Till Death Do Us Purl
Page 1
A Black Sheep Knitting Mystery
Planning a wedding can really be murder!
Maggie Messina, owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, has volunteered her knitting circle to help a local bride who is barely holding her wedding plans together by a thread. With the big day rapidly approaching, perhaps Rebecca Bailey was a bit ambitious when she decided to knit her own gown. Most girls dream of wearing pearls . . . but purls? Fortunately, the five close-knit pals can easily stitch their way through this challenge. The shocking events after the ceremony are not so easily untangled.
Wedding bouquets are quickly exchanged for funeral wreaths when a mysterious explosion rocks the chemical company owned by the groom’s wealthy family. As the Black Sheep knitters offer comfort, they are drawn into a complicated pattern of deception, secrets, and betrayal. Is the blushing bride spinning a yarn? Or are her privileged new in-laws a very crafty clan?
It’s clear someone in Plum Harbor has donned sheep’s clothing, and the knitters must unravel the clues before this wolf strikes again . . . and picks off one of their own.
Praise for A Stitch Before Dying
“Sure to hook cozy fans.” —Publishers Weekly
“Canadeo presents congenial characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing.” —Kirkus Reviews
ANNE CANADEO is the bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the other novels in her popular Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series, While My Pretty One Knits; Knit, Purl, Die; and A Stitch Before Dying. As Katherine Spencer, she also writes the Cape Light series. A novice with needles, she finds many similarities between knitting and writing—inspiration, persistence, and good things happening by accident. She lives in Northport, New York. You can contact her at anne@annecanadeo.com or visit her on Facebook.
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COVER ILLUSTRATION BY MARY ANN LASHERTILL
“The Black Sheep knitting series has it all: Friendship, knitting, murder, and the occasional recipe create the perfect pattern. Great fun.”
—New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz
Praise for A Stitch Before Dying
“Sure to hook cozy fans.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Congenial characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Sure to attract readers of Sally Goldenbaum and Barbara Bretton.”
—Library Journal
Praise for Knit, Purl, Die
“The fast-paced plot will keep even non-knitters turning the pages.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An intriguing mystery with a few surprising twists and turns.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“An engaging story full of tight-knit friendships and a needling mystery.”
—Fresh Fiction
Praise for While My Pretty One Knits
“The crafty first of a cozy new series. . . . The friendships among the likable knitters . . . help make Canadeo’s crime yarn a charmer.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fans of Monica Ferris . . . will enjoy this engaging amateur sleuth as much for its salute to friendship as to Lucy’s inquiry made one stitch at a time.”
—Mystery Gazette
“Delightful. Enchanting. Humorous. Impressive. Witty. Those are just a few adjectives to describe Anne Canadeo’s effervescent cozy debut.”
—Book Cave
“A unique murder mystery. . . . Fast-paced and electrifying. . . . A series you are sure to enjoy.”
—Fresh Fiction
“The diverse group of friends and their heartwarming camaraderie is what makes While My Pretty One Knits an enjoyable read.”
—Kwips and Kritique
All of the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery titles are available as eBooks.
Meet the Black Sheep Knitters
Maggie Messina, owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, is a retired high school art teacher who runs her little slice of knitters’ paradise with the kind of vibrant energy that leaves her friends dazzled! From novice to pro, knitters come to Maggie as much for her up-to-the-minute offerings like organic wool as for her encouragement and friendship. And Maggie’s got a deft touch when it comes to unraveling mysteries, too.
Lucy Binger left Boston when her marriage ended, and found herself shifting gears to run her graphic design business from the coastal cottage she and her sister inherited. After big-city living, she now finds contentment on a front porch in tiny Plum Harbor, knitting with her closest friends.
Dana Haeger is a psychologist with a busy local practice. A polished professional with a quick wit, she slips out to Maggie’s shop whenever her schedule allows—after all, knitting is the best form of therapy!
Suzanne Cavanaugh is a typical working supermom—a realtor with a million demands on her time, from coaching soccer to showing houses to attending the PTA. But she carves out a little “me” time with the Black Sheep Knitters.
Phoebe Meyers, a college student complete with magenta highlights and a nose stud, lives in the apartment above Maggie’s shop. She’s Maggie’s indispensable helper (when she’s not in class)—and part of the new generation of young knitters.
Also in the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series by Anne Canadeo
While My Pretty One Knits
Knit, Purl, Die
A Stitch Before Dying
GALLERY BOOKS
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Anne Canadeo
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Gallery Books trade paperback edition March 2012
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Canadeo, Anne
Till death do us purl / Anne Canadeo.
p. cm.
“Gallery Original Fiction Trade.”
ISBN 978-1-4391-9140-8—ISBN 978-1-4391-9143-9 (ebook)
1. Knitters (Persons)—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3553.A489115T55 2012
813’.54—dc23
2011037008
ISBN 978-1-4391-9140-8
ISBN 978-1-4391-9143-9 (ebook)
To my daughter, Katherine, with all my love.
You are a wonder to me every day.
Thank you for purchasing this Gallery Books eBook.
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Notes from the Black Sheep Knitting Shop Bulletin Board
Arugula with Tomatoes, White Beans, and Shrimp
Flourless Chocolate Cake
A mouse does not rely on just one hole.
—TITUS MACCIUS PLAUTUS
If love is the glue that holds the world together, guilt must be the staples.
—ANONYMOUS
Chapter One
Now that you’re all here, I have a confession to make.” Maggie stood at the counter in the middle of the shop, sorting a pile of knitting needles by size order. She was carefully avoiding everyone’s gaze, Lucy noticed.
Lucy and her friends were settled in their usual places at the long oak table nearby. They could always be found together on Thursday night and, most often, in the rear room of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop. Now all four of them—Lucy, Suzanne, Dana, and Phoebe—hit the pause button on their needles and conversations.
Suzanne looked alarmed. “Please don’t tell us you didn’t make dinner. I’ve been running all day on an expired yogurt and half a chocolate doughnut.”
“I meant a small confession. That would be a major one. There’s plenty to eat. I’ve invited Nora and Rebecca Bailey to join us. Nora called a little while ago to see if the shop was open late. She has a real emergency.”
One that somehow involved needles and yarn, Lucy assumed. Maggie was the official EFT—emergency fiber technician—in town. She had even been known to make house calls.
“She sounded desperate, so I said they could just come over. I hope you don’t mind.” Maggie stored the needles and walked over to join them, though she didn’t sit down.
“Very compassionate to see a patient after hours.” Dana approved in teasing tone. With a PhD in psychology, Dana actually did hold the title of doctor, though she only used it for her practice. And when she wanted to pull social rank a bit.
Lucy had no objection, either. Nora Bailey and her daughter, Rebecca, were very familiar faces, always stopping by the shop to pick up yarn or take classes, or consult with Maggie about knitting issues. Nora and Maggie had grown up in Plum Harbor together and went way back.
“Rebecca’s getting married soon, right? Isn’t she knitting her own gown?” Lucy admired that kind of courage. The same way she admired people who went hang gliding or bungee jumping.
Not a project she’d ever attempt. Not that anyone was breaking a leg to propose to her. But that was another story.
“Yes, Rebecca’s knitting her gown and Nora is making shrugs for the bridesmaids and a flower girl.” Maggie had strolled over to the antique server and laid out some silverware next to a pile of linen napkins and a stack of plates.
“When I was about to get married, I was so insane, I couldn’t have knit a coaster,” Suzanne said, “no less an entire wedding dress.”
“Maybe it’s a distraction for her, a way to displace her anxiety,” Dana offered. “Planning a wedding and launching off on a whole new stage in life just about tops the list of high-stress milestones.”
“A distraction is having your nails done. Or trying out hairdos that work with your veil. Not making the dress you are going to wear on the biggest day of your life—when you should be looking your absolute, red-carpet best.”
“Good point, Suzanne,” Maggie agreed. “Which is why you all might feel some sympathy when I tell you that Rebecca’s fiancé has suddenly announced they have to move up the wedding date. They were going to be married in May. But now the date is two weeks away.”
Dana had picked up her knitting again and examined her work. “Two weeks? Why is that?”
“I’m not sure. She didn’t have time to explain. Something to do with his work. The bottom line seems to be, if they don’t get married now, they’ll have to put the wedding off for months. Neither of them wants to do that. They even talked about running off to a justice of the peace. But Nora knows Rebecca would be very unhappy with that plan.”
“She’s probably crushed at having that long white runner yanked out from under her at the last minute like this,” Suzanne said, sympathizing. “She’s probably frantic.”
“Rebecca wasn’t thrilled. But she does seem . . . resigned. She’s a very levelheaded young woman.” High praise, coming from Maggie, Lucy knew. “Very centered and even-tempered,” Maggie continued. “She teaches grade school and is quite organized. But even with this major snag, she won’t give up on making the gown. She’s already put a lot of time into it. It would be an awful shame to see all that beautiful work go to waste.”
“A terrible waste.” Dana looked at Maggie over the edge of her stylish reading glasses. “So let me guess, Nora and Rebecca need some help finishing all these projects in time for the accelerated wedding date and you volunteered us?”
Maggie was trying hard not to look guilty as charged. But Dana had her cornered. “I merely said that they could come here tonight and I’d advise on the gown . . . and they could ask you. I didn’t make any promises.
“But you had a pretty good feeling we’d agree, didn’t you?” Lucy prodded.
Maggie couldn’t help smiling for real now. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Lucy and her friends exchanged glances.
Before anyone answered, Maggie added, “I thought maybe you could each make a bridesmaid’s shrug. Phoebe could make one for the flower girl. It’s a very simple pattern. I’m going to work with Rebecca on the gown.”
It sounded as if Maggie had it all figured out and Lucy could see no reason to refuse. “Okay, I’m in. I’m sort of in the middle of three different projects, so what’s the difference if I start one more?”
“Same here,” Phoebe agreed. “Of course, I’d rather be making matching socks for the bridesmaids. That would look so cool. But I guess I can do a tragically ordinary shrug if that’s what Rebecca really wants.”
Matching socks on bridesmaids? That would be a first. Unique, whimsical socks were Phoebe’s specialty. Lucy should have guessed Phoebe would factor them into wedding party accessories. She could hardly imagine the little Goth girl’s own nuptial. The concept was mind-boggling.
Phoebe had a steady boyfriend, but marriage seemed light-years away for her. She was slowly but surely finishing college and working part-time in Maggie’s shop. Her boyfriend, Josh, was working on becoming a rock star, which was a slow, and not-so-sure process. Especially when one considered his music.
“You can count me in, too,” Dana said. “I’m all for helping Nora and Rebecca navigate this trying time.”
Dana was a human knitting machine, once she got started. Lucy had no doubt Dana would be the first to finish any assignment and would probably help the rest of them catch up.
“Who could resist helping with a wedding? Just saying the word makes me feel all . . . smiley and mushy.” Suzanne pinned Maggie with a stare. “You knew that would get us, didn’t you?”
“I couldn’t say for sure. I will admit, I was hoping.” Before Maggie could confess any more of her manipulations—well intended as they were—the front door of the shop opened and Nora and Rebecca entered.
“Hello, ladies. We’re back here,” Maggie called out. “I’m just about to serve dinner. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Right on cue, Lucy thought. As if Maggie had stashed the mother and daughter on the front porch until she’d finished negotiating.
Greetings were exchanged as Nora and Rebecca found seats at the table. Phoebe left to help Maggie bring in the dinner they had prepared. The shop was on the first floor of a Victorian-era house turned into commercial space. Some basic equipment remained in the former kitchen, which now served as a storeroom.
“I hope we’re not interrupting anything.” Nora smiled politely as she took a seat between Dana and Suzanne. “Maggie said you wouldn
’t mind us crashing the party. But I know this is your special meeting night.”
“We’re happy you could join us,” Dana replied quickly. “We’re amazingly free of rules around here.”
“Totally. We’re like free-range knitting chickens or something,” Phoebe chimed in.
Free-range knitting chickens? Everyone paused a moment to process the image. Lucy suddenly saw herself in a barnyard, pecking at bits of corn, knitting needles tucked beneath a feathery wing.
But it was true. They didn’t have any rules, just a few comfortable habits that seemed to work well for them over the years. Opening their circle to Nora and Rebecca tonight didn’t feel odd at all, they were such regulars around the shop.
Nora was in her early fifties, at most. Her smooth brown hair was cut to chin-length with long sweeping bangs. She was always carefully made up and her taste in clothing and jewelry tended toward conservative style and good quality. Small and trim, she was attractive, in a quiet, classy way, Lucy thought. Her blue eyes were her best feature, a trait that Rebecca had inherited.
Otherwise, Rebecca didn’t look at all like her mother. She had very fair skin, pale blond hair that went past her shoulders and fine, cameo-like features. She never wore makeup, but really didn’t need any. Rebecca was quite a bit taller than Nora, and just plain bigger all over. Her figure, a softly rounded hourglass was the ideal of some bygone era. She even dressed a bit retro, Lucy noticed, with her long hair clipped back and a ruffle trim peeking out from the edge of her hand-knit cardigan.
While so many young women were starving themselves to match some bony body type, Rebecca seemed quite comfortable with her generous silhouette. The large diamond solitaire on her finger seemed to support a radical theory—real women had curves and some men really liked them that way.
Weddings could make people crazy under any circumstances. Lucy, who had been married and divorced, knew that for a fact. But she could see why the unexpected crash deadline had thrown the bride and her mother into a tizzy. Rebecca was not a little slip of a thing who could be covered with a few rows of lace here and there.