Happy Tuesday! Yes, I know it’s not Friday. But today, I’d like to introduce a special guest whose traditional mystery is not only her debut, it’s garnering rave reviews. Please welcome Elle Jauffret as she details the unusual concept and storyline behind Threads of Deception. ~ Donnell
DOES YOUR ACCENT MAKE YOU LESS AMERICAN?
By Elle Jauffret
Author Elle Jauffret
Imagine waking up one morning with a completely different accent—regional or foreign. A Southern drawl if you’re from the North, a Californian accent if you’re from Boston, or perhaps even a Russian or Chinese accent, despite never having learned those languages. What would you do: embrace it or fight it? This is the dilemma facing Claire Fontaine, the protagonist of Threads of Deception. Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is not fictional but a rare neurological condition that causes someone to suddenly speak in a different accent, often after a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
For Claire, it’s the trauma of a criminal explosion that destroyed her D.C. law firm, forcing her to step away from the mentally exhausting world of criminal law. To heal and reassess her life, Claire leaves the legal world to become a private chef (all those cooking classes for singles are finally paying off). She returns to her hometown of Caper Cove, California, to cater for a fashion TV show at the request of a designer friend, only to find her friend dead. Determined to investigate, Claire’s past as a criminal attorney gives her the skills, but her new accent gets in the way. The detective on the case dismisses her, assuming she’s a French true crime enthusiast on vacation. This mistaken belief leads to several comical moments and banter throughout the novel.
Though humorous, the psychological effects of FAS are profound. Individuals often report confusion, frustration, and isolation. The sudden change in speech can trigger identity crises, with people feeling unrecognizable, even to themselves. Social interactions become challenging, as friends and family struggle to understand the change or may even refuse to believe FAS is real, deepening feelings of alienation.
Speech therapy can help, but in Threads of Deception, Claire struggles to lose her accent through therapy—much to the confusion of her best friend, Suggie Oh, who finds it sexy and can’t understand why Claire wants to get rid of it.
FAS can lead to more than just personal struggles. People with the condition often face prejudice due to their altered speech. Just like with certain speech impediments, listeners may unfairly associate accented speech with lower intelligence. In Threads of Deception, Claire’s American nationality and legal competency are questioned simply because of her accent. With FAS, misunderstandings arise, and the stigma surrounding unusual speech patterns can lead to social withdrawal. Some individuals are even accused of faking the condition, adding to feelings of shame and frustration. The novel’s first scene where Claire is mistaken for a foreigner traveling with a false passport perfectly illustrates the point and sets the humorous tone for what is ultimately a serious subject.
Despite these challenges, many FAS sufferers develop coping strategies. Speech therapy can help regain control over speech patterns, and support groups—both in-person and online—offer emotional support and a sense of community. Some people choose to adopt their new accent as part of their identity, using it as a conversation starter or a way to connect with others. This positive reframing can turn what initially feels like a loss into an opportunity for growth. In Claire’s case, despite repeatedly explaining that she isn’t French, her newfound accent endears her to the foodie crowd and may even boost her career as a private chef—which she isn’t sure she should accept. You can find out what she ultimately decides in Threads of Deception.
For more info: https://ellejauffret.com/Press-Kit
About the Book: Thirty-five-year-old Claire Fontaine had it all as a successful D.C. defense attorney until a criminal explosion shattered her career and left her with a debilitating French foreign accent syndrome. To make matters worse, her neurologist ordered her to take a break from the law and the FBI urged her to lay low. She’s also broke. Her only marketable skill is the culinary expertise she’s gained through countless cooking classes for singles. Forced to embrace a new path as a private chef, Claire accepts the invitation of a rising fashion designer friend to move back to her Southern California hometown to cater for a fashion TV show—only to find said friend dead.
Desperate to prove it wasn’t a suicide but a murder, Claire teams up with her childhood best friend, Suggie Oh, the town’s beloved accountant. She also forms a tension-filled alliance with charismatic Detective Ben Torres, who reluctantly accepts her cooperation and with whom she’s forced to share an apartment.
As she investigates, Claire glimpses into the world of competitive fashion, political campaigns, and ex-lovers’ vendettas. But getting closer to the truth may not be as safe as juggling knives in a dark kitchen.
What Readers are Saying:
“A charming traditional mystery with a unique French twist – – and a captivating mix of fashion, food, and fascinating characters! Elle Jauffret is a smart and fresh new voice, and this chic, cinematic, and unpredictable story, revealed in a gorgeous setting, will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling author of ONE WRONG WORD
“Elle Jauffret spins a powerful, complex, and compelling mystery! THREADS OF DECEPTION dives deep into the human experience and does so with elegance and insight. Highly recommended!” — Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of NecroTek and The Dragon in Winter
“With a charming and confident heroine, a sexy police detective, and dripping with Hollywood intrigue, Threads of Deception is a must-read for mystery lovers, a fierce debut for author Elle Jauffret!” — Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the #murdertrending series
“Elle Jauffret’s Threads of Deception is a delectable debut novel in which Jauffret stitches together a mouth-watering mystery that will leave readers hungry for more!” — Daphne Silver, Agatha Award winning author of Crime and Parchment
“In Threads of Deception, Elle Jauffret weaves together her astute knowledge of the law, her experiences as a French-born American, and her love of the classic mystery to create an engaging series readers will enjoy. This is a multi-layered story about rash judgements and assumptions, the facades we create, the things some people will do to protect their secrets, and the lengths one woman will go to get justice for her friend.” — Kate B Jackson, Agatha-winning author of Sasquatch Hunters, the Chattertowne Mysteries Cruising Sisters Mysteries
“Threads of Deception is a fast-paced mystery with unique characters, refreshing humor, and unexpected adventures that will keep you turning pages. Jauffret’s use of an unusual medical condition, fascinating backstory, and vivid setting add to the intrigue and interest, but her descriptions of scrumptious food will have you planning a visit to the nearest French bakery. By the last page, she’s left just enough breadcrumbs to draw you forward into what will no doubt be a delightful series you’ll enjoy with a book in one hand and pain au chocolat in the other.” — Annette Lyon, USA Today bestselling author of Just One More
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.
For more info: https://ellejauffret.com/Press-Kit
Fascinating subject, Elle, and the fact you address it with humor and empathy combined with a mystery sounds like my kind of read! Happy debut. Enjoy the whirlwind!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad the mix of humor, empathy, and mystery resonates with you. I truly appreciate your support, and I’ll definitely enjoy the whirlwind—especially with such a great community cheering me on. Thanks again for the opportunity and the warm wishes!
Great premise that mystery readers from DC to CA as well as foodies will find authentic and relatable. Thanks fir sharing! From a fellow Guppy
So true, Beth, sending to every foodie I know 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you think the premise will resonate with both mystery readers and foodies across the country. It’s always great to hear from fellow Guppies too— such a supportive and inspiring community. I hope you enjoy the story if you decide to read the book and thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!
I was surprised to learn that some people can unconsciously pick up an accent simply be spending time in a different locale–until it happened to me. As a teenager, I spent 3 weeks one summer visiting relatives in Philadelphia and returned with a Philly accent! My 10th grade English teacher refused to believe I hadn’t just transferred from Philadelphia to northern NJ.
That’s a great story! It’s amazing how quickly children’s brains can pick up accents without even realizing it (it would be great if adults’ brains did same :)) Your English teacher’s reaction is hilarious! It must have been a funny experience, switching back to your usual accent after that. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this post, Donnell. It continues to astound me, all that I do not know. My eyes are wider now, thanks to Elle. I wish her the best of luck with THREADS OF DECEPTION ( I still love that title).
You’re welcome, Pamela. Elle’s article opened my eyes as well. I related strongly to her comment about people’s ignorance in interpreting accents. I learned a long time ago never to assume someone is slow by the way they speak. My first lesson was a young woman with cerebral palsy.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled that the post sparked your interest and opened up new perspectives. Foreign Accent Syndrome is such a fascinating and mysterious condition, and I’m glad it resonated with you. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for the title too—it feels like it captures the heart of the story in a way that fits.
I’ve been intrigued with foreign accent syndrome since watching an episode of Hart of Dixie. It was interesting, and I thought I’d add it to a story one day, but you beat me to it. Good for you. Congratulations on Threads of Deception.
Jackie, I don’t think there’s a copyright on FAS. Sounds like the world needs to be educated.
Thanks, Donnell.
Thank you so much! It’s great to hear that you’ve been intrigued by Foreign Accent Syndrome too. I’ve always found it fascinating how the brain works. (Now I’m curious about Hart of Dixie—must check it out.)
Hmm, I’ve never heard of this syndrome before. Quite intriguing. I grabbed a copy of the book.
Best of luck, Elle!!!
Kass, the fact you’ve never heard of it shows how rare it is. I’m surprised.
Thank you so much for grabbing a copy of the book! I’m so glad the concept of Foreign Accent Syndrome caught your interest—it’s definitely a little-known condition. I hope you enjoy reading THREADS OF DECEPTIONand that Claire’s journey keeps you intrigued. Thanks for the kind words and support!