The Doll Maker's Apprentice: A Cozy Mystery
When master marionette maker Cornelius Ashworth vanishes after a mysterious visit from an elderly woman clutching a damaged antique puppet, his devoted apprentice Elena Cartwright must unravel decades-old secrets to find him before it's too late.
Elena has spent eight years learning the intricate art of marionette making in Cornelius's Victorian workshop, but nothing has prepared her for Agatha Blackwood's desperate demand. The woman claims a marionette was commissioned from the Ashworth family fifty-seven years ago-a wedding gift that was never delivered when her fiancé Wilhelm died in a car accident just days before their ceremony.
Now Agatha wants what she's owed, and she's given Cornelius one week to complete the work or face the consequences.
When Elena arrives at the workshop the next morning to find Cornelius gone and his tools arranged as if for a final project, she knows something terrible has happened. With the help of Detective Marcus Webb-a methodical investigator who finds himself drawn to both the mystery and Elena's quiet wisdom-she begins uncovering family secrets that have been buried for decades.
Their investigation leads them into Willowbrook's hidden history, from Agatha's decaying manor filled with hundreds of dolls to the archives of a retired psychiatrist who treated the town's grief-stricken families. Along the way, Elena discovers allies in the local Black Box Marionette Theatre, where performers understand that bringing life to inanimate objects requires both technical skill and deep emotional truth.
But as Elena and Webb piece together the tragic story of Wilhelm's death and his relationship with the mysterious Catherine Morrison, they realize that Cornelius may have gone willingly to face a debt that has haunted his family for over half a century. Racing against time to find him, they must confront questions about love, memory, and the difference between preserving the past and being imprisoned by it.
Set in the atmospheric English town of Willowbrook, this debut cozy mystery combines traditional craftsmanship with psychological insight, exploring how art can both heal and harm. Elena Cartwright emerges as a compelling amateur sleuth whose expertise in marionette making gives her unique insights into human nature and the stories people tell themselves to survive loss.
Perfect for fans of Louise Penny and Agatha Christie, The Doll Maker's Apprentice introduces a charming cast of characters united by their understanding that some mysteries can only be solved with both professional skill and deep compassion. As Elena learns, sometimes the most beautiful thing you can create is an ending that allows for new beginnings.
The first in a promising new series featuring Elena and the therapeutic power of traditional crafts.
