Library Journal
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The drama in Kat Stanford's TV world (she hosts an antiques-themed show) pales in comparison to her recently widowed mother Iris's life. Kat is gobsmacked when she learns in rapid succession that Iris has bought a dilapidated carriage house on an estate in rural Devon; she's broken her arm and been under siege by an estate employee; and that she's a popular erotic suspense author. Initially dubious about her mother's injuries, Kat soon realizes that someone genuinely wants to eliminate Iris. Zany characters pop in and out-this is a funny story-and yet, when the nasty housekeeper becomes a murder victim, the laughing stops. Especially when the local authorities want to blame Iris for the crime. Myriad tiny clues (e.g., -Steiff stuffed plush bears) help pave the way to revelations of long-held secrets-and the present-day killer. VERDICT The first in a new series by -Dennison (Thieves!) is a humor-laden blend of antiques, celebrity adulation, and old-style British cozy. Fans of Alan Bradley or G.M. Malliet would savor. A romance novel embedded in the cozy mystery makes it especially fun. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Kat Stanford has just announced her departure from hosting a TV show on antiques and heads out of London for some R & R. She drives to Devonshire, where her newly widowed mother has just purchased the carriage house on the Honeychurch Hall estate. Even before Kat reaches her mother's new home, her visit turns stressful as she gets lost, is caught up in a scene with an irate nanny, and has a run-in with the caretaker. To top it off, the carriage house is in total disrepair. It gets worse when it becomes known that Kat was the last person to see the nanny, and the housekeeper at the manor is murdered. Kat and her mother are thus thrust into an elaborate plot built on a deception begun years before. As it unravels, Kat works with the local police detective, using her knowledge of antiques, particularly antique toys, to pull the threads of the crimes, past and present, together. With believable characters, a modern take on manor-house life, a juicy subplot involving Kat's mother, and a possible love interest, this is a good start to a new series.--Muller, Karen Copyright 2014 Booklist

Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

This engaging first in a new series from Dennison (Scoop! and three other Vicky Hill mysteries) introduces Kat Stanford, antiques guru and former TV personality. Out of the blue, Kat's widowed mother, Iris, moves from London to Little Dipperton in Devon. Alarmed, Kat zooms to her mother's new digs, a small cottage on a grand estate, Honeychurch Hall, only to learn that mom has been writing pseudonymous bestselling romance novels for years. In addition, Kat finds herself in the middle of local drama-at Honeychurch, the nanny has disappeared, and the housekeeper turns up dead; and a long-unsolved jewelry theft continues to weigh on everyone's mind. On top of all this mayhem, Kat must decide whether to finally dump a married man who keeps pledging to leave his wife for her. While the gentry and servants of the estate don't rise above stock characters, this upstairs-downstairs cozy should please Downton Abbey fans. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.