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Sometimes life suddenly takes a spin…And sometimes it unravels.Josephina Thompson, Jo to her friends, enjoys a peaceful life in the quaint, cozy town of Flatstone, Michigan. Her days are spent caring for her herd of alpacas, managing her yarn shop, and keeping up-to-date on the latest news of the local social scene with her crocheting club. The serenity of her wonderfully bucolic lifestyle is dramatically interrupted, however, when her neighbor is accused of murder.Jo just can’t believe that the sweet elderly woman she has known her whole life would hurt so much as a fly, let alone a human being, so she decides to do some digging. Will she get tangled up in the investigation like a wayward ball of alpaca yarn?Find out in this endearing and entertaining Cozy Mystery!

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2021

147 people are currently reading
226 people want to read

About the author

Patti Benning

352 books219 followers
https://www.facebook.com/Patti-Bennin...

When Cozy Mystery author, Patti Benning, isn’t busy plotting the deaths of multiple fictitious characters, she loves to spend time hiking with her rescue dog, Max, who is her bestest writing buddy.

​Patti loves to cook and the food in her books has been tried and tested in her very own kitchen. She’s technologically shy, and stays away from social media a great deal, because it makes her feel more awkward and introverted than meeting someone face to face.

​Writing is the perfect job for her because in her books, she gets to explore all the topics she loves, food, animals, crafts and reading. She loves her readers dearly, and is thankful for the opportunity to share with them through her work.

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5 stars
322 (47%)
4 stars
212 (30%)
3 stars
109 (15%)
2 stars
32 (4%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,924 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2021
This is the first book in a series full of delightful characters. The series focuses on the owner of a small farm who raises alpacas and owns a yarn shop. In addition the protagonist spins yarn from alpaca wool as well as other animal hair. The mystery was well plotted. Based on the first book this will be a great series!

Jo is always busy with her alpacas, her yarn shop, and her other endeavors. But she's never too busy for her neighbor, a sweet older woman who bakes all kinds of delicious treats. When the neighbor is incriminated in the murder of her friend Jo is determined to prove her innocence.
Profile Image for Frieda Thompson.
396 reviews6 followers
Read
September 20, 2021
A new author for me

It seems I've added a new series to my list of cozies, & what makes this one special is the crochet theme! I've been crocheting for almost 60 years, so when I saw these on Kindle Unlimited I HAD to give them a try! I learned a bit about alpacas, too! Enough that I wish I were 40 years younger so I could start my own business from the ground up! I always WAS an "Earth Mother" type! The only negative I have, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars, is that this book was too short! Short, a bit predictable, yet enjoyable. I am looking forward to the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Tari.
3,658 reviews103 followers
August 3, 2021
I really loved the first book in this new mystery series by an author who's quickly become a favorite. I've read so many of her books, many of which are very short like this one, but I'm always able to get a good feel for the characters and most times not able to guess whodunit.

I got the why and the what happened, but I was wrong about the perp until obviously, the reveal. I just love Rose's character and how she saved the day! I can't wait to borrow the next one on KU when it comes out!
6,726 reviews5 followers
January 12, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Another will written murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller short story by Patti Benning (Homespun Crochet Cozy Mystery book one). Jo is working on her alpaca wool 🚜 farm her main source of income. She gets a call from Rose 🌹 her neighbor to check ✔ the house. She finds a dead body. Is it murder? Rose 🌹 goes to the hospital. She is visiting Rose 🌹 and a man 🚹 tries to poison both of them but Jo and Rose 🌹 capture him. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers looking for a quick read and readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2023 👒😤😇

Patti Benning is one ☝of my favorite authors when I am looking for quick reads. This is the fourth series very happy reading.
Profile Image for SKP.
1,222 reviews
August 28, 2025
4.5 rounded up and only knocked off 1/2 star because I guessed whodunnit as soon as the person was introduced, not to mention the motive. But I do intend to continue with this series because I like my cozy mysteries short and to the point, with good characters and the fact that yarn and crochet is involved is a huge plus. I started crocheting only a little over a year ago after I retired, and both reading and crocheting are currently at the top of my favorite hobbies. It promises to be a good series, although I do hope I don’t always guess whodunnit before the big reveal.
Profile Image for Sue Ellen.
1,006 reviews
March 20, 2023
This was a very pleasant but short read—so short, I'm not sure it even meets the minimum for a novella. It's more of a novelette. Due to the length, there was not much room for plot and character development, but the author managed to pull it off while providing a sense of setting. The compact plot meant to book moved straight forward without a lot of musing and rehashing and wasted unnecessary details. I like the idea of an alpaca farm and homespun yarn. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,583 reviews47 followers
July 28, 2021
Kindle Copy for Review

It is a charming new cozy series featuring alpacas a yarn store and a crocheting club.

Things in this peaceful town turns to murder when our heroine neighbor is accused of murder. It will be upto our heroine to save her neighbor’s reputation as she will find the real killer.

A fast paced story that will keep you glued.


174 reviews3 followers
September 9, 2021
Alpacas!

Who doesn't love a good book with adorable alpacas in it? Jo raises alpacas, makes yarn, a d sells it in her yarn store. She has her hands full trying to prove her sweet neighbor did not murder a friend with poisoned lemonade. Meanwhile her longstanding boyfriend breaks up with her and Jo's high school sweetheart, Nick, moves back into town.
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,377 reviews14 followers
September 25, 2021
This book was fun to read. I was so excited to find that the author had another series out after finishing the other series that I read. I liked it so much I wanted to continue reading books by this author. I had seen that television series also so I knew what was going on I just couldn’t figure out who was doing it.
43 reviews
April 19, 2022
Not to bad for a first book

This was the first book I had read by this author and it probably will not be the last. I enjoyed meeting the characters and seeing them develop. It could have been longer, however, and I had the guilty party figured out before the end. There were no glaring editing errors and continuity was good so it was easy to follow and a good, quick read.
491 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2021
An interesting beginning...

This novella is an interesting beginning to what could become a fun series. Combining alpaca raising and yarnshop ownership offers lots of opportunities, and the mention of crocheting is a definite plus. I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for Dawn.
570 reviews12 followers
July 31, 2021
I have always enjoyed this author’s books and I was happy to see this book come out. The characters are interesting and I would like to see them continue to develop. The plot is engaging and moves at a good pace. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Rena Nowacoski.
180 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2021
Great summer read

Great summer read
Interesting twist on a cozy mystery that starts with a breakup and a mysterious death. Alpacas and yarn provide comfort as the return of a high school friend hints at developing into romance. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for E.
1,883 reviews
August 22, 2021
Great start to a new series

Really enjoyed reading this first book in the series. Well written with relatable characters. Love the craft aspect to the backstory. I look forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,093 reviews11 followers
August 28, 2021
New Series!

This is a great start to a new series. I can't knit or crochet but after reading this I kind of want an alpaca! This is a quick, fun read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters.
139 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2021
Short and sweet

A quick read set in Michigan where the main character has a yarn shop and raises alpacas. A little bit of romance, a little bit of heart break, a couple newborns. Hopefully subsequent books in the series will be more detail oriented.
69 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2021
Great new read

This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline though short was very good. I will be reading the next book in this series!
166 reviews
October 30, 2021
I enjoyed every page of this book. It has characters that I can identify with. The settings are laid out beautifully and the animals are funny in their antics. I was thru the book before I realized it. I am already into the next in the series.
163 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2022
Very good cozy

This is a really good book. I loved the characters especially the alpacas. Patti tells You quite a bit about them which I enjoyed. The mystery was very good with a nice twist.
Profile Image for Tina Gagnon.
9 reviews
March 21, 2022
Very quick read

This book is like an appetizer, a quick little bit of what is to come. It took me about an hour to read - we meet the characters, solve a little murder and are left wanting more.
Profile Image for Brenda.
10 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2022
This was my first cozy mystery so I didn't know quite what to expect. The storyline was good, but the mystery part was over too quickly. Could have used a little more time to figure it out on pre own.
Profile Image for Kathie Johnson.
14 reviews
March 4, 2023
Nice story but . .

I really enjoyed the colorful background of the story with Jo's farming life but the plot was nearly non-existent. So much more could have been done with this book!
262 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2023
Great read!!!!!

I really really enjoyed this story. The small town setting with farmers and animals was a delight and the characters were people you want in your life. I am going to follow this author!
Profile Image for Pat Salvatini.
745 reviews12 followers
June 10, 2024
3.5 Stars. At 65 pages I would consider this a short story vs. a book. With a lack of pages there was a minimum amount of character development and the story felt a little flat. However it was a quick read and relatively enjoyable. Not the worst choice for our monthly book club read.
Profile Image for JANE VAN HORN.
2,107 reviews12 followers
July 31, 2021
Great start

This book is a great start to a new series by Patti Benning. It has great characters and a small town setting. I can't wait for the next book.
90 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2021
Interesting read

A little short but was well thought out and peppered with lots of interesting facts. Enjoyed the main character hope to see more
2 reviews
September 6, 2021
Review for A Yard Muder

It was a good read but I like a little more intrigue. Liked the ending and would have liked a bit more romance.
Profile Image for Diane J. Caldarulo.
66 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2021
A fast read with a surprise ending

Enjoyed this book, I hope rest of series will be just as good. Character development very well written. We will see
Profile Image for Joni.
659 reviews
October 17, 2021
this was good

I really enjoyed it. I liked the 🧶 crochet, the alpacas, and the spinning. This was well written and I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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