Book Review: PURLS BEFORE SWINE A Clear Creek Mystery Book 3 by Rebecca McKinnon

About the Book

Autumn has arrived in the Rocky Mountains. The resort that was almost the death of the small town of Clear Creek is trying to mend relations by hosting a local artisan show. 

Jemma has been asked to create a display showing beginner projects all the way up to expert. Hoping to knit up attention for the shops in Clear Creek, she agrees. The last thing she expects is to trip over a body in the middle of the exhibits. 

Curiosity piqued, she wants to know how someone was killed under the watchful eyes of the resort’s security staff — headed by the man she loves. 

Even though her past experiences have taught Jemma she doesn’t want to be anywhere near a killer, when Deputy Chase surprises everyone by asking for her help she can’t bring herself to say no. Because if the killer isn’t bound off before the resort guests leave, someone will get away with murder. 

Review 

Jemma's excited about the artisan show and meeting some of the other artisans like herself, her art in knitting. She's put a lot of time into the display with business cards handy. When she's not at the exhibit hall she's at her shop. At least one visitor is very interested in her creations and Jemma arranges a time to show her something for her upcoming wedding. 

Excitement of a different sort comes when Jemma discovers a dead body. The head of security for the resort, her love interest, isn't too thrilled but the Deputy asks Jemma to help. She can't hardly say no. As she listens and gathers information for Deputy Chase, she pushes limits and the guilty get nervous.

This was a fun and entertaining read with Jemma agreeing to help Chase and promising her love that she will be passively involved - just keeping her eyes and ears open. Not quite. Jemma's both curious and smart - a likable main character. The relationships among the returning characters genuine. 

McKinnon sets a steady pace and the plot is well-developed. There are multiple red herrings, but when all is said and done, the resolution makes sense. If you like cozy mysteries, this one will not disappoint. It is the third in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone mystery - there are no cliffhangers. What changes from book to book are the relationships. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.  

About the Author 

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere, but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Website/Social Media Links 

Website – https://rebeccamckinnon.com/ 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMcKinnonAuthor  

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamckinnon_author/?hl=en 

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4993788.Rebecca_McKinnon 

Purchase Link 

AMAZON

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Blog Tour and Book Review: A HILL TO DYE ON (Clear Creek Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon

 

About the Book

Summer has made its way up the mountain to Clear Creek, and with the new season, the town is offering a slew of summer classes at the community center. Happy to participate, Jemma and her yarn shop sponsor a fiber-dying class taught by her oldest friend, Kitty. 

When a mysterious man walks into class, something about him pulls Jemma into a tangle. Learning Kitty once knew him, Jemma has questions — but her friend is staying mum. Then Jemma goes on an early-morning walk and discovers the man dead.

This time, Jemma’s determined to stay out of the investigation — until she learns that because of a past she’s been hiding, Kitty is the main suspect! Unwilling to turn her back on her friend, Jemma starts looking for a dropped stitch. 

Because somewhere, there’s a person with dye on their hands.

Review

Jemma is a great MC and friend to Kitty. She's taken over her grandmother's yarn shop as the small town works to become a tourist attraction. The fiber dying activities are interrupted when a man comes in and her friend tenses up. Jemma is worried that the man means to harm Kitty. 

In addition to the yarn shop activities, Jemma vlogs, but has to find a way to combine her two passions - the yarn shop and vlogging. The idea of identifying things that would be of interest to tourists in the small town of Clear Creek takes her for a walk in the fresh air. Only she stumbles on the mystery man, with dye from the shop on him. The dye, and their prior relationship, point to Kitty as the killer.

The story is well-written and initially it doesn't look good for Kitty at all. Jemma keeps digging, not willing to accept her friend is a killer, though Kitty seems resigned to being arrested. The story unfolds with a twist here and there to keep the pace steady. I enjoyed reading this book and figuring out who the killer was as Jemma keeps at it. 

This is the second in the Clear Creek Mysteries. It can be read as a stand alone mystery - I haven't (yet) read the Yarns That Bind and had no difficulty following the story. Still, it's always a good idea to start at the beginning and watch as the relationships unfold. The first book is now on my TBR pile. I liked the characters and hope there are more of the series yet to come. Readers who like cozy mysteries, great characters, and the small town feel will enjoy this book.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

About the Author

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Author Links

Website                                    Instagram 

Facebook                                  GoodReads

Purchase Link 

Amazon

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