A Dark and Stormy Knit
Ratings1
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings1
Average rating3.5
Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser call their crafting group Knit and Nibble, in honor of its two main activities. But on a stormy Halloween night, their peaceful chat over spiced cider and cookies is interrupted by homicide . . . With the houses of Arborville, New Jersey, decked out in festively frightening decorations, it’s easy to mistake a real dead body for a fake. But Pamela and Bettina are alerted by the screams of teenage trick-or-treaters to the corpse next door. Their neighbor Adrienne’s sister, visiting from New York City, is slumped on the porch, fatally stabbed. And with countless people traipsing around in costume, the killer might be as elusive as an apple in a bucket of water. The victim was a charismatic college professor and fierce feminist, and soon the women are infiltrating her social and academic circles to collect clues. But some scandalous local gossip also suggests that Adrienne, not her sister, might have been the target. Now, Pamela and Bettina will need all their creative skills to solve this ghoulish crime . . .
Featured Series
2 primary books3 released booksA Knit & Nibble Mystery is a 3-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2020 with contributions by Peggy Ehrhart, Leslie Meier, and 3 others.
Reviews with the most likes.
Book Review: A Dark and Stormy Knit by Peggy Ehrhart
Rating: ★★★½
I have to start off by saying that I absolutely adore the cover of A Dark and Stormy Knit. It’s whimsical yet eerie, perfectly setting the stage for a cozy mystery. As a fan of the genre, I’ve always appreciated a book that can capture attention before you even crack it open. Now, onto the review!
This latest installment in Peggy Ehrhart’s series follows our favorite crafting duo, Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser, who run the Knit and Nibble group in the charming town of Arborville, New Jersey. On a stormy Halloween night, their usual gathering of spiced cider and cookies is disrupted by something far more sinister: a murder right next door.
The victim? Adrienne’s sister, a vibrant college professor visiting from New York City, is found fatally stabbed on the porch, leaving everyone in the neighborhood on edge. The festive decorations around town make it easy to mistake a real corpse for a dummy, which adds a unique layer to the unfolding drama. As Pamela and Bettina dig deeper into Adrienne's social circles, they find that this is no ordinary case and that the town is rife with secrets.
Having previously read book 4 in this series and ultimately shelving it as a DNF due to excessive descriptions, I approached this new addition with a mix of hope and skepticism. I was pleasantly surprised to find that while the over-descriptive style is still present, it didn’t bother me as much this time around. The pacing felt much better aligned with the plot, allowing me to enjoy the unraveling mystery without feeling bogged down by unnecessary details.
That said, for a book that is marketed as having a Halloween vibe, I was a bit disappointed. Other than the murder occurring on Halloween night, there wasn’t much else in terms of festive atmosphere. I was hoping for more seasonal elements to really immerse me in that spooky spirit. Nonetheless, the mystery itself was engaging and well-constructed. It held up nicely as a standalone read, which is a huge plus for those of us who may not have followed every book in the series.
Overall, A Dark and Stormy Knit offers an intriguing plot filled with twists and turns, though it could have benefitted from more Halloween flair. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a dash of crafting charm, this one is worth picking up—even if you might want to save it for cooler nights when you can snuggle up with your knitting!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
