Libby owns Y.A.R.N. a yarn shop, of course, that has a sense of community as well. She’s also the president of the Collinstown Chamber of Commerce. As such, she intends this Christmas to be bigger and better than any before. She’s worked a deal with an old friend, Vincenzo, to make an appearance with vicuna, the source of the softest and most expensive yarn in the world. Vicuna only live in Peru and were brought back from near-extinction. Only one zoo in the US has them, and they are on loan to Vincenzo as a promotion for the yarn shop. They are only sheared once every three years, and he’ll do a demo to show how it’s done.

Just when things are going so well, except for one of the vicuna spitting on Libby, her ex-husband Sterling shows up. It’s always something with him and this time is no exception. The problem is…it’s hard to tell just what his plan is until it’s too late. His condescending attitude towards Libby’s ‘little shop’ is enough to trigger a scene as she yells at him to leave or regret staying.

When his body is found the next morning, Libby’s only alibi is her English bulldog, Hank. Vincenzo is under suspicion as well. Libby has been helpful to the police chief in the past and intends to assist this time as well, an idea quickly shot down as she’s a suspect.

At the shop, sales are down due to the rumors she’s a killer, three balls of the $500 a skein vicuna yarn have gone missing, and Libby’s mom has moved back in while her condo is being painted griege (trendy) so she can sell it. And the huge Christmas tree for the town square has broken in half.

Libby is enthusiastic about Christmas, has more patience than ten people when dealing with her mother, and she lets her bulldog work in the store. What’s not to like? This is the third book in the series, the first one I’ve read, and I enjoyed it a lot. For the most part, Libby doesn’t take foolish risks, in love or in crime.

At the back of the book, find a pattern for a chacu (cowl) that calls for two balls of vicuna or 328 yards of the more affordable Alpaca yarn.

The facts are that I like a cozy with a fabric arts theme. Always fun for the reader and perhaps it will be a series.

I so love this cozy mystery series from Allie Pleiter! Each book just gets better and better, and It Came Upon a Midnight Shear is my fave so far. (If you’ve been following my reviews for a minute, you know that I have a habit of saying that about her contemporary romances, too… but it’s true. Each new book by her is a new fave of mine.) Seriously, though, all the ingredients that I look for in a Christmas cozy came together with ease in this book and had me completely immersed in the story & the characters.

Poor Libby. Every time she plans a ‘to die for’ special event at her knitting shop, fate seems to take that as a challenge – and wins. True to form, her dreams of a spectacular Christmas for her shop (courtesy of the Gallant Herdsman & his rare vicuña shearing) and for Collinstown (courtesy of her planned community tree decorating) die a tragic death … along with her ex-husband. This would have been the last straw for me, if I were in Libby’s knitted socks, but I have a feeling that she’s not done with creative events for her store. I love the way that Pleiter gives her protagonist a courageous spirit, a warm heart, and a resilient soul. She’s a strong character, as well as being intelligent, savvy and friendly. Were I a resident of Collinstown and were Y.A.R.N. a real shop, I would be hanging out in there every chance I got – even though I can’t knit to save my life.

The mystery in It Came Upon a Midnight Shear was very cleverly plotted, and it kept me guessing right up until the big reveal. A plethora of plausible suspects, lots of history to unpack amongst all the players, and skillfully developed clues – all of these elements definitely had me completely absorbed in solving the crime along with Libby, and I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that she got there before me this time. A rarity, given how many mysteries I read – and it makes me love this book even more. And – joy of joys – along with the Christmasy festive vibes and the stellar mystery (or two), the romance thread that’s been slowly brewing between Libby and her high school sweetheart Gavin takes a grin-inducing turn!

Bottom Line: It Came Upon a Midnight Shear has it all – delightfully-woven characters, a tightly-knitted mystery, a tangle of suspects, and threads of humor & heart & romance! Readers will love Libby and her Y.A.R.N. shop, Hank, Gavin, and all the other supporting players as well as Collinstown at Christmas. This whole series is fantastic, and this book is my fave so far! Can’t wait to tag along for Libby’s next event … from the safety of my Kindle.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

It Came upon…
A holiday cheer and a murder are crafted together in this cozy mystery that you’ll definitely enjoy reading!
“Stab. The word hit me hard. My ex-husband had been stabbed with shearing clippers at my shop, perhaps by my VIP guest. But as I looked around me at the faces of those nearby, one thing became frighteningly clear: several people thought perhaps by me.”
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.

Yarn shop owner Libby Beckett returns for a third delightful mystery. The only thing that isn't delightful is the gruesome murder scene involving her odious dead ex-husband; however, readers familiar with the series will likely not shed too many tears over his demise. Unlike the two previous books, Libby cannot involve herself too much in the case, since she's now a "person of interest." Some entertaining elements include a visit from the "Gallant Herdsman" who is shearing vicunas as a way to advertise his yarn, and more of the will-they-won't-they for Libby and her former high school sweetheart, Mayor Gavin. This can be read as a standalone and will certainly put readers in the holiday spirit!

Given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear by Allie Pleiter ( @alliepleiterauthor ) is the 3rd book in the Riverbank Knitting Mystery Series but absolutely can be read as a stand alone book. I’m not a big fan of reading out of order in a series. Mostly because I hate to miss even the tiniest detail that adds to the character and world building of the story. Yet I did read this before reading the first two books and I had no trouble getting into the world Allie has created.

As an avid knitter one of my favorite things about Allie’s writing is how she captures the inner workings of a knitters mind and how we knitter’s feel about the craft. This book was especially cozy to read as it’s set in the month of December and Collinstown is gearing up for holiday festivities. I love that Libby’s shop is named Y.A.R.N and it stands for You’re Absolutely Ready Now. I want to make that my motto for the new year 😆.

The book was well paced, the mystery good, plenty of twists and turns that by the end I was only solving the mystery right along with Libby! I can’t wait for the next book especially with what Libby has hinted at coming up for Y.A.R.N. Hint if you have been hanging around here with me for a while you know it’s one of my favorite things to knit 😜.
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Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for the ARC copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I'm not crying, you're crying! This Christmas themed installment of the A Riverbank Knitting mystery series had me feeling all the emotions and was my favorite installment to-date.
I was not expecting that reveal but it made perfect sense and I loved the statement the killer made about their original plan.
So happy for Frank & Angie, Gavin & Libby, and Rhonda. Highly recommend this read and I can't wait for the next book to be released.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

If you only have time to read one Christmas cozy mystery this year, consider this one! I so enjoyed being back at Y.A.R.N. (You’re Absolutely Ready Now) in Collinstown, MD. It was described so well, I could almost smell the pine and feel the crisp, December air in this picturesque town. Libby, her mom, and their friends are defined well, quirks and all, as was her cringeworthy ex-husband and his family. I quickly appreciated being invited into this novel and its challenging mystery.

Libby made plans for the best Christmas ever, both for Y.A.R.N., a paradise for those who love to knit or crochet, and for Collinstown, of which she is the Chamber of Commerce president. Best of all, her application to be a supplier for the ultra-luxurious yarn made from coats of the rare vicuña had been approved. Vincenzo Marani has arrived with four vicuña, borrowed from the only zoo in the US with the delicate, gorgeous creatures. Vincenzo works with them extensively in Peru and will demonstrate shearing their elegant coats, which can only be done every three years. The resulting yarn is beyond soft, and extremely expensive. Eleven shops had applied to host his presentation, and only Libby’s was approved. Vicuña are related to camels and alpacas, and the adorable animals have a common quirk – they spit, even at people.

Sterling, Libby’s ex-husband and head of the family-owned pharmaceutical house Sonesty, has been after Libby for weeks to renegotiate their divorce settlement. Libby had helped Sterling with the company, including being one of the top salespeople there. Because of that and his vast worth, she wasn’t going to budge.

Sterling and Vincenzo were old college buddies, so when Sterling came to the shop for the first time, he acted as if he were there to see her esteemed Italian guest. He did, of course, bring up the settlement renegotiation, to a resounding no. That evening, she took Vincenzo out to dinner at the best local Italian restaurant and learned how he got involved with vicuña and his role in the village in Peru that cared for them. Despite knowing that she is dating Gavin, the mayor, Vincenzo shamelessly flirted with her throughout dinner.

The day that the first vicuña was to be sheared arrived and the event was a great success. Those who knit and do other yarn crafts are tactile people, so much so that all were thrilled to touch the coat of the elegant creature. Sterling arrived again; after she and Sterling had words, he tried to pick a fight with Vincenzo. Among those present was the police chief, Frank, her friend of more than twenty years. Frank had to separate the men. Her temper tipped over the edge in front of the remaining attendees. It seemed like the whole town witnessed her coming unraveled in front of her shop so soon after the incredible success of the presentation.

The next morning, Frank and her mother arrived at her home early. Someone killed Sterling the night before, in the backyard of her shop, where Vincenzo’s motorhome was parked and the vicuña were penned. It looked as if the weapon was a pair of clipping shears. Between the shears and the threat Libby had shouted at him the prior day, they were both high on the suspect list. A very short suspect list. Libby didn’t like her ex, but she didn’t want him dead!

The author presents characters who somewhat fit their traditional roles, yet each had quirks that magnified how loveable or unlovable they were. Most are three dimensional, and each is demonstrated through their actions and conversations.

In the days following the murder, Libby dealt with the theft of some of the valuable yarn, the escape of the vicuña, the townspeople’s suspicion, and the accidental snapping of the elegant twelve-foot Christmas tree ordered for the town. Libby had helped Frank solve murders in the past and was devastated to be a suspect and barred from helping find the killer.

Libby proceeded to talk to people anyway, including her former mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and learned interesting news about the company Sterling ran. She learned about drugs that were being tested at the company and heard of potential new suspects. I had no idea who could have done it, as nobody felt right. The identity of the killer was quite a surprise, someone I had not even considered! All loose ends were tied up and the ending was satisfactory in every way. I highly recommend this Christmas-themed cozy mystery!

Libby Beckett is ready for Christmas. Living in Collinstown, running her Y.A.R.N. shop, and working hard as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, she has planned the holidays for her shop and for the town with detail and panache. There will be a 20 foot Christmas tree, and everyone from town will hand the ornaments to each other down the street to decorate it. Everyone’s decorations are on point. And she even set up a once-in-a-lifetime event for her store.

The Gallant Herdsman, Vincenzo Marani, has brought four vicuña to the shop, and he will be shearing them for an audience. They are graceful animals, and their soft fur is only sheared once every three years, so the yarn that is spun from it is the most luxurious and most expensive in the world. Vincenzo, whose family is known for their fashion house, has turned his charitable efforts into keeping the vicuña safe from extinction and educating people on them. But he is also the epitome of handsome elegance, and Libby can’t stop herself from admiring his gallantry.

Vincenzo has brought four vicuña to Collinstown, and Libby has sold out events for knitters and others to watch him shear the animals. Libby is thrilled that he had chosen her yarn shop over all the others that had applied, but when an old friend from college shows up, Libby has some misgivings about it. She had forgotten that Vincenzo was friends with her ex-husband Sterling. And now Sterling has shown up in town, and Libby is angry.

Sterling had been calling her, trying to adjust their financial arrangement, since her store seems to be doing so well. He had grown up with old money, and he runs the family’s successful pharmaceutical company, so he has the resources. Libby had decided not to bend on their agreement, whether she needed the money or not. It had given her the chance to open her store. And when Sterling tries to talk to her about it, she tells him—actually, yells at him—that she has no intention of changing her mind and that she would be happier if he were out of her life. She can’t deny that. Half of the town heard her yell it to his face, before she realized what she was doing and calmed herself down.

But when Libby is awakened the next morning by the chief of police pounding on her door, she is stunned to find out that Sterling had been murdered. He had been stabbed by the shears Vincenzo had used to shear the first vicuña earlier that evening. Libby’s very public fight with Sterling makes her a prime suspect. The murder weapon makes Vincenzo a prime suspect too. But will Libby and her friends be able to figure out which of Sterling’s many enemies was the one who cut his time short before she’s the one who is arrested for his death?

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear is the third book in Allie Pleiter’s Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. These books knit together compelling characters with small town shenanigans that (despite the sketchy murder rate) make me want to pull up a chair in the yarn shop and crochet until all my problems dissolve. (Sorry, I’m not a knitter, but I feel like I would be accepted in Y.A.R.N. anyway).

I love how Pleiter can blend some humor and light flirting into these murder mysteries. It Came Upon a Midnight Shear is smart and well-plotted, with lots of twists and interesting surprises. The writing is smooth, like a silky yarn, and the pattern slowly comes together as the chapters unravel. The intricate beauty of knitting is a strong metaphor for how Pleiter writes, and I appreciate just how artfully she manages to make her stories. And I loved how she worked in the vicuña, adding texture to the story and helping educate readers about their value, their lifestyle, and their propensity to spit.

Egalleys for It Came Upon a Midnight Clear were provided by Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley, with many thanks.

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear by Allie Pleiter is a cute title for a Christmas story set in small town of Collinstown with a lot of spirit, mysteries, murders, crimes, and secrets.

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear is the third book in A Riverbank Knitting Mystery series, and I look forward to reading the first two books and any others Ms. Pleiter writes.

Libby is the owner of Y.A.R.N. and happens to be the newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce. She has her eyes set on community events leading up to Christmas but will some of the less-than-festive happenings in town put a damper on things? Only one way to find out as you sit with a cup of tea in front of a fire under a newly knitted blanket or throw!

There are several characters, and each has depth to them. And the story has multiple storylines woven or knitted together. There’s romance in the air, along with family and friends.

Amateur sleuth Libby is one of the murder suspects, but that doesn’t deter her from trying to piece together clues and help the chief of police solve the various crimes. Especially when her ex-husband, who she threatened publicly, turns up dead. Is there anyone else in town happy about his demise?

The book had a good flow and held my interest from the beginning to the end. I tried to figure out whodunnit along with Libby and others in the town even when fingers kept getting pointed at suspects who weren’t on our lists!

Even with all the twists and turns, the closure was satisfying. As the crimes are solved, the holidays are celebrated, and romance continues to bloom. Yarn plays an essential role throughout the story. The cover is cute and festive and also has a Christmassy title.

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit with a bit of mystery and romance, pull up some knitting needles and get into the swing of things. You’ll be glad you did!

Allie Pleiter welcomes readers back to Collinstown with holiday cheer, vicuna (which are renowned for their wool), Libby’s ex-husband, and a murder in It Came Upon a Midnight Shear.

From the first book in this series, I’ve wanted Libby to be my best friend. Sure, she’s curious and sometimes sticks her nose in where she shouldn’t. She’s also patient (well, except when it comes to Sterling and his family); loves her family, friends, and community; and welcomes people into her circle.

Throughout this series, Pleiter has grown with the mystery threads in each book and this one was by far my favorite. There are so many suspects with excellent motives and opportunity. There are two crimes somehow connected to the vacuna. And I did not see the reveal coming. Those are the stories that stick with me the most.

And I have one word for Libby’s relationship with Gavin…FINALLY! If this was the final book in the series, it wraps up well but can I just say I hope we get more of Libby, Gavin, and the rest of Collinstown?

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

I've been a fan of Allie Pleiter's Love Inspired romances for many years, but this is my first cozy mystery written by her. It was fun reading about all the Christmas preparations for the town, and I learned a ton about vicuña yarn that I would never have found out without this book. I looked it up and one ball of the stuff really does retail for $300 and up!

Libby Beckett is the newly elected chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce and she's taking Collinstown to the next level in their Christmas celebration. She owns Y.A.R.N., a store for knitter, crocheters, tatters, and anyone who works in the fiber arts. As a store owner, she scores a coup with an exclusive shearing of four vicuña by the Gallant Herdsman, Vincenzo Marani. Christmas looks to be the best one yet, until her ex-husband, Sterling shows up making noises about redoing their divorce agreement. When he claims to have influenced Vincenzo to do his shearing at Libby's shop, she sees red, and threatens him, loudly, in front of witnesses. When the next time she sees him he is dead in her backyard, every suspicious eye in town looks her way. How can she prove she was home with her dog all night when no one saw her, and everyone around heard the threats?

Libby's life falls apart in so many areas, it's hard to keep count. The pricy balls of yarn go missing, one at a time. The murder weapon is found buried in her backyard. The police chief that she had previously helped with solving crimes, now has her at the top of his suspect list. What else can go wrong?

I snickered often as I read It Came Upon a Midnight Shear. I also loved reading about all of the Christmas activities that Libby had instigated in her town. The killer surprised me, but when the reason was explained, it was almost understandable.

Readers who love a good cozy mystery with a strong Christmas theme, should pick this one up. As always, Allie Pleiter put a great story to page.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It’s Christmastime in Collinstown and again the village is pulling out all the stops with businesses decorated with plenty of Christmas finery, a party to decorate the community Christmas tree, and Libby hosting the Dashing “Gallant Herdsman” Vincenzo Marani along with a few rare vicunas whose coats will be sheared by the “Gallant Herdsman” during the three-day event. Vicuña wool is the most luxurious fiber in modern times and it has a price to match.

Too bad Libby’s Scrooge of a husband has arrived in Collinstown when everything was going so well. Then to make matters worse he is found dead behind Libby’s Y.A.R.N. shop bringing the vicuna part of the festivities to an end. Adding more misery to Libby’s event the pricey vicuna yarn she had on display is being stolen ball by ball, the vicuna tries to make a break for it, and her ex-inlaws show up making all kinds of demands.

With herself and her guest Vincenzo Marani high on the suspect list it is time to knit and purl all the clues together as fast as they can because neither has the wish to spend the holidays behind bars,

This was such a fun read! Before I got too far into the story I had to research vicuna to learn more about them but then I quickly jumped right back into the story.

I love the way Libby has gotten so involved in the community, now being the president of the Chamber of Commerce but sadly when she brings guests in for an event at Y.A.R.N. something goes wrong. Her husband Sterling “a Grinch in Gucci loafers” arrives in town and she knows he has an agenda. I found him being the victim was very satisfying for me but I sure didn’t want Libby to be a suspect. She had so much on her plate. Thankfully the author has surrounded her with a great group of friends with distinct personalities.

The mysteries were very well-written and plotted. Libby wasn’t the only one who had a beef with Sterling so there was a wider pool of suspects than I imagined. Ms. Pleiter stitched up quite a story with plenty of twists to keep readers on our toes. I enjoyed every minute of trailing along with Libby to tie up the actual killer. As for the missing yarn I had several ideas but still didn’t nail down the guilty party before the end of the book when it was revealed.

I enjoy the way the author tells a story. Her descriptive style sets a scene so well. I could see each scene so clearly. The story had a nice pace, ebbing and flowing depending on what was happening. Some moments had me laughing out loud and others had me concentrating with determination to not miss an important clue.

Crafty cozies are some of my faves especially because I can live vicariously through the characters now that I can no longer do most crafts due to my hemiplegic status. I so love Y.A.R.N. “You’re Absolutely Ready Now” is the meaning Libby started with when opening her store and that her customers can now share their own personal words for the Y.A.R.N. abbreviation. If it was a real shop I can tell you I would spend a lot of time there. I would also love to experience the feel of that vicuna yarn.

It Came upon a Midnight Shear is my favorite book in this series so far. Libby is a wonderful protagonist and the people of Collinstown are interesting. The mysteries are unique and the setting is delightful. Plus it is always fun to learn something new. I am excited about the continuation of the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. The series is best if read in order but each book can stand on its own.

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR by Allie Pleiter
The Third Riverbank Knitting Mystery

This Christmas may be the best ever for Libby Beckett. Not only has she unseated "King" George as Chamber of Commerce President, but she's arranged for Vincenzo Marani and a small herd of vicuña to come to her shop. As a demonstration for Y.A.R.N., the Gallant Herdsman will shear the animals whose coats will be transformed into the most luxurious and expensive yarn. Those perfect Christmas dreams start to crash when those very expensive skeins of yarn start disappearing and Libby's ex-husband arrives in town. A knock on her door isn't Santa bearing gifts, but the sheriff with news of a murder behind her shop. Since almost the entire town heard her threaten him, Libby may be spending Christmas behind bars.

Fiber, pharmaceuticals, theft, and murder. What do they have in common, aside from wreaking havoc with Libby's holiday? As a suspect, she's not able to think through the possibilities with Frank as she's done with previous murders. Forced to ruminate on her own, Libby decides to let her enemies get close, but in doing so she almost makes a fatal mistake. I'm still unsure what made her confront the killer alone. With only a note saying where she went, Libby veered into that too stupid to live mode. However, doing so did prompt movement in her love life, so perhaps something drastic did need to happen.

I appreciate the more serious undertones here on conservation and the problems with pharmaceutical companies in the United States. I also enjoyed the lighter side with the dogs, vicuña, Libby's mother issues and Grant's dad issues, as well as the heart warming scenes of holiday preparations and friends caring for each other.

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR is an intricately plotted mystery filled with cute animals, lush fiber, and a tight knit group of family and friends. Its holiday setting with baked goods nestled in create cozy comfort, so grab a Christmas cookie and snuggle in for an enjoyable read.

📖My Thoughts📖

Who doesn’t love a good cozy mystery? This one has yarn, a murder and even some touching heart warming moments. The characters were perfect, the storyline wasn’t all too far fetched and it just very well written and really seemed to flow well. This was the 3rd book in A Riverbank Knitting Mystery series but I felt like it would be absolutely fine reading it as a standalone. It just had the perfect mix of elements making for a great cozy mystery. I really loved this one! I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Thank you Netgalley, Allie Pleiter and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Very well written cozy mystery. Great plot and character dynamics. Mystery fans will love this book 📕. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I've been loving this series and this third installment lived up to my high expectations. The Christmastime setting was so cozy and inviting. Collinstown during the holidays would be a sight to see! And I really liked the vicuna. I didn't know much about them, so they were a neat addition to the story.

The mystery was great. It definitely kept me guessing. Libby's ex-husband Sterling stops by her shop and the next day, he's found dead. The day before he was murdered, Libby got into a pretty heated, and very public, argument with him. So, despite her high standing in the community, she's the prime suspect. But Sterling was a dislikable man with a lot of enemies. I usually have a strong inclination as to who the guilty party is, but that wasn't the case here. I was stumped. Every suspect had plenty of motive to do the deed. I couldn't narrow it down. When the reveal came, I was shocked! I didn't see that coming at all, but it made perfect sense.

I can't recommend this highly enough. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, so I hope there are many more cases to solve alongside Libby.

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear is the third installment in Allie Pleiter's Riverbank Knitting Mystery series, and it ended up being my favorite of the three. I expected to enjoy this one, as cozy mysteries with a Christmas setting are usually my favorite, but it ended up far surpassing my expectations.

It was wonderful to get another visit to Collinstown, and get a first hand view to how all the residents were preparing for the approaching holiday season. Of course it wouldn't be a visit to Collinstown without Libby finding herself in the midst of another murder mystery, and this time it hits even closer to home when the murder is of none other than Libby's ex-husband Sterling. I have to say that I was quite surprised that the author chose to go that direction with the murder, but it added an extra depth to the story as the reader finally gets more information on what caused their marriage to break down, and gets a first hand look at the strained relationship that exists between Libby and the rest of Sterling's family.

I loved the addition of the Vicuna and the "Gallant Herdsman", as I've never heard of this animal before, and I loved discovering the tidbits about how sought after their wool has become for knitting enthusiasts. I don't often feel like I walk away from cozy mysteries having "learned" new things, so that was a fun surprise, and definitely aided my enjoyment of an already great story.

Overall, this was a wonderful cozy mystery with a charming setting, quirky characters, a well rounded plot, and a mystery that kept me guessing right through until the end. I found myself engaged with the story right from the get go, and I didn't want to put it down once I started. I was content with how everything wrapped up, and I hope there's going to be more to come from this series in the future.

Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of cozy mysteries.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to the author and Berkley Books for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Berkely Books) and the author (Allie Pleiter) via NetGalley as part of her street team. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

It Came upon a Midnight Shear is book three in A Riverbank Knitting Mystery Series by Allie Pleiter.

It's coming up on the holidays. Libby and her friends at Y.A.R.N. are getting ready for a holiday boom.
When Libby's ex-husband shows up in town he suddenly ends up dead.
She must unravel this mystery before she ends up being blamed for his death!

This was a fantastic cozy mystery!
With interesting characters and charming setting.
It Came upon a Midnight Shear is sure to draw the reader deep into the mystery of the small, quiet town of Collinstown, Maryland.
I devoured this book in a matter of hours.
The storyline excellent, the characters are strong. I liked Libby an intelligent lead character.
The mystery is good and very interesting with a satisfying ending.
I can't wait to read more of this series.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Berkley,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

I have enjoyed this book very much! I have read every book in this series and enjoyed each one. I am a knitter so the knitting side of this makes it even better for me because I can relate to the knitting story as well as the mystery. I will have to say I had never heard of vicuna. I found it very interesting. learning a little about the animals as well as the yarn. I feel like the characters were very well developed in this book. I had no idea who had committed the murder. I think a book is especially well written when you don't figure out who the killer is until it is revealed at the end of the story. I hate to know right away who committed the murder. This book does not disappoint in the way that it carries you along with the main character, Libby, as she searches out the clues. She is conflicted because she had mixed feelings for her ex-husband. This was an interesting part of the story in that you feel her conflict about how he was a thorn in her life but she also did not want him dead. There is also romantic tension between her feelings for her high school sweetheart and the new man that has come into the story as the mysterious vicuna herder. Great story! I will be posting to Amazon.