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Murder In Merino (2014)

by Sally Goldenbaum(Favorite Author)

4.05 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0451415361 (ISBN13: 9780451415363)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

NAL Hardcover

series

A Seaside Knitters Mystery

review 1: First, a disclaimer: I won a copy of "Murder in Merino" through a Goodreads giveaway (THANKS!). Second, I know a lot of people look at a 3 star review and think, "Oh, it must not be good." Well, let me clarify that it takes J.R.R. Tolkien to get 5 stars, so a 3 star rating doesn't make it bad, it just means that it's not going to stand the test of time. If I were rating beach lit, it would be 5 stars.Finally, I had never heard of the Seaside Knitters Mystery series before signing up for this giveaway, but it was cute enough that if I saw another book in the series at my local used book store, I would pick it up. That's not a backhanded complement - I'm just cheap. :) Goldenbaum created characters that I could like, and would like to learn more about (like Cass and Danny - ... morewhat will happen with them?). I like mysteries that aren't dark, plots that aren't easily seen through, New England, and knitting, so all in all, an enjoyable book. Easy to read, full of charm... and a little murder thrown in. It's almost like "Murder, She Wrote" in book form. And that IS a complement. :)
review 2: “Knitted Brows & Purls of Wisdom With a Measure of Murder” As we travel back to Sandswept Lane, we find there’s a lot going on in the cozy community of Sea Harbor, Mass. Nell and Ben Endicott’s 40th wedding anniversary is fast approaching, and, what they had hoped would be a quiet celebration with family and friends could get out of hand rather quickly with Mary Pisano at the helm. The upcoming election for mayor is heating up, with incumbent, well-respected Stan Hanson going up against political hopeful (at least in her own mind) Beatrice Scaglia, who will explore every avenue in her bid for the mayoral seat. But, it’s not Beatrice who’s causing such a stir in this sleepy, seaside town—but a beautiful newcomer named Julia (“Jules”) Ainsley. She inserts herself into the Seaside Knitters’ lives, charming all of their men, much to Nell’s, Izzy’s and Cass’s dismay. She is not only beautiful, but smart, clever, plus she knits and sails—but she is toting a boatload of emotional baggage with her. Jules meets Author (and Cass’s Boyfriend), Danny Brandley at the Ocean’s Edge Bar and is scrutinized by usually friendly bartender/co-owner Jeffrey Meara, who keeps staring at her like he’s met her before. Jules is confused by his actions and is further puzzled when he asks if she would meet him at 27 Ridge Road, the cottage-style house that Izzy used to live in before she married Sam Perry. Jules is unexplainably drawn to the house and is interested in purchasing same, so she decides to meet him before the realtor’s open house. Jules travels to Ridge Road early, hoping to get the mysterious meeting out of the way and beat any other possible buyers to the purchase. When she arrives, she discovers Jeffrey’s car is already parked out front. Why would he be here so early? A short time later, the usual Friday night dinner with friends on the Endicott’s deck is interrupted by a frantic call from Realtor Stella Palazola, asking Ben and Sam to come to the house immediately…they arrive, only to find Jeffrey Meara’s lifeless body sprawled in the backyard. Who would want to hurt, never mind kill, this amiable fellow, who called most of the residents of Sea Harbor, his friends? Sadly, but not surprisingly, Jules is on the top of the list of suspects. How can she explain her visit to the area when she has no family or friends living here and has never been to Sea Harbor before? And the strange way she’s drawn to the cozy cottage? If she’s not the killer, then who is? Perhaps Jeffrey’s partner in Ocean’s Edge, Don Wooten, who was not always happy with Jeffrey’s decisions? Maybe another disgruntled employee—or ex-employee?Or bird watcher/Ocean’s Edge employee, creepy Garrett Barros who lives next door to the crime scene? Will the killer be identified so that the residents can relax their fears and have the Anniversary Party go on without a hitch? Will Jules find the answers to the mysteries of the past? And in doing so, who may be hurt in the process? Ms. Goldenbaum has held us in suspense once again as she leads us down the zig-zagged paths of mysterious crime and everlasting friendship. As is true with her other volumes, she has kindly included a list of characters for our referral and has graciously enclosed the knitting pattern (designed specifically for “Murder in Merino” by the talented Cindy Craig) for the Endicott’s ruby red anniversary afghan and a copy of the Seafood Salad that the “Seaside Knitters” often order at “Ocean’s Edge”. There are “oceans” to enjoy with this book and the whole Seaside Knitters series. If you haven’t had a chance to read them, I highly suggest that you do--although you do not have to start from the first volume to quickly become acquainted with this loving and caring group. As for me, I can’t wait to see what adventures they’ll be up to their knitting needles in next –I’m making room on my bookshelf—how about you?Nancy Narma less

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