This is the 9th book in the Yarn Retreat mystery series, and I have not read any others in the series. I don't think it was a problem reading this as a standalone mystery, however there were references to past cases that our heroine has solved but that didn't really influence the outcome of the story.

I liked the variety of characters and to see how the mystery played out. I would be interested in reading more in the series. It was a fun read.

Wonderful series that just gets better. The characters have really developed and I like to read what they are all doing. Highly recommend this series!

This time the knitting retreat decides on an Agatha Christie theme weekend. The planned murder takes a backseat to a real murder. Hand warmers are put aside as all want to solve a real murder.

Knot a Game is the 9th book in this series, but the first I've read. I didn't find it difficult to jump into this coastal California small town and follow Casey and her latest yarn retreat group. In this book her guest aren't just participating in yarn crafts, but also a murder mystery game. It brings in a different crowd than she's used to and she has her hands full. Then a real murder occur and the group would rather study those clues than solve their fake murder. Everyone is a suspect and they work together to uncover the mystery. Lots of red herrings to keep you guessing and an unexpected killer reveal!

Was not to excited with this book. It lacked details and was hard to get through. I am willing to try more if the author does more.

Thank you Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of Knot a Game! All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved the set up for this cozy mystery. Being disconnected from technology, learning how to knit, and solving a murder mystery sounds like a great weekend! I like how Casey's group favors solving the real murder instead of the staged one she created. I wish there had been more clues for the real murder. This mystery seemed to include more red herrings than actual clues. While I never actually figure out who did it, I like feeling like I could have if I just paid attention more. I was shocked by the ending and aside from one mention in the beginning, I didn't think there was enough to show that the person had done it.

Published: 12/06/22

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for accepting my request to read and review Knot a Game: A Yarn Retreat Mystery #9.

Okay. It wasn't over-the-top. However, there were aspects that bothered me. First, I liked the premise of a mystery with participants signing up and everyone having a role. The problem was this is book #9 (albeit my first) and the main character is not young, and I was not impressed with her to the point I wish I was just indifferent. I couldn't relate to her. I didn't like the chatty cat and the references to the smelly cat food. It wasn't cute the first time, and set the tone for subsequent banters. Secondly, please. You run a business and everything is a rush, nothing comes together. Seriously? I wanted realistic and smart characters, and they weren't there.

2.5 stars rounding up because I don't recall any profanity, and at #9 there is an audience, just not me.

Casey is pressured to tack on a murder mystery onto her yarn retreat. Getting the regular staff to help with the plot, things take a down turn when a real murder occurs. Includes a knitting pattern and yummy recipes.

It's brilliant. It is well written, with a good plot and the characters are credible with plenty of twists and turns…. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With her regular knitting retreat now turned into a knitting murder mystery retreat, Casey believed she had bit off more than she could chew. Since a new spin was put on her knitting retreat, the knitting part was busted when her clients became most interested in sleuthing instead. When an actual murder occurred, Casey had a task on her hands in trying to keep her clients from interfering with the police’s investigations.

I liked how the author used red herrings and clues throughout the novel to keep me guessing the entire time.
As a first-time reader of a Betty Hechtman book, I wasn't sure what to anticipate because I've had a hit-or-miss relationship with homey mystery books in the past. But to my pleasant surprise, Knot A Game turned out to be a well-written, interesting, and all-around enjoyable book. The other novels in the series that came before this one will be added to my wish list because I loved this one so much.

For a change, it's good to see that the majority of the characters were likeable and only a few were unpleasant. This isn't the situation a great deal of the time. I had the impression that I was a resident of the small village and was familiar with all of its residents.

I loved the setting and premise of this book. Murder mystery within a murder mystery within a knitting retreat. What's not to love. It was giving all the cosy mystery vibes.
Unfortunately for me, I just didn't gel with the writing, I found the dialogue a bit clunky and it stopped me from really settling into the book.
There was so much to love about this one but being distracted by the writing and dialogue made it a difficult one to love.

Casey plans an upcoming yarn retreat and combines the event with a murder mystery game (where can I sign up!). She has hotel staff playing the roles of both suspects and victims. The plot is set, but little does she know that as the game starts someone will actually be murdered! Everyone is a suspect including Casey herself.

This is my first Yarn Retreat Mystery and I completely enjoyed it. I loved that it was an easy breezy cozy mystery that was full of red herrings, twist, and turns. It was a delight and I am looking forward going back to read more from the series.

I want to thank NetGalley, Betty Hechtman and Beyond the Page Publishing for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

⭐⭐⭐.5 -- Adorable cover on this book.

This was a fairly entertaining cozy read. It held up well as a standalone. The setting was interesting. It was well written and (relatively) well paced. That said, it felt like it took ages for the murder to take place. I "think" we were 30/40%(?) into the book before it happened. The plot held my interest and kept me guessing. The characters themselves were all very likable. And there was a knitting project and a banana bread recipe at the end. Which is always a bonus in my opinion. 👍🏻👍🏻

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Knot a Game kept me interested enough to continue reading, but I was surprised to see it's the 9th in the series. It reads more like a second book (given Casey's relationship with Dane, they aren't meeting cute as i it was book 1).

The story and retreat was a little rag tag. I would have expected a more professionally done retreat even though this is the first time out as a mystery weekend. Things were also repeated, sometimes more than once. There was also a cheesy bit at the dance that's kind of silly.

So, an OK rating, but I wasn't convinced I should go back and read the first 8.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

A fun entry into a long running cosy series, some irritation with new unfounded insecurities cropping up in established characters but otherwise a reasonably solid volume in the series.

Yarn retreat planner Casey takes on an extra job in this novel, as she integrates a murder mystery game into her next retreat at Vista del Mar. When a genuine murder occurs during the event, Casey's guests become more interested in "helping" solve the murder than they are in their game and yarn projects.

Although this is part of a series, readers can enjoy this novel as a standalone. The interesting characters and subtle clues will keep readers guessing until the final "reveal" of both mysteries. For those continuing with the series, some favorite characters and settings reappear in this story.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Princess Fuzzypants here: When Madeline speaks, everyone listens, including Casey. She wants to add a murder mystery to her latest yarn retreat and leaves all the planning to Casey while she participates as Mrs. Maple. In spite of many jitters, Casey has enlisted the help of the staff at Vista Del Mar and except for a couple of grumble-pusses, it starts off well. Unfortunately an actual murder distracts her attendees, and nothing will get them back on track. Casey has a passing interest until one of her friend’s is arrested. Now it is personal and she uses all the skill and contacts she has to delve into various backgrounds to find the killer.

When the murderer is revealed, it did seem to come out of left field as there were really no clues but lots of red herrings that would pivot the attention elsewhere. It turned out to be an interesting twist but I prefer mysteries where, if I guess wrong, I can go back and look at what I missed. I did not get that satisfaction. But I did enjoy the book and will still give it four purrs and two paws up.

Love this series! The characters feel like friends by now and I love how the author writes. It is so easy and quick to read. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Knot a Game is the ninth book in Betty Hechtman's Yarn Retreat Mysteries. Through this series we have seen protagonist Casey Feldstein grow more confident in both her professional life as a baker and retreat organizer and also in her personal life to the point that without realizing it she has started to put down roots and form close connections with a variety of people in Cadbury by the Bay, California. In this installment, Vista Del Mar co-owner, Madeleine Delacorte has asked Casey to plan a yarn retreat that has a murder mystery game included. Unfortunately, the morning after the retreat begins another guest of Vista Del Mar is found dead. Her retreat participants soon abandon the staged scene of the game in favor of investigating the real murder.

Within this series, the author has created a multidimensional cast of characters that have intricate connections throughout the town which gives an added layer of involvement and discovery with each mystery that Casey becomes involved in. Within this book, the author has created a plot within a plot giving the reader an intriguing number of twists and red herrings which serves to captivate the interest through the very end. By continuing to build the relationship between Casey and Dane but leaving the resolution of his current question open, the author has piqued the reader's curiosity for the next book in the series.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing and am leaving this review voluntarily.