A Deadly Dealer

Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries #3

by Ellery Adams, J.B. Stanley

Molly Appleby's career as a reporter for Collector's Weekly is finally taking off, as is her relationship with coworker Matt Harrison. But the more time she spends covering Southern antiques and collectibles, the more times she finds herself face-to-face with a new mystery. And when she's sent to Nashville to cover the famous Heart of Dixie auction, where all the major players in the world of collectibles gather, her hopes of steering clear of foul play are quickly dashed when a renowned and well-respected dealer is found murdered. Sifting through the clues among the aristocracy of antiques is no easy task, and Molly soon discovers the world of high-end dealers is filled with bitter rivalries, shady tactics, and questionable characters. And when one of them makes an attempt on Molly's life, she realizes time is running out, and as she tries to unlock a mystery shrouded in old secrets and new cover-ups, she just might find that what looks like a priceless antique is the key to a very modern murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction, American, Mystery Thriller

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 7, 2007

About the author

USA Today and New York Times bestseller author Ellery Adams has written over forty novels and can’t imagine spending a day away from the keyboard. Ms. Adams, a Native New Yorker, has had a lifelong love affair with stories, food, and rescue animals. She likes to spend her free time rearranging the bookshelves in her home in central North Carolina.

Ellery's Series Include: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).

Ellery also writes genre-blending fiction focusing on women and their inner monsters. Her first release in this exciting new direction is Invasive Species, which hits the shelves 4/14/206.

For book club guides, bibliotherapy lists, and recipes, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the Collectible Mystery series, and I think I liked this one the least. Once again Molly Appleby is off to a Antique and Collectible Show to write article for her magazine. Her mother, Clara, accompanies her as a guest. I did not like the way Clara treated her daughter or some of the others at the show. She was rude and sarcastic, which I was not expecting. When Molly is sent off to get coffee by her mother, she ends up lost in the huge Gaylord Grand Ole Opry Hotel. While sitting and reflecting in the gardens, she finds the body of a man she had met the night before, a friend and acquaintance of her mother. When she calls her editor to tell him about the death, he instructs her to find out more and write an article about the death. Of course, this gets her investigating and her mother assists as she knows so many of the people there. There seems to be other mysteries going on as well and they come together at the end of the story. There is a cane with a hidden stiletto inside and as the story goes on, we learn about the history of the cane through narrated flashbacks. Each chapter opens with a tidbit about the history of collectible canes. Overall, not a bad story. Once I got into it, I enjoyed it and Clara's attitude settled down a bit. I enjoy the newer stories in this series much more.

[Micky Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this author's previous series, but as this series progresses I dislike the main character and her mother more each time. The main character is delusional and thinks everyone should think she is smarter than she is and give her accolades. Then in the next scene will be falling all over herself apologizing for being an idiot. Her mother is just as bad. She thinks everyone should hear what she has to say and get out of her way. She bosses Molly around like a teenager rather than a 30 something year old woman. The mystery of the story is well plotted and planned out in a way that seems to redeem the book for the most part each time. I'll finish the series since I have already wasted the downloads to download the remaining two books, but I certainly hope that the main character grows up and stops being such a wanker soon. I feel sorry for her boyfriend, even though he is a mere cameo in the book.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was good, however Molly is still so incredibly unlikeable. Traveling to Nashville for a convention, with her mom, Clara, Molly encounters amorous seat mates, blah blah, and imagines there’s issues in her relationship with Matt.

Clara, is sometimes just as bad as Molly in terms of how she treats people, she bullies her daughter constantly. Molly in turn over compensates in terms of her self centered behavior to the point of concealing evidence from the police in order to advance her career.

Her behavior towards Matt was atrocious in this book, and it says something that even Clara thought Molly’s behavior was out of bounds.

The mystery was well plotted with lots of historical tidbits. There are enough suspects to leave you guessing and the ending and reveal if the murderer was another interesting twist from prior books. Overall, k likes the mystery, but really continue to dislike the character and feel there’s not much development on her part.

[Kathy Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific and very well written cozy mystery about antiques, and walking canes most specifically. Being a lover of antiques drew me in, but the story itself kept me turning pages all night long!
Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing whodunit right up to the very end!
Must Read more this series very soon.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deadly Dealer has Molly off in Nashville with her mom. They are attending the Heart of Dixie auction and Molly is supposed to get a good article for Collector's Weekly.

While she is there she finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery and the police are not wanting her help. She can't help but want to find out what happened since her mother knew the man, but this time, she is a bit stumped. There is an antique cane that is missing and it could be the key to finding the killer and Molly is running out of time because their time in Nashville is coming to a close and they are going to have to go home. Will Molly figure it out before the murderer decides to follow them home?

This collectible mystery series has been really interesting as I love going to antique stores, etc. Molly can't seem to catch a break as she seems to always be finding dead bodies. Meanwhile, it seemed like things are going well with her boyfriend but then he does something she is not happy about. So I am curious to see how their relationship progresses. It doesn't seem like they get to spend much time together and she is always gone off to destinations unknown for a story.

I love her mom, Clara, she cracks me up sometimes. She might have found a love interest in this one which surprises even herself. She is really the only secondary character that is sort of constant besides the little we get with Matt and her friend (whom name escapes me), he is funny and actually helps with this case on accident. :)

Great mystery, lots of twist and turns and I liked that Molly was stumped and about to leave without solving it.

If you love antiquing and cozies then you will enjoy this series. :)

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent mystery! This series gets better and better and in, checking Amazon, there are recent additions but only on Kindle and Audio CD. While I do own a Kindle, I really do prefer "old fashioned" books, wherever possible. I'll definitely be purchasing the next installment in this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the series.

[Lorena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, this book is bad, not the mystery part, its just the characters, Molly she is just so much worst in here! how can that be, and her Mom is worst then her, to be honest I think her mom is a Karen,(sorry to all the karens) I can't deal with her, she feels so entitled, a nasty person that thinks that everybody has to run for her and do whatever she wants, now Molly oh men! she stills talking about her weigh all the time, she acts like a teenager, she does not help people because she feel like helping, noooooo, she does it because she wants people to say she was the heroine the one who helps to capture the murdered, no because she wants justice, she wants the praise, not for me at all!!!, another thing she was nasty to her boyfriend, like a said, her personality is just bad!!! should I keep reading this series? Does she gets better? to be honest I don't know, and I don't think want to find out.

[Larry G. Novinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Antiques and canes were really interesting and it was a very enjoyable read. Really liked the characters. Hard to put the kindle down.

[Susan Bogush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I camo get over how great this series is
Molly and her mom are awesome I storyline is very interesting and I love the sub characters

[kylie hawks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started this series last night after finishing Ms. Adams’ “Books by the Bay” series. While I loved that series as well as all the other series I’ve read by Ms. Adams, this series is starting to rub me the wrong way. There was a scene where the two main characters were making fun of someone and even saying she couldn’t have a handicap/disability because of the way she looked, and there was fat shaming throughout. I noticed that these books were written earlier than the other series I’ve enjoyed by Ms. Adams, so it seems she became more mindful of things like this with experience. That being said, it was a quick and easy read and I did enjoy the concept of trick canes and furniture with hidden compartments. Still not sure if I will finish this series.

[Sarah Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, Ellery Adams always writes a book that is fun and easy to read. The writing style flows so smoothly that you forget you are in your own world and not in the world of the book. I rated this as 3 stars because I'm just not in love with this series like I am with her others. I guess maybe I'm not an antique fan. I didn't find the history of the story of the canes even remotely interesting. However, I did appreciate the research that went into this story. I also enjoyed that the killer was someone I did not suspect in the least bit. I just found it hard to get through some of the parts when they talked about the antiques.

[Carrie DelaPena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I have already read this book--or at least started it, or I was getting major deja vu from the 2nd book in the series. Molly Appleby goes to Nashville with her mom to cover a major antiques show and finds a body. I really liked the setting of the Gaylord Opryland. I've been to the Gaylord Texan so it was easy for me to picture. The details in each book about antiques are always interesting. This time the topic was canes/walking sticks. I do not like Molly's mom--she seems very bossy, judgmental and usually unhappy that she had a kid. The ending--how they captured the culprit--seemed a little anti-climactic.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly's latest assignment takes her and her mother to the Gaylord Opryland Resort for an antiques show. The background story of the deadly gadget cane imparts the concept that some historical items carry the intent of the maker/owner which is sometimes evil. It was fun to move through the atriums and restaurants with Molly; the Gaylord properties are wonderful. The descriptions of the staging of different dealers' booths was interesting as was the mystery. Overall a satisfying and edifying read.

[Mary K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly, the main character, is self-absorbed, annoying, and an interfering amateur sleuth of the worst kind. But I love the back knowledge of the antiques world. But in real life, she would not be celebrated as a heroine. But still I read the books. The first book was about North Carolina Jug Pottery. The second book was about a Revolutionary War desk. The third is about Walking Sticks, the canes, not the insects. All take place in the South, Richmond & Nashville, the latter 2nd & 3rd, respectively. And I already have the next book uploaded. But Molly is no Agatha Raisin.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly and Clara are headed to Nashville, TN for a dealer convention. When a dealer is found dead in a pool by Molly, Molly and her mother begin to help his employee get his booth together and deal with people trying to steal from him. They then begin to look for who would murder him and what he knew would lead to his death.

I did enjoy this story but at times the way the mother and daughter deal with each other was a little unbelievable. But then I am basing the interactions on my own experiences. I also saw it as the mother-daughter relationships in a few other stories.

[Hope Smash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 on this one. The story was really interesting, and I appreciated all the info on canes and walking sticks. Also the character development was quite good, Molly became fully actualized finally. I found myself cheering her on a number of times while everyone else was trying to keep her down. The ending was a twist I didn't see coming until I was quite close to it, and it made me sad (as it was supposed to) and sick at the same time. Very well done, I can see the author's writing progress with each book in this series. I look forward to reading the next one.

[nukie19 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third book in the series follows a very similar pattern as the first two in terms of what I did an didn't like about the story. Molly still is annoying with her food obsession and also her strange relationship with men she doesn't know. But the facts about antiques are interesting and I believe that someone who was into the Southern antique scene would enjoy this series a great deal more than I did.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley of the recently released collection The Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Boxed Set: Books 1-3 in exchange for an honest review.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so first Mama needs to SHUT UP & BUTT OUT! 😁 That woman drives me crazy. 🤯 Second thing this story was Awesome. 😌 The person or well people (there was technically 2) who I wanted to be the killer weren't .😒 The author totally blindsided me with the real killer and I am still in stock. 😦 Things look to be getting somewhat better for Molly and I got my fingers crossed 🤞it stays that way. I really like this series and I just hope it stays good. 😉

[Anna Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age-long evil

Molly and her mother Clara are in Nashville for an antiques exhibition, excited to see what treasures the vendors may have to share; Molly’s joy is dimmed when she comes across the body of one of the dealers, a friend of her mother’s. When his death is ruled a homicide, Molly and Clara set about helping the local detective gather clues to uncover not only who would want such a respected man dead, but why. But can they catch the killer before the convention ends?

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother daughter trip!

Molly and her mom take a trip for an Antiques event she was to report on. Of course, a murder happens and the weapon just may be valuable 🙊
It actually was pretty intense towards the end and loved the extra history behind a certain object.
Only thing was Molly was being a lil immature when it came to her relationship, but hey couples fight lol
And that ending.....kinda creeped me out🙀😂
Pretty good mystery tho, I'm enjoying this series 😊

[Marty Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery was well written and the history of the walking stick was enjoyable. At the beginning of each chapter there is a story of a walking stick so you get history without it interrupting the flow of the story. Quick cozy read. I didn't particularly like the main characters in this issue of the series, but the secondary characters are generally enjoyable.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book to the Antiques and Collectibles series is a great addition. Molly and Matt are moving forward with their relationship. Molly and her mom are still enjoying their time together around the antiques and collectibles.

I enjoy how Ellery Adams keeps you guessing until the killer is revealed. I did not guess who it was and thought to myself, "Wow, how did I miss that?"

Now on to the next one in the series.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The emphasis on folk art and the american south is very cool. It is very old fashioned at times, with a lot of fatphobic talk and discussion of getting a boyfriend to propose. But I love Molly and her writing. I do wish the historical chapters about the cane weren’t in it, but I still enjoyed it.

[Sue Covert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with some of the reviews that I do not find Molly at all likeable. She is totally self-absorbed and both her and her mother are snotty at times. I love Ellery Adams other series for her great characters but Molly needs some kind of change in her life to turn her into someone we actually like. I do like reading about the antiques.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly and her mother are in Nashville for a dealer show. When Molly goes to get coffee for she and her mother, she discovers a body hidden in the foliage of an indoor garden.

This is the 3rd in the Collectible series and it seemed to follow the other two books. It was a bit the same, just different characters. Still fun and I'll go to the next one.

[Elkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery series, especially for antiques lovers. I like this series, but don't love it. I like other books/series by Ellery Adams better, but this is one of her earliest published books.

I'm listening to the series -- they are great distractions while on the treadmill! Plus I'm learning something about antiques and antique shows.

[Linda Vermillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book.

I love learning about antiques from these books. It's fun to learn stuff as you try to figure out a murder too. I really don't care for Molly's personality. Always trying to one up the police so she can be on page one of the newspaper. A little too self absorbed. It really doesn't take away from the story and she always does solve it but doesn't get credit for it.

[Glen Leavens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good accounting of an antique show in Nashville with a walking stick weaving its way through a twisted history and landing on the doorstep of Molly Appleby. Molly's career as a reporter for Collector's Weekly is going well and she is enjoying the Heart of Dixie show with her mom before murder shows up.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Ellery Adams' better books. I have found some of her Mysteries to be very good and some rather superficial. This is definitely worth the time reading. This is the first one I have read in this series and will be looking for the previous ones. I enjoyed the secret book and scone society series very much and hope the antiques and collectibles mysteries will be equally good.