The Tapestry Bag: A gripping mystery, full of twists and turns: Volume 1

A Janie Juke Mystery #1

by Isabella Muir

A young woman, Zara, goes missing, one year to the day that her boyfriend, Joel, was killed in a hit and run. Is Zara in danger? Is she still alive? What really happened to Joel and who is to blame?

In the quiet seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, the police appear to be doing little to find Zara. Her friend Janie decides to make it her mission to track her down. It's the 'swinging sixties' and Janie fears that Zara may be mixed up with drugs, alcohol, or worse. As Janie explores the strange circumstances of Zara's disappearance, she starts to question the truth about Joel's death.

Janie runs the mobile library and has a passion for crime fiction, especially Agatha Christie. Can Poirot help Janie solve the mystery of Zara's disappearance?

As she looks for clues she comes across some unsavoury characters who each have a reason for wanting Joel dead. Can Janie untangle the web of lies and find out the truth?

Special pre-order price before release date - just $0.99.

While you are waiting to read 'The Tapestry Bag', take a look at 'Ivory Vellum' - a collection of short stories from Isabella Muir, available on Kindle and paperback. One of the stories in 'Ivory Vellum' inspired Isabella Muir to write 'The Tapestry Bag' - see if you can spot which one!

Book 2 in the Janie Juke mystery series is now available for pre-order! Find out about Janie's new case in 'Lost Property' - a tangle of secrets and lies, where the past holds all the answers.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

Paperback

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Isabella is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of family life from the Second World War years through to the 1960s. Researching all aspects of life back then formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. Isabella rediscovered her love of writing fiction during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing and since then she has gone on to publish six novels, three novellas and two short story collections.

Her love of Italy shines through all her work and, as she is half-Italian, she has enjoyed bringing all her crime novels to an Italian audience with Italian translations, which are very well received.

Her latest novel, After the Storm, is the second novel in a new series of Sussex Crimes, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi who is escaping from tragedy in Rome, only to arrive in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, to come face-to-face with it once more.

Her first Sussex Crime Mystery series features young librarian and amateur sleuth, Janie Juke. Set in the late 1960s, in the fictional seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, we meet Janie, who looks after the mobile library. She is an avid lover of Agatha Christie stories – in particular Hercule Poirot. Janie uses all she has learned from the Queen of Crime to help solve crimes and mysteries. As well as three novels, there are three novellas in the series, which explore some of the back story to the Tamarisk Bay characters.

Isabella’s standalone novel, The Forgotten Children, deals with the emotive subject of the child migrants who were sent to Australia – again focusing on family life in the 1960s, when the child migrant policy was still in force.
Find out more about Isabella and her books by visiting her website at: www.isabellamuir.com

Reviews

[Kate Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line and was intrigued with quotes from Agatha Christie which made me want to read on. I did read on and finished in less than 24 hours. An easy read that I think woukd appeal to those who love a mystery without terror or gore.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I listened to this on audible I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I don't particularly like books set in the past, however I was pleasantly surprised with this.

I thought the story progressed quickly and I really got into it. It was bought to life by the narrator, I was a little unsure about her at first but after listening for a while I thought she was the perfect choice.

This is a story about a mystery, Zara goes missing and her friend is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her, even when it seems like everyone else has given up on her. This has a very Agatha Christie vibe to it, one that will keep you wanting to listen to the end.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers. I listened to this really quickly and it helped housework and other boring things go by a lot quicker!

I would like to thank audible for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Local librarian and mystery reader Janie Juke felt like just the right person to look into the death of Joel and the disappearance of Zara. Her love of Agatha Christie and Poirot gave her the push to use her ‘little grey cells’ and do some sleuthing of her own!

The narrator, Penny Scott-Andrews had just the right tone for me. I was easily able to imagine a young woman who was very excited to be searching for clues.

The story itself is set in the 1960s and I felt that able to remain in the time as the book progressed. It had mentions of music and bands as well as news items of the day.

While it is not what I would call fast paced I found the story to be quite addictive to listen to. It is a cosy mystery and also has Janie’s family involved. They voice their concerns as she investigates and they are also her sounding blocks.

This is the first in the Sussex Murder series and I am very interested in reading/listening to more. A good cosy murder/mystery with references to Poirot and Christie that kept me entertained.

It is an audiobook that I would Recommend.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a fascinating book with an interesting alternative character in Janie Juke librarian. I enjoyed the story and would definitely read more from this author.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1969 and Janie Juke's friend has gone missing. Janie, a librarian and expectant mum, looked after Zara for a year following the hit-and-run death of Zara's live-in boyfriend. Zara abruptly vanishes and Janie is filled with questions - is Zara still alive?

Janie was tenacious, almost to the point of obsessed, in her search. She was methodical and clear-headed and yet, at the same time, she seemed to border on manic. It did bother me a little that she didn't listen to her husband's concerns nor did she protect herself during several of her sleuthing trips.

The Tapestry Bag transports readers to yesteryear and places before them a tangled puzzle not quickly solved.

[TrixieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!

I’m always on the lookout for a good mystery to read. Every Friday night is reading date. Usually we just read lackluster mysteries because it’s hard to find books that are exciting that also aren’t racist sexist for example. And this was really good. Well written, exciting; the mystery was captivating. It wasn’t necessarily cozy, but it wasn’t a thriller either. Intriguing and delightful. Although if her husband is the next one to die, I won’t be sad about it. 😉

[David Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow found another series, this time Janie Juke librarian. I found it a little slow to start, but well worth the wait, intriguing and compelling, thought I new the answer a third of the way through, but got that wrong. Will certainly be reading the next int he series some time soon.

[Chelle W (teaandplottwists) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing this did was bring back my love of audiobooks!! I drive quite a lot for work and usually listen to podcasts but I loved being able to get in my car and get back in to the story! I also enjoyed it so much that I was listening to a chapter before bed too.

Anyway….. on to the book! Janie Juke lives in a small town in the 60’s with her Husband and leads a relatively quiet life. That is until her friend Zara turns back up in town and they catch up. All is going well until Zara’s boyfriend Joel is killed. Zara moves in with Janie and her Husband but one day disappears off the face of the planet. Although Janie reports it to the police they seem to only make a half-hearted attempt at finding her.

Frustrated and upset by their lack of care, Janie takes it upon herself to investigate her missing friend (much to her Husbands dismay!). Janie is a librarian and her favourite author is Agatha Christie; her Dad is an ex-policeman too so you can imagine how these two things lead to her being an amateur super-sleuth! Along the way we meet some interesting and rather shifty characters and there is a massive twist towards the end!

I really enjoyed the overall plot, and couldn’t have guessed the ending! I absolutely loved Janie’s Dad and the relationship between the two of them. However, I did find Janie slightly annoying! I’m not sure if it’s the voice the Narrator used for her, or whether it was the fact that she really did stick her nose in to certain things too much…..At times I just wanted her to stop for five minutes! Other than Janie being slightly annoying, the narrator did a fantastic job and I loved the different voices for the different characters…..how does the Narrator remember which voice she’s used for who?!

This is Book 1 in the Sussex Crime Series and I most definitely want to read/listen to Book 2….the ending of the The Tapestry Bag had been completely intrigued! If you enjoy a cosy mystery with an amateur sleuth on the case, then you should definitely check this out!

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella Muir has written this crime story and it takes place where Miss Isabella is from,in fact in this book at the beginning she has the town paid out for you in a map so when you are reading the story and certain places are mentioned you know where that building is of where that person is going. This is a really good story where this is a really a true crime. The characters in the story are true to life where the narration is told by the person,Janie telling the story. I did enjoy the suspense of the hunt,the clues that were given and I think almost to the end I kinda had it figured out but wasn't quit sure and what the reason being was for the reason,the real reason and when I found out,all said and done the ending really threw me wasn't actually expecting the reason why. You have all the ingredients in this story to make it really exciting,the who,what when but the why comes so much later. This is a series of Janie Jinks aka..daughter,wife,librarian,friend and expecting mom solving this missing person riddle. I know when you start out on a book any book to give back ground information but in this one it just seem like it took forever to tell this girl's life and she's like only in her twenties or I just didn't have the patience . It's a really cute crime story and as I said the ending took me by surprise but to me it just went on and on and on about certain back ground stuff that could have been told in a shorter version,but hey,I'm not the writer and the one with the famous name behind her books. You will enjoy the main characters,those are the ones in her family. Off to book two,we will see what kind of trouble Janie Jinks will get herself into now being a "new investigator. ..

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's nice to put down the intense and haunting thrillers and pick up a good-old 'who dun it?' that relies on drawing the reader in with a tantalising mystery, and then adds a smattering of clues, a few red herrings, a hefty gathering of suspects and voila!  You have a clever cosy mystery that appeals to the sleuths among us without using gore and disturbing events. 

The hook comes from the brilliant story telling and the way this story is pieced together.  It's like a jigsaw where you only get a piece every day and have to spend a while pondering what it brings to the table before you are allowed the next part.  This is not a mystery where you are hit with facts and twists at every page turn but one that titillates the brain gently and then gives it time to process and work through before sending the next clue along. 

There were phrases and ideas in the book that made me think twice and I did have to keep reminding myself it is set in the 60s.  Ms Muir captured the era charmingly and has written Janie as a strong and determined female character but remaining true to the time. 

Overall I loved the calm nature of this book as it allowed me to take my time and focus more on 'solving' the mystery and less on frantically turning pages.  Really recommended for anybody who loves a gentle cosy mystery.              

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story, very realistic and true to the era. There's almost a thriller feel to this story; you begin to anticipate some sinister plot will be revealed, especially when mysterious messages arrive and Janie's search for her friend becomes almost an obsession. Hard to put this one down.

Though initially there was a lot about everyday life for Janie & Greg, the mysterious hit-and-run that killed Janie's friend Zara's fiance, then the puzzle of her disappearance a year later, create an ominous shadow that hangs over every scene. Plus, the author has skillfully woven in a few mysterious strangers and a tight-lipped detective.

I can see this series really going places, as the characters are so believable and easy to relate to. I really liked the character of Janie's father. Sensible, well grounded, and willing to redirect his life after the accident that blinded him when his daughter was young. He's her sounding board, well able to advise her in her search for her friend.

The one thing I really didn't like was that Janie chose to lie to her husband. I'd rather have liked to see him more aware and on board, though his attitude is very realistic. I hope she's more upfront with him in her future adventures.

[Helen Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light and easy read where I got straight into the story. I really like the way the author depicted the 60s since I am too young enough to remember this era... but it is peppered with all sorts of nostalgia, the Beatles, the Vietnam War, not to mention colourful images of Woodstock and the hippie movement. I felt as if I was there!

The plot moves along at a steady pace with the main character, Janie agonising for her friend, Zara, who has gone missing under the strangest circumstances. I would describe this as more a family drama than a gripping thriller but what comes across is how deeply she cares for her friend. With an enquiring mind and a love of Agatha Christie novels, Janie will not rest until she knows what has happened to her, even if others have given up on her, including her own family. There was enough suspense to keep me turning the pages and I enjoyed it.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only was this a highly enjoyable book in its own right, the story of the unearthing of the mystery disappearance of a missing friend of a young lady in a Sussex seaside town at the end of the nineteen eighties, but each chapter was heralded by a quotation from the very first Agatha Christie Poirot who dun it, which of course, led me to purchase a Kindke edition of that, which I feel sure will lead me in a merry chase through the whole crime genre. Oh well, we cannot leave the house at present so reading seems like a great way to pass the time, and frankly Janie Juke with her blind and wise father, lady out to lunch mother in law and hunky husband to placate - well I could be in far worse hands.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tapestry Bag is the first book that I read by Isabella Muir and also the first in a series. She makes a beautiful description of persons, clothes, homes, places and the reader can perfectly imagine the scene she is talking about without getting bored. It´s a mystery novel that happens in a time that there was much more innocence, companionship and belief in the human being. Friendships were really treasured and people did connect. Maybe its a romantic view by it´s also a beautiful picture of a time full of hardship. I´ve already started to read the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from the author/BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author. The main character is Janie and she re-connects with an old school friend and before too long her friend Zara loses her boyfriend to a hit and run. After about a year of living in Janie's spare room, Zara disappears. The cops don't seem to do anything and Janie decides to it herself. Can she find her friend and can she figure out what really happened before it's too late ? I liked it.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Librarians seek answers

Janie Juke ,librarian, needs to solve the mystery of her missing friend. Her love of Agatha Christie helps guide her research. Her friend Zara is overcome with grief due to the death of her husband. One day Zara just disappears. Janie uses her skills to find out what has happened to her. The setting and characterization are excellent. Looking forward to reading about Jamie's next case.

[Rosemary Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cosy mystery with lots of sixties nostalgia. This is a book to pick up to while a way a winter’s evening by a fireside. Janie works through the clues to find her friend and the mystery behind her disappearance in the true tradition of an Agatha Christie heroine. There was good characterisation and an easy, fluid style to the writing. Un undemanding read that will suit anyone into this genre.

[Mary Beth Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a visit with an Agatha Christie novel

Christie fans will enjoy this very human mystery set in the 1960s. Personalities rather than pugilistics, relationships rather than ruffians, and a literate story of friendship, loyalty and sleuthing make this a delightful read. This is the first book from Isabella Muir I’ve read. It won’t be my last.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not often I write “couldn’t put it down” as it’s such a cliche, but this was a CNPID.

Great plot. Great characters. Easy, fluid writing style.

I confess I haven’t read an Agatha Christie in decades and was worried the references might make it feel dated, but it definitely doesn’t.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved everything about it. The story, the characters and especially the location. I also really liked the way it kept putting little bits of Agatha Christie's book in. I can't wait to read another of Isabella Muit's books. Probably another Janie Juke one.

[Lorrraine Ayling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable light read

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out mystery.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Mixed opinion.

The story is going one way and then near the end has a couple of sudden major twists that change everything. I enjoyed the way it was developing but...

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janie is a young woman who reconnects with her old friend Zara but then soon after something terrible happens and Zara disappears. Janie then makes it her mission to discover what happened to her. Janie is passionate about crime and mystery novels, in particular Agatha Christie, so she uses her knowledge gleaned from these books to help her solve Zara’s disappearance!

I listened to this book on audio (from Audible) and I was very quickly drawn into the story. I felt like the narrator, Penny Scott-Andrews, really captured Janie’s spirit and personality and brought her to life. Janie is young, and a little naive, but she’s also enthusiastic and wants to be a part of things. Early in the novel we learn that Janie has recently re-connected with her old school friend Zara and the two women begin having fun getting to know each other again. I felt like Janie really was in awe of Zara and it brought out the younger side of her as she was back looking up to Zara and wanting to be confident like her. Janie is happily married and Zara has a boyfriend Jamie and all seems great until something terrible happens and Zara retreats into herself. Janie immediately goes to Zara’s aid and helps her through the heartache but then one day Zara disappears, and leaves no trace of herself behind.

Janie quickly becomes frustrated with how little the police appear to be doing to find Zara and so she starts to follow her own leads, inspired by her beloved Poirot! I loved this part of the book because Janie is the kind of amateur detective that I think I would likely be. She finds clues and pieces together elements of what might have happened but she struggles to put it all together. I think in part due to her naivety over what some people are actually capable of. She is such an endearing young woman though and I loved reading about her.

There is a real sense of time and place in The Tapestry Bag, which I also adored. It’s set in the 60s, which I hadn’t been aware of when I started listening but I soon felt like I was immersed in that time period. The location is a small seaside town called Tamerisk Bay and I felt the novel captured what it is to live in a small town. It really worked as Janie tries to uncover what happened to Zara whilst also not wanting all and sundry to know she is playing amateur detective! This all added to my love of this novel.

As I was coming to the end of this book I was delighted to realise that there is another book featuring Janie and I already cannot wait to read, or listen, to it. It’s wonderful to discover a new (to me) author whose writing was exactly what I needed when I read it, and who now is going to be a must-buy author!

The Tapestry Bag is a brilliant and gripping mystery novel, which I utterly adored and I highly recommend it!

This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an audio copy of this book in order to review for the blog tour. All opinions are my own.

Here we have a cosy historical crime novel, set in a quiet English town where nothing much happens. I totally missed the sixties setting in the blurb, so that was a pleasant surprise!

I don’t read a tonne of cosy crimes, but this was enjoyable. We follow a young librarian Janie as she investigates the disappearance of her friend a year after her boyfriend’s death.

It was a nice read, and the historical setting gave it an extra dimension.

It was actually the mention of Agatha Christie and Poirot that really attracted me to this, so I should mention that very little is actually done with that element. Christie is simply Janie Juke’s favourite author.

Overall, if this sounds up your street it’s definitely worth a read. And I can recommend the audiobook. It’s nicely read, and the narrator’s voice really suits the main character.