Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good recipes, fun knitting patterns, October 6, 2008
I wasn't a fan of Sefton's previous offering in this series ("Dyer Consequences") and, when I read the first few pages of "Fleece Navidad," I was afraid I was going to be disappointed again. The first chapter is one of those over-stuffed potluck get-togethers that have become Sefton's standard method for re-introducing the whole cast of characters. (Did we really need to know everyone's hair color within the first 10 pages?)
But, "Fleece Navidad" is an improvement over "Dyer Consequences." Yeah, it had too many of the pass-me-some-cookies-pour-me-some-coffee scenes for me, but it's still a nice read. I liked the small side story where Kelly and Jennifer coach the local teenagers in a re-enactment of the Nativity. I liked that Curt and Jayleen are getting the "sparklies" for each other. I'm interested in finding out if Jennifer may finally settle down. I definitely liked Annie, the celebrity lamb.
One other nice touch Sefton adds at the beginning of the book is a "Cast of Characters" that lists each character's name, occupation, and significant other.
As for the bonus features--excellent. There are several knitting projects to choose from. My favorite project is the sweetheart gloves. I also like the pattern for the ribbed hat. There are also a half dozen recipes--the recipe for Aunt Helen's gingersnap cookies looks like a must!
On the downside, Sefton is becoming formulaic: a few people are introduced to the group, one is murdered and the other is the murderer. The mystery in "Fleece Navidad" is so weak that, even before the murder took place, I knew who the murderer would be.
A couple other things I noticed as far as continuity and story arcs: "Dyer Consequences" hinted at a budding relationship between Pete and Jennifer, but that thread seems to have gone no where. Also, there have been four sets of romances going on in the series for quite awhile: Kelly & Steve, Burt & Mimi, Megan & Marty, and Lisa & Greg. Sefton needs to pay one of these relationships off with a wedding. In the next book, I'd like to see Burt and Mimi get hitched with either Kelly or Megan catching the bouquet. That way, Sefton can stretch out the tension between Kelly and Steve just a bit longer.
Lisa and Greg have been really peripheral characters for the past two books. To simplify the cast of characters, I wish Sefton would dump these characters.
If you want a bit of the holiday spirit today, give "Fleece Navidad" a try. It's a decent way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the title!, September 30, 2008
The best time of the year is when publishers begin releasing their Christmas mysteries. Even though there are murders galore in the books, they are fun romps into the mayhem of killing. And the cozy amateur sleuth murder mysteries that incorporate knitting, scrapbooking, cooking, etc., are my favorites.
Maggie Sefton's Fleece Navidad is a knitting novel and is a page turner.
It's Christmas time in Fort Connor, Colorado and Kelly Flynn and her friends have a newcomer to the House of Lamb craft shop. The newcomer, Claudia Miller, arrived in Colorado from Florida with the idea that she could find her next husband (she's had three already). Claudia has set her sights on Jeremy Cunningham, a retired university professor who happens to be a widower. Unfortunately the local librarian and talented knitter, Juliet Renfrow has been seeing Jeremy also. It's not looking good in the romance department.
When Sheila Miller, the daughter of Claudia's third husband, arrives in town, she begins spreading the nasty rumor that Claudia killed her father. Sheila claims to have done her own investigation and is convinced of Claudia's guilt. The problem is the woman who gave her the damning information is now dead.
Juliet is murdered in a hit and run and the police believe Claudia is the culprit. Everyone but Kelly believes in Claudia's guilt and solving the murder is a commitment Kelly is determined to fulfill.
Fleece Navidad is a fun novel. The characters are interesting, the plot is solid and if you enjoy knitting, well you've got it all in one book.
Armchair Interviews says: A Christmas mystery that is a must-read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maggie's Knitting Mysteries just keep getting better and better!, January 8, 2009
Everytime I read one of Maggie Sefton's knitting mysteries, I can't wait for the next one. I hope this series never ends! By the way, this book doesn't have to be read around Christmastime, so if you haven't read it yet...do yourself a favor and order it. As with the rest of the books in this series, I couldn't put it down. Maggie has a way of writing that makes you feel like you could jump right into her book and join the ladies at the knitting table. And no...you don't have to be a knitter to enjoy these stories. Honestly, you won't go wrong if you go back and order every one of the books in this series if you haven't already. The characters have been likened to a "Friends" type of cast, and it is so true. I loved how there were other stories going on in this one, outside of the murder mystery itself. I also liked that the murder victim wasn't necessarily anyone the reader would feel too "attached" to this time. Was the murderer obvious? Maybe so, but it was still interesting reading how Kelly put the pieces together to help police solve yet another murder in Fort Collins. I also love the dynamics of all the personalities, and how these friends have become a family. Love the progress in all the romantic relationships as well. Maggie Sefton's knitting mysteries page-turners? You bet!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
