Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington for my copy of A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum in exchange for an honest review. It published September 27, 2022.
This was a really fun and well-written Christmas cozy! I will say, I would have understood more had I read the earlier books in the series, but I think you can still read this as a standalone. It hits all of the high notes for a Christmas cozy, and you will totally enjoy this one!

I love this series. With each book you get to know the characters in more depth. This is a wonderful series!

such a wonderful book with a great storyline and characters. This would be the perfect book to curl up on the couch and watch the snow come down. A perfect holiday book

This is the sixteenth book in the series and my first. There are so many characters and different narrators. I wasn't sure who was coming and who was connected. Maybe best to read the series from the beginning.

A Dark and Snowy Night returns us to the A Seaside Knitters Society Mystery series for another puzzle for our favorite knitting sleuths to solve. And, as always, when the story involves a mystery element, I won’t be going into any plotline details as I certainly cannot stand to have a mystery solved for me before I can even start to put puzzle pieces together… and I know I’m not alone in that feeling!

I always love returning to Sea Harbor; it’s the type of community that I would retire to if possible. The community is engaging, and the friendships are solid, as Izzy, Birdie, Nell, and Cass have proven time and time again. This time around, there is a celebrity chef’s murder to figure out, a possible peeper stirring up the nerves, and friends gathering to not only solve the mysteries but celebrate the season with knitting needles flying.

Whether you consider this series to be eleven (11) or sixteen (16) titles long at this point I will always enjoy seeing new faces come into the community, so I’m hoping that Luna will be back for another appearance. As always, I didn’t figure out the mysterious murder beforehand (I don’t actually try to) but was fascinated and entertained as our knitting crew put all the facts together. If you love a well-written, engaging, fun Cozy Mystery, then A Dark and Snowy Night is a good fit for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

It’s that time of year, when thoughts go to holiday parties, good food, and knitting for gifts or warmth. How convenient the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio has all the supplies you’d need and people to help you get past the knit ones and purl twos.

Usually, there’s an open party for everyone in town. This year the mayor, Beatrice, wants to show off her new house, and it’s invitation only with a guest chef often seen on television food shows.

Not everyone looked forward to the party; those who weren’t invited didn’t mind not dressing up but felt left out of the festivities. Invited guests loved the food and drink but not the uncomfortable atmosphere. Fights in the kitchen, a takeover attempt by Chef Lidia of the town’s most popular restaurant, a Peeping Tom on the loose, and roads slick with snow, had people looking for excuses to leave early. Of course, murder really puts a damper on a party.

Chef Lidia is found in the yard, having been hit over the head with a full bottle of wine. There are plenty of people on the suspect list: Dirk who fought with her and left early, her husband, Ollie, a wannabe chef whose career was ruined before it started, the restaurateur who didn’t want to sell, and that’s just the beginning.

Nell, Izzy, Cass, and Birdie aren’t your typical amateur sleuths. They don’t interview people so much as just talk, don’t put themselves in dangerous situations, or decide they know better than the police. They do protect their own and for them, crime is a puzzle to be solved.

This is book five in the series. Birdie is the oldest of the group, followed by Nell, Cass, and Izzy. Each have their own strengths used in solving crimes. It’s a close-knit group, one readers will envy. Birdie brings the wine, Nell cooks, Izzy takes care of knitting supplies and a place to meet, and Cass, a non-cook and not-great knitter, brings bread to go with Nell’s meal.

There’s a pattern for a broken rib cowl, 46” around and 12” deep, designed by Kate Dailey, owner of Marblehead Knits. Visit Kate at www.marbleheadknits.com. Kristen Fredrickson shares a recipe for a Christmas morning souffle. Find more about her at www.kristeninlondon.com.

Goldenbaum also writes the Queen Bees Quilt Shop mysteries (three).

The holiday setting of this was lovely. I was a bit less than impressed with the character interaction in this book. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but something was off. I hope things get back to normal in the next installment.

Dollycas's Thoughts

I am delighted to be back in Sea Harbor with Izzy, Nell, Birdie, and Cass just in time for the holidays and a big party at the mayor's new house. The Seaside Knitters have been busy but a holiday party may just be what they need. Nell and Ben are excited because the celebrity chef catering the party is married to their old college friend Oliver Bishop. The food is delicious and catching up with their old friend is fun until the dark and snowy night turns to murder. The celebrity chef won't be ringing in the new year. Nell finds the woman's body buried in a snow drift with what she assumes is the murder weapon nearby.

If that isn't enough excitement there is an "ogler" peeping into windows and Cass's new nanny has disappeared and taken the family dog with her.

It is time for the Seaside Knitters to knit and purl the clues together to unmask the ogler, find the nanny and the dog, and catch a killer before everyone's Christmas is ruined.

_____

I selfishly held this book to read the week of Christmas because the characters in this story always give me the heartwarming feels that their friendships provide. No matter what is going on these ladies have each other's back. They lend a listening ear, a hearty hug, and then leap into action if necessary. The men in their lives are the same, always ready with a helping hand or some notes of wisdom. Their weekly gatherings at Ben and Nell's for fantastic food and fellowship always make me wish I could be right there with them.

I loved meeting Luna. She is a woman with many layers who reveals her true self over the course of the story. It is the introduction of characters like her that keep this series fresh for 16 books. I hope we see Luna again in future stories.

The mystery was complicated but if readers catch all the clues the killer will be revealed to them before it unfolds on the pages. I really enjoyed the way the author mixes the mystery with daily everyday life. The ladies may be knitting but all the drama around them is never far from their thoughts. And when all the mysteries are solved everyone gathers for a meal to rehash the case and answer any questions anyone, including those reading the book, may have.

Ms. Goldenbaum's writing style is detailed and her stories unfold at a very comfortable place. My only issue is when I turn the last page it always seems too soon. I am never ready to leave Sea Harbor and the delightful scenes and its friendly residents.

A Dark and Snowy Night is a wonderful addition to this series. Until next year . . . . . .

I enjoy this series. It is fun to read about crafters and their projects. The mystery is also fun and keeps me engaged. Izzy and her friends are preparing for the holidays. The mayor is having her annual open house, but this year is different. It is by invitation only and is being catered by a celebrity chef. This happens to be married to an old college friend of Izzy's aunt and uncle.

During the party, Izzy and her friend discover the chef dead. It appears she has been murdered. Izzy sets off to discover what happened. Is it related to her friends missing nanny, or the peeping tom in the neighborhood.

Great fun. The writing style is easy-to-read and the mystery kept me turning the pages.

This is book 16 in the Seaside Knitters series. I have read some of them but not all. This can be read as a stand alone.
Winter in Sea Harbor is a feast for the senses—crackling bonfires, the scent of snow in the salty air, carols ringing out on the village green. This year, the Seaside Knitters have a sackful of obligations in addition to their usual Christmas preparations. Izzy is so overloaded with knitting classes that she hires an extra salesperson, but the new addition has trouble fitting into the yarn shop’s holiday spirit. Cass, juggling the stresses of running her lobster fishery, has finally found a nanny for her active toddler. Molly Flanigan seems practically perfect in every way—until she suddenly disappears, taking Cass’s beloved rescue mutt with her . . .

Meanwhile, the holidays are kicking off in style at Mayor Beatrice Scaglia’s holiday party, where a well-dressed crowd admires the mayor’s sumptuous new home and the celebrity chef catering the event. An additional treat for Ben and Nell Endicott at the festive affair is reconnecting with a dear college friend, Oliver Bishop. But it’s not just reunions and the appetizers that are to-die-for. Before the party-goers can toast the beginning of Sea Harbor’s festive season, the chef—and young wife of the Endicott’s old Harvard friend—is found dead beneath the mistletoe .
Izzy and her friends must solve the murder so the holidays can be celebrated without the shadow of a murder in their celebrations.

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

In this episode of the Seaside Knitters series, everyone is invited to a holiday party where they find a celebrity chef murdered. Because she was the wife of one of Nell's old friends, the group begins to investigate. In addition, Cass' nanny has disappeared. Is there a connection? I like this series because the women in the group are each strong but unique women. For instance, Cass owns a lobster fishing company and is the mother of a toddler. There seemed to be just a bit less focus on the knitting aspect in this book, but still it held my interest. I also missed the shop cat--wish there'd been a little more of her in the story. But, overall, it was an entertaining read with lots of New England ambience.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A Great visit back to Sea Harbor with wonderful friends! I love how the town is almost a character! While many mysteries often have other plots, Goldenbaum is the master of one main mystery solved by a group of best friends who knit their way through solving problems. Throw in Christmas, good food, and a snowstorm, and wonderful time is had by all!

Beginning a new book in Sally Goldenbaum’s Seaside Knitters Mysteries, feels like coming home. Though the mysteries are always interesting, the sense of place and the familiar characters are the shining stars of the book series! If you read one craft mystery, make it, A Dark and Snowy Night.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. This was a good cozy mystery. I enjoyed this friend group. The ladies were different ages but they were close and had real friendships. The women have a knitting club. I don’t know how to knit but it makes me want to learn. The mystery itself was a typical cozy mystery. It was easy to solve. The author set the scene with descriptions of the town and weather that made me feel like I was actually there. If you are looking for a quick cozy mystery, this book is definitely it.

I’m already a fan of this amazing author and series, an enjoyable read once again!
I love the concept of a warm and loving group of friends and family, being there for each other and solving crime along the way.
The storyline takes us to a town filled with great characters, lots of gossip, a murder and plenty of intrigue as we wonder who is responsible for this mayhem!
The twists and turns keep coming as we immerse ourselves in the lives of the town and its residents, I love the special connection between Nell, Izzy, Birdie and Cass.

Huge thanks and congratulations to the publisher, NetGalley and the wonderful Sally
Goldenbaum for allowing us to once again visit our Seaside Knitters!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Cute cover on this one!

I really ended up enjoyed this one a lot. It took a bit to get into, as the first 30%ish I found a bit confusing. A lot of different characters and POVS. Of course, I chalk that up to not having read any of the previous 15 books in this series. 😂 However, this still held up pretty well as a standalone. Once the murder takes place I was all in and loved the rest of the book. The mystery was well laid out and kept me guessing. It was suitibly festive. The characters were all likable, and as a bonus we get some knitting instructions and a yummy sounding recipe!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

The women of Sea Harbor are busy celebrating the holiday. Nell is excited to reconnect with Oliver, and Cass continues to appreciate her nanny Molly. Meanwhile, Izzy runs her yarn shop, and Birdie enjoys her life. But things don't end well at the mayor's party when her caterer is murdered. And Molly might be involved. The friends must find out who actually murdered the chef while managing their daily activities and relationships.
This novel includes dozens of characters. I'm jumping into the series with this book and might have liked it more if I knew more of the backstory. Also, several characters are either stuck up or flat, so I didn't connect with anyone.
I also figured out the mystery fairly early on. So, the book was pretty boring after the first two chapters.
I appreciate the knitting instructions and recipe at the end.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Cass thinks she has died and gone to heaven. She has Molly to take care of her son Joey and, as it turns out, the entire family. She is a marvel.. She is a wonder. She is missing. Without any word, without a note, one day she just leaves. Cass is shocked and bereft but when the whole story plays out, she can hardly blame the girl.

It all begins when a famous chef comes to town to cater the Mayor’s big event. The chef’s husband happens to be a long time friend of Nell. She is very talented and ambitious but she clearly takes what she wants and she wants to buy the restaurant owned by other friends of the Seaside Knitters. In her short stay, she manages to ruffle more than a few feathers but that is no reason to kill her. As it turns out, her life is a far more complicated mess than anyone imagined. And it turns out there is a good reason why she defends the misogynistic cruel man who is the cause of Molly’s departure.

It is a well plotted mystery that throws in another bit of information just when the reader thinks things are clear. The story behind the murder is sad but by the end the friends have figured out, what I did chapters before. I love when a story gives clues and if you follow them, you will come up with the answer- not obvious or easy but there for the reader. I enjoyed the book as I have the entire series. Five purrs and two paws up.

Another fun Izzy and friends adventure. I love the humor, the ladies bravery without stupidity. Read this one
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc