After Freya was orphaned as a young girl, her glamorous Aunt Carole raised her in a small English village, where Carole's best friend, Arthur, ran theAfter Freya was orphaned as a young girl, her glamorous Aunt Carole raised her in a small English village, where Carole's best friend, Arthur, ran the local antique shop. Arthur became Freya's friend, mentor, and employer until a life-changing incident in Cairo left Freya feeling betrayed. Twenty years of hostility later, Freya's life is again in shambles when she learns that Arthur died, in a dodgy accident, leaving his shop to her and Carole. Soon Freya finds herself trying to protect Carole from a sketchy group of people at a manor house filled with poor-quality reproduction antiques as they try to decipher the clues Arthur left them, and Freya faces the truth about what happened in Cairo....more
Eccentric antiques dealer Vivian Borne is flattered when a podcaster wants to feature her mystery-solving prowess, but she soon changes her mind when Eccentric antiques dealer Vivian Borne is flattered when a podcaster wants to feature her mystery-solving prowess, but she soon changes her mind when the podcaster accuses her--Vivian herself!--of committing the murders she's credited with solving. When the podcaster is found dead shortly after they quarrel, the evidence piles up against Vivian. Fortunately, her daughter Brandy springs to her defense, and even the police chief, Brandy's fiance, tries to clear her. But it takes some drastic (and impobable) action on Viv's part to uncover the real criminal....more
Edie Brown finds herself on the trail of an outsider artist after she sees a collage in a house where she's doing an appraisal. The home-owner says thEdie Brown finds herself on the trail of an outsider artist after she sees a collage in a house where she's doing an appraisal. The home-owner says the artist is her brain-damaged brother who lives in a rehab facility, but the art looks like a famous woman artist whose works are greatly prized. Soon Edie, and her co-workers at her family's antique store, find themselves involved with criminals including the Russian mafia, and Edie's state police officer boyfriend is obviously keeping things from her....more
Camille is delighted when her son Paul is elected mayor of their suburban community, and only slightly less pleased that the curmudgeon now running thCamille is delighted when her son Paul is elected mayor of their suburban community, and only slightly less pleased that the curmudgeon now running the antiques store that used to belong to her parents is selling. But she can't explain how she comes to buy the place, planning to convert it back to the splendid store it was in the past. When she and bestie Opal find the previous owner dead in the store, the police don't seem interested enough to suit Camille, so she decides to look for the murderer herself. A missing, and probably scandalous, and perhaps forged historical letter provides a motive for all kinds of skulduggery....more
Vivian Borne is determined to get a jump on what's available at the forthcoming antiques auction, and blackmails the crooked auctioneer to give her fiVivian Borne is determined to get a jump on what's available at the forthcoming antiques auction, and blackmails the crooked auctioneer to give her first choice, despite protests from her daughter Brandy. When the auctioneer dies shortly after the auction, and two of his customers are also killed, Viv jumps into the investigation. The nearsighted, egotistical diva seems to be a little less humorous in this book, and Brandy does not fill a very large role, though she does seem to be ready to marry the local chief of police and get out of Vivian's orbit by the end of the book....more
Antiques expert Kat has started her own business at the Gatehouse to Honeychurch Hall, and is looking forward to appearing at a Teddy Bear Fair. She'sAntiques expert Kat has started her own business at the Gatehouse to Honeychurch Hall, and is looking forward to appearing at a Teddy Bear Fair. She's also dating the heir to a neighboring landowner, Piers, who keeps pushing her to get more serious about him. When his old girlfriend Cassandra, also known as Kitten, suddenly appears, with her own credentials as an antiques valuer, Kat tries to like her--but Kitten's appearance coincides with a lot of trouble for Kat. While there's some suspense, there really isn't a lot of mystery, although the new housekeeper at Honeychurch Hall does provide a red herring or two....more
I have really been enjoying this series about a middle-aged American antiques dealer on a long-term visit to England. Kate has become engaged to detecI have really been enjoying this series about a middle-aged American antiques dealer on a long-term visit to England. Kate has become engaged to detective inspector Tom, and is building a life for herself in England--but she has personal and business ties to her Ohio home. She and the dealer she works with get an opportunity to auction off a valuable painting, but Kate knows there's something wrong with the attribution. At the same time, she finds a dead body in the church graveyard--above ground. The dead man is a retired police detective who once knew her landlady when they were both young. The plot is complex, but the delightful romance between Kate and Tom, the delicious sounding food they eat at the local pubs, and the local characters add immeasurably to the pleasure of reading these books....more
Brandy and her mother Vivian travel to London to talk to their new publisher there--they co-write their books, as they do this one--and find a body inBrandy and her mother Vivian travel to London to talk to their new publisher there--they co-write their books, as they do this one--and find a body in an antique shop. They're rushed out of the country when the case turns out to have something to do with military intelligence, but returning home just gets them involved with another murder. Vivian--who is just a teensy-weensy bit unstable, as she'll mention herself--gets the duo into big trouble, which Brandy has to get them out of, but they do find a murderer....more
Aix-en-Provence examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque is so distracted by his wife's pregnancy and his conflicting views on parenthood that it's hard Aix-en-Provence examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque is so distracted by his wife's pregnancy and his conflicting views on parenthood that it's hard to concentrate on the mysterious disappearance of all the contents of a small local museum. Why would anyone steal anything from the museum, whose collection, let's face it, wasn't outstanding valuable? But to steal everything--it must be insanity! When the director of a competing museum is found murdered, the police are even more puzzled. But Verlaque doggedly follows the slightest clues, and of course there's always good food and good wine in abundance....more
Kate, who owns an antiques store in Ohio but who loves a policeman in England, is helping a friend getting surgery by running his store. But she's sooKate, who owns an antiques store in Ohio but who loves a policeman in England, is helping a friend getting surgery by running his store. But she's soon involved in a mystery involving a rare Chinese antiquity, a murdered woman, and a missing daughter. Kate tries to balance her relationship with her Tom, who comes complete with a possessive mother and the memories of his dead first wife, with her memories of her late husband, the needs of her own aging mother home in the US, her two sometimes problematic kids, and of course the danger to her friend's store and reputation that comes with the loss of a valuable antique. This is a really really good series, which I wholeheartedly recommend....more
Josie Prescott feels an instant connection with elderly Maudie, who has been relegated to a nursing home by her two nieces, leaving her house free forJosie Prescott feels an instant connection with elderly Maudie, who has been relegated to a nursing home by her two nieces, leaving her house free for Josie and her husband to purchase. But Maudie forgot that her trunk was left behind by the movers. When Josie delivers it, she finds a possibly valuable treasure within. But the treasure disappears, and so does Maudie, leaving her niece's dead body behind. Naturally Josie interferes to help the local police find the culprit, Maudie and the treasure. Meanwhile, much of Josie's energy is devoted to helping her best friend (and the police chief's significant other) deal with her daughter's enlistment in the Marines....more
I really liked the first in this series, and the second is pure gold. Antiques dealer widowed Kate Hamilton is visiting England to see her daughter, wI really liked the first in this series, and the second is pure gold. Antiques dealer widowed Kate Hamilton is visiting England to see her daughter, who's an intern at a stately home, and not so incidentally to spend time with the English policeman she met in the first book. On a tour of the stately home, a young boy discovers a dead body--that of a woman who was organizing a show of the trove of treasure found 200 years ago on the grounds of Finchley Hall. Kate takes over arrangements for the show, which may help the fragile Lady Barbara preserve her home, which desperately needs repairs. Wonderful incidental characters add to the fun....more
How could Vivian Borne be elected sheriff when everyone in the county knows she's bipolar? Well, it's a long story, but now it's time to move on for VHow could Vivian Borne be elected sheriff when everyone in the county knows she's bipolar? Well, it's a long story, but now it's time to move on for Vivian's daughter Brandy, who is drafted to be her Mother's driver and "deputy." The two go to investigate some break-ins in the little village of Antiqua, where the big event of the year is Edgar Allan Poe days and Vivian wants to recite "The Raven" in full Poe costume. Then Brandy discovers the body of a discontented waitress, and all Hades breaks loose. You may be a bit tired--I am--of having the two main characters writing different chapters, and butting in on each other's commentaries, but on the whole the writing is entertaining....more
Widowed American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton returns to the Scottish island where her husband was born--and died--when her usually hostile sister-inWidowed American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton returns to the Scottish island where her husband was born--and died--when her usually hostile sister-in-law begs for her help. But Elenor is too busy preparing for the Tartan ball to talk to Kate. She promises that they'll talk after the ball, but she's killed before she and Kate can discuss her secrets. At the ball, Elenor announced that she's going to marry the author of a recent best-seller about a famous island heroine who was mysteriously murdered. Since she'd urged Kate to read the book, Kate's reading is interspersed in the modern novel. When the police suspect a local man with mental disabilities, Kate is sure that she has to step in to protect her husband's childhood friend....more
First, I just read one of the Barbara Allan books, and for me, a lapse between them is helpful or I get tired of too much whimsey. Second, I dislike bFirst, I just read one of the Barbara Allan books, and for me, a lapse between them is helpful or I get tired of too much whimsey. Second, I dislike books in which leading characters are framed and imprisoned. Someone without those quiddities would probably enjoy this one more than I did. Brandy discovers the body, and her fingerprints are on the murder weapon. Besides, she had reason to dislike the police chief's estranged wife--before she reappeared, Brandy was his main squeeze, and he'd still like to divorce his reluctant wife. What's more, the wife started an antiques shop in competition with Brandy and her mother Vivian. But of course Vivian jumps right in to try to clear Brandy....more
Keepsake Cove is a neighborhood full of quaint shops that cater to different types of collectors--hell, in other words. When the obnoxious owner of a Keepsake Cove is a neighborhood full of quaint shops that cater to different types of collectors--hell, in other words. When the obnoxious owner of a local bed and breakfast is found murdered in the town park, his estranged wife--who owns a sewing collectible shop--is the main suspect. Callie, who has newly inherited the music box shop after solving her aunt's murder, is sure that the wife is not guilty, but the murder weapon belonged to her. Together with Lyssa, the guest of honor at the Fall Festival for her spooky books, who is staying at the b&b, Callie tries to find the real killer. Despite the reasonably adult themes, this somehow read to me more like a y.a. book in style. ...more
Collectibles picker Jane Wheel finds a treasure trove of bar memorabilia at a house sale. Just what she needs to help redecorate her family bar in KanCollectibles picker Jane Wheel finds a treasure trove of bar memorabilia at a house sale. Just what she needs to help redecorate her family bar in Kankakee, Jane thinks. But when she gets her stuff home, she finds her parents--kindly Don and one-of-a-kind Nellie--worried about their hated ex-landlord. When the man is found dead, the police are sure it's a simple natural death, but Jane is not sure. A second death in one of his rental houses raises the stakes. There are thugs after something unnamed that the dead man hid, and they'll stop at very little to find it. Jane's old friend Tim wants her to be his partner in the antiques business, while her new friend, newly retired police detective Bruce Oh, would like her to join his consulting business....more
Jane Wheel is wife, mother, and antique picker. She finds stuff she loves at garage sales and rummage sales, and sells to dealers, who have stores andJane Wheel is wife, mother, and antique picker. She finds stuff she loves at garage sales and rummage sales, and sells to dealers, who have stores and customers. Her best friend Tim wants to train her as a high-end antiques dealer, retired police detective Bruce Oh wants to train her to be a private investigator, and Jane worries that she's shortchanging her husband and child by the storage needs of her piles of stuff. When Oh's wife, a high end dealer, is suspected of murder, Jane and Tim set off to an exclusive colony of artists and craftsmen who do antique restoration on a remote estate in Michigan, where Jane promptly finds another body. I enjoyed this series when it first came out, but somehow think I must have missed this particular title....more
Vivian Borne is running for sheriff, much to her daughter Brandy's dismay. The two women--one widowed, one divorced--live together in an old house andVivian Borne is running for sheriff, much to her daughter Brandy's dismay. The two women--one widowed, one divorced--live together in an old house and run an antique store in another one, and both narrate the book, often in alternating chapters. I've enjoyed some of the earlier books, but while this was better than okay, it didn't engage my interest. Vivian has bunion surgery in order to be installed in the rehab/senior home where some strange events, including a lethal explosion, have taken place, and solves several murders using Brandy as her Archie Goodwin. ...more
Not my favorite series, but this is a fairly strong entry. Josie Prescott is shocked when her friend Mo dies in what is probably not an accident. She Not my favorite series, but this is a fairly strong entry. Josie Prescott is shocked when her friend Mo dies in what is probably not an accident. She was a philanthropic elementary school teacher who volunteered and used her family money for good. Who would want to murder her? Well, there's the man who is dating her sister, who also sold Mo a Japanese woodblock that Josie is trying to authenticate. And there's her ex-husband, who says he's trying to reconcile with Mo. As other suspects accumulate, Josie faces several big, big changes in her quite satisfactory life--the possibility of a merger with another antiques dealer, marriage to her long time beau, even the suggestion that she relocate from her beloved New Hampshire home....more
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