Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Review and Giveaway: A Killing in Antiques

A Killing in Antiques (Lucy St. Elmo Antiques - Book 1) by Mary Moody

Publication Date: July 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 320pp
ISBN-13: 9780451234186
ISBN: 0451234189

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mysteries)


Mary Moody on the WEB: website, blog

Synopsis:

Treasure hunting is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, Lucy St. Elmo, owner of Cape Cod's St. Elmo Fine Antiques, has more than enough heart. Her tracking skills are what she needs to improve - or else the wrong man could be convicted of a one-of-a-kind murder...

It's time for Brimfield, the largest outdoor antiques and collectibles show in all of New England. This is one event Lucy wouldn't miss for the world. Armed with determination, a keen eye, and her trusty supercart, Lucy is ready to make a killing. But she never expected ther would be a killing at Brimfield! Or that the victim would be her longtime friend, well-known antiques picker Monty Rondo - strangled with a strip of lace.

While Brimfield is still buzzing with the news, Monty's partner, Silent Billy, is arrested for the crime. Lucy's certain that Billy is innocent. So while combing the market for treasures, she starts collecting clues to clear her friend's name. But she'll have to work fast to restore his reputation before a killer comes calling her name...

Thoughts:

Author Mary Moody brings cozy fans a new series based on the art of antiques. A Killing in Antiques is the first book in the new Lucy St. Elmo Antiques series and features a Cape Cod Antiques shop and it's intrepid owner. Readers will love Moody's ability to set the scene as she tackles one of the biggest antique and collectible shows in New England, Brimfield. Moody's descriptions of antique "picking" and hunting for clues will peak the readers interest and draw them into this well crafted cozy!

Lucy St. Elmo owner of Cape Cod's St Elmo Fine Antiques is gearing up for one of her favorite events, Brimfield. Brimfield is the largest outdoor antique and collectible show in New England and Lucy is itching to see what she find for her custom made antique picking cart. What she doesn't expect is to find her friend Monty Rondo dead and his partner Silent Billy suspected of his murder. Lucy has known Monty and Billy for ages and she can't believe that Billy would have anything to do with Monty's death. So while she is scouring the show for just the right pieces to take back to her shop, she's picking for clues as well as treasures. But when she draws the interest of the killer as well as other antique enthusiasts she may get the bad end of the bargain...

Mary Moody has chosen an interesting occupation for her heroine Lucy in A Killing in Antiques. With the popularity of shows like, Antiques Road Show and American Pickers, this theme is bound to be well received by cozy fans. Antique dealers are an interesting lot in the fact that they are in a sense treasure hunters. Moody does an excellent job of describing the art of "picking" and making it interesting for the reader. Not only does she give them a great whodunit with this book, but a bare bones education in the antiques trade. I think readers will really enjoy this aspect of the book which includes collecting tips.

The mystery aspect of the book centers around the death of well-known picker, Monty Rondo. I found it interesting that the author chose to use a strip of lace as a murder weapon. It has become clear to me from reading cozies that there are a million in one things a person could use to kill somebody, but I was still surprised by this one. Who would have expected a simple piece of lace could be the crux of a murder investigation? I thought it was unique and different, but the choice of the main suspect was a little too convenient. I suppose Billy was probably the one who stood to gain the most by Rondo's death but still it might have been a little more interesting to shift the blame a little further afield in the beginning of the book. I did really enjoy how the mystery played out and how Lucy was able to come up with her conclusion. I did have this one figured out before the end which is always a thrill for me. I liked to be kept guessing, but I really feel like I've accomplished something when I get it right!

Lucy is a great heroine and I think readers will really like her. She has this personality that is kind of infectious. When she starts talking about antiques you can feel her passion, which in turn must be a passion of the author or she would not be able to convey it so well through her character. I liked Lucy's outlook on life and on antiques. She was knowledgeable and came across to the reader as someone you wouldn't want to tangle with when it came to price...LOL! I look forward to learning more about her and her life in future books in this series. There is still a lot to learn about her and her shop.

I recommend this one to cozy lovers who have a penchant for antiques. The antique part of the book was just as interesting as the whodunit. Moody has a knack for writing in such a way that readers will be searching their attics and out building to see if they think they have something valuable hidden in there. As well as finding a mystery around every corner. A great first effort!

A Killing in Antiques is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




Mary Moody is a Massachusetts native who has lived all over the commonwealth. She has an MBA from Clark University in Worcester. Growing up within a collecting family was a lesson in the pleasure of the treasure hunt. She likes people who find ingenious ways to participate in the antiques marketplace, and writing their stories has been a fun way to forget her career as a commercial banker. She currently lives in the Berkshires with her husband.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is offering one copy of A Killing in Antiques to one lucky winner from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US addresses only! (Publisher Request)
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 17th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

17 comments:

Myra C said...

Sounds like another fun cozy mystery and a new author for me to check out. Thanks for the giveaway!

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds like a fun story.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

cyn209 said...

another new cozy mystery!!!! i can't wait to read this book!!!

thank you for the giveaway!!!!

lag123 said...

I love treasure hunting for antiques and "picking". Thanks for the giveaway.

Martha Lawson said...

Another new to me author!! Your book sounds really great.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Theresa N. said...

This antiques nut has added it to her reading list.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karen B said...

I love the antiques and picking shows on TV so this book will be right up my alley!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Carol M said...

I've always been interested in antiques. I'd love to read this book!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

In Julie's Opinion said...

I love cozy mysteries and I love antiques, so I know I'll love this book! Thanks for an awesome giveaway:)
jwitt33 at live dot com

mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...

I love a good cozy mystery!I'm so excited to discover this author! (thanks to Debbie's Book Bag and other fabulous bloggers like her!)
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Becky said...

This sounds like a fun cozy mystery. Thanks.

Carol N Wong said...

This is cozy with a double bonus. I love to go anique hunting and I love Cape Cod.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Kaye said...

This sounds like a fun one and I love the fact it is set in my native state of MA.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I LOVE cozy mysteries and this looks like another great one to add to the mix!

Thanks~
Molly AT reviewsbymolly DOT com

Cheryl said...

Cozies are some of my favorites, and I live in Western Mass, so I'm familiar with the setting. Would love to win a copy of this one.

Thanks for the chance.

Cheryl

cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like the perfect cozy mystery. I would really enjoy reading this book.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net