Mystery

started out slow for me but picked up. ( )

I just finished Threads of Deceit by Mae Fox and Jan Fields. It is the first book in the new series Vineyard Quilt Mysteries. Julie Ellis was in antiquities recovery until she recovered an item from the wrong people (mafia). Now Julie along with Hannah are hiding at Quilt Haus Inn in Straussberg, Missouri. Julie is the new manager of the inn and Hannah (her assistant and tech person) is the new cook (and baker).

Julie is enjoying her new job, but she misses the excitement of her recovering antiques. Daniel Franklin walks in looking to be a guest at the inn. Daniel is looking for a steamship buried on a nearby farm. The steamship was named The Grand Adventure and she went down with all her cargo. Julie is intrigues especially when Daniel tells her of a riddle and that a clue may be somewhere at the inn.

Daniel starts experiencing trouble right away. Someone is messing with the site and then the owner of the farm is approached with an offer to buy his property. The offer comes with the condition that excavation stops immediately. When the owner declines to sell, the violence escalates until Daniel’s friend and business partner, George Benning is murdered. Julie is determined to find out who is behind the destruction and murder (plus she is enjoying the excitement). The owner of the inn gives Julie permission to investigate (as long as she gives talks to the guests about the excavation). Julie, Daniel, and a reluctant Hannah set out to solve the case!

Threads of Deceit is a delightful book. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I downgraded it a little because I wish they had explained about Julie and Hannah’s recovery business and why they had to hide. We are given the barest of details. I look forward to reading the next book in the Vineyard Quilt Mystery series. If you enjoyed Annie’s Attic Mysteries, you will enjoy reading Threads of Deceit. ( )