Die in the Wool

Die in the Wool by Katherine Hayton, 2019, A Knitty Kitty Cozy Mystery

This story is a good example of a cozy mystery with Tash Mallory, 39, working for grumpy Auntie Fran who owns The Tall Yarn store. Fran fires Tash for getting an order wrong even though Fran made the error. She returns the next day to get back her job and finds Fran dead in the shop with her kitten, Tangle.

Most cozy stories have a cat or animal in them, and Tangle is cute enough to steal several scenes. Fran is the typical victim. Others didn’t like her although she had some admirable traits. Her death is initially ruled a heart attack, and Tash is surprised to be named new owner of the store and adjoining house while Fran’s nephew receives everything else. He plans to contest the will.

Tash is poisoned while mixing a dye, and Fran’s heart attack becomes a murder. Her best friend makes a list of suspects, which is common in a cozy. Every amateur detective needs a best friend to discuss the crime and share trouble.

Tash also uncovers old secrets that may have been motives for Fran’s death. The police don’t appear to be doing enough, another staple for a cozy, and Tash gets into trouble trying to solve the murder. The amateur sleuth must aggravate the police who in turn give her a hard time and tell her to let them solve the crime even if she is a suspect.

When writing a story, study the genre you enjoy and want to write about. Every genre has elements that need to be included to satisfy a fan. Also, cozy stories tend to have fun titles and covers like this one.

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