Paper-Thin Alibi

“[A] gem of a read! Jo is a smart, compassionate heroine with enough moxie to deal with gossips, liars, and police detectives.”—
The Romance Readers Connection

“[A] well-written, classic cozy that moves along at a pleasant pace and ties up the loose ends in a most satisfying resolution. Jo McAllister is a wise-beyond-her-years heroine with a big heart . . . Mary Ellen Hughes writes with precision, affection for her characters, and an obvious talent for using the English language.”—
Cozy Library

“Filled with craft tips, this mystery is an enjoyable tale. Jo and her friends make pleasant companions as well as quick-witted sleuths. With just a hint of a possible romance, this series promises to grow even more intriguing as it goes on.”—
Fresh Fiction

Wreath of Deception

“Mary Ellen Hughes has a designer’s touch when it comes to murder! Her book has characters you’ll really like and crafts you’ll want to make. Get cozy and enjoy this terrific new author.”—Laura Childs, author of the bestselling Tea Shop and Scrapbooking mysteries

“Hughes launches her series with a feisty, likable heroine and a savvy group of craft hounds.”—
*Romantic Times

“A clever, crafty plot and a cast of quirky, engaging characters make
Wreath of Deception
a definite winner. A fun, fast-paced read.”—Maggie Sefton, author of
Dyer Consequences

“A warm and clever heroine . . . Filled with unexpected twists, peopled with entertaining characters, and sprinkled with touches of humor.”—Maddy Hunter, author of
G’day to Die

“Mary Ellen Hughes stitches together a charming mystery filled with crafty plot twists and a fun cast of characters. Read and enjoy this clever novel.”

—Monica Ferris, author of
A Killer Stitch

“An intriguing and crafty debut.”—Tim Myers, author of
A Mold for Murder

“A quintessential cozy. The writing is top-notch, the plot well-paced . . . An altogether satisfying story readers will just love.”—
Cozy Library

“An absorbing whodunit, small-town life, the joys and trials of family and friends, and some useful crafting tips all combine to make this series debut a good read.” —
MyShelf.com

Craft Corner Mysteries by Mary Ellen Hughes

WREATH OF DECEPTION
STRING OF LIES
PAPER-THIN ALIBI

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the recipes contained in this book.

PAPER-THIN ALIBI

A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author

PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley Prime Crime mass-market edition / July 2008

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eISBN : 978-1-436-22922-7

BERKLEY
^®PRIME CRIME
Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

The name BERKLEY PRIME CRIME and the BERKLEY PRIME CRIME design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

http://us.penguingroup.com

For Suzanne and Stephen
No mystery why

Acknowledgments

I am very grateful to Karlene Hicks, without whose talent and expertise Jo’s gift boxes would never have taken shape. Heidi Abend gets my special thanks as well for her encouragement and support along with giving me a peek into her very creative mind. Dr. D. P. Lyle helped greatly and generously with the medical questions I needed answers to, as did John Baker concerning photography. If I didn’t get things right, it’s my own fault entirely.

Once again, my editor, Sandy Harding, used her amazing skills to keep these many thousands of words on track, as well as to bolster and encourage me generously. To my agent, Jacky Sach, who started the ball rolling. I’m very grateful to you both.

Of course many thanks to Janet Benrey, Ray Flynt, Debbi Mack, Trish Marshall, Sherriel Mattingly, Marcia Talley, and Lyn Taylor, who kept me on my toes as usual with their “on-target” critiques. I could never slip anything past any of them, though I’ll probably keep on trying.

As for Terry, “thank you” is totally inadequate for the many ways he’s helped. But—there you are.

Chapter 1

Jo was making good time, driving smoothly through light traffic along Route 30, just outside Abbotsville, Maryland, when a black SUV suddenly swerved in front of her. She hit the brake and immediately heard her boxes of jewelry shift behind her. Swallowing several explosive comments that sprang to mind, in consideration for her friend Carrie sitting next to her, Jo braced for the sound of spillage in the back seat, but heard, to her relief, only internal rattles.

“All I need is a car accident along the way because of an idiot like that,” she grumbled as she resumed speed. She threw a quick glance behind her, but saw that the precious cargo, though shifted, appeared intact. “There all my hand-crafted jewelry would be, spread across the highway, tires mashing them right and left.”

“Not to mention us,” Carrie pointed out mildly, adding a sudden, “
Ah-choo!
”

“Bless you.
We
have seat belts and air bags to protect us. My jewelry has only flimsy boxes. Allergies pretty bad today, huh?”

“Uh-huh.” Carrie wiped her nose with a tissue and rubbed at her itchy eyes.

“What is it this time of year?”

“Tree pollen. In April the trees around here are pumping out their progeny like there’s no tomorrow. This morning our car was covered with the yellow stuff. Just looking at it made my eyes tear up.”

“Maybe it’s time for shots?”

“Nuh-uh. No shots. Maybe a trip to the doctor’s, for a prescription. I hate to, though. Our deductible is high and it’ll cost us.”

“Think about all those cases of tissues you won’t have to buy. Or,” Jo said, knowing Carrie’s weak spot, “consider the delectable meals you’ll feel more like cooking for Dan and the kids because you had a decent night’s sleep.” Carrie might skimp on care for herself, but she’d think twice about shortchanging her family. Carrie’s response was another sneeze.

An overhead sign told Jo her exit was coming up, so she turned her focus back to the road and, unlike “idiot-driver,” carefully checked the adjoining lanes and put on her turn signal before moving her Toyota into the right lane. Exiting the highway, she headed up Bell’s Mill Road toward the Hammond County Fairgrounds. The Michicomi Craft Festival had set up there, one of several three-day stops in its annual cross-country tour, and Jo had managed to snag a booth to show her jewelry, a feat that pleased her immensely after sending in color slides of her work to the judges and waiting anxiously to hear their ruling.

Michicomi, she knew, was particular about which crafters were allowed to participate. Those who made it in were professionals—potters, leather workers, artists of all kinds. The prices on their wares corresponded to their skill level, but the crowds who flocked to the festivals were usually happy to pay them, as well as the price of the ticket that allowed them the privilege of doing so. Jo was excited to be a part of it all.

But she would need plenty of browsers to buy from her booth. Participating in Michicomi was a significant investment, a huge chunk from her tiny budget. The cost of renting a booth ran into the hundreds. Jo would need to sell a hefty amount of jewelry to cover that, as well as the costs of her supplies, and come out ahead.

“Thank goodness the weather’s looking good for the next few days,” she said as she pulled through the gateway to the fairgrounds. The road leading in was paved only with crushed gravel, and the parking areas, as far as she could see, were mostly dirt with a sparse covering of tamped down weeds. “Imagine the sea of mud this would churn into with heavy rain.”

“I don’t have to imagine it,” Carrie said, pulling out another tissue. “I saw it last August when we brought the kids here for the county fair.”

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