Antiques Swap

I just finished Antiques Swap by Barbara Allan.  It is the ninth book in A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery.  It is different from other cozies because the book is written from the characters point-of-view.  It is like Vivian and Brandy are talking to you.   There is also a cute little dog named Sushi.  She is a diabetic and recently had her sight restored through cataract surgery.

 

Vivian and Brandy Borne are mother and daughter.  Brandy has to keep a close eye on her bipolar mother.  They run an antiques store called Trash ‘n’ Treasures and are working on a television pilot called Antiques Sleuths.  Vivian is a very outgoing and over the top person who loves solving mysteries.  Vivian likes to be the center of attention and have all the latest gossip.  Brandy tries to reign in her mother, but has no luck.  Brandy is divorced and her son, Jake, lives with her ex-husband.  They are filming the last of the show at an antiques swap.  When they are done filming, Brandy sneaks off to eat Fried Butter (a stick of butter is dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried) and encounters Wesley “Wes” Sinclair III.  He had also sneaked away for some fried butter (it sounds disgusting).  After they finish eating, Brandy trips and Wes catches her.  Wes’ wife finds Brandy in Wes’ arms and starts yelling.  Vanessa Sinclair is not the nicest person nor is she well liked about town.

 

Later that day Brandy receives a call from Vanessa.  She has some old beer signs that she wishes to sell and wants Brandy to look at them.  Brandy evaluates them (and takes pictures) and promises to return with a quote after 5 p.m.  The signs belong to Wes but Vanessa said Wes agreed to sell them (sounds like a set up to me).  When Brandy and Vivian (who has never been able to wheedle herself inside the house) return, they find Vanessa dead.

 

Brandy’s boyfriend (and cop), Tony Cassato, asks her to not get involved in the investigation.  Brandy agrees and tries to comply.  However, Vivian made no such promise.  Soon Brand is looking into the investigation as well and Tony is helping them.  They find out that Wes and Vanessa Sinclair have one big skeleton in their closet.  

 

To find out who killed Vanessa and the big secret, read Antiques Swap.  I give Antiques Swap 4.5 out of 5 stars.  There is a lot of humor in the story (sometimes a little too much) and the characters are quirky.  I found the mystery very easy to solve.  I have to say that this is the first book I have read in this series.  I own the first book in the series, but have never read it (it is a paperback version and the print is so tiny).   I think I will have to go and read all the book in A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery series.  If you have not read the previous books, you can read Antiques Swap.  

 

I have received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley (and Kensington Books) in exchange for an honest review.

 

 Antiques Swap will be out on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.  I am off to watch The Originals (and read during the commercials).  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

 

Kris