Book Review: Hanging by a Thread

Title:  Hanging by a Thread
Author:  Sophie Littlefield
Where I got it:  From NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review

Amazon Summary:

Summer is the best part of the year in Winston, California, and the Fourth of July is the highlight of the season. People consider themselves lucky to live in the quaint, serene beachside town, and native Clare Knight, now a city girl, feels doubly lucky to be moving back there a week before the July festivities kick off.

But the perfect town Clare remembers has changed, and everyone is praying that this summer will be different from the last two—that this year’s Fourth of July festival won’t see one of their own vanish without a trace, leaving no leads and no suspects. The media are in a frenzy predicting a third disappearance, but the town depends on tourist dollars, so the residents of Winston are trying desperately to pretend nothing’s wrong.

And they’re not the only ones hiding something.

Clare has been blessed—or perhaps cursed—with a gift: she can see people’s pasts when she touches their clothes. And since she’s a seamstress who redesigns vintage clothing, her visions are frequent—and usually unwanted. When she stumbles across a denim jacket that once belonged to Amanda Stavros, last year’s Fourth of July victim, Clare sees her perfect town begin to come apart at the seams.

My Thoughts:
Clare has just recently moved back to Winston, and things are not at all like what she remembers.  It’s almost Fourth of July, and instead of anticipation, the residents are anxiously waiting to see if there will be a third murder on the holiday.  For Clare, the anxiety is even greater, because her “gift” is kicking in and won’t let her go.  Clare can read history from clothing, and a jacket that she stumbled upon keeps dragging her deeper into the mystery of the town murders.

This is a great mix of suspense and mystery, and a little paranormal mysticism.  I loved the funky atmosphere and the unique way that Clare’s ability fit into and drove the story.  This is a quick, fun read that will keep you turning pages past your bedtime, so be sure to start it early!