I know that I read this one because I remember the fire as a plot device. But the rest of the book was pretty formulaic and predictable based on the books that had come before. I don't remember much about it (including exactly when I read it), but I remember enough to know that this will be my last of the Knitting Mysteries. If I want to read another book with Kelly and friends, I'll re-read one of the earlier books. I really enjoyed those. ( )

Very disappointing. Though I realize the importance of the fires, and while they were described very well in the book, I was still disappointed. The yarns weren't described as well as in earlier volumes. In addition, even though Steve and Kelly are back together, they could just be two acquaintances, as they don't even have banter in this book like in the others. Also, Kelly doesn't really do any sleuthing. She and Burt just discuss the case as the police figure it out. And then at the end, they kind of go "Oh yeah. That's what I thought."

Very disappointing. ( )

Author Maggie Sefton has spun another exciting yarn in the Knitting Mystery series.

First let me say that I love that Ms. Sefton includes a cast of characters list at the beginning of her books. For new comers to the series it’s a wonderful guide to help you catch up and keep on track. Or, if you have a Swiss cheesed memory like mine, it will help those returning to the series with a remindful nudge.

Readers might think a series that is on its twelfth installment may be the same ole, same old. That is far from true with this series, and book number twelve, YARN OVER MURDER. While returning us to familiar character and settings, Ms. Sefton manages to keep things fresh and exciting. A true sign of a gifted writer.

The horrible High Park wildfire near Fort Collins, Colorado, serves as part of the backdrop in this story. Author Sefton deftly intermingled protagonist Kelly and her knitting group into the real life drama. She created an electrifying murder mystery in this story and proved yet again her why she is an admired author. And she has solidified the future of this wonderful series.

If you’ve never read another book in this series, please do read YARN OVER MURDER and enjoy a truly exciting story. (Warning: Reading this book will make you want to read the rest of the series. )

And don’t stop reading once the story is done or you’ll miss a knitting pattern, a recipe, and a sneak peek of book number lucky thirteen, PURL UP AND DIE! ( )

Yarn Over Murder is the twelfth book in the A Knitting Mystery series.

It's always enjoyable to sit down and read about the happenings at the House of Lambpsun. Even though I'm not a knitter I like to envision all the different types of yarns and colors as Kelly Flynn visits with the people of the knitting shop.

Kelly and her friends from Lambspun are rushing to Jayleen's Alpaca ranch to trailer her Alpaca's and move as they fear that the wildfire just might destroy the ranch. Then they will be headed to Andrea's ranch in hopes that it will be out of harms way. As the Alpaca's are being unloaded, Connie Carson who works at Lambspun arrives as gets involved in a physical and verbal confrontation with Andrea. Accusing her of stealing her husband. The next day Kelly and her friends learn that Andrea has been found dead at the bottom of stairs to house, where she has apparently fallen. What with the argument that Connie had with Andrea's she becomes a prime suspect, but Kelly and her friends at Lambspun feel she is innocent, even though Connie's demeanor has changed drastically. With the wildfires burning intensely, the police are tied up and Kelly and her friends begin to look into what really happened to Andrea, was it an accident or murder.

Ms Sefton, once again, provides the reader with an exciting story and as a back drop skillfully blends in facts of the High Park Wildfire of 2012, that gives the reader a feeling of really having been there.

Definitely looking forward to next book in this interesting series to see what problems are next for Kelly to unravel. ( )

There are hundreds of books featuring a woman who solves murders even though that is not her profession. The main character usually has her own business which specializes in cooking, needlework, flowers, inn-keeping, antiques, etc. The stories are usually light and enjoyable. The reader gets to know the character’s friends, family and associates, and some of them, particularly those dealing with food or needlecrafts, usually include recipes or patterns.
Kelly Flynn, Maggie Sefton’s creation, lives in Colorado where she works as an accountant while running the yarn shop left to her by her aunt. Up to now, the series has focused on the yarn shop and provided information about yarn and knitting. While YARN OVER MURDER does include those elements, as well as directions for knitting a pullover and a recipe for brownies, it steps out of the usual box.
As Sefton finished her previous book, CLOSE KNIT KILLER, a major wildfire erupted in the Rise Canyon near where she lives. While there is a murder, the primary focus of this book is the effect of the forest fire on the people living in the area. More than 2000 firefighters participated in the effort to quench the fire, which quickly spread because of the dryness of the landscape and the unpredictable winds. The experiences are based on the actual events and enable readers to share the experience with the actual residents via the characters in the book.
There is a partial list of characters at the beginning of the book which is helpful since individual character relationships are less important then the fire.
There is a lot of repetition in the book but most of it puts the reader in the role of a direct observer as people inform others about what they know and question about both the fire and the death of one of the characters.
Some repetition is not necessary. For example, They were tired the morning after moving the alpaca and household items from one house to a safer location. One of the elderly sisters is thin and tall; the other is short and shaped like a dumpling. “[Her face] was red as if she’d been crying....’Oh , brother. It looks like she’s been crying.’” And we hear way too much about Kelly and her coffee.
Some issues didn’t get resolved, e.g., the figures on one account that didn’t add up.
I found the conversations and situations realistic and the descriptions of the fire very informative. YARN OVER MURDER was a refreshing change from the typical light mystery, though I still like those. ( )