This book is the end product of Kate Davies’ knitting club event for this year – a read along of several of Margery Allingham’s mystery novels accompanied by some lovely knitting patterns. The essays and patterns in this book were released periodically though the club time period. This club was a bit different from what she’s done in previous years, and was a fun departure from the usual.

Margery Allingham was a prolific mystery writer working around the same time frame as Agatha Christie. I had not heard of her before this club, so it was good to encounter a new mystery writer. The book has 9 essays from Kate and a few other writers on Allingham, her writing and her times, and some related topics. The final essay is on knitting in detective fiction!

There are also 11 patterns included in the book for a variety of projects. Hats, slippers, sweaters, scarves – something for everyone. That includes a sweater for your favorite dog!

By and large the patterns have an art nouveau air, with lots of elegant curves and details. There is a lot to love in this book, especially if you are a mystery fan or like art nouveau. The patterns are very well written and size inclusive. The essays are interesting, and the photography, done by Kate’s husband Tom, is stunning, as is usual with Kate Davies books.

This is probably the last club from Kate Davies, at least for a while. She has announced she is taking a break of indefinite length for her mental health. While I will miss the regular clubs, it is wonderful that she is taking a break as needed. There is still plenty of KDD yarn and patterns available to tide us over.