I wasn’t a fan of this book. I got bored quick and I think this book didn’t need so much description on what they were eating.

3/5 stars

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Peggy Ehrhart for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the 9th book in a series. You do not have to read the other books before reading this one, however, reading the other books does help you to understand the characters better and some of the situations will make more sense.

This book takes place during St. Patrick's Day. I really enjoyed this book. The characters are fun to follow and the plot is interesting.

The series follows a cat loving older female main character and her knitting club. I highly recommend this book/series to anyone who is looking for cozy mysteries following older females, cat lovers, and knitting/crocheting.

Isobel Lister has always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. But just minutes later, her body is found backstage. Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone. There’s a Wiccan, a woman upset about cultural appropriation, two men Isobel was seeing, and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets. But Pamela’s on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up!
This cozy mystery seemed very low key, there wasn't a lot of excitement, and I felt the two main characters didn't really investigate much. This is one of those mysteries where I liked what happened during dinner and the knit and nibbler's club more than the mystery itself. I would like to learn more about the characters involved in the knitting club. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the honor of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is solely based on my honest opinion.

This is my first read by this author and I like her writing style. Some authors of cozy mysteries give too many clues early on and expose the killer right away. Not so with this one. Through well placed clues this St. Patrick’s Day cozy mystery is right up my alley. I do enjoy holiday themed books as long as it’s not overdone.


Community centers are always such an entertaining place for the elderly to go. St. Patrick’s Day was no different with an outgoing eccentric woman from a well-known about town family singing Irish tunes. She must not be everyone’s cup of tea though as she’s found dead right off stage shortly after her singing is over.

In cozy mysteries there always seems to be a take charge woman investigating these murders and she seems to always have more clues and the inside scoop before the police do. In this case it’s crafting magazine editor Pamela Paterson.

The knitting club tie in was fun and of course the addition of animals is always a bonus for me. So many suspects in this case all seeming to have a valid reason of why they could have done it. With delicious sounding Irish meals and drinks this one will go down as an easy read.

Pub Date 21 Feb 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is the ninth book in the Knit & Nibble mystery series. I haven't read all of the books in the series, but I had no problem reading this book as a standalone. I think having read previous books may help a little in understanding the relationships between characters, but overall, it was fine.

This story is set at St. Patrick's Day, which I think is fun. Pamela and her best friend Bettina are at a Senior Center event for the holiday when the singer hired to perform for the crowd is discovered dead. Bettina and Pamela are first on the scene, as Bettina is a reporter for a local newspaper, and by now this is not their first discovery of a deceased citizen.

The story was an interesting one and I actually did not have it clearly figured out by the end, which is unusual for me. I enjoyed the story and especially liked the knitting portions as a knitter myself. I think it's a fun addtiion to include both a knitting pattern and a recipe featured in the story at the end of the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery and likes holiday themed mysteries.

St. Patrick's Day is a popular holiday in New Jersey, and Pamela and some of her friends are attending a St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the senior center. The post-luncheon entertainment is Isobel Lister singing a selection of Irish tunes. But just moments later, she's found dead in her dressing room. Bettina Fraser, local newspaper reporter and Pamela's best friend and neighbor, is on the scene, and she and Pamela start investigating. There's always a lot of food in Knit and Nibble books: Pamela often eats at Bettina and Wilfred's and the Knit and Nibble crew have sweet nibbles on their knit nights. The repast food and dinner at an expensive French restaurant provide additional events for Ms. Ehrhart to describe in detail the foodstuffs, but she occasionally goes way overboard; e.g. the lengthy description of how to eat an oyster, and while we're talking g about food, why the heck did Pamela not immediately refrigerate the fish and beef she bought at the Co-op? I though for sure that there was going to be a food poisoning plot line. But despite the coziness of our regular Knit and Nibble friends, the yummy food, and the accurate description of spring weather in New Jersey, this entry in the series left me a little cold. The mystery itself was fine, but the execution was not up to previous books in the series. I'm not sure if the author was distracted by something, but there are certain phrases that reappeared so frequently I started taking note, e.g.,, Pamela's "serviceable compact car." Pamela is far too unimaginative a character (and I don't mean any insult by that) too be intrigued by tarot cards and to submit to a reading; that's just too out of character for the classic, elegant Pamela we have gotten to know. I also found the subplot of a potential romantic triangle for Pamela both welcome and yet unsettling. Welcome because I love reading about an almost 50-year-old woman finding romance, and I want Pamela to find nice man, but unsettling because we're never certain Pete is divorced, and Pamela would never date a married man, even if he was separated from his wife. Pete Paterson is just too good to be true, even if married--fabulously wealthy but working as a humble handyman. Not believable at all. Some of Pamela's initial musings on motives are so flimsy they do not read as something anyone would take seriously, much less someone who has solved several murders by now. Overall, a weak entry in the series, but I always enjoy the Knit and Nibblers because I wish I knew a group like them and wish I'd lived in a place like Arborville when I lived in New Jersey.

This latest installment in the series is as cute and cozy as the preceding titles. I always enjoy the attention to detail about the sleuths' everyday lives and the interesting characters in Arborville and beyond. My one sticking point is that in this world there seem to be more homes wanting kittens than kittens wanting homes, despite irresponsible owners failing to spay their cats. Aside from that, this was a fun, light story that offered a nice break from darker, heavier reads. Now I want to make pineapple upside down cake and learn to crochet.

Another fun installment in the A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. I love Pamela and Bettina together, they have a great friendship and their personalities compliment the other's nicely. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

I wanted to read this one but did not have time, unfortunately. I will look out for it and maybe it will be reissued next year. Looks like one I would enjoy.

This series is an enjoyable one. Be prepared for long descriptions of all of the foods that the characters eat. I suppose that is to be expected since it is in the series title. This was not my favorite book in the series. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but it is best described as disjointed. Overall I do like the series and will hope this particular book is just a fluke.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington for an ARC of this book.

Pleasant little cozy set in a small town and featuring a knitting business called Knit & Nibble. This is the ninth book in the series and revolves around a Saint Patrick's Day murder. Fans who have grown with the characters will love to see what they're up to. Those new to the series, especially those involved in knitting or crochet, will enjoy the camaraderie and feel that exists among like-minded crafters.

Isobel Lister is found murdered after a show at the local senior center. Though she was eccentric and a flirt, Pamala doesn’t believe that was the motive for anyone to kill the woman. However, it doesn’t take Pam long to figure out that several people had a motive, and she won’t quit searching until she knows which one of them committed the crime.

Some motives seem a bit far-fetched, and the suspects range in age and background, making this story fun to read. Was Isobel an innocent eccentric, as everyone thinks, or was there something more to her murder? The killer is almost too easy to find but is crafted in such a way as to make the reader second guess their conclusions several times.

The Knit and Nibble gang are once more on the case. Though some of them pretend that they don’t care or that it's none of their business, they all help to solve the murder of Isobel. There is no stone unturned, no motive that isn’t found, and a killer is unveiled before long. Killing an eccentric member of this community will not go unsolved when tPamala is on the case.

I love this cast of characters; the Knit and Nibble crew always entertains. Pamala feels like someone in my family, and I would love to hang out with her. I didn’t like Isobel as the victim, she seemed way too much fun, but an eccentric who causes jealousy and fear will always be fodder for the murder mill. I like the way Pamala solves this crime and the way it is revealed to the reader. Irish Knit Murder was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next book in this series.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Irish Knit Murder by Peggy Ehrhart

Pamela Paterson is accompanying her best friend, local reporter Bettina Fraser, to a St Patrick’s Day celebration at the Arborville rec center. The food is excellent and the entertainment even more so, with glamorous 70-something singer Isobel Lister back in town and ready to wow the crowd. Several members of the audience seem less than eager to welcome her home, but everyone else, Pamela and Bettina included, is impressed with the skills and showmanship of the prominent Lister family’s prodigal daughter.

So it’s a terrible shock to everyone assembled when, shortly after the performance, Isobel is found dead in her makeshift green room. This was no natural death either. The disordered state of the room indicates that Isobel clearly struggled with her assailant before sustaining the fatal blow.

Bettina and Pamela are immediately on the case. Whether it’s a local Wiccan protesting the celebration or a staunchly Irish historian disdainful of the crass commercialization of the holiday, there’s no shortage of highly interesting suspects for them to investigate. But when reports of ghosts and banshees begin to surface, our sleuths can’t help but wonder if something sinister – if not outright supernatural – is targeting the Lister clan. Will they be able to bring a killer to justice before anyone else is cursed to die?

The Knit And Nibble mysteries are always so engaging, and I often envy Pamela her cozy life. That said, she experiences quite a bit of romantic upheaval in this ninth book in the series, with at least one twist I didn’t see coming! It was also nice to see Bettina get one over on her career rival, as she and Pamela bring the case to its sad but satisfying conclusion.

There were so many delicious food descriptions in this book, but only one recipe included (with a cute little knitting pattern, as well.) I lightly edited the following for space:

QUOTE
Wilfred’s Irish Coffee Trifle

½ cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided
3 tbsp cornstarch
¼ tsp salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp Irish whiskey
½ cup strong espresso coffee
1 loaf-type pound cake, sliced
A few ounces bittersweet chocolate, grated

Mix ½ cup sugar with the cornstarch and salt in the top half of double boiler [...] Add milk and blend well.

Bring water to a boil in the bottom half of the double boiler, put the top half in place, and cook the mixture over boiling water, stirring frequently, until it starts to thicken, 10 to 15 minutes.

Add a few spoonfuls of the milk mixture to the egg yolks and stir, then add the egg yolks to the milk mixture and blend well. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon[.] Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Transfer the pudding to a bowl, let it cool, and then refrigerate it.

Add 2 tbsp sugar to the heavy cream and beat until it forms soft peaks.

Stir the whiskey into the coffee.

Arrange half the pound cake slices to cover the bottom of your trifle bowl or compote; more than one layer is fine. Drizzle half the coffee-whiskey mixture over the pound cake. Spread half the pudding over the pound cake and top the pudding with half the whipped cream. Repeat the process, starting with the rest of the pound cake slices. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings over the top. Chill until ready to serve. To serve, use a large spoon to scoop portions into bowls.
END QUOTE

My husband took one bite of this and said, “this is like an Irish tiramisu!” I absolutely agree. With ingredients more easily sourced from Ireland than the continent, this is a delightful twist on the Italian classic. It was also quite fun to make. My twin sons very much enjoyed helping me stir the pudding and whip the cream. Unsurprisingly, they enjoyed helping me eat the dessert even more!

I did add extra chocolate shavings to the first layer of whipped cream before adding more pound cake, as I do like a little bit more chocolate in my desserts, plus the bittersweet chocolate bar was quite large. This does make for quite a lot of trifle, so have friends on hand to help you eat it up.

Next week, we head across the pond to indulge my chocolate craving some more while investigating a cooking competition gone deadly. Do join me!

What a great St. Patricks Day read! I really enjoyed this entry in the series and am excited for the next. Changes on the relationship front for Pamela made me pay attention to the romantic interests. The actual mystery featuring Isobel, the victim, was not as interesting as the other things going on in the story. My favorite character is still Bettina. She is such a hoot and I would love to see a book coming from her perspective.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC I was able to review!

Irish Knit Murder by Peggy Ehrhart is the ninth book in the cozy A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. Each book of the series contains it’s own mystery that will be solved so they can be read as a standalone or in any order one chooses. However, those that follow from the beginning will see the full character development that carries over from book to book.

The main character of the Knit & Nibble series is Pamela Paterson who is on the older side for a cozy protagonist. Pamela found herself with an empty nest when her daughter headed off to college so she joined the Knit and Nibble knitting group. The group not only spends time together crafting their favorite projects but also cooks up some yummy treats as the name suggests.

Pamela and her best friend and fellow knitter, Bettina, first became involved in what has become a habit for them in solving murders when a body was found at Pamela’s home. This time around Pamela and her fellow knitters are celebrating St. Patrick’s day when another murder occurs. Isobel Lister had just performed some songs at the senior center celebration when shortly after her body was found and of course Pamela is right on top of figuring out who had done the horrible act.

The A Knit & Nibble Mystery series is one that I have followed from the beginning and always enjoy coming back to. The characters in the series are quite likable and there is always another laugh to come which I enjoy quite a bit. The one niggle I’ve had all along in the series leaving the books mostly at three and a half stars is that the author tends to get a little too descriptive of knitting and cooking but otherwise it’s a fun series I will continue to enjoy.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

On St Patrick’s Day a prominate New Jersey family member has been found dead and Pamela Paterson and her knitting club have a parade of suspects.Isabel Lister doesn’t fit the role of upper-crust heiress. She’s always been a colorful character and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. Minutes later her body is found backstage. Pamela finds many suspects. Two men Isabel was seeing green with jealousy, old friends and family who may have feared Isabel would spill their secrets and a few more. Can Pamela solve the case before someone else ends up dead. An enjoyable story with great characters I would recommend to everyone.

An Irish Knit Murder is the 9th in the Knit and Nibble Mystery series, which is a cozy mystery series.

This book was a nice light read, I read in 24 hours. It can be read as a stand-alone, you definitely don't miss anything if you haven't read the others in the series.

The Irish Knit Murder follows our main character, Pamela, and her best friend, Bettina while they try to figure out who murdered Isobel Lister at the St. Patrick's Day seniors luncheon.

What I love about this series is how descriptive it is. The writer certainly helps to draw a picture in your mind. I love the Knit and Nibble knitting club and the cast of characters who are part of the club. Our main characters, Pamela and Bettina are fun, strong women, who love food. coffee, knitting, and solving murders.

If you are a cozy mystery fan, this is definitely a series worth getting into.

Irish Knit Murder Earns 5/5 St. Paddy’s Day Treats… Entertaining Gem!

The ninth book in Peggy Ehrhart’s Knit & Nibble Mystery series is just as fresh and entertaining as the first and this time has readers engaged in St. Patrick’s Day. Isobel Lister was invited to sing a few old Irish tunes at the senior center’s luncheon, but despite being well received, two people walk out of the performance, and when she didn’t return for an encore, her body is found on the office floor … bludgeoned. Bettina Fraser was there covering the event for local paper, so she and her friend Pamela Paterson have a front row seat to a murder investigation. The victim’s wealth may have been a shield from being held responsible for her actions, so jealousy, greed, revenge, or just plain karma. This well-written mystery has intriguing clues and possible motives for this armchair detective to ponder, some misdirection and an additional murder to muddy the investigation, and a surprise conclusion that capped off the experience well along with a multigenerational cast with endearing friendships to make this series a favorite, and lots of knitting and nibbling as a bonus! Enjoy a Knit treat, directions for a Cozy Egg Cozy to keep your three-minuter warm, and a Nibble, easy to-follow recipe for Wilfred’s Irish Coffee Trifle as the perfect dessert for the holiday! Thumbs up!

This is a fun cozy mystery and a perfect book to read around March. This characters are interesting and likable. The mystery is well crafted to keel you guess who the murderer was. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries especially if you like holiday or craft based cozies.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone