A Lucy St. Elmo Antiques Mystery, by Mary Moody, Obsidian, June 2011
Brimfield Antiques Show is the biggest and best antique show around, and Lucy St. Elmo is ready for the thrill of the hunt and the lure of snagging an exceptional item for a bargain price. But her excitement is short-lived when she hears that antique picker Monty Rondo has been murdered before sunrise on opening day. Monty wasn't the most well-liked man around the antique circuit, so it could be hard to find the murderer. The police's primary suspect is Silent Bill, the master craftsman who worked for Monty, but Lucy is sure someone else committed the crime. So while she's selecting fine items for her shop, she's also picking up clues that point to the real killer. And she has to hurry, for when the Show's over, she may be too.
This is the first book in a new series and an enjoyable one, at that. Not only does one learn the ins and outs of the Brimfield Antique Show, but you also get great behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of antiquing. Lucy is a fully drawn character who doesn't like to talk on the phone, suffers from terminal nosiness and has an issue with being short. She's married with five grown kids, is approaching 50, doesn't cook very well and enjoys the freedom of having her own business. I liked how she prepares for Brimfield like she's getting ready for a battle she hopes she'll win and then fine tunes her schedule according to which field and booths are opening on a particular day.
Lucy's friends are well-defined and have unique character traits. Baker shares an interest in academia with Lucy's husband Hamp and a love of antiques with her. John Wilson is a curator at the Jeffries Jade Museum and a fundraiser extraordinaire. Natalie started in the business when Lucy did and has an unusual way of talking when in love. Lucy's assistant TJ, a rock star wannabe, loves old musical instruments. Coylie is a 22-year-old antique show newbie who's managing the lot where Lucy parks her van. And Silent Bill was the victim's assistant and is a superb craftsman who doesn't say much.
A Killing in Antiques has light humor and an unusual setting. Add the several red herrings, interesting characters and a satisfying ending, and cozy mystery fans are guaranteed to enjoy this book and learn a little something about the antique business too.
* The next book in the series, Under the Hammer, will be released in 2012.
PROTAGONIST: A 50-year-old, short, antique shop owner, married with children
ACTION: Hitting heads with flashlights and lamps
LOVE INTERESTS: Her husband Hamp and antiquing
ROMANCE: A chance to make love isn't squandered
QUIRKINESS: Lucy's Brimfield Antique Show battle gear, Coylie's humor, Natalie's unusual language when in love
INTERESTING TIDBITS: Brimfield Antique Show rules of etiquette, the wheeling and dealing going on at Brimfield, info on how to buy and identify antiques
FUN FACTOR: Lighthearted with intelligent humor
IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Antique Print Mysteries by Lea Wait, Trash 'n' Treasures Mysteries by Barbara Allan, Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries by Jane K. Cleland, Den of Antiquity Mysteries by Tamar Myers