The Wedding Shawl (Seaside Knitters, #5)

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The Wedding Shawl (A Seaside Knitters Mystery #5)

by Sally Goldenbaum (Goodreads Author)

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 340 ratings · 47 reviews

Readers can't help but get entangled in this national bestselling series...

Izzy Chambers is about to get married, but much remains to be done. Then the wedding plans get complicated when the wedding party's hair stylist begins missing appointments. When she's found dead, things really begin to unravel. Rumors circulate about the stylist's past and her connection to an un...more

Hardcover, 299 pages

Published May 3rd 2011 by NAL Hardcover

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The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

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Jul 30, 2012 Nancy Narma rated it 5 of 5 stars

“A Tight Knit of Love, Marriage and Mystery”

Once again, I have had the pleasure to “Travel” to Sea Harbor and join Nell, Birdie, Cass Izzy and friends, as the long-awaited wedding of Izzy and Sam draws near. Taking a break from the preparations, the group joins the Knitting Book Club for a special event at Art Brandley’s Bookstore. His talented author/knitter/Son (also Cass’s boyfriend); Danny is speaking about the process of writing a mystery. In doing so, he dredges up a “Cold Case File”—that...more “A Tight Knit of Love, Marriage and Mystery”

Once again, I have had the pleasure to “Travel” to Sea Harbor and join Nell, Birdie, Cass Izzy and friends, as the long-awaited wedding of Izzy and Sam draws near. Taking a break from the preparations, the group joins the Knitting Book Club for a special event at Art Brandley’s Bookstore. His talented author/knitter/Son (also Cass’s boyfriend); Danny is speaking about the process of writing a mystery. In doing so, he dredges up a “Cold Case File”—that of young high school graduate; Harmony Farrow, who drowned at the Markham Quarry fifteen years ago. As suspicious as the death seemed, there was no proof of foul play and no arrest was ever made. At the time, many fingers pointed to her boyfriend, Andy Risso, who had an alibi, and has had to live with sad memories and loss all of these years. Reviewing the details of the case made the assembled gathering uneasy and Nell, Birdie and Cass decided to re-focus on their special wedding project they had been knitting—a delicate wedding shawl for Izzy. This, combined with a long to-do list (as Izzy’s Mother is not able to help with the preparations) falls on Nell’s shoulders and she wants everything to be perfect for her Niece’s outdoor ceremony. She hires dynamic but mysterious gardener; Claire Russell to turn the backyard into a “Fantasyland of Love” with her artful plantings and landscaping. As the backdrop for the nuptials has been handled, Izzy, Nell, Birdie and Cass head to their appt. at “M.J.’s Salon” to arrange hair styling and bridal pampering on the big day with M, J.’s shy wedding coordinator, Tiffany Ciccolo. They soon discover that Tiffany has forgotten all about the meeting but is spotted two hours later, at the local hotspot; “The Artist’s Palate”, mooning over her crush; Andy Risso (who is the drummer in the band “Fractured Fish”). Embarrassed, apologies are made and re-scheduling is promised—this time with Tiffany going to Nell’s home, where she is glared at by Claire. But why?? Between this meeting and the wedding, Birdie and Nell keep their regular hair appts., only to have a solution mix-up for Birdie and her white locks turn pink! Mortified, M.J. and Nell trudge down into the dark basement for a remedy, and stumble over Tiffany’s life-less body sprawled on the floor! It is disclosed that her death is not accidental and many questions arise. Who would want Tiffany dead? It is discovered that Tiffany and Harmony were best friends in high school but are their deaths related? Fingers point once again at Andy Risso. Had he gotten away with Harmony’s death and now will be found guilty of Tiffany’s demise? What about the jealous, gossipy receptionist; Tanya Gordon? Did she desire a promotion to Tiffany’s position at the salon that much that she would do anything to get it? Will Izzy and Sam’s wedding be marred by the unsettled crime, complete with subtle warnings for the sleuthing knitters? Ms. Goldenbaum has not only included a recipe for Nell and Ben’s grilled lobster tails with orange butter sauce (yum!) ,but the directions for knitting Izzy’s exquisite wedding shawl. She has also snuck in a snippet of her latest work, “A Fatal Fleece”, which you don’t want to miss. Armed with tissues and something to nibble, I’ll be anxious to visit Sea Harbor/Cape Ann again and I bet you will be too! Nancy Narma
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Feb 14, 2012 M added it

Recently I read The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum. I'm not sure what made me pick it out off the shelf at the library, but something compelled me too. Its been slowly getting colder here and the bright colors probably made me think of the spring and the warmer days to come. None the less, I did and got to reading.

Chick lit mysteries have never really been my thing. I've always been easily scared by things and so mystery novels have never really been my thing. However The Wedding Shawl was th...more

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May 05, 2011 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

"The Wedding Shawl" was a cozy mystery in every sense. I felt emotionally warm and comfortable just reading this story due to how nice everyone was. Actually, I'd call the novel a general fiction with a whodunit mystery because the story was more realistic to how things happen in real life than most mystery novels. I also liked that the police weren't idiots or "the enemy."

While the suspense was low, there was a thread of sadness for what the unsolved murder was doing to the people involved. The...more

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May 03, 2011 Marlyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: knitting, mystery, cozies

In the fifth of the Seaside Knitters series the women are preparing for Izzy and Sam's wedding, to be held in Nell and Ben's garden, which is being given a face lift for the occasion. Meanwhile, Nell and her friends are knitting a shawl for Izzy to wear on her wedding day.

The planning is marred by the death of Tiffany Ciccolo, the stylist who was to do the hair and makeup for the women in the wedding party. Coincidentally, Tiffany's best friend in high school, Harmony Farrow, had been killed on...more

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May 07, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

As there is a pending wedding in our lives presently, I found this mystery especially compelling and yet, soothing to my Mother of the Bride nerves.

Izzy Chambers, owner of the knitting store is getting married to Sam Perry, a photojournalist. Izzy's Aunt Nell is trying to oversee the entire celebration. The knitting group, Seaside knitters, comprised of Izzy, Nell, Cass, a lobster fisherman, and Birdie, a life long friend of Nell's also share a love of books and so it was natural to sponsor the...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Paula rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Wedding Shawl was a fun, quick read full of murder and knitting. Perfect for a day reading in the sunshine! I won this copy in a giveaway from Dollycas and since I'm a knitter, I was tickled to win!

Set in a seaside town on the eastern seaboard, this is not the first in the Seaside Knitters series but read well as a stand-alone book. I didn't feel like I was missing anything by popping in in the middle of the series.

In this murder mystery, Izzy, who is the owner of the local yarn shop, is g...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love visiting quaint, beachside towns and have enjoyed being back in Sea Harbor, MA. It is a lovely town with close friends who tend to meet every Friday night on the Endicotts' deck. Although, I know that it is most likely relaxing and fun to have your friends show up, I just don't understand why Nell doesn't get sick and tired of cooking dinner for all these people every Friday! (I do love reading the descriptions of what the characters are eating whether it is at Nell's house or in one of t...more I love visiting quaint, beachside towns and have enjoyed being back in Sea Harbor, MA. It is a lovely town with close friends who tend to meet every Friday night on the Endicotts' deck. Although, I know that it is most likely relaxing and fun to have your friends show up, I just don't understand why Nell doesn't get sick and tired of cooking dinner for all these people every Friday! (I do love reading the descriptions of what the characters are eating whether it is at Nell's house or in one of the many good restaurants in the town.) Another word of caution is that this is the fourth murder that I know of in this town so I really wonder how safe a place it is to visit. And yet, I would gladly go back again to meet up with my friends and relax in Izzy's Knitting Shop even though I don't knit! I haven't read Moon Spinners so my guess is that actually 5 murders have taken place here in a fairly short time span.

When I visited this time, everyone was getting ready for the wedding of Izzy and Sam. As preparations are under way, they discover that Tiffany, one of the hairdressers, at the local beauty salon, has been found dead. Tiffany was the best friend of a young girl who was murdered 15 years before and it is quickly felt that a connection exists between the two murders. Someone in their town must have done it. Who had the motive? Several names pop up as possible suspects but there seem to be missing pieces of evidence. Nell, Birdie, and Cass want to find out some answers before the murder puts a cloud of gloom over the upcoming wedding. As they ask questions and look for evidence that could solve the crime, everyone starts to wonder if their lives are now in jeopardy. Another job well done by Sally Goldenbaum because I had no idea who did it until the last six pages of the book.

Join me in Sea Harbor, MA. Bring some suntan lotion, a magnifying glass, and perhaps a Sherlock Holmes cape and hat because there is sure to be some action and a mystery to solve.(less)

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Sep 09, 2011 Debbie Maskus rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have reached the end of the published novels in this series. This has been a lovely journey up to the wedding of Izzy and Sam. Goldenbaum writes a gentle mystery series set in coastal Massachusetts. This story involves a 15-year-old cold case involving the drowning of a young girl right before high school graduation. The dead girl's mother returns to Sea Harbor to sort through her feelings and her life. Then, the best friend of the drowned girl is murdered. Cass, Birdie, Nell, and Izzy must ra...more

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May 18, 2011 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Seaside Knitters Mystery
5th in the series

Izzy is getting married and all her friends are getting together to knit her a beautiful wedding shawl. Everyone contributing their knitting talents to one wonderful project. What a treasured gift!!!

Oh yes, there is mystery too, as the hair stylist for the wedding participants disappears and later is found dead. This lands the Seaside Knitters in the middle of another murder investigation. But these ladies can handle it, they will finish the shawl and s...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another great mystery book by Sally Goldenbaum! Number five on her shelf. This time around Izzy and Sam are getting married and of course all the same characters are there to help her with the wedding. Except for the dead body that shows up a few weeks before the big day. Leaving the Seaside Knitters to solve the mystery before the wedding.

I never saw this one coming as usual with Sally's books, it is always someone you see but don't even think about until the Seaside Knitters have the answer. W...more

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May 31, 2011 Fred rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the fith book in the Seaside Knitters series. Izzy Chambers left her legal career in Boston and moved to Sea Harbor, MA and opened a knitting yarn supply store in this quaint little village. Izzy had spent summers here with her aunt and uncle. Izzy's wedding is quickly approaching and the SeaSide Knitter are starting to put the final touches on a special wedding shawl that she will wear one her wedding day. Izzy Aunt Nell and long time friend, Birdie, are scheduled to talk with the hair...more

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Sep 21, 2011 A. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Series: 5th in Seaside Knitters Mysteries
Main Character: Nell Endicott
Setting: Modern day, Sea Harbor, Massachusetts
Obtained Through: publisher for an honest review

Let me introduce you to the knitters:
Nell: the motherly spirit of the group.
Birdie: the spirited elder who is hard to keep up with.
Cass: the lobster-woman with a gentle heart - truly a rough diamond.
Izzy: Nell's niece and bride-to-be who owns the knit shop.

The gang is busy with wedding preparations for Izzy (including knitting a delic...more Series: 5th in Seaside Knitters Mysteries
Main Character: Nell Endicott
Setting: Modern day, Sea Harbor, Massachusetts
Obtained Through: publisher for an honest review

Let me introduce you to the knitters:
Nell: the motherly spirit of the group.
Birdie: the spirited elder who is hard to keep up with.
Cass: the lobster-woman with a gentle heart - truly a rough diamond.
Izzy: Nell's niece and bride-to-be who owns the knit shop.

The gang is busy with wedding preparations for Izzy (including knitting a delicate lace shawl), but when the scheduled hair stylist for the wedding, Tiffany, is found dead under suspicious circumstances the community is stunned. The seaside knitters become convinced that there is a connection to what was thought to be an accidental drowning fifteen years ago of Harmony Farrow and this death. Is it simply a coincidence that the Harmony's mother has returned to Sea Harbor only a few months before the latest death? Could the town's favorite young man be the murderer - the police sure suspect him since he dated both girls. Nell leads the charge to clear up past and present deaths so nothing will overshadow Izzy's big day. But warnings start coming to stop questioning and leave things alone.

This entry in the series continues the excellent tradition established. The plot is interesting and you get swept up with how the current murder is somehow linked with the drowning - and the drowning must have been more than an accident. The setting is rich and smoothly conveyed, you never notice that you moved to Sea Harbor, but somehow you are transported there. Being a Rocky Mountains person, I have never adored the seaside except when reading these stories. I can practically smell the salt air.

The warmth of the characters offsets that this is a murder mystery. You will find yourself hoping the killer isn't this or that character because you like them all. Truly a "cozy" in the sense of how comfortable you become with the cast and want to spend more time with them. I have never wanted to learn to knit until picking up this series, that is how it envelopes you.

The pacing keeps you teased and wanting more. As for the confrontation it is bittersweet more than suspenseful, which lends to the overall believability of the story. Truly if an average person were to get nosy about a murder, this is how it would look - right? The wrap-up is touching and I found myself missing the gang as soon as I shut the book.

Don't let the topic of knitting hold you back from this mystery, that only lends to its cozy warmth. This is hands-down one of the top cozy mystery series on the scene today and this entry is a gem (or is that a purl?) - IMHO.

Please join me at my mystery book blog:
http://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com (less)

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May 18, 2011 Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-challenge

Residing in Sea Harbor, MA, the four friends Cass, Birdie, Izzie and her Aunt Nell are preparing for Izzie's upcoming wedding. They meet regularly at Izzie's yarn shop to work on her wedding shawl and just enjoy each other's company. One night they meet at the book store to hear a local author talk about plot development. He tells them he gets a lot of ideas for mysteries from cold cases like the one that happened in town fifteen years ago. A young high school senior was found dead in the quarry...more
Residing in Sea Harbor, MA, the four friends Cass, Birdie, Izzie and her Aunt Nell are preparing for Izzie's upcoming wedding. They meet regularly at Izzie's yarn shop to work on her wedding shawl and just enjoy each other's company. One night they meet at the book store to hear a local author talk about plot development. He tells them he gets a lot of ideas for mysteries from cold cases like the one that happened in town fifteen years ago. A young high school senior was found dead in the quarry and it was never proved what happened but suspicions still linger to the present time.

When Tiffany, a young woman from the salon who is helping the friends with wedding plans, is found murdered in her office, the town gossips can't help but compare it to the cold case. It's eerily coincidental that the two women were best friends in high school and both had a friendship with the same young man then and now. It feels like the past is starting to repeat itself and suspicion about Tiffany's murder turns to a friend of the group.

The four knitters know they must find out what really happened, prove their friend's innocence and get this all behind them before the wedding. When two members of the group receive veiled threats, they know they are getting too close to the murderer but it does not deter them; it just make them more determined than ever to find out the truth not just of Tiffany's murder but for some closure on the fifteen year old mystery.

The Seaside knitting friends help solve the mystery using intelligent, well thought out deduction; no crazy- off -the-wall heroics in this series. These friends are very down to earth and believable characters. Along with the small town atmosphere and seaside location, I think this is why I like this series so much. All the characters are fully fleshed out and feel like old friends at this point. Goldenbaum builds her case logically with enough clues and red herrings to keep any mystery fan intrigued. 4****

The Wedding Shawl is the 5th book in the Seaside Knitting series, set in New England. I've read 3 of them now and to my mind they just keep getting better and better. Recipes and a knitting pattern are included at the end of the book. Sally Goldenbaum is also the author of the Queen Bee Quilting series set in Kansas.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Penguin Group (USA) in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Feb 12, 2012 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first started this series, I was unsure about it--it wasn't what I expected it to be at all. But as it's progressed, it's just gotten better and better. This was an excellent entry to this series, and I love how everything weaves together from the old stories to create one cohesive feeling. You almost feel like you live in Sea Harbor with these ladies--Goldenbaum does a great job of the ambiance, with stories that are intricate but never feel fussy. A great series!

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Jun 13, 2011 Lynda rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was one of the best in the series. Nell and her friends are knitting a shawl for Izzy's wedding and investigating the murder of a young hair stylist whose death is somehow related to a mysterious but tragic drowning fifteen years ago. Although sad, there was no angst as there had been in the previous novel. I completely missed the clues pointing to the murderer although I had questions as to why a minor character kept popping up.

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May 11, 2011 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-crafts, mystery-massachusetts

Izzy and Sam are getting married! But when someone involved in the wedding preparations is murdered, Izzy's Aunt Nell and the other Seaside Knitters want to know why. A cloud seems to linger over the wedding preparations. Then the local gossips realize that the dead woman had a best friend who died mysteriously fifteen years before--and that both women were dating the same man at the time of their deaths.

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May 29, 2011 Grey853 rated it 1 of 5 stars

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May 13, 2011 Mascanlon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

A sea side knitters story...Izzy Chambers is about to get married, but amuch remains to be done. First the friends need to solve the mystery reaching back 15 yrs and and then finish the beautiful wedding shawl so Izzy and Sam cn be married in the garden by the sea. As always the story draws you in but I stay for the characters, friendship and food.

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Aug 21, 2011 Sandybear76 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nell and her friends are drawn into an old tale from the town's past as Danny opens a cold case for his upcoming book. Harmony was found dead 15 years ago and now her best friend Tiffany is killed. Nell and her friends want to find the killer before the deaths hurt Izzy and Sam's soon to be wedding in Nell's backyard.

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Jul 25, 2011 Caroline rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sally Goldenbaum is another author who writes characters at all points on the spectrum - old to young and businesswomen to fisherwomen. This mix of friends makes the books like visiting your family and I've enjoyed each book in the Seaside Knitters series. I think the interplay of characters and mix of careers is what makes this such a joy to read (and the food sounds pretty good except I'm allergic to shellfish so can't imagine eating all that!). In this book, a fifteen year-old cold case is ti...more

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Jun 03, 2012 ~mad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: booksiveread

5.31.12 I can tell I am going to like ths - it's number 8 or 9 in a series but I've started it! I'll catch the others later.

6.1.12 - I was right! This was just a good little read. I won this book from the author on "the internets" and now I have ordered copies of all the others. Karen Fod - you may read them next!

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Oct 23, 2011 BJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, foodie, local-library, mysteries-suspense, series-more-than-3

Another good installment of this series. Izzy and Sam are getting married, but first the Seaside Knitters have to solve a murder mystery. I love the setting of this series (a seaside New England town), the people who inhabit this town including the Seaside Knitters and their close group of friends. Definitely well worth the read.

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Dec 04, 2012 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another fun book by Sally Goldenbaum. I want to go to Sea Harbor, go to the Canary Cove Artist Colony and meet the Seaside Knitters. It was a bit of a surprise to me when the villain was revealed.

Another fun cozy mystery to spend an afternoon with.

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Jul 28, 2011 Alaska rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. This series makes me want to move to the NE shore close to a nice yarn store and these delightful people. The plot in this one in most engaging. It is so human and the concern of the knitting folks is so normal.

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May 05, 2011 Laura Mancini rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh my, I didn't want this story to end!! The story was wonderful and so sad...all the while with the anticipation of the wedding it became magical. I want to be at one of the Endicott's gatherings.

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May 10, 2011 JoAnne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great continuation of the Seaside Knitters Mysteries series. Enjoy the characters. Always a twist in the plot to throw you off track of "who dunnit". Recommend the book and the series.

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May 06, 2013 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the storyline in this book with the men and the women working together to keep there lives sane, have a wedding and find the killer all at once.

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Jul 14, 2011 Shelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Almost identical to the last book in plot. Very sweet books, I won't be reading another one.

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Jan 11, 2013 Vera rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

A marvelous read. I love the idea of the shawl made by the bride's friends.

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Sep 21, 2012 Deb Sharp rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very sweet storyline, with lots of interesting characters.

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The Wedding Shawl (A Seaside Knitters Mystery #5)

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