The False-Hearted Teddy

A Bear Collector's Mystery #2

by John J. Lamb

A crafter of artisan teddy bears, former homicide detective Brad Lyon, along with his wife, takes his creations to a big-time bear show in Baltimore where tempers run high and chaos ensues when a fellow designer, accused of stealing ideas, drops dead after using her asthma inhaler. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

262 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 5, 2007

About the author

John Lamb is the author of "Bear Collector" mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. Prior to becoming a writer, he had a distinguished career as a Southern California cop, serving as a CSI, a homicide investigator, hostage negotiator,and detective sergeant."

Series:
* A Bear Collector's Mystery
* Steve and Victoria MacKinnon Mystery

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are just fun books, who knew being a teddy bear artisan could be so dangerous! This book was a bit different from the first since the Lyon's were away from home at a teddy bear show but I enjoyed it. Good mystery and Brad is a fun character and I love his smart mouth.

[Marni · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Lamb's teddy mysteries should not be dismissed as one of the ubiquitous, sappy, "cozy" mysteries (which I confess I really don't like). They're well-plotted, well -written and laced with a wicked sense of humor. This one was particularly good.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the characters ..good story..enjoyed very much and might read some more in this series the characters are great

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this series I immediately began researching the world of teddy bear making. I went on to spend 280.00 on a handmade bear. I adore that bear but at the same time felt I needed my head read for spending that kind of money on an ornamental toy/dust collector at my age. Still, each time I read the series I want to go looking at the bears being made by artisans around the world. I got my bear from Pat Hughes of Blackberry Bears in France and she has a photo/slide collection of her bears on Youtube that is absolutely fascinating to watch. I wish there was an update on the life and bearing making of John J. Lamb.

A crafter of artisan teddy bears, former homicide detective Brad Lyon, along with his wife, takes his creations to a big-time bear show in Baltimore where tempers run high and chaos ensues when a fellow designer, accused of stealing ideas, drops dead after using her asthma inhaler. Original.

[Tisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brad & Ash are going to Baltimore for one of their 1st Teddy Bear shows. On arriving the retired cop witnesses a domestic agreement between another Teddy Artesian. When Brad intervenes to make sure that Jennifer Swift is not abused by her husband. He gets criticized by the victim.
Later they witness another Artisan accuse the Swifts of stealing her Teddy bear designs. Then in the evening when the teddy bear nominations are announced the thief Artisan is murdered by her own inhaler.
Now Ash has asked her retired Detective turned Teddy Bear Artisan to do his own investigation on what happened to the victim. What he finds out gets himself arrested for murder by an over arrogant, camera hungry lieutenant. Can Brad find out who the real murderer is before the small town takes him down for the murder.
I love this series, the characters, the Teddy bears, the background of the main character.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lamb is an actual retired homicide detective, so his portrayal of the main character rings true. He and his wife are also collectors of teddy bears, so those details also are well developed. However, the couple in his series also make the teddy bears and participate in the shows. Brad Lyon has completed his first bear, Dirty Beary (a Dirty Harry bear complete with gun & holster) and displays it along with his wife's collection (themed around desserts). Before the show even begins Brad interrupts a near violent spousal abuse argument. When the wife suddenly dies, Brad is drawn into the investigation. Three people at the show are prime suspects. This was a fast paced cozy with some great puns thrown in. I will be looking for the rest of this series.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this since the author is coming to the library, and it's a mystery, which I love. It was ok, easy to figure out "who done it." I also didn't care for his overabundance of one-liners and smart remarks, it was overkill (so to speak). It's average rating on Goodreads is over 4, so I'm not sure what I was missing. This isn't the first books in the series, but those were checked out. I think the earlier ones have more to do w/the Shenandoah Valley, this one takes place in Baltimore (at a Teddy Bear convention of course). Anyway, I doubt I read the others, but they are cute.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berkeley has a whole line for cozy, craft-related mysteries. This one, about making teddy bears (who knew?), is very good--it would have been five stars if the editor had educated the author about copyright (but why would a publisher do something silly like that? Sorry, lost my head for a moment). The author was a homicide cop in a former life, and his expertise shows; the books are first-person, but the hero isn't obnoxiously perfect, either. I'm now looking for everything else John J. Lamb has written, and expect to enjoy them all just as much.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the Teddy Bear series. It’s as good as the rest in the series and such a shame that there are only five in the series. I could read them forever

This time Brad and Ash head to Baltimore for a teddy bear show. When they get there, one of the exhibitioners is murdered and Brad is mistakenly arrested for the murder.

What he does to get himself out of trouble won’t believed, but there are a few laugh out loud moments in the book.

Mr Lamb’s humor in his books is dry but quite enjoyable and the characters he creates blend in well with the over all theme of the story.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute series about a couple who own Lyons, Tigers and Bears, where they create teddy bears. Bradley Lyons is an ex-homicide cop from San Francisco and his wife Ashleigh is the real artisan. They show their bears at trade shows and undoubtedly get involved in a murder while they are there. Like I said, a cute series with a simple cozy mystery to solve in each book. A thoroughly enjoyable quick, light read. Highly recommend.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad and Ashleigh head to a teddy bear show. But everything isn't cheery when a designer about to sign a big contract turns up dead. Once again, the book was lots of fun with great characters and interesting story. I love this series.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another joyful romp!

I have truly enjoyed the first two books in this series. The author incorporates my love of bears, mysteries, and the areas of Virginia & Maryland that I am most familiar with along with a dry sense of humor. It isn't rocket science or high art. It's just a warm, wonderful way to spend a few hours. On to the next in the series!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really am liking this author's books. The stories are different, the main characters are totally lovable, and the author's dry wit (mixed in with the main characters cheesy one-liners) is fun. This is the second in the series that I've read, and I can't wait to start the next one.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute bear mystery again. I loved the characters and the bear theme to the books. Another easy read and very quick!

[Mascanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, great characters, a solid plot and a very clever motive all make for a excellent cozy. And crafting besides who could ask for more?

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and mayhem at a teddy bear show? Who'd've thunk it? Retired homicide detective Brad and his wife Ashleigh investigate the very nasty death of a prominent teddy bear maker.

[Sfdreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit cutesy and easy to figure out but I like the characters

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guessed the murderer quite early on, but the fun is seeing the retired guy work it out. I really like the characters and the warmth of the Teddy conventions. It is a very nice read.

[Stacy Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of Lamb's books - this one is no different.
This one touches on how people can turn good things bad.

[CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you feel lucky punk?

Another good time on the teddy bear show circuit. Unless you get killed over your stuffed animals.

[Dancing Flamingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time I've read this book. I first read it about 3-4 yrs ago and I have to say I still like it.

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit clunky in plot and details with lots of "bearly" bearable puns. However, it kept my attention and is better than anything I could write.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. the 2nd book in the series, this story finds Brad and Ashley Lyon at a teddy bear show in Baltimore. Of course, murder and mayhem follow.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining cozy mystery with cute teddy bears thrown in. It is nice to read a logical mystery with believable circumstances.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 - Very Good, But Lots of Antagonism From the Main Character

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, cute lil whodunit read that I enjoyed.

[Cara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent stories, very readable - whodunnit not necessarily the obvious one.