The Skeleton Makes a Friend by Leigh Perry: My Review, an Excerpt & a Giveaway

The Skeleton Makes a Friend (A Family Skeleton Mystery)

by Leigh Perry

About the Book

The Skeleton Makes a Friend (A Family Skeleton Mystery)

Diversion Books (November 6, 2018)

Paperback: 280 pages

ISBN-10: 1635764440

ISBN-13: 978-1635764444

Digital ASIN: B07GT39K2X

Georgia Thackery is feeling pretty good about her summer job teaching at prestigious Overfeld College, and she’s renting a rustic cabin right by a lake for herself, her daughter, Madison, and her best friend, Sid the Skeleton. Together again, the trio are enjoying the quiet when a teenager named Jen shows up looking for her friend. Georgia doesn’t recognize the name, but she learns that the person Jen was looking for is actually Sid.

Sid reveals that he and Jen are part of a regular online gaming group that formed locally, and one of their members has gone missing. Sid admits that he might have bragged about his investigative prowess, enough so that Jen wants him to find their missing player. Given that Sid doesn’t have many friends offline—none, really, unless you count the Thackery family—Georgia agrees to help him search. They manage to discreetly enlist Jen, who lives in town, and follow the clues to... a dead buddy.

Now they've got a killer on their hands. Probing the life of Sid's friend, they realize a lot is wrong both on campus and in the seemingly quaint town, and someone doesn't want them looking deeper.

About the Author

Leigh Perry is the author of A Family Skeleton Mystery Series: A Skeleton in the Family, The Skeleton Takes a Bow, The Skeleton Haunts a House, and The Skeleton Paints a Picture. 

Author Links

Author Website: http://leighperryauthor.com/

Author Facebook: https://twitter.com/Family_Skeleton

Sid's Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/LeighPerryAuthor

My Alter Ego:  Toni L.P. Kelner: www.tonilpkelner.com

Here is an excerpt from The Skeleton Makes a Friend for your enjoyment:

Sid unzipped the rest of the way, pulled himself out of the suitcase and back together, and tried to turn the knob. “It’s locked.”

“Can you open it?”

“Easy peasy,” he said, pulling a set of lock picks from inside the suitcase. My locksmith sister Deborah probably hadn’t realized that teaching my daughter Madison how to pick locks was tantamount to teaching Sid. Madison had shared everything she’d learned with him, and he’d promptly ordered his own picks online. “You really should learn to do this, Georgia. It’s not that hard.”

Despite his assurance, it seemed to take an awful long time to get the door open. Or maybe it just seemed like a long time because I kept looking down the stairs, worried that somebody would hear us and come to see what was going on.

Finally there was a loud click, and Sid said, “Nailed it!” He opened the door, and cold air streamed out.

“Brr!” I said. “Wouldn’t you know that a department with everybody on vacation would be the one with overachieving air conditioners?” The window unit in my classroom had gone out twice. “Not to mention the waste of electricity.”

“You can complain about it later,” Sid said. “Come on.”

I followed him into the human resources department, pulling the empty suitcase along.

There were four more closed doors: three offices labeled with names and one marked File Room.

“Here we go,” Sid said, using his picks on one of the office doors.

This lock was easier to deal with, which was a relief, but unfortunately, the smell seemed to be coming from that office. “I’m going in.”

“Remember what I said. Get in, look around fast, get out.”

“Got it.” He stepped inside.

Between the cold, the horrid stink, and the fear of being caught, I was hoping that Sid would be swift, but I was surprised when he came out in under two minutes. “That was fast. Did you find something?”

“Don’t go in there.”

“I wasn’t going to—”

Then I looked at him.

He shouldn’t have been able to look like anything but bone-colored, but somehow he seemed paler than usual, and his bones were so loose he was nearly falling apart. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s in there. At least I think it’s him.”

“Did he see you?” I said stupidly.

He slowly shook his skull, and only then did I realize what it was we’d been smelling.

My Thoughts

The Skeleton Makes a Friend by Leigh Perry is A Family Skeleton Mystery series.  Georgia Thackery along with her daughter, Madison and best friend and skeleton, Sid are spending the summer in Overfeld, New Hampshire.  Georgia is teaching a creative writing seminar as part of a high school enrichment program at Overfeld College.   The three of them are swimming in the lake when Jen Cater shows up looking for Skalle Beinagrind.  Skalle is a gaming friend of Jen’s from Runes of Legend who was bragging about his expertise as a private investigator.  One of their fellow players, Erik Bloodaxe has gone missing and Jen wants to enlist Skalle’s help in locating him.  Georgia quickly deduces that Jen is looking for Sid (use translator on Skalle Beinagrind).  While Sid cannot meet with Jen in person (for obvious reasons), he does want to help locate their fellow player.  Sid sifts through the online information on Erik to track down his real world identity.  Erik works at Overfeld College, but he has played his last game.  Sid and Georgia find him dead and it looks like he has been there for a few days which explains the malodorous stench in the building.  The duo uncover problems at the college and the culprit has no intention of stopping his deadly game.  Can the duo expose the killer in time? 

The Skeleton Makes a Friend is a humorous cozy mystery with delightful characters.  Sid is one of those characters that you cannot help but love.  He is a skeleton with a quirky personality and a zest for life.  He has been Georgia’s best friend since she was a little girl (he saved her life at a carnival).  Thanks to the advent of Wi-Fi, Sid can now have online friends in addition to the Thackery family.  The Thackery’s have come up with creative solutions that allow Sid to go out in the world (the bowling bowl tote bag is ingenious).  Madison is back in this tale and she gets involved with the mystery.  I just love the interactions between Georgia, Sid and Madison along with their creative curse words.  The mystery is complex with misdirection.  Readers get clues as Georgia and Sid investigate the victim, suspects and the college.  While The Skeleton Makes a Friend is the fifth A Family Skeleton Mystery, it can be read alone.  Georgia and Sid’s backstory is provided so new readers will not be lost.  I thought The Skeleton Makes a Friend was well-written and plotted with developed characters.  The story has smooth transitions and moves along at a brisk pace.  I especially appreciate that there are no loose ends at the end of the story except where Georgia will work in the fall.  The Skeleton Makes a Friend is a light and lively tale that will tickle your funny bone.

The Skeleton Makes a Friend will be out on November 6 and can be purchased on Amazon, B&N, and Kobo .  The author is hosting a giveaway in honor of the tour.  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you have found a new book to add to your TBR pile.  I will return tomorrow with my review of A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 5 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

November 5 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 6 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

November 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 7 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

November 8 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

November 8 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

November 9 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 10 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

November 11 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW

November 12 – Here's How It Happened – REVIEW

November 12 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 14 – Varietats – REVIEW

November 14 –My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

November 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 15 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

November 16 – The Layaway Dragon – REVIEW

November 17 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 17 – Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

Death, Diamonds and Freezer Burn by Tricia L. Sanders plus a Giveaway!

Death, Diamonds, and Freezer Burn

 (Grime Pays Mysteries)

by Tricia L. Sanders

About the Book

Death, Diamonds, and Freezer Burn (Grime Pays Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Soul Mate Publishing, Inc.

Release Date - October 24, 2018

Approximately 254 pages

An unwelcome visitor, an unrequited love, and a dead body create chaos in a middle-aged woman’s plan for a productive summer. Despite a looming divorce, an empty checkbook, and a struggling cleaning business, Cece Cavanaugh is determined to land on her own two feet. Adamant about staying a safe distance from the handsome detective who has her fantasizing about violating the morals clause in her prenuptial agreement, Cece dives headlong into her work.

Even though she has no free time to spare, Cece finds herself guilted into cleaning a hoarder’s home. Her discoveries in the condemned house are too shocking to ignore. Diamond-laden pachyderms, a secret cache of money, and a dead body lure Cece into launching an investigation that places her in direct contact with the one person she’s desperate to avoid--hunky Detective Case Alder.

With clues in hand, Cece runs down leads and eliminates suspects one by one. Her conclusion and brave accusation put a friend’s life in peril forcing Cece to hatch a plan to outsmart the killer. A daring move could either save Cece and her friend or lead to their demise.

About the Author

Tricia L. Sanders writes cozy mysteries and women’s fiction. She adds a dash of romance and a sprinkling of snark to raise the stakes. Her heroines are humorous women embarking on journeys of self-discovery all the while doing so with class, sass, and a touch of kickass.

Tricia is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, so don't get between her and the television when a game is on. Currently, she is working on a mystery series set in the fictional town of Wickford, Missouri. Another project in the works is a women's fiction road trip adventure.

A former instructional designer and corporate trainer, she traded in curriculum writing for novel writing, because she hates bullet points and loves to make stuff up. And fiction is more fun than training guides and lesson plans.

Author Links

Website: www.triciasanders.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortricialsanders/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tricialsanders

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tricialsanders/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXRJSRSmTjg

Newsletter Sign Up: https://mailchi.mp/23a87d715dc3/tricia-l-sanders-sleuthscoop

Purchase Link - Amazon 

Thank you for visiting today.  The author is hosting a giveaway in honor of the tour.  You can enter here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  I hope you take the time to visit the other stops on the tour.  There are character interviews, author interviews, character guest posts and reviews.  I hope you have found a new book to add to your TBR pile (or piles in my case). Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 24 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 24 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 25 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 28 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

October 28 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Valerie's Musings – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 30 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

October 30 – Laura's Interests – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 31 – The Montana Bookaholic - CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 31 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 - FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 1 - Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 1 - MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 - StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW

November 2 - The Book Diva's Reads – GUEST POST

November 3 – That's What She's Reading – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 3 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – REVIEW

November 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 4 – That's What She's Reading – REVIEW

November 5 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

November 5 – The Avid Reader – SPOTLIGHT

November 5 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

November 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 6 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Nantucket Legacy series)

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“Henry, this . . . fortune, this sudden wealth . . . I fear it will change our lives. And I don’t want my life to change.”

After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost, including when each should marry and whom—a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father’s thieving business partner.

As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will’s conditions, they’ll be faced with obstacles on every side—and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Phoebe’s Light and Minding the Light, as well as the Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She has also written several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. Fisher lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Twitter @suzannewfisher and Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor.

Guest Post from Suzanne

The Mortgage Button

In each story of the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, there’s a reference to a mortgage button in the newel post of a stairway. Phoebe Starbuck, the main character in Phoebe’s Light, made a point to notice it in the captain’s house on Orange Street, the famous residences of sea captains. In Minding the Light, Daphne Coffin touched the mortgage button on the newel post of her horrible mother’s grand house each and every morning. Hitty and Henry Macy were well aware of the absence of their childhood home’s mortgage button—and all that its absence symbolized—in The Light Before Day.

Mortgage buttons meant something to each of those characters. It made a statement to anyone who walked into a house.

Have you ever seen a mortgage button? It’s a very Nantucket-y tradition. In fact, some say the mortgage button originated on Nantucket Island, thirty miles out to sea.

Supposedly, when a house’s mortgage was fully paid and there were no liens against the property, the homeowner drilled a hole in the newel post of the main staircase, rolled up the mortgage document, put it inside, and capped the hole with a decorative plug of scrimshaw.

Scrimshaw is a term for an American folk art developed during the 18th and 19thcenturies. Whaling in New England was an industry that lifted Nantucket Island to become the world’s wealthiest port. After a whale’s oil was rendered, the ship’s captain would give his crew the sperm whale’s teeth or bones to carve during long tedious hours at sea. Whaling had its exciting moments, but they were far and few between. As a pastime, sailors carved all kinds of useful gifts to bring home to their loved ones: needles, combs, games, clothespins, busks…and mortgage buttons.

But let’s jump back to the mortgage button. Some legends say that the actual mortgage papers were ceremoniously burned and the ashes stashed inside the drilled hole before sealed with the button. However, as appealing a thought as that might be, it is most likely a myth. There’s never been any evidence of ashes or even hidden mortgages found in salvaged newel posts. Still, mortgage buttons are common among Nantucket homes, and the tradition has spread to other parts of the country. In southern states, for example, they’re called brag buttons. Whether myth or truth, today it’s more a matter of a charming nostalgic custom than a nod to your healthy (or…not so healthy) net worth.

My Thoughts

The Light Before Day is the final book in the Nantucket Legacy series.  We finally get to find out how the story ends.  The Light Before Day is a well-written and researched novel.  The author captured the era with the language (people spoke in a formal manner) along with the descriptions of the buildings, ships, clothing plus the inclusion of historical events.  The whaling industry is on the decline as the number of whales has greatly diminished and abolition of slavery is a heated issue.  While The Light Before Day can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the trilogy in order.  The book has a gentle pace that suits the story.  Great Mary’s journal sections moved along at a faster clip, and they add depth to the story.  It can be hard to wade through the more formal language (thee, thou, thy), but it is how Quaker’s talked.  The Light Before Day is told from Hitty and Henry’s point-of-view.  I enjoyed seeing each sibling’s perspective. There is romance in the story as Henry and Hitty look for suitable mates (a condition of the will).  However, the heart wants what the heart wants.  I enjoyed getting to know the grown-up Hitty and Henry.  They faced a challenge with the inheritance.  The twins wanted to find a way to help improve the island with the money, but their idea of improvement is not always in alignment with others.  Henry and Hitty may be twins, but they have different personalities.  While one is gregarious, the other is contemplative. The Light Before Day includes drama, mystery, romance, faith, good works, friendship and familial bonds.  I am giving The Light Before Day 4 out of 5 stars.  There are discussion questions, author’s note, and a section on what is true/false included in the book.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you will not want to miss reading The Light Before Day.  The first two books in the Nantucket Legacy series are Phoebe's Light and Minding the Light.

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway.  Click here to enter and Good Luck! Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Skeleton Makes a Friend by Leigh Perry.  I hope you will stop by to see what I thought about the latest A Family Skeleton Mystery(there is a giveaway).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, November 4

Just the Write Escape, November 4

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Godly Book Reviews, November 5

Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Among the Reads, November 8

Blossoms and Blessings, November 8

Blogging With Carol, November 9

A Baker’s Perspective, November 9

Mary Hake, November 10

Connies history classroom, November 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Carpe Diem, November 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 12

Inspiration Clothesline, November 13

Janices book reviews, November 13

Captive Dreams, November 14

Bigreadersite, November 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 15

By The Book, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

Book by Book, November 16

Have A Wonderful Day, November 17

Bibliophile Reviews, November 17

Seances are for Suckers: An Eleanor Wilde Mystery by Tamara Berry

Hello!  I hope you have had a lovely week.  A Season of Grace by Lauraine Snelling will be available on November 6.  It is the third book Under Northern Skies series.  High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann releases on November 10 and A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston will be out on November 13. 

Seances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry is the first installment in A Eleanor Wilde Mystery series.  Eleanor “Ellie” Wilde makes a living with her business Eleanor’s Cleansing Service.  She cleanses houses of ghostly spirits or at least that is what she tells her clients.  Ellie has learned that many things can cause the noises (from rats to noisy pipes), but to satisfy the client, she must put on a show.  While Ellie’s brother, Liam does not approve of how she makes a living, it does pay for Happy Acres Sanctuary where their catatonic sister resides.  After finishing her latest job, Ellie is ready to head off to two weeks in Mexico when she is approached by Nicholas Hartford III.  Nicholas does not believe in ghosts, spirits or goblins, but his mother is convinced their ancestral estate is haunted by a mischievous spirit named Xavier.  Nicholas wants Ellie to find out what or who is behind the various incidents, take care of the problem and then convince his mother that Xavier has moved on.  Ellie arrives in England ready to tackle her new job, but she is unprepared for eccentric Hartford family, the worn dorm room furniture in her bedroom and the lackluster food served in small quantities.  She begins her assignment by getting to know the Hartford clan, poking around the house and investigating the local museum.  Xavier is proving to be a challenge which Ellie thrives on.  Things get tricky when she stumbles upon a body in the kitchen which vanishes by the time Ellie returns with help.  Ellie will need to pull out all the stops if she is to unveil the entity behind the illusive poltergeist.

Seances are for Suckers is a comedic tale.  You will find yourself laughing your way through this spirited cozy mystery.  Ellie was not one for academics.  After an auto accident when she was eighteen which resulted in her mother’s death and putting her sister in catatonic state, Ellie needed to find a way to earn good money.  Her flair for the dramatic plus her practical nature along with an eye for detail combined into Eleanor’s Cleansing Service.  People seem to believe in a supernatural cause for their problems over a practical one.  Ellie takes care of the problem (rats, bats, noisy pipes, and problematic house cats) and then puts on a show for the client to eliminate the vexing apparition.  Ellie is a smart, plucky woman who loves her family and her job.  Nicholas is handsome, intelligent, level headed and wise to Ellie’s ways of eliminating problems, but he admits that she comes highly recommended and always leaves a satisfied client.  I especially enjoyed Nicholas’ droll wit.  He has some great lines in the book.  The author took the time to develop the characters.  Rachel, Nicholas’ niece, is entertaining and provides a different perspective.  She also gives Ellie with some needed intel and a sidekick along as food is provided (the mother’s cooking is abysmal).   The story is told from Ellie’s point-of-view and her train of thought (practical insights) provide many laugh out loud moments.  The mystery is complex and multi-faceted with red herrings, multiple suspects and unexpected twists.  However, avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving this ghostly whodunit.  This book has romance, quirky characters, a charming village, an ancestral estate, humor, spooky elements, and a puzzling mystery which have been combined into one entertaining cozy mystery.  I am giving Seances are for Suckers 4 out of 5 stars.  I look forward to Ellie’s next phantasmal adventure.

Thank you for reading my review today.  I am going to feature The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher tomorrow as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour (there will be a giveaway).  I hope you will stop by and check it out.  I hope you have a whimsical day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

His Promise: The Amish of Hart County by Shelley Shepard Gray

Greetings!  A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry along with A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle come out on November 6.  Wreath Between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber and A Vintage Death by Mary Ellen Hughes release on November 8.  There are many delightful new novels coming out in November.  

His Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray is the sixth tale in The Amish of Hart County series.  Grace King is pet sitting, Snooze while his owners are on vacation.  She is enjoying the quiet time away from her large and rambunctious family, but Grace had not anticipated so much of it.  Her grandparents came down ill with the flu so her whole family packed up and headed to Ohio to take care of them and spend the holidays together.  Grace’s best friend, Jennifer and her family have also left town for the holidays.   Grace is out walking Snooze when he darts off.  She is hunting for the little rascal when Grace encounters John Michael Miller who lives next door.  John Michael had courted Grace’s sister, Beth three years ago and left her with a broken heart when he ended the relationship abruptly.  Grace had been sixteen years old at the time when she was quite smitten with John Michael and did her best to keep her feelings under wraps.  John Michael (what a mouthful) is a fire fighter for Hart County Fire Department and helps his parents with their farm during his downtime.  He broke up with Beth when he realized he was courting the wrong sister.  After helping Grace locate Snooze, he walks her home where they see strange footprints in the snow that circle the house.  John Michael is worried about Grace’s safety especially with the number of questionable fires in the area and suspicious robberies.  He is not about to let something happen to Grace now that he has reconnected with her.  Will a dangerous situation lead to a happily ever after?  Christmas is a time for miracles. 

His Promise is a part of The Amish of Hart County series, but it can be read alone.  I thought His Promise was well-written with steady pacing.  Grace is a kind yet naïve woman who has a pet sitting service.  She is the quietest member of her family and, while she loves her family, she needs some time alone now and then.  Grace’s generosity comes pouring out of the pages as she goes out of her way to help someone in need.  John Michael felt he at home with the King family, but he felt he needed to stay away after he broke things off with Beth.  John Michael now realizes that he handled the breakup of his relationship with Beth incorrectly (he was too abrupt).  John Michael is a firefighter which is a dangerous and unusual professional for someone who is Amish.  Some of the Christian themes prevalent in His Promise are honoring God, prayer, have faith, helping others and all things are possible with God.  The Christian elements are woven into the story seamlessly.  His Promise has a lovely ending that readers will appreciate.   I did not understand why John Michael nor Grace ever spoke with their parents, a deacon, or the Bishop when someone in their community needed assistance.  I like that they were helping the individual, but it was not a long term solution.  Part of the Amish culture is the sense of community so this seemed out of place.  I am giving His Promise 4 out of 5 stars.  There are recipes at the end of the book along with discussion questions.  His Promise contains romance, suspense, mystery, faith, family, generosity, a cute dog, and the spirit of Christmas. 

The other five novels in The Amish of Hart County are The Gift, His Guilt, Her Secret, His Risk and Her Fear.  Thank you for joining me today.  I hope you will stop by tomorrow to see which book I decide to discuss.  Please feel free to leave your comments below on what you thought of the books I am featuring or if you have books to recommend.  I hope you have a stupendous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Thread Herrings: A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery by Lea Wait plus a Giveaway!

Thread Herrings (A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery)

by Lea Wait

About the Book

Thread Herrings (A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

7th in Series

Kensington (October 30, 2018)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 149671671X

ISBN-13: 978-1496716712

Digital ASIN: B079KSZ92D

Angie's first auction may turn out to be her last—when she bids on a coat of arms that someone would literally kill to possess . . .

Tagging along to an estate sale with her fellow Needlepointer, antiques shop owner Sarah Byrne, Angie Curtis impulsively bids on a tattered embroidery of a coat of arms. When she gets her prize back home to Haven Harbor, she discovers a document from 1757 behind the framed needlework—a claim for a child from a foundling hospital. Intrigued, Angie is determined to find the common thread between the child and the coat of arms.

Accepting her reporter friend Clem Walker's invitation to talk about her find on the local TV news, Angie makes an appeal to anyone who might have information. Instead, both women receive death threats. When Clem is found shot to death in a parking lot, Angie fears her own life may be in jeopardy. She has to unravel this historical mystery—or she may be the next one going, going . . . gone . . .

About the Author

Lea Wait lives on the coast of Maine. A fourth-generation antique dealer and the author of the Agatha-nominated Antique Print Mystery series (which I enjoy reading), she loves all things antiques and Maine. She also writes historical novels for young people set in (where else?) nineteenth-century Maine. Visit her at leawait.com.  Follow Lea on Facebook and GoodReads.

My Thoughts

Thread Herrings by Lea Wait is the seventh story in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series.  Angie Curtis is the manager of Mainely Needlepoint in Haven Harbor, Maine.  Angie is accompanying her friend, Sarah Byrne to an auction in Augusta.  Angie has not been to an auction previously and is looking forward to the experience.  Angie is intrigued by a half-finished vintage framed needlepoint coat of arms that is not in the best condition and she spontaneously bids on it when none of the other participants show interest.  At home, Angie removes the needlework from the frame and finds a pale silk blue embroidered ribbon along with receipt from the London Foundling Hospital dated October 26, 1757 for a child baptized Charles.  Angie wants to learn more about the coat of arms and the child, but she is unsuccessful at the Maine Historical Society.  She has lunch with Clem Walker, friend and television reporter, who suggests doing a human interest feature and appeal to the public for information.  Instead of receiving helpful material, both ladies receive death threats.  Soon Clem is found shot dead in car in Haven Harbor and Angie’s car goes boom injuring someone close to her.  Angie goes into hiding, but she this does not deter her from investigating.  Can she identify the culprit before he finds her?

Thread Herrings can be read alone if you have not indulged in any of the previous novels in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series.  Angie goes to her first auction and her friend, Sarah kindly explains auction protocol.  Since I have not been to an auction, I found it interesting.  I had no idea there was a buyer’s premium added to the hammer price (winning bid).  I could tell the author did her research on the London Foundling Hospital, land patents or grants, the billet or receipt for the child and mementoes parents left behind as identifiers (to later claim the child).  Lea Wait incorporated the information in a way that made it easy to understand.  Ruth Hopkins helps Angie with genealogy research, but we see very little of the other Mainely Needlepoint group.  Patrick West is in town and Angie hides out in his finely appointed carriage house.  Personally, I am not a fan of Patrick and I keep hoping they will break up.  Patrick comes across as superficial (especially when he was discussing the yacht that could only sleep eight).  Angie needs a partner with more depth and who is interested in sleuthing.  The mystery plays out with clues interspersed up to the reveal.  Angie must solve the mystery via phone since she is unable to go out in public which is a unique way of investigating the crime.  Readers are unable to play along and solve this whodunit.  I could have done without the frequent (I stopped counting after six) mentions of Angie’s gun (a Glock).  Angie does manage to indulge in cooking, dining out friends (before the death threats), drinking fine wine, playing with Trixi (her kitten), watch movies, handle business details and check in with Gram.  As the action heats up in Thread Herrings, you will find yourself riveted.  You cannot help but keep reading to discover how the story plays out.  Thread Herrings is available at Amazon, B&N, Kobo.

The next novel in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series is Thread on Arrival which comes out on April 30, 2019.  In honor of the tour, Lea Wait is hosting a giveaway.  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Make sure to leave a comment on my blog for an extra entry and visit the other stops where you can read their review and an excerpt from Thread Herrings.  Thank you for visiting today.  I am featuring His Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray. I hope you have a blessed All Saints Day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 1 - The Avid Reader – REVIEW

November 1 - Cozy Up With Kathy -SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 2 -  Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 -  A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW

November 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

November 3 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 3 – Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, EXCERPT

November 5 – Here's How It Happened - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 5 – The Montana Bookaholic - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 6 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

November 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book  - REVIEW

November 7 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

November 8 – My Reading Journey - REVIEW, EXCERPT

November 8 – MJB Reviewers - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 9 – Brooke Blogs - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 9 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

November 10 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 10 – Handcrafted Reviews - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 11 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

November 12 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW

November 13 – Socrates' Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 13 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

November 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW