The national bestselling author of the Seaside Knitters mysteries returns to find the Crestwood Quilters on pins and needles when a killer strikes. . .   As owners of the popular bistro The French Quarter, former New York City restauranteurs Picasso and Laurel St. Pierre are the toast of the town of Crestwood, Kansas. Chef Picasso’s culinary creations delight the women of the quilting club, who have embraced him as a friend. But Laurel’s anti-social behavior confuses Kate Simpson—until she spots Mrs. St. Pierre with another man in what appears to be a lover’s spat.   Gossip travels fast in a small town like Crestwood, and rumor has it this isn’t Laurel’s first indiscretion. She also filed a police report accusing Picasso of domestic abuse. And when Laurel’s murdered body is found Picasso is the prime suspect. To prove their friend’s innocence, Kate and the Crestwood Quilters must uncover the secrets of Laurel’s past—a patchwork history wrapped up in Kate’s own teenage years . . . Previously titled A Murder of Taste   Praise for Sally Goldenbaum’s Mysteries   “Goldenbaum’s Queen Bee quilters charm and delight. I hope these intriguing women will continue to quilt—and solve crimes!” —Carolyn Hart   “A perfect cozy mystery.” —Nancy Pickard Praise for the Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mysteries "A perfect cozy mystery."  --Nancy Pickard "Goldenbaum's Queen Bee quilters charm and delight.  I hope these intriguing women will continue to quilt--and solve crimes!"  --Carolyn Hart Praise for Sally Goldenbaum's previous mystery,  Murder Wears Mittens: “Comforting…. Goldenbaum has created an idyllic world in which good friends, good works, and discussing the passing of time and changes in the community are as important as solving crimes.”  — Publishers Weekly “ Murder Wears Mittens  is not another crime mystery like any other mystery. Sally Goldenbaum’s characters feel for one another. It is a brilliantly written crime mystery, full of suspense and human warmth. Sally Goldenbaum knows how to monopolize your attention with her characters and writing style.”  — The Washington Book Review “The Seaside Knitters go all out to solve another murder . . . This one keeps you guessing a bit longer than usual and features such caring sleuths you can't help but like them.”  — Kirkus Reviews   “An intriguing murder . . . Izzy and her fellow Seaside Knitters feel an obligation to find the truth . . . Happily, a sock pattern is appended.”  — Booklist   “A beautifully written mystery full of warmth and surprises.”  —Nancy Pickard,  New York Times  bestselling author   “I was utterly charmed by the Seaside Knitters and their cozy community.”  —Bestselling author Laurien Berenson   More praise for the Seaside Knitters Mysteries:   “Add a cup of tea, a roaring fire, and you’ve got the perfect cozy evening.”  —Rhys Bowen,  New York Times  bestselling author    “Goldenbaum’s plotting is superb, her characters are richly drawn . . . and her prose is seamless.”  — Richmond Times‑Dispatch   “The Seaside Knitters are a wonderful group of friends who care about each other, and readers will care about them, too.”  —Nancy Pickard,  New York Times  bestselling author    “A delight and a treasure—as engaging and unpredictable as a gorgeous New England afternoon.”  —Hank Phillippi Ryan, award‑winning author  Sally Goldenbaum  is the author of over forty novels, most recently the Seaside Knitters Mystery Series, set in the fictional town of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. Born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Sally now lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her husband, Don. In addition to writing mysteries, Sally has taught philosophy, Latin, and creative writing, edited bioethics and veterinary healthcare journals, and worked in public television at WQED Pittsburgh (then home to  Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood ). Visit her at www.sallygoldenbaum.com. A Thread of Darkness By Sally Goldenbaum KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2019 Sally Goldenbaum All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5161-0908-1 CHAPTER 1 "Jacques, you've outdone yourself." Po Paltrow dropped her white napkin beside the plate and looked up into the chef's beaming face. His round knob of nose, slightly out of proportion to his face, was perilously close to her own. Po pushed back slightly in her chair. "It is my Mama's recipe," Jacques St. Pierre said proudly. "I had fish tacos once, never fish soup. This is very cool. Like who would have thought?" Phoebe Mellon, a diminutive mother of toddler twins, lifted up from her chair and planted a quick kiss on Jacques's sweaty cheek. "Bouillabaisse," Jacques corrected, clearly pleased at the attention. His fingers squeezed together and pulled the syllables from his lips like a string of molasses. "Boo-yeh-baze, mon ami." "Bouillabaisse," Phoebe repeated. "Cool." She headed off toward the ladies' room and a quick cell phone call to check on husband Jimmy and her toddler twins. "It's quite a f