Crafts and Life

Catering a high-class trunk show at Heart's Desire Jewelry is a shining achievement for Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop. After all, a slew of jewelers, museums, and private collectors will be there to showcase their wares and sip some of Theo's best blends. But just as Theo settles in to enjoy the fruits of her labor, the party is crashed by a gang of masked muggers who rob the precious gems and jewels on display. The thieves disappear almost as quickly as they arrived, leaving shattered glass, scattered gemstones, and a dead body in their wake.

Although the last thing Theo wants is to get involved, she can't help but intercede when her dear friend Brooke, aunt of the victim and owner of Heart's Desire, begs for help in figuring out who committed the brutal burglary. Though the FBI believes this daring "smash and grab" is the work of an international gang of jewel thieves, Theo is convinced that the felon is someone much closer to home…

This book begins with a bang, quite literally! Theodosia and Haley are at Heart's Desire (the upscale jewelry shop owned by Theo's friend Brooke) and whilst they are dishing out tea and nibbles to the discerning people looking at the various displays, their life is turned upside down when a Hummer crashes through the window and a group of people wearing masks jump out, set off smoke bombs and take pretty much everything! That would have been bad enough for Brooke (and all her guests) but tragedy strikes as Brooke's niece, Kaitlin, is found with a jagged piece of glass through her throat, and now not only do we have a smash and grab but manslaughter (if not murder) mixed in as well.

With Detective Tidwell on the case for the Charleston PD and two FBI agents as well (it appears this follows the same pattern as other raids throughout the Americas and abroad as well) Theo also puts her sleuthing hat back on so she can help Brooke come to terms with what happened.  At that point the roller coaster builds up momentum and we have a wonderful (and occasionally scary) ride to the end!