“How to Knit A Murder” by Sally Goldenbaum it's an absolute gem of the cozy mystery that effortlessly weaves together the world of knitting, friendship, and suspense. The book introduces us to a wonderful ensemble of characters in the seaside town of Sea Harbor, each with their own quirks and secrets, creating a rich tapestry of personalities. Golden bombs writing is exquisite, painting a vivid picture of the coastal setting and immersing readers in the cozy atmosphere of the knitting circle. The murder mystery plot is intricately crafted, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The author’s love for knitting shines through, with detailed descriptions of patterns and techniques that will delight craft enthusiasts. With its strong sense of community, engaging characters, and a satisfying blend of mystery and knitting lore, “How to Knit a Murder” it's a delightful read that will keep you hooked until the final stitch.

This book introduces Rose Chopra, Spencer Paxton and Bree MacIntosh who have come back home to Sea Harbor but when Paxton pushes people the wrong way he winds up dead and Bree and Rose are looking like good suspects to his murder. Could they have something to do with it or is it an old crime that happened and it was time for payment for the crime? Nell, Izzy and their friends have their work cut out for them when they go back to high school and see what happened way back when!

Rose Chopra was a shy timid girl in high school who excelled at Math but crossed hairs with Spencer Paxton when it came to math and he chose to torment in her in high school so she wouldn't forget she was a nothing and he ruled the school. Bree Spencer's wife wants almost nothing to do with him. They are married in license only Bree wants to do her art and stay as far from Spencer as she can. Could either of these women really have committed the crime?

I love this story it was fun and such a pleasure to go back to Sea Harbor and see what everyone is up to and how they solve the next mystery! It was such fun to read this book and travel back to high school and see what they uncovered!

I found How to Knit a Murder easy to follow along and keep straight despite the many characters and threads. It does seem like the story have a familiar feel with a woman in trouble and the group helping out,but the stories are different and do tend to focus on a different issue affecting women (and men in this case). What is surprising is that, at least here, the author doesn't make the group seem so perfect and blessed in life that one dislikes them.

The timely subject here is bullying, which the characters pointed out is not new, just the handling of it.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the knitting theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

I didn't realize this was the 13th book in the series until after I started reading it. I enjoyed it and am now interested in starting from the beginning!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book , which I voluntarily chose to review.

How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum is book 2 of the Seaside Knitters Society series. (I thought that this was a mistake in numbering since I’ve read many books set in Sea Harbor. Turns out there has been a name change from Seaside Knitters Mystery to Seaside Knitters Society. Mystery solved!) We catch up with Izzy, Birdie, Nell and Cass as they team up to solve a murder as well as the mystery surrounding Rose, a newcomer to Sea Harbor. Goldenbaum’s writing is warm and enticing drawing the reader into the story and creating the feeling that they’ve become another member of the knitting group.

Rose Chopra returns to her childhood hometown. She has kept her married name and does not reveal to anyone that she used to live in Sea Harbor. Soon she is befriended by the Seaside Knitters - Izzy, Birdie, Nell and Cass, local women who have a bond due to their love of yarn and it's different uses. When Spencer Paxton is found dead, Rose is high up on the suspect list because she was on the same property where his body was discovered. The Seaside Knitters are bound and determined to help Rose and discover who really killed Spencer.

I've jumped into this series without having read the previous books. I liked this one because the murder is solved by four women instead of just one. The Seaside Knitters have a very strong bond and are quite smart. With some other cozy mysteries I have read, the dialogue can become simplistic and it feels like the author has really struggled to come up with real interations between characters. That was not the case here. The conversations between the women is intelligent and thoughtful. They are supportive of each other even when they disagree. I have every intention of not only continuing forward with this series, but also going back and reading the previous twelve.

My thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley.

The Seaside Knitters are back. This time, a shy woman, Rose Chopra, who can fix or repair anything about as well as any handyman, arrives at Izzy Perry’s shop, just as a new shipment of yarn is about to be ruined by a water leak. Luckily, Rose is there, since she fixes the leak and saves the day. After this, the group helps Rose settle into the town, and she finds a job doing repairs for a local realtor. Things look like they are going well for everyone, though no one really can figure out why Rose showed up in the town (but that is another matter, which eventually comes out). Then, when a prospective buyer for an old manse in the town is found dead, the story takes a turn, as the group and Rose become entangled in the intricate web that is a big part of the dead man and his story. Naturally, the group work to figure out what exactly is going on and who committed this deadly (no pun intended) deed, working in parallel (though not really with or against) with the town law enforcement.

I have read most of the author’s earlier books, set in this small New England town, and found this one a bit different. In the others, the author really focused on the group and their inner workings as they dove deeper and deeper into some town mystery that needed to be solved. In this book, the new character Rose was brought in, but really did not seem to become a solid part of the knitters’ group. In the others, the new characters introduced really became part of this small-town group as each story progressed. One thing I found difficult to take was the fact that the murder occurred so late in the story, unlike most other cozies or even other books of this genre. Then, things moved along quite well, but before the murder, they sort of dragged. All I can say is this book is not like the others I have read that take place in this locale by this author. I guess she is branching out into new territory, though I felt this one lacked the personality and warmth of the others. I just did not feel like the group was there just for me like I had in the past. Still, the characters already introduced earlier, with all their quirks and personalities I have come to know and enjoy, were there, so things were not that difficult for me to read the book. As in the past, I am very familiar with the setting for the story and truly love this area, so the read brought me a lot of satisfaction in that respect. Not sure, however, this one will ever be one of my favorites, or one I will grab off the shelf to re-read when I am looking for to sit back and enjoy an old friend. Still, if you enjoy the author’s books, you will probably enjoy this one, though, like me, it may not rank up there with the rest. It definitely is worth the try. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This is the second book I've read in the series (the first I read was #1 in the series). I was surprised by how much the two were alike. Perfect friendships, perfect food, perfect town. Of course there is a murder again, but for the main characters, everything is perfect. A bit much for me. The main characters always do the right thing, think the right thing, admire each other. Not exactly relatable. It was a fine book, but I'm not sure I'll go back and read any in between. Too bad, because I was excited about the yarn shop back-drop and knitting club.

I haven't read all of the Sea Harbor mysteries, but I have enjoyed the ones I've read. This, however, is not my favorite of the titles I've read. I approve of how Ms. Goldenbaum shifts point of view between a handful of main characters, and she handles it deftly because all of these characters are well defined and sympathetic, interesting, and with enough to appeal that the reader can see themselves as Nell, or Ben, or Birdie, or Izzy, or Cass. The characters are all likable (except for the murder victim, of course), and Sea Harbor is the perfect small town where everyone knows and cares about each other and drops by with scones and wise advice. It's a little too perfect, and for some reason, that perfection seemed to be more egregious in this entry, perhaps because the novel dealt with the lifelong repercussions of childhood bullying. And none of the main characters and most of the secondary characters were astonished that such hateful behavior could have happened under their noses. There's very little of Izzy in this entry, a lot of Nell and Birdie, and a great deal of a newcomer to town, Rose, who is murder suspect number one. If Rose and Stella don't become a romantic couple in the future, someone needs to talk to Ms. Goldenbaum about portraying platonic female friendships more realistically, because the gushing and instant intimacy of Rose and Stella was too unrealistic if it's not clearly pointing to a romance. Sea Harbor doesn't appear to have any LBGTQ characters (or any people of color), so it's high time some moved there. The murder is slow to be solved, and the sudden appearance of the clue that solves everything was a little too trite and deus ex machina for me; I prefer a more clever approach where clues are sprinkled throughout the novel and I get to solve it along with the amateurs. But Sea Harbor is always a nice place to visit and wish was real, especially the restaurants.

I jumped into this series at number 13 but plan on going back and reading the series from the beginning. You can easily read these as stand along books as all the characters are explained as you go along and there is a handy cast list in the beginning in case you get lost.

It is the story of a shy girl coming back to her hometown after the death of her mother. She sort of falls in with the knitting group of the town by accident. There is the murder of one of the characters and unfortunately Rose becomes one of the suspects. So the group: Izzy, Nell, Cass and Birdie are out to figure the mystery out and who really did it.

I really enjoyed the interaction of the knitting group. As a bonus there is pattern in the back of the book to knit. Although I would have liked a little schematic of what it would look like.

Great book for knitting fans like me. Really enjoyed reading this book. Lots of twists and turns in the storyline. Interesting characters in there too. All very good and easy to read.

I liked this story and I can't believe the Seaside Knitters Society has been around long enough for this to be book 13 in the series. Rose, a newcomer in town saves a large shipment of yarn from water damage in Izzy's shop and is welcomed into the Knitters Society with open arms. When Rose is accused of murder the girls whip into action to prove she's innocent. I think Rose is a great addition to the series and adds more outside interest for the ladies. You may want to read a few of the previous books for a little background but you can get the mystery as a stand alone.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I struggled with this one. The story dragged on and on taking much too long to get to the actual murder. I had trouble connecting with the characters. It felt too slow and serious for a cozy mystery.

After reading only my second in this awesome series, I realized what sets them apart, and that is people. These books are more than just a great cozy that is solved by a group of friends. They're about the people they come into contact with. Sometimes some of the people don't have much to do with the case itself, but I never have the urge to speed read or read super fast. There's just a feeling you get afterwards that you want to hold onto for awhile. I feel like I've been with some real friends.

Rose Chopra was a newcomer to town, although she'd lived there as a child and young teen. She made friends with the Knitters as well as another newcomer who was their friend, Bree. When Bree's husband was killed at a house that Rose was doing repairs on for her new boss, Stella, she was the only person of interest the police could come up with for that moment. But after this clever group of friends put their heads together and refused to let go of this case, the truth came out. Rose had a very interesting story which was shared by another person in the town but who had unfortunately died. Getting to that point was bittersweet but led them to their killer.

I do want to start this series at the very beginning and see how these friendships came about and grew. I just love that they always consult with each other. None of them braves out on their own or seems to be in any mortal danger. That's kind of refreshing. These ladies, along with their two new friends are definitely people that I would want to hang out with! I love the friendship of the older guys in town too. They always celebrated as if their fourth buddy was still with them. They loved life and weren't afraid to let anyone know. I think I'll need to visit Sea Harbor again soon!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Princess Fuzzypants here: It is nice when you read a cozy with characters that leave you warm and cosy. The citizens of Sea. Harbour particularly those associated with the knitting club are the kind of people who would make you feel welcome and secure. It’s a good thing this tightly knit group embraced Rose when she stumbles into their lives. Unbeknownst to the group, Rose lived much of her early life here and the scars she carries and the demons who haunt her need to be resolved.
In doing the last thing she needed to take back her life, she becomes embroiled in a vicious murder of the man who caused the misery when she was younger. She isn’t the only one who has been damaged by this obnoxious bully. One of his former victims has exacted the ultimate revenge. Without bumbling into danger, these bright and insightful ladies help solve the mystery. When the final story is told, it is impossible not to feel more sympathy for the killer than the victim.
This was a solid mystery. I found myself wanting to visit this small town and meet its various humans and kitties.
It was an enjoyable experience.
I give five purrs and three paws up.

How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum takes us to Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. Rose Chopra has returned to town to heal after the death of her mother. Rose is admiring the display in The Seaside Knitting Studio when Bree McIntosh draws her inside. Rose saves a new shipment of yarn from water damage and then proceeds to fix the leak for Izzy Perry. When Izzy learns that Rose is staying at a run down boardinghouse, she invites her to live in the apartment above the shop. Stella Palazola, a local realtor, offers Rose a job as the fix-it person for her listings. Spencer Paxton III has been making enemies with his plans to destroy Sea Harbor’s historic district and his political aspirations. Spencer wishes to purchase a home that he father tried to acquire many years ago. That listing needs some dry wall repaired from squirrel damage and it is Rose’s first job with Stella. When Spencer is found dead inside the home, fingers point at Rose since she was the last person known to have been on the property. The Seaside Knitters rally round Rose and begin exploring Spencer’s murder. They have no shortage of suspects including Mayor Scaglia. Can the group stitch together the clues to reveal the killer?

How to Knit a Murder is part of A Seaside Knitters Society Mystery series. If you have not read any of the previous twelve books in the series, I do not recommend starting with How to Knit a Murder (it would be confusing for new readers). While I enjoyed the earlier books in this series, I was not drawn into this one. I found the pace to be slow (the book dragged for me) with the murder not occurring until I was 39% through the book. By the time Spencer was found dead, I already knew the killers’ identity (plus I knew Spencer would be the one to die). There was little investigating by the knitting group (they did discuss the case). There are many cozy moments in the story with the group enjoying their Thursday night get togethers, chatting, eating, and knitting. I liked the reference to Grey’s Anatomy made by Mae. Bullying and its devastating effects are addressed in How to Knit a Murder. There is a knitting pattern for a slouchy cardigan at the end. How to Knit a Murder does contain all our favorite knitters plus the new addition of Rose with a quaint small town (good basis for a cozy). The characters are well-developed, but there are a number of them. It can be hard to keep them all straight. I like the charming town of Sea Harbor with the various artistic characters (creative bunch of people) and the charming knitting shop (I wish we had one in my town). I would, though, like the author needs to focus on the mystery element (make the story less predictable). The author needs to deviate from her formula and provide a complex mystery with active investigating (less eating). I hope Sally Goldenbaum ups her game in the next installment in A Seaside Knitters Society Mystery series. I am giving How to Knit a Murder 3 out of 5 stars.

All the Seaside Knitters really know about Rose Chopra is that she entered the yarn shop at the right time to save the inventory from a broken pipe. She's silent about her past, but she's a competent handy woman and they all like her. Even when a member's husband turns up dead at a house Rose was doing repairs to, they want to trust their new friend.



I didn't realize when I picked this one to read that it's the thirteenth book in the series, but I wasn't left wondering what was going on between the characters. Even though there's obviously backstory involving the relationships and details I didn't know, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the mystery without wondering about what I'd missed in the previous books. There isn't a whole lot of knitting on the pages, but the details of the coastal town made reading it a vicarious beach trip. I'll be looking for the earlier books in this series once I've pared down my to-be-read list a bit.

I liked the seaside setting and the characters/friendship group was engaging. I would have liked the murder to have taken place earlier and a it more sleuthing to have gone on.

I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't read any other books in the series.

How to knit a murder.
Loved the setting in Sea Harbor with the Seaside Knitters.
The characters,the friends secrets to be revealed makings of a good cozy mystery.
A lot of red herrings to keep you on your toes .
A good read. I will definitely look out for Sally Goldenbaum next book .
Thanks to Kensington books and to Nettgalley for a advance copy to read and review, my thoughts are my own.