The Crafty Teddy: A Bear Collector's Mystery

A Bear Collector's Mystery #3

by John J. Lamb

When his wife's anniversary gift-a valuable, antique teddy bear-is stolen, retired cop Brad Lyon must discover the fur-fetched connection between the theft and the murder of a local museum curator.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 6, 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]

This was good and interesting. Who knew teddy bears could be so valuable. I enjoyed this mystery and I like that the characters aren’t your usual cozy mystery suspects.

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Teddy Bear mystery for the newly Artisan Teddy bear lovers. Caught in another murder to a lying, teddy Bear designer Jennifer Swift. Did her abusive husband do it? What about Donna Jordon the Original creator of the cherub teddy bear design. That were created in memory of the death of her son. Or the EMT that blackmailed the Swift's into coming into their business w/ a storybook to connect to the bears.

[Wendy Jo Tait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Ashley husband was involved in wanting to help her sell her teddy bears at the fair

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably just a three star book, but I had to give it an extra one for the Teddy Bears. 🧸

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Crafty Teddy
John J. Lamb
Berkley Prime Crime, 2007, 288 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-425-21885-3

Teddy Bears, Japanese gangsters, and murder upset the peace of the Shenandoah Valley. Brad Lyons retired from the San Francisco Police Department after suffering an injury that left him walking with the assistance of a cane. Brad and Ashleigh now live in Remmelkemp Mill, Virginia. Brad’s wife Ashleigh has become a talented maker of Teddy Bears and Brad has joined in the fun of the craft.

Brad and Ashleigh are awakened in the middle of the night and Brad catches a thief making off with the couples treasured Farnell Alpha Teddy Bear. Several other teddy bears have been torn apart. Although Sheriff Tina Barron of the Massanutten County Sheriff’s office did an investigation, no clues were turned up.

Brad is making a Teddy Bear for his friend Sergei who runs Pinckney’s Brick Pit. The Teddy Bear is top secret so Brad goes to visit Sergei while his wife and the other members of the Teddy Bear Guild meet at his house. While visiting Sergei three Yakuza-Japanese gangsters arrive at the restaurant and request directions to the Massanutten Museum of History. Sergei and Brad puzzle over what their interest in the museum might be.

Brad decides to take a side-trip to the museum on his way home, discovers that Franklin Merritt, the director, has suffered a violent attack, and is dead. So begins an investigation that uncovers fake antique quilts and teddy bears.
The Crafty Teddy is an entertaining book. I learned a lot about the types and values of Teddy Bears. Fans of cozies will love this book.

[Mascanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I wish you could add pluses and minuses to these ratings. I liked this book more than a 3 but not quite a 4. Written in the first person the main character is a retired homicide detective form California who has settle dwith his beloved wife in a small town in the Shenandoah valley. In an unlikely match up his wife, Asheligh is a Teddy artisan and Brad Lyon has joined in her passion in retirement not only collecting but learning to craft Teddy pairs in the likenesses of famous detectives...Deputy Bearny Fife anyone?
The story is interesting and the plot clever. One of the extras in hobby or craft mysteries is learning about something new. And in this book we learn more abut the world of avid teddy collectors. I also love that the main characters love and like each other. Sometimes you just want a fun easy read with likable people, a clever plot and a glass of ice tea on a late summer day. The teddy bear mysteries fill the bill nicely indeed.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crafty Teddy is in the Teddy Bear Collectors series.
John J. Lamb is a new to me author who writes from a male point of view.
Brad Lyons, his wife Ashley and Police Chief Tina Barron team up again to solve a murder. Brad and his wife make and collect teddy bears and when someone breaks into their house and steals one of their favorite bears, they don’t take it lightly. Once a murder has been committed, they take it even more personal. Along with Tina, the police chief, they set off to find their stolen bear and run into a counterfeiting ring. Is this related to the murder at the museum? Guess you’ll have to find out. I will continue to read the series as it has become one of my must read series.

[Beth Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It is told with a good deal of humor. The narration is self-deprecating and sarcastic. The dialogue is often funny and uses puns that are downright funny. This is enough to make me go back for more. It also has a unique story line. Big city cop retires to Virginia farm country. He occasionally consults with the local sheriff while sharing his wife's passion for making and collecting teddy bears. The character knows a lot about this since the author is himself a collector. Very interesting story with twists and turns and a sense of humor I can appreciate. I will be looking for more from this author.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first two books in this series but this one was a little over the top with Japanese gangsters and counterfeiters. And what's up with all those SFPD police codes? Geez. I liked the mystery and I liked Brad, Ashleigh and Tina. And I even liked the addition of Sergei. I think the final book The Clockwork Teddy: A Bear Collector's Mystery should be really interesting and fun.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all, the cover was adorable but that's about as good as it gets. I really felt this was a male oriented book. Which surprised me. The focus was more on being an ex-cop and making cheesy jokes than collecting teddy bears. I haven't read many of these themed mysteries but the ones I have read stay focused on the topic (miniatures, knitting, etc...) and while not the best literature out there they tell a nice easy to follow story. This one is all over the place.

If you love Teddy Bears this mystery series will disappoint.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, Brad and Ashleigh's home is robbed and an antique teddy bear stolen. Then the local museum curator is found murdered. What's going on in their small Virginia town? Another winner in this series. The plot moves along well and the characters kept me laughing.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

These "Bear Collector Mysteries" are fun and light, but the author never really creates great mood. The main character is a smart-mouthed ex-cop and the author NEVER misses an opportunity to slip in a bad pun -- usually "bearly" related to the story (see my point?). But I'm crazy about teddy bears and these are easy so there I go...

[Annette Dashofy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of John Lamb's Bear Collector's Mysteries and this one is no exception. A fun and easy read, Lamb skillfully blends cozy with police procedural. He's created a setting and a cast of characters that I want to spend more time with.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved all the other Bear Mystery books but this one for me I found myself pushing myself to read. He used WAY too many police gargon and it just seemed that the book was unbelievable. Some of the book was a little far fetched but over all the plot was good. Not one of his bests but it was good.

[September · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.... nice cozy read, very quick and enjoyable. This was my first foray into the Bear Collector's Mystery Series, I wish I had known about it sooner! Fun series for a teddy bear lover like myself. :)

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why are the Yakuza poking around in a sleepy little town in rural Virginia? Who killed the director of the local history museum? And what do teddy bears have to do with all this? A wonderfully bizarre entry in this highly addictive series.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice mystery in the world of teddy bear collecting. This time it involves Japanese mafia and a counterfeiting venture. Again, the main characters are highly likeable and the reader cares what happens to them. A good read.

[Mary Jo Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Fast moving and it keeps you guessing. Of course the inclusion of teddy bears is a pleasant plus...

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought it was an easy read and a good mystery.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, exciting and lovely series. Great characters, fun and interesting concept. Love the artisan section in the back.

[Susan]

another wonderful cozy in a series I really enjoy

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ex-cop teddy bear collector gets involved in murder in VA

[Stacy Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good cozy mystery, teddy bears and bad cop humor Lamb's books are a good read

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cosy read about valuable teddy bears and their collectors.
The central characters are a content couple who are nice people. Set in America.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When his wife's anniversary gift-a valuable, antique teddy bear-is stolen, retired cop Brad Lyon must discover the fur-fetched connection between the theft and the murder of a local museum curator.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast paced mystery with teddy bear fun along the way.