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The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall #1
The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall
A knitting shop in Cornwall—what could be more peaceful?
Turns out, just about anything!
When Boston-bred witch Jennifer Cunningham agrees to run a knitting and yarn shop in Tregrebi, a fishing village on the Cornwall coast in England, she worries she’ll be bored. Okay, she knows there are vampires living in a former tin mine, but she’s accustomed to vampires. They knit so fast that they make excellent customers and some of them are becoming good friends.
Fascinated by the magic and myths in Cornwall, Jennifer’s falling in love with her new home. However, when she’s exploring a rocky beach one morning, she discovers a dead body. The man appears to have fallen from the cliff, but did he really die by accident? Or was he murdered?
The more she discovers, the more Jennifer is convinced there’s a killer on the loose. And, with all the colorful characters she’s meeting, both living and undead, she’s pretty sure one of them is the murderer.
But which one? The all-too-attractive undead pirate? The vagrant artist with a mesmerizing talent? The fellow shop owner who’s a little too helpful?
Join Jennifer and her undead knitting club as they work to catch the killer—before they strike again—in this paranormal cozy mystery. The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall is a new series with some familiar characters from the Oxford-set Vampire Knitting Club series.
There’s no blood, gore or swearing, just good, clean murderous fun. Grab your copy today to join the club.
Turns out, just about anything!
When Boston-bred witch Jennifer Cunningham agrees to run a knitting and yarn shop in Tregrebi, a fishing village on the Cornwall coast in England, she worries she’ll be bored. Okay, she knows there are vampires living in a former tin mine, but she’s accustomed to vampires. They knit so fast that they make excellent customers and some of them are becoming good friends.
Fascinated by the magic and myths in Cornwall, Jennifer’s falling in love with her new home. However, when she’s exploring a rocky beach one morning, she discovers a dead body. The man appears to have fallen from the cliff, but did he really die by accident? Or was he murdered?
The more she discovers, the more Jennifer is convinced there’s a killer on the loose. And, with all the colorful characters she’s meeting, both living and undead, she’s pretty sure one of them is the murderer.
But which one? The all-too-attractive undead pirate? The vagrant artist with a mesmerizing talent? The fellow shop owner who’s a little too helpful?
Join Jennifer and her undead knitting club as they work to catch the killer—before they strike again—in this paranormal cozy mystery. The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall is a new series with some familiar characters from the Oxford-set Vampire Knitting Club series.
There’s no blood, gore or swearing, just good, clean murderous fun. Grab your copy today to join the club.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2022
374 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
360 books1,883 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
December 8, 2022
meh. Is that all there is? The story just started to get interesting when it ended. I feel like this protagonist is just Lucy 2.0. Nothing different. So....meh.
November 27, 2022
The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall is the first book in a new series by Nancy Warren.
If you have read The Vampire Knitting Club you will recognize some familiar names.
I absolutely LOVE The Vampire Knitting Club and was really excited for this new series.
Our main character is Jennifer who is doing a trial of running a knitting shop in Cornwall for three months with some vampire friends.
There is a murder and Jennifer, and her undead friends help her investigate.
I absolutely LOVED this book. The setting of Tregrebi, which is a fishing village on the coast in Cornwall, England is perfect for this mystery. The author describes the small town in a way in which I thought I was there.
The characters are well written, and I loved the familiar characters Agnes, Sylvia and Alfred. The new characters were equally as fantastic.
The mystery was so well written and kept me guessing all the way. When the killer was revealed, I was so surprised.
I really LOVED this book. This author has a way of writing a captivating mystery with unique characters and a wonderful setting.
Highly recommend this book!
If you have read The Vampire Knitting Club you will recognize some familiar names.
I absolutely LOVE The Vampire Knitting Club and was really excited for this new series.
Our main character is Jennifer who is doing a trial of running a knitting shop in Cornwall for three months with some vampire friends.
There is a murder and Jennifer, and her undead friends help her investigate.
I absolutely LOVED this book. The setting of Tregrebi, which is a fishing village on the coast in Cornwall, England is perfect for this mystery. The author describes the small town in a way in which I thought I was there.
The characters are well written, and I loved the familiar characters Agnes, Sylvia and Alfred. The new characters were equally as fantastic.
The mystery was so well written and kept me guessing all the way. When the killer was revealed, I was so surprised.
I really LOVED this book. This author has a way of writing a captivating mystery with unique characters and a wonderful setting.
Highly recommend this book!
May 26, 2023
That was it? That was the ending??? Boy do I feel robbed after going through the entire book? What happened Danielle, did you just quit in the book, found you just quit on us? Did you just quit on Cornwall, that was a really rushed to nothing needing. Sure see found out who the “killer” was but then … nothing. Otherwise the book was fine
September 13, 2023
I’m mainly here for the cat 😎
August 30, 2024
DNF at 14%
The main character is unbearable
Yes, we know you are American. No one cares.
She insists she does not need a servant --- the lady is a housekeeper, not a servant. Staff, employee, acceptable terms. Servant? No. Stop calling her a servant.
Then the audacity of saying (when Mrs Bittle asked her to use the kitchen entrance since she was filthy dirty) "she was supposed to use the SERVANT'S ENTRANCE? Wasn't SHE [the housekeeper] SUPPOSED TO BE THE SERVANT?"
AND THENNNNN when there's a knock at her door hopes it's the housekeeper (SERVANT) with tea and scones. Girl - make up your mind. Do you want someone waiting on your or not?
I gave up b/c she was so unlikeable.
The main character is unbearable
Yes, we know you are American. No one cares.
She insists she does not need a servant --- the lady is a housekeeper, not a servant. Staff, employee, acceptable terms. Servant? No. Stop calling her a servant.
Then the audacity of saying (when Mrs Bittle asked her to use the kitchen entrance since she was filthy dirty) "she was supposed to use the SERVANT'S ENTRANCE? Wasn't SHE [the housekeeper] SUPPOSED TO BE THE SERVANT?"
AND THENNNNN when there's a knock at her door hopes it's the housekeeper (SERVANT) with tea and scones. Girl - make up your mind. Do you want someone waiting on your or not?
I gave up b/c she was so unlikeable.
December 5, 2022
Another Great Series by Nancy Warren
Nancy Warren excels at creating paranormal cozy mysteries, and this new series set in Cornwall is an excellent example. If you love friendly vampires and pirates, this series is for you!
Nancy Warren excels at creating paranormal cozy mysteries, and this new series set in Cornwall is an excellent example. If you love friendly vampires and pirates, this series is for you!
July 16, 2023
1.5 rounded up
Well never did I think I would be reviewing a book about witches and the undead/vampires who seem very prevalent in this Cornish Village. But a good friend said they were fun and I have to admit this kind of was - I think! There is no sophistication here, no great writing or character development. This book fits within that cozy crime genre, albeit with a bit of a twist, meandering along, somewhat repetitious, and with no clues or red herrings just a rapid and somewhat unbelievable reveal that comes out of nowhere in the final half dozen pages.
I am not sure if this is the same book my friend read as it seems there are a number of them and further research indicates this is a spin off series. Would I read more? I think I would need to consider the first book in the original series, and I am not sure I can suspend belief a second time, but between heavy tomes and as background while otherwise occupied with mundane tasks this made me smile.
Well never did I think I would be reviewing a book about witches and the undead/vampires who seem very prevalent in this Cornish Village. But a good friend said they were fun and I have to admit this kind of was - I think! There is no sophistication here, no great writing or character development. This book fits within that cozy crime genre, albeit with a bit of a twist, meandering along, somewhat repetitious, and with no clues or red herrings just a rapid and somewhat unbelievable reveal that comes out of nowhere in the final half dozen pages.
I am not sure if this is the same book my friend read as it seems there are a number of them and further research indicates this is a spin off series. Would I read more? I think I would need to consider the first book in the original series, and I am not sure I can suspend belief a second time, but between heavy tomes and as background while otherwise occupied with mundane tasks this made me smile.
August 10, 2023
The ultimate crossover of characters and series! The Vampire Knitting Club series is expanding from Oxford to Cornwall. Lucy's best friend Jennifer has come from Boston and is going to help Lucy's grandmother get set up in Cornwall and get a new knitting shop up and running. I love a good crossover and this one is top notch. We have tons of new characters, but we also have appearances from many well-known characters from the other witch series that this author writes. I do recommend reading the Vampire Knitting Club series from the beginning as that will add loads of entertainment as well as backstory to your experience with this book, but it isn't required. This book has a completely different feel to the narration as we have a different main character, but I must say that the narration on this book is quite good as well if you like to listen to audiobooks rather than read. I am so excited for the next book set in Cornwall so we can see how thing progress for Jennifer!
February 27, 2024
This mystery felt a bit thrown together for me. There didn't seem to be any way for the reader to figure it out, and I don't really buy the killer at all.
I was hoping Jennifer would be less judgmental than Lucy, but no, we still have a rundown of the age, wardrobe choices, and receding hairlines of everyone the main character glances at.
Also, Lucy is odd now. She arrives on the scene, of course, but doesn't sound like herself. Now she's all "You got this" and "Blessed be." Weird.
All this to say, I did enjoy the setting and that Jennifer can both knit and do magic. There's none of the damsel in distress, oh-woe-is-me stuff that was wearing me down in the other series. Jennifer seems much stronger, and more intelligent. But, as always, the male vampire was the most interesting character by far.
I was hoping Jennifer would be less judgmental than Lucy, but no, we still have a rundown of the age, wardrobe choices, and receding hairlines of everyone the main character glances at.
Also, Lucy is odd now. She arrives on the scene, of course, but doesn't sound like herself. Now she's all "You got this" and "Blessed be." Weird.
All this to say, I did enjoy the setting and that Jennifer can both knit and do magic. There's none of the damsel in distress, oh-woe-is-me stuff that was wearing me down in the other series. Jennifer seems much stronger, and more intelligent. But, as always, the male vampire was the most interesting character by far.
November 28, 2022
Who Killed Daniel and Why ? . . .
Witch Jennifer Cunningham arrives in Cornwall where her best friend Lucy Swift lives. Jennifer has made a number of vampire friends, so she agrees to help run a knitting and yarn shop in Cornwall for three months to see how it works out. Her best friend’s grandmother Agnes Bartlett is terrific at running the shop, but being a vampire, Agnes needs to sleep in the day. With Jennifer managing the day shift, everyone is happy.
Jennifer loves being here in Cornwall until she comes across the dead body of a young man on the beach, who is later identified as 20-year-old Daniel Rutherford. At first glance, it could be assumed that he may have fallen off the cliff above. Or maybe he was pushed? Jennifer decides this was a murder and she and her undead knitting club buddies decide to investigate to find the murderer before someone else dies.
The characters the reader meets are wonderful! The story line is well-written and perfectly paced. Grab your copy and see whether Jennifer can follow the clues to find who killed Daniel.
Witch Jennifer Cunningham arrives in Cornwall where her best friend Lucy Swift lives. Jennifer has made a number of vampire friends, so she agrees to help run a knitting and yarn shop in Cornwall for three months to see how it works out. Her best friend’s grandmother Agnes Bartlett is terrific at running the shop, but being a vampire, Agnes needs to sleep in the day. With Jennifer managing the day shift, everyone is happy.
Jennifer loves being here in Cornwall until she comes across the dead body of a young man on the beach, who is later identified as 20-year-old Daniel Rutherford. At first glance, it could be assumed that he may have fallen off the cliff above. Or maybe he was pushed? Jennifer decides this was a murder and she and her undead knitting club buddies decide to investigate to find the murderer before someone else dies.
The characters the reader meets are wonderful! The story line is well-written and perfectly paced. Grab your copy and see whether Jennifer can follow the clues to find who killed Daniel.
September 17, 2023
3.5 star listen,
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Glad to see peaks of Lucy and Rafe, grandma and her friends.
I’ll continue this series as it comes to audio it’s good.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Glad to see peaks of Lucy and Rafe, grandma and her friends.
I’ll continue this series as it comes to audio it’s good.
April 27, 2024
It’s cute.
January 9, 2023
Vampire knitting club Cromwell
Love the new series wish I did have to wait to read book 2, another great read Miss Nancy I've enjoyed each book I've read. Thank you thank you.
Love the new series wish I did have to wait to read book 2, another great read Miss Nancy I've enjoyed each book I've read. Thank you thank you.
August 23, 2023
Soooo.....I going to need book 2. I also need a book 5 of the vampire book club. Yes I'm back on my Warren kick. The cover says book one so I am expecting a book 2. Hopefully.
February 8, 2024
Pros:
There is a very lovely mix of familiar faces from the original series and new characters we are just meeting.
Cons:
Something really changed either in Nancy Warren’s writing/memory/editing or I am just reading this so close together I am noticing the discrepancies. Jen knows vampires don’t need an invite to get in especially into a building that isn’t just a personal home her worry about the knitting club there is so out of character. There is more but I’m rather glad this hasn’t continued on yet because hopefully it means the author is really plotting things out, making character boards, editing her work.
There is a very lovely mix of familiar faces from the original series and new characters we are just meeting.
Cons:
Something really changed either in Nancy Warren’s writing/memory/editing or I am just reading this so close together I am noticing the discrepancies. Jen knows vampires don’t need an invite to get in especially into a building that isn’t just a personal home her worry about the knitting club there is so out of character. There is more but I’m rather glad this hasn’t continued on yet because hopefully it means the author is really plotting things out, making character boards, editing her work.
November 30, 2022
The spin off we all have been waiting for!
After Lucy’s wedding to Raffe, her best friend Jennifer agrees a 3 month trial to open a knitting shop along with Lucy’s grandmother Agnes and Sylvia in a small town in Cornwall. This first book in this brand new awesome spin off series, is about Jennifer finding her way in a new town with new people and the start up of her new knitting shop. Of course there are a few new vampires, some new witches and the possibility to build new friendships, but as always this new cosy mystery comes with a murder! A murder of which Jennifer finds the body one early morning on a walk.
And this wouldn’t be a Vampire Knitting Club if other wise, and so Jennifer gets the help of one new handsome Vampire along with some already well know Vampires and her best friend Lucy. The questions here are: Will Jennifer manage to open in time her shop and find a name for her new shop? Will she find peace in Raffe’s huge mansion she’s invited to stay for a while which comes with a not so friendly housekeeper who treats her more as a nuisance then a lovely guest? And will she solve the mystery in time that bounds more than one story and person together? You’ll have to read to find out!!
This absolutely delightful new spin off promises a great debut for Jennifer, who apparently comes with her own mystery, the mystery of why she can’t return to the States. And the question of who she will find love with, will also probably play in this new series! Because Lucy had a vision of Jennifer and saw her in a future with a family, a vision that Lucy had in the previous original Vampire Knitting Club series. So that is also something to look forward to!
I am very grateful to Nancy Warren that she continues the Vampire Knitting adventure trough this new awesome spin off. I truly loved Jennifer’s first book and can’t wait to read many more adventures of her and the rest of the old and new gang! As always a delightful and captivating read!
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
After Lucy’s wedding to Raffe, her best friend Jennifer agrees a 3 month trial to open a knitting shop along with Lucy’s grandmother Agnes and Sylvia in a small town in Cornwall. This first book in this brand new awesome spin off series, is about Jennifer finding her way in a new town with new people and the start up of her new knitting shop. Of course there are a few new vampires, some new witches and the possibility to build new friendships, but as always this new cosy mystery comes with a murder! A murder of which Jennifer finds the body one early morning on a walk.
And this wouldn’t be a Vampire Knitting Club if other wise, and so Jennifer gets the help of one new handsome Vampire along with some already well know Vampires and her best friend Lucy. The questions here are: Will Jennifer manage to open in time her shop and find a name for her new shop? Will she find peace in Raffe’s huge mansion she’s invited to stay for a while which comes with a not so friendly housekeeper who treats her more as a nuisance then a lovely guest? And will she solve the mystery in time that bounds more than one story and person together? You’ll have to read to find out!!
This absolutely delightful new spin off promises a great debut for Jennifer, who apparently comes with her own mystery, the mystery of why she can’t return to the States. And the question of who she will find love with, will also probably play in this new series! Because Lucy had a vision of Jennifer and saw her in a future with a family, a vision that Lucy had in the previous original Vampire Knitting Club series. So that is also something to look forward to!
I am very grateful to Nancy Warren that she continues the Vampire Knitting adventure trough this new awesome spin off. I truly loved Jennifer’s first book and can’t wait to read many more adventures of her and the rest of the old and new gang! As always a delightful and captivating read!
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
September 3, 2023
Cozy mystery supernatural knitting? Sign me up! A friend of ours found this book and so a few of us embarked on reading it (though mine took forever to come in from the library!). I definitely liked the idea, a witch opening a knitting store with the help of her vampire friends, but the execution just made it a bit so so. It’s definitely a cozy, a very easy read that passes by quickly, but that speed was to its own detriment. I found that it jumped around a ton, and while the ending was relatively predictable, I found myself wondering how we got there. This is actually a book that I think should be a bit longer, to flesh out all the storylines. And I also felt like there was a bunch of lore that I didn’t know, despite this technically being the first in this series? Overall, I will definitely read another one from the main series, but I was not a fan of this one — just fine.
The reader was fine! I think I’ve heard her for other books as well.
The reader was fine! I think I’ve heard her for other books as well.
November 24, 2025
Warren’s paranormal cosy mysteries are fun to read - ideal for when you want a palate cleanser between heavier reads. I’ve worked my way through her original Vampire Knitting Club Series, The Great Witches Baking Show, and am currently enjoying her Vampire Book Club series.
This new series feels like a cheap knock-off riding on the coat-tails of the original Knitting Club series. It’s all very well to have a formula, but there has to be some substance behind it. Some of the characters have potential, but they need developing. The denouement was trotted out before any real mystery solving happened.
I’m not sure if I’ll continue with this particular series, but I’m looking forward to trying her Village Flower Shop series.
This new series feels like a cheap knock-off riding on the coat-tails of the original Knitting Club series. It’s all very well to have a formula, but there has to be some substance behind it. Some of the characters have potential, but they need developing. The denouement was trotted out before any real mystery solving happened.
I’m not sure if I’ll continue with this particular series, but I’m looking forward to trying her Village Flower Shop series.
January 7, 2023
Cornwall
I must admit that when I felt the Knitting Club was over I was so disappointed, I had fallen in love with the stories and characters! With the promise of a new story (I thought series) the thought of Cornwall was very exciting! Where as the story was a good one I didn't feel like I got to know the area or characters well enough to rate this book any higher than 3 stars. Now, if another book were to come along with Cornwall as the main area I will be thrilled to read it!
I must admit that when I felt the Knitting Club was over I was so disappointed, I had fallen in love with the stories and characters! With the promise of a new story (I thought series) the thought of Cornwall was very exciting! Where as the story was a good one I didn't feel like I got to know the area or characters well enough to rate this book any higher than 3 stars. Now, if another book were to come along with Cornwall as the main area I will be thrilled to read it!
July 26, 2023
I really like Griffin and Andrew, and hope to see much more of them. It was cozy and familiar but honestly not a lot to sink your teeth into. It felt a bit less meaty than the original vkc's. Still atmospheric and familiar, but I found myself wanting more. When I started to get to the exciting stuff I was shocked to see only 30 minutes listening left on the audiobook! Took to long to get good. More Griffin and Andrew though, please!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
This one was a dud. Chapters seemed to end whenever the author decided to take a coffee break. Characters were boring. Rich and tech-savvy vampires served as deus-ex-machina, and the mystery was just kind of...there.
The original series was charming; this one was difficult to pick back up after putting it down. It also didn't help that Sarah Zimmerman isn't the narrator this time around.
The original series was charming; this one was difficult to pick back up after putting it down. It also didn't help that Sarah Zimmerman isn't the narrator this time around.
November 30, 2022
THE VAMPIRE KNITTING CLUB - CORNWALL is a standalone read with a great ending. This is a cozy mystery so there is no happy ending, just an ending to this episode. There is always a victim but not one we get real upset over. This is the beginning of a great new series. Jennifer, Lucy's best friend from the states, has agreed to accompany Lucy's grandmother to a small fishing village, Tregrebi, to open a new knitting store. Lucy will remain in Oxford at the original store. Agnes, Lucy's gran, was turned right before she passed so she now lives among the undead. Everyone agreed she needed to leave Oxford before one of her previous customers or acquaintances spots her and caused a scene since they had a funeral for her. Jennifer will set-up and run the bookstore for 3 months to be sure it is something she wants to do.
They found the perfect cottage and leased it to begin work on getting a shop ready to open. The cottage has been closed down for decades so it is quite dusty and needs work. The cottage seems to have a personality of its own. There is a hissing, spitting cat that seems to live there although Jennifer is having a hard time figuring how it gets inside. Then early one morning a man that looks a lot like and dress like Jack Sparrow seems to come up through the floor. Things are getting very confusing and Jennifer is wondering about her choices. Oh, Jennifer is a witch.
Things seem to be going forward on a positive note as Jennifer makes friends of the other shop owners and finds help cleaning and setting up the shop. And of course, she also finds a body one morning as she is walking along the beach. It is the body of a young man in his early 20's. It can't be an accident as his head has been bashed in from the back. Jennifer has noticed the young man in the village with 2 of his friends, a girl and a boy. She feels she needs to help find his killer as he deserves justice.
This story has a lot of twist and turns and a lot of characters play a part in suspects. It is a really good start to a new series. I found it to be very entertaining and informative. There are lots of secrets and mysteries set up around the village. I definitely recommend this first installment.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 11/30/2022
They found the perfect cottage and leased it to begin work on getting a shop ready to open. The cottage has been closed down for decades so it is quite dusty and needs work. The cottage seems to have a personality of its own. There is a hissing, spitting cat that seems to live there although Jennifer is having a hard time figuring how it gets inside. Then early one morning a man that looks a lot like and dress like Jack Sparrow seems to come up through the floor. Things are getting very confusing and Jennifer is wondering about her choices. Oh, Jennifer is a witch.
Things seem to be going forward on a positive note as Jennifer makes friends of the other shop owners and finds help cleaning and setting up the shop. And of course, she also finds a body one morning as she is walking along the beach. It is the body of a young man in his early 20's. It can't be an accident as his head has been bashed in from the back. Jennifer has noticed the young man in the village with 2 of his friends, a girl and a boy. She feels she needs to help find his killer as he deserves justice.
This story has a lot of twist and turns and a lot of characters play a part in suspects. It is a really good start to a new series. I found it to be very entertaining and informative. There are lots of secrets and mysteries set up around the village. I definitely recommend this first installment.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 11/30/2022
September 17, 2023
I have absolutely loved the Vampire Knitting Club series. They blend great characters, fun humour and increasingly brain stretching puzzles to make them top entertainment. When I saw that there was going to be a spin-off following Jennifer in Cornwall (my old stomping grounds) I was over the moon. Now I've read it, I have thoughts.
Pros:
• Excellent setting! I don't just mean that the Cornish landscape is great (it is), but the fictional village and surroundings are already the most interesting of all of Nancy Warren's witchy books - there are so many places and features that she has barely touched on and I can't wait to find out more.
• Excellent characters! There were quite a range of characters introduced in this little book, and so many of them struck me as being really fascinating, I want to spend more time with them and get to know them better.
• Actually about Cornwall OK this is a brighter, almost Studio Ghibli version of Cornwall, but Nancy Warren has clearly spent some time there and appreciated a real pasty (not the spawn of Cthulhu that goes by the name of Ginsters). I did catch a Cornish character talking about "going to the end of the block" a phrase I don't think any West Country soul would ever utter, but that's a minor detail.
Cons:
• Well...just the one "Con", but it is significant. I felt that the ending was very rushed. I honestly felt that the author had spent the book carefully and gently weaving a beautiful landscape and threading in an intriguing mystery, and then realised that she had to hand it in tomorrow. (minor spoiler: ). Now, Nancy Warren is a really good writer and even though it was rushed it still gave me that warm glow that I get with her books, I still enjoyed it. I was just really surprised that it was suddenly over, I felt a bit like those cartoon characters that run over a cliff and hover there for a moment before they realise that they've run out of ground.
Overall:
An absolutely great start to a new series (I hope), with a rushed ending, but I can't wait to read more!
Pros:
• Excellent setting! I don't just mean that the Cornish landscape is great (it is), but the fictional village and surroundings are already the most interesting of all of Nancy Warren's witchy books - there are so many places and features that she has barely touched on and I can't wait to find out more.
• Excellent characters! There were quite a range of characters introduced in this little book, and so many of them struck me as being really fascinating, I want to spend more time with them and get to know them better.
• Actually about Cornwall OK this is a brighter, almost Studio Ghibli version of Cornwall, but Nancy Warren has clearly spent some time there and appreciated a real pasty (not the spawn of Cthulhu that goes by the name of Ginsters). I did catch a Cornish character talking about "going to the end of the block" a phrase I don't think any West Country soul would ever utter, but that's a minor detail.
Cons:
• Well...just the one "Con", but it is significant. I felt that the ending was very rushed. I honestly felt that the author had spent the book carefully and gently weaving a beautiful landscape and threading in an intriguing mystery, and then realised that she had to hand it in tomorrow. (minor spoiler: ). Now, Nancy Warren is a really good writer and even though it was rushed it still gave me that warm glow that I get with her books, I still enjoyed it. I was just really surprised that it was suddenly over, I felt a bit like those cartoon characters that run over a cliff and hover there for a moment before they realise that they've run out of ground.
Overall:
An absolutely great start to a new series (I hope), with a rushed ending, but I can't wait to read more!
November 30, 2022
Vampire Knitting Club heads to Cornwall.
Lucy married Rafe and just when you think our Vampire Knitting Club has concluded, Ms. Warren serves us up with a new series in Cornwall.
Lucy’s BFF from the states Jennifer Cunningham’s story is just starting. She has agreed to head to the small quaint town of Tregrebi, a fishing village on the Cornwall coast of England and open a knitting shop with Lucy’s undead grandmother, Agnes. Jennifer has reasons not to return to go back to Boston (a mystery still to unfold) and agrees to Lucy and Rafe’s proposal to open a shop and get it running with the help of Lucy’s grandmother and her silver screen friend Sylvia.
While getting the shoppe set up and ready to open, Jennifer is trying to get settled into the quaint little town and fears that she will be bored with life at a slower pace. However, that is not the case and a nice quiet walk on a beach leads her to find a young man dead on the beach. A crying young woman. A swashbuckling vampire from the past and an odd couple for a local Lord and Lady.
Can you solve the mystery before the end of the book? I thought I had it figured out but Ms. Warren continues to keep it fresh and entertaining.
As noted in the summary / no blood (other than dead body which had no blood per the swashbuckling vamp’s opinion) / no gore / no swearing. Just a mystery that involves a murder to be solved.
Lucy married Rafe and just when you think our Vampire Knitting Club has concluded, Ms. Warren serves us up with a new series in Cornwall.
Lucy’s BFF from the states Jennifer Cunningham’s story is just starting. She has agreed to head to the small quaint town of Tregrebi, a fishing village on the Cornwall coast of England and open a knitting shop with Lucy’s undead grandmother, Agnes. Jennifer has reasons not to return to go back to Boston (a mystery still to unfold) and agrees to Lucy and Rafe’s proposal to open a shop and get it running with the help of Lucy’s grandmother and her silver screen friend Sylvia.
While getting the shoppe set up and ready to open, Jennifer is trying to get settled into the quaint little town and fears that she will be bored with life at a slower pace. However, that is not the case and a nice quiet walk on a beach leads her to find a young man dead on the beach. A crying young woman. A swashbuckling vampire from the past and an odd couple for a local Lord and Lady.
Can you solve the mystery before the end of the book? I thought I had it figured out but Ms. Warren continues to keep it fresh and entertaining.
As noted in the summary / no blood (other than dead body which had no blood per the swashbuckling vamp’s opinion) / no gore / no swearing. Just a mystery that involves a murder to be solved.
December 16, 2024
I was looking forward to reading this as I love the VKC series, but found this book a bit of a disappointment.
The real star is the location, and Warren’s descriptions really brought this beautiful part of the world to life with her writing.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stand the main character. She comes across as bland, annoying, and has no real personality. The constant reminders that she is American (yes- we get it!) and the coffee references are simply annoying, especially as I personally find coffee in the USA to be be pretty tasteless in general, but that’s an aside.
Otherwise, the storyline does a good job of introducing new characters to the series, it was a shame Agnes and Sylvia had such small roles, though understandable as there are so many new people to focus on. Gryffyn and Andrew seem like they could be excellent side characters as the series progresses, and I have a feeling Ewan could be important too.
Nice to see Lucy and Rafe make an appearance, but Lucy does seem very different to her usual character with the ‘blessed be’s’. I struggle to comprehend why Jennifer wouldn’t have the ‘owner’s quarters’ in the manor as she’s living there whilst the actual owners will just visit, and never cook for themselves anyway.
The murder plot appeared shoved in to keep it in the cosy mystery genre, but it did keep the storyline chugging along, and these are expected to be somewhat far fetched- so I quite enjoyed this aspect, and the red herrings that were thrown in.
The real star is the location, and Warren’s descriptions really brought this beautiful part of the world to life with her writing.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stand the main character. She comes across as bland, annoying, and has no real personality. The constant reminders that she is American (yes- we get it!) and the coffee references are simply annoying, especially as I personally find coffee in the USA to be be pretty tasteless in general, but that’s an aside.
Otherwise, the storyline does a good job of introducing new characters to the series, it was a shame Agnes and Sylvia had such small roles, though understandable as there are so many new people to focus on. Gryffyn and Andrew seem like they could be excellent side characters as the series progresses, and I have a feeling Ewan could be important too.
Nice to see Lucy and Rafe make an appearance, but Lucy does seem very different to her usual character with the ‘blessed be’s’. I struggle to comprehend why Jennifer wouldn’t have the ‘owner’s quarters’ in the manor as she’s living there whilst the actual owners will just visit, and never cook for themselves anyway.
The murder plot appeared shoved in to keep it in the cosy mystery genre, but it did keep the storyline chugging along, and these are expected to be somewhat far fetched- so I quite enjoyed this aspect, and the red herrings that were thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
Good
We transition from Lucy and Rafe in Oxford, to Jen and her new contacts in Cornwall, in this first book in the Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall series.
It can be read as a standalone, since there is a quick recap of much of what happened in the last book of the original series, but it is much better to have read the other series first!
Jen is making a new start, after a mysterious event drove her away from her home in Boston Massachusetts, and to England where her best friend lives. There she is planning on opening a new knitting shop in a Cornish knitting village: a place where the local vampires as well as the local witches and mortals can all shop for their knitwear needs.
She’s barely been there a day when she runs across a dead body, a young man who has been murdered- only no one knows who he is or why he was killed.
But then, Jen is with some vampires who have made it a favourite hobby of theirs to investigate murders…
We have a whole new cast of characters in this series, and some attractive new faces. The main mystery is solved and complete, but there are some intriguing loose ends about Jen and her new friends that are just begging for answers!
A fun read for this spin off series, that fans of the original series and of cosy paranormal mysteries will enjoy.
We transition from Lucy and Rafe in Oxford, to Jen and her new contacts in Cornwall, in this first book in the Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall series.
It can be read as a standalone, since there is a quick recap of much of what happened in the last book of the original series, but it is much better to have read the other series first!
Jen is making a new start, after a mysterious event drove her away from her home in Boston Massachusetts, and to England where her best friend lives. There she is planning on opening a new knitting shop in a Cornish knitting village: a place where the local vampires as well as the local witches and mortals can all shop for their knitwear needs.
She’s barely been there a day when she runs across a dead body, a young man who has been murdered- only no one knows who he is or why he was killed.
But then, Jen is with some vampires who have made it a favourite hobby of theirs to investigate murders…
We have a whole new cast of characters in this series, and some attractive new faces. The main mystery is solved and complete, but there are some intriguing loose ends about Jen and her new friends that are just begging for answers!
A fun read for this spin off series, that fans of the original series and of cosy paranormal mysteries will enjoy.
January 16, 2025
I started this while at the Bton Hosp Infusion Center for the Growth Hormone Stim Test. I kind of slept thru the first 2h05 of the audiobook? I was awake *intermittently.* Am going to try picking it up at 2h05 to find out how much I remember and will plan to restart if I'm totally lost.
2h37:15 - "A cold feeling began to form in my belly, a place where I find truth often starts."
2:38:15 - "The cold feeling in my belly spread to my chest."
UPDATE: finished b4 bed. Nothing special. V formulaic. Applying the same formula and same shortcuts the writer started using in the Oxford stories but to a different setting and to *slightly* different characters was enough to hold my interest in the story... Also the hope that it might get good again (nope). I guess somewhere in the other series Lucee and Rafe get married? ::shrug:: I'm curious what Jennifer was running from - what happened in Boston that means she can't go back?? Curious b/c is it truly as awful as she says? So often the *catastrophe* these characters (not just in this series but also in cozy mysteries more generally) are fairly mild. To me, at least. That might be more a comment on my "normal" than anything else, tho. No need to continue listening to any of the Vampire Knitting books, unfortunately :( :( :(
2h37:15 - "A cold feeling began to form in my belly, a place where I find truth often starts."
2:38:15 - "The cold feeling in my belly spread to my chest."
UPDATE: finished b4 bed. Nothing special. V formulaic. Applying the same formula and same shortcuts the writer started using in the Oxford stories but to a different setting and to *slightly* different characters was enough to hold my interest in the story... Also the hope that it might get good again (nope). I guess somewhere in the other series Lucee and Rafe get married? ::shrug:: I'm curious what Jennifer was running from - what happened in Boston that means she can't go back?? Curious b/c is it truly as awful as she says? So often the *catastrophe* these characters (not just in this series but also in cozy mysteries more generally) are fairly mild. To me, at least. That might be more a comment on my "normal" than anything else, tho. No need to continue listening to any of the Vampire Knitting books, unfortunately :( :( :(
December 3, 2022
This is a great beginning to what I am sure is going to be a fun series! Jennifer Cunningham, American witch and best friend of Lucy (who recently married her vampire boyfriend, Rafe), is moving to Cornwall to open a knitting shop. Backed by Lucy and Rafe, the shop is mainly a front for Lucy's grandmother, Agnes, who needs to leave Oxford before she is discovered to be a vampire!
Jennifer is busy trying to get the new shop open when she discovers a dead body (of course). She and her new undead friends set out to discover the truth of his death, just like the old Oxford crew. There is plenty of magic, a few familiars and new witchy friends, and the usual elements found in a good cozy mystery.
If you have read the Vampire Knitting Club books, this is a great spinoff which has some of the familiar characters from that series. But, there are some great new characters introduced as well. I especially enjoyed meeting the vampires of Cornwall and I'm sure that they will be involved in many more adventures in future books.
If you enjoy reading a good cozy mystery with great characters and a bit of supernatural fun, give this one a go.
Jennifer is busy trying to get the new shop open when she discovers a dead body (of course). She and her new undead friends set out to discover the truth of his death, just like the old Oxford crew. There is plenty of magic, a few familiars and new witchy friends, and the usual elements found in a good cozy mystery.
If you have read the Vampire Knitting Club books, this is a great spinoff which has some of the familiar characters from that series. But, there are some great new characters introduced as well. I especially enjoyed meeting the vampires of Cornwall and I'm sure that they will be involved in many more adventures in future books.
If you enjoy reading a good cozy mystery with great characters and a bit of supernatural fun, give this one a go.
November 30, 2022
“But it’s amazing how knitting is a metaphor for families. The threads that intertwine, the odd dropped stitch…”
From an old favorite comes a new skein as Jennifer,Agnes, Sylvia and Andrew move to Cornwall and open a yarn shop; Jen having agreed to open a "franchise" of Cardinal Wolsey's to keep Agnes busy and away from her old shop.
And, after being less than greeted by the housekeeper Mrs. Biddle, Jennifer feels like she's really not respected and is wondering if she's made a good choice, especially when she stumbles onto a dead body with no i.d.
Between a new bunch of vampires and the village's colorful "day walkers", Jennifer has her work cut out for her. Witches, an itinerant artist, the Lord and Lady of the manor house up the road and a cat who seems to have chosen Jen as her familiar I am happy to have a new sleuth/ manager of The Scallop Shell to pick up the slack. Thank you again Nancy Warren for your imagination and research. Highly Recommended 5/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
From an old favorite comes a new skein as Jennifer,Agnes, Sylvia and Andrew move to Cornwall and open a yarn shop; Jen having agreed to open a "franchise" of Cardinal Wolsey's to keep Agnes busy and away from her old shop.
And, after being less than greeted by the housekeeper Mrs. Biddle, Jennifer feels like she's really not respected and is wondering if she's made a good choice, especially when she stumbles onto a dead body with no i.d.
Between a new bunch of vampires and the village's colorful "day walkers", Jennifer has her work cut out for her. Witches, an itinerant artist, the Lord and Lady of the manor house up the road and a cat who seems to have chosen Jen as her familiar I am happy to have a new sleuth/ manager of The Scallop Shell to pick up the slack. Thank you again Nancy Warren for your imagination and research. Highly Recommended 5/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
December 1, 2022
The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall: Cozy Mystery Series Book 1 by Nancy Warren is a spin-off series that hits the enjoyable spot in the paranormal cozy mystery arena. Lucy and Rafe from the first series are now married. Lucy calls on her American best friend to come open another knitting and yarn shop. Jennifer Cunningham is just as likable as Lucy. Her adjustment to England specifically the Cornwall coast is not quite as easy as Lucy had. Still Lucy’s grandmother has come along.
Jennifer has hardly settled into the new location when she finds a dead body. The hunt is on to find the real culprit, not just who could be blamed. The living and the undead are on the case with her. A wonderful non-gory or bad language mystery. Perhaps there is a romantic interest in the future for Jennifer if she stays in Cornwall. Who knows. This first book is a lovely introduction to what could be a long run enjoyable series.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jennifer has hardly settled into the new location when she finds a dead body. The hunt is on to find the real culprit, not just who could be blamed. The living and the undead are on the case with her. A wonderful non-gory or bad language mystery. Perhaps there is a romantic interest in the future for Jennifer if she stays in Cornwall. Who knows. This first book is a lovely introduction to what could be a long run enjoyable series.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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