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lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
A CRIME OF A DIFFERENT STRIPE by Sally Goldenbaum is the fifteenth book in the Seaside Knitters Society cozy mystery series and takes place in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. The book worked as a standalone novel, but reading the first books may provide some additional background on the characters and town.
The main characters in this novel are a soon-to-be mom and co-owner of the Halloran Lobster Company, Cass Halloran and her friend Izzy Perry, mother of a toddler, former attorney, and current owner of the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio. They are supported by friends Birdie Favazza, an octogenarian, and Nell Endicott, a retired nonprofit director. These four friends are kind, hard-working, and very involved with the local community. When a death occurs after the town’s art series reception, these Seaside Knitters look for answers.
The main characters are likeable and definitely someone you can root for. They felt three-dimensional, but perhaps a little too virtuous. Their flaws did not come through and would have made for a more realistic portrayal of people in small towns. Despite this, their goals were clear and influenced the plot. The secondary characters brought depth to the story line.
While the viewpoint is switched a few times between chapters, the story line progresses smoothly. The plot twists were believable, and partially unexpected. The author did a great job of world-building. The descriptions were vivid and gave a clear sense of time and place without detracting from the flow of the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and fun read with relatable characters. Due to the large number of characters, there is a list of characters at the beginning of the book. Additionally, there is even a baby hat knitting pattern at the end of the book. Themes included death, grief, community support, gossip, amateur sleuthing, secrets, motherhood, friendship, family, and much more. If you enjoy good-hearted protagonists, knitting and cozy mysteries, then I recommend you check out this series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Kensington Books and Sally Goldenbaum for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The main characters in this novel are a soon-to-be mom and co-owner of the Halloran Lobster Company, Cass Halloran and her friend Izzy Perry, mother of a toddler, former attorney, and current owner of the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio. They are supported by friends Birdie Favazza, an octogenarian, and Nell Endicott, a retired nonprofit director. These four friends are kind, hard-working, and very involved with the local community. When a death occurs after the town’s art series reception, these Seaside Knitters look for answers.
The main characters are likeable and definitely someone you can root for. They felt three-dimensional, but perhaps a little too virtuous. Their flaws did not come through and would have made for a more realistic portrayal of people in small towns. Despite this, their goals were clear and influenced the plot. The secondary characters brought depth to the story line.
While the viewpoint is switched a few times between chapters, the story line progresses smoothly. The plot twists were believable, and partially unexpected. The author did a great job of world-building. The descriptions were vivid and gave a clear sense of time and place without detracting from the flow of the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and fun read with relatable characters. Due to the large number of characters, there is a list of characters at the beginning of the book. Additionally, there is even a baby hat knitting pattern at the end of the book. Themes included death, grief, community support, gossip, amateur sleuthing, secrets, motherhood, friendship, family, and much more. If you enjoy good-hearted protagonists, knitting and cozy mysteries, then I recommend you check out this series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Kensington Books and Sally Goldenbaum for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
tophat8855's review against another edition
3.0
Hi, it's what you expect from a murder mystery that's solved by a group a knitter. I've read other books by Goldenbaum and I like the familiarity and comfiness. You get a chance to figure it out yourself, so that's nice.
kimlb's review against another edition
4.0
I find the perfect people in the series annoying but the mystery is always so well crafted - it keeps me coming back. This time the mystery part of the story was really good. Totally worth the read.
miaev's review against another edition
4.0
Yet another knitting related story but "read" as an audio book so I could knit and sew while listening to it.
momreaderh's review against another edition
2.0
This author is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. 2 stars because. I cannot stand. Partial sentences that need editing. Throughout. The book.
rosemaryandrue's review
3.0
This is a satisfying and incredibly cozy read, with a plot that moves along gently. I really enjoyed the mystery, because it unfurled in such a neat fashion, letting the reader keep pace with the sleuths, sometimes ducking ahead of or falling behind their deductions, but never too badly. Sometimes the small town did feel rather twee though, part of which may be because I haven't read the first couple books.
Disclaimer: This book was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Disclaimer: This book was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is my honest and voluntary review.
stephieb78's review
4.0
This continues to be just a really solid series of cozy mysteries. As a knitter who knows that sense of inclusion and peace it brings to show up to your favorite yarn shop and see friends. Now if only we had had a murder to solve... I think we could have done it!
bgg616's review
3.0
I don't often read cozy mysteries. I prefer police procedurals and psychological mysteries. This one was set in Rockport Massachusetts, and a knitting store was also a minor part of the plot. Lots of cozies feature crafts as a theme to attract readers. I decided to read this one (via audiobook) because of the setting and the knitting.
I'll start with the good things in the book. There is a murder early on of a visitor to the town, There is little known about the victim, but the narrator engages in a lot of sluthing which provides some clues. There are several viable suspects which she supports with good details. She doesn't throw in any off-the-wall twists. Despite having an idea as to possible murderers, I didn't guess. Well done!
As a knitter as well as a practitioner of yoga, I found the description of the yoga full of errors egg, names of yoga poses. As far as knitting, there were also details that were inaccurate. If I am reading a mystery centered on knitting, I expect accuracy and descriptions of knitting activities that interest me.
If you aren't interested in knitting or yoga, the mystery will be satisfactory enough.
I'll start with the good things in the book. There is a murder early on of a visitor to the town, There is little known about the victim, but the narrator engages in a lot of sluthing which provides some clues. There are several viable suspects which she supports with good details. She doesn't throw in any off-the-wall twists. Despite having an idea as to possible murderers, I didn't guess. Well done!
As a knitter as well as a practitioner of yoga, I found the description of the yoga full of errors egg, names of yoga poses. As far as knitting, there were also details that were inaccurate. If I am reading a mystery centered on knitting, I expect accuracy and descriptions of knitting activities that interest me.
If you aren't interested in knitting or yoga, the mystery will be satisfactory enough.
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
3.0
This is a knitting theme cozy with a pattern at the end of the book. I don't knit but still enjoy the characters and the quiet seaside town of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts with small shops and nice restaurants. These ladies are eating all the time and the food sounds delicious.
The mystery involves a guest of honor for the Canary Cove Art Colony event. It's very slow-moving but not unusual for this series. There are tons of characters so be sure to grab a print edition that includes a cast of characters.
I've only read a few books in the series and started by chance with a holiday one. It's my very first cozy mystery! I like that the characters are on the older side, retirees mostly. The yarn shop owner, a former attorney, Izzy may be the youngest with a small baby.
The mystery involves a guest of honor for the Canary Cove Art Colony event. It's very slow-moving but not unusual for this series. There are tons of characters so be sure to grab a print edition that includes a cast of characters.
I've only read a few books in the series and started by chance with a holiday one. It's my very first cozy mystery! I like that the characters are on the older side, retirees mostly. The yarn shop owner, a former attorney, Izzy may be the youngest with a small baby.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.0