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series Reading Order

Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries Books in Order

13 Books
2 Reading orders
2009 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries

For the best experience, readers should follow the series in its original publication order. The books follow a consistent chronological timeline, tracing the evolving lives, friendships, and relationships of the main characters: Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne, and Phoebe. Reading them in order ensures you do not encounter spoilers regarding character development and previous investigations.

Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries (Original Series)

The original run introduces the Black Sheep Knitting Shop in the fictional coastal village of Plum Harbor, Massachusetts. These eight books establish the central cast and their detective dynamics:

  1. While My Pretty One Knits (2009)
  2. Knit, Purl, Die (2009)
  3. A Stitch Before Dying (2010)
  4. Till Death Do Us Purl (2012)
  5. The Silence of the Llamas (2013)
  6. A Dark and Stormy Knit (2014)
  7. The Postman Always Purls Twice (2015)
  8. A Murder in Mohair (2015)

Black Sheep & Co. Mysteries (The Rebranded Series)

In 2017, the series transitioned to a new publisher and was rebranded as the Black Sheep & Co. Mystery series. Despite the new umbrella name, these books are a direct continuation of the original series, featuring the same characters and setting. They should be read immediately following the first eight books:

  1. Knit to Kill (2017)
  2. Purls and Poison (2018)
  3. Hounds of the Basket Stitch (2019)
  4. Strangers on a Skein (2021)
  5. Death on the Argyle (2022)

Connections and Spin-Offs

While the Black Sheep Knitting series has no direct crossovers or spin-offs, author Anne Canadeo is also widely known under the pen name Katherine Spencer. Under this pseudonym, she co-authored the popular Cape Light series with Thomas Kinkade and wrote its spin-off, The Inn at Angel Island. While these Cape Light books share a similar cozy coastal atmosphere, they are completely separate from the mystery-solving knitters of Plum Harbor.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries?

You should start with the first book, While My Pretty One Knits (2009), to properly introduce yourself to Maggie Messina and the rest of the Plum Harbor knitting group.

QDo I need to read the Black Sheep Knitting series in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. While the mystery in each book is resolved, the character relationships, life events, and subplots develop chronologically across the series.

QWhat is the difference between the original series and the Black Sheep & Co. Mysteries?

The main difference is the publisher transition and rebranding in 2017. Black Sheep & Co. Mysteries is a direct continuation of the original series rather than a spin-off, featuring the exact same core characters.

QAre there recipes or knitting patterns included in the books?

Yes, many of the books in the series include craft tips, knitting instructions, and cozy recipes at the end, adding to the interactive charm of the series.

QAre there any crossover books in the series?

No, the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries do not feature any crossovers with other fictional universes or cozy mystery series.

QDoes Anne Canadeo write other books?

Yes. In addition to the Black Sheep series, she writes historical fiction and standalones under her own name, and writes the Cape Light series under the pen name Katherine Spencer.