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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart is the second novel in A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. Pamela Paterson along with Bettina Fraser have been selling knitted aardvarks at Arborfest all day with the proceeds to benefit the Arborville high school athletic program. During the afternoon, Bettina noticed that two of the little knitted critters have gone missing and, as Pamela removes the canvas from around the table, she finds one of them—on top of a dead body someone stashed under the table. The victim is local high school history teacher, Randall Jefferson who managed to rub many people the wrong way and angered many people for his critical op-ed regarding school sports programs. When the knitting club members and their knitted creations become persona non grata, Pamela must work to unravel the clues. After a search of Randall’s home, they come up with two likely suspects. Someone is not happy with Pamela’s questioning and leaves her an unusual warning. Pamela will not be deterred, and she soon uncovers the second missing aardvark along with another victim. Can Pamela connect the clues and identify the wily killer?
Died in the Wool can be enjoyed if you have not read Murder, She Knit. The author provided the necessary background on the main character and the knitting club. I had some trouble getting into the book because I found Died in the Wool to be a slow starter. They eat frequently in this book and the food is described in detail (the ingredients, how it is prepared, every item in the meal, sitting down to eat, etc.). There are also detailed descriptions of plants as the various members maintain their perennial beds and purchase new plants. Readers are also entertained with every outfit that Penny Patterson wears to work (she has an interesting wardrobe). The group has a new member, Holly who is very perky. I liked that she is knitting with larger needles and yarn (similar to roving). The ruby red yarn that Pamela picked up for her new sweater sounded beautiful. The mystery had Pamela and Bettina breaking into Randall’s home, questioning suspects, tailing thieves and tampering with evidence. Any forensics that could have been obtained from the evidence was lost by the time this group was done with it. There are pointed clues to aid readers in solving the crime and the killer can be pinpointed early in the book. In Died in the Wool more time is devoted to food than the mystery and the murder mystery was lacking in substance. I did get a good laugh when the cat in heat noises were described (it is very distinctive). Pamela had no clue what the caterwauling indicated. There is a knitting pattern at the end for a cozy cat and a recipe for strawberry shortcake. I am giving Died in the Wool 3 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a light cozy mystery with charming characters, then you should check out Died in the Wool.
Died in the Wool can be enjoyed if you have not read Murder, She Knit. The author provided the necessary background on the main character and the knitting club. I had some trouble getting into the book because I found Died in the Wool to be a slow starter. They eat frequently in this book and the food is described in detail (the ingredients, how it is prepared, every item in the meal, sitting down to eat, etc.). There are also detailed descriptions of plants as the various members maintain their perennial beds and purchase new plants. Readers are also entertained with every outfit that Penny Patterson wears to work (she has an interesting wardrobe). The group has a new member, Holly who is very perky. I liked that she is knitting with larger needles and yarn (similar to roving). The ruby red yarn that Pamela picked up for her new sweater sounded beautiful. The mystery had Pamela and Bettina breaking into Randall’s home, questioning suspects, tailing thieves and tampering with evidence. Any forensics that could have been obtained from the evidence was lost by the time this group was done with it. There are pointed clues to aid readers in solving the crime and the killer can be pinpointed early in the book. In Died in the Wool more time is devoted to food than the mystery and the murder mystery was lacking in substance. I did get a good laugh when the cat in heat noises were described (it is very distinctive). Pamela had no clue what the caterwauling indicated. There is a knitting pattern at the end for a cozy cat and a recipe for strawberry shortcake. I am giving Died in the Wool 3 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a light cozy mystery with charming characters, then you should check out Died in the Wool.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kateycakee's review
4.0
This one didn't feel as strung together as well as the last one. I still enjoyed it and look forward to the next one :)
ngreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Grabbed this on audio from my library to have something to listen to while cleaning. It was, like the first, a fun enough read, and I actually found it more enjoyable than Murder, She Knit, largely because there wasn't as much time spent detailing menial tasks like grocery shopping.
There isn't much to say about it, though. It was fun in the way a Hallmark movie is fun. The audiobook narrator does wonders to make the characters charming and likeable, the writing itself is fine, the mystery was okay but not great. It wasn't bad, but not fabulous either. Just a nice background listen.
I will say the romance that's starting to build through the series is getting pretty cute, though. And the cat is still a delightful little addition.
Grabbed this on audio from my library to have something to listen to while cleaning. It was, like the first, a fun enough read, and I actually found it more enjoyable than Murder, She Knit, largely because there wasn't as much time spent detailing menial tasks like grocery shopping.
There isn't much to say about it, though. It was fun in the way a Hallmark movie is fun. The audiobook narrator does wonders to make the characters charming and likeable, the writing itself is fine, the mystery was okay but not great. It wasn't bad, but not fabulous either. Just a nice background listen.
I will say the romance that's starting to build through the series is getting pretty cute, though. And the cat is still a delightful little addition.
e_a_bee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What a delightful read! I was worried it wouldn’t be as good as the first in the series but it’s a quick, fun, little delight!
kristirose's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
So much of this book was about food. She made a lot of food, and everyone ate a lot of food. The subplot of the main character being an irresponsible pet owner wasn't cute.
melli80's review
5.0
I love anything books that has to do with my favorite hobby crochet and knitting. And I also love cozy mysteries so when you combine the two I am in heaven. I loved this book and I loved the way that the story was written. it flowed very well. and the ending, definitely not what I was expecting. I have definitely found a new author that I love.
teanahk's review
2.0
There is toooooo much cooking in this book. Several paragraphs are spent just on zesting and juicing lemons for lemon bars. A similarly detailed passage is written for nearly every food baked or eaten in this book. It’s like a slow cooking show where somebody happens to be murdered.
There is a bit of knitting. It strangely doesn’t receive the same attention as the preparing and eating of food. I’m knitting a sweater, she’s knitting another scarf. Followed by several paragraphs about how one lady still uses a percolator for coffee and more details about dessert.
The characters here aren’t so much fully rounded individuals as bundles of clothes and hair who eat cookies and cake.
The crime solving itself was bizarre. It was obvious from early on who had done it, but the way our cake eating detective solved it was completely ludicrous.
I really did not like this book and am kind of annoyed at myself for bothering to finish it.
There is a bit of knitting. It strangely doesn’t receive the same attention as the preparing and eating of food. I’m knitting a sweater, she’s knitting another scarf. Followed by several paragraphs about how one lady still uses a percolator for coffee and more details about dessert.
The characters here aren’t so much fully rounded individuals as bundles of clothes and hair who eat cookies and cake.
The crime solving itself was bizarre. It was obvious from early on who had done it, but the way our cake eating detective solved it was completely ludicrous.
I really did not like this book and am kind of annoyed at myself for bothering to finish it.