Threads of Deception: Debut Mystery
Threads of Deception: A Suddenly French Mystery by Ella Jauffret
Author Interview + Book & Author Info!Don’t miss any ITW Debut Author interviews! Click the link here.Threads of Deception
Thirty-five-year-old Claire Fontaine had it all as a successful D.C. defense attorney until a criminal explosion shattered her career and left her with a debilitating French foreign accent syndrome. To make matters worse, her neurologist ordered her to take a break from the law and the FBI urged her to lay low. She’s also broke. Her only marketable skill is the culinary expertise she’s gained through countless cooking classes for singles. Forced to embrace a new path as a private chef, Claire accepts the invitation of a rising fashion designer friend to move back to her Southern California hometown to cater for a fashion TV show—only to find said friend dead.
Desperate to prove it wasn’t a suicide but a murder, Claire teams up with her childhood best friend, Suggie Oh, the town’s beloved accountant. She also forms a tension-filled alliance with charismatic Detective Ben Torres, who reluctantly accepts her cooperation and with whom she’s forced to share an apartment.
As she investigates, Claire glimpses into the world of competitive fashion, political campaigns, and ex-lovers’ vendettas. But getting closer to the truth may not be as safe as juggling knives in a dark kitchen.
To purchase Threads of Deception, click on any of the following links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Mysterious Galaxy, Bookshop , Apple Book , and Kobo.Interview with Threads of Deception author Elle JauffretThreads of Deception focuses on Claire Fontaine, a successful DC defense attorney. What would you like readers to know about Claire?
Claire Fontaine is a brilliant and determined Washington D.C. criminal attorney who returns to her Southern California hometown after an explosion destroyed her law firm and left her with French Foreign Accent Syndrome.
To heal and reassess her life, she leaves the legal world to become a private chef (all those cooking classes for singles are finally paying off) and to cater for a fashion TV show, only to discover her friend and employer dead.
Convinced it’s murder, not suicide, she sets out to uncover the truth. Claire is witty, resourceful, and deeply committed to finding her friend’s killer, even if it means clashing with the detective assigned to the case (who happens to be her new roommate.)
Threads of Deception includes culinary skills, competitive fashion, political campaigns, and the vendettas of ex-lovers. What drew you to those topics? And please share some of your favorite recipes/styles/foods you like to cook/bake with us!
I chose these topics because they fascinate me. I love fashion for its ability to express identity and creativity, and food for its connection to culture and storytelling—so much so that I once had a fiction food column in a literary magazine, where I recreated dishes mentioned in novels.
The vendettas of ex-lovers are a timeless and universally relatable theme, adding layers of drama and emotional stakes to any story. Including a political campaign was my way of balancing out the glamour of fashion with the dark side of public life and campaign fundraising. These subjects not only intrigue me but are also topics my friends and I find endlessly engaging, making them natural choices for this book.
My favorite food (besides French childhood dishes) is fusion cuisine. I love the marriage of flavors and textures from around the world. Fusion food highlights how complementary differences can be, a harmony we should strive for as individuals and as nations.
One of my favorite snacks are lemon-thyme biscotti, which I am sharing the recipe with you. They represent my childhood: running barefoot through the woods and the sandy beaches of the French Riviera.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ⅔ cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons) 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 ¼ teaspoon almond extract2 large eggs
In bowl 1: combine the flour + baking powder + salt + thyme together. Set aside.
In bowl 2: mix lemon zest + sugar until smooth and well combined. Then add eggs + butter + almond extract.
Mix content of bowl 1 with content of bowl 2 (slow speed) until incorporated.
Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a 9”x6”rectangle (1/2 inch thick) on a baking sheet. Use wet fingers if needed.
Bake for 25 minutes in a pre-heated 350 degree-oven.
Let cool for 10 minutes on a rack.
Cut ¾ inch thick slices (they should be 9 inches long). Prop the slices sideways on the baking sheet and return to the oven.
Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Then turn them on their other side for another 10 minutes.
Biscotti should be golden and feel dry. Set on rack to cool completely.
I am so excited to try this recipe!Threads of Deception is set in Southern California. How does that location impact the story? Tell us about the community that Claire Fontaine finds herself in:Threads of Deception is set in Caper Cove, a fictional Southern California resort town with a population of about 40,000. I chose this location because it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city energy. Located in San Diego County, Caper Cove has the cozy, close-knit community feel that’s perfect for a mystery, while its proximity to a major city and constant influx of tourists keeps the stakes high. The town itself plays a significant role in the story.
The picturesque setting and sense of peace sharply contrast with the murder and ensuing investigation. It’s also a love letter to Southern California and a way for everyone to get a little warmth during the cold winter months.
When it comes to her community: Claire lives above The Osprey—a taco shop during the day and cop bar at night—owned by her father (a retired cop). Her roommate is the detective on the case and the medical examiner (fellow) is the grown-up boy she used to babysit and who always had a huge crush on her. Her sidekick is her childhood best friend, an accountant with a side hustle of journalism.
As a former criminal attorney for the California Attorney General’s office, you know a thing or two about the legal system. Did you find that a help or a hindrance in writing fiction?
My experience definitely added depth and authenticity to Threads of Deception, but I didn’t approach the story as a legal thriller. Instead, I used my knowledge of the law to sprinkle in practical details that might be new or unexpected for readers, giving them a glimpse into how the legal system works in real life.
These tidbits also helped raise awareness about “fashion-related dangers” that readers might not have known existed. However, I focused on crafting an engaging story, so while the legal and fashion aspects are there to add realism, the heart of the story is Claire’s struggle with her foreign accent and her loss of her identity, along with her search for the killer.
You also write short stories. Do you approach short story writing the same as writing a novel? Or does your process differ?
My approach to writing short stories is quite different from writing novels.
While Threads of Deception is grounded in the real world with intricate mysteries and character-driven plots, my short stories delve into speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. They allow me to explore darker themes and social issues in a more focused and symbolic way.
Writing a short story after completing a novel acts as a creative palate cleanser—a refreshing way to reset before diving into another long project.
Tell us about your road to publication with your debut:
I approached writing Threads of Deception differently from my other novels. I embraced the concept of “writing to market”—not by chasing trends, but by viewing writing as a form of service, creating stories that entertain, challenge, and resonate with readers. This shift in perspective changed everything. I aimed to craft a story with mass appeal, one that would keep readers hooked while offering them a sense of comfort and safety, even with the twists and turns of a mystery.
I wrote Threads of Deception with a clear message in mind—a mystery with a twist and American identity—drawing from my personal experiences as a former criminal attorney who cooks and whose accent often leads to comical or challenging situations. I believe in the power of “write what you know,” and weaving that into the story made it more authentic and impactful.
I also considered how the story could translate visually—something my friends and I, fans of mystery series, would love to watch. I wanted to create a story that felt like a blend of classic mystery and modern entertainment. And it worked. Threads of Deception found its place in the market, and I’m thrilled to see it come to life.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:
Believe in your own instincts and embrace your emotions—let them guide your words. As Stephen King said, ‘Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.
Great advice!Elle Jauffret — Author of Threads of Deception
Elle Jauffret is a French-born American attorney, author, and culinary enthusiast who writes mystery novels, children’s adventures, and speculative fiction short stories.
A graduate of French and American law schools, she worked as a jurist for the French Embassy and as a criminal attorney for the California Attorney General’s office.
She led the Pediatric Literacy Program at the Walter Reed Medical Center (the U.S. Presidents’ hospital) and is an active member of several writers organizations, including the Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
She is an avid consumer of mystery and adventure stories in all forms, especially escape rooms. She lives in California with her family, in San Diego county, which serves as the backdrop for her mystery series.
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