is the first book I've read by Barbara Allan (the writing team of Barbara and Max Allan Collins), and is also the ninth book in the Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery Series. The series follows the misadventures of the sleuthing mother and daughter team as they investigate one murder after another. In Antiques Swap, the investigation hits a little too close to home when the daughter, Brandy, is accused of murder. Not one to allow the police to have all the fun, Vivian swings into high gear and begins investigating much to the chagrin of Brandy.I have often found cozy mysteries to be a bit predictable and this one was no exception. That doesn't spoil the fun, however, if the narration is strong and the characters likeable. The book is written from both character's viewpoints and I have to say that Brandy's narration is by far the strongest and best. Vivian's was certainly used more for a comedic relief however it tended to fall a bit flat. Her eccentricity was better portrayed through her daughter's eyes (though I will say I believe the author's had more fun poking at their critics through Vivian's viewpoint than they did at sustaining the narration throughout).
Overall I did like the story and may actually pick up the first book one of these days to start from the beginning.
Here's the bit from the publisher:
It happened at Serenity's swap meet, right after Brandy Borne and her ever-more-eccentric mother Vivian finished shooting the pilot for their very own TV show, Antiques Sleuths. Brandy just, well, lost her balance and fell . . . into the helpful arms of an old flame, local tycoon Wesley Sinclair III. But did Brandy's innocent slip lead to the murder of Wesley's wife, Vanessa?
Sure, Vanessa was furious that she caught Brandy in Wesley's embrace. And she did storm off threatening dire consequences for her humbled husband. So when Vanessa turns up very dead, the local tongue-wag is that Wesley may have permanently dethroned the queen of his castle. But Brandy--along with her notoriously nosy mother and their sleuthing shih tzu Sushi--is determined to dig for the whole truth.
Each new clue points in a different direction. What about this suspicious Club of Eight, a super-secret high-society bridge group that supposedly has very liberal rules about "partners"? When a key witness joins the dead list, Brandy and Vivian know they've got to crack this case before the remorseless killer puts an end to their antiquing days--forever!
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