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Book Club Guide: Threads of Deception
About the Book
Threads of Deception is the first installment in the "Suddenly French Mystery" series. When criminal attorney Claire Fontaine returns to her coastal hometown of Caper Cove after surviving a bombing at her law firm, she's dealing with more than just physical wounds. The trauma has left her with Foreign Accent Syndrome, causing her to speak with a French accent despite being American.
Planning to put her legal career on hold and work as a private chef, Claire's hopes for a peaceful recovery are dashed when she discovers the body of her friend Vee Brooks, a rising fashion designer and finalist on the popular TV show Fashion Warriors. When the authorities dismiss the death as accidental, Claire's legal instincts kick in. With her childhood best friend Suggie by her side, Claire delves into the cutthroat world of fashion, uncovering dangerous secrets, illegal dyes, and murder.
Discussion Questions
Characters
- How does Claire's Foreign Accent Syndrome affect how others perceive and treat her? What does this reveal about assumptions people make based on how someone speaks?
- Compare Claire's different relationships throughout the novel: with Suggie, with her father Frank, with Detective Torres, with Vikram. How do these relationships reflect different aspects of Claire's character?
- Vee Brooks is primarily known to readers through others' memories and descriptions. What picture of her emerges throughout the novel? How did her past shape her character?
- How would you characterize Detective Torres' development throughout the story? What causes the shift in his attitude toward Claire?
- Discuss the character of Cordelia Jones. Is she a sympathetic character despite her flaws? Why or why not?
Plot & Mystery
- The novel features two separate but connected murders. How does Karl Smith's motive tie these murders together? - Did you find the resolution satisfying?
- What did you think of Claire's investigative methods? Were there moments when you thought she took unnecessary risks?
- Discuss the scene where Claire is detained at the border. What does this incident reveal about identity, prejudice, and power?
- Claire experiences several setbacks during her investigation. Which one did you find most compelling, and why?
Were you able to guess who the murderer was before the reveal? What clues did you pick up on or miss?
Themes
- How does the novel explore the theme of reinvention? Consider Claire's career change, her accent, and Vee's transformation from troubled youth to fashion designer.
- Discuss how the novel portrays the fashion industry. What commentary does it make about authenticity, creativity, and ethics in fashion?
- How does the novel address issues of identity? Consider Claire's struggle with her accent, her return to her hometown, and her search for a new career path.
- The book explores different types of greed. How do characters like Karl Smith, Jason McCarthy, and Clay Poderas exemplify different manifestations of greed?
- How does the theme of justice run throughout the novel? Consider both legal justice and personal conceptions of justice.
Setting
- How does the setting of Caper Cove influence the story? What role does the contrast between this small coastal town and Claire's former life in Washington D.C. play?
- The novel takes place across several locations—the private villa, The Osprey, the Mexican factory. How do these different settings contribute to the atmosphere of the story?
- Discuss the significance of borders in the novel—both literal borders like the US-Mexico border and figurative ones like those between social classes or professional worlds.
Writing Style
- How would you describe Elle Jauffret's writing style? Which passages or descriptions stood out to you?
- The novel balances humor with more serious themes. Discuss moments that made you laugh and how they complemented the darker aspects of the story.
- Food descriptions feature prominently throughout the novel. How do these culinary details enhance the storytelling?
Looking Ahead
- What loose ends remain at the conclusion of the novel? What questions would you like to see addressed in future books in the series?
- The novel hints at Claire's sister Aurora's disappearance. How do you think this mystery might develop in subsequent books?
- What do you predict for Claire's relationship with Detective Torres? With her career as a chef/caterer?
Book Club Activities
Culinary Experience
Host a French-Korean fusion meal inspired by Claire's catering for Suggie's wedding. Some ideas include:
Mini quiches
Lobster tacos
Bungeo-ppang (fish-shaped Korean pastries)
Profiteroles for dessert
Sweet potato latte
Fashion Discussion
Bring fashion magazines or look at fashion designer websites and discuss:
The ethics of the fashion industry
Sustainable and organic fabric practices
The pressure of competition in creative fields
Crime-Solving Game
Create a mini-mystery for your book club to solve together, with clues inspired by the novel:
Hidden notes with codes
Mysterious fabric samples
A timeline to reconstruct
About the Author
Elle Jauffret is a French-born American lawyer, former criminal attorney for the California Attorney General's office, and culinary enthusiast. She holds a Master of Laws from Université Côte d'Azur Law School (France) and a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School (USA). She is an avid consumer of mystery and adventure stories in all forms, especially escape rooms. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Southern California with her family.