Review: Dealing In Murder

Dealing In Murder Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Elaine Flinn
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth
Series: Molly Doyle # 1
10/03, 384 pages

Molly Doyle is running an antique store in Carmel, California. It isn't a high-end antiques store like she and her husband ran in NY. Unfortunately, he ran a scam back there and she just escaped prosecution. Luckily she was found innocent. But in the tight-knit world of antiques, she knows she must lay low for awhile. Her friend Max offered her a store to run and a free apartment upstairs. She arrived with the clothes on her back. She's learning to live on a shoe string. She's planning to stay long enough to earn enough money to start over with a shop in New Orleans.

Molly bought a desk at a yard sale. When she goes back the next day to see if they have the key to the desk, the owner dies in her arms. The new Chief of Police, Kenneth Randall, is quite gruff and considers her a suspect. She is concerned because she knows that eventually he will find out about her past.

Later Molly pries open the desk and finds some artwork hidden inside. She decides to hide it and not show it to Randall. She still isn't sure if he knows about her past. Then her apartment is broken into, but nothing appears to have been taken.

Another murder occurs and this time it is a nearby business owner and friend of Molly's. She wonders if the two murders are related.

Bitsy Morgan appears in her shop eager to help Molly by covering the store while Molly goes out buying. Bitsy says she is an old friend of Molly's parents and Max vouches for her. Even so, Bitsy is hard for Molly to take. She seems to be a great salesperson, but she gets on Molly's nerves. She is always trying to take over.

Molly find herself getting deeper and deeper involved in the investigation related to the murders. She uncovers an art scam and ends up putting herself in danger more than once trying to uncover the players.

Molly is a fantastic character and her interactions with Randall, Bitsy and Pablo, Max's boyfriend, are terrific. I like the setting of Carmel as well.

This is a new series that you won't want to miss. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and can't wait for the next one!

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Book Review: Dealing In Murder