I'm pleased to welcome Allie Pleiter to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Allie writes the Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. ON SKEIN OF DEATH is the first book in the series and was released
Kathy: In ON SKEIN OF DEATH we meet Libby Beckett who has just opened a yarn shop in Maryland. She's excited to share the joys of knitting and crochet. Several years ago I attempted knitting and made lots of scarves-long straight things were as far as I ventured. Now I see all these cute crochet critters and I'm envious of those with that skill. Do you knit or crochet?
AP: Very much so! I’m a passionate knitter and have been for years. Many of my books have knitting characters, so this was a natural extension of my passion for yarn and needles. I’m almost never without my knitting. It’s the perfect counterbalance to all the time I spend staring at a laptop screen and typing. And you get soft and cozy things when you’re done!
Kathy: Libby has an English bulldog, Hank, who sometimes models doggie sweaters. Is Hank based on a real dog? Why choose an English bulldog for his breed?
AP: Yes, some of Hank’s personality comes from my own dog, a small white Lhassa-Poodle mix named Paisley. But Hank has his own nature different from Paisley’s. I loved the jowly, goofy appearance of an English bulldog and Hank represented my chance to “own” one—at least on paper. I did knit one of Perle’s sweaters for my own dog, but alas, Paisley didn’t share Hank’s enthusiasm for modeling.
Kathy: I love the idea of an ever changing name for Libby's yarn shop, Y.A.R.N. It's a clever way to engage customers. How did you get the idea for using an acronym that morphs meaning?
AP: I get so many “how did you come up with that?” questions about my writing. Honestly, I’m never really sure how the ideas generate. The Y.A.R.N. blackboard just popped into my head one day. Of course, now I’ve committed myself to a whole book series of what Y.A.R.N. stands for, so it will be a challenge to come up with all those new versions. Maybe I’ll start asking readers to help me!
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
AP: I love the pairing of an engaging story with the intellectual puzzle of solving a mystery. Characters, community, and relationships are the basis of my romance novels, so this was a way to take those strengths and apply them to a new genre.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
AP: Yes, I have dozens of inspirational romances for Love Inspired. I also have a series of books for writers, and many authors know me for The Chunky Method of productivity for writers.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
AP: All the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries center around yarn shop owner Libby Beckett and her Maryland home town. While knitting will always have a big role in every book, non-knitters will find lots to love in her adventures.
As for inspirational romance, I am finishing up my Wander Canyon series about a small Colorado mountain town next year, and will also be launching a new series set in Arizona called True North Springs. I like to stay busy, as you can see.
You can see information about all my series at https://alliepleiter.com/books/
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
AP: Of course, it would have to be Libby. She’s reaching for her dreams and starting life over. She’s a skilled knitter who loves to share her passion with others. I love her bravery, her cleverness, her knitting talents, and her fondness for pie (I’m a big fan myself!).
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
AP: No. I knew I wanted to do a series based on a yarn shop, and it just sort of blossomed from that small idea. I’m excited to think of all the places we can go with the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
AP: ON SKEIN OF DEATH is one of over 50 books that I have published, so it was an easy choice to keep up the momentum of the career I enjoy.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
AP: I’d invite Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling, Diana Gabaldon, and Jane Austen. And of course, there would be lots of pie.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
AP: Dana Mentik’s PINT OF NO RETURN
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
AP: Knitting, knitting, yarn, knitting, and knitting. Oh, and pie. You’ve probably figured that out by now :)
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
AP: Carmel coffee creamer, oatmeal, gluten-free pretzels, and peanut butter.
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
AP: Right now we are confirmed for two more books in the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries series: KNIT OR DYE TRYING will release in February 2022, followed by IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR for the 2022 holiday season. Hopefully, there will be many more after that!
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
AP: I love that I spend my days dreaming up people who fall in love and people who set things to rights. Creation is a beautiful fuel, and I’m honored to make my living telling stories.
***********************************************************************
Review
The First Riverbank Knitting Mystery
Libby Beckett is on the edge of major knitting success hosting famous Nordic knitting designer Perle Langager at her shop Y.A.R.N. The three day event will feature talks, demonstrations, and Perle's latest creation-knitting needles with a unique Danish design. Perle seems more nervous in her demands than diva, and Libby willingly helps the young woman. When Perle can't be found, Libby joins in the search only to find the knitter strangled with yarn. Spurned on by a need to find justice for the young woman with such promise, Libby decides to do whatever she can to catch a killer!
Libby Beckett is a smart, take charge woman capable of reinventing herself and able to withstand the challenges brought to her doorstep in the first Riverbank Knitting Mystery. I love her passion for knitting and the desire to spread the love of that art form. And yes, it IS art. She has a best friend who keeps her in pie (I am a bit envious) and, although she'd try to deny it, a good love interest. I like the developing relationship between Libby and Gavin, egged on by her mother and his daughter.
The mystery is ingenious and deftly plotted. Morals and integrity are integral to the characters and the plot shaping behavior and making the murder even more distressing. There's humor and fun as well as a charming dog named Hank!
ON SKEIN OF DEATH with its interesting characters and charming setting is a solid start to a new series. I can't wait to see Libby take on King George in her next adventure!
***********************************************************************
On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) by Allie Pleiter
About On Skein of Death
On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Berkley (June 1, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
For Libby Beckett, opening her charming yarn shop, and introducing customers to the joys of knitting and crochet, is the work she was meant to do. Until the yarn she loves is used for murder….
Libby has come home to Collinstown, Maryland to live her dream and open her own yarn shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., along the Chester River. To Libby, Y.A.R.N. stands for "You're Absolutely Ready Now." But the acronym changes whenever inspiration strikes, and customers add to the list of suggestions that fill the blackboard wall in a shop stuffed with color, fiber, and comfort.
Libby is thrilled when she lands famous Norwegian knitting celebrity Perle Langager for a series of events at Y.A.R.N. Libby's English bulldog, Hank, has been modeling one of Perle's doggie sweaters, and customers just can't wait to see Perle in action. The mayor of Collinstown even decrees a Collinstown Yarn Day to celebrate. But once Perle arrives in town, she seems distracted and on edge. And when she's found strangled with a skein of red yarn, Libby knows she has to solve a knotty mystery before her new life unravels.
About Allie Pleiter
An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.
Author Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
To subscribe to Allie’s newsletter: http://www.alliepleiter.com/subscribe/
Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound
Thanks for such a great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]aol[dot]com
Your book sounds so good and is right up my alley as love to crochet and work with yarn. Wish you all the success with your tour! peggy clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDelete