As previously stated, I'm a sucker for a good pun. So how the hell was I supposed to resist this title? I do have a killer headache so this review will be kept short and sweet. 

 

In The Silence of the Llamas, the Black Sheep Knitting crew come together to help a friend when her farm is being vandalized and her llamas harassed. Turns out the neighbors aren't big fans of the new llama yarn farm and there are land disputes to boot. Just when things can't get any worse, a murder occurs and the crews' friend's husband is the prime suspect! It's up to the squad and the llamas to discover the truth and clear the innocent's name.

 

This was a light read. I did have a hard time taking it seriously because of the llama aspect but that's literally just a personal issue. In some ways it made it more fun. The characters were likable. In particular I was a fan of Lucy and am very curious as to whether she'll ever finish the Argyle sweater for her boyfriend. The story was enjoyable and it was a fairly quick read for me. I enjoyed it, it took me away for a few hours, and that's what a book is supposed to do, right?

 

As a mystery, though, it falls short. More of the plot was about personal drama and just the characters chatting over knitting rather than crime solving. While there were enough clues that I was able to solve it all by the end, there weren't really that many, which bothered me. It seemed more like a drama or a chance to talk about issues like organic fibers and open space laws than a mystery. To top it all off, the big AHA! moment was very underwhelming and felt like a copout. 

 

So overall all, it was okay. Kinda failed as a mystery but if you want a light, mystery infused novel full of llamas to take you away, you'll enjoy it. 

 

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

 

Now I am off to sip tea and wear my pa-llamas (they have llamas on them).

Sources:  Fictfact,  Dear Author, and Bookreporter.

 

Monday, January 13:

 

Accidentally in Love by Cindi Madsen #3 in Accidentally In Love
Deceptive Innocence, Part One  by Kyra Davis #1 in Pure Sin
The Escape by Shoshanna Evers #2 in Pulse

Dirty Deeds by SE Jakes #1 in Dirty Deeds

It's Not Over by A L Zaun #2 in The Do Over
Lian/Roch by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright #9 - 10 in Bayou Heat
NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson #2 in NYPD Red

Tuesday, January 14:

 

Andrew's Brain by E.L. Doctorow

The Answer to the Riddle Is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia by David Stuart MacLean 

I have not read these cozy mysteries that seem so popular, but I admit I was curious. So, when I had the opportunity to review on of these books, I readily accepted. Within this knitting group are 5 female members, all with a backstory of their own. In fact, the beginning of the book gives you a short run down so, if like me, you haven't read the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series before. Maggie, who is the owner of the local knitting shop gets an opportunity to teach at an exclusive and expensive spa for the weekend. She is able to get a large cottage and take her friends and knitting group with her. On one of the spa hiking trips, a man is found murdered in his hut. The group is quite curious about his death and, with the help of one of the people working there, they find lots of clues to put together. As it seems that a suspect is found, the ladies aren't satisfied with the answer until one clue finds it's way into their hands. The clues start to knit themselves together (sorry, couldn't resist) and they help the police find the true murderer.

As interesting as the clues and the ending was (it wasn't what or who I thought it would have been), I wasn't totally sold on this tale. Most of their clues came from gossip. And even if they were adept at weeding out the truth from the fiction, I still didn't like the whole vision of women just mired in gossip. I'm not a gossip girl (not talking about the tv show I never watched... lol). I did like the women themselves and found them very smart and capable even if they did indulge in gossip.

I give this book 3 stars. I think those who love cozy mysteries will love this book. I did enjoy the ending which I didn't see coming but should have. :) It also made me want to learn how to knit. I only crochet (yes, you can say it... I'm a bit of a hooker... Hey! Stop looking at me in that tone of voice! lol).

Quite enjoyed this one. The knitting 'tips', the mentions of sites and blogs I'm already familiar with. And oddly, a character who was eerily similar to myself. (Not exactly, of course, but many of the things it said about her applied to me as well. lol)

Interesting mystery, but not too hard. Ironically, I solved it before the book did - as soon as I had enough info. Something VERY unusual for me.

All in all a good read. Ready for the next one!