The Antique Lovers Mysteries

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.

Former FBI agent Jeff Talbot thinks he's found a more serene life as an antiques picker. But, when the search for French cabaret set leads Jeff to the Annual Antiques Auction on Michigan's Mackinac Island, rival collectors start turning up dead, and Jeff finds himself polishing off his old crime-solving skills.

This first title in a new series introduces former FBI agent Jeff Talbot, who is now a professional antiques picker. He keeps his eyes open for a one-of-a-kind French cabaret set commissioned by Napoleon for Josephine--an item any collector would kill for. So when the set is about to be auctioned off, and rival collectors turn up dead, Jeff finds himself polishing his old crime-solving skills as he searches for a killer.

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.

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.

An antiques dealer browses for suspects: “Lively…this bubbly tongue-in-cheek cozy also includes flea market shopping tips and a recipe.”—Publishers Weekly Winner of a Romantic Times Award for Most Humorous Mystery As the Christmas season gets into full swing in the Mississippi River town of Serenity, Iowa, antiques connoisseur Brandy Borne finds herself in the midst of holiday mayhem when Walter Yeager, an old flame of her mother’s—and a fellow antiques dealer—becomes a victim of Yuletide homicide. And his precious first edition of Tarzan of the Apes has disappeared… “Brandy and her eccentric mother make a hilarious team of snoops.”—Joan Hess “Surely one of the funniest cozy series going.”—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

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.

In this cozy series debut from Laura Gail Black, Jenna Quinn finds her uncle murdered in his antique bookstore, and Jenna--his primary beneficiary--becomes the prime suspect. Trouble follows Jenna Quinn wherever she goes. Fleeing some unsavory doings in her hometown of Charlotte, Jenna accepts her uncle's gracious invitation to stay with him in small-town Hokes Folly, NC. In exchange, she'll help him out in his antiquarian bookstore. But soon after she arrives, Jenna finds her uncle's body crumpled at the base of the staircase between his apartment and the bookstore. Before the tragedy even sinks in, Jenna learns that she's inherited almost everything her uncle owned: the store and apartment, as well as his not-so-meager savings and the payout from a life insurance policy...which adds up to more than a million dollars. This is all news to Jenna--bad news, once the police get wind of her windfall. An ill wind, indeed, as a second murder cements Jenna's status as the prime suspect in both deaths. Jenna can hit the road again, taking her chances that she can elude trouble along the way. Or she can stick it out in Hokes Folly, take over the bookstore, and try to sleuth out her uncle's killer. On the one hand, she's made some wonderful new friends, and she feels she can thrive in the genial small-town environment. On the other hand, trouble knows her address--and so does the killer, who is determined to write the final page of Jenna's story.