A Devious Lot

Ellery Adams · Parker Riggs

Feb 2016 · Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 5 · Beyond The Page

About this eBook

A brand-new book in the Antiques & Collectibles series by New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs.

Molly Appleby has promised her new husband that their honeymoon will be trouble-free—specifically, no sleuthing. Unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Molly wherever she goes, even to England.

After a glorious week in London, the newlyweds have escaped the city to visit Molly’s great-aunt in the quaint English village of Marlow Crossing. The setting is idyllic, as beautiful and serene as Molly could hope for, but as the talented reporter and senior staff writer for Collector’s Weekly knows, appearances can be deceiving. And when a local woman turns up poisoned to death, Molly’s convinced there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Putting her honeymoon on hold, Molly agrees to help local inspector Devon Boyle with the case, especially since the sleepy village presents such a small number of suspects. But when two of them go missing and the tragic death of another woman comes to light, Molly realizes she’s up against a much more sinister criminal than she thought. Untangling a web of lies and deceit as she searches for a motive and a murderer won’t be easy, but Molly’s determined to put all of her detective skills to use to catch a killer before her trip, and her life, are brought to a sudden end.

Ratings and reviews

A Devious Lot by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is the fifth book in the Antiques and Collectibles Mysteries. Molly Appleby and her new husband, Matt Harrison are on their honeymoon. The couple spent some time in London and are now visiting Molly’s Aunt Tessa in Marlow Crossing, Cotswolds. Tessa Paulson is a retired teacher and lives in Foxcoat Cottage (I love how they name their names in England). Tessa introduces Molly and Matt to her friends and neighbors in the village. Tiffany Hadley’s returns White Dove Cottage nearby. She moved to the village from London to be near her boyfriend. Tiffany was given a beautiful eye miniature in brooch form from him. Unfortunately, they have now broken up and Giles, the former boyfriend, wants the brooch back. Giles Adair lives with his mother at Channing Hall. Giles runs Bits and Pieces, an antique store and already has a fiancé, Penelope Cassidy (he moves fast). One morning Gingersnap, Tiffany’s cat, shows up at Foxcoat Cottage and seems to want something. Molly follows him back to Tiffany’s house. Molly finds Tiffany dead in her dining room (you knew this was coming). Detective Inspector Devon Boyle is assigned the case. DI Boyle asks Molly to assist him with the investigation (you know Molly cannot resist an investigation). Matt has to head home (he has to get back to his residency program), Molly’s mother, Clara Appleby flies over to comfort Tessa (and help with the investigation). Then Penelope Cassidy turns up missing. Why was Tiffany killed and who wanted her out of the way? Did Penelope do her in? Join Molly on her investigation in A Devious Lot. A part of A Devious Lot is devoted to the story of the eye miniature brooch (ivory with amethyst and pearls). It takes us back in time (1851) to find out the history of this unique brooch. A Devious Lot is easy to read and the novel has a good pace. A Devious Lot, though, is better enjoyed if you have read the previous books in the series (in order to understand everything that is going on in the novel). A Devious Lot was not as gratifying as the earlier of books in the series. A Devious Lot is entertaining, but I thought the story went on a little too long (it really should be shortened to make it a better story). The mystery is easily solved (you know how Tiffany was killed as soon as Molly finds the body), but there is one thing that is surprising (I love twists). I give A Devious Lot 3.5 out of 5 stars. A Devious Lot had the same appealing characters as the previous books, but the writing style did not remind me of Ellery Adams (and I have read all of her books). I am not sure if I will read more books (if there are any) in this series, but I will definitely read Ms. Adams other novels. I received a complimentary copy of A Devious Lot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. Ms. Adams has held many jobs, including that of caterer, retail clerk, car salesperson, teacher, tutor, and tech writer, all the while penning poems, children's books, and novels. She now writes full-time from her home in Virginia.

 

Parker Riggs is the author of the mystery novels A Treacherous Trader, A Devious Lot, A Killer Keepsake (all with Ellery Adams), and Finding Jessica. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.

Parker Riggs is also the author of A Treacherous Trader with Ellery Adams and the mystery novel Finding Jessica. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and a lively mini Dachshund named Pippa.