Twisted Threads

Cape Trouble #3

by Janice Kay Johnson

The Cape Trouble series is an original romantic suspense series from RITA-Award-winning author Janice Kay Johnson. Known for delivering stories that combine strong, realistic characters, compelling mysteries and deeply emotional romances, Johnson once again delivers in the first book, Shroud of Fog. The secrets of the past haunt the present... Cape Trouble, a tiny Oregon Coast town, was named for the dangerous off-shore reefs. But some of its citizens seek refuge from their own troubles...which have a way of following them. Emily Drake has clung to her solitude for four long years after the tragic death of her husband and child, filling empty days stitching quilts that will be heirlooms for other families, never her own. It takes a terror-filled escape from a midnight intruder to open her eyes. She desperately wants to embrace life again...if death's next approach isn't utterly silent. Detective Sean Holbeck is powerfully drawn to his new neighbor, a woman threatened by an unknown enemy. He's already investigating a murder that he fears is just the beginning. Until he knows why the victim was chosen, he can't stop a killer...or protect Emily, who may hold the key to understanding an enraged man set on vengeance. Dark threads of past and present, guilt and grief and pain, have twisted together until only love and trust might untangle them before a killer strikes again... What people are saying about the romantic suspense novels of Janice Kay Johnson: "[G]uaranteed to have you looking over your shoulder more than once in this explosive, fast-paced thriller." - Linda Silverstein, ROMANTIC TIMES (on Dangerous Waters) "Studded with tension and skillfully riveting, [it] will capture you from the first page and won't let go until the end." - Kay Gragg, AFFAIRE DE COEUR (on Dangerous Waters) "Janice Johnson always delivers fine, strong writing with an emotional, heartfelt punch." - Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times Bestselling Author "Janice Kay Johnson adds a special touch to a problem ripped out of today's headlines with memorable characters, strong interplay and a few heart-stopping moments." - Pamela Cohen, ROMANTIC TIMES (on Jack Murray, Sheriff) "I've never read Ms. Johnson's work before and all I can say is I will be finding everything else she's ever written. This story is so masterful it takes you inside this small town and really makes you think you are there." - Sara HJ, HARLEQUIN JUNKIES (on Everywhere She Goes)
Although this is a stand-alone novel, the reading order for the Cape Trouble series is: Shroud of Fog (Book 1) See How She Runs (Book 2) Twisted Threads (Book 3)

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Mystery Thriller, Romance

258 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2015

About the author

Janice Kay Johnson is the author of over a hundred books for children and adults. Her first four published romance novels were coauthored with her mother, also a writer who has since published mysteries and children's books on her own. These were "sweet" romance novels, the author hastens to add; she isn't sure they'd have felt comfortable coauthoring passionate love scenes!

Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.

She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!

Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!

Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.

Reviews

[CD {Boulder Blvd} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Binge reading this series. I have liked book 2 and 3 better than book 1.

[Kay-em · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was on my to-read shelf for a long time. Decided to give it a try as I was looking for a new RS to read. It is better than I expected but not really spectacular. The big issue was the writing which got "jumpy" in some places and repetitive in others. I schemed through quite a lot. The romance is ok. However, the mystery is not too credible. I don't want to give away too much, however, I found it really hard to buy into the motivation for the crimes. I might try another of the author's books to see if there is an improvement.

[Marce · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original voice in romantic suspense. It has been a long time since I felt truly immersed in a book, almost forgetting that there is an author behind the story. The suspense was ok -no shocking twists here- and the romance was credible and well placed. I would recommend it for those who like romantic suspense.

[Opinionated and Brutally Honest Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

The hero was kind of a jackass about her dead husband and son. Really made me not like him. I didn't care for the 5 years later epilogue. I guess I prefer closer to where the book ends. There was just too much I felt hadn't been resolved in their relationship.

[Jean Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Story

I so enjoyed this story! The murders were a good, solid mystery. The romance between Sean and Emily was engaging as was the struggle to accept that the will to live is strong. I would recommend this book! Can be read as a standalone.

[Wanda E. Beckworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really good read.

I really enjoyed this book it was slow getting started but after I put it down for a little bit and came back to it I really really liked it

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Some angst, some murder and lots of emotion - good and bad.

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn this was a well planned, methodical, and sadistic unsub. The fact that this guy implanted himself within the investigation was sociopathic. He killed these people as a revenge for his stepbrothers murder and his guilt. I couldn't see how the victims connected,you had me so baffled!! Then, I thought why doesn't Emily wanna talk about Braden? Did he die in the accident too? I started to get frustrated lol,I really thought he could've been the unsub. But after all the victims were connected, I figured by chapter 13 it was Jason Payne. Payne was the right age and he had military experience too. Plus I believe Jeffrey when he said Payne was a liar, because his interaction with Sean after he calmed was not suspicious. Jeffrey was a escape goat for Payne's plan to distract from himself as a suspect. Him not following through on his part of the task force, and always saying he'd get on it with no results. I'm glad Emily healed from grief and opened her heart to Sean and was able to love again and have a family and safety. This romantic thriller was great!!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and yes, we're back on track with an awesome ending. I still think Book #2 is an anomaly and so I'm holding out for a redux or part 2 because Adam and Naomi are my favs thus far....sorry! Anyway, I'm so enjoying reading the entire series having stumbled onto Book #4 by accident but decided to start from the beginning and read them back-to-back. I love how the stories bleed into one another and we get to know more and more about each character (hint hint need more Adam, Naomi) The weather outside here is unbearable hot and humid so I have the perfect excuse for a weekend filled with Cape Trouble. Besides, household chores are over-rated, agreed?!

[Sparkymom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two books were better.

I really struggled to get into this story. I should have been able to finish it in a day, but it took me several because I kept putting it down and having to make myself go back to it. The plot seemed to plod along a bit, and the thought processes of the two main characters just felt a bit repetitive. I also didn't find Sean to be very likable. Overall, I was very happy to finally finish it. I will say that I did really enjoy the first two books in this series, so definitely give them a try.

[GayLauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

JKJ's Cape Trouble series just gets better and better. On the surface it is a romantic suspense with a killer who is targeting victims who appear to have nothing in common and the heroine Emily, having escaped a midnight intruder, could be on the killer's list. Sean, the detective, is trying to protect her and handle his growing feelings towards her. However, like in all JKJ books, there are threads from the past and present which have to be unravelled and how these are untwisted and the story unfolds is an absorbing read.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

JKJ does it again. This series is fantastic a wonderful romance with a gripping and suspenseful story. I didn't see the ending coming at all.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Such a thrill, I read it in one sitting it was impossible to put down. Suspenseful and exciting but with a very human element, so real! Highly recommend.