Patterns in the Sand

By: Sally Goldenbaum

Narrated by: Julie McKay

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

The follow-up to Death by Cashmere: next in the "appealing" (Carolyn Hart, author of Death Walked In) new mystery series set in a tight-knit seaside community.

When young fiber artist Willow Adams visits Izzy Chambers' knitting studio, she's immediately embraced by the Seaside knitters, and they see the monthly arts event at Canary Cove as a perfect place to showcase Willow's work. But the idyllic summer in Sea Harbor turns somber when the body of Nick Peabody - owner of a popular gallery - is found in a garden. Soon Nick's secrets begin to surface, and the residents of Sea Harbor realize they didn't know him at all. And when Nick's will reveals that his entire estate has been left to Willow, the knitters find that Willow has some dark secrets of her own....

©2009 Sally Goldenbaum (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Needs more research in fiber related arts & crafts

The mystery portions of the authors books are interesting enough but the yarn/knitting/fiber aspects are shallow. I'm still wondering what "fine handwoven yarn" is. You use yarn for hand weaving, you don't hand weave yarn. Most fine yarn is machine spun as hand spinning fiber into a super fine yarn would be too time consuming to allow time to knit it.

I suspect the author has no clue what fiber art is as there was never anything but the vaguest description of the "fiber artist's" creations. There is more specific detail about restaurants and food than anything to do with fiber, yarn or knitting. If you pick a backdrop for a mystery series such as a yarn store and knitting specialty you should know more about it. It's distracting to the reader when the lack of knowledge is so obvious.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Too petty gossippy

I enjoyed - I think it was the first book in this series, enjoyed the sisterhood and extended family warmth amongst the characters. Also in the first one, there was a hint of depth to the characters, not developed yet but there like a promise. But the characters have only become confirmed stereotypes with stereotypical responses and behaviors, relieved somewhat by the incidental characters, like the ones who get killed. I like lots of series where women bond over yarn or cooking and such but to me, the yarn-knitting bond of the women in this group is seated in a base of pseudo-gentility (superiority) and shallow hen party concerns and values. It's like Goldenbaum is writing with a stick -- afraid to really get IN to her characters.

Much better character development!

Note to Audible: the summary says the man who dies is named Nick Peabody. However, the mans name is Aiden Peabody.

Review: this second book is MUCH better than book 1. The character development really took off & it was enjoyable to be back with the investigative gang. Of all the characters, I would say it centers most around Nelle, who is an older woman. My only qualm is the end.. the mystery of the killer could have been solved without outing a certain character for being a fraud.. I wish she didn't do that. But otherwise she's likable. The narration is great, each character is very identifiable by their voice which is important when you have a lot of characters such as in this book. I look forward to book 3!

Best yet

Love this series. Great plots and wonderfully quirky characters that just seem to keep growing. All tied up in the bow of a terrific narrator that you could listen to all day with ease

Pretty good, but too much food described!

Would you listen to Patterns in the Sand again? Why?

No. OK light story, but probably not for a second listen. Still, passed the time for me.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, but that's ok.

Have you listened to any of Julie McKay’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't listened to any others.

Any additional comments?

They describe eating and drinking way too much for my taste.

Love it!

What made the experience of listening to Patterns in the Sand the most enjoyable?

I thought I had the murderer figured out! I was wrong, surprise ending! Loved it!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like them all, but I would love to have Nell as my friend! I'm very curious to see what Willow does with her new life, I hope she continues to be a main character in the series!

Kept my interest, cozy mystery

What made the experience of listening to Patterns in the Sand the most enjoyable?

The story line was good, plot kept my interest, had a few twists.

What did you like best about this story?

Overall, an enjoyable read.

Which character – as performed by Julie McKay – was your favorite?

Willow.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

N/A - Not me. I don't like films from books, the books are always way better.

Fantastic!!

What a great book! Once again the author kept me guessing until the end! The narrator did a fantastic job as well. Highly recommend this one for all the mystery readers out there.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful