Not the strongest instalment in the series as the murderer was too obvious and there was too much focus on felting. ( )

Not as entertaining as earlier books in this series. This one also ends on a cliffhanger, which I hate! ( )

Though I was admittedly a bit disappointed in the last book of this series, thankfully this one, the eighth, sees amateur sleuth (and knitter) Kelly Flynn, back on form. Based in small town Colorado, this series is based around Kelly and her friends at `The House of Lambspun' which is a wool shop, and sees her solve crimes, namely murders.

This book sees the unfortunate death of a young girl, known for participating in the heavy party scene at the local university. Though it is suspected she took an overdose, Kelly does a little bit of snooping around for the deceased's boyfriend and finds out that perhaps it wasn't an overdose at all. Cue lots of sleuthing by Kelly and her friends, though Kelly has enough problems of her own going on...

Despite the murder theme, this is still a `cosy' mystery and remains light hearted because as a reader you don't read about the crime being committed, but merely see the aftermath and Kelly's investigation. It is a quick read that you can dip in and out of at whim with fun characters and a delectable setting. I would however say that as this is the eight book, even though it does contain a list of characters at the beginning, it would be a shame for a reader not to start at the beginning of this wonderful little series- just so you know how Kelly ended up in Colorado and her relationship with the gang- there is some continuity carried over from book to book. Also, there were a few surprises that I wasn't perhaps expecting here with regards to Kelly's personal life, which kept me hooked, if you'll pardon the pun.

All in all, it was great to be back on familiar territory with coffee addict Kelly, her (friendly) Rottweiler Carl, and all of her fabulous friends. You don't have to be a knitter to enjoy these books either, so don't let that put you off. Four stars from me, and I hope the next one is just as good as this!

*This review also appears on Amazon.co.uk* ( )

Yet again, Maggie Sefton delves into today's societal issues. This time it's about the illegal purveyance of presciption drugs within the young adult crowd. A troubled party girl appears to be turning her life around until one morning when she's found dead from an apparent overdose of opiates. Kelly, our heroine, promises to get to the bottom of what happened. Meanwhile her own personal life seems to unravel at the proverbial seams. The cliff hanger at the end makes me want to rush out for the next book in the series, "Unraveled". ( )

Skein of the Crime by Maggie Sefton
Published by Berkley Prime Crime

Maggie Sefton has assembled a great mixed group of friends in her Knitting Mystery series. I find as a reader I feel like I am a part of the story, it's an interesting and comfortable feeling. Yet not all is sunny in the small town of Fort Connor, Colorado. As with most of the country, the financial downturn has affected many of the residents, including Kelly's boyfriend, Steve, who is an architect, and her friend Jennifer, in real estate. As a result, Steve is working two jobs as much as he can, spending almost all his time in Boulder and very little in Fort Connor. To make matters worse from Steve's point of view, Kelly not only has her consulting work, but she has a large inheritance and would willingly share it with Steve, but it just increases his feeling of failure and he refuses to take any money.

Of course, this wouldn't be a cosy mystery without a murder. It all starts when Kelly steps out on her patio one night and is startled to find a barefoot college girl standing there. She doesn't answer any questions, just rocks and smiles. It doesn't take Kelly long to realize the girl is stoned out of her mind, and must have walked along the trail by the golf course behind the house. She is high on Ecstasy. Kelly calls 911 and the girl is taken to hospital. Kelly has no idea how she got there, but the trail is not a safe place to walk at night, there have been some recent attacks on women walking alone.

Kelly learns that the girl has been on her own since childhood and that Barbara, one of the knitting teachers at House of Lambspun, the wool shop where Kelly and her friends meet. Barbara had more or less taken Holly in, and she grew up with Tommy, Barbara's son, who is now studying medicine. Apparently, Holly calls on Tommy constantly, drawing him away from his studies and work as a paramedic. With Mimi, the shop owner, taking an interest in her, the girl turns herself around and does well. She even takes knitting classes. Then a party she attends has her turning to alcohol but not drugs. The next morning, her body is found on the trail.

The coroner calls it a drug overdose, but Kelly can't shake the feeling there is more to it, and starts to investigate, to the chagrin of Steve, who twice arrives at the home they share on weekends to find her gone. He is on the brink of staying away in Boulder for good. How can this be happening? With her consternation of Steve's reaction, Kelly still pursues her investigation. Holly knew the trail wasn't safe, and she was trying to become a good person. What went wrong? Jealousy? A mother's overbearing protection? A drug dealer? So many questions. It seems everyone is trying to steer Kelly a different direction. Brick walls are up against Kelly as she tries to get at the truth. Will she learn what really happened in time? There are several possibilities, many supplied by another girl who grew up with both Kelly and Tommy as classmates through the years. Which of the possible suspects might prove to be a murderer? It will keep the reader guessing. What will happen to Kelly's romance and future?

In the midst of all this is woven an engagement and the wild search for a wedding dress and other plans necessary for the wedding. This book is a cozy with subject matter that is meaningful in today's world where parties, drugs and alcohol play a major part, especially in college. We also end with a cliff-hanger. Will there be a happy future for Kelly? That will require reading the next book, "Unraveled". I really enjoy Maggie's books, they are fun, genuinely "cosy" yet with a good murder mystery, and this one did not disappoint. Recipe and Knitting pattern included. ( )