Hello my cozy friends,
Today I am reviewing “Hounds of the Basket Stitch” the 11th instalment in the “Black Sheep and Company Mystery” series by Anne Canadoe. I have only read one other instalment in the series but I really enjoyed this book.
The Black Sheep Knitters come to the aid of two sisters—one a victim and one a suspect . . .
Maggie Messina knows that knitting is not only enjoyable, it also calms both the mind and soul. She’s happy to visit two sisters, Holly and Rose Piper, and teach them some simple stitches, while the rest of the Black Sheep knitters tag along. Dana Haeger has known the young women since they were children and is the closest thing to family the Pipers now have. Dana is especially concerned about Rose, who has been easily overwhelmed ever since a car accident many years ago. She is at her best managing the houseful of hounds that she rescues and shelters, while Holly runs the family nursery and remains devoted to Rose’s care. The lesson goes well, but the knitters are troubled about the sisters living alone in such a remote corner of Plum Harbor.
Their worst fears are realized when Holly is attacked in her greenhouse and the building set ablaze. Rose is found unconscious nearby, her dogs running wild. When she wakes, her memory is blank. Holly is hospitalized and unable to offer even a clue. The Black Sheep suspect a mysterious drifter who had talked his way into a few days of wages, and just as quickly, disappeared. Or was it their estranged stepbrother, Toby, full of family grievances and eager to make a claim on the estate? Or, heaven forbid . . . was it Rose? Hovering over all these questions like an ominous shadow is a dark secret from the sisters’ past.
While it seems everything is unraveling, the knitters will need to keep their wits as sharp as their needles to prove Rose’s innocence and stop a killer from striking again.
I enjoyed visiting Plum Harbor and the Black Sheep knitters again, it had been awhile. I adored the character Rose who trains therapy dogs. I do recommend you start at the beginning of the series, only for the sheer fact of the number of characters involved in the series, it might be easier to get to know them all from the start..
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.
The ladies and their friendship is really what brings this series to life. One lady even welcomes a darling fur baby into their family. (Any type of dogs or cats are right up my alley )
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.
Hugs,
