Antiques Ravin'

by Barbara Allan

Kensington Books

Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 30 Apr 2019

Review

Everyone’s favorite 70 something, the eccentric Vivien Borne is back - as sheriff no less. (shiver) While she and her daughter Brandy have solved numerous murders, with lots of luck, her knowledge of police procedure is as spotty as a dalmation. But that doesn’t stop her from doing her thing and using her new resources when a spate of crimes hits Antiqua, including a heinous murder in the vein of one of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories. Brandy has her hands full attempting to manage her theatrical mother and her shihtzu, but finds time to share suggestions on how to properly search for collectible books.

It isn’t easy to make character narration of events work, but Barbara Allan does a superb job breaking the barrier between characters and reader, while still making the crazy hijinks believable.

I highly recommend Antiques Ravin’ to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with a hefty dose of humor.

5 / 5

I received a copy of Antiques Ravin’ from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

-- Crittermom

Description

The votes are in! Eccentric seventy-something Vivian Borne—elected county sheriff, to everyone’s amazement but her own—springs into action. In her new role, the community playhouse diva appoints daughter Brandy reluctant deputy and makes their spunky shih tzu Sushi a K-9 unit of one.

Soon the amateur-sleuths-turned-pro have a challenging case to solve as a series of creepy crimes plague an ill-fated Edgar Allan Poe festival, where a fiend is misguidedly dispensing Poe-etic justice. Small-town Antiqua, known for its quaint main street of antique shops, has set out to celebrate the gothic poet with food, fun, and rare memorabilia, only to have the Master of the Macabre’s twisted tales come to deadly life.

A purloined tome, a black cat, a musty mausoleum, and mysterious disappearances—these tell the tale of a heartless murderer. But Vivian and Brandy Borne are determined to decipher the cryptic clues to make sure a ravin’-mad killer strikes “nevermore”!

Don’t miss Brandy Borne’s tips on hunting for valuable antiques!