Shattered Silk

By Barbara Michaels

Karen Nevitt has brought new life to old, abandoned things. Her vintage clothing collection, nestled away in Washington, D.C.'s picturesque Georgetown, features exquisite designer originals from decades past. But there is something deadly sewn into the lace and delicate fabrics she has—clues to a forgotten mystery that is pulling Karen into a dark and terrifying place. A secret once locked away in old trunks and dusty attics is crying out for justice, and only she can make things right. But a killer still lurking in the shadows has decided that the truth must remain hidden . . . and Karen Nevitt must die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061860409

Barbara Michaels

Elizabeth Peters (writing as Barbara Michaels) was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar® Awards in 1998, and given The Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

Reviews for Shattered Silk

[jean_sexton-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the Georgetown Trilogy, this novel has characters related to those in Ammie, Come Home. This book is more of a straightforward mystery. Exploring the theme of friendship in its varied forms, this book let me watch the characters grow and change. I also learned about vintage clothing. The book is well worth reading.

[pussreboots · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Shattered Silk by Barbara Michaels is the second of the Georgetown trilogy. Karen, another of Ruth's nieces, is leaving a bad relationship and needs somewhere to stay. Her husband has left her for a younger woman. Now she wants to start her own business, a clothing shop specializing in vintage undergarments.But tied up in all those unmentionables are some dark town secrets. Someone or something doesn't want those secrets being aired with the dirty laundry. (Sorry... this cheesy book just needs a cheesy review).In all of this mess there's the same old heavy handed discussion, lecturing on gender roles, while Karen and Ruth and to a lesser degree the men, are in danger. Really, having already been through this scenario once with a supernatural danger, perhaps Ruth and company should stop bickering and get the hell out of that house. The house needs to be burned to the ground and the ground salted.But no. That's not the point. Of course not. Look at me rolling my eyes.Ok. Deep breath. The point is that men are pigs and women can't escape and humanity is doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

[cfk_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Shattered Silk is a wonderful blend of mystery and romance set in summertime Washington, D.C.

[aharey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second in a series of three, Karen has come to stay at her Aunt Ruth's while Ruth and her husband, Pat, go to Borneo. Karen has recently left her husband and becomes fascinated with vintage clothing. In her search for stock for a new business, she unwittingly uncovers a historic murder that could come back to haunt her.

[linkmeister · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good characters, a book of regional ghost stories, two women trying to make sense of their respective divorce/widowhood, interesting information about vintage clothing, and a startling denouement; what's not to like?Unlike its followup (Stitches in Time), there's no paranormal activity in this book. In fact, there's no crime at all until halfway through. What there is is a story about people, recovery, and determination. Michaels has a talent for conjuring up people I recognize and like.