The Vampire Knitting Club
by Nancy Warren
Summary
Vampires who knit
A troublemaking witch
Who killed Granny — and is she really dead?
At a crossroads between a cringe-worthy past (Todd the Toad) and an uncertain future (she’s not exactly homeless, but it’s close), Lucy Swift travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother. With Gran’s undying love to count on and Cardinal Woolsey’s, Gran’s knitting shop, to keep her busy, Lucy can catch her breath and figure out what she’s going to do.
Except it turns out that Gran is the undying. Or at least, the undead. But there’s a death certificate. And a will, leaving the knitting shop to Lucy. And a lot of people going in and out who never use the door—including Gran, who is just as loving as ever, and prone to knitting sweaters at warp speed, late at night. What exactly is going on?
When Lucy discovers that Gran did not die peacefully in her sleep, but was murdered, she has to bring the killer to justice without tipping off the law that there’s no body in the grave. Between a hot 600-year-old vampire and a dishy detective inspector, both of whom always seem to be there for her, Lucy finds her life getting more complicated than a triple cable cardigan.
The only one who seems to know what’s going on is her cat … or is it … her familiar?
My Review
I was craving a cozy mystery with a touch of the supernatural, and this book delivered exactly what I hoped for. It matched my reading mood perfectly. This was my first time reading this author, and I really enjoyed the lighthearted tone, playful magic, and a mystery that kept me guessing from start to finish.
Lucy Swift heads to England for an extended visit with her grandmother, hoping the trip will help her sort out her direction in life. Instead, she steps right into a shock. Her grandmother is dead… in a manner of speaking… and has left Lucy her knitting shop with one request: take it over. Determined to uncover what truly happened, Lucy begins digging into the past and ends up learning quite a bit about herself along the way.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a wonderful job. Her performance brought each character to life and added even more charm to the story. The entire experience was pure fun. The characters are full of personality, the humor lands, and the mix of knitting, witches, vampires, and magic creates a warm and whimsical atmosphere. It feels especially fitting for autumn or Spooky Season.
The vampires, in particular, made me laugh. A whole knitting club of vampires is exactly the kind of delightful surprise I love in a cozy paranormal story. I’m excited to spend more time with them in future installments and to see whether a hint of romance begins to bloom.
I also adored the English small town setting and the found family that naturally forms around Lucy. Getting to know the characters and piecing together the mystery made the story even better.
I’ll definitely continue this series. These short, charming books are ideal when you want a quick read or a refreshing palate cleanser. Definitely recommend!