read 5.2024 and disposed of

Death on the Argyle by Anne Canadeo takes us back to Plum Harbor, Massachusetts where Lucy is weeks away from welcoming her first child. Matt and Lucy have decided to not learn the sex of the baby in advance which has Lucy using gender neutral yarn on her latest project. Lucy’s old college friend, Rebecca has moved to town with her husband and stepdaughter. Rebecca has opened the Happy Hands Café which has become a haven for crafters. Lucy knows that Rebecca’s marriage is tense. The day after Lucy overhears Rebecca and Colin in an argument, Colin is found dead in the café under suspicious circumstances. Rebecca becomes Detective Reyes’s prime suspect. Lucy knows her friend could not have killed her husband. Lucy with help from the Black Sheep knitters sets out to prove that Rebecca did not kill her husband. Death on the Argyle is the fifth A Black Sheep & Co. Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. However, I feel you will get to know the characters better if you read the series in order. A Black Sheep & Co. Mysteries is a continuation of A Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries. I found Death on the Argyle to be easy to read. The characters are friendly and developed. I did feel the pacing was too slow (it needed some oomph). Lucy is heavily pregnant which limits her activities. We get to spend time with the Black Sheep knitters as they learn to knit an argyle pattern. As always there are delicious treats to eat at the knitting shop on Thursday nights. There is also plenty of gossip to share. The mystery was a mixed bag for me. I knew who did it and why right away. Interesting details came to light as Lucy looked into Colin’s life. There are a couple of exciting incidents along the way. There was a lot of repetition of case details. Someone tells Lucy, then Lucy tells Matt, and then she needs to share the information with the knitting group. Plus, Lucy needs to keep Rebecca updated. The case is wrapped up in time for Lucy to have her baby. I am glad that the case concluded with all my questions answered. I am curious as to why the author does not have Detective Reyes interact with Lucy. The ending is sweet and will leave readers smiling. It was good to catch up with the Black Sheep knitters. Death on the Argyle is a charming cozy with a crafty café, a harmed hubby, argyle anxieties, a motorcycle maniac, a mysterious manuscript, inquiring questions, and a probing pregnant pal. ( )