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Den of Antiquity #13
The Cane Mutiny
Abigail Timberlake Washburn understands the antiques game is a gamble—so she doesn’t know what to expect when she wins the bidding for the contents of an old locker that has been sealed up for years. It’s a delightful surprise when she discovers inside a collection of exquisite old walking sticks—and a not-so-delightful one when she pulls out a decrepit gym bag containing…a human skull!
The last thing the diminutive South Carolina antiques dealer needs is to be suspected of foul play. So she grabs her chatty assistant (and future sister-in-law), C.J., and heads out to search for a killer they can stick it to. But this cane case will be no walk in the park—with its arcane clues hinting at poaching, counterfeiting, smuggling…and homicide, of course. And when a fresh corpse turns up, things are about to get really sticky for Abby and her staff of one.
The last thing the diminutive South Carolina antiques dealer needs is to be suspected of foul play. So she grabs her chatty assistant (and future sister-in-law), C.J., and heads out to search for a killer they can stick it to. But this cane case will be no walk in the park—with its arcane clues hinting at poaching, counterfeiting, smuggling…and homicide, of course. And when a fresh corpse turns up, things are about to get really sticky for Abby and her staff of one.
355 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2006
22 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Myers
62 books293 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 20, 2022
The series continues its downward spiral, and I'm seriously reconsidering my vow to read all the books.
In this one, Abby buys some sight-unseen storage lot goodies. Her loot includes some valuable canes, and a skull in a gym bag, 'natch. Abby, of course, assumes she will be charged with murder, because . . . ? And, so she sets out to find "the real killer." Or, the previous owner of the storage lot stash. Or, some cane collectors. Or, possibly all three. Whichever is the most convoluted.
As I've said before, these books make for a good palate cleanse after a particularly nasty read (Hawk Mountain), mostly due to the author's flair for dialog. This one was just too silly, though at least Dimitri the cat didn't solve the crime.
Or commit the murder.
Yet.
In this one, Abby buys some sight-unseen storage lot goodies. Her loot includes some valuable canes, and a skull in a gym bag, 'natch. Abby, of course, assumes she will be charged with murder, because . . . ? And, so she sets out to find "the real killer." Or, the previous owner of the storage lot stash. Or, some cane collectors. Or, possibly all three. Whichever is the most convoluted.
As I've said before, these books make for a good palate cleanse after a particularly nasty read (Hawk Mountain), mostly due to the author's flair for dialog. This one was just too silly, though at least Dimitri the cat didn't solve the crime.
Or commit the murder.
Yet.
January 30, 2017
I picked up a bunch of these super cheap, and even though the main character is super annoying, I have kept trying to read them... But I just can't do it anymore. The whole premise of why she starts investigating was so stupid that I just couldn't force myself to keep reading. I skipped to the end.
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.
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.
November 29, 2024
Another fun story. I enjoyed it.
February 2, 2015
This book was lent to me by a friend who thought I would enjoy it. I have never read anything by Tamar Myers and thought I would give it a try. I did enjoy the book, and it was a very light and easy read. Though obviously geared toward an older audience, I sometimes felt too young for it. The blurbs in the back included a synopsis for a book called "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason." Not my age group. But the plot of the book fell together pretty easily and it was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Not sure if I would have picked it up on my own, or if I will read any more in the "Den of Antiquity" series, but I don't feel it was a waste of time.
March 3, 2021
This was cute. I especially like CJ. Intelligent but tells strange stories.
November 5, 2021
This series is pretty good but don't compare to the Amish one she wrote.
January 8, 2024
I seriously don't know why I read this series. I suppose it has just enough of a plot to get around all the dumb dialog posing as clever puns. Not highly recommended
February 18, 2024
A witty writer. A little slow to get into. Characters are interesting.
November 19, 2009
Abigail Timberlake, owner of the "Den of Antiquity" an antique store, makes one of the winning bids on a locker at a locked trunk sale. She's pleased to discover that one of things in the locker is a collection of antique canes. She's less pleased to find a gym bag containing what looks like a human skull. She calls the police, who, after asking too many stupid questions, arrest Abby for obstruction of justice. Her mother quickly bails her out and Abby sets out to clear her name by questioning all the people who also bid on the locker, thinking one of them might be a murderer.
This is a very funny book with lots of jokes and very little mystery. The plot meanders all over the place, from who is getting into the store and moving the antique canes, to who owned the skull that Abby found to who murdered the housekeeper/lover of one of the suspects. Halfway through I wondered why I was even reading this book until I came to the following sentence (describing an author in the book) "(her) novels are merely witty, relying far too heavily on humor and wordplay". Tamar Myers must have had her tongue planted firmly in cheek when she wrote that as she describes her own books perfectly. Her mysteries are filled with eccentric characters such as Abby, who knows shockingly little about antiques considering she owns an antique store; her mother, Mozilla, who dresses like a mother in a 50's sitcom; and her friend, C.J. who tells the most outrageous stories about her relatives. The mysteries are thin, but the books are at time laugh out loud funny and yes, involve lots of word play.
Tamar Myers' mysteries are for those who love humorous books and don't mind reading a really light mystery.
This is a very funny book with lots of jokes and very little mystery. The plot meanders all over the place, from who is getting into the store and moving the antique canes, to who owned the skull that Abby found to who murdered the housekeeper/lover of one of the suspects. Halfway through I wondered why I was even reading this book until I came to the following sentence (describing an author in the book) "(her) novels are merely witty, relying far too heavily on humor and wordplay". Tamar Myers must have had her tongue planted firmly in cheek when she wrote that as she describes her own books perfectly. Her mysteries are filled with eccentric characters such as Abby, who knows shockingly little about antiques considering she owns an antique store; her mother, Mozilla, who dresses like a mother in a 50's sitcom; and her friend, C.J. who tells the most outrageous stories about her relatives. The mysteries are thin, but the books are at time laugh out loud funny and yes, involve lots of word play.
Tamar Myers' mysteries are for those who love humorous books and don't mind reading a really light mystery.
March 7, 2014
Another in the Den of Antiquity mystery series, Abigail (Abby) Timberlake Washburn runs an antique shop in Charleston, South Carolina, where she routinely gets involved in murder and always finds the murderer by the end of the book. Like Joan Hess's Maggody series and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, the books in this series are full of quirky characters, humor, and crime solving.
Abby has recently been to a storage container auction where she is fortunate enough to find among the treasures she has bought, a number of exotic walking canes. Thus hangs the plot of the story. Everything that happens has something to do with canes. Sometimes accompanied by her assistant in the store and future sister-in-law, C. J., who is part of the Ledbetter clan, things are a poppin'. The characters in this family, the Ledbetters, which C. J. frequently refers to could match the Buchanan's of Maggody for eccentricity anytime.
This book was a fun read!
Abby has recently been to a storage container auction where she is fortunate enough to find among the treasures she has bought, a number of exotic walking canes. Thus hangs the plot of the story. Everything that happens has something to do with canes. Sometimes accompanied by her assistant in the store and future sister-in-law, C. J., who is part of the Ledbetter clan, things are a poppin'. The characters in this family, the Ledbetters, which C. J. frequently refers to could match the Buchanan's of Maggody for eccentricity anytime.
This book was a fun read!
November 30, 2011
The more I read by this author, the more they fail to suspend ny disbelief. I realize it is intended to be funny and that the whole concept of amateur sleuths encountering many murders is hard for many to believe, but you put that aside when you read the genre and lose yourself in the stories and characters. But this author's increasingly ridiculous characters and bad jokes just keep kicking me out of the story. Part of ny goal with reading is to escape, but these just keep me on the outside with ny own problems instead of making me care about the dumb cops trying to jail abby for possessing a skull, and letting me forget the aches chasing me to bed early but keeping me awake.
October 14, 2015
Another title in the Den of Antiquity series. Abigail Timberlake Washburn, the owner of a South Carolina antique shop is suspected of foul play when a skull turns up in a barrel she purchased at a storage unit sale. She decides she is going to have to find the real killer to clear her name, especially now that her husband has retired from the police force and taken up commericcial fishing. Other people start showing interest in the items from the storage locker including a set of antique canes. What do the canes have to do with the skull? Things get even more complicated when she and her assistant, C.J. start searching for the killer and a fresh corpse turns up.
February 23, 2015
This story meandered around without any sense of urgency and there wasn't even a body until about half way through the book. I also got annoyed with the overuse of the words hon and big galoot, you really don't need to use those every time you refer to the person (two different people by the way) and if you do it enough that I notice, you're really over using. Not a bad story but not my favorite in the series.
June 27, 2009
I have read a few of Tamar Myers books which were fun and silly mysteries about a Menonnite female "detective" that i enjoyed very much. I don't care for this series as much. The main charachter is an antiques dealer in Charleston, SC and is always finding herself in the middle of a mystery. The charachters were too silly and a bit annoying.
April 3, 2013
I read this before but since I'm reading in order, I decided to reread it.
The editor/author got confused between the Rob-Bobs. Bob went on an errand with Abby but Rob somehow joined them later!
It's not one of my favorites, but still a decent story.
The editor/author got confused between the Rob-Bobs. Bob went on an errand with Abby but Rob somehow joined them later!
It's not one of my favorites, but still a decent story.
June 18, 2013
I love Tamar Myers sense of humour, raised in the South, I know people like Abbigail- so she's not that far fetched. We don't all speak slowly, though more of us (across the board) should think alot faster than our mouths speak!
May 19, 2010
#13 in series. I didn't think it was as good as some of hers but when you are this far in a series, you read them anyway.
May 28, 2012
A nice beach or summer read. Junk food for the brain.
December 5, 2015
look for her humorous description of herself as a unnamed mystery writer.
October 5, 2014
Skimmed through most of the book.
Read
July 8, 2015Donated to DPL
May 21, 2016
A little corny for my taste, good little though.
May 29, 2008
Cute mystery with a lot of humorous lines.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews