A Killer Collection

To a collector such as me, this story struck a note that made it impossible for me to put the book down until I finished it. I am a rapid reader (not a skimmer, I read every word) and finished the book in a bit over 1 1/2 hours. It left me wanting more. I love antiques, I love odd things and old things that have survived into this century intact, and sometimes in surprisingly fine condition. Discovering a treasure is a thrill. Discovering that someone is producing modern reproductions and passing them off as antiques is horribly disheartening. Thwarting those people is satisfying, as is thwarting thieves and cheats. I can relate to Molly Appleby in this story, partly because of where I was born (western Kentucky) and also because of my love of the homely utility pottery pieces like the crocks and jugs made by Bauer before they moved to California. (And before they became famous for their colorful "Ringware.") I liked the characters and found myself thinking of them as friends. I didn't mind the occasional sidetracks because that is the way real life happens, things do not always proceed from "A" to "B" to "C" because sometimes it may jump from "B" to "H" and then back to "D" and to "C." This was not one of the "formula" mysteries that I can usually figure out in the first third of a book. I have already read the second in the series and if anything, it is better. I look forward to many, many more. Molly, as a mystery protagonist, has "legs."

A Killer Collection: A Collectible Mystery is great fun. The characters are colorful and lively. The pottery information is a delicious treat. The book reads like a conversation with an old friend. And just when you think you have it figured out...the ending made me gasp out loud (always a plus with a mystery). Buy it!

I'm not much of a collector, but I was captivated by this mystery in any case. The details about the pottery were fascinating and I can't wait to order the second book. I found all of the characters extremely realistic and especially liked Clara, Molly's mother. I felt this book was loaded with suspense. I could hardly put it down and ended up reading it in two nights. Often I can deduce who the killer is by page 30. Not so with this book. Everything came together like a well-woven tapestry by the end. I also enjoyed the informative essay in the back and am officially a J.B. Stanley fan - keep 'em coming!

Another first in a series, this story features Molly Appleby, who writes a column for Collector's Weekly magazine. Molly's first column features North Carolina's potters, a subject in which Molly's mother has expertise. We join Molly and her mother, at the beginning of the book, at a well-known potter's kiln opening, and wind up witnessing the murder of a prominent, yet widely disliked, pottery collector. We join Molly on her journey through the world of pottery and the Carolinas to sniff out the clues to the death she witnessed. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery - I thought the protagonist's profession was a good one to find different topics for more books, and I liked learning about the pottery. I currently work with a potter, and he seemed impressed with the knowledge I'd gleaned from the book, and its accuracy.

I was skeptical about picking up a book that dealt with pottery, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The pottery theme is just the background for an intelligently written murder mystery. The author was able to keep this reader guessing "who done it" until the end. I definitely look forward to reading her next book and will be recommending this one to family and friends.