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Contesting the Wool: A Material Witness Mystery
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Expected 28 Oct 25Win a free print copy of this book!
19 days and 14:42:00
4 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
It's curtains for somebody at the reading of the will...
Poly Monroe never expected to inherit anything from Reginald Villamere, the recently deceased millionaire who preserved San Ladron’s historic movie theater. As the owner of the town’s fabric shop, Poly never knew the theater owner—but her relatives, who left her the fabric shop—did. When his thirty-year-old will names them among the beneficiaries, Poly finds herself thrust into a mystery—one that turns deadly when one of Villamere’s lawyers is found murdered in a theater storage room after the will reading concludes.
Town residents are more abuzz over the will than the murder of a stranger, and rumors ensue. The historical society contests the will, determined to wrest control of the theater for themselves. The Villamere’s most devoted employee, who spent years tending to the old playhouse, has been snubbed. Another staff member is keeping his past neatly folded away, hoping no one pulls at the wrong thread. And the murdered lawyer may have had his own a hidden connection to an heir no one saw coming.
As suspicion stitches into every corner of the small California town, Poly must rely on her eye for patterns and her knack for unraveling the truth. But the closer she gets to mending the gaps in this case, the more she risks becoming the next victim in a plot tailored for murder.
Poly Monroe never expected to inherit anything from Reginald Villamere, the recently deceased millionaire who preserved San Ladron’s historic movie theater. As the owner of the town’s fabric shop, Poly never knew the theater owner—but her relatives, who left her the fabric shop—did. When his thirty-year-old will names them among the beneficiaries, Poly finds herself thrust into a mystery—one that turns deadly when one of Villamere’s lawyers is found murdered in a theater storage room after the will reading concludes.
Town residents are more abuzz over the will than the murder of a stranger, and rumors ensue. The historical society contests the will, determined to wrest control of the theater for themselves. The Villamere’s most devoted employee, who spent years tending to the old playhouse, has been snubbed. Another staff member is keeping his past neatly folded away, hoping no one pulls at the wrong thread. And the murdered lawyer may have had his own a hidden connection to an heir no one saw coming.
As suspicion stitches into every corner of the small California town, Poly must rely on her eye for patterns and her knack for unraveling the truth. But the closer she gets to mending the gaps in this case, the more she risks becoming the next victim in a plot tailored for murder.
306 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 28, 2025
2178 people want to read
About the author
Diane Vallere
83 books1,002 followersDiane Vallere is the national bestselling author of several mystery series. She edited the Agatha Award-winning essay collection Promophobia: Taking the Mystery out of Promoting Crime Fiction. Diane majored in art history at the College of William and Mary and worked in luxury retailing before reigniting her love of fiction. She currently lives in Pennsylvania where she spends her free time discussing classic movies or curled up with a book. Find out more at: www.dianevallere.com.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 4, 2025
Review of Contesting the Wool by Diane Vallere
Diane Vallere’s Contesting the Wool is a delightful cozy mystery that threads together suspense, small-town intrigue, and a love of fabric. Poly Monroe, the owner of a San Ladron fabric shop, unexpectedly inherits a large stash of fabric from the recently deceased millionaire Reginald Villamere. Originally intended for her aunt and uncle, this inheritance places Poly in the center of a mystery when one of Villamere’s lawyers is found murdered shortly after the will reading.
The story cleverly intertwines Poly’s eye for patterns and her creative ideas for using the inherited fabric with the growing tension in the town. From a historical society contesting the will to hidden pasts among theater staff, the plot keeps readers guessing as secrets unravel thread by thread. Vallere’s characters are charming and relatable, and the small-town setting adds warmth and depth to the story, making it easy to get invested in both the mystery and the community.
While the pacing occasionally slows with detailed descriptions of fabric and theater history, these moments also enrich the setting and Poly’s perspective, giving the story a unique flavor. The murder mystery is engaging, and the ending is satisfying, though some twists may feel slightly predictable to experienced mystery readers.
Overall, Contesting the Wool is an enjoyable and well-crafted cozy mystery with an intriguing premise, clever protagonist, and a touch of creativity that makes it stand out. Fans of Vallere and newcomers to the series alike will find it a fun and absorbing read.
Diane Vallere’s Contesting the Wool is a delightful cozy mystery that threads together suspense, small-town intrigue, and a love of fabric. Poly Monroe, the owner of a San Ladron fabric shop, unexpectedly inherits a large stash of fabric from the recently deceased millionaire Reginald Villamere. Originally intended for her aunt and uncle, this inheritance places Poly in the center of a mystery when one of Villamere’s lawyers is found murdered shortly after the will reading.
The story cleverly intertwines Poly’s eye for patterns and her creative ideas for using the inherited fabric with the growing tension in the town. From a historical society contesting the will to hidden pasts among theater staff, the plot keeps readers guessing as secrets unravel thread by thread. Vallere’s characters are charming and relatable, and the small-town setting adds warmth and depth to the story, making it easy to get invested in both the mystery and the community.
While the pacing occasionally slows with detailed descriptions of fabric and theater history, these moments also enrich the setting and Poly’s perspective, giving the story a unique flavor. The murder mystery is engaging, and the ending is satisfying, though some twists may feel slightly predictable to experienced mystery readers.
Overall, Contesting the Wool is an enjoyable and well-crafted cozy mystery with an intriguing premise, clever protagonist, and a touch of creativity that makes it stand out. Fans of Vallere and newcomers to the series alike will find it a fun and absorbing read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review