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attytheresa's review
3.0
Avery Ayers and her family's esteemed appraisal firm has been hired by a museum to authenticate a rare large ruby that is believed to be the missing ruby eye of an antique chinese dragon medallion in the museum's possession. It's the first significant project herself will be working on since taking over the firm after her parents' deaths a year earlier in a car accident. Also, her parents had authenticated the dragon medallion a year earlier, including the single ruby eye still in its setting. yet no sooner does Avery and her partner Micah start work on the ruby than mysterious notes and calls are delivered to Avery, followed by break-ins and escalating violence. Even the circumstances surrounding her parents deaths and their authentication of the ruby eye in the dragon medallion come into question.
I have a fondness for mysteries set in the world of art, antiques, vintage collectibles and the faking of same, probably stemming from my teen years spent accompanying my mother to estate sales and auctions. There were a lot of those in rural upstate NY in the mid-1970s as newly adopted state laws regulating the sale of raw milk to distributors drove many an aging farmer into retirement and 'selling the farm', literally. However, while this was enjoyable, and I probably will read the next in the series when it's published, something just didn't sit right with me throughout. It might have been the fact that the author never missed a chance to describe what was being worn down to the designer logo. Something about Avery herself didn't sit well with me; maybe she was too young in years for the role she was cast in, maybe her constant need to moderate her emotions and talk to her shrink irritated me. Whatever, I rounded it up to 3 stars because there is one super marvelous heroic greyhound named Halston (oh yeah, author is definitely hung up on designers) in the story.
I have a fondness for mysteries set in the world of art, antiques, vintage collectibles and the faking of same, probably stemming from my teen years spent accompanying my mother to estate sales and auctions. There were a lot of those in rural upstate NY in the mid-1970s as newly adopted state laws regulating the sale of raw milk to distributors drove many an aging farmer into retirement and 'selling the farm', literally. However, while this was enjoyable, and I probably will read the next in the series when it's published, something just didn't sit right with me throughout. It might have been the fact that the author never missed a chance to describe what was being worn down to the designer logo. Something about Avery herself didn't sit well with me; maybe she was too young in years for the role she was cast in, maybe her constant need to moderate her emotions and talk to her shrink irritated me. Whatever, I rounded it up to 3 stars because there is one super marvelous heroic greyhound named Halston (oh yeah, author is definitely hung up on designers) in the story.
msrichardsreads89's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Meh. VERY heavy on the mystery and not enough cozy characters and setting.
undinereads's review
3.0
Ruby Red Herring, the first book in a new series by Tracy Gardner, isn't the cozy that the cover would lead you to believe.
This mystery has a lot of adrenaline-packed thriller moments: car accidents, explosions, shootings, break-ins.
A year ago, Avery, her younger sister- Tilly, and their parents were in a car crash that killed their parents. Avery is running the family business of authenticating art and antiques with her parents' partners - Sir John and Micah. Avery's authenticating a ruby for a NYC museum when lots of strange, even threatening things start to happen. Calling into question the circumstances of her parents' deaths. And the trustworthiness of those around her.
I enjoyed a lot of the technical aspects of authenticating a gemstone in the book. The behind-the-scenes look at a museum was fun.
The story felt quite fast-paced. I hope that the next book slows down a little and lets us dive a little deeper into the people in Avery's circle of friends and family. And there must be more dogtime with Halston, the Afghan hound!
This mystery has a lot of adrenaline-packed thriller moments: car accidents, explosions, shootings, break-ins.
A year ago, Avery, her younger sister- Tilly, and their parents were in a car crash that killed their parents. Avery is running the family business of authenticating art and antiques with her parents' partners - Sir John and Micah. Avery's authenticating a ruby for a NYC museum when lots of strange, even threatening things start to happen. Calling into question the circumstances of her parents' deaths. And the trustworthiness of those around her.
I enjoyed a lot of the technical aspects of authenticating a gemstone in the book. The behind-the-scenes look at a museum was fun.
The story felt quite fast-paced. I hope that the next book slows down a little and lets us dive a little deeper into the people in Avery's circle of friends and family. And there must be more dogtime with Halston, the Afghan hound!
bookishgurl's review
5.0
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Ruby Red Herring (Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series #1) by Tracy Gardner from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.
…Tracy Gardener has crafted a clever face paced mystery that is intriguing, highly entertaining…
Intriguing and suspenseful, Ruby Red Herring (Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series) is a brilliant debut from author Tracy Gardner.
Taking over the family’s business, “Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised”, after the death of her parents in a car accident a year prior, Avery is trying to come to terms with her new life. With her Aunt Midge, little sister Tilly and their brave Afghan hound Halston, together as a family they are slowly working through their grief in their home in Lilac Grove. When “Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised” is called upon by the Museum of Antiquities to authenticate a priceless ruby, an artifact that may connect to another ancient artefact called the Emperor’s Twins her parents had authenticated a year prior. Despite an anonymous warning for Avery to not to take the contract, Avery and her dear family friend and business partner Micah take on the contract with the Museum of Antiquities. Under tight security, and in a busy museum also hosting a film shoot, conditions are less than ideal. Micah and Avery get to work authenticating the ruby to determine whether the artifact her parents had authenticated the year before is connected to the artefact. When Avery sixth sense takes over and unusual events occur she begins asking too many questions questions that put herself, her friends and family in danger.
I loved everything about the book it contained everything; interesting characters, a brilliantly twisting plot and add the antiquities angle,(a personal interest of mine)what’s not to like.
Reminiscent of an adult Nancy Drew Mystery with murder and mayhem thrown into the mix, Tracy Gardener has crafted a clever face-paced mystery that is intriguing, highly-entertaining and I simply could not put I down. A must read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Tracy Gardner.
…Tracy Gardener has crafted a clever face paced mystery that is intriguing, highly entertaining…
Intriguing and suspenseful, Ruby Red Herring (Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series) is a brilliant debut from author Tracy Gardner.
Taking over the family’s business, “Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised”, after the death of her parents in a car accident a year prior, Avery is trying to come to terms with her new life. With her Aunt Midge, little sister Tilly and their brave Afghan hound Halston, together as a family they are slowly working through their grief in their home in Lilac Grove. When “Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised” is called upon by the Museum of Antiquities to authenticate a priceless ruby, an artifact that may connect to another ancient artefact called the Emperor’s Twins her parents had authenticated a year prior. Despite an anonymous warning for Avery to not to take the contract, Avery and her dear family friend and business partner Micah take on the contract with the Museum of Antiquities. Under tight security, and in a busy museum also hosting a film shoot, conditions are less than ideal. Micah and Avery get to work authenticating the ruby to determine whether the artifact her parents had authenticated the year before is connected to the artefact. When Avery sixth sense takes over and unusual events occur she begins asking too many questions questions that put herself, her friends and family in danger.
I loved everything about the book it contained everything; interesting characters, a brilliantly twisting plot and add the antiquities angle,(a personal interest of mine)what’s not to like.
Reminiscent of an adult Nancy Drew Mystery with murder and mayhem thrown into the mix, Tracy Gardener has crafted a clever face-paced mystery that is intriguing, highly-entertaining and I simply could not put I down. A must read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Tracy Gardner.
dollycas's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Avery and Tillie Ayers were in the car when it crashed killing both their parents. Their Aunt Midge and her dog Halsten immediately moved from Manhatten to Lilac Grove where they all dealt with their grief and tried to move on. For Avery that meant stepping into her parent’s shoes in the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. The business has been hired to appraise and authenticate a large rare ruby. A ruby that may be the missing piece from a dragon medallion from the Xiang Dynasty currently being exhibited by the museum. A piece her parents appraised right before their deaths. Avery with assistance from her employee and friend Micah Abbott must first determine if the ruby is real and if it is, analyze if it is indeed the jewel missing from the dragon medallion.
While Avery is trying to concentrate on the jewel she receives a threatening note followed by other strange events including the murder of an art collector. Realizing the danger she faces she knows they must complete the appraisal as quickly as possible but then someone else is attacked. She finds help from an unusual source to keep her safe. They also work together to try to uncover the killer but their luck just may run out before they do . . .
Oh, this was an exciting story.
I am very appreciative that the author took the time to really introduce these characters and give us readers their back story. Avery is a complex protagonist because she is not only dealing with the deaths of her parents on a personal level but on a business level as well. She has some big shoes to fill and she knows it. It is a lot for a twenty-five-year-old to handle so I was happy to see that her mental health was addressed and that she is seeing a therapist. Tilly has a big audition coming up and it could mean a huge step as she starts her college life. She too is in therapy to help deal with her loss. Their Aunt Midge is their rock. She does anything she can for the girls and keeps the grief of losing her brother under wraps. They are a close family unit and for the most part, they are getting on with their lives. These characters all have a genuine feel and I felt it was very easy to care about what was happening in their lives.
The supporting cast features Micah, Sir Robert, and Art Smith. Micah and Sir Robert work for Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised and have known Avery and Tilly their whole lives. Micah comes across as caring and competent. He has suffered his own loss that turned his life upside down before losing his friends, Anne and William Ayers. Sir Robert seems to be very art smart but lacking in life knowledge. He just isn’t really tuned in to what is happening around him at all times. Art Smith is a fantastic character. He is working as a security guard at the museum but he is so much more. Ms. Gardner did of nice job of letting these characters develop over the course of the story.
I love that this mystery was different from most of the cozy mysteries I read. The focus was truly on the ruby with a variety of tentacles building off of it. The mystery was truly challenging and riveting, The museum was a busy place, open for its regular exhibits plus there was a movie being shot in one wing. That added to the intrigue as more people came into play. It also adds to the suspect list. Ms. Gardner had me taking notes about all the connections and interactions as I tried my best to solve the mystery before all was revealed. I was still kept guessing right up until the very end and was thrilled by that.
A wonderfully entertaining mystery full of truly interesting characters inhabits the pages of Ruby Red Herring
. I love Tracy Gardner’s writing style and was delighted by the precise way she added humor and romance in all the right places. This book is a real gem! It checks all my cozy boxes!
. I love Tracy Gardner’s writing style and was delighted by the precise way she added humor and romance in all the right places. This book is a real gem! It checks all my cozy boxes!
valeris29's review
medium-paced
4.0
An intricately detailed cozy mystery that kept me guessing the whole time and I didn’t see the ending coming! In the audio book I thought the narrator sounded way too young and that put me off at first. When I switched to ebook I flew through the story without hesitation. Bravo!
tabby2920's review
funny
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I don't normally read cozy mysteries but this is by far one of the best ones I've ever read. It was both compelling and engaging that it really draws readers into the mystery. A lot of cozy mysteries can deter readers with their cheesy writing but this one was just so well written that I had a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to read the next one!
annarella's review
4.0
I think this series has a lot of potential as it's entertaining and well thought.
I liked fast paced plot and the well researched part of gem appraisal.
I would like some more character development as they seemed a bit flat to me. They are likable but I found hard to relate to them.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I liked fast paced plot and the well researched part of gem appraisal.
I would like some more character development as they seemed a bit flat to me. They are likable but I found hard to relate to them.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
missangorian's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0