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STRING OF LIES
by Mary Ellen Hughes
Berkley, September 2007
256 pages
$6.99
ISBN: 0425217671


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

STRING OF LIES is the second title in the Craft Corner mystery series, with craft shop owner Jo McAllister as the local crafter turned sleuth. The story begins when Jo discovers a neighboring florist has closed up shop as a result of the business's building having been sold to local developer Parker Holt, who has plans for a downtown revamping. Worried that her own craft shop location may be the next target for takeover and unable to reach her vacationing landlord, Jo decides to drop in on Holt and ask him about the status of her building.

What Jo McAllister finds when she drops in on Holt is not the answer to her question, but instead the developer’s dead body – he is the apparent victim of an electrical shock. Work has been going on at the developer’s home, and it was being performed by the husband of Jo’s best friend and his coworker. Determined to help her friends clear their names, Jo turns to members of her beading class to help her string together clues while they bead.

The craft shop setting creates a small town gathering spot for the locals, who are as interested in town gossip as they are crafts. The book’s characters reflect a wide range of personalities, with everyday problems and concerns, from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Author Mary Ellen Hughes uses just the right touch with the crafting aspect of the novel, letting the beading class add to the story, rather than detract from it, and crafters will enjoy the hook of a free beading pattern at the mystery’s end.

The story itself is easy to like, and Hughes creates enough diversions – and characters with motives to do Holt in – to keep her readers from figuring out who murdered Holt and why until the end. Jo McAllister, the central character, is likeable, although it does defy belief somewhat that anyone would go to such lengths to clear the names of friends, at times putting her own safety in danger.

However, suspending belief for the sake of a well-told tale is a small price to pay to enjoy this bit of crafty sleuthing. Though there are some parts of the book that obviously refer back to the first book in the series (WREATH OF DECEPTION), this novel does stand on its own. For those who enjoy a well-crafted mystery, STRING OF LIES seems sure to please.

Reviewed by Christine Zibas, September 2007

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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