A Tangled Yarn

A Tangled Yarn photo

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When Shannon McClain and the Purls of Hope visit the alpaca and llama farm of Luke and Selena Barlow, little do they know that the twisted path of the next few days will lead them from their peaceful small town of Apple Grove, Oregon, straight to the brink of disaster.
The Barlows are the parents of Patsy, Lara McClain’s roommate at a university in Portland. Misty Hills Alpaca Farm produces some of the best alpaca and llama fiber in the Pacific Northwest. 

Intrigue awaits Shannon and the Purls as they tour the farm and discover the body of a man in one of the barns. Who is this mysterious stranger, why was he in the Barlows’ barn, and—most importantly—how did he die? Shannon promises her daughter, Lara, that she will help the Barlows clear their names, if indeed they are not in some way connected to the man’s death.

Part of their research takes Shannon and the Purls to an upscale boutique in Portland, Just Knits, where their questions change the owner, Frances Oberheimer, from courteous to surly in a matter of minutes. Is there a connection between the two strands, one in Apple Grove and the other in Portland?

Michael Stone, the former police detective who counts himself as more than a friend to Shannon, tries to warn her about the possible dangers of pursuing the case. But her need for closure in the stranger’s death drives the fiery redhead from Scotland toward a solution to the mystery—and justice.

Will she and the Purls solve the tangled web of crime and deceit, or will the unraveling trail lead to disaster?

The Characters

Alec has his father's calm, thoughtful nature. He is a good son and very supportive of his mother's quest to learn the truth about her past. When he's not out with his friends, or studying for his classes, he enjoys fishing, something his father taught him to do years earlier.

Deborah was Shannon's grandmother's cook and confidant for more than 30 years. She becomes a comforting presence in Shannon's life, helping her adjust to life in America. Deborah is thrilled that Shannon has inherited the crafts mall. An avid quilter herself, she and Shannon find much to talk about.

Lara has inherited her mother's flashpoint temper. But she also inherited her mother's creative talents and is an expert crocheter. Lara possesses a rare talent for noticing things others miss -- seen as well as unseen. This makes her a great asset to her mother throughout the series as Shannon is drawn into the mysteries of Apple Grove.

A striking and personable 42-year-old, Michael is 6 feet 2 inches, with straight black hair and striking blue eyes. He owns an elite security consulting firm with many long-reaching connections to nearly all levels of industry and politics. He is strongly attracted to Shannon from the moment he meets her, but unwilling to reveal his secrets, which raises a barrier between them. Death has followed people he's loved, having lost his wife as a result of his dangerous career -- and he is unwilling to trust his heart again. This will change with Shannon, though he tries to hold her at a distance for a long time.

Morgan is the manager of the craft market and quite the expert at card making and stamping. She is most unhappy to have Shannon on the scene as her new boss but she hides it well. What dark secret lurks behind her friendly facade?

Shannon is an avid beader -- running her own custom jewelry business. She thrives on expressing her talents through her one-of-a-kind creations. She is headstrong and can be stubborn at times. But she's best known for her sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others, and for her beautiful smile. Widowed at only 37, she draws strength and inspiration from her two teenage children, but worries about their future. She knows she needs to move on with her life... but she never expected anything like this mysterious inheritance!