Death by Cashmere: A Seaside Knitters Mystery

by: Sally Goldenbaum

Published by: Obsidian

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

Izzy Chambers left Boston and her life as an attorney to open the quaint Seaside Knitting Studio in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. Izzy chose Sea Harbor because of the fond memories of the town where she spent her childhood.

Angelina Archer has a” reputation.” She’s in Sea Harbor to research a local history project and rents the apartment above Izzy’s shop. Angelina isn’t popular with many of the locals. When Angelina is found drowned, washed up in the cove, her hair tangled in one of the knitter’s lobster pots, the question is: Was it murder? The Seaside Knitting Studio knitters think it was and are determined to find out “who done it.”

Izzy’s aunt Nell, Nell’s friend Birdie and Cass (lobsterwoman), all quirky characters, get together to knit and gossip–and now have added solving murders to their list of things to do.

Death by Cashmere is the first in the Seaside Knitters series by Sally Goldenbaum. She also writes the Queen Bees Quilt mystery series. I love theme-based cozy mysteries. It doesn’t matter if it is knitting, quilting, scrap booking or rug hooking; I love the flavor and feel of them. Death by Cashmere fits that need in me. Another plus is the seaside setting, the quirky characters, the interesting plot–it’s all there.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I was surprised that the story was told from the viewpoint of Izzy’s aunt, Nell. I hope the next book is told from Izzy’s point of view. Another small criticism is one that distracted me a great deal. Goldenbaum doesn’t change up her dialogue much. Someone says something and the sentence ends with the words, Izzy said, or Nell said. I wanted to scream after awhile. But all in all Death by Cashmere is a delightful romp into the world of murder and mayhem.

Armchair Interviews says: Check out Sally Goldenbaum’s new series. It’s fun.

Author’s Web site: http://www.SallyGoldenbaum.com