Threads of Deceit

A Vineyard Quilt Mystery #1

By Mae Fox and Jan Fields

ISBN# 9781573674775

Author’s Website:  janfields.com 

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

Threads of Deceit is a fun first novel in the Vineyard Quilt Mystery series by Mae Fox and Jan Fields.  Ms. Fields has written several volumes of the Annie’s Attic Mysteries, all of which I’ve read and enjoyed.  The primary characters and partners in detection are Julie Ellis and her friend, Hannah Marks.  Julie accepted the position to manage the Quilt Haus Inn, for which she has no experience, as she was hiding from less than savory characters from her former profession as an antiquities bounty hunter.  Surely a small inn in the wine region of Missouri would be a much safer place to work where nobody would think to find her!  Hannah is hired as the chef, who loved her chosen profession and proves to be a master at it.

Daniel Franklin is not the typical guest at the inn, as most of those who stay are there to take part in various quilting groups or events, but was able to accurately name and discuss the various quilt patterns displayed.  He is an historian who is on a dig to locate and excavate a steamship, missing for over 100 years, that is believed to be buried in a farmer’s field.    Of course, he also plans to unearth any treasures and antiques that went down with the ship.  And unfortunately, his close friend and partner is found late one night at the site, murdered.

The characters are each uniquely and clearly developed throughout the story.  Julie is probably my favorite, with Hannah running a close second.  Julie is spunky, adventurous, and a fast thinker.  As she helps Daniel, the prime suspect of the local police, this reader could ‘investigate’ vicariously through her.  She is just as apt to break into someone’s office to find clues as she is able to think of a logical explanation to cover herself if needed to provide an alibi.  Hannah is as top-notch of an internet researcher as she is a chef, which I also enjoyed, and envied her ability to find the dirt on almost anyone involved with the dig.

The plot is involved, well planned and thoroughly executed.  The idea of a sunken steamship buried on dry land is fascinating in itself.  While the primary challenge is to find the murderer and perpetrator of incidents that occur around the property, the additional mysteries include finding who would want to shut down the dig and why.  As the story continues, research and dig finds indicate there was more than an accidental sinking of the ship.  What cargo was worth the loss of life, then and now?  The plots within the plot are as interesting as solving the murder of Daniel’s friend.  Watching the interactions of those who are there for the quilting activities is also interesting, and their reactions to the local dig and murder.

I highly recommend Threads of Deceit to those who appreciate quilting, historical excavations, and well-written inspirational mysteries.  It is a great read that I really enjoyed. I was challenged by the mysteries, and endured many moments of thrilling suspense as the investigation unfolded.  One doesn’t need to be a quilter to enjoy the story; I am very sewing-challenged and envious of those who can design and quilt yet loved the story!  And for those who are not sewing challenged, a quilting pattern is included.