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karen62's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series, it's cozy mysteries with bonus Trash 'n' Treasures Tips at the end of each chapter.
thejoeyharris's review against another edition
5.0
Writers Barbara and Max Allan Collins have teamed up again for another Trash 'N' Treasure novel. From Amazon: When a series of creepy crimes plagues an ill-fated Edgar Allan Poe festival, newly elected county sheriff Vivian Borne, along with her reluctant deputy daughter Brandy and spunky shih tzu Sushi, springs into action. 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”!
"Barbara Allan" has another hit. Brandy and Vivian are a hoot, and the mystery was well played. A perfect beach read!
"Barbara Allan" has another hit. Brandy and Vivian are a hoot, and the mystery was well played. A perfect beach read!
girlpuck's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pressurechief's review against another edition
2.0
Admittedly, I am not the target demographic for this book, but I struggled to finish this short installment in what must be a series of books. I don't think my dislike stems from having read this book first (without context).
I disliked the sloppy writing style and casual, sometimes racist references to other cultures. I also disliked the attempts at humor by having the two main characters take turns as narrator, with self aware asides inserted editorially. Certainly this device, when used effectively, can bring an added dimension to a novel. Here it felt lazy or campy, and without justification.
I feel like this book is following some strange mystery formula I've never heard of or read before: there were bizarre antiquing tips at the end of chapters, strange product placement descriptions of characters' clothing, makeup, perfume and even a random cake recipe forcibly interspersed within the narrative. I'm guessing this might be endearing to some, it made me wince more than once.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I did not find the protagonists relatable, entertaining, or even good at their jobs. Perhaps this is bad writing, bad editing, poor research about crime investigation. I suspect it is some combination of all three.
I disliked the sloppy writing style and casual, sometimes racist references to other cultures. I also disliked the attempts at humor by having the two main characters take turns as narrator, with self aware asides inserted editorially. Certainly this device, when used effectively, can bring an added dimension to a novel. Here it felt lazy or campy, and without justification.
I feel like this book is following some strange mystery formula I've never heard of or read before: there were bizarre antiquing tips at the end of chapters, strange product placement descriptions of characters' clothing, makeup, perfume and even a random cake recipe forcibly interspersed within the narrative. I'm guessing this might be endearing to some, it made me wince more than once.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I did not find the protagonists relatable, entertaining, or even good at their jobs. Perhaps this is bad writing, bad editing, poor research about crime investigation. I suspect it is some combination of all three.
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
3.0
Antiques Ravin' is a fun and entertaining mystery. Brandy and Vivian alternates the chapters, but I sometimes found it hard to follow the trail of thought when it came to Vivian. I might add that I did enjoy Poe lurking in the background.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I am happy to say it one that does not lose it's flavor or it's charm with time. These books are my happy place because they are so easy to read and filled to the brim with humor. The husband and wife writing duo obviously feed off each other's humor and it works so well as a results; lots of puns and sarcasm, but with a straight forward writing style. Brandy is such a down to Earth character who embraces her flaws and kind of just goes with the flow. Her mother Vivian on the other hand is wildly eccentric, keeping you on your toes waiting to see what she does next. But she has a heart of gold and always has the best of intentions (even if they are usually what's best for her). Together they make a hilarious, sassy, and smart investigating duo who are just a breeze to read about.
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My favorite quirk about this series is the narration style. This book (as those previous) is written mostly from Brandy's POV as she recounts each of their investigating adventures. She narrates with flare and the way she describes events, you can almost hear her emotions just from her storytelling (lots of mental eyerolls or shoulder shrugs). Once in a while Vivian goes on a little clandestine side adventure, and thus gets to tell her own POV for a chapter or two. Well, you can just imagine how random and over the top these chapters are - she is full of drama and also tends to get a bit sidetracked when she has the writing limelight.
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I love that this story takes place in an antique-focused town, during a wacky Edgar Allen Poe festival. While the town is full of tourists participating in a scavenger hunt for a highly valuable antique, someone has more sinister motives as one of the locals is found dead in a Poe-esque style. After another council member is targeted, Vivian and Brandy know they are on the tale of a particularly creepy murderer. The drama ramps up as the story goes along and I got to a point where I just had no idea who the murderer could be - everyone started to seem suspicious. I enjoyed the ending and CAN WE GET MORE OF TONY AND BRANDY PLEASE?!
_
Thank you again to the publisher for a copy of this book. I was happy to provide my honest thoughts.
_
My favorite quirk about this series is the narration style. This book (as those previous) is written mostly from Brandy's POV as she recounts each of their investigating adventures. She narrates with flare and the way she describes events, you can almost hear her emotions just from her storytelling (lots of mental eyerolls or shoulder shrugs). Once in a while Vivian goes on a little clandestine side adventure, and thus gets to tell her own POV for a chapter or two. Well, you can just imagine how random and over the top these chapters are - she is full of drama and also tends to get a bit sidetracked when she has the writing limelight.
_
I love that this story takes place in an antique-focused town, during a wacky Edgar Allen Poe festival. While the town is full of tourists participating in a scavenger hunt for a highly valuable antique, someone has more sinister motives as one of the locals is found dead in a Poe-esque style. After another council member is targeted, Vivian and Brandy know they are on the tale of a particularly creepy murderer. The drama ramps up as the story goes along and I got to a point where I just had no idea who the murderer could be - everyone started to seem suspicious. I enjoyed the ending and CAN WE GET MORE OF TONY AND BRANDY PLEASE?!
_
Thank you again to the publisher for a copy of this book. I was happy to provide my honest thoughts.
lolbrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This installment of the Antiques series was missing some of the humor of the others. Brandy and her mother Sheriff VIvian Borne head to a neighboring community to enjoy Antiqua's Edgar Allan Poe festival. When things go wrong, they exemplify Poe's works--a purloined book, a black cat, a musty mausoleum, and surprising disappearances of people from the community--the "telltale sign of a heartless murderer".
Mother and daughter are determined to solve the mystery--and the killer is determined to do damage to stop them.
Mother and daughter are determined to solve the mystery--and the killer is determined to do damage to stop them.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I know this is the last installment in a long series and I'm wondering why I never read any of them before.
I had a lot of fun, it's an engaging and entertaining book that made me laugh loud more than once.
I loved the cast of characters, the setting, the references to Poe.
The mystery was good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment and will surely read the previous.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I had a lot of fun, it's an engaging and entertaining book that made me laugh loud more than once.
I loved the cast of characters, the setting, the references to Poe.
The mystery was good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment and will surely read the previous.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
annarella's review
5.0
I know this is the last installment in a long series and I'm wondering why I never read any of them before.
I had a lot of fun, it's an engaging and entertaining book that made me laugh loud more than once.
I loved the cast of characters, the setting, the references to Poe.
The mystery was good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment and will surely read the previous.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I had a lot of fun, it's an engaging and entertaining book that made me laugh loud more than once.
I loved the cast of characters, the setting, the references to Poe.
The mystery was good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment and will surely read the previous.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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