Threads of Deception: A Suddenly French Mystery
Thirty-five-year-old Claire Fontaine had it all as a successful D.C. defense attorney until a criminal explosion shattered her career and left her with a debilitating French foreign accent syndrome. To make matters worse, her neurologist ordered her to take a break from the law and the FBI urged her to lay low. She's also broke. Her only marketable skill is the culinary expertise she's gained through countless cooking classes for singles. Forced to embrace a new path as a private chef, Claire accepts the invitation of a rising fashion designer friend to move back to her Southern California hometown to cater for a fashion TV show-only to find said friend dead.
Desperate to prove it wasn't a suicide but a murder, Claire teams up with her childhood best friend, Suggie Oh, the town's beloved accountant. She also forms a tension-filled alliance with charismatic Detective Ben Torres, who reluctantly accepts her cooperation and with whom she's forced to share an apartment.
As she investigates, Claire glimpses into the world of competitive fashion, political campaigns, and ex-lovers' vendettas. But getting closer to the truth may not be as safe as juggling knives in a dark kitchen.
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"Elle Jauffret spins a powerful, complex, and compelling mystery! Threads Of Deception dives deep into the human experience and does so with elegance and insight. Highly recommended!" - Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of NecroTek and The Dragon in Winter
"A charming traditional mystery with a unique French twist-and a captivating mix of fashion, food, and fascinating characters! Elle Jauffret is a smart and fresh new voice, and this chic, cinematic, and unpredictable story, revealed in a gorgeous setting, will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can." - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling author of One Wrong Word
"Threads of Deception is a fast-paced mystery with unique characters, refreshing humor, and unexpected adventures that will keep you turning pages. Jauffret's use of an unusual medical condition, fascinating backstory, and vivid setting add to the intrigue and interest, but her descriptions of scrumptious food will have you planning a visit to the nearest French bakery. By the last page, she's left just enough breadcrumbs to draw you forward into what will no doubt be a delightful series you'll enjoy with a book in one hand and pain au chocolat in the other." - Annette Lyon, USA Today bestselling author of Just One More
"Elle Jauffret's Threads of Deception is a delectable debut novel in which Jauffret stitches together a mouth-watering mystery that will leave readers hungry for more!" - Daphne Silver, Agatha Award winning author of Crime and Parchment
"With a charming and confident heroine, a sexy police detective, and dripping with Hollywood intrigue, Threads of Deception is a must-read for mystery lovers, a fierce debut for author Elle Jauffret!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the #murdertrending series
"When it comes to serving up an intriguing, unique and satisfying mystery, Jauffret is the crème de la crème." Wendy Toliver, best-selling author of Regina Rising and Red's Untold Tale
"Death and deception in the cut-throat world of fashion? Yes, please! Threads of Deception was such a delicious ride. Claire Fontaine is a smart and likeable protagonist in the vein of Finlay Donovan and Aurora Teagarden. Highly recommend!" - Lorien Lawrence, author of the Fright Watch series and The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family
