A Vase of Mistaken Identity

Thea James Mystery #1

by Cathy Elliott

Thea James, proprietress of James & Company Antique Emporium, never thought murder would come to her small town of Larkindale. But when the Larkindale Lamplight reports the discovery of a body during a renovation project, Thea is caught up in the mystery. The drama becomes intensely personal when Thea discovers a puzzling list inside a vintage vase . . . and her name is on it! Follow this small-town antiques dealer as she becomes a relentless detective on the trail of a killer in this page-turner.

Genres: Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2006

About the author

There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Author and speaker Cathy Elliott nourishes her night-owl habit by creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop in Anderson, California. Like the protagonist in her new mystery, Cathy is an avid quilter. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antique treasures.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty terrible. Thea's personality flops between child-like and a spinster the entire book. The dialogue is cringe-worthy. I don't know how many times "Who talks like that??" came to mind. If I read one more thing about her ankle, I would've DNFed it. So many characters named Mr-This or Mrs-That was very annoying. I would've loved for Thea to speak like an adult instead of a child addressing a teacher or elderly neighbor all the time. I only finished it out of sheer stubbornness. It gets 2 stars for a mildly interesting, though poorly executed, plot.

[Marie Sontag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the humorous character of Thea. The suspense was just enough to make this a fun, entertaining read for a cozy mystery. I will definitely read more from Kathy Elliot.

[Carol McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathy Elliott is a fresh, original voice in literature. Humor is difficult to write, and you'll find yourself laughing out loud at narrator Thea James' self-deprecating wit. The author never descends into the bathroom humor so prevalent today. She as wholesome as I Love Lucy and more hysterical.

A Vase of Mistaken Identity is populated with unique and quirky characters, lots of red herrings that'll keep you guessing whodunit until the last page.

I am an author, and I found myself jealous of her style, wishing I had thought of her ideas or had populated my novels with such an entertaining entourage. She is an author I will come back to.

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. I really enjoyed the off-beat sense of humor that the protagonist has, and the struggle she is facing to come to grips with so much death in her own life, while there is not really any death currently associated with the mystery in the story. A really cozy way of approaching a mystery, and sort of a different perspective on things. I'm kind of looking forward to further books from this series...

[Crystal Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cathy Elliott's A Vase of Mistaken Identity is a fun, easy read to while away an afternoon with. Puts me in mind of a Nancy Drew book. :) A nice cozy mystery, complete with a flawed heroine and quirky cast of supporting characters. A wonderful message is interwoven in the mix as well. Can you figure out who-dun-it?

[Sarah Pottenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing left something to be desired, but the story was good.

[Johnnie Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun word-play in the story which I really enjoyed.

[Megan Hamsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fast-paced book.
If one is a craft person who loves cats, then one can easily identify with Thea.
Quite a few twists to finally figure out the killer.
Enjoyable Christian cozy mystery.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Murder in a small town..Nothing exciting about the writing nor the story..