The Stolen Canvas

The Stolen Canvas photo

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Annie Dawson’s grandmother, Betsy Holden, had taken her share of strays into her old Victorian home, Grey Gables. Orphaned kittens and puppies—and her fair share of weary and worn people as well—had been welcomed to share the warmth of her hearth. 

But now Annie, heir to the Holden estate, is face-to-face with Tara Frasier, an orphaned young woman searching for an emotional connection to her dead mother. Annie knew Gram would embrace this stranger, but could there be some sinister reason behind her sudden, mysterious appearance? Tara’s past is checkered at best. Her mother had known Betsy as a child, and Annie’s Gram had befriended her up to the time of her death. It seemed logical for Tara to search out Grey Gables and its present owner. Didn’t it?

Annie’s Hook and Needle Club friends are suspicious initially, but Tara wins them over with her innocent and shy demeanor. When Annie helps her get a job at a local animal shelter, Tara even salves the callous nature of its owner, Carla Calloway. 

But is Tara’s story stacked on a house of cards? Is there a connection between her and Wally Carson’s long-lost brother, Jem, who also has suddenly returned to Stony Point, Maine? And why is Carla haunted by Tara’s appearance? Ian Butler, the mayor of Stony Point, fears for Annie’s safety and worries that her generosity and charitable nature will place her squarely in harm’s way.

Join Annie, Ian, Annie’s best friend, Alice MacFarlane, and all of the members of the Hook and Needle Club as they tackle this latest mystery to beset Grey Gables.

The Characters

Annie has lived in Brookfield, Texas, for the last 28 years but grew up in Stony Point, Maine. At 49, she is still attractive with her gray-blond hair, but since her husband, Wayne, died of a heart attack last year, her green eyes have lost their sparkle. She doesn't know quite how she fits into this new, but lonely, phase of her life. So she contents herself with her crochet projects and her garden. Still, however, her life lacks focus and meaning.

A childhood friend of Annie's, Alice has lived in Stony Point all her life. She is divorced and lives next door to Grey Gables in the small but cozy carriage house that used to be the gatekeeper's house for the mansion on the hill. Annie is delighted to reconnect with her long-lost friend.

Mary Beth is the owner of the local yarn shop, A Stitch in Time, in the center of town. She has lived in Stony Point her whole life, has never been married and seems to be the self-appointed town mother. It's nearly impossible to keep a secret around her since she knows absolutely everything going on in town.

Annie's daughter LeeAnn lives in Dallas, Texas and has an independent nature. She and her husband, Herb, have 5-year-old twins, John and Joanna. LeeAnn is worried about her mother's well-being but keeps in touch on a regular basis.