the blue blog archives: the knitter did it

The nice long weekend gave me some time to finish up Maggie Sefton's latest knitting mystery, A Killer Stitch.

I have to say, I was really not liking it at first. The beginning eight or nine chapters reminded me of nothing else but the last twenty or thirty chapters I'd read in this knitting series (this is the fourth book in the series). In each chapter, Kelly, our sleuthing knitter (or rather knitting sleuther, since she doesn't ever seem to get much better at knitting), finishes up her work, dashes over to the yarn store, dips her hands in the always scrumptous yarns, knits three or four rows, runs over to the cafe for coffee, chats with other yarnies (who I can never keep apart in my head) about the latest details of the latest local murder, and ends the chapter saying she has to get back to all her work. In the next chapter, she finishes up her work, dashes to the yarn store, caresses some yarn, gets coffee, gossips, and goes back to work. Work, yarn, coffee, work. Occasionally she does something sporty or goes out on a date with her much more interesting but rarely appearing boyfriend. And even more occasionally, clues are revealed about the murder and the prime suspects. I started asking myself exactly why I keep reading these books. And then I got to the last few chapters, which I actually kinda enjoyed. The ending to the mystery was much more satisfying than the last few (I don't even remember them) and the personal stuff about her friends was much more enjoyable. Then there was this awesome chapter at the end where someone new arrives to join the little knitting family and as he's introduced to all the characters, you get a little review of who they all are. This was great! I kept thinking, "right, who the hell was she again?" and then she'd give me all the important details. That was just what I needed to get me ready and dare I say eager for book five. What a sucker I am.

I still don't know what the title is supposed to mean though. The first book, Knit One, Kill Two, had two murders. Okay, makes sense. The second, Needled to Death, had someone stabbed with a knitting needle. Uh-huh, got it. Number three, A Deadly Yarn, was titled generically enough to fit the death of a fiber artist. But this fourth book focuses on the spinners at the local yarn store. And the victim, who is not a knitter, is killed with a shovel. So, a killer stitch? Uh, over my head. I see that the forthcoming fifth book is called Dyer Consequences, so I'm already concerned for the well-being of any yarn dyers who might show up at the House of Lambspun in the first few chapters. (Don't you just love these mystery series where waaaay too many people tend to die around some amateur sleuth. I mean, if you see Angela Lansbury getting on your train or visiting your neighborhood, RUN AWAY!)

Alright yarn dyers, you've been warned. Apparently you're next! The book arrives this summer and you know I'll be reading along.

posted by alison at 10:53 am | in blogging about reading about knitting

Comments

Your review cracked me up! It's just so true (the bit about Kelly's routine in each chapter). I'm currently reading the second book (I'm about 70 pages into it). I have to admit the books are a little cheesy perhaps, but I enjoyed the first one and I'm liking the second one ... I think they qualify as good summertime beach/poolside reading.

Oh, and I'm also cracking up over the "I mean, if you see Angela Lansbury getting on your train or visiting your neighborhood, RUN AWAY!" -- LOL. So, so true!

Posted by: Mandi at May 28, 2008 11:12 AM

I just finished up the second book in another knitting/sleuthing series. The first one is Dyed in the Wool and the second is Knit Fast, Die Young, both by a New Bedford author. Both have been entertaining - the second took place at a sheep and wool festival.

Posted by: Lisa at May 28, 2008 12:20 PM

Oh Lisa, those are the Mary Kruger books. I like them a lot! They're coming out a lot more slowly than the Sefton series and they're definitely better. I haven't seen anything about a third one yet. Fingers crossed!

Posted by: ALISON at May 28, 2008 12:30 PM

"if you see Angela Lansbury getting on your train or visiting your neighborhood, RUN AWAY!"

And if you're one of her relatives, you WILL be accused of one of those murders. If you're not murdered, yourself.

It's a wonder anyone ever acknowledged her as friend, neighbor, or relation!

Posted by: Katie B. at May 28, 2008 2:27 PM

Are you a fan of the Debbie Macomber "Blossom Street" series of books? Chick lit, yes. Easy read, yes. An ocassional pattern - oh yes!

Posted by: Liz Andrsn at May 28, 2008 4:35 PM

ROFL on the Angela Lansbury comment! I, personally, love to watch the show, but I always told my husband, really, if it were real and I knew her and I knew she would be going somewhere, I would NOT show up ever! LOL
These sound a bit like the Monica Ferris books - they are okay and make for fun, easy, quick reads. And sometimes, that is exactly what I need to read! LOL

Posted by: Brandie at May 28, 2008 5:21 PM

I enjoy the Maggie Sefton books because I went to college in the town she sets the books in. I can't imagine why she doesn't use the real name and makes up all the location names. But no, they aren't fine examples of mystery writing. I do like the Mary Kruger and Monica Ferris books better. The characters are more interesting and likable, IMO. But darn the writers just don't write fast enough. There's also a new mystery out about someone who crochets.

Posted by: Robby at May 28, 2008 5:46 PM

I never got past the first book. It was just a little too silly for me and your chapter descriptions are right on. Even for the first book.

Posted by: mari at May 28, 2008 7:14 PM

I totally agree that the Kruger books are better than the Sefton ones, but both are great beach reads and I like the little recipes and patterns in the back.

Posted by: b from knitting harvest at May 28, 2008 7:28 PM

I'll bet your review was much better than the book! I don't much like mysteries, and I think knitting mysteries are mostly just an attempt to capitalize on a perceived audience. Loved the review, though!

Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) at May 28, 2008 7:28 PM

Your review was spot-on and very funny, since I think the same thing as I read them, yet am powerless to stop as well. I was just thinking the other day that it had been a long time since I had seen a new one - and now my wait is over. What makes forgettable books so much fun? Its like plain socks.

Posted by: Cindy at May 28, 2008 8:17 PM

Posted by: Cindy at May 28, 2008 8:18 PM

I like both the Maggie Sefton and Mary Kruger series - I know the Sefton's can be a bit predictable but they're good cozies perfect for when you need brainless reading. My little librarian brain always says a book doesn't have to be high literature or break new ground to be a good read. Sometimes the predictability is just what we need.

I'm also really enjoy the Ministry is Murder series by Emilie Richards. The main character is a minister's wife who keeps getting wrapped up in solving murders :) I got in to them by way of her Shenandoah Album series - the quilting pulled me in and the interpersonal relationships got me hooked.

Posted by: Ruth at May 28, 2008 10:16 PM

I know exactly what you mean! I keep reading them too even though they are totally rediculous books. But not as disappointing as the holiday Elm Creek Quilts book when she relives a whole bunch of stuff in the previous books. It was kind of like those episodes of Golden Girls where they had an hour long flashback. Bleh. I still love it and can't help but buy them.

Posted by: knitting mole at May 28, 2008 11:15 PM

I always thought it was fabulous that Cabot Cove had a higher murder rate than NYC!

Posted by: silverarrowknits at May 29, 2008 12:14 AM

I second the Debbie Macomber series - I think I have read all of the Blossom Street books now. Easy reads and interesting enough to keep to moving through them. I actually like her style of story telling and am thinking about getting into her other series. Definately chick lit - but with a 2yr - that is about all I can handle! (Man I am missing the Harry Potter book series though!)

Posted by: Deana at May 29, 2008 9:36 AM

These books are cheasy but addictive. :) Glad to hear about the new one. I'll have to keep my eye out at the library.

Posted by: Tiffany at May 29, 2008 11:47 PM

I'm a bit of a "cozy mystery" aficionado, and I really really really really wanted to like these books. I read the first three, berating myself just a bit more with each one for having wasted the time and money. ;-) The characters are just SO one-dimensional and unmemorable; the plots just don't hold together; and the main character simply boggles the mind (how can she NOT be all over her nice, yarn-loving, hot, rich boyfriend???)

A great alternative to these books are some of the old Barbara Michaels books--knitting, textiles, and needlework are not prominent in all of her books, but "Shattered Silk" (vintage clothing features prominently), "Stitches in Time" (antique quilts) and "Smoke and Mirrors" (some mention of knitting) are fun, fantastic books that will not insult your intelligence or leave you feeling like you wasted your time.

Posted by: Jenn at May 31, 2008 11:57 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Jenn. I'll have to check those out!

Posted by: ALISON at May 31, 2008 4:50 PM