Thread and Gone
by Lea Wait
Thread and Gone
(A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery)
3rd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Setting – Maine
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (December 29, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1617730085
E-Book ASIN: B00VQFKH8I
Synopsis
When a priceless antique is stolen, murder unravels the peaceful seaside town of Haven Harbor, Maine…
Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group’s Fourth of July supper with a question about antique needlepoint she’s discovered in her family Colonial-era home, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.
Their best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If they’re right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in her office safe. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe and ransacked, the real mystery begins. . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was so impressed with this story. Could you imagine having a piece of needlework that could be from the 1500’s? What a treasure, until it goes missing. They had thought a lawyer’s safe would be secure but sadly it wasn’t and the attorney was killed when it was stolen. I think I would have gone over the edge. But Angie and the Mainely Needlepointers keep their heads about them and do the research and investigate not only the provenance of the stitched piece but do everything to catch a murderer too.
This was one of those stories that once you start reading you just can’t stop. I really enjoyed all the history. The many Mary’s of Scotland and the connection to France and Maine. It was so interesting and tickled my memory. I probably learned all about it back in school and this story brought it all back and more.
Lea Wait also shines a light on the local economy which reflects the economy nationwide as we all are working harder just to get by. It really helped me to identify with the characters in the story. Gram is away on her honeymoon for most of this story but Angie is getting much more comfortable running the business. Sarah Byrne, one of the Mainely Needlepointers, played a big part this time with her knowledge of history and antiques. They were also assisted by fellow needlepointers, Dave Percy and Ruth Hopkins. Dave teaches biology at the high school. Ruth is elderly and arthritis in her hands makes it hard to do much stitching but she a huge help investigating.
Each chapter starts with verses that were stitched on samplers from the past.
“When idle drones supinely dream of fame the industrious actually get the same.” – Verse stitched on sampler by Sally Alger at Miss Polly Balch’s School in Providence, Rhode Island, 1782
Another marvelous mystery from Lea Wait.
About The Author
Lea Wait lives on the coast of Maine. A fourth generation antique dealer, and author of the Agatha-nominated Shadows Antique Print mystery series, she loves all things antiques and Maine, and she’s learning to do needlepoint. She also writes historical novels for young people set in (where else?) nineteenth-century Maine. Lea adopted her four daughters when she was single; she’s now the grandmother of eight, and married to artist Bob Thomas.
Author Link
Purchase Links
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January 11 – Back Porchervations – Review
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January 19 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – Spotlight
January 19 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – Review
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sounds like an interesting and fun read!
Thread and Gone sounds like a great read, and the cover art is lovely.
Love this series and can’t wait to read Thread and Gone. Thanks for the giveaway.
I enjoy mysteries that involve a craft, such as needlepoint. This is a new to me series which I am looking forward to reading.
Sounds like a good read! I’ll be looking for it! Thank you!
I signed up for the cozy challenge this year and would love to add your book to my list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Thanks for including Lea Wait on your page. I would love to own her latest. robeader53@yahoo.com
Just had a friend tell me how good this book is – definitely adding to my TBR list.
I’m looking forward to this one…..
Sounds like a good read.
I’m always amazed at the amount of research that goes into writing a book. It’s surprising the facts you can come up with to weave into a story. This sounds interesting.
Sounds like a good mystery.
Thanks for the tour…I love her work!
Sounds like a fascinating read. Love the cover.
When you start a new book, do you have all the characters in place and an ending planned, or does it come to you as you write?
What an interesting book! I love cozy mysteries involving crafts and have added this series to my TBR list.
Love this series! Can’t wait for this one.
New author for me. Thanks for the giveaway.
Looks like a really great read!! Will definitely check out this series. This author Thanks
Great review I’m looking forward to this, thanks
Penney