This book was fun. Allie Pleiter has a good handle on the elements of a well constructed cozy mystery. The characters are fully drawn out and build on the previous book without being to “inside baseball” about it. I like the. Main character’s mix of sensibility and spunk. The multi-generational aspects of the book, with her mother and Connor’s daughter Jillian add depth to the book. Pleiter uses adept deception to fool the reader about who committed the crime. I do wish her endings weren’t quite so wrapped up in a bow and had some added tension at the reveal. Overall, a very enjoyable mystery with fun characters and a great setting.

writing is charming and engaging, and her descriptions of the knitting projects are vivid and inspiring. However, I did find the plot to be somewhat predictable at times, and some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped

I have not read the first book in this series and perhaps that would have helped. I feel like I didn't get to know the characters enough to actually connect with them or like them. I was surprised that a teenager could afford to purchase enough hand dyed yarn from a local yarn shop to knit a sweater. That type of yarn is about $30 a skien and it would take several for a sweater. I don't like to put negative reviews online so I will not do that. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Who knew the yarn world had so much drama? When Libby invites fiber dyer Julie to speak at her shop, she has no idea it will start with protests and end with murder. Not only was Julie at odds with the sheep farmers, but she was also at odds with her own sister. The mystery was strong. My only issue is that Julie never addresses what would happen if you never ever shear a sheep.

The witty name of the workshop was the first hint of what was to come. The setting and the circumstances leading to the murder are innovative and provide distraction and a red herring or two. Pleiter's description of YARN and the feel and colors of Julie Wilson's version of yarn bring the store to life. The various characters, their personalities, small town politics, and shepherds add to the dynamics.

This is my first read by Pleiter, but it will not be my last. The pace was steady and there were numerous suspects. What I liked most was Libby's attitude and the relationship between Libby and Gavin, as well as with the others who came into YARN. That she is running to head the Chamber of Commerce and has to be coached for the debate, as well as the budding romance, give her depth. This is the second in the Riverbank Knitting Mystery series, and I'll be adding the first to my TBR.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

4.5 stars

As I said in my review for On Skein of Death, Allie Pleiter is already one of my favorite authors so it doesn’t take much encouragement for me to reach for a new book by her as soon as it releases. And since I loved the introduction to her cozy mystery series, I was all the more eager to read this one. (But then, alas, life got in the way and I’m just now getting a chance to review it. Argh.)

Libby is such a great protagonist, and I love her yarn shop and what it adds to the community of Collinstown. Her friends are loyal, her mom is a handful but lovable, her dog Hank is adorable, and her high school sweetheart (now the mayor) is the perfect ‘friend that we all know will eventually lead to more’. I love that the romance potential between them sparks a bit more strongly with each book, but also that the author keeps it from overwhelming or taking over the mystery. I also really enjoy the relationship between Gavin’s young teenage daughter Jillian and Libby, as well as Libby’s mom. I have a deep appreciation for multigenerational relationships, so I’m very glad to see that depicted so positively in this series.

Bless Libby’s heart, in addition to juggling her personal relationships she has a lot on her plate – running a business, running for city council, running from her mother (just kidding!). She certainly doesn’t need another special event disaster but (really, Libby) with a class titled “Watch Julie Wilson Dye” the writing was really on the … well… sheep. The mystery was cleverly drawn, with plenty of plausible suspects, and just when I thought I had it all figured out – nope! I realized yet again that the … well… wool… had been pulled over my eyes. (Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t resist the sheep references – you’ll see why.) Lots of twists and turns to keep us all guessing and to keep Libby even busier than she already was… and the added time it gives her with swoony Mayor Gavin doesn’t hurt.

Bottom Line: Knit or Dye Trying is another excellent read by Allie Pleiter! Engaging and layered characters and the charming small town add to the ambiance of Libby’s equally charming yarn shop, making it a smile-inducing place to visit on the pages. Murder notwithstanding. Speaking of the mystery, though, it will keep you solidly invested in the outcome as you sift through red herrings, misdirections, family dynamics, and the intricacies of the fiber industry. I can’t wait for many more visits to Collinstown, Libby, and the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Synopsis:

Business is booming for Libby Beckett and her fabulous Maryland shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., but when a town festival brings a fatality with it, Libby gets all tangled up in murder.

As spring comes to Collinstown, the village launches a food festival to draw a new group of tourists. Libby, proud owner of Y.A.R.N., has planned a yarn event to provide an alternative option to a foodie weekend. Artisan fiber dyer Julie Wilson--known for her work with animal-friendly, plant-based knitting fibers such as bamboo and hemp as well as her brilliant use of color--will hopefully draw a crowd with a special dyeing workshop.

The festival begins, but it draws more than crowds. First a flock of sheep parades down the street, herded by farmers protesting Julie's antiwool stance. Then Julie's celebrity chef sister appears, and the siblings resume a long-standing rivalry. Despite all this, Julie's workshop has sold out. Libby is thrilled, and they're preparing for a full house. But the night before the event, Julie is found alone in the warehouse event space--dead. The witty "Watch Julie Wilson Dye" workshop title now has a terrible new meaning--and it's up to Libby to catch a crafty killer. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Libby is a very hard worker and she really loves her Yarn shop. She enjoys all of her customers and feels like she is making a difference in their creativity. When Libby invites a well known Artisan fiber dyer to give a workshop on her craft, Libby never thinks anything bad will happen. But the crafter is murdered and Libby knows she has to solve the mystery. She will have help from her friends, including the mayor.

The mystery was well plotted and there were quite a few suspects to consider and clues to sift through. The mystery was not easily solved. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story and took me on an amazing ride.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well written cozy mystery. I plan on reading the first book in the series to see what trouble Libby gets into in that one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I enjoyed this latest installment in the Riverbank Knitting series! Libby is a relatable, fun protagonist, and I love her relationships with the people in her life. I didn't love this one as much as I expected, but it was still a fun cozy. The mystery was fun and well paced, and the book had a fun, cozy setting. I'll definitely be continuing with the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

The depth of the characters and complexity of the mystery were highlights of this cozy mystery. The author combines good friends, a fiber-arts shop owned by Libby, a knitting expert, and preparations for a fabulous food festival. The mystery is complicated with many what-ifs that kept me guessing. The person who died is Libby’s guest for her Wield More than Wool event that coincides with the first weekend of the town’s food festival. There is much laughter and many tears throughout.

Libby fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening a yarn shop where she can provide almost any fibers that yarn crafters would want. She has classes and provides a relaxing place for anyone who needs help with knitting techniques or to simply sit and work on projects with like-minded friends. The store is called Y.A.R.N., which could be an acronym for almost anything. Preferred is You’re Almost Ready Now. She keeps a board up on the wall where people can add their phrases, and Libby comes up with some doozies. Libby’s best friend, Marge, owns Perfect Slice, a pie shop that I wish were across the street from me rather than the yarn shop!

Libby’s guest for the weekend is Julie, an expert in plant-based fibers with her own line of yarn in unique, gorgeous colors that are unmatched by anybody. Julie designed a special color yarn for this Y.A.R.N. event. Libby rented a nearby warehouse with an excellent ventilation system where Julie will dye the fibers for the weekend.

On the day Julie arrived, three sheep ranchers herded sheep down the main street of town. They were protesting Libby bringing in a woman who believes that shearing sheep or other animals for their wool is a terrible, harmful thing. Julie’s brash, at times abrasive personality does not play well with people whose life’s work centers on the animals she is trying to protect. The ranchers are irate but didn’t seem to want to harm anyone.

Julie’s sister, Monica, is a well-known chef. She is one of several invited for the food festival; she will be at the finest local restaurant, preparing her signature dishes and doing cooking demonstrations. Her room is at the same inn as Julie’s, and they were heard arguing loudly that day. Libby and old high school flame Gavin, now a dear friend, have reservations for dinner where Monica is cooking. They invited Julie to join them, but being at odds with her sister, she chose to dye her first batch of yarn. Before the night was over, there was a minor fire in the kitchen, closing the restaurant for the night. Julie was found dead, with shepherds’ crooks jammed in the vent fans on the warehouse roof and one wedged in the outside handles of the entry doors to trap her inside. Someone may have exchanged a chemical with lethal fumes for one she typically used in her formula.

I got to know the characters well through their actions and realistic dialog. Libby is easily my favorite. She has gone through tough times, especially in recent years, resulting in her insight in and ability to understand and respond to people who are hurting. There is a healthy serving of humor, such as the acronyms Libby comes up with for Y.A.R.N. through various situations. I enjoyed Gavin, the mayor and long-time dear friend. Gavin and Libby understand each other well, even after years of having been married to other people in different towns. Libby’s mom, Rhonda, is trying to get her and Gavin together again despite wanting to move in with her daughter.

I was extremely impressed with this mystery and hope the series will have a long run. I enjoy the yarn shop and hope a little time will be devoted to crochet as well as knitting. I learned things about yarn that I was unaware of before. The mystery was quite a challenge! Julie had few friends, but who would want to kill her? Was someone trying to frighten her and miscalculated? Were there two separate people, one who swapped the chemicals and one who blocked the fans and door? I thought I had figured it out, but there were still surprises! The end was satisfying, despite the tragedies in the lives of all involved. I highly recommend this novel and am looking forward to the next one later this year!

The small town of Collinstown, Maryland is getting ready for a huge food festival. Libby Beckett is busy preparing for a major event of her own at her yarn shop. Julie Wilson, an artisan fiber dyer, will be conducting a workshop featuring her dyes using animal-friendly and plant-based fibers. Unfortunately, her views rub the sheep farmers the wrong way and they are protesting the event.

Julie’s sister is a celebrity chef and will be appearing at the festival. The sisters are not happy with each other which adds even more tension to an event that was supposed to be fun. Things take a very nasty turn when Julie is found dead. Libby is determined to find out who could have done such a horrible thing.

This is the second book in the series and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Libby’s character is strong, fun and is surrounded by a lovable supporting cast. I feel as if I got to know them even better in this book. Libby deals with all of them in a believable way.

The mystery kept you guessing and thinking through the whole book. I thought I figured it out early, but I didn’t. All the pieces didn’t fit until the end.

I don’t knit, but this made me want to learn. Libby makes it all look like fun and so easy. There’s even a touch of romance tossed into this one.

While the mystery is self-contained in this book, I think it’s always more fun to start a series from the beginning. Fortunately, this is only the second book so there’s not much catching up to do. If you decide to start with this one, I think it will be fine.

This cozy mystery has it all for me…likeable characters, an intriguing plot, and just a dash of romance. All set to the backdrop of a small town. It sounds like the perfect ingredient for a cozy mystery to me.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Knit or Dye Trying is the second book in Allie Pleiter's fabulous Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. It's Spring in Collinstown, and yarn shop owner, Libby, is looking forward to another event, this time with yarn dyer, Julie Wilson, who works on plant-based fibres only. However, the event comes to a crashing halt when Julie is found dead.

Being a yarn dyer myself, I was immediately drawn to this series. I love knitting, and everything fibre related. It's not often that I see the occupation of "yarn dyer" in cozy mysteries, and it was with absolute morbid curiosity that I was glued to every page, waiting to find out who killed Julie!

Allie Pleiter writes absolutely vivid, beautiful and tantalizing cozy mysteries, and her newest is no different. Building on the first book, we learn more about Collinstown, especially as Allie goes head-to-head with the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Politics aside, I just love her description of everything in Libby's Y.A.R.N. shop! I practically wanted to reach in and touch the fibres!

Knit or Dye Trying is a fantastic addition to this series. The mystery kept me guessing right up to the final donouement, and I didn't want the story to end! From a yarn dyers point of view, she gave such interesting coverage of the process, that I'm sure many knitters will want to try dyeing yarn for themselves! Whether you love yarn, or just love a really good mystery, this series should definitely be on your must-read list!

What a delight to return to Collinstown and its many memorable citizens. And while not all is on the up and up between protests, murder, and a few other crimes, Libby is determined to find answers.

Allie Pleiter has created some great characters and not-so-great situations in Knit or Dye Trying. But through it all, I couldn’t help but root for Libby. For someone who has a lot going on in her life between running her business, running for council chairwoman, her relationship with her mother, and her almost-relationship with her high school sweetheart (and town mayor), the last thing Libby needs is another of her guests murdered. But that’s what happens.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and even if you think you have it figured out, chances are you don’t have all of it worked out. I enjoyed the quieter pace than the normal romantic suspense and the focus on the townspeople in this book, and I look forward to more in the series.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Another great Riverbank Knitting Mystery from Allie Pleiter.

I love the protest sheep, they were fantastic. I thought it was really cool what Julie was doing with the natural fibers, I hope someone is making colors as cool as the ones described in this book. I also love the knitting patterns that are included in the book. Someday I will learn how to knit and try these patterns out.

Looking forward to the next book in the series. I need to know what happens next for Libby, Gavin, Rhonda and Jillian.

Knit or Dye Trying is the second Riverbank Knitting cozy by Allie Pleiter. Released 5th April 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats, it makes it so easy to find info with the search function if needed.

This is the second book in this well written and charming small-town shopfront cozy. Protagonist Libby has a lot on her plate. She's on the scene to help facilitate the town's food and fiber festival, run for president of the chamber of commerce, find her way forward with her old high school flame to friendship or something else, and investigate vandalism and murder.

Thematically there's a lot of yarn shop and fibrearts terminology and tie-ins. This is a nice one for readers who enjoy knitting/crochet and can't resist lovely yarns. Although it's the second book in the series, the mystery is self contained and it worked well as a standalone. As with lots of shopfront cozies, this one contains "recipes" for cotton washcloths in complementary colors in the back of the book.

It's a diverting read. Recommended for fans of light cozies. The language is squeaky clean. There is some mention of faith/God/and prayer, but it's not intrusive or proselytizing.

Four stars. Enjoyable and well written.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Returning to Y.A.R.N. is enjoyable but not as enjoyable as I’d hope. I loved the first in this series, On Skein of Death, but Knit or Dye Trying was a bit of a challenge to get through. It just didn’t have the same rhythm as the first book.

I enjoyed learning about knitting with plant based fibers. And the characters were well written and I enjoy reading about small towns with fun stores. But I sure am hoping that the guest of honor doesn’t get knocked off in book three.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery then give this a try. See if you can figure out who dun it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

A flock of protest sheep welcome Libby's most recent celebrity guest, a well-known, and much-disliked yarn dyer, in "Knit or Dye Trying," the second in Allie Pleiter's knitting mystery series. Libby owns Y.A.R.N, and is having an event to go along with the local seafood festival. Julie Wilson is her expert guest, and Libby gives Julie access to a local warehouse so that Julie can create her special, highly sought-after, colors. Julie gets trapped in the warehouse, and is overcome by fumes. Libby feels responsible, and decides to investigate.

This second outing for Libby is every bit as enjoyable as the first. Although she hasn't been back in town long, she's folded herself seamlessly into the life of her town, even running for local office against her blowhard fellow business owner George. One of the strengths of the series is the relationships Libby has forged and the growth we've seen from the first book. Libby is likeable and is a very relatable character, as are her almost-boyfriend Gavin, Gavin's daughter, and Libby's mom. They feel like real people whom you'd like to know.

Libby is a great cozy heroine. She's thoughtful, and doesn't jump to conclusions. She looks at the people involved in the case, and makes logical deductions. Maybe it's a knitting thing? I can knit a decent scarf, and I admire people who can work large, complex patterns. Libby is amazing at unravelling (pun intended) the knotty skeins of the crimes which have come her way.

The crimes make sense, too, and there are enough clues scattered along the way to keep the reader engaged without letting them guess the solution too soon.

It's a wonderful series, filled with life and love. I hope there are many more to come.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received an advance copy from Berkley and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This, and other reviews, may also be found on my book blog, redhatcatreviews.com.

Business is booming for Libby Beckett and her fabulous Maryland shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., but when a town festival brings a fatality with it, Libby gets all tangled up in murder.
I really enjoyed this cozy. This is my first book in this series and it didn’t feel like it. The characters are so easy to like. Overall the mystery was great.
#KnitorDyeTrying #NetGalley

Libby Beckett has recently opened a yarn shop in the small town of Collinstown, Maryland. She and the other local merchants are preparing for the first See More Than Seafood Festival showing that the region has much more to offer visitors than seafood. Libby arranges an appearance by Julie Wilson, an advocate for plant-based knitting fibers, and known for her beautifully colored yarns. Unfortunately, Julie is also known for being hard to get along with and for being an outspoken critic of sheep farmers. A parade of sheep down the main street of the town is just the first act against Julie. The night before the festival begins, Julie is murdered, and it’s up to Libby to find the killer.

Knit or Dye Trying is the second Riverbank Knitting Mystery, but the first one I’ve read. There are quite a few characters, but I easily got to know the main characters including Libby, her best friend Margo who owns a pie shop, and Mayor Gavin Maddock who was Libby’s high school boyfriend and currently a close friend. I also enjoyed Libby’s relationship with Gavin’s teen daughter Jillian. Libby is a likable main character. She is kind and caring without being a pushover.

Another plus to the book is Frank, the police chief, and Libby actually collaborate on the investigation instead of her having to go behind his back and then get lectured for interfering. In addition to the investigation and Libby’s personal life, there were also parts of the book dealing with local politics and the town’s sense of community. I really enjoyed this and thought it brought the town and the characters to life. The solution to the murder is more complicated than I expected and I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t able to guess the details of how and why Julie was murdered. I like the way the overall story wrapped up at the end. I’m not a knitter, but for readers who are, there are instructions for a knitting project at the back of the book.

~ Christine

Libby Beckett is ready for her hometown festival. As the owner of the local knit shop, Y.A.R.N., in Collinstown, Maryland, she has invited a special guest to her store. While the rest of the town is celebrating the See More Than Sea Food Festival, the mayor’s idea for showing people that there is more to Maryland eating than just crabcakes, Libby has come up with an idea of her own. She has set up her Wield More Than Wool weekend, where she focuses on plant-based yarns to showcase how beautiful and versatile they can be.

As part of her weekend celebration, Libby has invited well known fiber artist Julie Wilson to show off her vibrantly dyed yarns. In fact, Libby talked Julie into creating a custom batch of hand-dyed yarn for Libby and her customers, named Riverbank, that she is dyeing in town. She’s also going to do a hands-on class on yarn dyeing for Libby’s customers, and Libby is very excited about it all. Julie is nationally known and Libby getting a custom color from her is quite a triumph. But Libby starts to have some second thoughts when she learns more about her reputation.

Libby knew that Julie had some detractors. Her stand against wool has been spread across the internet, and even the local farmers around Collinstown have joined in. Libby finds herself staring at several sheep as they make their way towards her shop. A few farmers are with them, and they have spray-painted their feelings on the sheep, Wool Is Good. Libby tries to head them off (the sheep as well as the farmers), but they pass by the yarn shop and the police station to get to the Riverside Inn, where Julie is staying.

Libby figures out a way to defuse the situation, by agreeing to show Julie the sheep outside of her hotel window, and the farmers head back home with not too much damage done. However, when a terrible accident occurs while Julie is dyeing her first batch of custom yarn for the shop, Libby worries that her shop’s reputation and the town’s festival will suffer because of what happened.

But when she finds out that is wasn’t an accident at all, Libby has to wonder who hated Julie so much to kill her. Could it have been the sheep farmers? Julie’s sister is a celebrity chef, and she is also in town for the festival. They have argued since they both got to town. Could she have hated her sister enough to kill her? Or did someone kill her to get their hands on her unique recipes, the ones that created the vibrant colors that every knitter wanted? Libby doesn’t want to be the one who investigates, but she does want the answers. Will her search for the truth of Julie’s death put her in danger too?

Knit or Dye Trying is the second book in the Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. Author Allie Pleiter has created characters that are smart and interesting. Libby is the type of amateur detective who understands the danger she’s putting herself in. She knows that her questions could be interfering with the official investigation. But she (carefully) keeps asking those questions anyway, knowing that the sooner the crime is solved, the safer they will all be.

I really loved Knit or Dye Trying. I thought it was small-town sweet, with a charming yarn store and a nearby bakeshop (sounds like heaven to me!), but these are business owners who are also interested in keeping up with the latest trends and are bringing a modern twist to their small town. The mystery has an old-school feel to is, so longtime readers of cozies will find comfort there, but there is also a contemporary feel to these characters, which will appeal to newer readers of murder mysteries.

One of my favorite things about Knit or Dye Trying is how the characters interact. Libby has a potential love interest in mayor (and high school boyfriend) Gavin, but they are in so hurry to move things forward. Gavin has a 14-year-old daughter Jillian, and she is developing a relationship with Libby’s mother that is pure sweetness. Each of the main characters acts with respect and thoughtfulness toward each other, and I really love that. Actually, there is a lot of thoughtfulness throughout this book that I really love. If you’re a yarn person (crocheter here) or you know someone who is a yarn person and a reader, then this is a series not to be missed!

Egalleys for Knit or Dye Trying were provided by Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I loved the first book in this series and was so happy to be approved for the eARC of Knit or Dye Trying. As a knitter and cozy mystery lover, this series is quickly becoming a favorite.

Libby Beckett is the owner of Y.A.R.N., and has invited a very famous yarn dyer, Julie Wilson, to give a presentation at her shop. This is LIbby’s contribution to the See More Than Seafood Festival organized by the mayor, Gavin. The problem is that Julie is absolutely opposed to wool or any yarn that comes from animals. The local sheep farmers get wind of her opposition to their practices of shearing sheep and launch their own kind of protest,

Once the protest is cleared and Julie’s initial appearance at the store is complete, Libby gives Julie the key to get into what used to be a warehouse. Because of the need for ventilation with the dying process, Julie is dying her yarn ahead of time to sell to the people who attend her presentation.

Also in town as part of the festival is Julie’s sister, Monica, who is a famous chef. When Julie’s odd comments about a fire in the kitchen prove to be a warning of true events, LIbby, Gavin, and the sheriff go looking for Julie to find out if she was behind the fire. What they discover is much worse. Julie is dead and it does not appear to be an accident at all. The use of shepherd’s crooks block the doors and also stop the ventilation fans points the finger toward one group of people who already had a problem with Julie.

As with any mystery, things are definitely not what they seem and the actual circumstances surrounding Julie’s death were more complicated that first thought.

I love the setting of these stories. Collinstown is a cute little town that I would love to live in and the characters seem to always have each other’s best interest in mind. Well, there is George, but all stories need a complicated character or two.

I did not see the twists coming in this story and was very surprised by who was actually behind Julie’s death. Ms. Pleither does a wonderful job of combining the main story with other side stories that leaves me wanting more at the end of each book I cannot wait for the next installment. Now I need to go pull out my latest knitting project and get to work!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Allie Pleiter for the copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are entirely my own.