Antigone Jones (Tiggy) is an Australian mystery novelist who inherits a boat house on a Devon estuary. It was the home of her grandmother, a woman she sadly never met. Her gran was an artist, and reputed to be a psychic, rather she practiced psychometry.

Tiggy's first few weeks at her new home are very eventful indeed! It seems that her property is very coveted as it is on the waterfront. She is threatened is subtle and not so subtle ways. She wonders who she can trust.

Tiggy is made aware that her grandmother owned a dog. A Dalmador named Raider. It turns out that he was being cared for by a teenager named Baxter since her grandmother's death. Not your typical teenager, Baxter is on the spectrum, socially inept, and very intelligent. He is devastated to surrender Raider to Tiggy's care, but she makes it easier for him by arranging for Baxter to walk Raider twice a day. Baxter becomes a real friend to Tiggy.

When Tiggy discovers a cellar door in the floor of her boathouse, events spiral. She finds that there is the body of an infant child buried there. Also, there is a pentagram carved into the walls of the cellar. Did her grandmother know that the baby was there?

Things take a turn for the worse when Tiggy and Raider face personal jeopardy.

With themes of secrecy, infanticide, avarice, and ancient folklore this mystery carried more heft than your average 'cozy' mystery. The descriptive passages were very vivid and the subject matter sometimes distressing. The characters were personable and intriguing, reminiscent of "Murder She Wrote" in the fact that Tiggy is a mystery writer AND an amateur sleuth. I am eager to follow them on their next adventures.

A Scrap of Silk is the first cozy mystery in a series by Virginia King. Released 30th June 2023, it's 364 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Well plotted and written, this is an engaging start to a new cozy series featuring Antigone Jones, who's the unexpected recipient of her estranged maternal grandmother's estate. After a crisis in the past, her mother moved from England to the Antipodes decades ago; thus Tiggy had never met her grandmother.

The story is revealed in parallel timelines, a bit at a time. It's easy to keep the characters and development separate; the author's adept at setting and dialogue.

It's sensitively told, but readers who are particularly disquieted by pregnancy and infant loss should read carefully. The denouement and resolution are well done and (mostly) satisfying. The violence is mostly off page and not graphic.

Four stars. Eminently readable and enjoyable. With 3 books extant in the series, it would make a good choice for a long weekend binge / buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was just an okay read for me. The story was good but it was a bit scattered and hard to get into. The characters needed more development. The writing was a bit too descriptive and that kept me a bit bored and skimming through some of the book.

Gripping and addictive - layers of secrets from past and present, betrayals, manipulations, and red herrings at every turn. A complex small town mystery with a full cast of characters all enmeshed in the weave. You won't put it down.

Australian mystery author Tiggy Jones is excited when she finds out that the grandmother she never met has left her a boathouse in Devon. She heads off to discover what she 's got. The boathouse is full of her grandmother's painting things as well as some of her art. She also discovers she has inherited Raider- a Dalmador (Dalmatian/Retriever cross) Although Baxter the not neuro-typical teen is devastated to lose him. Tiggy is happy to keep him on as Raider's trainer/walker. Although her near neighbour is friendly others are not so. Graffiti is left outside the boathouse- it points to witchcraft & as the building has also been called the Goathouse she wonders what secrets Teesha had- especially when Tiggy discovers a cellar she can't get in! Some people want to buy the building & are not bothered how they get it. Tiggy feels like she is in the middle of one of her novels!

This was a great story with fascinating characters & lots of unexpected twists. I can't wait to meet these characters again. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I just could not finish, I was bored and unable to get into this title. Too much descriptive language and not enough plot to keep me interested.

The description of this book sounded so intriguing, but it didn't end up being anything like what I had expected. It was mostly full of stuff about the occult world, and that's not really an interest of mine. It wasn't a bad story, just not my personal preference.

Aussie mystery writer inveigled in real life situation!

New series with Australian mystery author Tiggy (Antigone) as the reluctant investigator.
Tiggy inherits a boathouse turned cottage from a grandmother she never knew. It was right on the waterfront of Exe Estuary in the English village of Topsham.
Just having come off a research expedition involving camels in Central Australia, where she’d gathering information for her next book, Tiggy immediately took herself off to England to claim her inheritance, very much against her mother Delilah’s wishes.
What follows is a spine tingling situation where Tiggy is subjected to bullying, threats, riots, fire bombing and more in an attempt to drive her away. Where is this coming from?
Then there’s Tiggys search to find out what happened to her grandmother Letitia, who it turns out, was a psychic. She could sense information from objects if she held them. She had psychometric abilities.
Add to this a horrifying find in a sealed cellar under the boathouse.
A solid mystery with enough ‘woo woo’ feel to take this slightly beyond the cosy genre.

A BooksGoSocial ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is book 1 in the new Tiggy Jones Mystery Series from Virginia. It's a quick read, and really enjoyable! Cornwall through Tiggy's eyes is the ultimate comfort getaway, it soothes her soul and offers her a new direction in life. Or does it? With a mystery that when solved could up end her new life, she's not sure she wants it solved. And will she keep the peace and love she has found, or is it all an illusion, meant to take the one thing she loves away? Loved this new series, and can't wait to see what new adventures wait for Tiggy and her friends in Book 2, A Missing Signature

I really enjoyed this mystery book. I loved the suspense and all the twists and turns. I loved the characters and how the story unfolded. Can't wait to read more in this series.

Enjoyable protogonist, Tiggy, who was adventurous and witty. There were a lot of characters and not much character development. The writer seem to lose her focus throughout the story, though I did enjoy the moments of history she threw in. I found the author’s style of writing too animated and felt like if she had toned it down a bit and had better character development, this would have been a good mystery.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

A cozy mystery with the main character, young Tiggy Jones who is an Australian mystery writer, inherits an old boathouse in a small Devon village.

It didn't take long for her to stumble across a locked cellar that held many secrets from, maybe, mid 1700 hundreds. Also, unsurprisingly, she could not find the key and a locksmith had to help her out. Why Tiggy didn't get the locksmilth to change the locks of the boathouse door is beyond me?

Leaving that aside the story evolves with some pretty dodgy characters all trying to solve the mystery in the cellar and some background as to Tiggy's family and why everybody seems to help her unravel secrets (slowly).

I especially loved the cryptic clues, and may I add another? RUBY is an anagram of BURY. I will say no more! Plenty of magic, witchcraft and gin drinking helps the story along. Very enjoyable.

Thanks to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review.

I always enjoy a new mystery series, and Virginia King has made me a fan with this mysterious and fun book. She has given readers a very appealing protagonist in Tiggy Jones, and dropped her into Topsham, a veritable bed of intrigue. The componenet of the mysterious locked cellar is handled nicely, even though it turns into a gruesome and sad story.

There are a lot of characters introduced throughout the story, which I did find a bit of a challenge to keep straight, but it all worked out in the end with a deliciously witty and ingenious mystery. I initially labeled this a “cozy” mystery, but there were definitely some dark traces included in the story, especially the diabolical antagonist. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a commupance quite so much! Well done.

This is a great cozy mystery. Tiggy Jones is immediately a likable character — and her sudden inheritance and the rumors around it are intriguing — I had to know what was in that cellar — then I had to know what was going to happen next. Definitely a page turner and hard to put down. The writing is really good — This author has gained a new fan. There is great suspenseful moments throughout the book and lots of twists and turns that make you keep guessing who, what , when , where , why and how. This book really captured my attention . I am looking forward to the second book in the series and will be trying other books from this author as well ! Highly Recommended !
Thank-you for Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC , this is my honest review.

I received a free copy of this book. The following is my own freely expressed opinion.
I’m giving this book 4 stars because, while it was good and fun to read, there’s room for some improvement. Our main character is Tiggy who inherited a valuable little house in England. Tiggy is very likable but she’s in her own head much of the time. An important character, Nick is described as “sandy- haired.” It’s not enough. I want to see him and to know what Tiggy feels about him in her gut. Also while traveling the tangled threads of Tiggy’s thoughts, Tiggy suddenly says of Ruby, “I think we both know we’re unlikely to see each other again.” I wasn’t sure where that came from since Ruby had been helpful, and it wasn’t true.
That said. I would be interested in other books of the series. A Scrap of Silk is well-plotted. I was intrigued by the mysteries presented. What was in the locked basement in the house inherited by Tiggy Jones and what part had her long-lost grandmother played in it? A dramatic incident near the end was well described and quite heart-pounding!

Born in Australia after her mother suddenly flees her life in Devon, Tiggy is tracked down by a PI. She has just inherited a house from a grandmother she has never met. Little does Tiggy know that upon her arrival, she is in danger when she starts uncovering a long concealed secret. In order to solve this mystery, Tiggy must wade through century old stories of witchcraft and depravity dating back to the 18th century.
 

A SCRAP OF SILK is the first in the Tiggy Jones mystery series. I found Tiggy to be an interesting and likable character. I love the twists and turns throughout this book.
I did find the number of characters a bit much. I did not understand why her friend Nessa was included in the book until I read the synopsis for the second book in the series. I think Nessa should have played a bigger role instead of sprinkling her in at random times. Her addition to this book felt forced. At moments in the book, I found that the storyline lost focus. 

Overall, I found this book to be a promising start of the Tiggy Jones Mystery series, and I am interested in seeing what mysteries Tiggy solves next.


Thank you, NetGalley, Books Go Social, and Virginia King for the opportunity to read this digital ARC for my honest review.

A Pleasant Start with Antigone "Tiggy" Jones

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When I first picked up "A Scrap of Silk" by Veronica King, I didn't have high expectations. The unassuming cover and the unfamiliar name, Antigone "Tiggy" Jones, didn't grab my attention. However, as I delved into the pages, I was pleasantly surprised by the engaging story that unfolded.

Tiggy Jones is an Australian mystery writer who finds herself at a boat house along the Devon estuary. Despite facing unwelcome vibes from the locals, she decides to stay. As she explores, she stumbles upon a locked cellar that sets off a chain of mysterious clues, unraveling a compelling story.

What added a nice touch to the narrative were the snippets of history, like the gin craze in Devon. These historical bits made the setting come alive. The book also dabbles in intriguing subjects like magic, witches, and the UK and Europe's history, adding depth without overwhelming the story.

The characters, especially Tiggy, make the story shine. Tiggy's curiosity and journey are relatable, making her a likable protagonist. The inclusion of Polka-dot Pooch, the adorable dog, brought warmth, and Tiggy's bond with him was heartwarming. Baxter's character was refreshing too, embracing his uniqueness. These characters gave the story a genuine feel.

Veronica King smartly sets up the next book without overshadowing the current one, giving hints that pique curiosity. The plot keeps you guessing, with Tiggy's pursuit of answers and the mystery surrounding her grandmother driving the story.

In conclusion, "A Scrap of Silk" pleasantly surprised me. It's a promising start to the Tiggy Jones series, and I'm eager to read more. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

ALL opinions are my own

Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5. 3.5 rounded up to 4

This is a solid first installment of the Tiggy Jones series. Tiggy is an Australian mystery author who inherits a goa…er boathouse and a Dalmador from an English grandmother she’s never met.

Tiggy’s grandmother Teesha had a “gift” along with a secret sealed away in the cellar. By solving anagrams and sleuthing along the way, she delves into the mystery buried for 50 years.

I consider this a cozy mystery, no graphic violence or overtly adult themes. As such, I enjoyed the journey and may I just say Baxter and Raider were my favorite and I look forward to seeing them in the next installment.

There are red herrings, questionable characters and dubious motivations afoot.

My one criticism is the large cast of characters. It’s quite a few to keep track of . How ever, it doesn’t detract from the story and I assume we will be getting to know them more in future installments.

I would recommend to my reader groups.

This was my first book from this author and it will definitely not be my last. The book was brilliant. It is fast paced with lots of twists and turns in every chapter. I got to love Antigone and her dog throughout the book and really wanted her to succeed. There was sadness and humour in the book and Virginia captures the heart of the story really well. An excellent read.

Tiggy Jones Mystery Series:
A Scrap of Silk, #1 - A very interesting, intriguing mystery with a bit of suspense from one of my favorite authors. Well written with plenty of intrigue mixed with good story lines and a variety of characters, not all are likeable. This was a difficult to put down book but I needed a cuppa here and there. I really enjoyed Baxter's character, and Raider, of course. I recommend all the books by this talented author. 5*

A Missing Signature, #2 - One of my favorite authors and I love this series. The review for this book is the same as for 'A Scrap of Silk'. Full of twists and intrigue, which keep Tiggy in turmoil and frustration. 5*
Tiggy Jones Mystery Series end.

Selkie Moon Series:
(See each book's complete review on BookBub dot com or see The Fourth Door for all reviews.)
Leaving Birds - 4*
Laying Ghosts – 4*
The First Lie – 5*
The Second Path – 5*
The Third Note – 5*
The Fourth Door - 4*
Selkie Moon Series end.