more involved in the story; such as, family, friendship and even, a serendipitous romance. I especially loved the knitting group, the doggie rescue and the Bonus Recipes..shhh! Not sure if I should’ve told you about that.
I was totally enthralled and anxious to find out – whodunnit?
This was the first book I read by Anne Canadeo, but will be adding more to my TBR list.
I’m hooked!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review
Maggie and her knitting friends—Dana, Lucy, Phoebe, Suzanne—head out to the Piper Sisters’ plant nursery for their weekly knitting get-together. Rose and Holly Piper are close enough to Dana to call her “Aunt” and she helps them out where she can. During their teen years, Rose and Holly were in an accident that killed one young man and left Rose with serious head trauma that she never really recovered from. After their parents’ deaths, Holly took on not only the family business, but Rose’s care. As part of her therapy, Rose takes in dogs and trains them. Now, years later, someone is trying to hurt the girls. The friends believe it was the girls’ half-brother who showed up after ten years and tries to take over the nursery. When someone burns down the greenhouse and tries to kill Holly, the friends go to work to figure out who could be so horrible—but they have too many suspects.
What I liked: This is a cute cozy mystery all about family ties, vengeance, and friendship. I liked the character of Rose and how, even with her problems, she is respected for her work with dogs and trains them well. I liked how the friends all worked together to help Holly and Rose and Dana cope with everything that was going on. I liked the satisfying ending and especially liked the links to knitting techniques in the end and the recipes, not only for human food, but dog treats as well. I especially liked that Holly had a a happy ending.
What I didn’t like: Hmm – how to say this without giving away a spoiler. There was one nasty person who didn’t get any consequences in the end and I would have preferred to see that happen. Also, I was a little confused at times as to who was telling the story. I believe Maggie is the main character, but the cast—being quite large—made it a little hard to figure out sometimes.
Recommendations: If you’re familiar with the series, I’d recommend this one as a good addition. You can read—and enjoy—it without having read the others, but it helps to know the characters better if you do. I’d also take a definite look at the other series this author has in cozy mysteries. I know she’s definitely on my “to buy” list now, and should be on yours as well.
What a fun book with lots of twists. Who is set on harming the Piper sisters? The scary old man who fixes their fence, the distant and sketchy half brother, or someone unknown? Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne, and Phoebe are at it again. Dana’s god-daughter is in danger and the police think it is her fragile sister. The women jump in to help the girls and the police. I was surprised by all the twists and I didn’t have a clue about the killer and motive. Great fun cozy.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and offer my honest review of this book.
therapy-dogs, dogs, doctors, TBI, amateur-sleuth, knitting, mystery
The knitting circle must investigate the complex series of mysteries including arson, attempted murder, and more. Relatively new to the circle are a pair of sisters, one operates a nursery and the other a rescue dog program to train them for therapy work. And she really knows the importance of therapy dogs as she is a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury and its problems in everyday life. Then comes the fire at the nursery which puts the elder sister in Intensive Care and totally disrupts everyone’s life. Add in an unsavory looking transient handyman, a possible suicide of a doctor at the neurological clinic, and a loathsome half brother who suddenly appears and demands control over all monies. Well done! Great realistic characters and knitting!
There is no mention of how the author knows so much about TBI, but having worked in a specific rehab facility I assure you that all is quite true.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!