The Antique Lover's Mysteries


Book Description

Now available in one volume, the first three books of the Antique Lover's Mysteries! DEATH IS A CABARET Since Jeff Talbot left the FBI, he's been investigating yard sales as a professional antiques picker. From furniture to books, from old clothes to broken toys, nothing escapes his keen eye for appraisal. But there is one item that he always keeps his knowing eyes particularly peeled to find: a one-of-a-kind French cabaret set commissioned by Napoleon for his love, Josephine. It is an item any collector would kill for... So when it's about to be auctioned off — and rival collectors start turning up dead — there are plenty of suspects to choose from. Suddenly Jeff finds himself polishing up his old crime-solving skills as the search for a cabaret set becomes the search for a killer. But can he pick out the right clues before the killer adds him to the collection of dead bodies? THE WEEDLESS WIDOW Jeff Talbot is joining his fishing buddies for their annual trip. He is also trying to coordinate the listing and transportation of his latest haul of antiques. When he arrives at the Northwest Territory Bait and Tackle shop for supplies, he joins his fishing friend, the Judge. Together they find their friend and shop owner, Bill Rhodes murdered. Throughout the fishing trip weekend, Jeff finds himself assisting the local sheriff's department in the investigation. While helping the local law enforcement, Jeff forwards pertinent data to his home computer. When he returns home from his fishing trip, he finds Sheila, his agoraphobic wife, missing. Using former FBI resources, friends and Seattle's police, the search for Sheila Talbot begins. As Jeff searches, he finds her disappearance clearly linked to the murder. THE MARRIAGE CASKET Antiques picker and ex-FBI agent Jeff Talbot figured he was about to make a killing when Nathan Rose offered him all the antiques in his newly deceased aunt's house dirt cheap. What Jeff hadn't bargained for, however, was the bloodstain beneath one of the old pack rat's priceless rugs, indicating that the death of Verena Rose was no accident. But unlike the police, Jeff doesn't think that nephew Nathan is the culprit. Convinced the answer lies somewhere in the old woman's cluttered house, Jeff starts rummaging and unearths an antique marriage casket crammed with old letters. Reading through these, he discovers the old woman had more than her share of secrets. But now Jeff must determine who hated or feared her enough to commit murder... before he winds up in a casket himself.




Death is a Cabaret


Book Description




A Toast To Murder


Book Description

The big day is swiftly approaching for Nikki Sands—Manager of the Malveaux Estates in Napa Valley—and her fiance Derek Malveaux, who owns the winery. But when they start receiving cryptic messages questioning their belief in fate, things quickly turn fatal… As the wedding grows closer, it seems the entire affair is cursed. A chewing gum fiasco forces Nikki to cut her hair and go platinum blonde. Then Derek’s old college buddies, along with an assortment of old flames and frustrating family relations, show up to work Nikki’s last nerve. But when Nikki’s close pal Simon is shot as he walks her down the aisle, Nikki realizes that she has to find a matrimonial murderer before her wedding becomes someone’s funeral.




Hitting the Books


Book Description

It's murder by the book in the latest hit Library Lover's mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Stacks. When a stack of library materials is found at the scene of a hit and run, library director Lindsey Norris finds herself dragged into the investigation as the police try to link the driver of the stolen car to the person who borrowed the books. Before Lindsey can delve into the library's records, the victim of the hit and run, Theresa Houston, suffers another "accident" and the investigation shifts from driver negligence to attempted homicide. A clue surfaces in the confiscated library materials that could crack open the case and it is up to Lindsey to piece it all together. But things are not as they seem in the sleepy town of Briar Creek, and when the driver of the stolen car turns up dead, Lindsey, her staff, and her library friends have to hit the books before the murderer gets the last word....




Arsenic and Old Paint


Book Description

Former art forger Annie Kincaid has reinvented her life and now operates a legitimate decorative painting business, but memories are long in the art world. Here, with the blessing of the FBI Art Squad, Annie uses her underworld connections to boost her new art investigation business, where she’s partnered with her ex-art thief/love interest Michael X. Johnson. At first it’s strictly business, but she stumbles across a body in an exclusive Nob Hill men’s club. Then an insurance adjuster asks her to find a stolen -- and forged -- erotic painting. Then her Uncle Anton is attacked and Annie’s on the trail of more than just art. Moving easily between high and low circles, she makes the rounds of Nob Hill and Chinatown, a sex club, and the artists’ studios to find justice.




Killer Finds


Book Description

Anne and CC, the famous Spoon Sisters who track their antique hunting adventures in their popular blog, are flying home from a recent shopping spree in Paris. Anne finds herself seated next to a nervous gentleman, who becomes even more agitated during some major air turbulence and both he and Anne drop their bags in the aisle. However, that pales in comparison when the man is later found dead in the airplane's lavatory. Because the plane is full, the crew is forced to place the man's body back in his seat next to Anne. Upon deplaning, Anne hopes that's the last she'll have to think of the dead man and quickly begins planning what to do with all of the items she has found on her trip--far more than she has room to store in her small home. With her business partner CC on her case to unload most of her purchases, Anne is oblivious to the man stalking her




The Weedless Widow


Book Description

Jeff Talbot is joining his fishing buddies for their annual trip. He is also trying to coordinate the listing and transportation of his latest haul of antiques. When he arrives at the Northwest Territory Bait and Tackle shop for supplies, he joins his fishing friend, the Judge. Together they find their friend and shop owner, Bill Rhodes murdered. Throughout the fishing trip weekend, Jeff finds himself assisting the local sheriff's department in the investigation. While helping the local law enforcement, Jeff forwards pertinent data to his home computer. When he returns home from his fishing trip, he finds Sheila, his agoraphobic wife, missing. Using former FBI resources, friends and Seattle's police, the search for Sheila Talbot begins. As Jeff searches, he finds her disappearance clearly linked to the murder.




The Majolica Murders


Book Description

Ex-FBI agent and antiques picker Jeff Talbot asks Lanny, a fellow picker, to scout out some antique majolica as a present for his wife — with no idea just how costly it will be. Lanny is a bit of a loner, but Jeff has always liked him. So it comes as a total shock when the young man is arrested for murdering an antiques dealer. Jeff learns that Lanny quarreled with the dealer after she sold two pieces of majolica she was supposed to hold for him — uncharacteristic of the kind, caring, and trustworthy man that Jeff knows. As Jeff investigates Lanny's claims of innocence, he learns the majolica has a long history — one that somebody is determined to keep quiet.




The Marriage Casket


Book Description

Antiques picker and ex-FBI agent Jeff Talbot figured he was about to make a killing when Nathan Rose offered him all the antiques in his newly deceased aunt's house dirt cheap. What Jeff hadn't bargained for, however, was the bloodstain beneath one of the old pack rat's priceless rugs, indicating that the death of Verena Rose was no accident. But unlike the police, Jeff doesn't think that nephew Nathan is the culprit. Convinced the answer lies somewhere in the old woman's cluttered house, Jeff starts rummaging and unearths an antique marriage casket crammed with old letters. Reading through these, he discovers the old woman had more than her share of secrets. But now Jeff must determine who hated or feared her enough to commit murder... before he winds up in a casket himself.




Four on the Floor


Book Description

Months after antiques picker and ex-FBI agent Jeff Talbot's beloved 1948 Chevy woodie was wrecked — the result of a killer trying to run Jeff off the road — it's finally restored. But when he and his butler go to pick it up at the shop, they discover the asphyxiated bodies of four men — including owner Louie Stella, a former informant from Jeff's FBI days. But what at first appears to be a terrible accident is soon ruled a homicide. Louie's son, Tony, is missing — and he's left behind an envelope, found inside the woodie. Filled with clues, in connects the Talbot family with what the media has dubbed the "Four on the Floor" murders. As Jeff puzzles together the pieces of his past, he goes undercover to catch a rich, mysterious woman who may hold the key — while trying not to become the fifth on the floor...