Antiques Chop

A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery #7

by Barbara Allan

The quaint Midwestern town of Serenity is about to hit the small screen. Brandy Borne and her dramatically ditzy mother, Vivian, will be starring in Antique Sleuths, a reality TV show based on the duo's antiquarian adventures--and their troubling talent for solving deadly crimes. What better shooting set than a creepy old house, the site of a 60-year-old unsolved axe murder?The location is perfect until Bruce Spring, the show's producer, meets a fatal axe-ident, mortally mauled just like the home's previous owner. The first suspect on the chopping block seems typecast for the role of killer--he was found at the scene of the attack, clutching a stained axe. But as Brandy and Vivian chop around for clues, plenty of other suspects stick out their necks...It seems the show's cameraman clashed with Bruce--could he be the culprit? What about the acrimony between Andrew, the harried homeowner, and Bruce, whose dirt-digging documentary all but accused Andrew of the original unsolved crime? And who's driving that blood-red Toyota that keeps making unscripted cameo appearances? If Brandy and Vivian are going to get to the bottom of this mystery, they'll have to be extra careful not to wind up on the cutting room floor--in pieces!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2013

About the author

Barbara Allan is a pseudonym used by Barbara Collins and Max Allan Collins

Max Allan Collins is a writer of mystery novels, screenplays, comics and historical fiction. Collins has collaborated on numerous short stories with his wife writer Barbara Collins. Together they also write the successful “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries – their Antiques Flee Market (2008) won the Romantic Times Best Humorous Mystery Novel award in 2009.

There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Borne girls are filming the pilot for their TV series. Vivian comes up with the perfect location for their store, the location of an ax murder!

Brandy's son, Jake is in town, and finds an ax! Then there's another murder, and the Bornes start sleuthing again.

Pretty good, but to be honest, I don't understand what all these guys see in Brandy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandy and her ditzy mother Vivian are going to be stars in a new reality TV show about antiques. They finagle their way into leasing a house where a gruesome murder was committed 60 years ago, and guess what - someone associated with the show meets a similar fate, and Vivian (and a reluctant Brandy) are sleuthing again.

First off, you have to like a somewhat Monty Python approach to writing to love this series - and I do. Sometimes we read in Vivian's words, sometimes in Brandy's...I've read a few reviews of the series where folks found this style a bit off putting. I think it goes with Vivian's somewhat ditzy and eccentric character so I don't mind it a bit. As far as the mystery itself goes, it was neatly tied up at the end.

[Susan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I bought it in a bargain bin but enjoyed it very much. It was funny and I can't wait to read all in this series!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have grown to like this series. Mysteries are pretty intriguing and the quirky characters do grow on you!

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antiques Chop is another in the series of “Trash ‘n Treasures” mysteries unleashed by the mind-meld of Max Allan Collins and his wife, Barbara. Put them together and you get, “Barbara Allan.” The two writers have set these preposterous tales of mischief and mayhem in the fictional town of Serenity, Iowa. For those who haven’t read any of the books penned before Antiques Chop, Serenity appears to be a placid, near bucolic town on the Mississippi River. Yet, as divorcee Brandy and her would-be thespian mother, Vivian, discover, the placid patina of peace is often misplaced. And, since she and her mother often end up entwined in the knot of a series of murders, some people even blame the pair for attracting these events—murder magnets, if you will.

When they aren’t sleuthing, as is typical in this type of “cozy” mystery quite contrary to the wishes of law enforcement, they buy and sell antiques. They also have a tendency (so the conceit in the way these books are written) to tell tales of solving these murders in their own way (hence the first-person narrative of these novels—sometimes told from Vivian’s point-of-view, but usually from Brandy’s). These books and their antiques business are why a producer for a reality television show wants to feature them in their own series, Antiques Sleuths. The series is intended to be one part Antiques Roadshow and one part solving mysteries (predominantly related to the value and provenance of the antiques, but also regaling the viewers with tales of their own adventures).

Indeed, the pair of female sleuths have such stars in their eyes that they even turn up the heat by selecting a house associated with a decades-old murder to be their new antiques shop, specifically for the show. And, of course, you know what happens—another murder in the style of the earlier one. Is it a coincidence, a sick copycat, a cynical publicity gimmick, a gruesome crime of passion, or a cover-up of some kind? There are plenty of options, but here’s a hint. There seems only one kind of prejudice that is acceptable in the U.S. today. If you know what that prejudice is, you know the murderer from very early in the book.

Unlike some of the novels in this “cozy” series, Antiques Chop is more about mystery and less about romance (or maybe, just sexual tension) than the other books. Oh, to be sure, Brandy has to face up to some relationships in her past, but there is less emphasis on that aspect. But like the other novels, there are funny incidents built on coincidences which are quite funny, as is the constant interplay between Brandy and her mother. The mystery is clean and neat (even though the murder isn’t). I liked it and find these to be delightful changes of pace over my usual reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books because they make me laugh. The little quirks throughout the book add a different a lighthearted touch. This time it was Brandy and Vivian arguing about things in the narrative using parenthesis, while their editor wants them to pencil in the margin. I felt like Vivian really spearheaded the sleuthing (more than usual) in this investigation, probably because this new murder was somehow linked to one of her childhood and it involved many of her childhood friends. I was slightly surprised by the culprit and think this was definitely one of the creepiest of the series, but I enjoyed it and thought the ending was great.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lighthearted murder mystery with humorous characters. Though this is a series, it was just as enjoyable reading out of order. I will pick up more in this fun series.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written as if the main characters wrote it. Brandy Borne writes books based on her mother's habit of solving mysteries. Recently, Brandy discovered that Vivian, otherwise known as Mother, was actually her grandmother, Her "sister," Peggy Sue . was her mother and Senator Edward Clark was her father. Though that really does not matter in this book. Vivian receives an offer to be part of a new reality show, which would feature her selling antiques in her own store. She believes that a home where a murder with an ax occurred would be the perfect place for her store. She goes to see the owner of the home (who was a suspect but was never charged) owned. The gentleman who was to produce the show is later found murdered in the "murder house". An ax was found in the hands of a handyman who had earlier pulled up the rug in the main room.Since Brandy and Vivian wrote the story, one can presume the murder will be solved beofre the end of the book. To find out, who did it, read the book.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandy and Vivian are gearing up for another adventure. This time reality tv producer Bruce Spring wants them to create their own show about selling antiques and solving mysteries. With Brandy’s son Jake showing up what could go wrong. Lots apparently, especially when a friend of Brandy’s is accused of murder that’s similar to an unsolved one that took place 50 years ago.

I enjoy the Trash n Treasure Mystery Series. This one didn’t grab me the way the others have. Usually I feel I can jump right in and the pages will literally turn themselves. I felt like there was a lot of repetition from the characters. I did enjoy the ending and how the story finally reeled its self in.

Of course I’ll be looking forward to see what will happen next for Brandy and Vivian.

[Lisa Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the focus on Brandy’s life, like the development of her relationships with her son, ex-husband and Brian. I also liked the idea of the reality show and the antiques shop. I also thought it was interesting to see Vivian’s interaction with her old friends she had grown up with. I also liked the beginnings of the mystery. But I thought it was a little too obvious who the murderer was. And I don’t really like it when Vivian writes her chapters. There’s too much filler that I don’t find amusing, although I think it’s supposed to be. I also get annoyed by all the aside comments to and from the “editor.” I will probably continue with the series though.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandy Borne and her eccentric mother, Vivian, are on the brink of having their own reality TV show based on their antiques business and their abilities as amateur sleuths to help solve murder investigations in their small town of Serenity, Iowa along the Mississippi River. When the new show's producer meets an untimely death of his own, Vivian quickly comes up with a plan of investigation, which doesn't go over well with Brandy's current boyfriend, Chief of Police, Brian Lawson, nor her ex-husband, Roger; although her thirteen-year-old son, Jake thinks it's all pretty exciting.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 7 in the series of a mother -daughter sleuthing team who also deal in antiques.
They have been approached to be in a tv reality show featuring them in n a small town in Illinois. The show will cover the cost of remodeling an old home which happens to be the sight of an old ax murder.
The ladies have convinced the owners to agree to the terms when a dead body stops all plans.
Funny and surprising twists make this a Goodreads series.

[Lynn Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. The main characters have a no nonsense perspective that really resonates with me. And on the off chance that it matters to anyone, I really like the cast of characters list at the front of the book. It’s not so much that I couldn’t follow the charters or keep them straight. But it was an excellent introduction.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Brandy and her mother are going to host a TV series "Antiques Sleuths", only things go downhill from the start as they get permission to use the murder house. This was where a unsolved ax took place 60 years ago, need you ask anything more. Love the last chapter-the unexpected but not to surprising end to this story, not the end of the series.

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read just about every book in this series at various times. I thought Brandy and her mom were especially obnoxious this time. I didn’t enjoy their little arguments with the editors or each other either.

Jake doesn’t get in trouble for sneaking out. Brandy constantly defends her mother’s bad behavior. Maybe she needs to get off the Prozac and grow a spine.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had not realized this was a series when I grabbed the book from my reading pile.

Sadly I did not care for the writing style of the author talking to the editor, the characters talking to the readers, or the way the story jumped around. I made it to around page 100 before skimming and then just reading the last two chapters.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted reading with a touch of humor. Great book to read whilst laid up with a sprained ankle, sprained knee and three sprained fingers. Gave me some laughs, and smiles in an otherwise painfully long day and/or night trying to just get comfortable.

[Sinda Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again we find amateur sleuths Vivian ( age 70ish) and Brandy ( age 32) up to their eyeballs in murder along with Sushi, Brandy's blind Shih Tzu. Great series and I can't wait to read the next one.

[Nancy Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cutesy Extemis

The writing is embarrassingly self-conscious with its cringeworthy use of an “adorable me” motif. The protagonist’s dialogue is reminiscent of a tweeny’s diary entry.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series should probably be read in order, but it was still entertaining. The byplay between Brandy and her "mother" (grandmother) are a little distracting, but the mystery was pretty good, actually mysteries.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read- fun story. I will read more from her series.

[Trin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get into it at all I had high hopes for this book/series and it all came tumbling down once I read the first few chapters I was really annoyed and disappointed

[Debi Emerson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like book 1 in series, so didn't read this one, even though I had purchased it.

[Barbara Van Slambrouck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

Each book in this series can stand alone as a good read. I like this series very much. Enjoyable read.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our two sleuths actually end up solving two murders. Jake is in the mix for a short period of time. We learn a bit more about Brandy's ex-husband.

[Mary Corso · Rating 4 out of 5]

They do have crazy lives

This book is typical for the series ... A mystery, some danger, and a little romance. Added to it is an old mystery that foreshadows the new murder.

[Virginia Kessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I read this when it first came out or not but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good mystery with a lot of chuckles along the way.

[Shawnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandy lets mom drag her into more mischief. Multiple murders this time.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun book in the series.

[Cindy Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some LOL moments, but having the characters talk to the readers got really old.