Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart

Easter Egg Murder

Book Summary

Light pink, robin’s egg blue, daffodil yellow, mint green—Easter eggs hiding sweet treats come in every pastel color. But in a few small towns this year, cracking them could be more fatal than fun…

EASTER EGG MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

In Provence to visit her daughter, part-time reporter Lucy Stone is soaking up the atmosphere, even if it includes one Carole Capobianco, the empty-nester she encountered on the flight over. Not exactly two peas in a pod, they’re both amused by the tale of a neighbor’s chickens refusing to lay eggs. The decoy eggs he’s set out to encourage the egg-centric hens are not only gorgeously Faberge-style, they’re being stolen! That’s confusing enough, but what’s happened to the cook is deadly serious.

DEATH BY ANOTHER EASTER EGG by LEE HOLLIS

When an ambitious young reporter dies mid-meal at Hayley Powell’s Bar Harbor restaurant, Hayley is horrified. Determined to save her eatery’s reputation, Hayley scrambles to crack the case wide open like an egg, discovering that the victim was about to break a juicy story—one that a number of people (er, suspects) did not order off the menu. Which makes finding the killer more than devilishly hard . . .

AN EGGY WAY TO DIE by PEGGY EHRHART

Cleaning up after the Easter egg hunt in the Arborville park, friends Pamela and Bettina are startled to find something else hidden—the dead body of a local cookbook author, surrounded by broken shells and slippery yolks. The pair are far from hard-boiled detectives, but as they search for clues, they find that the whole case smells distinctly like rotten eggs . .

My Thoughts

Easter Egg Murder contains three Easter themed novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart.  I was looking forward to reading Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier because I have been following Lucy Stone’s adventures since the beginning.  Unfortunately, the author included Carole Capobianco from her new series The Carole and Poopsie Mysteries.  Carole is brash, rude, and annoying (her family is just as bad). The narrative unfolds through alternating chapters from Lucy’s and Carole’s perspectives. Bill was irritable and not quite himself. While the mystery was fine, it felt somewhat implausible. I wish there had been more time devoted to Elizabeth who is expecting her first child. 

Death By Another Easter Egg by Lee Hollis felt rushed.  The killer was easy to spot, and, for some reason, Hayley had some blonde moments in this story. An Eggy Way to Die by Peggy Ehrhart has a cute title, but the writing is overly descriptive, especially  about food. The mystery was simple and I thought it unusual that it was resolved a couple of chapters before the end of the novella.  Easter Egg Murder was not the crackin’ good time that I was eggspecting.  

Easter Egg Murder will appeal to fans of the series.  Easter Egg Murder will be out on Tuesday, February 24 and it can be preordered on Amazon*.  The next A Lucy Stone Mystery is Countdown to Christmas Murder which comes out September 29.  Death of a Grill Master is the next A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery and it will be out on September 29.  Lee Hollis has a new cozy mystery series publishing on May 26.  The debut book in A Downeast Maine Mysteries is The Chowder House Murder.  If you follow Peggy Ehrhart on Amazon, they will let you know when she has a new A Knit and Nibble Mystery releasing.  

Thank you for joining me today.  There are a number of new books coming out next week (they have kept me busy).  I will return on Tuesday, February 24 with Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams.  It is the second book in the Stone Creek Ranch series.  We need to enjoy the warmer weather this weekend before the next cold front arrives.  I am hoping that this will be the last one before spring (a girl can hope).  I wish you an enjoyable and restful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart

  Christmas Scarf Murder

Book Summary

Stocking stuffers like handknit scarves make the coziest of Christmas gifts—unless they’re used as accessories for murder!

CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR

When grinchy thefts steal the good cheer at a local nursing home, Siobhan O’Sullivan manages to identify one missing item before Kilbane, Ireland’s Christmas tractor parade—a hideous shamrock scarf wrapped around a very dead body. Now, with her holiday farmhouse bash approaching, Siobhan must dash to stop a deadly Secret Santa from gifting another unwanted surprise.

SCARFED DOWN by MADDIE DAY

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas at Pans ‘N Pancakes, as twelve days of menu specials dazzle hungry locals. But the festivities go cold the instant a diner dies while knitting a brilliant green scarf. With Aunt Adele tied into a murder investigation, it’s all on Robbie Jordan to find out who’s really been naughty or nice in South Lick, Indiana.

DEATH BY CHRISTMAS SCARF by PEGGY EHRHART

Suspects pile up faster than New Jersey snow when frosty-tempered Carys Walnutt is found strangled by a handmade scarf auctioned at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. Between a winning bidder hiding behind the alias “S. Claws” and a victim who deserved coal in her stocking, can Pamela Paterson and the crafty Knit and Nibble ladies freeze a killer’s merry murder plot?

 My Thoughts

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart contains three cute holiday themed cozy mysteries.  All three stories are well-written and fit nicely into their respective series.  I like how the Christmas scarf theme fit into each story.  I thought Maddie Day had a clever method of murder.  I wish there had been more investigating by Robbie Jordan in Scarfed Down.  It was nice to catch up with Robbie, Abe, Sean, Adele, and the others. It was cute how Robbie and her staff were making dishes to go with The Twelve Days of Christmas.  I like how Robbie was reading a new book by Becky Clark from A Crossword Puzzle Mysteries. The Christmas scene at the end was sweet.  There is plenty of Christmas cheer in all three novellas. 

I enjoyed the first two stories more than Death by Christmas Day Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart.  There are so many characters introduced in the beginning of the tale.  I felt that the main character did not stand out especially with next to her dynamic best friend.  The mystery was okay, but I find the way it was solved a little odd.  Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor had an interesting mystery along with Christmas fun.  It is a lively story which I liked.  I like how the whodunit came together in the end.  It can be read as a standalone along with Scarfed Down.  I believe Death by Christmas Day Scarf is better for those who are familiar with A Knit and Nibble Mysteries.  Christmas Scarf Murder has three charming Christmas cozies with sweater weather, festooned trees, wonderful waffles, copious knitting, a couple of curious crimes, and cheerful Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Scarf Murder will be out on Tuesday, September 27 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  You can find Carlene O'Connor's other novels here.  Maddie Day is a non de plume for Edith Maxwell.  The eleventh A Country Store Mystery is Four Leaf Clever which comes out January 24, 2023.  You can find Edith Maxwell's books here.  Peggy Ehrhart has the ninth A Knit and Nibble Mystery titled Irish Knit Murder publishing February 21, 2023.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Next time I am featuring Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell. It is the debut of A Sewing Studio Mystery series.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Christmas Card Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart

 Christmas Card Murder

Book Summary

Everyone dreams of a picture-perfect small-town Christmas, but when murder is in the cards, some holiday greetings are addressed to kill . . .

CHRISTMAS CARD MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

In the midst of holiday home renovations, Lucy Stone unwraps a murder mystery decades in the making when she discovers an old Christmas card with a nasty message inside. The case may be colder than a New England Christmas, but Lucy’s determined to sort it out before Santa comes to town.

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL by LEE HOLLIS

The Island Times Christmas soiree gets off to a scroogey start when Hayley Powell, Mona Barnes, and Rosana Moretti receive a Christmas card from the town flirt, Carol Waterman, who threatens to run off with one of their husbands! The ladies chalk it up to an imprudent prank . . . until they find Carol mistletoe-up under her tree . . .

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS CARD CRAFTER by PEGGY EHRHART

Slay bells ring when the body of Arborville High School’s beloved art teacher (and annual Christmas card designer), Karma Karling, is discovered on the first day of the Holiday Craft Fair. Now, Pamela Paterson and the Knit and Nibble crew must swap swatching for sleuthing in order to put a Christmas killer on ice.

My Thoughts

Christmas Card Murder contains three cozy mystery novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart.  I like to read holiday themed stories as it gets closer to the holiday.  Christmas Card Murder by Leslie Meier has Lucy Stone finally getting something she has dreamed of for years—a master bathroom.  It is about time.  While removing a wall, Bill finds a Christmas card with a nasty message.  Lucy begins digging into the past to learn who received the card and the reason for the message.  Also, a murderer is up for parole, and it has the community up in arms.  I love visiting Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  I like Lucy Stone who is a hardworking mother, wife, and reporter.  The mystery was different and there was suspense in the story as well.  There is also humor and warmth.  Death of a Christmas Carol by Lee Hollis has the newspapers Christmas party taking a downturn when they receive a nasty missive from Carol Waterman, the town flirt who later turns up dead.  Hayley sets out to bag the guilty party before Santa comes to town.  This was a humorous story that fans of the series will enjoy. The mystery was simple, but it suited the length of the novella.  Peggy Ehrhart gives us Death of a Christmas Card Crafter which has Pamela and her knitting group searching for the individual who killed the high school’s art teacher.  There are nice characters in this series.  I enjoy the descriptions of the yarn and their projects.  I did find the pacing to be on the sluggish side.  The mystery was different.   The whodunit took a backseat to eating, the detailed descriptions of the character’s clothing, knitting, and the endless conversations.  The resolution was drawn out and it felt like it came out of left field.  These novellas are best read by those who are familiar with the series.   I enjoyed learning more about Christmas cards and their history in Christmas Card Murder.  You can read one or all three of these holiday cozy mysteries. 

Christmas Card Murder is available from Amazon (on Kindle Unlimited)*.  Leslie Meier has Easter Bonnet Murder publishing January 25, 2022.  Lee Hollis has Death of an Ice Cream Scooper releasing on July 26, 2022.  It is the 15th A Hayley Powell Mystery.  Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart comes out February 22, 2022.  It is the 8th A Knit and Nibble Mystery.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope that you have a joyful weekend.   I will return on Monday.  I have plenty of Christmas decorating and wrapping to take care of this weekend.  The trees do not decorate themselves.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit by Peggy Ehrhart

Good Day!  Have you begun your Thanksgiving preparations yet?  My mother and I are trying to decide what to fix this year because neither of us are fans of turkey.  I am pushing for fried chicken while my mother prefers baked chicken.  We will see which one wins.  Do you like a traditional Turkey Day meal? 

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit by Peggy Ehrhart has Pamela Patterson enjoying the holiday in Arborville, New Jersey with her daughter, Penny who is home from college for winter break.  Pamela is decorating cookies with Bettina and Wilfred Fraser for the next Knit & Nibble meeting when she gets a frantic call from Penny.  She was sketching in the nature reserve when Penny found a dead woman.  Pamela, Bettina and Wilfred rush to the nature reserve where Bettina recognizes the victim as Millicent Farthingale who owns a local craft store.  Bettina notices that the scarf Millicent was wearing earlier is now missing.  Pamela soon learns that there are several suspects in Millicent’s death including her boy toy husband, craft store partner, and her newly discovered sister.  Pamela believes the missing handknit scarf is a vital clue to the killer.  The Knit and Nibble group have their work cut out for them if they are to wrap up this case before Santa rides into town.

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit by Peggy Ehrhart is the fourth A Knit & Nibble Mystery.  Pamela, Wilfred, Bettina and the knitting group are back.  They are gearing up for Christmas by finishing last minute gifts and enjoying Christmas cookies.  Pamela is happy to have her daughter, Penny home for the winter holidays. I like the diverse group of people that make up the knitting group. They are friendly bunch who get together to create beautifully knit items while they chat and eat items that they have made.  Of course, when there is a murder to solve, they brainstorm and snoop.  I like that we get to learn more about Pamela as well as the knitting members in each story.  We also get to catch up on the lives of the kittens who love to chase yarn and get into mischief.  There are some lovely yarn descriptions that had me wanting to add to my stash (which consists of six large totes at the moment).  Pamela and the knitting group get involved in the death of Millicent Farthingale.  Millicent is a woman of means who is married to Pierre, a French Canadian and owns a local craft store.  The mystery was not the primary focus of the book.  Pamela was focused on decorating for the holidays, making cookies, and spending time with Penny.  There are a couple of suspects in Millicent’s death, but the killer can be pegged in the first quarter of the book.  I wish the mystery had been the focus and that it had been more complex.  I am glad that the romance between Pamela and Richard is not being rushed.  However, I believe it is time to move forward and for them to actually go out (they have been acting juvenile for two mature adults).  Silent Knit, Deadly Knit is nicely written, and the story moved along at a nice pace.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  There are lovely cozy moments and some humor sprinkled throughout.  Silent Knit, Deadly Knit is a merry cozy mystery with scrumptious cookies, yummy yarn, fun felines, Christmas carols, and a meddlesome murder.  

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit can be purchased at your favorite retailer including Amazon* (Amazon UK).  A Knit & Knibble Mystery series consists of Murder, She Knit, Died in the Wool and Knit One, Die Two.  The next A Knit & Knibble Mystery is A Fatal Yarn which comes out March 31, 2020.   Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I plan on sharing my thoughts on What Comes My Way by Tracie Peterson tomorrow.  It is the third and final book in Brookstone Brides trilogy.   May you have a cheerful day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Knit One, Die Two by Peggy Ehrhart

Welcome!  There are some delightful books coming out in the next few months.  I am going to be a busy reader.  The Brides of Big Valley by Wanda Brunstetter with Jean Brunstetter and Richelle Brunstetter will be out on June 4. Other books out on June 4 include A Patchwork of Clues by Sally Goldenbaum, The Number of Love by Roseanne White and The Book Supremacy by Kate Carlisle.  Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner publishes on June 11 with Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon.  What will you be adding to your TBR pile?

Knit One, Die Two by Peggy Ehrhart returns us to Arborville, New York in mid-September.  Pamela Paterson is hosting the latest Knit & Nibble meeting where Caralee Lorimer will be joining them.  Caralee is learning to knit for her role of Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities with the Arborville Players.  Her catty behavior does not endear her to the members of the group.  Pamela notices bruises on Caralee’s arm and is told that some items fell on her in the auditorium storage room.  Later that evening, Pamela overhears Caralee and Craig Belknap, a fellow actor, arguing over the hedge.  The next day, Pamela hears sirens and find them at the auditorium where the actors are rehearsing.  Caralee was found in the storage room under a mound of furniture.  The police rule her death accidental, but Pamela has her doubts.  Pamela, with help from her best friend and neighbor, Bettina Fraser begins asking questions around town.  When Caralee’s knitting is returned to them, the group discovers names in Morse code.  Did Caralee discover something that led to her death?  When not working on articles for Fiber Craft magazine or taking care of Carina and her six rambunctious kittens, Pamela talks to the residents listed in the knitting.  Can they prove Caralee was murdered before the killer strikes again? 

 

Knit One, Die Two is the third book in A Knit & Nibble Mystery series.  I do recommend reading the series in order since background information is lacking in Knit One, Die Two.  The book is nicely written, but I wish the pace had been livelier.  Peggy Ehrhart is a descriptive writer who goes into detail on cooking, baking, feeding the cats, clothing, going to the grocery, etc.   An example is “she added a few tablespoons of sugar to the flour mixture, then poured in melted butter and stirred until some of the flour mixture formed buttery lumps”.  This is just a portion of the paragraph describing Pamela making cobbler.  These types of descriptions are included for all the items cooked.  I would have liked more action in the book and less focus on everyday tasks.  I like the main characters of Pamela, Bettina, Wilford and the other members of the Knit & Nibble club.  They are a friendly bunch of people.  I did not understand Pamela’s obsession over when her neighbor would return from his out of town excursion.  She likes her new neighbor, Richard Larkin (though she does not want to admit it), but I did not feel it needed to be mentioned so frequently.   The mystery is lackluster.  Only Pamela believes Caralee has been murdered.  Pamela, with Bettina as her sidekick, question various people around town (food is usually involved).  The reveal of the killer is not a surprise nor is the murder weapon.  I wanted more focus on the mystery and less on food, kittens, grocery shopping, and chatting.  The kittens are adorable and add humor to the story.  The recipe for Pamela’s peach cobbler is at the end of the book along with a knitting pattern for a sachet.  For those readers who prefer laid back cozy mysteries with more cozy than mystery, you will find Knit One, Die Two enjoyable.  I just wanted a little more oomph. 

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit is the next book in this series and it comes out on October 29. Murder, She Knit and Died in the Wool are the first two books in A Knit & Nibble Mystery series.  If in doubt on a book, obtain a sample to see if it is the right fit for you.  Tomorrow I am going to review The Shop Girls of Lark Lane by Pam Howes.  I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Died in the Wool: A Knit & Nibble Mystery

Good Day!  The First Love by Beverly Lewis and An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White come out on September 4.  Read and Gone by Allison Brook will be available on September 11.

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.

The next A Knit & Nibble Mystery is Knit One, Die Two which comes out on April 30, 2019.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will feature Stabbed in the Baklava by Tina Kashian tomorrow as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.  I hope you have a heartwarming day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Murder, She Knit: A Knit and Nibble Mystery

Good Day!  A Daughter's Courge by Kitty Neale is out today.  Fiction Can Be Murder by Becky Clark will be released on April 8.  The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah Ladd will come out on April 10 along with An Amish Heirloom by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Irvin.

Murder, She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart is the first story in A Knit and Nibble Mystery series.  Pamela Patterson is a widow who lives in Arborville, New Jersey.  Pamela is associate editor of Fiber Craft magazine and is the founder of the Knit and Nibble knitting club.  On her way to the co-op grocery store, Pamela runs into Amy Morgan who has just moved to town.  Pamela has not seen Amy in five years.  She invites Amy to the Knit and Nibble meeting that will be held at her house.  Unfortunately, Amy fails to show up for the meeting.  After everyone has departed, Pamela finds Amy dead in the bushes with a metal knitting needle sticking out of her chest.  Pamela notices that Amy’s knitting bag is missing.  Who killed Amy and why?  Pamela believes that the police do not always ask the right questions and decides to conduct her own investigation.  While walking home from the market, Pamela finds a woman dead behind Amy’s apartment building.  Are the two deaths connected?  Pamela and her friend, Bettina set out to unravel the clues and hook the killer in Murder, She Knit.

Murder, She Knit is a cute cozy mystery.  The book is nicely written and, for the most part, has good pacing.  I do wish that the author had taken the time to establish the characters.  I would have liked more detail on Pamela and the town.  I liked the knitting theme and the beautiful yarn descriptions.  The author mentions a knitting harness that allows knitters to knit with one hand (I am looking that one up).  The mystery is straightforward.  There is some misdirection and the author provided good clues that will aid readers in solving the crime.  I kept hoping for more action (anything besides questioning and speculation).  Pamela’s method of questioning leaves a lot to be desired.  The police are in the periphery in the book (practically nonexistent).  I felt that many of the scenes felt contrived (farfetched).  The members of the knitting group attend the funeral of a woman they had never met (because she was about to join their group—would you take off work) and she happens to see a man wearing argyle socks that match one’s the victim knitted are just two examples.   I also did not understand Pamela talking with a reporter after finding Amy’s body (come on into my kitchen and let’s chat).  There is a lot of time spent shopping, knitting, cooking, chatting, and taking care of the stray cat.  The series has potential, and I am hoping for improvement in Died in the Wool (out on August 28, 2018).  My rating for Murder, She Knit is 3 out of 5 stars.  There is a recipe for Autumn Apple Cake at the end of the book.

I appreciate you visiting today and reading my review.  I will be featuring A Breath of Hope by Lauraine Snelling.  It is the second book in Under Northern Skies series.   I hope you return to see what I have to say about this new Christian, historical novel.  May you have a day filled with laughter.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader