Paper-Thin Alibi: A Craft Corner Mystery [Paperback]

Mary Ellen Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Craft Corner Mystery | Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Readers will stay glued to this Craft Corner mystery.

Sales at the Craft Corner start to crumple when Jo McAllister becomes a suspect in her rival’s murder. But during paper craft classes, Jo and her friends discuss motives and means rather than origami and collage. Together they track the twisted trail of a killer, before another life is ripped to shreds.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425222551
• ISBN-13: 978-0425222553
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,051,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've always loved to write, and I also, when there was time, enjoyed dabbling in various crafts. With my Craft Corner mystery series I'm able to do both! Jo McAllister, protagonist of Wreath of Deception, String of Lies, and Paper-thin Alibi, owns an Arts and Crafts shop, and she gets to do all the fun things I've loved doing, only she does them better. But besides that she gets involved with murder -which I, happily, so far have not. Jo also lives in Maryland, as do I, but she was born there, whereas I was born and bred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which gave me a fine appreciation of snow, bratwurst, and - on occasion - beer. My first two books, Resort to Murder and A Taste of Death featured a high school math teacher. I was never a teacher, (though they are in my family), so I sent my teacher on vacations which I could then vicariously enjoy, (and no one had to come to feed the cat.) While writing my Craft Corner books, I became quite knowlegeable about all things crafty - wreath-making, scrapbooking, beading, and more. I also became fairly knowledgeable in the ways of murder. And who knows how useful that may someday be?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Cozy Read, July 7, 2008

By 

K. Anderson "andersox" (Aliso Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paper-Thin Alibi: A Craft Corner Mystery (Paperback)

Summary

Seeking to expand her customer base, Jo McAllister enters the Michicomi Craft Fair. To her dismay, she finds her booth is immediately across the aisle from Linda Weeks, her former rival in the jewlery design business.

After a very public argument between Jo and Linda, Linda has a fatal allergic reaction to candies Jo delivered to Linda's booth. Soon, Jo is suspected of murder and must discover the identity of the true killer to clear her name and save Jo's Craft Store.

Kudos & Criticisms

Hughes does a nice job of moving the main action of this series from Jo's Craft Store to the Michicomi Craft Fair. It allows her to provide some variety in the series by using a set of interesting temporary characters. (I hope Gabe appears in the series again.)

Hughes' main focus is on the mystery. She introduces the murder within the first 20 pages and gives the reader spikes of suspense at just the right intervals with a just light twist of romance. The book is a fast read and moves along at a good pace.

My only minor criticism is that I knew "whodunit" within the first 70 pages--and I'm not usually good at guessing. So, either I'm getting better at reading clues or the mystery is obvious. Still, the book was so enjoyable, I read it from cover to cover.

I look forward to the next book in this series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another craft mystery winner, November 7, 2008

By 

Janet Benrey "janet benrey" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paper-Thin Alibi: A Craft Corner Mystery (Paperback)

"Paper-Thin Alibi" is the third cozy in this series, and it is the richest of the three. Ms. Hughes' characters never disappoint, including Jo McAllister who finds herself in trouble at the Michicomi Craft Festival. In real life, I've never been to a craft festival, but Ms. Hughes graciously took me behind-the-scene where visitors rarely go. This is another winner. I hope they'll be more. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

A fan...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Mystery, August 3, 2008

By 

teacher in PA - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paper-Thin Alibi: A Craft Corner Mystery (Paperback)

I loved Mary Ellen Hughes' latest mystery! I love how the characters are so realistic - I really learn to care about them. As I was reading the book, I was reluctant to put it down! I found myself thinking about the next twist in the plot. The humor is laced throughout the story and lightens serious moments at just the right time. I can't wait to see what happens in the next mystery Ms. Hughes writes!