The False-Hearted Teddy

After serving on the force of the San Francisco Police Department for twenty-something years, former homicide detective, Bradley Lyons, realized that it was time for a change. Crediting his injured knee and his desire to spend more time with his beloved wife, Ashleigh, as the reason for his retirement; Brad and Ashleigh headed to the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley to spend the rest of their years creating stuffed animals - namely bears - for their new business, Lyon's Tigers and Bears. But Brad knows better than anyone that you can take the homicide detective off the force, but you can't take the homicide detective out of the person. When Brad and Ashleigh decide to head to Baltimore to attend the Har-Bear Expo, the two are hoping for a few days of relaxation, surrounded by fellow bear lovers, and perhaps a prize or two for their original creations. The last thing they expected to encounter was murder. But before they've even checked into their hotel room, Brad has born witness to a marital dispute between Jennifer and Tony Swift, the creators of the Cheery Cherub Bears. According to rumors, Jennifer and Tony have just signed a six-figure deal with Winton Toys to create a Care Bears like empire for the Cheery Cherub Bears, and not everyone is happy with the news. This revelation comes to a head when Jennifer and Tony are involved in a second altercation in less than twenty-four hours. This one starring a fellow bear designer who point-blank accuses the Swift's of stealing the idea for the Cheery Cherub Bears from her. The argument and accusations are enough to send the entire bear making community into an uproar, and leave Jennifer in the throes of a life-threatening asthma attack. After enlisting the help of her inhaler, however, the attack only intensifies, leaving Jennifer clutching her throat, before she keels over...dead. Brad knows that there is something sinister abound, and resolves to solve the case before it's time to head back home. But to do that, he'll have to muddle through a slew of suspects, and gain the cooperation of a few dirty cops who are looking to pin the crime on just about anyone...including Brad. I am a stuffed animal fanatic, and am the proud owner of countless teddy bears, so I couldn't resist delving into the second BEAR COLLECTOR'S MYSTERY. John J. Lamb is a talented new author who crafts a compelling mystery that appeals to both males and females - whether they like teddy bears or not. His characters are well-drawn and appealing, with wise-cracking puns, quips, and pop culture tossed in at every turn. Bradley Lyon comes off as gruff, but, once you get to know him, you see that he's nothing more than a big teddy bear - no pun intended. His wife, Ashleigh, while not as prevalent of a character, is just as lovable. Her caring, nurturing nature makes her a mother-type figure that you truly adore; while her over-protectiveness of Brad provides a humorous addition to the tale. The information about bear crafting,

We met the Lyons in The Mournful Teddy (Berkley Prime Crime Mysteries), which was a great debut novel for a mystery series. Brad Lyon was a San Francisco police detective before he was shot and badly wounded, which led to a medical retirement. He and his beloved wife moved to her childhood hometown in Virginia, where they started a company designing collectable stuffed animals, especially teddy bears. In this book, the couple is going to attend a big teddy bear show in Baltimore. They are excited, as Brad will be entering the first bear he has personally designed. They are also hoping to make some good contacts and get their company off the ground. Before they even get into the building, Brad intervenes in the fight of a couple just as it looks like it might be getting physical. Neither the wife nor the husband seem to appreciate his help. It turns out that they are hot new teddy bear designers, about to make a huge contract that will make them financially set. When one of the couple is later murdered, Brad is made to look like a suspect because of his intervention. But things are more complex than that, as it turns out that there was quite a bit of ugliness going on in their lives. Will Brad clear himself and the other chief suspect/s? Will the truths about the couple come out? Who did kill the teddy bear designer anyway? I am really loving this series. I love the contrast between Brad's tough past and his more cuddly present. I also love the relationship between the Lyons. It is truly heartwarming to see a couple who has been married so many years still experiencing so much passion and enjoyment with each other.

A great follow-up to his first book. In my opinion even a better "read".

Brad and Ashleigh Lyon are excited about the Baltimore teddy bear show. They each have bears to enter. It's a major event, and they hope to really establish their Lyon's Tigers and Bears business with the contacts they make. But before they can even get unloaded, they find trouble. Brad stumbles across a couple having a major fight. He intervenes before it gets physical, but neither the husband nor the wife seem to appreciate it. The couple turns out to be Jen and Tony Swift, creators of the Cheery Cherub Bears, a highly popular line of angel themed bears. Their business is about to really take off with an offer to mass market their designs. At breakfast the next morning, Jen gets an asthma attack. After her inhaler does no good, she dies. But Brad notices some things that raise his suspicions. With the local police refusing to take anything he says seriously, Brad once again dons his homicide detective hat to find the real killer. Can he do it before the convention ends? The first book in this series was easily my favorite debut of last year. This book is equally as good. The first chapter is a little slow, but once we move beyond that, things pick up rapidly. Once again, I found the book hard to put down. And once again, Brad and Ashleigh were a complete delight to be around. Their since of right and wrong is only topped by their sense of humor. I laughed my way through the book, cheering them on often. The series is a mix of cozy and police procedural. It doesn't follow all the conventions of either sub-genre completely, but it is a mix that works. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for the next in the series.

John Lamb -- the newest addition to my personal list of favorite mystery writers. His first teddy-bear novel was good but too often the first is the best or only really good work a writer seems able to produce. Not so with this author. His second, A False-Hearted Teddy, easily equals the first. The writing style itself is tight and readable; no padding, no meaningless meandering to fill more space. The plot, believable, tighly woven and engrossing, is a page turner. The characters are believable and excellently crafted. There are no caricatures here--only realistly drawn people with both virtues and flaws. (Although some, of course, have much more of one than the other.) Please, Mr. Lamb, keep writing!