The Yarn That Binds (Clear Creek Mysteries)
by Rebecca McKinnon
About The Yarn That Binds
The Yarn That Binds (Clear Creek Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – A small town in the Rocky Mountains
Independently Published (April 14, 2022)
Number of Pages: 258
Digital ASIN : B09PLLK412
A Rocky Mountain Yarn with Small Town Charm
Jemma hasn’t been to the tiny Rocky Mountain town of Clear Creek in years, but when her grandmother tells her something strange is going on, Jemma drops everything to return and help untangle the clues.
She arrives to flashing lights, a house full of police, and the news that her grandmother has been killed with her own yarn. After learning she inherits everything, Jemma is faced with the choice of casting on a new life by reopening her grandmother’s yarn shop, or returning to her live-out-of-a-suitcase life as a travel vlogger.
One thing’s for sure — she’s not leaving town until the mystery of her grandmother’s death has unraveled. But when the deputy in charge of the investigation ignores clues Jemma stumbles upon, she decides to do her own poking around. Because her grandmother was right — there is something strange happening in Clear Creek.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Travel vlogger Jemma Whitlock returns to Clear Creek after being gone for several years in response to her grandmother’s plea for help. All she knows is that “something strange” is happening in her grandmother’s life and it must be something major for her to call her home. But Jemma arrives too late. She arrives in town to find police everywhere and is told her grandmother is dead and the killer used yarn from her grandmother’s own shop to do the deed.
Still in shock, she learns she is the beneficiary of all her grandmother’s things so she has some major decisions to make. She has some time because she isn’t going anywhere until the killer is found and behind bars. Especially because the local police seem to be oblivious to some clear clues and suspects. Realizing there truly is “something strange” afoot in Clear Creek she decides to do a little snooping on her own never realizing she may find herself entangled in the killer’s web and that she may not be able to knit, crochet, or vlog herself out of the danger she finds herself in.
The author has created some great characters for this new cozy mystery series. First, Jemma’s grandmother Mary sounds like she was an amazing woman. She listened and helped everyone she could, really putting the small town of Clear Creek first even though not everyone appreciated her efforts. Jemma is well-traveled and very independent. It is hard for her to accept help but is a coffee addict and her old friend Brandon is her hookup for the best beans. He also cares about his friend Jemma and will do anything to protect her. Emmiline hales from the South and is new to Clear Creek. She and Jemma meet when both are traveling to the cozy little town. They become fast friends. Charlotte was her grandmother’s employee. She is clearly enamored with Brandon who clearly isn’t interested. She doesn’t like that Jemma and Brandon immediately step right back into their old friendship. We meet Kitty who was Jemma’s BFF but they lost touch over the years. She is excited to rekindle that friendship. Then you have Granny who knows everything about everybody and demands to be involved in everything. She is positively hilarious. Deputy Chase can be frustrating but he really tries hard to do his job even though it seems to take forever. All these characters are interesting and feel genuine for the time and place. Their interactions and dialogues all ring true. Oh! Mary had a cat too! A Selkirk Rex cat who is quite the kitty.
Ms. McKinnon has set this series in an interesting small town that is in the midst of reinventing itself into a shopping destination now that it is in the shadows of a new resort just a few miles away. Not everyone is happy about the changes which is typical of any small town. I loved the way the town rallies around Jemma making her feel at home and helping her through her grief. Her grandmother’s yarn shop sounds like a wonderful place. From all the yarns in baskets and cubbies to the table where people could meet to work on their projects, pick out new patterns, and met with friends to talk crafts or talk about events of the day and maybe even gossip a little. Every successful craft shop has to have a table like that.
The mystery was well-plotted with two people landing at the top of my personal suspect list pretty early. I was delighted by the way the mystery unfolded with clues that had me rethinking my theories quite a few times especially when another body is found. I did keep coming back to both characters even though my motives for them were a little muddy. I loved the way the final clue was glaring and surprising to Jemma. The reveal became very exciting! The motive turned out to be pretty complicated and not at all what I had imagined at all which I should have known was too basic.
Ms. McKinnon has set her series about to a spectacular start. The mystery was complex and the characters were engaging. Plus I am a sucker for a yarn shop theme. That theme and the series location remind me of Maggie Sefton’s Knitting Series
Fun and entertaining! A Perfect Escape!
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About Rebecca McKinnon
Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.
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Great Escapes Praise for The Yarn That Binds (Clear Creek Mysteries)
by Rebecca McKinnon
This new series will have you reaching for knitting needles and some new fun yarn. I think this is going to be a good new cozy series and we give it 5 paws up.
~Storeybook Reviews
The Yarn the Binds is one I will pass on to friends!
~Nellie’s Book Nook
A touch of humor, a dash of romance, and an intriguing mystery make THE YARN THAT BINDS a solid start to a charming new series.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
A must-read for cozy fans and those that just love yarn. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
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@dedblibrarian doesn’t exist. Do you mean @deblibrarian
Hi Deborah, The giveaway is fixed. Thank you.
Thank you for the lovely review! I’m glad you enjoyed the book — and that you liked Granny! She’s a hoot.
Sounds like a good book.