A Killer Stitch is #4 in Maggie Sefton’s Knitting Series. It’s almost Christmas and Kelly is settling into her new home in Fort Connor, Colorado. Money is coming in from her Wyoming ranch and her accounting consulting work is keeping her busy, but a pall hangs over the festive spirit at the House of Lambspun. An alpaca ranchers death in Bellvue Canyon has the knitting regulars concerned. Diane, friend of Jennifer - and Kelly’s friend - is under suspicion of murder. But it doesn’t stop there, the group finds out Lucy, the spinning instructor, is pregnant with the dead man’s child. Jennifer is convinced Diane didn’t do it. Kelly thinks Lucy is hiding something more. Once again, Kelly finds herself unraveling a murder while trying to ignore Steve’s amorous advances, putting a bid in on Geri’s ranch (from Book 2), knit, work, play tennis for a charity event, helping Jayleen with a charitable children’s Christmas party and drinking her numerous cups of coffee. I felt this one was pretty good. I’m still convinced there are way too many characters - especially when the author starts introducing “outside” characters - friends of friends. I still applaud Sefton’s knack of bringing the murder to Kelly with witness present (lately Burt, the retired detective) rather than having our heroine rushing off alone to her great peril. I am getting tired of Kelly not acknowledging Steve’s romantic intent, though in this one his intent was more difficult to ignore. My guess is a marriage proposal is but a couple books away. So while the book has its quirks, I am still interested enough to keep reading the series.
Ugh, I wanted to throw this book against the wall. Not because of the plot, though I guessed who the killer was very early on. No, it's the prose that kills me - pun intended. Most of the characters have the same voice, except for Jayleen who is super-Southern-drawl woman. Everyone says "Ooooh, yeah" in response to every question. The sleuth, Kelly Flynn, is forever bemoaning her lack of knitting skills even though she's been knitting multiple things in each book. Kelly's description of touching the yarns and drinking Eduardo's coffee are the same thing every time. I was sick to death of Kelly's caffeine comments by the end of the book.Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a physical description of the main characters so that I have something to hang my imagination onto. "A Killer Stitch" had so many characters running in and out of the yarn store that I kept forgetting who was who.I started reading this series because I like mysteries and I like knitting, so it seemed like it had potential. The first two books didn't annoy me so much (and I must have skipped the third), but I don't know if I can get through another one like "A Killer Stitch". Maybe I could do it if I'm in the mood to turn off my brain while reading.
What do You think about A Killer Stitch (2007)?
So bad it was good? Maybe more like so bad it was kind of funny. I didn't realize until I was about a chapter in that I'd read another in the series, Dropped Dead Stitch, and had similar complaints, especially about the main character's relationship with food. I don't remember the other one being quite as repetitive, though. Yes, Kelly likes coffee. We get it. She's athletic. Got it. She thinks she's an inadequate knitter. Okay.The plot was moderately entertaining, which is why I have it two stars instead of one. The writing, especially the dialogue, was sorely lacking. Hopefully now I'll remember to stay away from this series, despite my love of both knitting and mysteries.
—Sarah
Fourth in the series, this edition takes the reader on a winter mystery set in Colorado during the holidays where the Lambspun community is fast at work making hats, scarves, and mittens for seasonal gifting. Amidst the holiday cheer, chaos hits when a romance gone wrong ends in murder. The Lambspun community could be set in any small town. The writing is easy to follow and the variety of characters will surely allow readers to find at least one to cheer for. I enjoyed learning more about other characters and how the author kept Kelly at a distance in this story. If you are looking for a good old-fashioned whodunit set in a small town over the holidays, you won't be disappointed. If you enjoy knitting, you will be further engaged by the pattern at the end of the book.
—Lisa
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The first three books in this series were ok, but I feel like Ms. Sefton is running out of ideas quickly. I was so tired of Kelly going to get coffee, Kelly going to knit and Kelly playing sports. I'm also tired of Kelly avoiding getting close with Steve. He's a great guy, and he probably would have given up on such an annoying woman by book two if this was in any way reality based.I felt like her relationships to the suspect and the murder victim were too tenuous for her to ever really have needed to be involved. The writing is getting worse with each book, so I think I'm done with this series now.
—Amber
