Book Review: Dealing In Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dealing In Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Elaine Flinn
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Molly Doyle # 1
Avon, Nov 2003, $6.50, 384 pp.

She is a high-end antiquities dealer working with the rich and famous until her husband tells her he’s dumping her for Greta, the store’s art restorer. He gives her two days to get out of the apartment, which is in his family’s name. The worst is yet to come when Molly and her husband are arrested for art fraud. They all make bail and the husband and her lover skip the country. He leaves behind an exonerated, but financially broke Molly, unable to regain her place in the antiques world due to the scandal.

A friend from Carmel offers her a job in his low-end antique store for a salary, free apartment plus commission. When she buys a desk at a garage sale, she forgets to ask the seller for the key to the drawers. She returns only to find the woman bleeding to death. The chief of police Kenneth Randall thinks Molly is a solid suspect especially when he pulls her rap sheet but Molly soon discovers that there is an art scam going on in town and convinces him to use her as bait. He needs Molly to work undercover with her specialized knowledge but he realizes he’s putting her in danger with a killer who has taken the lives of at least three victims.

Elaine Flinn is a fresh, innovative and charming new voice in the mystery genre that fans of cozies and amateur sleuth tales will value as a high-end author. The protagonist goes from a lethargic dependent to an enthusiastic person as she sheds past memories and lets Carmel and a certain police chief work their magic on her and the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner