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Annie's Attic Mysteries #14
The Stolen Canvas
Annie Dawson's grandmother, Betsy Holden, hgad taken her share of strays into her old Victorian home, Grey Gables. Orphaned kittens and puppies--and her 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.
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.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 9, 2018
A great mystery with a fun plot.
April 8, 2017
This book did not flow with the other books. It went against things said in other books and did not really fit into the timeline established by the other books in this series so far.
By itself it would have been an ok book, but not at all my favorite of this series.
By itself it would have been an ok book, but not at all my favorite of this series.
May 1, 2021
This book goes back into Annie Dawson's attic filled with unknown treasures. It concerns a couple, Tara and Jem. Tara has low self esteem, never knew her father, barely knew her mother who was there for her, yet not.
Jem, who likes to be called J.C. is a petty thief always looking to make a fast dollar very scheming. Tara is in love with him or thinks she is.
Jem and his brother, Willy Carson, a well liked handyman who likes his job and is good at it, loves his wife and six year old daughter. The two had been brought up in Sandy Point, Maine. Jem decides to go back home. There might be something there, a way to make money, never honestly.
Tara lived in Portland, had never been to Sandy Point, but looking through papers found the name of Betsy Holden who had written to her mother several letters and made Claire a beautiful tapestry when her daughter was born. Betsy's tapestry and needle points were beautiful, in demand and pricey. Jem gets Tara to get into Grey Gables, steal the tapestries, sell them and make money.
Annie finds Tara wandering along the road close to her home. Tara makes up a story about her car breaking down and needing help. She is so thin, so tired, so poor. Annie takes her into her house, fixes up a room to stay and cooks her some meals. She is a good person who never sees bad in anyone, just as was her grandmother. Alice and Ian worry about Annie. She is too good and trusting, one of these days will be murdered in her bed. Tara helps Annie with housework to make up for Annie's goodness. Jem is angry, a rich woman turning you into a cleaning woman. He has wormed his way into the town.
Annie brings Tara to meet the ladies of the Hook and Needle Club. Readers meet Carla Calloway, a new comer to Stony Point, who opened her home to abandoned animals. She loves animals, can't do enough for them, but dislikes people, was rude, disliked by folks. Vanessa, a teenage girl, who also loves animals, so puts up with Carla. Annie and her friends help Tara see herself as a worthwhile person.
A good read like all of Annie's Attic books.
Jem, who likes to be called J.C. is a petty thief always looking to make a fast dollar very scheming. Tara is in love with him or thinks she is.
Jem and his brother, Willy Carson, a well liked handyman who likes his job and is good at it, loves his wife and six year old daughter. The two had been brought up in Sandy Point, Maine. Jem decides to go back home. There might be something there, a way to make money, never honestly.
Tara lived in Portland, had never been to Sandy Point, but looking through papers found the name of Betsy Holden who had written to her mother several letters and made Claire a beautiful tapestry when her daughter was born. Betsy's tapestry and needle points were beautiful, in demand and pricey. Jem gets Tara to get into Grey Gables, steal the tapestries, sell them and make money.
Annie finds Tara wandering along the road close to her home. Tara makes up a story about her car breaking down and needing help. She is so thin, so tired, so poor. Annie takes her into her house, fixes up a room to stay and cooks her some meals. She is a good person who never sees bad in anyone, just as was her grandmother. Alice and Ian worry about Annie. She is too good and trusting, one of these days will be murdered in her bed. Tara helps Annie with housework to make up for Annie's goodness. Jem is angry, a rich woman turning you into a cleaning woman. He has wormed his way into the town.
Annie brings Tara to meet the ladies of the Hook and Needle Club. Readers meet Carla Calloway, a new comer to Stony Point, who opened her home to abandoned animals. She loves animals, can't do enough for them, but dislikes people, was rude, disliked by folks. Vanessa, a teenage girl, who also loves animals, so puts up with Carla. Annie and her friends help Tara see herself as a worthwhile person.
A good read like all of Annie's Attic books.
June 24, 2018
This story was pretty slow and not as interesting as others. Tara is at her mother's apartment to gather anything she wanted before they throw out her things. Her mother has passed away and Tara is sad because she never knew her. Her mother was always distant. She finds some letters from an elderly lady in Stony Point that had been writing to her mother. When her boyfriend sees the letters her gets an idea for a way to make some money. He is originally from Stony Point and he remembers Mrs. Holden in the fancy big house. He decided Tara will go to the house and befriend the women so they can steal some of the cross stitches that are fetching a lot of money at auction. Tara goes along with it but when she meets Annie and the other ladies at the Hook & Needle club, she doesn't want to go through with it. She really just wants to learn more about her mother and hopes someone there will remember her.
March 6, 2023
Another wonderful story from Annie's Attic! This one focuses on three people who come to Stoney Point. One is a former resident, one a former summer visitor, and one a newcomer recruited for a crime. The story unfolds a perfect pace. The constant characters are featured a little less in this one and it is a perfect blend.
I never reveal the plot. I want you to read it for yourself. It is a feel good story worth your time.
I never reveal the plot. I want you to read it for yourself. It is a feel good story worth your time.
September 28, 2017
Another excellent Annie's Attic Mystery! This series centers around various heirlooms found in the attic of the Victorian home Annie inherited from her grandmother, and I wish they would go on forever. The mystery this time is a human one, but again with a connection to Annie's attic.
A good read!
A good read!
December 26, 2017
I just finished reading book # 14 in the Annie's Attic Mysteries. The story of the two young women in years past was very key to the story in the future. I like the fact that Annie Dawson meets so many new characters in the book. She deals with them with honesty and kindness. This is a very refreshing quality and gives me encouragement to be kind to others.
November 18, 2018
This is the first book of the series so far that I did not really enjoy. I found it hard to follow and I enjoy the stories that are written more in the viewpoint of Annie.
Hopefully, there are not too many more like this in the series
Hopefully, there are not too many more like this in the series
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January 3, 2021Mystery, good friends, embroidery, truth! Great read
December 18, 2022
Interesting
May 30, 2023
very good mystery except for it wasnt one of annies,,,
November 10, 2023
This story was different than the others…no mystery to solve.
April 17, 2024
Great story!
August 25, 2025
You find more about Peggy & Wally Carson. Your Introduced to Carla Callous who has opened an Animal shelter. You meet Tara who finds notes To her mom from Elizabeth Holden at Grey Gables.
August 27, 2016
Quick, easy read. Annie Dawson takes in a young woman (Tara) who just lost her mother and has come to Grey Gables to find out what Annie's grandmother can tell her about the mom she just lost. Unbeknown to Annie and the rest of Stony Point resident, Tara has hooked up with Wally's brother (JC) who has the brilliant idea to snatch some of Annie's grandmother Betsy's needlework and sell it. Needless to say, that's not how it ends up playing out. All of the Annie's Attic Mysteries have a very subtle message that becomes clear once the story is finished. This is a great set of books; they always leave me looking forward to reading the next installment.
July 5, 2014
I hated it. The "Annie's Attic" mysteries are written by different authors. This author has apparently not read the others that came before. She makes it sound like Annie hasn't been in Stony Point, Maine for long, doesn't mention things from previous books, and has a decidedly annoying religious bent. The story itself was not that great and didn't feel or sound like an Annie's Attic mystery.
November 7, 2012
Once again, I had a fun adventure with Annie Dawson & her friends of the Hook & Needle club as they try to figure out one of the women in the town. Also, Wally's (Annie's remodeler) brother comes to town & causes plenty of grief for one of Annie's friends.
October 24, 2012
One of the best stories yet. Different in that the story focus more on the new characters--those who are carrying out the mystery/crime than furthering the story of Annie and her friends.
May 25, 2016
Excellent story and one that is believable. One pretty much knows how it will end but getting there was a fun read.
December 10, 2016
Another great book about Annie's attic. I am enjoying the whole series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews