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)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

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.

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