A Bidder End

Ellery Adams · Parker Riggs

Mar 2019 · Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 7 · Beyond The Page

About this ebook

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

 

In the world of antiques and collectibles, it helps to have a sharp eye for quality, a good ear for gossip, and a nose for murder.

 

When a retired Hollywood A-lister decides to auction off part of his enviable collection of antiques, reporter Molly Appleby is thrilled to be covering the event for Collector’s Weekly, and she’s certain it will secure the reputation of the dealer handling it, a friend of hers. But soon after the final gavel comes down, the actor’s secretary vanishes and the antiques dealer is found dead, apparently having taken his own life. Molly’s not sold on the coroner’s verdict of suicide, though, and she can’t help but start digging for clues to what she suspects is foul play.

 

As she begins to delve into the private life of her friend and his connections with the actor’s staff, Molly slowly discovers that the dealer was far more unscrupulous than she ever imagined and that nearly everyone who knew him had a motive for murder. And when another body turns up and the devious killer begins leaving mysterious clues to taunt Molly and the police, Molly finds herself facing a cunning culprit who wants to see her going, going, gone . . .

 

“A wonderfully written, captivating cozy novel with likeable main characters and an interesting plot!” —Goodreads review on A Treacherous Trader

Ratings and reviews

A Bidder End returns us to Molly Appleby who is happily married to Matt Harrison, a surgical resident, and they are enjoying their ten month old son, Tyler Jerome Harrison. Molly is thankful for Matt’s niece, Starling Harrison who agreed to be their nanny (I am not sure how they can afford her). Molly is thrilled to cover the auction of actor, Atlas Dolan’s antique collection. Atlas, as it turns out, is a fan of Molly’s articles (and her sleuthing). Atlas does not want to sell any of his collection, but his latest wife, Whitney was insistent (she is not a fan of antiques). This auction will put Brett Hamilton’s business on the map. Brett was quite lucky to get this opportunity. It helped that he hired Atlas’s daughter and is dating Atlas’s personal assistant (talk about stacking the deck in your favor). When Brett is found hanging from an old beam in his home, suicide it the automatic assumption. Molly, though, is not buying it. She jumps right into investigative mode and begins questioning those who knew Brett the best. There are multiple suspects in this whodunit and misdirection. I liked the addition of the cookie jars and game pieces which relate back to a board game. I am grateful that Molly works with Detective T. Lombardi and that he is a pleasant character (what a nice change from cozy mysteries I have read recently). Avid mystery readers, though, will have no problem solving this crime long before the reveal (which was disappointing). I enjoyed the friendly characters, the antiques described, the details on the board game and the lovely setting. A Bidder End is well-written, engaging and proceeds at a steady pace. I enjoyed the cozy moments as Molly interacts with her family and friends. A Bidder End can be read as a standalone if you have not read the previous books in An Antiques & Collectibles Mystery series. A Bidder End is a charming cozy mystery with realistic characters, beautiful antiques, and a multi-faceted mystery.

cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, reporter ***** I really love the sleuth in this series that is new to me! A southern transplant to Vermont, Molly is a happily married reporter for a niche magazine and friend to a local police detective. The plot is original and the characters are very interesting. Cue murder of another friend and let the sleuthing begin! The publisher's blurb is well done and so is the story, so no spoilers here, just a rave review. I requested and received a free ebook from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ellery Adams lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She’s written multiple series including the Supper Club Mysteries, the Book Retreat Mysteries, the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mysteries, and more. 

 

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