Julia needed a new start. The unexpected death of her favorite aunt sends Julia to the artist town of Grand Marais. There she starts to weave tattered threads into a new tapestry while rediscovering her love of sketching and running the antique shop, Past Imperfect. Everything is just starting to go right when a mysterious package arrives bearing an antique letter opener arrives. Julia’s natural … natural curiosity is piqued but before she can untangle the mystery it’s found embedded in Tom Peterson’s chest. The tapestry of her new life begins to unravel as she is named a prime suspect. Now, left with few clues and a past not willing to let her go, Julia works to solve the mystery and the murder. Infidelity through time and a curse that only she can break – once she figures out how.
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Broken Promises by Anne Willow
Story starts out with Julia and she runs her aunts antique treasure shop now that she’s dead. MN love hearing of the lake and the surrounding areas where there are festivals…
Lucy works for her part time and knows her job. Emily her friend, has had problems with her spouse and he ends up dead one morning.
Julia is questioned as her prints are on the letter opener….Julia follows clues as she discovers them and hopes she won’t get caught. Julia is now the suspect as another is now dead.
Missing keys explain a few things but who has access to them now?
Like hearing about the details of Julia and her aunt and their similarities that not all know about.
Fun read for me and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Amazing who did the killings and why, didn’t see it coming!
Author bio included and links to connect to the author are included.
Very easy to follow along, characters and the story.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Broken Promises (Past Imperfect Mystery Book 1) by Anne Willow is a cozy mystery that will not only entertain, but you will learn a little about antiques in the process. This mystery features Julie, a likeable young woman who has taken over her Aunt’s antique shop “Past Imperfect” in a small, cozy town. Julie is escaping a somewhat troubled relationship, and taking over the shop seems to be just what she needs to start over. The author does a great job of describing the shop, the town and the townspeople. Julie seems to fit in just fine until she becomes a prime suspect in a murder case. Unfortunately for her, the victim was killed with an antique letter opener and one that Julie is familiar with. Now she must figure out what exactly happened. This is a well rounded mystery, with a touch of the warm and cozy, curses of the past, and some history. Overall, a satisfying read that will appeal to a broad audience of readers. Highly recommend for a light reading diversion.
Julia is a decent enough woman, separated from her husband, who had arrived a few months earlier to the town of Grand Marais in Minnesota to take a breather and run her deceased Aunt Sadie’s antique shop there that this book series is named after (Past Imperfect). Well, she has gotten to know some of the folks of this new location on the shores of Lake Superior ranging from waitresses at a popular coffee shop and a teenager she hires by the name of Lucy to assist her with operating Past Imperfect. On the first few pages of the book, Julia receives an antique item from a friend of her aunt’s in France that soon becomes the murder weapon of a crime that the leads the local police to suspect Julia as the one who committed the crime.
That’s all I can reveal in this review for this mystery book because it is just so simple but enjoyable because it made me think about YA thrillers of the 90s but that this book is an adult read. I found the story to be in comparison to an 80s movie I watched as a kid about a mirror that was cursed and therefore wreaked havoc in the life of its new owner, a character played by the Soap Opera actress Susan Lucci. Julia is I think in her early forties because she’s mature and understanding of Lucy’s teenage issues as if she’s her mother. She has a pet cat named King Henry that is just so adorable and makes me want to have a pet cat around the house. Julia is also very delicate and is very against her husband Graham because she discovered him cheating on her with one of his interns at his workplace. The mystery in this book is who the real killer is and what his or her motive could be. I have to confide in you that I already knew who the killer was from the clues that Julia considered as she went on a mission to find out who it is before the police take her to jail and before any more people get hurt. Aside from the main plot of this book, I was fascinated by Julia’s antique shop and found out a few things about them from this book. The fact that Julia and her Aunt Sadie would go on shopping quests in antique shops across the country for special items and to finding out the histories of these items is just so brilliant! That’s the element of this book that I came to like so much. The unique world of antique shops!
All in all, I would recommend this book to the reader that loves a quick story before the day is over. I think those who are stay-at-home moms and pops would come to savor the old-fashioned feel that this book contains. I felt a tinge of Nancy Drew in this book, the vintage Nancy Drew that is. I also think this book is safe for young readers because there is absolutely zero foul language and zero obscenities in it. I started and finished this book in just one day! I know I will definitely look out for the second book in this series because I liked this story so much that I think I am ready for a second dose of this antique shop and its owner Julia! Good day everyone!
With the combination of historical facts and significant research, it was fascinating to read this story. With humorous verses, accurate representations, and her prose are of the times. Writings like this story, are incredibly uncommon. The story kept me interested and had me reaching for Google to verify the dates in question. Fact or spun-fiction? How it was written together, was brilliant. The topic itself too is something to note of true American history. To only suggest this book would fall flat, adamant encouragement is what I am prepared to do.
Julia’s much needed fresh start is coming together better than she expected. Her new home has reignited old passions and is finally settling into a life that is comfortable. A delivery of a letter opener to the antique store she works in suddenly changes everything once it is found embedded in a man’s chest and Julia finds herself a prime suspect for murder. Can Julia prove her innocence and find the real murderer? Or will her mysterious past catch up to her?
‘Broken Promises’ by Anne Willow is a fast-paced read, and at just over 100 pages it was the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon in the park. The plot was so intriguing and I was pleasantly surprised with the paranormal elements, I was drawn in from the first few pages, and the writing style had a dreamy quality that was completely enveloping. I empathised quickly with protagonist Julia, a woman trying to escape demons of the past, and was really rooting for her in her journey for the truth. I am very much looking forward to reading the next instalment of the ‘Past Imperfect Mystery’ series.
I urge fans of mystery novels to pick up a copy of Broken Promises by Anne Willow. Julia is starting again in a new town after her husband’s infidelity. Working in the beautiful antique shop, Past Imperfect, Julia begins to feel renewed. Then she is accused of a shocking crime she didn’t commit and life spirals out of control. Can the ghost of her Aunt Sadie guide her in the right direction? Who is the real culprit? You will be kept guessing right up until the end.
Anne Willow creates such a vivid and beautiful picture of the town Grand Marias, so it wasn’t a surprise to read in her biography that she is fond of the place herself. She writes with such love and passion, you can really conjure up the scenery in your mind. Furthermore, Willow has created a really great female lead in Julia Crawford – she is strong yet troubled, which made her easy to relate to. Bring on book two, so I can continue with Julia’s story and find out if the supernatural curse is truly broken?
Such a fun twist on a cozy mystery! Can’t wait for book 2!
I found Broken Promises to be a straight forward, easy read, but with many unexpected twists and turns. I hadn’t really realised the story would take a slightly paranormal direction but I actually found this to be really entertaining and it only increased my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I found the story intriguing and very well written; the characters were great. Definitely 5 stars from me.
A great mystery with a paranormal spin. I thought the storyline was really unique and full of twists I didn’t see coming. The book was very well written making the plot flow really nicely and every bit of the story was easily envisioned because of this, the landscape was described especially beautifully. I really enjoyed the ending and it was quite unexpected.
Broken Promises I found to be an enjoyable relaxing read. The story was very riveting and caught me by surprise a number of times, especially the ending. I thought the way the location was described was so wonderful and created such a vivid image in my mind. The characters were great and I especially found Julia to be very likeable. I will definitely be looking out for more.
Broken Promises by Anne Willow is a mystery read with paranormal woven within the story. Julia moves to Grand Marais to settle her aunt’s estate. While there she realizes how oppressive and controlling her husband had become and decides she wants out of her marriage. His cheating ways and lies have gone too far. Julia’s unforgiving heart will be tested when a cursed antique is delivered to her aunt’s shop. Does she have it in herself to forgive when this artifact hunts those who seek vengeance?
I found Broken Promises intriguing when Julia discovers the paranormal world she lives in. Anne Willow slowly unfolds the mission of the cursed artifact and the part it will play in the murders. It was easy to narrow down the couple of people who could have been the killers, but the author kept the “why” until the end. The beginning of the book was vague about the death of the aunt and how Julia came to be in Grand Marais. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and feel Anne Willow found a niche she can build upon.
I loved this mystery novel with a little bit of supernatural thrown in. Anne Willow has a great talent for writing and provided lots of twists, the story is full of surprises. The setting in this book is so lovingly described you can feel in the writing that the place is close to the authors heart. This is a simple and perfect story to enjoy over a relaxing weekend.
This book is the perfect cozy mystery read. From the aesthetic of the little town and the antique shop to the eclectic cast of characters involved in the story. Julia is such an intriguing character to follow. She is intelligent, hardworking, and loving. But she also holds some mystery, a past she is running away from. I was pulled in to the story within the first few pages and found it incredibly hard to put the book down. The mystery is intriguing and kept me guessing from beginning to end. The book is cleverly written and a joy to read. I would highly recommend this book!
Julia has inherited Aunt Sadie’s antique shop, and has found in Grand Marais (an artists’ town by Lake Superior), a new home and reasons to want to break with the past. The reception of a package containing an antique letter opener, and the subsequent death of a man from the community, will target Julia as a homicide suspect and will force her to initiate a double investigation to clear her name and clarify the history of the mysterious letter opener. During the investigation, she will discover the details of an old curse and a family secret that will change her life forever.
The first part of the book addresses the genre of mystery with a rather classic style, wrapping and adding characters in an enigma that revolves little by little like a noria. The language is clear enough, and the secondary characters, rather simple, accurately perform their task, giving Julia’s character dimension and humanity.
Exactly halfway through the book, when the narrative seemed most rational, a new idea is presented: Julia has not only inherited her aunt’s business, but also the ability to perceive certain energy that’s been impregnated unto objects. From that point on, the comparison with a certain television character who speaks with the dead to unravel the mysteries that bind them to the world of the living, seemed inevitable to me, and sincerely, I felt disenchanted by the turn that the story suffered. I think that I would have enjoyed the book much more without the supernatural component, which somehow directed things towards an ending that turned a bit predictable.
Broken Promises by Anne Willow is a story of mystery and broken hearts. As you read through the story, you can feel the fear and anger through each person. We find several women in the same predicament but see that they handle the situation differently. You can picture the little antique shop and town so clearly with Anne’s description that it’s like you’re there. This book is so well written that once you start you just won’t be able to put it down. This story is good for all ages from preteen to adult anytime of the year.
Minnesota author Anne Willow lives in the locale of her debut book – the north shore of Lake Superior near the story’s Grand Marais. Anne takes advantage of her knowledge of the area in painting a picturesque small town that serves as point of reverie and a site for murder!
The quality of the prose is nostalgic, even in the opening lines: ‘Julia tapped ‘Save’, closing her spreadsheet with a satisfied smile. Leaning back in the well-worn, floral-patterned desk chair, her sapphire-blue eyes fell on the silver frame to her right. Collecting it, she sighed. “Well, we did it, Aunt Sadie. Two months and the shop is still going strong.” Her finger traced the older woman’s face in the picture. Julia shared the same copper hair as her favorite aunt, though without the silvery gray streaks. Kissing the picture with a fingertip, Julia returned the frame to the desk. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Though, I’d rather have you.” Beyond hair and eye color, Julia also shared her aunt’s love of the past. When Julia was just a young girl, she would venture off with her aunt to auctions and estate sales looking for bits of treasure. Sadie didn’t have the antique shop then, but she enjoyed connecting with the past through items they found. With each fin, Sadie made up a story, bringing the objects’ mysterious past to life….’
There are more seeds of the mystery that forms this fine book in the opening lines, but that comes gradually and is well presented. A tale of a young lady in a new setting who nurtures her artistic preferences, runs the Past Imperfect antique shop, and comes across an antique letter opener that later is found in the chest of townsman. The mystery of the letter opener and the murder serve as the plot of this novel, and in Anne’s sure hands it is well revealed.
For a debut novel this is a strong work. Yes, there is room for growth and polish, but the moods and character building are in fine hands – suggesting that Anne Willow has a solid future in writing. And since this is titled Book 1, there appears to be the possibility of a series. Worth reading on a summer evening – and worth watching a young artist’s growth.
Such a great start to a series! The book has a bit of everything: emotions, love gone wrong (Julia’s husband), paranormal elements, murder, and a mystery. The writing is solid with very few issues (and they don’t stand out or detract from the story), and the underlying element is sound. I would say that the mystery part could have unraveled with a bit more surprise and twists, but the rest of the book makes it well-worth the read.
This is certainly a story of renewals and new beginnings, with a lesson that every new start has its problems (the grass isn’t always greener, after all), but as long as you persist everything will work out.
In this story we follow Julia, who flees from her cheating husband. She starts anew just to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Her deceased aunt comes through to help her through it, albeit with a lot of questions and uncertainty on Julia’s part.
Though the story is not without flaws, you can really feel the passion behind the story here, I’d definitely read the next story in this series!
I decided to reach for ” Broken Promises” by Anne Willow. As I wanted a nice, quick read and pleasant story. I have to admit I got exactly what I was expecting for and furthermore I got a dose of an interesting mystery- crime story as well. The only thing I didn’t like about this book it’s too short. However I am hoping for the second part of the series.