Blog Tour: Threads of Deceit by Mae Fox & Jan Fields (Review)

About the Book

Genre:  Cozy Mystery (A Vineyard Quilt Mystery, #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Annie’s (April 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1573674775
E-Book ASIN: B00Q1UF8X2



Synopsis from Goodreads:
 
The first in a new mystery series—for quilters and mystery lovers alike!
 
Former antiquities bounty hunter, Julie Ellis, is on the run, trying to stay one stiletto step ahead of her past. She accepts a position as manager of the Quilt Haus Inn in Missouri wine country, thinking it the perfect place to keep a low profile and start a new, less-dangerous career. It is—until Daniel Franklin walks through the door and asks for a room. Daniel claims he’s come to Straussberg in search of a famous sunken ship that he believes is buried in a nearby farm field. Julie finds the handsome historian’s story odd at best, but when a dead body is discovered at the proposed dig site, it becomes clear somebody else believes the theory and doesn’t want the ship or its secrets exposed. Who in the town would possibly care about the old shipwreck? As frightening things start to happen at the inn—all seemingly connected to the hunt for the missing ship—Julie and her quilting friends must unearth the truth before someone else is buried.  INCLUDES A FREE QUILTING PATTERN INSPIRED BY THE STORY! 

My Review

After making more than a few enemies as an antiquities bounty hunter, Julie Ellis, and her friend Hannah, seek the quiet life in Straussberg, Missouri. Julie gets a job as an innkeeper at the Quilt Haus Inn and Hannah gets one as the cook. What could be more safe and relaxing than a small inn filled with quilters?

When Daniel Franklin wants to get a room at the inn, Julie turns him down since he’s not a quilter. However, he proves to her that he’s an historian and quilts are one of the things he researches. She agrees to give him a room, but she’s also suspicious. She learns he’s looking for a sunken ship that he thinks is buried in a local farm field. Strange things start happening on the site, including a murder. Daniel is the prime suspect. Julie is determined to prove his innocence but it’s not easy and everyone at the inn is in danger.

This is an intriguing cozy mystery with many possible outcomes. I didn’t suspect the real killer until close to the end. Julie is a strong character who doesn’t know how to mind her own business. LOL The secondary characters are a mixed bag of personalities. Each one is portrayed vividly. The possibility of a romance between Julie and Daniel is interesting. The author has them take it slowly to develop a relationship and I think that’s a good thing. No need to rush into things, like so many stories do.

Great start to a new series. I’m anxiously awaiting my next visit to Straussberg and the Quilt Haus Inn.



For reading challenges:

Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2015
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2015

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Since my first magazine publication in the 1980s, I have been steadily writing for money in some form. Today I have over twenty books in print and still more in the pipeline – books for children and adults. I’ve also written for magazines, educational publishers and even a toy company!

Writing is the only thing I’ve ever done really well that didn’t eventually become more like work than fun.

Although I grew up in the South, I have lived in New England since 1998, when I married the kindest, most wonderful man I had ever met, and he proceeded to haul me all the way to Connecticut. He keeps my life, my computer, and my focus in good order. Together we have one brilliant daughter who has spent 15 years teaching me how little I really did know about parenting (and after I wrote all those parenting articles, tsk tsk tsk). Every day my family shows me again the value of laughing, and taking time for other things besides work. I hope they always will.

These days, I teach as an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and serve as their webmaster. I jump back and forth between being a teacher and a learner every day and I think that is the best thing anyone can be. I want to learn something new every day, and find someone I can help with that knowledge, as well.

Author Links:

Webpage: http://www.janfields.com/index.htm
Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/janisfields
Twitter: @JanisFields

Purchase Links
Amazon           B&N                Book Depository                Kobo               Google Play

Tour Participants

April 1 – Babs Book Bistro – Review, Guest Post
April 2 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
April 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
April 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
April 5 – Tea and A Book – Review, Interview
April 6 – Back Porchervations – Review
April 7 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Review
April 8 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post