by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of Threads of Evidence, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore.

Angie Curtis agreed to return to her old hometown of Haven Harbor, Maine, for six months. Her grandmother’s needlepoint business was in shambles through no fault of her own. Now Angie is more involved in town life with every day that passes.

The old Gardener mansion finally sold after sitting empty for nearly twenty-five years. It’s beyond shambles. Still, there are some things worth saving—a couch with good bones but rags for upholstery, needlepoint scenes Millie Gardener designed, and then there’s Jasmine’s room, kept the same as it was the night she died. Jasmine was seventeen the night of the last party at the home. Each year, the family would invite the whole town, supply food and drink, and then the big finale—fireworks.

That year, Jasmine wandered off during the fireworks and was found face-down in the fountain in the front yard. Initial rumors had it that she was drunk, fell in and hit her head, and drowned. Her mother never believed it and swore Jasmine was murdered, likely poisoned.

The new owner of the mansion is Skye West, an actress. She and her son Patrick want to restore the home to its former glory with no expense spared. Angie and her friend Sarah are hired to inventory and photograph the contents, Sarah to appraise the value, and both of them to set up a huge yard sale with the proceeds to go to the local hospital. It’s not just a fundraiser. Skye has an ulterior motive—she wants to know who murdered Jasmine. When attempts are made on Skye’s life, it seems she’s on the right track. Can a forty-year-old case be solved?

If the inventory, yard sale, Gran’s business and a cold-case murder are not enough to keep Angie busy, Gran is marrying Reverend Tom in two weeks. As maid of honor, Angie gets the strong hint (well, she flat out said it) that Gran would like a bridal shower. With the help of a lot of people, it’s all set.

Gran is a delight. She doesn’t hover or get in Angie’s way and surely has a life of her own to tend to. Angie and Sarah make great BFFs and work well together. It looks like Angie is home to stay. There’s a hint of romance too—with conflict that should add some spice. The mystery is a good one since everyone has their own memories of the party, their own opinion of Jasmine, and their own secrets.

The first book in the series was Twisted Threads; at the back of this book, Gran included her recipe for Maple Bread Pudding—delish! Look for Thread and Gone, coming in January. It’s going to be interesting to see what Gran’s up to as the reverend’s wife and how Angie copes with being a homeowner—just like a real grownup! And then there’s that romance…

Wait also writes the Shadows Antique Print mysteries. Look for reviews in the KRL archives.

To enter to win a copy of Threads of Evidence, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Evidence,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 11, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

You can use this link to purchase this book where a portion goes to help support KRL & Mysterious Galaxy:

Threads of Evidence

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her new one Bananas Foster. Sandy’s latest short story “The Tater Tot Caper” is one of eleven stories in The Killer Wore Cranberry: Fourths of Mayhem. The annual Thanksgiving anthology has eleven stories and this year, includes recipes. And it’s on sale! Available in all e-versions and in print.