Statue of Limitations

Den of Antiquity #11

by Myers Tamar

Tamar Myers is back with her 11th delightful volume in the Den of Antiquity mystery series. Charleston antique shop owner Abigail Timberlake (a.k.a. Mrs. Greg Washburn) knows the importance of not mixing business and private life -- that's why she has two names, for crying out loud. But when Mrs. Washburn's best friend, Wynell, begs for a part in Ms. Timberlake's new venture -- redecorating a very upscale bed-and-breakfast -- Abby breaks that cardinal rule and agrees.

Since Abby deals with interiors, and Wynnell is to handle the garden, personal and professional peace is maintained, at least until Abby points out the utter tastelessness of the replica of Michelangelo's David that Wynnell has chosen for the garden's focal point. After exchanging heated words, as only southern ladies can, the pair stop speaking to each other entirely -- until Wynnell calls Abby from jail, where she's under arrest for fatally attacking the B&B owner with the tacky statue!

Wynnell's taste in garden sculpture may be deplorable, but that's hardly a criminal offense. To prove her friend's innocence, Abby turns her finely honed research skills on the other suspects at the scene of the crime, like the not-so-grieving widower or the strange guests. Until justice is done, Abby refuses to be distracted by her personal tribulations, which include her mother's decision to open a tearoom in Abby's home and the return of her prodigal brother, who is sporting a clerical collar and aggressively brandishing the new leaf he's supposedly turned over. Statue of Limitations is a wickedly funny, fast-paced look at southern lifestyles of the rich and dead. Sue Stone

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2004

Reviews

[Melki]

This is actually not a bad entry in the series, with some great dialog, and quite a few zippy one-liners. AND, the best part is the fact that Dimitri has faded to the background in this one; no cat heroics, only sitting on laps, and lying on beds.

Just like a REAL cat . . .

[Kate R]

I have only read 200 painful pages, but i am done with the book as well as the author. Her characters are overdone, her story lines defy logic, and the editor is a failure. Each of her story series has a main character with a physical flaw she constantly brings up. The character’s petite height is largely irrelevant but is addressed at least twice a chapter. It’s tedious. There are a lot of great cozy mysteries out there. This, in my opinion, is not one of them.

[Linda]

Interesting story. I enjoyed the statue storyline and was surprised at the culprit.

[Debbie]

These books are so much fun. I want to have lunch with Tamar Myers. Anyone who can write like this must be a hoot!

[Tammy]

3 1/2 stars
A cozy mystery that takes place in Charleston South Carolina. The main character tells the story of trying to get her friend out of jail and murder charges that surrounds false B&B guests, and a garden statue south of Broad street. I like the fun diverse mix of characters. This book has the right mix of humor that keeps you satisfied from beginning to end. A keeper.

[Gretchen]

this author is way too self-indulgent and cheesy. She actually said 'my petite petootie' twice!

[Megan Angel]

Turns out, it was the middle of a series, so if I find an earlier book, I will try the author again. But for me, parts of it was just too over the top silly to appreciate. Like her expressions, the woman's mother, her friend's recipes, just too overdone to be truly funny. Instead I rolled my eyes.

The case was meh, and the characters never quite rose to the task of carrying the plot. Was it interesting enough to finish? Sure. But it's not a recommendation from me.

[Susan Moxley]

A real page turner with lots of twists and turns and lots of mystery and action to the very end.

[Shari Scott]

These are silly and fun. Not great literature, but a quick fun read.

[Sheila]

This is another fun novel by Tamar Myers. Her characters are fun, especially the "family!"

[Lyn Soulia-Smith]

Another good book to the series. Love the characters and the light mysteries. All the books I have read by Tamar Myers are good. Give this one a read.

[Samantha]

I thought this book was just ok. Didn't think it was anything special. At times this author reminded me of Janet Evanovich's wisecracking nosy characters but then the plot would falter or the characters would change. I think part of the problem is this is the first book of the series I've read and from reading the other reviews the earlier books were stronger and more interesting. I think I'm going to try at least one of them because of the glimpses of good storytelling I found in this book. I didn't hate this book. I actually liked it but just felt there could have been so much more that the author could have done with it. I'm not going to write a plot summary since other reviewer have already did this. I just didn't like how it seems like the author would introduce characters and give them a role then forget them. I think I would want to try the other books in this series first before I recommend this book. It's not a great book as a stand alone.

[Dharia Scarab]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[VJ]

If I didn't know better, I'd think Mary Daheim and Tamar Myers were the same person sometimes. Unless, of course, Stella Maris is a common Catholic Church name...

I about fell off my bed laughing when the author had Abby make some crack about authors getting their facts straight because she didn't like to be stopped cold reading. Aside from all the continuity errors, there are tons of typos in these books. At least this author has proper flora and fauna in her books.

I didn't guess who did it and there really weren't too many clues to figure it out on your own. It was an entertaining story nonetheless.

[Lollyletsgo]

While clearly I enjoyed this mystery, I didn't like the Deus ex Machina hint/foreshadow that was provided in the introduction of a character meant to do just that one thing-- a walk on part (in Holywood terms)so to speak. I won't say the character's name in question, so as not to create a spoiler, but anyone reading it will know- it's so out there, it's off putting.

[Doris]

MUCH better than the previous one in this series (A Penny Urned). It was a little vague on the solution but the plot was well written and the resolution believable. It even had a few characters that were scam artists and I had hoped to have one turn the tales on "mamma" but they didn't.

[Susan]

Great quick poolside reading. Interesting fun and light.

[ChrisGA]

another fun, punny, tongue-in -cheek cozy mystery based in Charleston

[Carla]

This was another book that is part of a series. I've read some of them, and each one can 'stand alone.' Very enjoyable to me because antiques were a part of the plot.

[Kate]

A cozy mystery; not that great

[Susan]

The book was OK... those punny titles are sometimes a hoot

[Cindy]

This was not as funny as previous books and the story line was thin. Not one of my favorites.

[Mary]

Wonderful, witty and hard to put down