An excellent cozy mystery, well written and with a cast of interesting and fleshed out characters.
I liked the style of writing, the solid mystery and the well written cast of characters.
It's a mystery but it's also about female friendship and I appreciated how the writer describe the relationship between the characters.
An engrossing and entertaining read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Anne Canadeo's Black Sheep Mysteries are the essence of cozy: a warm and wonderful group of friends, who reliably knit gorgeous--sometimes funny--creations, share delicious meals, and while strictly amateurs, somehow manage to solve thorny crimes. And it's all set in a scenic coastal town rife with endlessly intriguing mysteries. Hounds of the Basket Stitch even has a spooky, old mansion, a long-lost, possibly evil step-brother, and puppies. Earlier books in this series have made me want to take up knitting. Now--heaven help me because I am a devout cat person--but I want a dog! Many thanks to NetGalley for sending this review copy. It was a pleasure to read.

Hounds of the Basket Stitch is a throughly entertaining cozy mystery. A very well written plot with quirky characters and a good setting. Mystery fans will love this book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Dana has been the honorary aunt of sisters Holly and Rose Piper since their parents passed away some time ago. They live outside of town, owning and operate a greenhouse and nursery. Rose has some disabilities as a result of a car accident involving Holly and her ex-boyfriend, who served time in prison because the other driver was killed. When a stranger arrives on the property arrives on the property under suspicious circumstances, leaves just as quickly and soon thereafter a fire engulfs the business. Holly is seriously injured and Rose sustains minor injuries. When someone is murdered, Dana and her friends need to find the killer before they strike again, quite possibly at one of them.

I've read the first three books in the series , but not the ones immediately prior to this one in the series, so it can easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and finished it in two sittings. I like the unique point of view of this series: it doesn't have a "main" protagonist and it was interesting to learn more about Dana and her life in this installment. The characters mesh together and I feel like I'm in the middle of the book with them.

Maggie's knitting project for the book was very inclusive for those with special needs but can be enjoyed by all--finger knitting. The author provides computer links to instructions as well the recipe for Dana's flatbread.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for a digital ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

Why would anyone set fire to Holly's greenhouse and attack her sister Rose? That's the question the Black Sheep Knitters, led by Maggie and Dana try to answer in this quick paced and sensitive cozy. Rose suffered a traumatic brain injury years ago and while she's made a lot of progress, there's no reason to believe she could or would be the villain. She raises rescues and trains therapy dogs (nice touch!) Then there's Todd, their half brought who suddenly reappeared after many years away. As with all cozies, there's more to the story, this time in the form of a family secret. I'd not read any of the preceding novels, making this a standalone for me, and it was fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters (not just the sisters but also the stars of the series- the knitters) and a twisty enough plot make this a good read.

Maggie and her knitting friends—Dana, Lucy, Phoebe, Suzanne—head out to the Piper Sisters’ plant nursery for their weekly knitting get-together. Rose and Holly Piper are close enough to Dana to call her “Aunt” and she helps them out where she can. During their teen years, Rose and Holly were in an accident that killed one young man and left Rose with serious head trauma that she never really recovered from. After their parents’ deaths, Holly took on not only the family business, but Rose’s care. As part of her therapy, Rose takes in dogs and trains them. Now, years later, someone is trying to hurt the girls. The friends believe it was the girls’ half-brother who showed up after ten years and tries to take over the nursery. When someone burns down the greenhouse and tries to kill Holly, the friends go to work to figure out who could be so horrible—but they have too many suspects.

What I liked: This is a cute cozy mystery all about family ties, vengeance, and friendship. I liked the character of Rose and how, even with her problems, she is respected for her work with dogs and trains them well. I liked how the friends all worked together to help Holly and Rose and Dana cope with everything that was going on. I liked the satisfying ending and especially liked the links to knitting techniques in the end and the recipes, not only for human food, but dog treats as well. I especially liked that Holly had a a happy ending.

What I didn’t like: Hmm – how to say this without giving away a spoiler. There was one nasty person who didn’t get any consequences in the end and I would have preferred to see that happen. Also, I was a little confused at times as to who was telling the story. I believe Maggie is the main character, but the cast—being quite large—made it a little hard to figure out sometimes.

Recommendations: If you’re familiar with the series, I’d recommend this one as a good addition. You can read—and enjoy—it without having read the others, but it helps to know the characters better if you do. I’d also take a definite look at the other series this author has in cozy mysteries. I know she’s definitely on my “to buy” list now, and should be on yours as well.

Interesting story with great characters!
Love how the friendship between the characters give a sense of unity in the hard times their new friends have to endure.
Definitely recommend it to anyone who loves cozy mystery novels.

Hounds of the Basket Stitch is the 3rd installment in the Black Sheep & Co mystery series. This is also tied to the other series by Anne Canadeo. Maggie knows that knitting is both enjoyable and therapeutic so she is more than happy along with the other Black sheep knitters when Dana asks them to teach her goddaughter and her sister to knit. Holly and Rose are trying to keep the family nursery afloat and Rose is also trying to deal with and fully recover for an automobile accident that happened a few years ago. Rose is also running a dog rescue for therapy dogs. It appears someone is trying to stop the nursery from being successful so the knitters begin asking questions and try to help their new friends. There is a mysterious handyman and an unreliable step brother who enter the picture as well. The nursery is set on fire and Holly and Rose both end up in the hospital. The knitting group helps with the rescue dogs and trying to figure out what is going on and who is behind it. I love how the group just takes to Holly and Rose and look out for them. This is a good addition to this series. This can be read as a standalone and easy to follow and get to know everyone. Great addition to the series. Recommend.

What a fun book with lots of twists. Who is set on harming the Piper sisters? The scary old man who fixes their fence, the distant and sketchy half brother, or someone unknown? Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne, and Phoebe are at it again. Dana's god-daughter is in danger and the police think it is her fragile sister. The women jump in to help the girls and the police. I was surprised by all the twists and I didn't have a clue about the killer and motive. Great fun cozy.

I am a little confused on the series name and numbering sequence as there are at least 10 books in the Black Sheep knitting series and 3 in the Black Sheep & Co. knitting series. Books 9 & 10 of the first series are also included as books 1 & 2 of the new named series.

That being said, this was an enjoyable standalone book. What I like about the series is each of the knitters brings their own talents to the table in investigating. Also, each story has a different knitter introducing the main victims to the group.

There is plenty of good writing, wit, and a strong plotline for the story. I enjoy how these women stand up for themselves and people they care about. There are plenty of suspects, twists, and secrets that revealed along the way. Looking forward to the next installment no matter what the series is called.

I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

A cute puppy, good friends, and knitting make for a fun mystery with lot's of twist and turns to keep in interesting. Will be checking out more of this series.

This cozy mystery is the third book in the A Black Sheep & Company Mystery. As a recent yarn enthusiast, I enjoyed the story of the Black Sheep Knitters. The story of the knitters centers around their visit to two sisters who live alone in a remote area of Plum Harbor, Holly and Rose Piper.

I received a free copy of HOUNDS OF THE BASKET STITCH (Book 3 of the Black Sheep & Co. Mysteries) by Anne Canadeo, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Black Sheep knitter Dana Haeger is the godmother of two young sisters, Holly and Rose Piper, who are living alone on their plant nursery acreage. Dana enlists the assistance of Maggie Messina to teach them knitting as therapy for the younger sister Rose. When someone burns down one of the greenhouses, seriously injures Holly, and knocks out Rose, law enforcement opens an arson and attempted murder investigation. Shortly after Rose is released from the hospital for her own injuries, it seems like the investigators may be trying to take advantage of Rose’s diminished capacity to pin the crimes on her. As a result, Maggie and Dana pursue their own investigation so they can protect Rose.

I liked it. This is the first book in this series that I have read. Though this was the third in the subseries and eleventh in the overall series, I had no problem connecting with the characters or the story. I liked the knitting gals and would spend time with them if I were a fictional character, too.

#HoundsOfTheBasketStitch #NetGalley

I hadn't read a book in this series since last December and couldn't resist going ahead with this ARC copy even though it doesn't publish until October 29. I hadn't realized how much I missed visiting Plum Harbor and the Black Sheep knitting friends. I really enjoyed the characters of Rose and Holly and hope that they show up in another book. This mystery was a bit different with the murder happening much later, but the actions toward the beginning were a little more important than the later murder, since it was an attack on Dana's goddaughter who spent a lot of the book in the hospital. I always love how these characters, as different as their personalities are, always work great together especially when it comes to solving murders.

There were some great plot twists, and I was really surprised at the showdown which was short but great. Everything was wrapped up just right as usual and ended with the friends being together. One of them even welcomed a cute furry pup into their family.

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

The Black Sheep Knitters are back with another murder to solve. Maggie and friends meet up with Dana's God daughter and her sister. Holly and Rose care for and train dogs. When something happens to the sisters. Maggie and her Knitters need to get down to find who is behind the accident and murder.Fun characters, great Dynamics, they pull you into their lives.

The Black Sheep knitting group consists of a group of good friends who enjoy meeting and knitting every week. They value friendships and are very caring and kind. They jump in to help others and inevitably become involved in a mystery. In this. book, a crime is committed and the knitters join forces to solve it. The therapeutic value of knitting and having “comfort dogs” is woven into a twisting plot with a surprise ending.

therapy-dogs, dogs, doctors, TBI, amateur-sleuth, knitting, mystery

The knitting circle must investigate the complex series of mysteries including arson, attempted murder, and more. Relatively new to the circle are a pair of sisters, one operates a nursery and the other a rescue dog program to train them for therapy work. And she really knows the importance of therapy dogs as she is a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury and its problems in everyday life. Then comes the fire at the nursery which puts the elder sister in Intensive Care and totally disrupts everyone's life. Add in an unsavory looking transient handyman, a possible suicide of a doctor at the neurological clinic, and a loathsome half brother who suddenly appears and demands control over all monies. Well done! Great realistic characters and knitting!
There is no mention of how the author knows so much about TBI, but having worked in a specific rehab facility I assure you that all is quite true.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I loved this book. It's fast-paced, with lots of dogs and knitting. It's about the friendship of a group of women who help two sisters, one of whom has a brain injury recover from a series of bad events. It's well-written and easy to read. #HoundsOfTheBasketStitch #NetGalley

Having never read any of these books I was apprehensive about reading part way through but this was not to be the case, the relationships between the characters are easy to grasp and reading this has made me want to seek out the others in the series

Really enjoyed this cosy little story and would recommend to all

Maggie Messina and the knitting ladies are back and helping Dana and her friends by teaching them knitting. Maggie has agreed to teach Holly and her younger sister Rose, who still suffers from a car accident she was in many years ago, how to finger knit. When a drifter knocks on the girls' door during a thunderstorm, Dan and Maggie aren't comfortable with the man and his intentions. While he helps Holly out at her nursery for awhile, he quits without notice and leaves town. Later that night, the nursery's green house is set on fire and Holly and Rose are taken to the hospital.

While Rose, who runs a dog rescue from their home, is in the hospital, the knitting ladies help care for the dogs and they come back to find the girls' half brother has shown up in town. Suspicious of the timing and his intentions, the ladies begin doing a little digging around on his background and fear finding out what he is truly up to. But they hope to find it out before he scams his sisters and any more damage comes to them. Can they beat the clock?

A fun cozy series. This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoy them. The ladies in the knitting club are varied ages and they have found their tribe. It's fun to spend time taking in their knitting projects and conversations as they work together to help their friends and families. Looking forward to the next book in this series.