Book Review – Something’s Knot Kosher by Mary Marks.

4 out of 5 stars.

I would like to thank Kensington Books for providing me with a free ARC of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an open and honest review.

Firstly, I will openly state here and now I am ‘A Quilting Mystery’ fan. I got given the opportunity to review book three of this series last year, loved it so much I went out and bought (then quickly read) books one and two and freely admit to doing a little happy dance in my Reviewer chair last week when I got the email stating I had been approved to read book four – ‘Something’s Knot Kosher’!

I have not been paid to say that, in fact I’m the only one who has paid when buying the first two books so my bias is all mine, and not one I have been asked to have.

And, in saying that – I loved this book! A fantastic follow on from the other three books and not your everyday cosy crime or mystery tale. Yes it has all the same factors – friends, hand crafts, crime, adventure, defeating the bad guys, solving the case without the cops – but I don’t know how Ms Marks does it, but she adds a fantastic little quirkiness to these books that does make them stand out above the standard American cosy crime/ mystery. So, maybe it’s a top shelf, gold plated cosy crime? 😉

Though I do feel I should warn people now this book should not be read as a stand-alone. I mean, I’m sure it could be… but the depth and richness, background knowledge and general cosiness would be lost if you did. Please, go read them in order – your life will fuller for doing so!

The only other minor quibble I have is that I found the book’s formatting a little shabby and occasionally the wrong name was used or spelt incorrectly. However! I was given an ARC and they are rarely the finished, edited to perfection piece, and so I will not mark it down for that. I was just a little put off by it… but if I will be impatient and grab an ARC rather than wait for the final product – the fault lies completely with me!

The “girls” are off on a road trip in this story, a sad one at that. Martha is still a zany, sharp minded cookie I’d love to adopt as a quirky Aunt and we not only meet up with some of the other regulars, but appear to maybe meet some new ones. And just because it’s a road trip, don’t think – how boring. As it’s not! It’s non-stop adventures of the bizarre kind!

I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on book five! Now to see who I need to make sad puppy eyes at to get me one! 😉

Would I recommend this book to others?

Yes I would, but honestly only after they’d read the first three books. Yes it could be read and possibly even enjoyed as a stand-alone… but don’t do it! You will get so such more love and enjoyment out of reading all of them in order! You have been warned.

Would I buy this book for myself?

Just try and stop me! I am a seriously devoted fan to this series now and get major book hangovers when I am done… the books just don’t last me long enough! Write more! Please?

In summary: A great follow on to an already brilliant LA based cosy crime/ mystery series. An enjoyable read on its own, but all the better to be the next instalment in the life of Martha and her quilting friends. A series well worth a read!

Until next time,

Janis.