PAPER-THIN ALIBI

PAPER-THIN ALIBI
Author: Mary Ellen Hughes
Copyright 2008
Berkley Prime Crime Books
Paperback $6.99
978-0-425-22255-3
256 pages

Craft fairs are always interesting with their variety of items and the various skills that people have developed in creating uniqueness. However, the behind the scenes activities can be more mind-boggling than the actual fair.

Imagine finally after years of creating your own jewelry line, being invited to participate in one of the largest craft fairs in the area, the Michicomi Craft Fair and of course, an old nemesis is directly across from you selling her own jewelry creations. Yes, you secretly think that death wish but attempt to mind your own business and just focus on your own jewelry. To add to the excitement, whenever there are many people looking to purchase your jewelry, she yells across about discounts available on her own creations.

OK, the death wish is continuing, but be careful what you wish for. This is the problem for Jo McAllister.

On the second day of the fair, Jo discovers a box of candy placed at her station, but unfortunately, it is to her nemesis, Linda Weeks. Jo politely gives it to Linda later on in the day. Linda naturally has to go on and on about how this must be from a particular man purposefully overstating his attraction to Linda. Her thanks to Jo is continued throughout the day with various loud insults, taunts, and cattiness. All that changes when Linda finally eats a piece of the candy, collapsing while implying that Jo must have poisoned her.

It turns out that Linda was killed because the candy had peanuts in it and she was extremely allergic to the nuts. Jo really didn’t know about Linda’s allergy but is considered to be a possible criminal since it was obvious to everyone that Jo would have had a motive to kill Linda. The only way to obviously clear up everyone’s suspicions is for Jo to find out who actually killed Linda.

This is a fast-moving, cozy mystery with the characters well-developed. PAPER-THIN ALIBI holds your attention and even has a few added benefits with instructions on making a decorated gift box, paper flowers, and a recipe for a pasta salad with shrimp and snow peas.

Mary Ellen Hughes makes her home in Maryland, even though she is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She studied medical technology but always stayed close to her love of books and music while developing an attraction to arts and crafts. As her children grew, so did her interest in writing. Her first two books are RESORT TO MURDER and A TASTE OF DEATH. With PAPER-THIN ALIBI, this is the third book in her series of the Craft Corner Mysteries series.