Died in the Wool

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.

This delightful new series is already a favorite of mine. The small-town setting of Arborville, NJ, is a short drive into Manhattan. It is the kind of town where many people know each other or get to know of each other at local functions. For example, football coach Brad Striker tells everyone in earshot how Randall Jefferson is an “idiot history teacher” at the May Celebration. Pamela is an associate editor for a fiber arts magazine, allowing her to work from home. She is also the founder of the knitting club in Arborville, Knit and Nibble. They have knit 25 turquoise aardvarks, the high school mascot, to raise money for the school’s athletic program. They are to be sold at the knitting club booth at the annual May Celebration and Parade. History teacher Randall Jefferson thinks that high school sports, especially football, should be disbanded, and that history more important than team sports. When Pamela and best friend Bettina are taking down their booth and find Jefferson’s body stuffed under the canvas-wrapped table, it was an easy assumption that Coach Striker did the deed. Pamela and Bettina think they are the primary suspects since he was found at the knitting group’s booth. They are almost ostracized, one local web site even stating that Pamela should be in jail already! Someone started collecting the “killer aardvarks” that people had purchased, with the intent to burn them. As much as she doesn’t want to get involved, Pamela knows she must follow at least a couple leads. One who looks just like Jefferson, a woman named Nightingale who was a regular nightly visitor, and a professor with whom Jefferson had regular, backstabbing, written critiques of each other’s research. Pamela and Bettina have colorful imaginations, as evidenced by their potential scenarios of who might have killed Jefferson. Their easy conversations show how close their friendship is. I enjoy both ladies for their intelligence, creativity, homemaking talents, and strong relationships with loved ones, despite Bettina’s insistence that the widowed Pamela should consider going out with their somewhat new neighbor, Richard. I also enjoy sweet Catrina, the kitten Pamela rescued during the winter who has become quite the companion. I find it refreshing that this cozy mystery includes “seasoned” protagonists. Pamela has an interesting career that does not consume her and is enhanced by her love of working in various fibers. She, and the mystery, took hold of my attention early in the novel and held it throughout. Twists and turns in the plot brought suspects to light. I’m not sure than I could wander through a recently-murdered man’s home looking for clues…especially when hearing someone else in a house that should be empty! There is genuine suspense, humor, cleverness, and the joy of being with friends. I had an idea who the killer was, only for the reason of opportunity and a couple of tiny seeds of clues, yet was genuinely surprised to see it really was this person who was respected in the community. The end left me wanting more of Arborville and its good friends. I highly recommend Died in the Wool to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries filled with yarn arts, fun, and friendship. From a grateful heart: I received an e-arc from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Good plot and writing. I was able to read it quickly and enjoyed it. I love that it's about knitting!