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Mysteries from the Antique Store #4
The Diary of Murder
Uncover the secrets of the past before they claim another victim.
Juniper, owner of Juniper's Jewels, stumbles upon an antique roll-top desk at an estate sale, but it's what's hidden inside—a cryptic diary—that sets off a chain of events. The diary's mysterious contents, filled with names of the deceased and cryptic symbols, draw Juniper into a perilous puzzle. With someone desperate for its return, Juniper and her newfound partner, Jasper, delve into the secrets hidden within. As they unravel the diary's secrets, Juniper and Jasper find themselves on a treacherous path, with danger lurking around every corner.
With the help of her trusty feline companions, they must solve the mystery before it's too late.
Juniper, owner of Juniper's Jewels, stumbles upon an antique roll-top desk at an estate sale, but it's what's hidden inside—a cryptic diary—that sets off a chain of events. The diary's mysterious contents, filled with names of the deceased and cryptic symbols, draw Juniper into a perilous puzzle. With someone desperate for its return, Juniper and her newfound partner, Jasper, delve into the secrets hidden within. As they unravel the diary's secrets, Juniper and Jasper find themselves on a treacherous path, with danger lurking around every corner.
With the help of her trusty feline companions, they must solve the mystery before it's too late.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2024
17 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 3, 2024
Junie and friends have a new case when she finds a diary taped to the bottom of the roll top desk she got at an estate sale. Filled with too neat script, shorthand, and cryptic symbols going back 100 years, the diary presents a puzzle that Junie can’t resist. Unfortunately, Chase confiscates it before Junie can really study it. Ever resourceful, she recreates what she can based on video she took. Jasper follows up on names listed and Em gets a coworker to translate the shorthand. But the search for answers might be more dangerous then the team is prepared for as more deaths and disappearances occur. Can Sir Fluff and the other cats keep their beloved Miss Junie safe? And just what is that awful noise in the antique shop?
Book 4 in Sydney Tate’s Antique store cozy series is a twisty, page turner with plenty to keep you guessing. Chapters alternate between different characters viewpoints, including her cat Sir Fluffington and his subordinates, Spot & Sassafras. Chase’s mystery girlfriend is revealed, Em & Eddie get closer, & Jasper’s relationship with Maura is tested due to the animosity between her & Junie. These characters are all well drawn and relatable. With three antiques tied to murders behind her, Junie finds herself questioning every item at the estate sale as potential weapons. She also decides to complete the PI training course and self defense classes, paving the way for the detective agency to go forward.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book 4 in Sydney Tate’s Antique store cozy series is a twisty, page turner with plenty to keep you guessing. Chapters alternate between different characters viewpoints, including her cat Sir Fluffington and his subordinates, Spot & Sassafras. Chase’s mystery girlfriend is revealed, Em & Eddie get closer, & Jasper’s relationship with Maura is tested due to the animosity between her & Junie. These characters are all well drawn and relatable. With three antiques tied to murders behind her, Junie finds herself questioning every item at the estate sale as potential weapons. She also decides to complete the PI training course and self defense classes, paving the way for the detective agency to go forward.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2024
Juniper, owner of Juniper's Jewels, an antique shop was put onto a wonderful roll top desk by Rebecca, now revealed as Chase's girlfriend, who handles estate sales. But when she goes into the desk she finds a diary of people who have died along with some strange symbols. A puzzle to be sure. When she and her now PI partner decide to see if the deceased owner was murdered because of this diary and codes or is something else involved. With the support of her friends, she and Jasper investigate. When strangers all of a sudden show an interest in Juniper's antique shot, she is sure there is something more going on. With so many twists and turns and red-herrings, we are taken on a ride until the surprise ending. Add to that, poor Juniper is the only one not together with a boyfriend like all her friends, which plays on her mind. Sydney Tate develops her characters so you can relate to them. I also love how Junie's felines have their own points of view and especially the leader, Sir Fluffington III are very intuitive and help Juniper in their own way to protect her. I really highly recommend this book as well as the whole series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
February 17, 2024
couples seem to be popping out all over
Junie remarks that it seems all her closer friends seem to being paired off except for her
Jordan and his girlfriend Maura, former childhood nemesis to June, continue to be an ongoing series of challenges
he might be a dork for dating the still kinda evil miss thing, but he can hardly avoid Junie - who is his business partner in their detective agency and best friend of his sister
though June has some concerns- with Rebecca and Em both being busy elsewhere, will she still have someone to spend girl time with and hang out with?
the new detective agency faces a variety of issues. overspill of data and clients to and from the antique shop are on the list.
tricky ties to a hidden diary and more mysteries tied to the antique shop inventory promise ongoing mischief and mayhem for Junie and her friends
Junie remarks that it seems all her closer friends seem to being paired off except for her
Jordan and his girlfriend Maura, former childhood nemesis to June, continue to be an ongoing series of challenges
he might be a dork for dating the still kinda evil miss thing, but he can hardly avoid Junie - who is his business partner in their detective agency and best friend of his sister
though June has some concerns- with Rebecca and Em both being busy elsewhere, will she still have someone to spend girl time with and hang out with?
the new detective agency faces a variety of issues. overspill of data and clients to and from the antique shop are on the list.
tricky ties to a hidden diary and more mysteries tied to the antique shop inventory promise ongoing mischief and mayhem for Junie and her friends
February 25, 2024
Perplexing
This whole premise seems implausible. Instead of getting a client in a conventional way or knowing of a crime that happened and then investigating we start with a book that was stuck in an old desk Junie bought at an estate sale. Before she reads page one or figures out anything in it it’s a case. This is the fourth book and 3 of 4 have had mysteries that start with the flimsiest or most unrealistic ideas. Add in the strange friend dynamic that goes from close, to secretive and back and forth again and it’s just hard to find something that makes me want to read more. I’ve read 80 percent of this book and I’ll struggle through to the end but at this point I feel like I’m reading the outline of a first draft and not a fully conceptualized story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This whole premise seems implausible. Instead of getting a client in a conventional way or knowing of a crime that happened and then investigating we start with a book that was stuck in an old desk Junie bought at an estate sale. Before she reads page one or figures out anything in it it’s a case. This is the fourth book and 3 of 4 have had mysteries that start with the flimsiest or most unrealistic ideas. Add in the strange friend dynamic that goes from close, to secretive and back and forth again and it’s just hard to find something that makes me want to read more. I’ve read 80 percent of this book and I’ll struggle through to the end but at this point I feel like I’m reading the outline of a first draft and not a fully conceptualized story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2024
A complex mystery
Jupiter has moved a goodly amount of the antiques from her store, Jupiter's Jewels, but most has gone to Em's new house rather than being sold for profit. In a move to fill the empty space with more saleable items she attends an estate sale being held by her friend Rebecca. She comes home with sveral pieces as well as a roll top desk to put in the P.I. office below the antique shop. While cleaning the desk she comes across a thick old diary with much strange writing and symbols. She involves the law immediately but also launches her own investigation. There ensues the normal confusion that follows Junie's investigations, but with the help of her friends, her P.I. partner Jasper and of course the cats she is determined to find the truth. A fine addition to this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jupiter has moved a goodly amount of the antiques from her store, Jupiter's Jewels, but most has gone to Em's new house rather than being sold for profit. In a move to fill the empty space with more saleable items she attends an estate sale being held by her friend Rebecca. She comes home with sveral pieces as well as a roll top desk to put in the P.I. office below the antique shop. While cleaning the desk she comes across a thick old diary with much strange writing and symbols. She involves the law immediately but also launches her own investigation. There ensues the normal confusion that follows Junie's investigations, but with the help of her friends, her P.I. partner Jasper and of course the cats she is determined to find the truth. A fine addition to this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2024
Book 4, it might help to read the previous books to gain insight into the first chapter as the story seemingly picks up from a previous event. The story begins with a long premise before Juniper begins to investigate the found diary, then shows a day-to-day account of the investigation behind the diary's owner as well as the romantic lifestyle that surrounds Juniper. There are different first-person perspectives with names to make it easier to follow. It is endearing to read from the cat's perspective. The book is also written in the present tense so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2024
Juniper’s Discovery . . .
When Juniper buys a lovely roll-top desk, she comes across a journal with decades of names of people who have died and some unknown symbols including shorthand. Oddly, the journal was taped to the desk and out of sight. So she and Jasper decide to figure out this mystery. It seems that someone wants to retrieve the journal, and danger surrounds them. With the help of Juniper’s feline friends, Sir Fluffington, Spot, and Sassafras, can they get to the bottom of this? Or will there be more deaths to add to the journal’s pages?
I really enjoy the character interactions in this story, including the cats’ perspectives on things. Grab your copy and see if you can figure out what’s going on in this clever case before the twists and turns get you completely turned around.
When Juniper buys a lovely roll-top desk, she comes across a journal with decades of names of people who have died and some unknown symbols including shorthand. Oddly, the journal was taped to the desk and out of sight. So she and Jasper decide to figure out this mystery. It seems that someone wants to retrieve the journal, and danger surrounds them. With the help of Juniper’s feline friends, Sir Fluffington, Spot, and Sassafras, can they get to the bottom of this? Or will there be more deaths to add to the journal’s pages?
I really enjoy the character interactions in this story, including the cats’ perspectives on things. Grab your copy and see if you can figure out what’s going on in this clever case before the twists and turns get you completely turned around.
April 16, 2024
The Diary of Murder is book #4 in the Mysteries from the Antique Store series by Sydney Tate.
This was the first book I read in the series and I left me kind of confused. I’m not sure if things would’ve been clearer if I had read the earlier books in the series. There were a lot of characters at the beginning and it wasn’t exactly clear what Juniper‘s relationship was with some of them. It wasn’t clear to me why finding the diary the way they did, Julie automatically assumed it was a case without even looking at it. I really enjoyed the sections from the cats perspective and how they were on their own mission to project Junie. I rate this 3 1/2 stars rounding up to 4 because things probably would have been clearer if I started with the first book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was the first book I read in the series and I left me kind of confused. I’m not sure if things would’ve been clearer if I had read the earlier books in the series. There were a lot of characters at the beginning and it wasn’t exactly clear what Juniper‘s relationship was with some of them. It wasn’t clear to me why finding the diary the way they did, Julie automatically assumed it was a case without even looking at it. I really enjoyed the sections from the cats perspective and how they were on their own mission to project Junie. I rate this 3 1/2 stars rounding up to 4 because things probably would have been clearer if I started with the first book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2024
Junie buys an antique roll top desk that she plans to keep and use at an estate sale. While cleaning the desk, she discovers and old journal/diary. Due to her recent track record with getting mixed up in murder cases, the gang immediately suspects foul play. I really enjoy the relationships and camaraderie between the characters, and I love the sections that are told from the point of view of the cats as they try to help their humans and keep them safe. Lots of emotion as Junie is worrying about the future, both with her jobs (antique store and PI firm), and whether she will find someone to love (her friends are all paired up). The mystery had some twists that kept me guessing.
I received an ARC from the author via Booksprout, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received an ARC from the author via Booksprout, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
February 26, 2024
4+ stars. A good cozy. I had a few minor points of confusion in the reading, but the story as a whole is solid.
Juniper currently remains single, but all her friends appear to be pairing up. Her cats are still running her security and backing her up if baddies show up. But there's a weird sound haunting her shop building these days, and for some reason items connected to murders continue to find their way to her and her antique store.
The characters are distinct and likeable, for the most part. If you've read earlier books in this collection they may feel like family by now. But you don't need to have read earlier stories to understand this one. [It might help, but not required for enjoyment.].
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Juniper currently remains single, but all her friends appear to be pairing up. Her cats are still running her security and backing her up if baddies show up. But there's a weird sound haunting her shop building these days, and for some reason items connected to murders continue to find their way to her and her antique store.
The characters are distinct and likeable, for the most part. If you've read earlier books in this collection they may feel like family by now. But you don't need to have read earlier stories to understand this one. [It might help, but not required for enjoyment.].
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 12, 2024
Chase girlfriend lets Juniper know she’s handling an estate sale that has the perfect stuff for her. When she arrives and falls in love with a roll top desk she must have. When she gets it home an old diary falls out. This starts off the case when she notices it’s not an ordinary diary! She discovers the diary is old and it looks like the same neat penmanship throughout the diary!
I love the close relationship between friends. There was a lot of mystery and action in this book! I love that they introduce new characters to enhance the story and yet we still get Miss Minnie. Miss Minnie is such a wonderful character. I love reading Ms Tate’s books. They r cleverly written as they take u on an enjoyable journey. I highly recommend this book and series!
I love the close relationship between friends. There was a lot of mystery and action in this book! I love that they introduce new characters to enhance the story and yet we still get Miss Minnie. Miss Minnie is such a wonderful character. I love reading Ms Tate’s books. They r cleverly written as they take u on an enjoyable journey. I highly recommend this book and series!
February 24, 2024
Murder is a family affair
Juniper “Junie” Caine loves her antique shop but solving murder cases is also appealing. Working with Jasper in the PI firm gives her cases to work on and now they have a new one. Junie discovers a creepy diary hidden in a desk from an estate sale. It’s written in some sort of code but it sure looks like there is murder involved. Her friends and her three cats work hard to protect her but she always winds up in dangerous situations.
This is a fun cozy. it has a good plot and interesting characters. I love how the cats do their own sleuthing as they watch over Junie and her friends. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Juniper “Junie” Caine loves her antique shop but solving murder cases is also appealing. Working with Jasper in the PI firm gives her cases to work on and now they have a new one. Junie discovers a creepy diary hidden in a desk from an estate sale. It’s written in some sort of code but it sure looks like there is murder involved. Her friends and her three cats work hard to protect her but she always winds up in dangerous situations.
This is a fun cozy. it has a good plot and interesting characters. I love how the cats do their own sleuthing as they watch over Junie and her friends. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
March 3, 2024
Junie finally has the business of her dreams--an antique store! Always on the lookout for a wonderful new piece, she jumps at the chance to buy the beautiful roll-top desk at the auction. When she discovers the old diary taped under the desk, things really get confusing as they search for the meaning of the entries. Can Junie and her three very special cats figure out what exactly is going on before anyone else gets killed! Part funny and part nail-biter--you won't be able to put this down until you find out who-dun-it!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2024
Possibly because this is my first read in this series, but this one seems to be ebb and flow for me. There are times when I can't put in down and others when I only get through about 10 pages at a time as it got a bit confusing.
An intriguing storyline that spans many generations that is fitting for an antique store mystery with a hint of possible romance for the Juniper, the only one of her friends not coupled up. But is there more to her friendships than meets the eye.
I received a complimentary ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
An intriguing storyline that spans many generations that is fitting for an antique store mystery with a hint of possible romance for the Juniper, the only one of her friends not coupled up. But is there more to her friendships than meets the eye.
I received a complimentary ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 2, 2024
Brilliant! Suspense building , thanks to an antique roll top desk Juniper picked up when Rebecca put her onto an estate sale , keeping items of interest. She discovers a tome of death hidden inside, that’s dangerous indeed so much so that it has to go in an evidence locker ! Chase introduces his mystery woman so now it seems just Junie who isn’t paired up, she gets a few interested parties but are they who they seem or out to scheme? The new office in the basement is coming along, though Jasper is still with Maura to Juniper’s chagrin and there’s a lot of lip biting. The friends rally the mystery along with the detectives but when Junie finds herself targeted and in terrible danger who can she turn to …. The feline quarter are brilliant writing as ever and do their bit of puzzle solving and more. A truly wonderful piece of writing that engages and flows so smoothly it’s easy to become engrossed and unaware of the world around me as I read. Sydney Tate never fails to impress me. I can’t get enough of these refreshing Cosy Mystery stories with stellar cast of characters . Perfect prose and unpredictable storytelling. I was forwarded this book and I’m leaving my review voluntarily and in my own thoughts.
February 23, 2024
Great book. It was a cozy page turner and the suspense was awesome. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. Juniper found antique desk in her shop that had a lot of secrets and mystery behind it. Could her and Jasper find out the secrets behind this desk before it is too late. If this person who sold her this antique desk was in danger and maybe they need money to get out of town or was they killed for this priceless antique. I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
February 23, 2024
This is the fourth book in the series and what fun it was. Sydney Tate has created a world populated with a diverse group of friends who seem to band together to figure out the who-dun-its, whether they want to or not. Along with a trio of sleuthing cats, lead by Mr. Fluffington III, clues will be investigated and the guilty ferreted out. It was a great little read as are the rest in the series. I always smile when I see that another has been released.
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2024
Junie finds a rollback desk at an estate sale and discovers a hundred-year-old diary that opens up a new mystery for her to solve. She, her cadre of friends and coworkers, and some helpful cats sleuth out the truth at the end of the diary. This is an interesting, cozy mystery tied to yet another antique find but could use a little bit more refining in spots to help make it clearer and easier to read. Otherwise, it is an okay read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2024
Another entertaining book in the series of Juniper with her antique store and new PI business. The story started a little slow but quickly picked up with a big mystery to solve. I enjoy Juniper's character and especially her 3 guardian cats. She has a great support group who worry too much about her but are essential in helping her solve the mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2024
Victim.Juniper, owner of Juniper's Jewels, stumbles upon an antique roll-top desk at an estate sale, but it's what's hidden inside—a cryptic diary—that sets off a chain of events. The diary's mysterious contents, filled with names of the deceased and cryptic symbols, draw Juniper into a perilous puzzle. It's a puzzling story. It couldn't be sorted out.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2024
Another mysterious death, & more, for Juniper to solve. She’s got her dream desk from one of Rebecca’s Estate Sales. The hidden diary that fell out of the desk is the key to the investigation. Sadly the police confiscate it.
It’s quite complicated as it spans 100 years. All the usual characters are trying to fathom the mystery. It’s entertaining & intriguing. Fourth mystery in the series.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author, & I am writing a voluntary honest review.
It’s quite complicated as it spans 100 years. All the usual characters are trying to fathom the mystery. It’s entertaining & intriguing. Fourth mystery in the series.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author, & I am writing a voluntary honest review.
February 23, 2024
The latest installment in this series was as dark and twisty as can be expected by Sydney Tate. Strange people start popping into the antique store after Juniper unwittingly discovers a dangerous antique diary. This mystery has a satisfying conclusion. As always, Juniper's feline protectors add wit and charm to this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2024
This is the fourth book in the Mysteries From The Antique Store series.
It's another fun, lighthearted cosy mystery featuring Emerald, Juniper and Sir Fluffington III. These are always very light, easy reading, I find the characters humorous, and enjoy their interactions with each other.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's another fun, lighthearted cosy mystery featuring Emerald, Juniper and Sir Fluffington III. These are always very light, easy reading, I find the characters humorous, and enjoy their interactions with each other.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 29, 2024
Juniper Caine owner of an antique shop and amateur sleuth buys a antique desk which has a hidden diary that sets off chain of events . Juniper , Jasper her partner and Emerald her friend try to solve the secrets that are recorded in it. This leads them into danger. Her cats try to help solve the mystery too. A exciting read with a nail-biting finish. I received this ARC copy via booksprouts and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
February 29, 2024
This is a good, well-written cozy mystery. There were moments where it felt possibly un-edited or confusing, and it's hard to tell sometimes with mystery stories if the confusing elements are meant to be deliberate or if it's something that simply hasn't been caught in proofing yet since this is an ARC. There is no unsolved mystery, here, though, so don't worry. It's a good read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2024
Junie is a little bored to sell only her beloved antiques and not having a murder case to solve too.
When Rebecca is selling her a beautiful roll up desk, things start to change.
A very confusing diary, with lots of shorthand, symbols and anything in between had been taped under the desk but the creepy if confusing content shows that it is in fact a murder diary.
Junie and Jasper of course have to investigate, with the "help" of Juniper's 3 cats.
When Rebecca is selling her a beautiful roll up desk, things start to change.
A very confusing diary, with lots of shorthand, symbols and anything in between had been taped under the desk but the creepy if confusing content shows that it is in fact a murder diary.
Junie and Jasper of course have to investigate, with the "help" of Juniper's 3 cats.
March 4, 2024
The Diary of murder written by Sydney Tate. What another awesome book by Sydney Tate. There is twist and turns all through the book. I loved this book, there murder, adventures, and romance. You may think you know who did what but you may also be wrong. I know I was lol 😂. You won’t want to miss this read it’s really good. I highly recommend reading it and yes I have this book. Thanks Sydney for writing great books.
Written by
Edith L 🤗
Written by
Edith L 🤗
March 15, 2024
Though it was an interesting plot, I found it very hard in the beginning to figure out exactly who the characters are and how they are related or connected. The story spent a significant amount of time detailing the search for and of the clues, but in the end, the solution simply fell into their laps with no real explanation of what happened, why it happened or what all the cryptic clues meant.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2024
Junie can not stay out of trouble lol. No matter what she does. This was interesting for sure. You think of this type of thing with ...well I would say a mob or such. So it was cool to see it being used somewhere else. And now I'm honestly curious if they will find the people that need to be found from this.....thoughts for a future book???.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2024
Juniper has fallen into yet another mystery. After buying her dream desk, a diary falls out. In checking out the diary, she slips right into another murder to solve. With weird characters coming to buy antiques, she has many suspects to choose from. I loved the way she follows each of the clues and you never know which way she is going to go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews